Chapter 39
Fires of Vengeance Lit
In a sprawling stone mansion built in the suburbs of Philadelphia with several acres of land and a high granite wall surrounding it and insuring privacy, a miniature castle in atmosphere if just shy of such in reality, Liam was in the wing reserved for himself as the master of the house.
After three days and nights of failed searches, Liam needed a day's rest to recover his powers in full and an evening to himself before he publicly broke from the stress he was under. The Elder had secluded himself upon waking at dusk with orders not to be disturbed for any reason short of his Sunshine and his boy having been found. Even an improbable but theoretical attack by some newly arrived faction of Iscariot had better be handled by his servants without disrupting his evening, or said servants would spend the next month being tortured and then fed to his familiars for disobeying his order.
Liam had been left in peace for the evening.
It was nearing dawn and the Elder was still lying on a four poster bed large enough to comfortably sleep a dozen people, though tonight Liam was the solitary occupant. A large flat screen TV that rose up from the footboard of the bed was playing video clips filmed over the last two years. The present playlist was highlights of occasions when his Sunshine and he were together at private parties, or when she and little Xander were visiting the mansion.
Currently on the screen were Liam and Mercedes dancing together, the spring before last, at a small party celebrating Davin and Sasha's anniversary. Aerosmith's "Falling In Love (Is So Hard On The Knees)" was playing through the speakers in the main dance hall of Liam's mansion where the party was being held. Liam had been wearing a more casual pair of dress pants for the occasion, with a loose fitting dark green silk dress shirt that was allowed to have the top two buttons remain unbuttoned, and his Sunshine was wearing a short-sleeved, long-skirted dress in shades of forest green and gold. Mercedes had had a few drinks by that point in the party, though she wasn't quite intoxicated, and the two of them were playfully dancing together in the middle of the dance floor amidst their closest friends gathered for the evening, alternating between swing-dancing during the chorus of the song and bordering dirty dancing during the main refrains.
Liam of the present day had a bittersweet smile tug at his lips as he watched himself spin his Sunshine about in a circle away from himself that made her flowing silk and lace skirts flare out slightly and then pulled her back into his arms and flush against himself. Mercedes's arms wrapped around Liam's neck as his hands came to rest on her hips. His Sunshine teasingly rolled those curvaceous hips against him as she stroked the nape of his neck, causing the vampire's eyes to flare a brighter green with desire.
Davin, dressed in black slacks and a burgundy shirt that was unbuttoned along the first three top buttons, swept into the picture with Sasha, who was wearing a form-fitting long-skirted dress of delicate chiffon and lace in shades of gold and was near transparent.
"Hey hey hey," Davin's deep baritone could be just heard saying as he led his bride towards his grand-sire and Mercedes.
Liam had just started to lean down to give Mercedes a kiss, but paused and glanced over to Davin as he heard the exclamation.
"You two get any more touchy-feely," Davin continued his interjection, "and I'm going to have to file an injunction ordering you to carry Mercedes back to your rooms where you two can have a private hour. If anyone is going to be permitted to have dance-sex in the middle of my anniversary party, it's going to be me!"
Liam, Mercedes and Sasha, along with those dancers nearby the two couples, laughed in amusement at the teasing reprimand. Mercedes blushed a delicate shade of pink in embarrassment, hiding her face against Liam's shoulder, and the vampire gently stroked her back as he smirked in fond amusement at her response.
Marrick could be heard trying to suppress a chuckle from behind the camera, ending up snorting with laughter in the attempt as he moved closer to them to catch the exchange.
"You have my apologies, Counselor Delcour," Liam replied, flashing an entertained smile to Davin over Mercedes's head. "I will make an attempt to restrain myself for the moment. Without a court order to enforce such, however, I can make no promises for the entirety of the evening with so sensuous a lady as my companion gracing me with her presence."
Sasha gave a mischievous grin and in turn said something that the camera hadn't picked up over the noise of the party. Mercedes's blush became all the brighter as both she and Liam laughed at Sasha's comment.
Liam of the present day remembered Sasha teasingly commenting that she could hardly blame Liam for his behavior with such a lady, and perhaps she might steal Sunshine for a dance or two and show the men how dirty dancing is really done.
The song ended and switched over to The Eurythmics "Sweet Dreams".
Sasha's grin became all the wider and she said something to Mercedes again, holding out a hand to the human female.
Mercedes considered the question. Liam murmured an encouragement in her ear, and she finally gave Sasha a nod. Extricating herself from Liam, Mercedes allowed Sasha to sweep her away.
The two women proceeded to do just as Sasha had suggested, with Liam and Davin watching with no shortage of enjoyment of the show their significant others were providing.
Janna and Natasia, never ones to miss out on such a moment, were soon joining Sasha and Mercedes.
"Marrick! Where the hell is Marrick?!" Henrick could be heard off screen. "Ah, hell yes! You do have the camera rolling! Saved by my young padawan! I want copies of this before we leave this weekend!"
Marrick could be heard chuckling again and Liam smirked in amusement.
"Just keep it off the internet, you two," Liam called over, "or the next video posted will be a snuff clip with yourselves the starring actors incapable of making it to the sequel."
"Sure thing, boss man," Henrick replied, closer to the camera now. "Such collective hotness is too good for the internet anyways. This is strictly VIP viewing only, with a warning announcement that we are not liable for any embarrassing discomfort generated in one's nethers for watching."
The camera shook for several seconds as Marrick tried to hold back laughter.
When the song was over, the dirty dancing between the four women came to an end, to a great deal of playful complaining from the men.
Mercedes returned to Liam's side and they exchanged a short kiss while the teasing continued. Liam whispered in Mercedes's ear and then nodded towards the camera. Mercedes glanced over to the video-taping Marrick and her blush was back with a brilliant encore.
"Ferme la bouche, Henrick!" Mercedes said in good humor in response to Henrick's loudest and continuing protests of the show ending. "Just be glad I didn't notice Marrick was getting it on video because that is the first and only time I'm letting Sasha lure me into dirty dancing with you deviants lurking about!"
The video clip cut out during laughter all around from the friends gathered together.
