Chapter 21: White Lives

"Come on John," Rashel teased, poking his chest with the bokken again. He was tied up and looking defeated, his face a beautiful mask of false hatred. He was a terrible actor.

"I give up," He said plucking on the ropes with his fingers. The smile he flashed afterwards took her breath away. She saw images of the same smile, a dazzling smile that filled his face and blazed in his eyes.

The memories were coming easier, random moments linked to objects, phrases and expressions. Like a smile or a trinket. Her old life making its mark on the world of her new life.

"Surrender isn't an option, coward." She met his gaze as she poked him in the ribs. His dark eyes were lit up with black flames. He was happy and she could feel it. She fell to her knees beside him, taking his warm chin in one hand. "Although, I accept eternal servitude."

Rashel leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. There was the sweet innocence to soft kisses. Not like chocolate but like milk.

She pulled away slightly, tracing his cheekbone with her thumb. He tried to catch her lips but she pulled away, laughing.

He gave her a pout, before lifting his arms, easily tearing through the ropes. They fell around him as he pulled her into a hug.

Hugs and kisses. Milk and cookies. Things that just fit together. Like her and him.

"It's getting cold. Lets go inside," He whispered in her ear, his arms tightening around her.

"I'm warm," She whispered back, snuggling herself deeper against him. "Just stay like this a bit longer. Please?"

"Eternal servitude remember?"

Leo

His eyes were searching the room, looking for any imperfection, any thing that would cause her harm or hurt her. It was a simple room for the most part but cozy. Not the kind of place you'd put a prisoner in.

Prisoner. She was going to be his prisoner. He wasn't going to hurt her like she had hurt him. He was going to kill the bastard who made her leave. The same one who washed the colour and light out of his life.

"It doesn't matter," He said to himself, gripping the edge of the bed with a shaking hand.

He was staring at the wall when she came in. He flinched instinctively, at the sight of blood running down her neck and pooling at the collar of her shirt. Her smile was demonic as she wiped her lips.

"We're all ready," Her voice was soft as honey as she pierced him with her topaz eyes.

"So are we," His voice was controlled as he spoke, something he learned from years of bath bloods. She took a step closer but he was getting up, his posture making it clear he was leaving.

"Don't be so grumpy. You'll get what you want- so long as you keep up the bargain," Turning on her heel, she left the room and with a parting glance so did he.

Rashel

She twirled the ring around her finger as she waited for the popcorn to finish popping.

"I know this is insignificant and stupid because what we have is much more than a couple of words said in front of the altar, but I would like to-" He paused, taking her hand in his and dropping to one knee. Looking up at her shocked face, he continued, "-marry you anyway. I love you, I will always love you for even longer than I live. I don't know what happens to my kind if we die, but I know that each passing moment with you is heaven and no one can ever make me a better heaven then the one I have right now. Nothing can possibly make me love you less then I do now, I love you."
His hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out a silver band, an emerald set in between smaller diamonds. It was in the shape of a rose, its stem twined with the band.
The only thing she could remember before being engulfed in a long kiss was whispering yes, her eyes watering as she stared at him.

It sat on her hand feeling cold and new. It was waiting for 17 years, and she hoped it would stay on her hand for 17 more years.

Suddenly the lights went out, the microwave dying with a loud beeping protest.

"They should really label these things," She heard John mutter through the darkness.

"What happened?" Rashel called, finding the wall, and feeling her way into the living room.

There was a soft sigh she could barely hear from behind her and then she was falling with arms around her.

There was the softness of the couch beneath her and a warm body above her. "We have better things to do anyway."

The voice sent shivers down her spine. It was a voice she wanted to hear for the rest of her life.