Chapter 41
CONTRACT
(This chapter hasn't been beta'd. I know I said that I didn't want to do a gooey contract and I hope I haven't. It is from Raizel's POV because I've only seen one or two. Hopefully, this is not too long and boring. Crack ending because Raizel is Raizel. As always, thank you for your patience and for hanging in there with me.)
The full moon dipped toward a paling horizon. Raizel sighed. He had waited through the dark hours of night and the time for supper had long passed. Frankenstein had yet to return. Before he'd left, the anguish emanating from his loyal companion was worse than it had ever been. Not only had it worried Raizel, it had actually made his stomach roll. Attempts to console the man would have been pointless. He had learned that lesson from Azrael. But, Frankenstein wasn't Azrael, they simply shared a strong desire to fix him.
It was no secret where Frankenstein had gone. The poor man's thoughts and emotions had been a blinding beacon. The Lord surely would detain him as long as possible. Of course, the Lord wouldn't be the only reason for Frankenstein's tardiness. When the scientist wanted to understand something, he wouldn't leave it alone until he was satisfied, which could take hours, days, weeks, or more.
'How long will it take Frankenstein to learn he cannot help me?'
During his wait, Raizel filled his time gauging his own health in hopes there would be no more episodes in the near future. The mere idea of Frankenstein experiencing another bout of such pain was the only reason Raizel could wish he wasn't so ill. He had never had a strong desire to seek healing for himself. Those around him would sometimes make him wish he was better, but only for their sake. His companion didn't deserve this kind of torment.
Despite Frankenstein's recent loss of control, Raizel still trusted him. His dear scientist wouldn't harm a soul in efforts to find a cure. However, Frankenstein wouldn't think twice about experimenting on himself. That method had given him the strength he had needed to carry the weight of Dark Spear. Now that Raizel had awakened the power within Frankenstein, he couldn't imagine the results of taking such risks again. The thought of losing his only companion caused Raizel a strange and unbearable pain. Unlike with Azrael, it was sharper and deeper than he could remember. Almost unbearably so.
'How is it that I am more bound to Frankenstein than I am to Azrael. Is this what a contract is like? The only thing we need to seal it is the blood ritual. Will it be the same? Or more. If it is more, will Frankenstein's suffering on my behalf increase?'
It wasn't long before the lonely Noblesse chose to turn his thoughts to a less distressing subject. After the past evening's fiasco, would Frankenstein force him to eat more vegetables?
'Will Frankenstein take away the sweets to heal me? If he takes away desserts, I refuse to eat vegetables.'
That strategy relieved Raizel and he almost smiled. Then it occurred to him that Frankenstein might not accept the conditions. The man could be quite determined.
'What if it doesn't work? What could I do to change his mind?'
Some time later, while Sir Raizel continued seeking a strategy to hold on to his favorite foods, Frankenstein's aura seeped through the trees. For a moment, Raizel was disoriented by the bright landscape. The sun had risen while he had been lost in his thoughts. Frankenstein's aura was stronger now that his power had been awakened. Thinking of how much it had grown, Raizel realized that Azrael hadn't accompanied him.
'Azrael is not with him? The Lord could be holding my brother hostage hoping to force me to the palace. That Lord is planning something. He needs better things to do than constantly finding ways to see me.'
Considering his failed attempt at more strategies to keep sweets in his near future, he knew he couldn't second guess the Lord. People's minds were simply too complicated, unless he lived with them, something he'd only found out through Frankenstein. His mind naturally gravitated to the subject of his usual focus.
'I'm much better at simply watching than trying to plan for things that might not even come to pass. Frankenstein's mind is amazing. He can remember the names of everything. If he finds something that doesn't have a name, he gives them one! I could never choose names for so many, many things. How does he do it?'
"Sir Raizel."
That startled Raizel from his wandering thoughts. He turned his head as Frankenstein stepped up behind his shoulder. There was an odd tension around the man. Usually, when he'd been rebellious, he would appear more contrite. This wasn't it.
"Why did you never inform me that healing my wounds harmed you?"
Oh, right. The Lord must have told him everything. Raizel turned back to the window. Answering Frankenstein's question might put him at ease.
"It is such a small expenditure, there is no need for concern."
"I...have brought fresh tea," Frankenstein said and walked away.
Relief flooded Raizel. He was glad he wouldn't be bombarded with too many questions. But, something in Frankenstein's demeanor drew Raizel toward the cart. As he approached, the tang of human blood wafted in the air. He'd smelled Frankenstein's blood often enough to know the origins of this particular scent.
Raizel's steps slowed, yet his heart beat a little faster. This could be the day! He'd been waiting for years that seemed so much longer. Such a small amount of time for him, but the first time in his life he'd ever felt impatient.