The next clip was just a few short weeks after the last had taken place. It showed the hallway leading to the bedroom Liam was currently in. Little Xander was carefully balancing a light platter with a plate of his mother's favorite food and a slender crystal vase containing a pink rose. The vase was threatening to tip over as the little boy was having trouble suppressing giggles that were shaking the platter.
"Shhhh," Liam could be heard saying in conspiratorial tones behind the camera. His playful admonishment had the exact opposite effect, making the little boy giggle more. "You will wake mommy up before we even reach the bedroom."
"I sorry, Liam" Xander replied. The four year old gave a cherubic smile up at the camera, blue eyes wide with anticipation, a small smear of flour on one cheek. "I no want to ruin the surprise. I just excited."
"It is alright, my little man. I am excited too," Liam's arm could be seen reaching out and ruffling the boy's shaggy black hair. "I bet mommy will be excited as well if we can make it there with her breakfast in one piece."
The little boy gave a full body giggle again. Despite the shaking, the vase stayed stabile on the tray this time, as Liam had decided to give it a little subtle aid with his telekinesis. They made it to the bedroom with no mishaps and Liam's hand was once more in the picture, turning the door knob to the bedroom and slowly easing open the door.
Xander slipped through the door first, with Liam behind him.
Mercedes was sound asleep in the bed Liam of the present day was currently laying in. She was snuggled up under the thick down comforter with her dark hair tousled and spread out on the crème-colored feather pillows. The heavy damask curtains in the room were pulled securely closed, the early morning light blocked from entering the room, and the only illumination in the bedroom was coming from the lights in the hallway.
"Ready, Xander?" Liam whispered.
"Ready!" Xander said a little louder, his smile growing as he tried not to bounce with excitement.
"Just like we practiced, on three," Liam said. "One. Two. Three."
Both started singing, "You are our Sunshine, our only Sunshine. You make us happy, when skies are grey…"
Mercedes woke up to the cheerful singing and looked around the room in surprise. A sleepy and confused smile formed as she saw Liam and Xander standing near the bed.
"What's all this?" Mercedes asked when they were done the little song, running a hand through her hair to push the long wavy locks out of her face.
"It your surprise, mama!" Xander said gleefully. "Liam and I made you breakfast in bed! Happy Mommy's Day!"
"So I see! Merci beaucoup, mon petit cher! You two cooked?" Mercedes asked the latter of Liam in teasing surprise.
"The servants kindly oversaw our novice endeavors and lent a hand when necessary," Liam said with a chuckle. "I can assure you, my dear Sunshine, the food is quite edible."
"I'm certain it is. That smells delicious," Mercedes said happily as she took the tray from Xander and set it to one side on the bed so she could wrap their son in a hug. "Thank you again, mes amores! This was so very sweet of you!"
The clip ended as Liam had turned the camera off to likewise give his Sunshine a hug and kiss.
Liam smiled wistfully at the memory of that day. He had been concerned about his Sunshine because she had been slowly slipping into a depression as Mother's Day and the first anniversary of her mother's death crept up on them, and he had set out to make the day as pleasant and distracting for her as possible to help it pass with as little upset as possible. He and their little one had successfully done so and his Sunshine had managed to pull out of the depression and return to the bright spirited woman he loved so dearly.
The next scene was an excerpt of an occasion a month later than the previous clip, in the expansive backyard of Liam's mansion. It was late at night, but the immediate area of manicured lawn was well lit by a blazing bonfire burning in a fire pit. Blankets were tossed on the ground around the fire. One was occupied by Henrick, Janna and Natasia, another by Davin and Sasha. Denissa and Jacob occupied the third, the next by Liam and Mercedes. The blanket between and behind those two couples was occupied by Xander snuggled up next to Felicia, with a second blanket covering the two sleeping human children. Marrick was behind the camera again with his own small group of consorts lounging around him.
All were dressed in whimsical nature-themed outfits in celebration of the Summer Solstice. For the vampires present- who kept to pagan traditions carried over from their human lives, but with an altered viewpoint now in relation to their undead existences (or, in Davin's case, had been converted after becoming a vampire)- the holiday marked the end of longer days that were the bane of their existences and the coming of extended hours each night to roam with unhindered power. They had all been celebrating in their own fashion since dusk had fallen.
The current atmosphere was more sedate as the night hours were waning, and all gathered had small slips of paper in hand. The papers contained an intended goal written upon them that was desired to be achieved as the vampiric New Year began. Each person present tossed their papers into the fire one by one, saying a brief prayer as they did so, symbolically sending the intent out into the universe as the papers burned and the smoke carried the desire with it, to be manifested as the year progressed.
When it was Liam's turn to toss his paper into the fire, he glanced down at Mercedes. His Sunshine was dressed in a long skirt that looked as though the layers were made of individual gigantic flower petals the colors of flames and a blood-red halter top just covering enough to keep from being indecently exposed in front of the children. She was leaning against Liam's bare chest, exhausted from a long night of revelry. Mercedes could feel Liam's shift in position and her golden gaze met his golden-red gaze, the supernatural colors of their eyes standing out all the more with darkness of night behind them, as she gave a tired but content smile.
Liam returned the smile and leaned down, giving his Sunshine a slow, deep kiss. As he pulled away from the kiss, the vampire's slender hand slipped into a pocket within the pair of rustic-stitched dark brown leather pants draped with a belt of silken blood-red flowers, the only clothing he was wearing that evening. The Elder pulled out a small velvet-covered box that should have been too large to fit in the pocket.
The action was just for show, to help build suspense, as Liam had made the box teleport into his hand. The action garnered expectant smiles from their friends around them.
Davin and Denissa exchanged a particularly knowing and pleased look.
Mercedes looked up again to meet Liam's burning gaze in surprise. She clearly didn't want to jump to conclusions about what resided in the box, as it should have been an impossibility for it to be the obvious answer.
"A gréine," Liam said, tone serious yet with love apparent in even those two short words. "This last year has brought us many joys, and many trials. But even when I made a mistake that nearly cost me your shining presence in my eternal night, you had the grace to forgive me that mistake and we have managed to find a way to work through such stormy times and find a balance between us. We are at the start of a New Year, side by side, and my desire is one that could begin to be granted now- not by the gods, but by you."
