Nika Dawson: Thank you. Peter really likes the idea of Spike/Dracula as it means that Spike will be able to stay. I always had the idea in mind for Dracula to recite poetry to Spike as I think Spike would inspire these feelings that he'd have to express in terms Spike would understand. Well he would have then if he wasn't drunk. :P Here's the new chapter.
11Melpomene: I know what you mean, Spike/Angel is the only slash pairing I read in this fandom and if not for the challenge of writing Spike/Dracula I might never have grown so fond of this pairing too. The best thing I hear is when readers say they don't know who to root for because I don't want to make this a "Dracula is just trying to steal Spike away from Angel, we hate him" fic. Sadly Peter is not in this chapter though he is mentioned. Spike and Dracula are however. Thanks for commenting. :)
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His head was bleeding killing him when Madam Drake came in slamming the door behind her. Wincing he tried to bury his head in the endless amount of pillows. The stupid bint was having none of it not having the decency to flee when he slipped into game face.
"Get dressed, we have a busy day ahead of us." She announced stiffly going to the dresser to no doubt chose something suitable for Spike to wear.
"Bugger off." The vampire grumbled hugging the largest pillow tightly to his chest.
"We could have used you to help us prepare, THAT would have made sense, but the master has to have you looking your best today." She muttered to herself tossing a pair of boots to the floor. He winced curling more into the pillow in an attempt to block out the sound. "He makes the worst choices when his libido is in charge."
"Hey now--!" Spike whined when his arm was pulled forcibly up. "You're enjoying this a bit much, pet."
"If I had my way you would be locked up." Madam Drake replied heatedly. "What did you say to him?"
"Say to--oh." Feeling a little somber at the mention of Peter, Spike sat up straighter. "Kid thinks me and Mr. Movie star are an item. Thinks we should be, that I'd like it."
Spike laughed bitterly.
"You could if you had sense enough to realize what the master could offer you. Many would die for such a thing." She bought over her selection of clothes.
"Many have." He countered darkly.
"Peter adores you," the woman confessed softly, "I suppose you remind him of his father."
"'M like him eh?"
"Not really. He was english however and like you he wasn't found of the master. Didn't think it was a proper place to raise a family. It is our family legacy." Her eyes challenged him yet he wisely remained silent on the subject.
"Wot am I supposed to be all posh for? Another round of the wankers' pathetic attempts to woo me, is it?" Spike said instead. Ignoring his jibe at her employer, though her eyes revealed her outrage, she answered mildly:
"The manor is honored to receive an much anticipated guest. The Elder of the master's favorite tribe." While he knew there had to be more to it than that by her relieved tone Spike let it pass for now. Who knew, it could be the chance he ad been waiting for.
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Dracula stood expectantly when the frail looking woman entered. Normally he would await guest in his study or such. Having traveled such a distance through peril and working her magicks in attempt to free those under the spell had been straining on her. That and his concern for Elsa had made him skip such trivial matters.
"I have broken the spell with great difficulty I might add." The old woman said taking his hand to be guided into a nearby seat. "This Mihai lives up to his claims. His powers is truly impressive. They will need time to rest from the ordeal, to recover, as will I."
Her dull eyes suddenly became alive with fire when she regarded the Count. "Though that can wait as I heard a very intriguing tale. You are currently engaged in a romance with a man, eh? The girls must love that. They certainly have been demanding it for enough years."
He sighed, this woman was one of the few that he ever allowed to treat him in such a manner. She had been descended from his beloved Magda mirroring her in appears only. She adored poking fun at him and enjoyed gossip. Since her youth his brides had told her many embarrassing stories. Luckily they had an arrangement where she would only speak of these things within his clan.
"You know why I resisted for so long." Her smile vanished as she cupped his hand.
"Yes, I do not make little of your past loss merely delighted in such lovely images it invokes. Forgive an old woman for enjoying her fantasies." At his nod she grinned shamelessly. "He's your prisoner I hear? The one you have chained to do your commands? Now that does paint a pretty picture."
"Adela!" The vampire exclaimed clearly scandalized.