The thought occurred to him that Frankenstein could be injured. But no. He'd have noticed that immediately. Out of respect, he chose to stand rather than sit at the table. It was strange. Frankenstein didn't say anything, not even to ask for a contract or bond.
'What is his purpose?' Raizel slipped his fingers around the cup, the smooth surface warming his skin. 'Is he not going to stop me and speak?'
Giving Frankenstein a couple of extra seconds by raising the cup as slowly as elegance allowed, Raizel sniffed the tea. If dallying bothered the mute servant, the man should say something instead of sneaking blood into his drink. Ingesting it without acknowledging a contact couldn't possibly do anything to seal it, could it? That conundrum was a bit annoying. Not enough to actually cause-
'What was the word for what Urokai caused? Hm...indignant. No, just annoyed. Frankenstein isn't doing this out of malice.'
With that decided, Raizel sipped his tea. It wasn't near as pleasing as his usual fare, but Frankenstein had a purpose and he was determined to uncover it.
"The tea tastes different." Would Frankenstein even attempt to explain himself?
"It is a new blend." Frankenstein's words were weak and shaky.
'So, he wishes to be bound without revealing it? With his aversion to contracts and need for self-sufficiency, I should have expected this.'
Except that Raizel didn't know how to predict the future, even obvious events. Nevertheless, he didn't need to drink blood to know what Frankenstein was thinking. He knew the man. His fragile companion might believe that a contract was a betrayal of his principles and of his goals of protecting humanity. Others would see it as a betrayal. Dishonor was Frankenstein's fear. Pride in one's honor is often confused with honor itself. None of that changed facts.
Frankenstein had an opportunity to live a different life, a better life. Unfortunately, he wouldn't trust himself to make the right decisions. Those he had trusted before had betrayed him, and then so many thereafter. What was to stop it from happening again?
And if he did obtain a better life, he wouldn't trust himself to be worthy of it, to succeed in his endeavors. It was expected from Frankenstein to believe that, eventually, something would go wrong. He could be the one to make the mistake and ruin it for himself and everyone else. He could even lose himself to Dark Spear, the very worst end and he didn't want to take anyone with him.
Fear and self-loathing could do terrible things to a person, twist them in so many ways. Frankenstein, always running from humans, nobles, and werewolves, always on guard, never safe. How terrible it must be to constantly watch for threats from every direction.
Frankenstein would always be dodging the hand that offers comfort and security. He needed someone else to take that first step for him, to drag him into the life he so desperately needed. It would never happen any other way.
'Carrying Dark Spear for so long hasn't helped. It compounds belief in his guilt for its existence. Perhaps he believes he's not good enough for a contract as well.'
Frankenstein had offered his blood and Raizel wouldn't accept subterfuge or self-sabotage. It would only weaken Frankenstein's will and their contract. His feelings of guilt would be compounded. This could not be allowed.
Raizel reached up and pulled the sealing charm from his ear and turned to his companion of so many years. The release of power blew Frankenstein's hair away from his face and his turquoise eyes flew wide. For Frankenstein's sake, and the sake of the island's inhabitants, the unleashed power wasn't allowed to reach its full potential before Raizel reigned it in. The beginnings of a blood field would impress any human, but Frankenstein only had eyes for him.
"Frankenstein, you have initiated a blood bonding of our souls. Is this your desire?"
Frankenstein hesitated and Raizel had to swallow his anxiety. His butler had proved the unpredictability of humans. It wasn't until Frankenstein's muscles loosened and he gave the smallest smile that Raizel knew he could relax.
"Yes, my Lord."
And then Frankenstein, the man who claimed he would never bow or bend a knee to anyone, knelt before Raizel.
Without warning, Raizel found himself in the last vestiges of a maelstrom of emotions and thoughts. Scenes hit him in a tsunami. The man hadn't merely given his blood for a soul bond, he'd given his entire being! Every part of Frankenstein unfolded before him.
Raizel could have never imagined the unbelievable number of years Frankenstein, a human, had already lived, the unexpected and overwhelming power of his emotions, the countless thoughts that seemed to have no recognizable pattern, and so many other things. Only now did Raizel truly understand just how much Frankenstein had shielded from him.
Beyond all of that magnificence, Frankenstein impossibly held the raging hurricane of Dark Spear behind a shield built with the sheer force of his will. Underpinning it was an upswell of kindness and compassion, wooing the tidal wave of souls to calm.