Liam opened the box to Mercedes's view, which was undoubtedly growing blurry from the tears forming in her eyes. A ring resided in the box, the band a delicate twisting of gold in classic Celtic knot work, decorated with a sigil in the center- a golden sun with yellow diamonds inset into its rays nestled into the crescent of a platinum moon decorated around the edges with tiny white diamonds, cradled in the upswept golden wings of a falcon.
"My hope and desire," Liam continued with a quiet sincerity as he lifted the engagement ring out of the box, "is for us to continue down the path we have been on with renewed resolve to find ways to maintain harmony between ourselves, remembering always that we love each other despite our differences. It is my desire for you, the beloved light to my darkness, to remain by my side for however many years we may be able to have together and be a proper family for little Xander as he deserves to have. Mercedes, will you make my most heartfelt desire come true and consent to be my bride?"
Mercedes had been struck well and truly speechless with the proposal. A hand had risen to her mouth as Liam had been speaking, and now her lips moved a few times, but she couldn't make them form coherent words.
A reaction that brought an impish smile to Liam's face as he patiently waited for her shock to fade enough to answer.
Mercedes's gaze went from Liam to Davin, her golden eyes clearly asking the vampire who had become like an elder brother if Liam was serious.
Davin's toothy smile grew as he gave a nod of encouragement and a wink.
Mercedes's gaze went then to Denissa, who was wrapped in the arms of her human companion.
The mystified question didn't need to be spoken, nor did the female Elder need to read the human's mind, for Denissa to understand that the query was there.
"We discussed the matter prior to Liam asking, Sunshine. He isn't risking upsetting the other Elders by making such a proposal without their knowledge," Denissa affirmed, an affectionate smile easing the austere lines of her face. "Given how deeply Liam cares for you, that the rest of us have come to respect you for being the extraordinary young woman you are and, most definitively, your unique and extensive dark gifts; the Elders came to an agreement after long debate. Even if you cannot be made Liam's bride by blood and are consigned to mortality, we will make an exception this once and recognize you as Liam's proper bride and not simply his companion- if a year and a half long trial period as his consort can pass successfully. The engagement ring has been enchanted by Liam to replicate the mental connection an Elder and their consort have, so that you two still go through that stage as best as can be had. If you wish to accept Liam's proposal and his ring, and you two still wish to wed after the trial period, we will have a ceremony at the height of winter of next year in honor of your union."
"So what do you say, my dearest Sunshine?" Liam asked mischievously, drawing Mercedes's gaze back to himself. He held the engagement ring with the enchanted sigil out to her, the gems glittering in the flickering firelight. "Do you think perhaps you could consent to spend the rest of your life bound to an incorrigible daimon such as myself who has fallen hopelessly and madly in love with you and is willing to swear that he will give everything and anything he is capable of to ensure your perpetual happiness if you agree to become his bride?"
Mercedes's expression finally shifted from disbelieving surprise to tentative joy and she gave a laugh at Liam's teasing rephrasing of his request. She nodded once and said, "I think such a prospect is one I could be quite happy swearing myself to. Yes, Liam, I will marry you."
Cheers and clapping broke out from those close friends gathered as Liam slipped the ring onto Mercedes's finger.
Once the band was in place, Liam playfully pulled his consort down onto the blanket, causing Mercedes to laugh in surprise as she was rolled onto her back and wrapped in his arms. The Elder proceeded to give his intended bride a long, passionate kiss, uncaring of the witnesses and camera rolling.
A flash of prismatic light flared for a second between the two, the enchantment activating with the kiss, the latter lasting much longer than was necessary to seal the magic.
Further cheers and jests echoed in the night around them. Liam had to grudgingly remove an arm from around Mercedes, though he continued to kiss her, to give a flick of his hand and surround the children with a sound blocking enchantment so they wouldn't be awoken by the noise. That arm immediately resumed its place around his Sunshine's back, the Elder pulling his consort tighter to himself and his kiss became one that was unmistakably ravenous.
When Liam finally pulled away to give his human beloved a chance to catch her breath, he turned a devious glance to Denissa. "Would you and Jacob be so kind as to see Xander to bed with Felicia when you are ready to retire for the evening? I have the desire to take my intended bride to our room to properly ravish her in celebration of our engagement without delay."
Liam's teasing request brought a bright blush to Mercedes' face where she lay beneath him and laughter from those present.
Denissa's usually stern face was again gentled momentarily with her laughter and gave an acceding nod. "Certainly, Liam."
"Make sure you give your future husband a good ravishing right back, Sunshine," Henrick called from across the fire. "I expect to hear Liam needed a day's rest after you've finished giving him gracious thanks for the efforts he extended to make this engagement come to pass."
Mercedes's blush deepened and she gave an embarrassed laugh as their friends likewise laughed. Liam grinned and leaned back on his knees, gracefully sweeping his consort into his arms and careful to keep her skirt covering her legs because she hated exposing the scars there.
"A day's rest?" Davin piped in with a mock scowl to Henrick. "I thought that we were expecting our little ray of Sunshine to rise to the standards of a Bride? I made certain to keep Liam's week clear of meetings, and Marrick called in to her boss under the pretense of Mercedes needing to handle a pressing family matter that came up, so they could fly out to France and properly celebrate in privacy."
"I meant a day's rest after she's spent the week having her way with him, Counselor Delcour," Henrick clarified in good humor. "Were it anyone besides the boss man, I'd be expecting a much longer recovery from spending so long exposed to the deadly wiles of Sunshine."
"And it won't exactly be a lie for the seer to have verify at work when she returns, either," Marrick jested from behind the camera. "I think Grand-sire's long overdue need to have a consort tending to his every desire so he stays in such a good mood as he has been counts as a pressing family matter. What do you think, Sunshine? Did you happen to notice anything coming up that needs handling while you two were kissing, or is Grand-sire managing to keep his great pressing matter under temporary control until it can be handled privately?"
Mercedes's lithe arms went around her intended husband's neck and she hid her face against Liam's bare chest to hide her embarrassed blush as the teasing continued.