"Speaking of him, am I correct in assuming that he is William the Bloody?" He paused then with a sigh said he was. "He is a highly unusual vampire from what I hear, having fought off the pains of the bands of binding. To say nothing of your past run ins with him."
She chuckled at his sour look. "In a more serious light, he might present a problem. I sense something is amiss with the spells I placed in his confinement."
"They have been working properly, Adela. He has not escaped." When the old woman made to argue she noted his attention slipping from her. The masters' face softened and she turned to see what had captured him so. Coming into the main foyer just where they were was a man flanked by two nervous guards and Madam Drake.
The man was very striking with his light brown curly hair highlighted with blond stands. Tight leather pants, and a rich scarlet shirt completed the look making him appear quite regal. She wouldn't have guessed the identity of him if not for the hunger written on the masters' face. Remembering himself the Count took her hand to guide her for introductions. Never one to wait Adela beat him to the punch.
"William the Bloody, we haven't seen your like since you last dined in Romania." She remarked tartly feeling the need to test him. His flinched before his face smoothed into disinterest.
That will require looking into later on.
"It's Spike now." Smirking at the older vampire his scarred eyebrow rose in amusement. "This another of your birds, mate?"
"Hardly, I prefer men being more lively." The old woman remarked earning a devilish grin from the prisoner and a scowl from Dracula.
"That a fact? Good for you then, luv. Shows you got taste."
"We all have taste, however some of ours are more...," she paused to glance at Dracula with a secret smile, "...refined than others."
This Spike was an odd one to be certain, his aura had a quality that she couldn't pinpoint in her current restless state. No matter, she would later once she rested. "I will take my leave of you to retire. No," pulling away from the dark lords' grip she beckoned the two guards, "you will do. Hmm, your guards have gotten prettier since my last visit."
Watching her lead the uncomfortable men away Spike chuckled. "Cheeky bird."
Turning to Dracula he caught an unreadable look and the smile slipped. He had memories of the night before that he had thought were drunken dreams. It didn't seem likely now that he saw the Count checking him out. When Madam Drake instructed him to follow her outside he gladly went. To his dismay his admirer walked beside him distracting Spike from noticing where they were going. Normally the champion would have complained, fought or snarked about being led around. At the moment he was far too distracted to pay attention properly.
When they had reached their destination Spike finally took in his surroundings. They were a good distance from the castle yet still within the walls of the lords' property. Large inviting trees covered the area with a pond at it's center. In an opening above the water the moon shone down casting a glow on the surface. A blanket covered the ground near the pond littered with items and not far off was a carriage being pulled by a familiar horse.
"Bloody hell." Spike whispered, because really what else could he say when his foe had outdone his past lovers with such a gesture. Not that the other man had much to compete with.
"Sit with me." Dracula said extending his hand.
"Uh, no thanks, fine right here." This situation was surreal enough without indulging Mr. Legend.
"If you fear for your virtue that much Spike I could ask Madam Drake to stay to chaperon us." The amusement in his rivals' voice caused Spike to bristle.
"Like I would ever let you touch me."
"Wonderful. Madam Drake you may take your leave."
Not wanting to lose face Spike awkwardly walked up to the edge of the blanket plopping down with an air of irritation. Searching for a means to keep his nerves under wraps he plucked up a box to discover it's contents. Inside sitting in perfect uniform rolls were chocolates with a selection of fillings.
"You seem out of sorts tonight, whatever is wrong Spike?" Dracula tone seemed to imply that he thought he knew what the source was, smug bastard.
" 'M out with your pompous arse with a bleeding hangover, 'course 'm outta sorts." The not so blond vampire shot back snatching a candy to shove into his mouth. Hmm, not bad at all.
"Oh how you suffer." The lord murmured drawing in closer as Spike drew back. "You truly are frightened of me, are you not?" His eyes issued a silent challenge.
"No, I am not afraid of you." Spike replied in a close imitation of Draculas' accent. "You...arrogant git!" Not his finest insult but he had been drawing a blank.