Frankenstein's power over Dark Spear wasn't violent at all. He literally bathed the souls into submission using his compassion and promises of one day avenging them, giving them the justice they deserved. The fact he, as a mere human, could do this and control his own nature at the same time made him a formidable force. It was Dark Spear that could overcome clan leaders, not Frankenstein, but only because so much went to controlling the weapon. With his experience, Frankenstein might be enough on his own, but Raizel wouldn't take the chance of Dark Spear swallowing him.
Even with the scars and tears of heartbreak in the fabric of his heart soul, the beauty of Frankenstein was breathtaking. There were shadows, as existed in everyone. Frankenstein's need for vengeance had its own power and he didn't try to hide it. He was proud of his exploits. Though Raizel took no pride in judging and executing, he did take pride in the fact he didn't shirk his duty, so he couldn't blame his companion.
Knowing a thing, and experiencing the core of it, was an entirely different matter. Now Raizel truly understood what he had been seeing and feeling. Love and the pain that comes with it. His poor companion had seen so much torture and death, lost so many. Frankenstein's fortitude had to be strong to hold back torrential surges of grief and suffering. His servant put them to work building his shields, comforting Dark Spear and anyone else that deserved his kindness, which included taking care of his adorable master.
'Adorable?' Heat rose in Raizel's cheeks. 'Cute?' Raizel was not a gorgeous damsel in distress! Still, the butterflies in his chest and belly refused to settle down.
And then, even more of Frankenstein's motivations bled through.
'How could they leave Master alone for so long? Alone and vulnerable to those greedy criminals! How could they!'
Sorrow and fury boiled up from Frankenstein that someone he considered innocent should suffer the same as he had, to be so lonely. 'He saved me when I first came here, but now, he has even pulled me out of Dark Spear's clutches. It's too much! My Master. Who. Is. Dying! But I...I will stay with him. I will save him just like he saved me.'
The pain and desire to protect were immense. Dark Spear had good reason for its dislike. Raizel could see how Frankenstein's indestructible attachment might negatively affect all of those desperate souls.
As much as had been hidden from Raizel, he had not misunderstood Frankenstein. However, he had gravely underestimated the power of Frankenstein's kindness. Over millennia, the hall of Raizel's sanctuary had been lined with precious gifts. Of all those he'd ever received, the value of this one could not be numbered. Not one had been this priceless.
'Frankenstein and his grand gestures are well known, but this is different. He has given me dominion over his fury and his love, his vengefulness and his compassion, even his intellect. He trusts me to honor all of him. I never would have asked for complete ownership of his life. He does not realize the magnitude of his gift. Now, I can pull him away from Dark Spear and not use a single ounce of my power.'
This couldn't be ignored. The contract must be properly weighed and balanced. Spreading his awareness throughout Frankenstein's being, Raizel sifted through his thoughts and feelings, carefully avoiding cute and adorable things. There was no reason to risk damage through a hasty and sloppy search.
The controlled chaos had calmed and Frankenstein's awareness flowed around Raizel. He breathed deep, allowing himself to bask in the soul that had so much to give. The gentle waves that had formed now showed a balanced pattern. Ripples of curiosity circulated around and through him, then sadness followed by determination. Frankenstein's will to accomplish his goals had also been underestimated. Contract or not, no one would have the capability of leashing this human without his consent.
Frankenstein didn't desire Raizel's power, but it was the only thing left to give him. It was only fair. Frankenstein had cared enough to stay in the mansion and continue his role of butler. All for Raizel's sake. And now the man had become his to do with as he pleased. Raizel's will to protect Frankenstein from those more powerful dictated that he at least give Frankenstein the option of calling on the full power of the Noblesse. Simply giving him some portion of power wasn't enough.
Gently, Raizel infused Frankenstein with his own will to protect, carrying with it the link necessary to accomplish it. Of course, it took power to hold it in place and that naturally came with the link. Initially, Frankenstein resisted, finally finding his inner voice.
'Please don't. I do not wish you harm.'
'I will be fine.'
Pushing it toward the core of Frankenstein's being, what made him this kind and loving person who wouldn't abandon the weak and who would definitely punish those that deserved it, he settled the anchor there, holding on until he could feel Frankenstein accept it.
The contract needed one more thing for completion. Why he always had trouble remembering this part, Raizel didn't know. He didn't quite understand the last of the ritual, but he couldn't really question the Lord's aged wisdom.
With his power already strong in the room, Raizel didn't even need to raise a hand to rid them of their clothing.
"Master!?" Frankenstein raised his head, his eyes wide. Just as suddenly, he closed them and dropped his head low enough that his hair covered his face.
"Why?" Frankenstein asked.
"The Lord said that a contract with the Noblesse is not complete until-" Raizel frowned, trying to recall the exact wording, "'...until the clothes come off'. Would three days be long enough?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Noblesse, nor do I make money from this story.