Liam's grin had grown at the comments and reaction they elicited, sharp canines flashing in the fire light, and he gave the top of Mercedes's head a gentle kiss. He gave a nod to those close friends assembled who had helped him arrange everything leading up to this outcome, and then the Elder vampire and his consort seemingly disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Liam backtracked the clip and paused it at the moment of his Sunshine smiling and about to accept his proposal just over a year ago.
Mercedes should be by his side at even this moment, like as not curled up in sleep because the night was near its end. Little Xander should likewise be slumbering down the hall in the rooms that had been remodeled for him as fitting for a noble's son.
Liam clenched his jaw in anger and sorrow and a flick of his wrist caused the engagement ring to appear in his hand. The Elder vampire had to make an active effort to keep bloody tears from falling and marring the pale gold comforter carelessly tossed over his lap as he looked down at the enchanted sigil of sun and moon cradled in the wings of the hawk, thinking of how terribly off track events had gone during the last year. How very different the results from how he had optimistically envisioned when he had successfully wrought such an unprecedented compromise from his fellow Elders with a great deal of difficulty.
In times of conflict and on general matters, Liam's word was law as he was the eldest and most powerful Elder in the country. In many ways, the vampire hierarchy Liam had established in this country was a great deal like that of the ancient High King and vassal kings of his native lands of Ireland.
For something this against tradition and controversial, however, Liam needed to have the other Elders' support or he'd risk outright dissent. Just as the High Kings of old could potentially be torn from their seat of power should their vassals rebel. Even with as powerful as he had become, Liam had known he might have difficulties protecting himself, his Sunshine and their son if enough of the other Elders branded him as having dishonored his own kind and attempted to revoke their acceptance of his leadership. Such was not a risk he'd take if it could be avoided. His Sunshine had forgiven him for one wrong inflicted on her because her heart was filled with an uncommon level of patience and understanding, however. She had brought with her the blessing of a son he loved second only to Mercedes herself. Liam felt, one way or other, she and their son deserved nothing less than all he could give them for her forbearance and love and for the joy that little boy brought him.
Liam had undertaken the endeavor to convince his fellow Elders to accept his companion as a legitimate bride with all the diplomacy that he could possibly muster. Courteous logical arguments designed to play into what the Elders would find most favorable to hear, beforehand favor-pulling, and well-timed occasional intimidation tactics during the debate, were among the methods Liam had employed.
Liam argued (very carefully) that while Mercedes may be human; with her innate gifts as a seer and empath, and her ability to tap into and control dark power and cast enchantments- she possessed more power than many consorts could achieve in their limited servant state of existence. And, in some ways, like summoning her familiars, she was equal to many true vampires. Liam argued the only significant difference between his companion and their own kind was that she couldn't be made undead and live indefinitely with the gifts of regeneration that vampirism bestowed.
While some Elders resented a human being compared as nearly equal to a true vampire in some fashions, they had to grudgingly admit to the validity of the arguments in regards to her extensive powers and skills for a human.
One of the most reticent Elders, Xavier, had pointed out that Mercedes and Xander had not moved into Liam's mansion as was considered proper for a companion. Nor was she bearing a permanent symbol of their relationship. Nor had the couple otherwise made their relationship to one another known to others outside the Elders but still within the vampiric community. Xavier questioned just how deeply Mercedes accepted her current place within their traditions, never mind if she was given such an elevated position.
Liam had first stated, quite unequivocally, that he and Mercedes had mutually decided to take such matters as residence by steps so as not to overwhelm their small, impressionable child. As Liam wasn't just any Elder with a companion- and his companion had in fact moved to his city only several months previous, which was an adjustment for the child as well as herself- she didn't need to move directly into his mansion at the present time for him to effectively protect them from threats to their wellbeing. Especially as Mercedes was capable of her enchantments and summoning familiars to aid in protecting herself and their son. His companion was more than able to hold at bay, or destroy out right, any dangers that could theoretically rise for the few minutes it would take for Liam to reach her.
As far as bearing his sigil permanently, Mercedes had been badly injured by her ex-husband and Liam had made the choice not to ask her to add to the marks she was already consigned to wear, regardless of the purpose of those marks. He didn't need to ask her to do such when she had several pieces of jewelry bearing his sigil that she could (and did) wear just as easily so others knew she was under his protection.
In regards to the fact that he had still not made her status as his companion officially known, (stated with more of an edge to his tone than he had when Mercedes had first been announced as his companion to the Elders because it had been called into question again), they both preferred to keep their actual private lives private. Liam had not changed his views on the matter. He personally didn't feel the need to subject his human family to the rumor mill that was the lesser vampiric community, especially when negative attention had already been murmured towards the heiress for simply being a known friend of the head of the Elders and under his protection.
Nor did Liam have any reason to subject his companion to potential media attention and invasive prying, possibly being labeled as a mistress or gold-digger, by announcing he had given up his well-publicized bachelor life to have the single mother and child move in with him without any seeming commitments otherwise ever made. Especially as his companion was a seer, and he was an Elder with the restrictions that entailed, they could not simply forge marriage papers without ceremony and have Mercedes lie in regards to being his wife when such a subject would inevitably arise. She was skilled in being evasive in responses, but that would be a pretense difficult to repeatedly maintain and eventually someone would realize something was not as it should be.
Liam not-so-subtly reminded the Elders who had the luxury of remaining in the shadows of anonymity, that he was always needing to take into consideration all aspects on how to best advance himself, and therefore all the Elders and vampires they ruled, while he intentionally placed himself in the spotlight to make connections among humans as he did. He added far more politely (but still reminding Xavier of the hierarchy) that if officially marrying his companion was accepted, the head of the Elders, who was also their much needed public liaison, would make certain, as he always did, that such was announced in a fashion that only furthered his celebrity in the fashions he intended for them to.
