Hey guys,
Charlaine Harris owns the wonderful Southern Vampire Mysteries. Another update! I really do love you guys, although, you may not love me when you've read this. I've been studying all day so I've been writing in my breaks again. The heat wave is continuing, so I've been writing outside in the shade. It's my actual Mechanics exam tomorrow. Just for the confusion's sake, mechanics is a type of maths, closely related to physics. It's about the movements and statics of particles. I'm terrified, I need an A, which is 80%. Oh well. Right, on with the chapter.
"Hello, lover." His deep voice carried through the old home as he walked in silently through the front door. Even in slumber his voice called out to me and I rolled over, facing in the direction I'd heard his voice. Soft padding footsteps made their way to my bedroom door before I heard the tell tale creak of the door opening. His musky scent washed over me; his own deep manliness mixed with soap. It was only dampened by the cloying smell of the bar that clung to his clothes. Without seeing him I knew what he was wearing; a black exercise vest teemed with a soft leather jacket and dark wash jeans that were loose but fitted snugly over his glorious behind.
The bed next to me jostled as he laid his considerable height down next to me. He folded his body around me, legs bending behind mine as his chest pressed up against my back. His arm snuck around my waist, pulling me further back into him. I felt my body relax even further and a sigh escaped my lips. His own lips pressed against my neck and laid a kiss there before trailing a few kisses down my bare shoulders. He wasn't romantic or sweet but he knew how to treat women right, he also wanted me happy. His highly protective nature turned out to be a blessing; it made him perform soft acts of love that were sweet. I almost rolled over to meet his lips with my own but his arm kept me firmly locked in place.
"Shh, sleep lover." I did, deep slumber sucked me under once again but I was still aware of his presence and I slept better for it. I never felt as safe as when I was in his arms. There was no denying he was a huge man and truly scary, he wasn't afraid of violence and he always made sure he maintained his authority. He had never acted like that to me though; he had never been violent. When we first met he had scared me, he'd rattled my bones but when we learned to trust each other things had turned better. Now I knew I was the one he'd protect with his life.
He spent the remainder of the night lying on my bed with me, brushing my skin with soft kisses intermittently. That was how I awoke finally in the morning; kisses being planted along my exposed shoulder.
"Good morning lover." He whispered into my ear.
"Good morning, Eric." I whispered back. I finally rolled over to face him and buried my face into his hard chest, breathing in his scent deeply. My arm wrapped around his waist, my hand moved up, feeling the strong muscles underneath the cotton. I remembered the sinking feeling of the night before and squeezed my arms tighter around him. "What was wrong yesterday?" His body was completely relaxed, no more tension singing through his defined muscles.
"Don't worry." I let my own tension go, trusting him completely.
I opened my eyes and found myself looking into deep blue pools mere inches away. Light crinkles lined his eyes and I knew he was smiling at me; I couldn't keep my answering grin at bay. I trailed my eyes up, passing pale eyebrows until I found his hairline. My hand left his back to stroke down a few tendrils of light blond locks that trailed half way down his back. I loved his hair. I loved him. He loved me, as much as he possibly could.
"How are you?" He asked me, eyes never breaking contact.
"I'm good, I love waking up like this."
"Good, I like making you happy, this makes you happy." He didn't phrase it as a question; he knew my mood since we were so inexplicably linked, at least it was very easy to see the pure happiness I'm sure I exulted.
"How are you?" I placed a small kiss on his chin. I'd once placed one on the tip of his nose and he hadn't liked it. He thought it made him appear tamed and that was a strange feeling for someone as old as he.
"I'm perfect. I've got my woman in my arms and I finally get to see her in the light of day. No more smelling the sun on your skin, I can see it shine off of your hair." It was his turn to stroke my hair.
I had a sinking feeling, deep down in the pit of my stomach and I knew I was missing something. It could wait, everything could wait. I laid my head down on the plump pillows and my mouth was pressed up against his neck. A gentle lick with just the tip of my tongue was all it took to elicit a deep, rumbling moan from deep in his chest. Emboldened, my lips pulled back to expose my teeth and I brushed them against his skin. More groaning. Opening my mouth against his skin, I grazed my teeth along the strong muscle. Once I found his artery, that no longer pumped, I bit. His grip got tighter against my waist and his moan became a groan of pure pleasure.
That's when I realised what was wrong. He was here, with me, in the light of day. He couldn't be here; we could only see each other in darkness. Sunlight was streaming in through my open curtains, glistening off of his baby blond hair, shining off his pale skin.