Far from hurt, looking mildly intrigued the Count drew a chocolate of his own from the box. "You have such...interesting endearments for me, Spike. I think it's only fitting that I return the favor." A look of bliss passed over his face momentary distracting the younger man. "Ah, I know. Perhaps I should call you, beauty."
Spike scowled not noting how the distance between them was slowly being closed. "Call me that again wanker and we'll see how you like me foot up your arse."
"No?" The mock puzzlement cleared to reveal an intense burning gaze that if he breathed would have left Spike breathless. "Would you prefer stallion perhaps?"
The souled vampires' face heated feeling a William like urge to die of embarrassment even as his voice denied it. "Calling me after one of your horsies? Thought you were supposed to be better at this seducing, yeah?"
"All of my beasts have names, this one--," Dracula motioned to the horse that had been giving Spike grief, " is called Ganymede after--"
"--The cup bearer of Zeus." Spike finished understanding making his stomach churn. Ganymede was more than that in the myths of the gods. He was kidnapped to be the lover of Zeus too. Which meant that the creature that had been compared to him...oh bugger.
"Yes, he was." The Count said clearly impressed. "You must have had a classical upbringing, William."
"Well yes--yeah did." No one commented on his human life much and to be called by his birth name without "the bloody" attached to it felt odd. There was no taunting in the manner it was said. No "sorry" either nor "you're beneath me." Funny how the only one to treat him with respect hadn't been someone he'd been pining for. Maybe funny wasn't the right word, it did seem sort of tragic now that he thought about it.
"You are more complex than I ever dreamed, each new piece I discover only bringing another question. I must know who you are." Fingers traced Spikes' jaw with a softness he had not expected. "I tried in vain to tell myself that my interest is merely physical yet I must--have to learn your secrets. Why do I feel this way, William?"
The confession startled him like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. Never having experience with people expressing such desires to him in sane manners he had nothing to compare it to. Never had it occurred to him that Dracula would admit much less feel anything beyond sexual attraction to him. He would have thought it a trick if not for the lost expression on the other mans' face. In the midst of his own panic attack Spike's mind came to a sudden halt when a pair of lips covered his own.
They were far softer than he would think given the age of the man kissing him. The tenderness shocked him as well. Not the frantic biting type he would have thought. Spike still too stunned hadn't moved as the Count cupped the back of his head drawing him in closer. Long fingers slipped into his locks gripping them steady as a tongue tried to seek entrance. Gasping at the sensation Spike unknowingly gave permission as Dracula plundered his mouth. The taste of chocolate swirled with the essence of the other man. The power of the ancient vampire made Spikes' demon swoon almost as much as the faint undercurrents of blood. Human blood.
Distantly he realized that he was being moved but he simply couldn't think straight. Not with those lips, clever tongue and hands caressing him. Hands? Oh right, one of the pair that had been holding his head in place had wandered to feel Spike through the silk shirt. He should stop this, after all he hated the--the--oh that felt brilliant. Spike moaned when the hand slid up his hip and under his shirt to touch bare skin. It felt like an age since he had last been touched. Lips detached from his leaving the two men to gasp unneededly. Not allowed a moment to clear his head Spike groaned at the small scatter of kisses being bestowed on him from brow to exposed throat. He should do something to stop this, he knew it, but he was too confused. Never thought it would feel so good.
The kiss became a nibble making his knees go weak. His neck was too sensitive for his own good. The blunt human teeth felt incredible but it was the two sharp fangs that were so close to breaking his skin that left Spike dizzy. It was a tease however as if Dracula were showing him what he could do and that he could restrain himself. Spike struggled to push away not liking where this was headed yet two hands refused to release their burden. Pulled tighter Spikes' foggy mind picked up that he was now seated on the other mans' lap. A warning sign went off in his head and with a greater effort he pushed out of the embrace.
Moving off back onto the blanket Spike stared wide eyed at Dracula who regarded him through heavy lids absently licking his swollen lips. Every inch of Spikes' body that had been touched burned while his lips tingled. He was panting unable to form a suitable insult for this incident. How could he when he could still taste Dracula?