His publicity team would unveil to the public the surprising revelation that the known billionaire playboy had been secretly courting and subsequently married a daughter of nobility. A beautiful young heiress who had caught his attention by being one who worked hard to support her son by her own merits and spent much of her free time devoted to community efforts. The bachelor had chosen to become a dedicated family man by going so far as to adopt her son as his own. Interviews with his female companions for past social engagements would confirm that Liam had not actually taken any to his bed in months, that they were simply friends or former lovers allowing themselves to remain in the spotlight as a favor to Liam so he could have the privacy to court the woman he had fallen for without media attention causing trouble to the budding romance. Similar interviews from those friends closest to the couple would be leaked out to further verify their status as having been a serious couple for some time before their marriage. Pictures taken of himself with his bride and son before the marriage that had been previously kept private would be released to the curious masses via celebrity gossip magazines as a montage showing their courtship.
Liam had already thoroughly charmed his companion's grandmother and impressed other family members the few times they had met. The Elder stayed in casual contact with them so they retained a high opinion of him as a dear friend of Mercedes's, despite what was reported in the media of his social habits. Her family would be all too eager to make the final verification, if suddenly questioned by reporters in response to their surprise marital announcement, that Liam had had a long standing relationship formed with Mercedes.
Such a story of the carefully fostered relationship and building of a family would be hailed as romantic and a positive change for the bachelor, once the initial disappointment of him having been quite irrevocably taken off the market had died. Such a marriage to his companion made publicly announced and well received by her noble family, and then their family remaining together and clearly a happy family unit as the years progressed, would further raise public opinion of the Elder and open even more doors for socialization and networking among humans that her family was connected to. Or among previously unaffiliated nobles and other well-off humans that wished to ingratiate themselves to such obscenely wealthy nobility, a titular status he would be acknowledged as by human standards when his bride's grandfather passed away and he inherited the title by rights of being the man married to the Marquis's closest living relative, a granddaughter who was his favored and he wished to pass his holdings to. Francis naming Liam, who had no conflicting titles to stop him from taking up the title, his successor would allow Mercedes to subsequently inherit her rightful title of Marquise because of their marriage and get past that pesky law in France prohibiting female succession.
Which would, as stated, make for very ripe opportunities gained that the previously-known-bachelor otherwise wouldn't have access to, no matter how charming and rich he was, as there were plenty of doors closed to him right now with his current reputation. The public and various people of import liked a family man, and becoming one would coax members of the latter into being more open for business. And those important connections the Elder already had formed would not be damaged in the process, except for a few broken hearts, but such disappointments would eventually be forgiven.
But until it could be announced that he had taken a bride and adopted a son- in a proper fashion for their family that his companion bound by the restrictions of a seer could truthfully verify, and subsequently be able to shield them from potential social repercussions- the unorthodox arrangement with his companion would continue, as he had to balance his responsibilities as the Elder in the public spotlight with the responsibilities of his personal life with his companion in a manner that no other Elder had to.
Liam also pointed out at that juncture in the debate that while his companion couldn't become a true vampire herself because she wasn't a virgin, that also came with the fact that she had that young son whose welfare he was taking into account when making his decisions in regards to his companion. A boy that Liam had claimed as his own and could have otherwise never had. A son who could be turned by one of the females of Liam's own bloodline when the boy came of mature age if he wished to become Liam's son in fact and not just sentiment. His companion couldn't be turned into a vampire, but she was accepting enough of their ways, and had embraced them as best as a human could ever be expected to, that she was willing to leave such a decision to Xander's discretion once he was old enough to properly contemplate the option for himself. She was willing to support whatever choice the boy ultimately made in regards to joining his vampire father's state of existence or remaining human like his mother.
Mercedes's acceptance of her place as a companion and the ways of the Elders was therefore not seriously questionable. Any seemingly untraditional approaches were Liam's conscious choices as outlined. If the other Elders consented to allow Liam to take his companion as a proper bride, in the manner he was requesting to, he would have far more opportunity to personally raise Xander to be a fitting addition to their ranks in the future as his son would be living with him full time.
In the same respect, allowing Liam to make his son his legally and publicly acknowledged heir would also allow the Elder to pass along his fortune amassed to his son when it eventually became time for his current alias to die off. While Liam changed his appearance enough from alias to alias so that he appeared to be a different individual with strong family resemblances, had false records drawn up to create a life for the aliases on paper, and Marrick had aided those deceptions with his own talents for shape changing so the heir and patriarch were seen together on occasion to avoid a Clark Kent/Superman dilemma arising; the modern age with all its photography, records keeping, and prying would eventually begin to question where these previously fairly unknown heirs were kept hidden away, why there was only minimal witnesses to their life previous to inheritance, and why they were largely not revealed to the public until they inherited. If Liam was to securely maintain his public ventures and business holdings, it would be extremely beneficial for the next heir to be one the public had seen growing up from childhood to help keep suspicions from forming.
Again, Liam's arguments were conceded as valid by the general assembly of Elders. Relatively sincere apologies were also made by the offending Elder (who was arguably the greatest opponent to any alterations to anything considered a part of tradition) for making implications that Liam might have chosen poorly in the companion he had claimed or that his previous handling of his companion might have been questionable. Xavier also conceded that Liam had indeed properly considered the matter of elevating her status from all such angles discussed, as his responsibilities as the head of the Elders demanded, and such a public position as Liam was in should be kept in mind when considering his request as Liam's position was admittedly not the same as the other Elders'.
Liam had managed to humble Xavier with such a carefully laid plan of advancement made known. However, some of the other reticent Elders pointed out that the couple had been rumored to have had issues some months earlier, and such rumors had not come from the lower ranks of vampires. With such, how could Liam be so sure that his desired bride could be trusted and that this relationship made public knowledge could last even the length of her short life.
Denissa, Davin, Sasha and Marrick had all argued alongside Liam at that point- with Henrick, Janna and Natasia quickly adding their voices once given opportunity to speak- as calling into question the loyalty and trustworthiness of one (human or vampire) an Elder had chosen for a lover was a particularly incensing suggestion. The unified group of Elders stated that such rumors were unsubstantiated, grossly exaggerated twisting of the facts, as gossip invariably and quickly becomes, and the culprits had been silenced as such unworthy servants deserved for letting their defaming words be said of their own master and his companion. Liam willing took blame for being the one in fault for the small argument that had occurred, and those on his side maintained such was in no way a mark against the human. They pointed out that not a single Elder present and their rightful spouses could claim they hadn't occasionally had their disagreements over their many years together, no matter how close they were. A single private incident that remained a private matter between the couple and was resolved quickly was an unfair basis to deny the request.
