Tom T. Thomson: Again, I thank you! :)
Shiwolf: I appreciate you're still reading it. And things are going to get very complicated…
Afterwards, I just lay in the circle of Kain's arms. What did this new development mean? Was I to be a clandestine mistress as before? But no. It wasn't anything that demeaning. Kain had wanted me as much as I wanted him.
He loves you, that secret little voice whispered again. Why can't you just accept that?
Yes. It was plausible. Everyone needed their comforts. Something to love. Someone to hold. And Kain had chosen me as the anchor for what little humanity that remained within him.
I surmised about my long ago dream. I believed with all certainty that Kain and I had been human together. And maybe in love. Perhaps that ancient budding romance was finally beginning to flower. Mayhaps, destiny had brought us here.
For once, I stilled my tumultuous thoughts so I could just feel. Feel the hardness of Kain's chest against my cheek.
He was asleep. I could only imagine what he could be dreaming about. I settled myself against Kain and pulled the silken covers tighter around me. Around us.
So many conflicting emotions ran through me, but at last, I accepted peace as the strongest of all. I didn't feel threatened in the least. I felt complete. At last.
* * *
Kain didn't regret it. Not in the least. Marina was curled up like a contented lioness against her mate. She was awake. He could sense it.
The woman was his. He couldn't keep feeling just a little bit possessive of her. If Kain was to look inside his "heart", and contrary to popular belief he did have one, he had granted Marina a special place in his affections. He cared for her. Truly.
It was a safe enough way to express his compassion. To express his love. So long as it didn't impede in his role as ruler. And as long as he was in control, all would be well.
Kain boldly kissed Marina gently on the head. In answer, Marina craned her head up to gaze at him. A soft, sensual smile curled around her lips. Kain couldn't resist pressing his own lips to hers. Marina's eyes were smoldering, guileless, and full of tenderness. For him. But still, worry knotted her brow.
"Why?" she whispered sleepily.
"We all need to be loved sometimes, Marina. Even cruel bastards such as myself." Kain couldn't keep the humor out of his voice.
Marina nuzzled his neck. "You're not being cruel now."
Inwardly, the ice that frozen over Kain's heart melted. Not completely, never completely, but enough for a surge of heat to rush through Kain's veins. She trusted him. For the first time in several centuries, Kain felt wanted. And needed.
Kain was touched. Kain's sons stood with him because he was their master and creator. They were obligated, bound by duty, to serve him and associate with him. Marina, however, stayed by his side by her own free will. Or was it something a little deeper than that?
"My queen," he murmured.
And in the midst of all those warm emotions, Kain reached for her again, seeking to experience that scorching blaze only she could provide, and make her be aware of the same.
* * *
Sated, Kain promptly fell asleep again. I would join him—soon. I looked up at the rafters on the ceiling and at the bedroom itself. Finally, my gaze rested on a slim white candle, almost burned down to the wick. I stared at the dancing yellow flame. Beautiful, with an orange heart, surrounded by smoky indigo, and glittering russet sparks throughout. It was an appropriate reflection of what I was feeling.
Fire, although destructive, signified cleansing and an eventual rebirth. Was this it? My new life? I glanced down at the sleeping Kain. Well. It could be worse. I felt as if there was a conflagration inside me as well. Burning, smoking, pain. Like water sizzling your skin. Like the Abyss.
The hazy romantic scene faded. Raziel. Kain called himself cruel, but was he really that merciless? I hesitantly stroked his cheek. Kain shifted in his repose and grunted softly. Something of a smile flitted across Kain's newly relaxed features. My suspicions immediately faded. Kain looked almost…innocent in his sleep.
A sudden wave of tiredness swept over me. I submitted to it and joined Kain in a misty slumber.
* * *
I awoke once more to find Kain looming over me. I gasped in surprise.
Kain was amused. "Marina. I brought you something to eat." Kain brought a familiar golden cup into view, filled with ruby colored blood.
"Thank you, Kain." I hastily took the cup. Truthfully, I was beginning to feel worried. This was the second time Kain had fed me. Was he by chance stirring something into it after extracting it from its source?
I still didn't completely trust Kain, but I wanted to. Oh, this was ridiculous. My fears, as usual, were groundless. What would Kain have to gain by poisoning me? Especially after the evening we'd shared. Although…if Kain suspected anything about my journey through Moebius' secret tunnels…
"I thought you'd gone," I ventured, stalling for time.
