Authors notes: I apologise now for it not being as good as the first half. This is soooo sappy in places. Please forgive me, I don't usually do sappy it makes me…. cringe! When I write it anyway. I am still of the opinion he probably would have eaten her, but literary artistic licence wins over common sense every time. If anybody wonders where the term 'bond-mate' comes from I decided to use it, as 'wife' didn't really fit, and 'bride' smells of Vorador and he's a tart.

And so, on to my reviewers…

Varyssa: Thank you so much. Favourites? I feel so honoured…Warm and fuzzy is good. I made you like a Turelim! Is there no end to my powers? Mwahaha. XD

Much love in return for fantastic review.

…and thank you to my sis for reviewing by IM, I know your reading this…

To all my other reviewers: You know who you are. Thank you in advance. she hints in a oh-so-subtle manner

Path of woe

Chapter 2

She sat at the table with her hand resting in his. She knew against all reason, she loved him, and he her. As he moved closer, her mind returned to the kiss he'd given her, what felt like so long ago. She looked at him in anticipation. She wanted to feel his lips upon hers again, the feeling of longing, mixed with a hint of fear made her feel breathless. She closed her eyes as she again felt those cool lips against hers, this time she responded back and felt the kiss deepen. The sensation of her tongue touching those elongated fangs was all at once strangely alien, yet compelling. It was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. She felt him withdraw; as she opened her eyes, he lifted her to her feet. Leading her to a small adjacent room, she smiled as she realized that it would seem that vampires did indeed indulge in 'the pleasures of the flesh'.

He loved the time they spent together, every day brought some new discovery for him. He almost felt like a fledgling again, he felt so...alive. Strange word to use for one who could not remember being alive, let alone what it felt like. He spent his nights lost in the wonder that was her, learning every slight line on her face, her favourite colour, once inconsequential things that now became too important to overlook. He knew she shared his happiness, he could feel it. He felt he would give her anything, all she need do was ask.

She couldn't remember a time she had known such joy. Everything about him held some fascination. She loved everything about him. His love for her was genuine, pure and he asked nothing in return, she knew he would love her even if the feelings hadn't been returned. For the first time in her life since she'd lost her parents as a child, she felt the warmth of kindness, she felt safe. She felt loved, that that love came from such an unexpected source only made its existence the more poignant.

He had seen the looks his peers had given him. It would seem that other servants had made observations and had developed loose tongues. He sighed inwardly. He should have seen this coming. He was determined to not let their looks bother him, but he knew the unspoken words they conveyed. It was only a matter of time before they became vocal. Some would be curious, most would not. Their reaction would be quite different.

She had started to feel more isolated. Her own kind was starting to distance themselves from her. They no longer idly chatted anymore, anything they did say was guarded and she was beginning to be treated with suspicion. She had known that others would mar her happiness, she just hadn't been prepared for how much it would hurt.

As the time went by, he noticed the snide comments starting to be made as he passed by. One acquaintance had even gone so far as to have impolitely question him on his 'whore' and why hadn't he tired of her yet? It had taken he all his willpower not to rip out his throat. He had tempered his anger, it didn't do to react unwisely. Questions would be asked and he would come under even closer scrutiny from higher up. Would she be taken from him, killed even, just to keep the peace? He knew well his masters were capable and had no interest in the concerns of a lowly subordinate. He would not draw unnecessary attention. He had to keep her safe.

She walked through the slave quarters. No one looked at her. All eyes quickly averted as she passed by. Even former close friends no longer acknowledged her. She visibly winced as the word 'Traitor' was hissed at her from a dark corner. She was glad the face of her tormentor was hidden by the shadows, she didn't wish to see the owner of that voice she knew so well, one she had once shared fanciful dreams of freedom with, one she saw as beloved as a sister. She dropped her head and kept walking.

He couldn't help but notice the tears she tried to keep hidden from him as she went about her work. "Someone has hurt you?"

"It is nothing." She bit her lip, she berated herself for her weakness. Yet she steeled herself, for what she knew she must do next. "I must ask something of you." At his nod, she continued. "I would ask permission to leave your service."

He looked like he'd just been punched in the stomach at what she had just asked. "You do not wish to stay with me?"