Hasty apologies from those offending Elders were made to Liam for calling into question something that was unfounded, as had been previously stated; backpedaling by saying they simply brought it up as the subject of raising up his companion had been brought to the table.
One of the remaining Elders still having reservations about allowing such a union, and having enough courage to voice such even after the last thinly veiled threat about the handling of unworthy servants had been made, asked how Liam meant to keep his human from becoming a potential threat to them all, willingly or unwilling, if she was permitted to become his rightful bride and be allowed to know any of their matters kept secret from the lower ranks.
Those most vocal in Liam's camp all argued that Mercedes wouldn't knowingly or willing become a threat to them. An assurance that could be further made by Liam, without any doubts to the contrary, by the fact a seer such as his companion could not break a willingly-given vow as she was bound to the truth. If allowed to become his bride, she'd be swearing herself to those vows fitting for a bride and her constraints as a seer would ensure she kept those vows. No other Elder present who had raised their consorts up as spouses could give such an ironclad guarantee. They in fact relinquished their hold over their lovers so they could be allowed the chance to rise to power worthy of the Elder they were with. Only their spouse's honor kept them to their vows, yet those spouses had been approved.
As Liam's rightful bride, Mercedes would be living securely in his mansion under a proper guard full time, greatly decreasing any risk of an enemy potentially gaining access to her. And with her gifts and enchantments, Mercedes could defend herself from attempts to pry knowledge forcibly from her by an enemy should they get past the defenses Liam had in place. Liam himself had helped her find ways to strengthen those enchantments to further keep her from becoming a liability. If accepted as his future bride, he would continue aiding her in that pursuit. Liam, Davin, Sasha and Marrick had all also been training her in combat to further aid her ability to protect herself should Liam not be immediately present for some reason if she was under attack and those guards posted to protect her were killed. And again, her vows as a Bride would also magically keep the seer from accidentally letting lose any secrets she knew under duress if an enemy managed to capture her and torture her; as she would have sworn to keep those secrets and would be rendered incapable of telling them even if she wanted to to stop the torture, nor would she be able to accidentally babble them if her mind was broken because her vows would still bind her regardless of her current state of mental capacity.
The Elders had all debated the matter back and forth for some time.
Nearly half the group had already come into the gathering with their votes in Liam's favor, however, and that faction consisted of a large percentage of the eldest of the Elders. Liam and his supporters for accepting Mercedes as his bride obstinately refused to be swayed to change their opinions, they continued to provide one effective counter-argument after another in favor of the union as the protests grew ever weaker, and the Elders as a whole finally came to the tentative compromise.
Liam had been willing to take his wins as they came, having gone into the debate knowing what he was willing to give and take on. He had well known this was a precariously unorthodox situation and he could only push just so hard at a time without risking causing a divide amongst the Elders. A year and a half long trial period was barely an obstacle compared to how long most consorts spent as such. The more reluctant Elders had been talked down from a proposed longer period given that Mercedes was in fact human and couldn't be fairly subjected to such an extended engagement as their union would already be limited to her short lifespan.
Liam had immediately set about creating the engagement ring and getting the complicated spells correctly formed and then imbued so as to fulfill one of requirements for the agreement. He had succeeded after a few failed attempts to get such finicky enchantments to cohesively remain, and he proceeded in his plans for having his intended bride properly recognized.
To Liam's joy after all the efforts he had undergone, his Sunshine had accepted his proposal with faith that he had learned his lesson and would not break her trust again…
Only for him to wrong her even worse than before halfway into their trial engagement period. An engagement that before that moment had been going perfectly in its course to satisfy the other requirements the Elders had placed.
In Liam's desire to keep his intended bride safely with him for as long as possible, it had seemed to the Elder vampire like an acceptable request to ask of his Sunshine. But Mercedes had refused unequivocally to agree to that request. She had, in fact, been furious and deeply pained that he proposed such. Liam in turn, hurt by her refusal, had become angry and their argument escalated far beyond the current disagreement.
Liam endured a great deal of rebuke from Davin and Denissa when they heard and intervened in the fight taking place and learned of its cause. Instead of two of his closest friends agreeing with Liam on this particular matter, he had been forced to admit to himself that his request had been selfishly motivated and not in consideration to the full ramifications. Once his anger had been deflated by those close to him, Liam ruefully conceded further that his reaction to his Sunshine's refusal had been a grievous lapse in better judgment and in direct opposition to what he had promised never to put her through. Even if he hadn't caused physical harm as her previous husband had, the Elder had still behaved near as deplorably to the woman he meant to raise to the exalted status of his bride.
Unfortunately, such a realization had come too late to Liam and the damage from such carelessness had been done. Mercedes's trust in the Elder vampire who was her intended husband had been shaken too deeply and he had driven away his Sunshine. Despite the potential ramifications for doing so, Mercedes had broken their engagement off during that heated argument. The seer's promise to marry the Elder had no longer been binding because during the course of their fight he had broken his first promises made when he had asked her to marry him. She had left the mansion with Xander, stating they would not be returning and what personal effects had been moved in would be brought back to her apartment.
No amount of pleading from Liam, once he had come to his senses and thought the situation out rationally, had been able to convince her to take back that decision.
It had taken a great deal of effort on Liam's part to simply convince Mercedes to remain friends and not lose her and Xander entirely in one fell swoop. If it hadn't been for their little one demanding to know where Liam was and why they were no longer going to visit him at the mansion, Liam might not have been able to convince his Sunshine to not entirely cut him out of their lives.
Even though his Sunshine had required coaxing- citing at first that she was only doing it for Xander's sake so the child wouldn't lose the only father he had ever truly had, and to aid in keeping their complete separation from the other Elders' attentions- Mercedes had ultimately done so because she knew Liam's most recent mistake had been driven by love and he would never truly harm either of them. His Sunshine had a heart incapable of hate, one of the many qualities Liam adored about Mercedes that made him want so deeply not to lose her, and thankfully she had been willing to try to forgive him over time.
