This is a present for everyone reading. I am putting up chapter 9 so you have a little something extra over the holiday weekend. I won't be updating again until next week. Thanks and keep the reviews coming. It gives me inspiration!
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Chapter 9 It's in His Kiss
Giles and Willow were roaming the very hall where Buffy had been just the night before. The girl at the front desk was nervous, but she spilled the story to Giles and Willow about King Ryman and it didn't ease their minds. This book needed to be found and they just hoped it wasn't too late to help Buffy, wherever she was.
Willow was confident she could get to the bottom of this. If anything, she knew books and spells. If this was a spell, or magic of some kind she would know it.
They continued to the section where the desk girl said the book could be found. There it was on the shelf. Willow hesitated and then removed it carefully from the shelf.
"I found it Giles." Willow called to the next row where Giles was looking intently at the shelves. "I found the book."
Giles hurried to her side. They looked at the intricate cover and opened the book letting the pages fall as they might. It was in another language. Just as Willow was about to comment about the weird symbols and the dragon head the book began to spark.
Startled by the sudden sparks, Giles grabbed the edge of the book and a loud bang erupted into a haze of smoke. They were gone and the book landed on the floor with a thud.
There was nothing now but silence. A small girl appeared from behind the stacks and nervously approached the book. She quickly picked it up and placed it back on the shelf. It wasn't her fault. She did try to warn them, just like she had all the others.
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Dinner went quite well. Buffy managed to have a nice conversation during the meal and the food was delicious. Even Spike had managed to be civil and occasionally he would put his hand on her arm when we he was making a point. It seemed so normal. Yet she knew that it wasn't.
Julian suggested that they move to the library to have some brandy. Spike was all for it when he heard alcohol was involved. Buffy would have to keep a short leash on him. She didn't need him blowing it for them with his big mouth.
Again, the room was grand. The bookshelves went to the ceiling and they were filled with books of every size and shape. They all looked very old and were quite a collection. The prince must be a reader.
"So, you two are newlyweds then. You say you were crossing our wonderful land on your honeymoon. Where are you heading to?" The prince wasn't wasting any time with the questioning now. It had been pretty quiet during dinner. They ate and there was some idle chit chat but nothing mind shattering. She didn't want to seem too pushy by asking the hard questions at dinner and the prince seemed to be thinking along those same lines as well. I guess he changed his mind.
"Yes, we are on our honeymoon." Buffy walked over and looped her arm within Spikes. "William and I just decided to see the countryside. We aren't going anywhere particular."
She looked at Spike and he was studying her arm as though it was an alien. He then put his other hand over hers. "Right, we are just planning on a good adventure, mate. Enjoy each others company and see the world and all that. No particular plan." Spike thought maybe he could help by backing up the slayers story. It worked. She looked at him with a smile that said thank you.
The prince finished pouring the brandy at a table near the door and handed them each a glass. Spike almost gulped as he downed his glass. The liquor felt good going down. He needed the courage it would give him tonight. This plan might not be so bad after all.
"Thanks mate. I'll have another if you don't mind." Buffy squeezed Spikes arm as he asked for another brandy. He knew what she was asking but he had already done his share of concessions for her tonight. He wanted the brandy. It wasn't a substitute for blood, but it would have to do for now.
Julian poured another glass and handed it to Spike without reservation. "Not at all William. I haven't had the pleasure of sharing a drink with another gentleman in quite a while."
Spike nodded his head and took the drink. He knew what the bloke meant. Sometimes it was hard being around women. One hundred years with Drucilla had taught him that.
'Thanks Julian. It is right respectable of you to put up with us like this. I know you weren't expecting houseguests." Spike was showing off now and Buffy was losing her grip on things quickly.
"Yes, well, we do try our best to be hospitable. I hope that we have tended to all your needs thus far." Julian was looking at Buffy and she took the opportunity to ask something that needed to be taken care of soon.
"Well, I hate to impose on you anymore Julian but there is one more thing that we need." Buffy was a little nervous and she hoped it wasn't showing in her voice.
"It seems that in the robbery that we not only lost all of our clothes and belongings but we also lost the blood that we were carrying for William. You see, my husband has a condition that requires him to have transfusions now and then. It is a very rare condition, but very treatable. I am afraid that he will be needing it again very soon."
Julian was a little stunned by the request. He had noticed how pale William was and this would certainly explain it.
"Well, as it happens my sister's illness requires that she have blood transfusions from time to time to keep up her strength. I suppose we could spare a little for you while you are here. Do you need my physician to take a look at William? He is very good and has taken very good care of Anne."
Buffy was startled by his use of the name Anne. "Is Anne your sister's name then?"