She saw the hurt in his eyes and fought back the tears. "I do not wish to leave you, but I must." Her voice raised ever so slightly. "Do you not see that I have to?" She deflated, her tears betraying her.

"I would make you my bond-mate, my equal, if you would stay."

"I know you would, but you can't. We would never be accepted. I would be an outcast to my people and you the ridicule of yours. You are hated by my people and I'm never going to be seen as your equal by yours, no matter what you would wish." She sat down and took his hand. "I would like to say we could leave and live as we would choose elsewhere, but…"

He voiced what she had been thinking. "We would not survive without the protection of our peoples. The world is too harsh a place, too many dangers." He shook his head sadly. "Also, the danger I would always present to you if 'suitable' food became scarce."

She nodded and smiled at him weakly. "I can find no resolution that would lead to a happy outcome, though I have tried."

"I could bring you over to me. We could be together with no fear of ridicule or prejudice." He was being hopeful, he knew her answer already.

"If you truly love me, you will respect not only who, but what I am. I do not want to change. I was born mortal and will die mortal. Like you, I must be true to who I am. If I accept your gift, I will become just another vampire, and eventually you would tire of me, it is inevitable. As a mortal, our time together would be finite anyway, and I can die in the knowledge that I still have your love. That is what I want."

He nodded his head in resigned agreement. Did he love her enough to let her go? Yes, though the pain was more intense with every minute that passed. "Please, even if we end this now, please stay in my service. I cannot ensure your safety beyond my walls and I cannot bear the thought of something happening to you."

"Can you see me everyday and allow nothing to happen? Because I don't think I can. I can't face that kind of torture. Having you there, but always just out of reach. Or continuing on in secret. Can you live like that? Her voice contained barely controlled anger. She hoped he would know it wasn't directed at him, she wanted to lash out at the injustices of the world.

"No. I cannot. But I cannot give you your freedom, though I would wish to. Unclaimed, you would become prey before you left the city walls and I cannot take you as we would be watched. I have a friend whom I can recommend your service to, he has a lower 'staff turnover'." The last two words left a bitter taste in his mouth. "He will take care of you. When would you leave?"

"I understand. It will be better for both of us if I leave as soon as possible." She said quietly. She saw him become more business-like in his manner. She knew it was for him a way to cope with what needed to be done. She wished she could find one that would work for her.

"I have a parcel needing delivery tomorrow. I will send you on this errand with a letter of recommendation. I am sure you will be accepted." He looked into her eyes and ran a claw softly down her cheek. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

She looked directly into his yellow eyes. "No. This is could never be what I want. But it is what must be." She buried her face into his chest, letting the tears fall freely now, she took in the scent of him, everything about him, scorching it into her memory.

He lifted her off her feet. "Stay with me tonight." He whispered into her ear. He took her responding kiss as a yes.

She looked intently at his face for any sign of his emotions as he placed a small wooden box on the table. She was trying so hard to keep her own face neutral, she wondered if he was having as much difficulty as she was.

"This needs to be taken directly. It is an item of some importance so he'll expect prompt delivery. Here is also the letter of recommendation that I promised." He said as he placed a letter on top of the box.

"I will take the most direct route, Sir." She didn't think that he heard her reply, but she didn't repeat herself.

"I have instructed Daniel to escort you. He will return to inform me of your safe arrival."

"Thank you, Sir." The ache was growing again.

"Please, don't be so formal with me, not now." The last two words were barely above a whisper. He took her into his arms. "Please, do not go."

"You know I must." She inwardly prayed for the strength she now needed.

"I love you."

She pulled herself in tighter, clenching a handful of his shirt in her fist that was held to his chest. "As I love you. Forever."

After too brief a time, she raised her tear-stained face to look at him. "I must go now."

"I know." He paused. "I do not know what to say. I cannot find the words."

"Maybe none are necessary. Knowing how you feel is enough." Picking up the box, she turned to look at him one last time. "I am always with you. Always."

"As I am with you." He smiled at her. Looking at her standing in the doorway with at heartfelt smile for him, he wanted to capture the moment forever. All to soon the moment passed, and his chest became griped in an unbearable ache as he watched her walk away.

Well that's it people. No happy endings here, sorry! But I promise my next story, currently being written with my co-conspirator will be very funny to make up for it.