"Eric, the light!" I pulled back in fear, heart beating fast and breathing coming in strangled whimpers. I looked up at his face and took notice of the shaft of light falling across his forehead in a long line down his check from the window.
"It doesn't matter, I'm here with you." He lowered his head towards me and captured my lips in a kiss. His full lips moved against mine once I started responding and I felt the familiar pulled of my heart and the tightening of my stomach. His warm tongue traced along my lower lip. My lips parted, my tongue darting forward to dance with his. He knew how to kiss. Lost into the bliss that he created it took several moments for the smoky smell to permeate my mind.
I pulled back slightly, retreating my tongue with one last movement against his lower lip. We broke apart but I just couldn't do it; I moved forward again to plant a chaste, but loving, kiss on his lips. Horror filled my eyes; a deep ashen line was spreading over his pale skin from the patch of sunlight falling on his head. His eyes darkened in pain. Soft tendrils of smoke rose from his flaking flesh. I shrieked and pulled back, taking in the full terror. Tears splashed down my cheeks and sob wracked through my chest. I pushed myself against him and cried into his chest while he burnt.
The acrid stench of burning flesh permeated my senses and my eyes snapped open to find pained blue eyes staring back at me, memorising every inch of my face. I realised I wasn't dreaming. Eric really was here. It really was daytime, with the sun streaming in through the open window. My heart raced and the remnants of sleep were banished instantly from my mind. I pushed against his constraining arms, pulling myself out of his firm grasp.
"Eric! Get up!" I yelled at him, as I rolled out of the bed. I hit the floor, my legs not working fast enough to counter the rest of my movements. He lay immobile, simply watching me quietly. He didn't speak, didn't breath just continued to burn. His gorgeous blond hair was starting to singe, crinkling up and full of kinks. Where it touched his flesh it left behind deep red welts of scorch marks that seeped a disgusting fluid. "Please," I pleaded as I felt the first tears begin to prick at my eyes.
I didn't have time to think, just to react. I grasped his hand and tugged with all my strength to get him moving. He wouldn't move, he didn't give any outward sign that my might affected him in any way. I could feel the determination and pain in my head, which rolled off of him, his heart was so set. It wasn't the type of pain associated with the physical though; it was all inside his head. I gasped as I realised he wasn't registering the pain of burning, just the pain of watching me suffer.
"Eric, please!" I begged again, tugging once more. The tears began to roll silently down my cheeks. He was determined to meet the sun and I had no idea why. In selfish motivation to protect my love I raced to the windows. If I couldn't move the vampire I could take away the sun's heat, I reasoned in my head. That's when I really took in the detail of the windows; the curtains were gone and they lay in a folded heap underneath the sill. The hooks were gone, piled up on the bedside table so that I couldn't quickly put them back up. I shut the window, hoping that would bide my some more time.
Turning back to my dear vampire I found him rolled onto his back, his head turned towards me, watching every moment. Still he didn't speak. Grey tendrils of smoke began to curl towards the ceiling from every bare portion of his skin. The leather jacket was undone, exposing his chest and it was pushed up at the arms, revealing even more flesh for the taking. His pale blond hair was darkening against my sheets. I was running out of time.
"Why?" I screamed at him as I sank to the floor feeling completely useless.
"I need to give you your life back," came the whispered reply that I barely heard. Looking at the bed through my tear streaked eyes I saw him gazing at me with love, his eyes never wavering. His fangs were extended and I had to go to him.
I clambered onto the bed straddling him and laying down along the line of his body. My arms encircled his neck and I noticed the searing heat of his flesh, so different than the usual coolness. I stared down at him, taking in every line. A tear splashed down off of my cheek to land in the hollow between his collar bones. Steam rose in a billowing cloud from the small droplet only seconds after it had spilt. Even if he wouldn't burn he would boil. My tears came faster than before as a silent sob wracked my body.
One of my hands trailed up the ling of his neck, tracing his jaw and then his lips. They parted and I saw his elongated fangs, I traced them delicately with my fingertips, needing to remember them. "Please don't do this," I whispered through my anguish.
"I have to; I need to set you free."
Strength left my muscles then as I was overcome with pain for the man that lay in my arms. I rested my head on his hard chest, feeling the heat emanating from his body. I wouldn't leave him. If I couldn't save him I wouldn't abandon him. I shut my eyes against the tears and squeezed him tight, never wanting to let go.
I had to see him one last time. My eyes snapped open and the first thing I saw was the open door of the bathroom with the big chest beside it. The idea sprang to my head before I could even really think it through. It was worth a shot; anything to save my vampire. I couldn't let him do this. It might be selfish, but in that moment I just didn't care. I needed him to stand beside me, my friend, my protector, my lover.