Mercedes had been hesitant to trust him again, resigning their relationship to strict friendship boundaries and keeping him at arm's length.
That plain fact had been ripping out what little remained of Liam's undead and unbeating heart. It was a torture he had been willingly put himself through. He knew he had brought the current circumstances on himself and it meant he was still keeping his dearest Sunshine and his boy in his life in some capacity and keeping them out of danger. Liam and those Elders close to him had been able to keep word from leaking out in regards to their lovers' quarrel to avoid any potentially lethal repercussions for his beloved and their son. The servants in his employ, both human and vampiric, all knew to keep their mouths silent about the current discord after examples had been made out of the foolish servants who had decided to be the first to gossip about their master's private life. Mercedes and Xander had also come to the mansion on a couple of private social occasions, with Mercedes conceding to temporarily wear her engagement ring for those occasions, to help keep up the pretense that all was as it should be.
It was one thing if it was eventually disclosed that they had decided to call off their probationary engagement, naming it as a mistaken experiment and deciding to remain as Elder and companion. It would be quite another if it was discovered that Mercedes had walked out entirely and Liam had allowed his companion to do so. Even if the Elder took the full blame for the outcome, the consequences would be aimed at his companion. If that came to pass, Liam would have no choice but to accept losing his position among the other Elders and fight any of his own kind that came after them if he wanted to protect his Sunshine and son. Which, even with as unpleasant as that thought was, it was something Liam had been preparing for as a possibility because he wasn't about to allow harm to come to his family as the result of a mistake that had been his own foolish doing.
For all the pain and stress it had caused Liam the last few months, this half-way state between his Sunshine and himself had been showing signs of coming to an end.
There had still been tension, but in the last month on some of her nights off from work Mercedes had allowed him to come over after Xander had gone to bed. They had had several long conversations to try to ease more of the problems between them. Things had been a long way from being entirely repaired, but some of the damage to their relationship had begun to heal. His Sunshine had been conceding more frequently to those requests to spend time with one another and sometimes allowed his attempts to ease them back to the closeness they had once shared.
Even though she had still been trying to keep him at arms' length, Liam knew his Sunshine better than anyone. He could tell by words and deed that she hadn't stopped loving him despite the hurt he had mistakenly caused her. He could see that keeping her resolve to remain solely friends had been becoming an ever more difficult struggle.
That knowledge and progress towards reparation gave Liam increased hope that this ultimately would only be a temporary separation. One that had served to teach the Elder just how much losing his intended bride and his only son could truly hurt. Liam had hoped that, with further patience, he would be able to continue to make amends for that hurt he had caused, prove to Mercedes that she could trust him once more and that he would not cause her any sort of harm again if she did. The Elder had been trying to do all he could to win his Sunshine's heart back in time to seal their union this coming Yule as it was meant to be.
An outcome that had seemed all the more attainable after the last time he had seen his Sunshine and had made further progress in breaking down her reservations about coming home. If it hadn't been for the little one interrupting them, Liam was fairly certain he would have been able to convince his Sunshine to finally take back what had been done and come back to the mansion permanently so the last wounds to their relationship could be allowed to finally heal.
But now his Sunshine and little Xander were gone and, despite all his efforts, no trace of them could be found.
For all Liam knew, they could be dead even now. With Val having also disappeared, Liam had no way to know if his Sunshine was still alive by the fact that the wards were still active within Val. He knew that his Sunshine had been badly injured before disappearing- the copious amounts of her unique blood spilled in her apartment attested to that fact. Weakened as she obviously had been, that evil bastard Alucard may have used his infamous intellect to devise some way to end her and Xander's existences, even with Mercedes's protective ward having been activated and casting its powerful magic.
Liam prayed such was not so, that his Sunshine's enchantments were keeping them both alive and safe. But Mercedes had already had the misfortune of being within Alucard's sights as a potential conquest. The progenitor of vampires' wrath towards those who crossed him was legendary for its brutality. Such would only be magnified if his will was thwarted not only by an opponent, but by an opponent he desired. Even if his beloved and their son lived, even if the enchantment was holding as it should and forcing Alucard to extend every effort to keep them both alive, the gods alone knew what sort of alternative torments were being inflicted upon them while being held hostage by his sadist grand-sire as punishment for cursing him.
All Liam's efforts to win back his dearest Sunshine and his boy, all his efforts to protect them and set things back on their proper course, had completely unraveled before him and he was left with the bitter knowledge that he had wrought this fate by his own failings.
Alucard's mocking words at the end of their confrontation in the hotel had come hauntingly true.
And it was a loss more grievous to the Elder vampire than losing the territory he had secured in this country. Land could be won back and empires could be rebuilt. With his far-reaching resources and limitless time, all was in the realm of possibilities with enough patience and cunning. But even with all Liam's dark power, his Sunshine and his boy couldn't ever be replaced.
A seemingly endless series of 'What If…'s and 'If only I had…'s were running through Liam's mind, taunting the Elder with countless scenarios of how this disaster could have been averted as hindsight was always excruciatingly 20/20.
Liam held the enchanted ring in one hand, fervently making a silent oath to himself and the gods he still believed in.
When he tracked Alucard down, if his Sunshine and Xander still lived, he would retrieve them at all costs. He would see to it that the rest of his bride and his boy's lives were spent with only the greatest happiness possible, no matter how short her life might be in relation to his own.
However much Liam hated the idea of losing his Sunshine to old age or disease, losing her prematurely or in some violent fashion was all the more insufferable. Whatever it would take to keep his Sunshine and their son content and safe, to keep her from ever having cause to doubt him and leave him again, Liam would gladly give or do for his bride and his boy if only he could retrieve them from this current threat.
And any harm Alucard had caused them, or if they were dead when he did finally catch up with his grand-sire, Liam likewise swore he'd see that damage returned. He had not held his position among the Elders over these centuries with the charming smile and social graces he used to bring humans of import under his influence. Regardless if his enemy was his own grand-sire and the reigning Vampire King or not, Liam swore to himself he would not allow someone to steal his Sunshine and his only son from him and consign him to live without them for the rest of his endless nights. Not without making that enemy pay most grievously for the loss with all the furious wrath of hell that he could bring about as the Elder vampire with vast power in his own rights who ruled over all vampires in this country.