Julian nodded his head and then bent his head and stared at the floor. It was obvious that he was in pain over his sister's illness and further discussion about it would be inappropriate right now. She would have to make a point to ask the servants later about Anne.
"It is very kind of you to do this for us Julian. We won't be needing your physician's assistance. William has had this condition for some time so he has seen many doctors. Hopefully we will only have to inconvenience you for a short while." Buffy hoped that her story wouldn't cause suspicion. It seemed like so far so good for now.
Julian looked up and straight into Buffy's eyes. "I will have the help prepare it for tomorrow." His voice was soft and somewhat weary. Buffy noticed that when he looked at her it often made her feel uncomfortable. He has been a wonderful host. She wasn't sure what it was about him that bothered her.
"Yes, well, I think maybe William and I should retire to our room now. I am very tired and it looks as if the storm is not letting up. If we are to travel tomorrow I will need some rest tonight." She hoped that this didn't cause the prince to be suspicious, but they needed time to snoop around and it really wasn't a lie. She was feeling very tired.
"Please, forgive my manners. Of course you must be exhausted. We can talk some more tomorrow during the morning meal. Please join me then." Julian was looking at Buffy again with kindness. His voice was soft and gentle. He walked to where she was standing and took her hand and raised it to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss there. "Until morning then." He turned and left the room without another word.
Spike had been watching during the whole conversation and was quite impressed with how Buffy was handling the situation. Suddenly he looked like a deer in the headlights. Did he just kiss Buffy on the hand? Who in the bloody hell did he think he was? His stare turned to anger as he saw that Buffy was blushing.
He gulped down the last of his brandy. He walked over to her and put both hands on her shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "What are you do'in Buffy?"
Buffy was feeling a little weak in the knees. She wasn't sure if it was because she was tired from her day, the nervousness over their conversation, or if it was the fact that the prince kissed her hand. She look up into Spikes eyes and thought maybe it was because he was so close to her personal space.
They were both silent for a minute. "I don't know what you are talking about. I am not doing anything but following our plan." Her heart was beating fast now and she hoped that he wouldn't notice. Why was she so nervous?
"Well, love, I guess flirt'in with the prince is part of the plan then? I saw the way you two were look'in at each other. You are supposed to be a married woman, remember? I am the one you are supposed to be look'in at." He was really close now and she could feel his breath on her face when he talked. Why was he always breathing? Lord knows he didn't need to.
"Really Spike, you don't need to pretend to be jealous. The prince is gone and I wasn't flirting with him anyway. I am sure that kissing women on the hand is a tradition here. No big." Her voice was firm but quivering. The words were struggling to come out and she didn't want to act like a nervous school girl. Why was this so hard for her?
Spike cocked his head to the side and bent down to whisper in her ear. His voice was throaty and he smelled like brandy and cigarettes. She knew that he wasn't drunk. It would take more than a couple of brandies to get Spike drunk, but the liquor had done its job. He was getting personal with her and she wasn't sure whether she liked it or not.
"Looked big from where I was stand'in love. You were blushing. No man should be making you blush but me." Just as Buffy opened her mouth to respond his mouth was on hers. He moved his arm from her shoulder to her lower back and the space between them disappeared.
The kiss was gentle but filled with urgency. She tried to resist. She really did. She raised her arm to his chest to push him away but it only made him tighten his arm around her even more. He was kissing her with more passion now and when his cool tongue slipped into her mouth she heard a small groan come from his throat. She could feel that he wanted her. This kiss wasn't make-believe, and neither was the bulge pressing against her.
Her mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts. Her hands moved from his soft shirt up to his collar and rested at the base of his neck. He was still kissing her and her legs were beginning to feel like jello. She was responding to his kiss and somehow she couldn't stop. She didn't want to stop.
Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Spike pulled away and was breathing as heavily as she was. He looked as confused as she did and she was sure he was waiting for her to say something. His blue eyes were gorgeous and they looked as if they could see into her soul.
"You're blushing love. I told you that I was the only one who should be making you blush. Looks like I was right." His voice was still soft but smug. Buffy was starting to look angry now and he was wondering if kissing her just then was the right thing to do. She hadn't staked him for it, so that must be worth something.
"Fine, you made your point. You made me blush. No big. Just like I said." Was that hurt in her eyes? With that she turned to leave the library. She mumbled under her breath as she was leaving. "Stupid vampire. Always has to be right."
Spike stood and watched her as she left. She had looked so beautiful standing in front of him breathing heavy and looking like someone who had just been fully kissed. She had enjoyed it. He was sure of that. He was getting to her little by little. He walked over to the table to pour himself another glass of confidence. "That's right slayer. I do always have to be right. And for once, I think maybe I am."