I glanced up at his face to find his deep blue eyes still staring back at me. I took the moment and stared right back, memorising everything that I saw in the gaze; his love, his devotion and just him. The handsome flow of his features marred by the blisters that had erupted on his skin since I'd closed my eyes. True pain was beginning to seep into his eyes and I knew I didn't have much time left.
I clambered off of him, hitting the floor hard; grazing my hands and knees but I was moving before I could register the sting. My stumbling feet carried me to the chest and I flung the scattered items resting on its wooden surface to the ground, not caring where they went. My shaking hands fumbled with the clasp, unable to open it. "Argh!" I screamed to the room. All I could hear was my pumping heart and erratic breathing. I needed to calm down so that I could help him.
Air rushed into my lungs as I breathed deeply through my nose, expelling the air from my mouth, willing some of my panic to flee with it. After years of practice, it worked and I felt an odd numbness settle over me. My fumbling hands shook less and I finally opened the latch. I grabbed the top bundles of material, not really caring what they actually were. Anything would work for this plan.
I ran to the bathroom, the material in my arms before I threw them into the bottom of the tub. I couldn't get my vampire into the safety of darkness but there was another way I could take away the suns factor, or at least buy myself more time to formulate an actual plan. The shower button was pushed around to cold, made to run with full power so that the water drenched the blankets. It took longer than I wanted; I chanted small nothings to the shower, willing it to work faster. I grabbed the shower head and pulled it down, closer to the material, drenching the still dry areas.
Finally this small task was complete and I dropped the head, not bothering to switch it off. The sopping blankets dripped furiously as I ran back into my bedroom. The sight that met my eyes stopped me in my tracks.
My beautiful vampire was curled up in a tight ball, his tattered and singed clothing lying on the floor leaving him in only his boxers. Pale smoke rose in a billowing cloud from his body, meandering straight up to the ceiling where it roiled. Blisters had erupted out across his entire body and they were beginning to pop on their own, sending the boiling yellow liquid spewing over his skin. His skin, what was left of it, was pure red with blood seeping out through the cracks. I heard the high pitched keening then, emanating from his lips which were pulled back in a grimace. His once shining white fangs were dull and decaying. "Jag alskar dig," came his whispered final words, croaking out from a parched throat. Suddenly all the noise stopped, pitching the room into silence.
"No!" I yelled as I propelled myself forward. I threw the sodden blanket over his body; covering every inch of his scorched flesh with cold, soggy material. He never flinched at the pain it must have caused, he never moved at all. "No!" I whispered in my anguish but I couldn't give up on him. He couldn't be gone. He couldn't leave me!
With the soaking blanket beginning to steam I ran back to the chest and grabbed more linen. I soaked them again and placed them over the other blankets on his body, hoping that I could do something. There were no more blankets left, nothing else to douse the heat of his burning. The tears rolled heavily down my cheeks again as I sucked on my bottom lip, feeling the need for a child's comfort. There must be something else I could do! He couldn't leave me, not like this.
The window was still streaming in sun and the bathroom door was open, the window in their letting even more light through. With a burst of energy I banged the door shut, cutting out the light. The window was a task for a clear mind which I didn't have. There was nothing in the room that could hold up the heavy blackout curtains, except the hooks which would take too much time to thread.
I raced for the cupboard under the stairs knowing that there was an old DIY crate left there from when my brother lived here. Rummaging inside I found the hammer and nails I so desperately needed. Once back in my bedroom, I drove the nails through the material, hammering them with all my might into the strong wood of the house. I didn't care about the damage; I needed to do something to help my vampire. Once again, I was left to hoping that I wasn't too late.
With the room shrouded in darkness all my energy left my muscles, spilling me once more to the floor. Back resting against the bathroom door, stopping the pale light that seeped its way between the gap the door made with the floor, I collapsed. My head rested against the plush carpet but I didn't feel any comfort at the feeling. The only thing that could help me in such deep anguish was the one thing that couldn't do anything; he lay only feet away from me, unmoving. Silent sobs gave way to wailing cries as I lay there. The time passed by achingly slowly but the noise left my throat hoarse and I welcomed the return of the silent tears. My hands were held tightly to my chest, holding me bleeding heart inside me.
He couldn't leave me.
I needed him.
I loved him.
He couldn't leave me.
I don't think anything is better than the beloved Viking Vampire. Please don't hate me. This isn't the end of the story.