Liam's downward spiraling mood and musings were interrupted as he sensed Sasha entering his hall and approaching his room. Liam hadn't heard any calls coming in, nor anyone return from their searches, so he knew it was unlikely Sasha was coming to bring him good news.
Especially with as tentatively as she was approaching his room.
Had anyone else dared to intrude when he had ordered an evening of solitude, Liam would have likely destroyed them on the spot because of the foul mood he was in. However, Liam couldn't hold such anger towards Sasha with all that she was likewise going through with the loss of Davin.
"It is alright, Sasha," Liam said telepathically. "You may come in."
Sasha reached his door in slightly better time and the door swung open slowly.
Sasha's blonde hair was wild and falling in careless tangles around her face and shoulders. Irregular red lines streaked down her alabaster cheeks from crying. Sasha's eyes were a vampire's natural hellfire crimson as she didn't care enough in her sorrow to vainly will them to be blue. She was wearing a black nightgown and robe that engulfed her petite frame.
The stark billowing clothing made Sasha look a parody of a vampire reminiscent of old 1930s horror movies- frail, vulnerable, and accentuating that she appeared no older than 18 or so years, which was how old she had been when she had been turned. It was the same outfit Sasha had been wearing the last three days and nights since returning to the mansion, stripping out of her armor, and tossing it and her weapons across her bedroom in a grief-stricken rage, destroying more than a few pieces of furniture in the process.
The sight of the fiery-spirited Sasha so forlorn with the loss of Davin- her creator, best friend and husband- tugged Liam out of his own morose thoughts a small bit and he sighed.
"I know, dear one. Come here," Liam said gently, holding an arm out to Sasha.
Sasha joined Liam on the bed in a flash and he pulled her into a hug. Sasha curled up against Liam and started to cry again, bloody tears splashing onto his satin night shirt and soaking through to his chest.
Liam didn't care enough at this point to be concerned with it. A few of his own held-back tears were finally falling as well.
Sasha's sobbing grew stronger, as though subconsciously and futilely trying to drain her unlife's blood entirely and end her sorrow by ending her existence. Liam stroked Sasha's hair back from her face with the hand not holding his Sunshine's ring and held her close.
Liam's more blazing emotions returned as he continued trying to console the younger Elder of his own line, quickly incinerating any inclinations to cry. The Elder's tears stopped almost as quickly as they started and the bloody droplets absorbed back into his ivory skin, leaving no evidence Liam had ever shed them.
"Cry yours tears until they are all shed, Sasha. It is only right to mourn for those we love and have lost," Liam whispered, still stroking Sasha's hair. "But then when we are done mourning, know that we will avenge Davin's death with a fury unlike any Iscariot has ever before seen. I am done playing by civilities and will not see any more of us falling to the enemy and have those deaths ultimately be to no end."
Sasha's tears slowed at that vehement declaration. She looked up at Liam to meet his scorching golden-red gaze as he continued speaking.
"Iscariot wants war, and they shall have their war now," Liam stated definitively. "Their Paladin and advancements in technology have made them forget who they are dealing with and why for hundreds of years they weighed it safer to remain on their side of the ocean and let me have my kingdom here. They have finally shown their hand, it is not nearly as strong as they believed, and now I am going to make them pay for their miscalculation. And I swear to you that when the final battle comes, Sasha, you will have your vengeance a hundred-fold over for Davin's death. When we are done with them, not a single member of that gods-damned organization will be left standing to ever again revive their order. The smoldering ashes of Iscariot's razed buildings and the billowing smoke of their funeral pyres darkening the sky with premature twilight for a fortnight will serve as a testament about what becomes of those who strike against us."
Sasha nodded and her tears finally stopped falling. "I want Anderson for myself though. His death is mine."
"If that is what you wish, then consider it done," Liam agreed soberly with a nod. "But you will need help to contain his powers to make that possible."
"That's fine. But his death is mine, and I will prolong it as just retribution for taking Davin from me," Sasha replied fiercely.
"I would expect nothing else, dear one," Liam said with a smirk forming.
Sasha glanced at the paused movie and sighed. "What about the rest of our family?"
"Who do you think the warning fires are for," Liam stated more stoically. "If we have not retrieved them by then, that should get that old bastard's attention. We will fight as many wars as need be, but I am not losing another member of our family without making every enemy pay most grievously for attempting to steal from us with the foolish belief that such might happen without being avenged."
"Do you think Sunshine and the little one are still alive?" Sasha looked up at Liam in concern for that unknown.
"They had better be," Liam said, not meeting Sasha's gaze. His own was back on the image of his intended bride. "Otherwise, my Grand-sire will be spending the rest of his existence receiving full measure of the pain he has caused in every way I can conceive until it finally destroys him beyond even his capabilities to regenerate from."
"Her wards should keep them safe," Sasha tried to reassure and calm her elder, knowing how dangerous he could get when as angered or hurt as he was.
"They should," Liam agreed ambivalently, "but they were not meant to protect from the likes of things that sadistic monster could think up."
"Perhaps not," Sasha said with a small smile. "But he has also never met the likes of our Sunshine before. If any human could give that old devil a run for his money and keep him at bay until we can retrieve her and Xander, it'd be Mercedes."
Liam gave a nod, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. He opened his hand and looked down at the enchanted ring again, saying with pride and pensiveness commingled, "That my future bride could… There has never been, nor ever will be, another like my Sunshine. We will find them somehow and ensure Mercedes and Xander remain among those who value their existences for all that they are and will be."
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A/N: this chapter is out so quick because it's one of the ones that I had jumped ahead to write to help me keep the plot's direction focused as I was writing the story. There's a few more already written chapters coming up, between new connecting chapters that I'm working on. Next chapter should be up in a day or so, as it's one I'm almost done writing. Seras's previous noticing of things and Alucard's unusual behavior the last few days while they've been in hiding is going to prompt the Police Girl to investigate further, and Alucard gets backed into a different sort of Story Time that delves much further back in his history.