Closure:
Beauty & the Beast (CH5)
By obi's girl
As weeks passed, I felt myself falling even more in love with my dark husband. My past, whatever it was, I forgot about it. The Slayer who? It didn't matter. All that matter was him and falling asleep in his arms every night. I loved him, only what I felt for him was more than love. It was more intimate, more passionate. Even at dinner, I had that lustful smile on face, staring at him from across the table.
And my weapons, the ones I brought with me to kill him, I trashed and burned them in the woods. I didn't wish any harm to come to him; he was mine and I was his. My family, my friends, my past loves – it didn't matter to me as long as Dracula was in my life. And he knew how I felt; this burning feeling inside of me. Almost sinful passion but I didn't care. I didn't fear him anymore. In fact, I feared when he didn't return my passion (which happened almost never).
I couldn't deny him and he couldn't deny me. My Dark Angel.
If my Uncle were around, he would argue that this wrong, and that I should kill him showing no mercy. Of course, I would kill my Uncle in return and anybody else who harmed my love. It didn't matter to me if I died and ended up in Heaven or Hell. Purgatory would be fine for me, and if I happened to cross his path again, it would be heaven (but in a darker sense).
One night during dinner, I stood up and brushed all the dishes off the table; walked over to him and made love to him on the dinner table. He laughed, picking me and took me to the living room. "Sorry about dinner, but I couldn't wait for desert." I teased, kissing him back.
"Sarah, you are an animal. Sometimes I feel like I can't keep up with you, but I guess having you in my arms is better than nothing." He mused, glancing back at the dinner table. Food and wine was everywhere but he didn't care.
He kissed me again, as I felt another memory flash. This time I saw my mother, singing to me as a baby. Oh, what a beautiful voice she had. Tears escaped my eyes, remembering his face, her loving arms and motherly care. I choked back a cry, causing Dracula to stop kissing me. He pulled back, confused by my actions. "Sarah, my love, what is it? Why are you crying?
I jumped off the table and wrapped my shawl around my shoulders, sitting back down on my seat across from him. "I'm sorry; it's just --- I had another memory flash, and I saw her."
Dracula frowned, walking over to me and jumped up on the table, taking my hands in his. "Who did you see?"
"My mother." I whispered, glancing at him. "She and my father passed away a year ago; before I met you. I had never once thought about her. She used to have the most beautiful singing voice; almost like a nightingale."
"You loved her."
I bit my lip, gazing up at him. "She was my family; whenever I was hurt I would go to her and would find some way to make me feel better." I shrugged, not quite grasping why I was seeing images from a past long dead. It was dead; it was very dead. The fact that I saw my mother's face at all scared me. "It probably means nothing."
He raised an eyebrow, still not convinced but smiled anyway, leaning down to kiss me. I brushed him aside, still disturbed by my vision. Dracula frowned, kissing my cheek instead. "Sorry, my love – about your mother."
I shook my head and smiled back at him, trying to forget. I had to forget. He was my life now; whatever I was, used to be didn't matter anymore. Not even the Slaying. "Family has been important to me but you're my family now. I accept that." I stood up and picked up several of the dishes and placed them back on the table, setting the forks and spoons right.
"In that case, I think we should retire to bed. Sarah?"
I shrugged, "I am tired but if you don't mind, I think I'll stay up awhile longer." Dracula moved closer to me, brushing his hand under my throat. I don't know if it was meant to scare or entice me but either way, it still scared me a bit. I know, it's crazy to be afraid of your own husband but sometimes I do fear him and what he'll do if he questions my past, or motives for my staying with him besides being his wife and lover.
I started to shy away from him again but he held my tight, kissing my neck. But it was different. His kiss was different, almost possessive...of me. I choked back a cry, feeling a sudden chill. "Do not fear me, Sarah. I am your husband; your family. You are safe here with me."
"I know." I whispered back, "Vlad, please – I promise I'll be up in awhile; just let me go." He complied, releasing his grip from around my waist and slithered away upstairs. I felt my neck. Despite my strength as the slayer, he was still very strong and very dangerous – something I had conveniently put out of my mind. And for the first time since I arrived, I was scared of him.
I immediately raced upstairs, rushing into my old room, grabbing some clothes; packed them and hurried back downstairs. But I froze in place when I saw him blocking my exit. I gulped dropping my luggage on the floor as he walked away from the door and towards me instead. He didn't take hold of my neck this time but grabbed my hand and kissed it. I felt repulsed and enthralled at the same time, but still scared.
"You do not feel well, my love?" I shook my head no, closing off my thoughts to him. He saw this and smiled, glancing down at my baggage. They were hurriedly packed; nothing was neat. "Sarah, I told you not to fear; that you are safe with me." He paused, staring deeply into my eyes. I didn't look directly at him at first but he forced me to look at him, so I did and felt myself falling under his spell again. "Come to bed, now. Be with me; always with me."
I didn't reply but grab hold of my bags and head up the stairs again, feeling his eyes watch me and his mouth twist into a devilish smile.
TBC