"Why would you think that? I want to stay with you. In fact, I've been making plans."
"Really?" I stared down at the goblet clutched in my hand. My knuckles were turning white.
"Drink, Marina," Kain urged me. "Don't make me beg." Kain eyed me evenly.
We both knew, of course, but didn't dare speak of it. I knew better on all counts. Finally, I pressed the rim of the cup to my lips and drank. It was a pungent, fiery mixture that almost didn't seem human. I nearly gagged, but I drained the cup. Against my better judgment, I might add. Maybe I didn't know better…
I handed the empty vessel back to Kain. "It had a unique flavor."
"I suppose it did," Kain preened. "It's a specialty not many taste."
"What plans are you making for me?" I asked. "Will they be fatal?"
Kain chuckled. "Marina, you always expect the worst. You need to be more optimistic."
A question entered my mind then. It had to asked. "Kain, are you sorry about what we did?"
Kain looked as if he'd just been slapped. "Of course not. I am quite fond of you. You know that."
"Like you are fond of Raziel?" Damn. Why did I say that? I braced myself for Kain's blow or his explosion of anger. Or both.
Kain narrowed his eyes. "I don't love Raziel, Marina. At least not in that manner." Kain laughed yet again. "You are an intriguing woman, Marina. Unpredictable. Like myself. I never know what you might do next. Or might say." He shot me a cool, knowing glance.
I was playing a dangerous game. Kain and I were engaged in a fray all right, but we battled with our minds instead of our bodies and words were used instead of swords. It demanded a fortification of will. Who would win this bout?
"Since you asked, Marina, I was thinking of making you a lieutenant. From what Dumah tells me, you are quite an adept warrior. Quite an honor, if I do say so."
So you can throw me into the Abyss too? I would have pondered on that more, but Kain was still speaking.
"But, good sense tells me I shouldn't. Not yet, anyway. The time is not right, as the astrologers would say. You still need experience. So, I have taken it upon myself to officially make you a general."
"And whom would I serve?" I questioned carefully.
Kain shrugged. "Anyone you wish. Rahab needs a new general in his abbey and so does Zephon in the Cathedral. However, I don't think he would be the best choice."
"I shall serve you only you, Kain." I don't know what made me utter it. The words just flowed out of me, but I sensed it was the right thing to say. The only thing to say.
"Very well. You made a good choice. But, we shall worry about that later." Kain lay down on the bed and folded me in his embrace. "You're shivering," he noted.
I was. All of a sudden, I felt hot. My skin was burning up, as if I had a fever. Searing. Burning. Like flames… It felt as if there was a great weight on my chest, which was beginning to ache all the same. My head throbbed.
"I feel sick," I admitted. "Ever since—"
Kain cut me off. "It'll pass," he murmured and kissed my cheek.
I looked over at Kain and almost cried out. It was just then I noticed Kain's wrist was bleeding. The blood…the blood in the goblet was…
I felt a stabbing pain then in my neck. I realized with a startling clarity what it was. Kain's fangs. Mercifully, I blacked out.
* * *
Kain looked over his newest conquest. It was necessary. It had been necessary. After hearing of Marina's tales, he had grown fearful for her. And for himself. When she told of Mortanius' display of agony and at the evil light in his eyes, he immediately thought of the Unspoken. Who knew what Marina had brought through time with her?
Kain hoped his potent, magical blood would cleanse Marina of any corruption. And he had another reason as well. Kain had a little fetish. He had to know Marina belonged to him. All of the vampires in Nosgoth were his children…except Marina. It pained him to see her ill, but she would be the stronger for it.
Her blood had tasted rich, sweet, and dry. Like fine wine. Searchingly, he kissed her neck, right on those healing puncture wounds. He cradled her in his arms. This beautiful woman. This powerful woman. This dangerous woman. He knew what she'd seen in Moebius' Chronoplast, but he would trust her enough not to tell. Marina would simply have to see things his way, one way or another. And if not, she would ultimately fall.
It was the middle of the afternoon. Surely by nightfall Marina would awaken. He sighed. She would be the death of him. But he couldn't let that happen. Fate was pulling the strings here. His dreams and newfound emotions proved it. He only hoped Marina would come to understand the wisdom behind his actions. And Raziel also.
If Fate was casting the strings and weaving the together, he hoped they would not unravel. Losing Raziel would be an acute loss in itself. He did not wish to lose her too. It would be unbearable.