Tenebrae Immortalis

By Arcadia, Kain's Queen and Kain, Lord of Nosgoth

Disclaimer - Raziel and Kain are © Eidos and Crystal Dynamics, everyone else is © AKQ.

Summary - Never mind. You'll see.

Chapter Eight - Sable Musings

That... stung.. to put it mildly. Slowly, Arcadia approached him, her hands slowly flexing at her sides before she stopped before Kain, almost but not quite touching the man, staring up at him with those dark blue eyes before lips parted and white teeth flashed in the blackness of her face as she spoke.

"I asked the question about the sun because I am planning something for you.. And as for that walk.."

Slowly, the girl lifted herself up, leveling her eyes with his. For just a few moments, she didn't say anything before the girl began to speak again, voice quiet, almost hurt. And Arcadia was hurt. Kain thought that she was leaving him..? Something within the future duchess wouldn't allow it.. As if telling her that she was needed here.. here for Kain.. Her eyes blinked swiftly, squeezing away the tears that she could feel burning at the back of her eyes.

"I'll take you up on that when I return.. Right now, there's a few things I need to go get.."

Without thinking about it, she moved her head forward, her lips brushing lightly against his before her smaller figure brushed against his side as Arcadia left the room, heading for the door. Hurrying, she exited the manor, swiftly scaling the wall and dropping onto the street underneath her. The signet ring burned coldly against the skin on her chest, as if it would brand her with Kain's crest. But that burning didn't seem to compare with the fire within her face. She had just.. kissed him.. Kissed a vampyre.. A shiver thrilled through her and the woman let out a quiet sigh. Preoccupied as she was with her thoughts, Arcadia almost missed the small store. Reaching into an unseen pocket, she removed a lockpick and soon was inside, gathering up the supplies she wanted and needed for her gift idea, unaware of the venemous gaze focused upon her.

Twin brown eyes narrowed even more dangerously before a quiet hiss escaped their owner. That pathetic little creature was wearing his ring! She had never been allowed such a niceity and that in itself was enough to propel the dark observer into a furious rage that burned dangerously. Perhaps she should rid Kain of this stupid brat now.. The thief obviously had no thought as to the man she wanted back.. And she would get Kain back or die trying.

Within the shop, Arcadia paused, placing the last item she was going to take with her back to the manor within the sack that had also come from an unseen pocket. Her head lifted and azure orbs moved about slowly, even as that same hand lifted to clasp itself about Kain's signet ring. For some reason, that brought great comfort to the thief and she relaxed before hoisting the sack up over her back and left the store, locking it behind herself. Silently, she returned to the manor and to her room. Setting the sack down and shoving it under her bed, Arcadia washed her hands and face off, combing the ashes out of her hair. Removing her boots, the girl removed her shirt next and sighed before starting on her breeches. But, the woman froze as she heard her door opening.

The first thing that would be seen as the door opened was a broad, lecherous grin borne upon black lips and exposing long, sharp fangs of ivory. This was obviously not the lord of the manor, but his younger brother and it was apparent that he didn't care whether the young woman was decent or not as he slipped into the room, quietly closing the door behind him. His gold eyes, much like Kain's, seemed to glow in the light of the kerosene lamps and fireplace and there was a malicious intent in them.

"Well, I seem to have chosen the right time to come and see you, girl. How fortunate for me." His voice was a low hiss of sound as he looked her over although she had hastily grabbed the covers from her bed and held them to her dearly.

With unearthly grace Raziel moved across the room, drawing ever closer to her, that grin fixed firmly in place upon his lips and the look of hunger in his eyes growing stronger. As he drew nearer to the girl he inhaled deeply of her scent, so soft and gentle and sweet but there was something else mixed with it, a distinct lack of terror. A dark brow arched highly as he looked to her.

"You don't fear me, how interesting. But you should know that before I'm through you'll be utterly terrified of me, and my brother as well."

A low growl of anger escaped Arcadia who dropped the covers and then moved slowly, keeping her eyes upon Raziel, even as one hand reached towards the swords leaning against the wall. How dare he.. How dare he come into her room, uninvited and presume to dictate to her how she would be treated by him..! Then, the girl found herself slammed up against the way, his hands grasping her wrists, not allowing her to get a clear shot to his groin.

"I'll scream.." she hissed up at him, glaring at the man evilly..

Kain's ring stood out against her chest and gleamed with a lurid orange glow from the firelight even as she pulled her head back as much as she could, staring at Raziel.

That grin of his only broadened as he slowly looked her over, a low hiss escaping his throat as his gaze lifted to her face once again. The hunger that shone in those yellow eyes was growing stronger with each passing moment and soon he would be doing more than looking over her and grinning. He would be using her however he pleased and possibly drain her of every drop of her blood, not caring about what would happen to his brother if she died.

"Scream all you want.. please.. the screams of my victims excite me greatly.." he replied in a low growl, grinning at her still..

He pressed himself up against her even as she writhed in revulsion, trying desperately to get away from him. Cold laughter issued from his mouth as he watched her, golden eyes gleaming viciously as he moved his head, lowering it to her neck with fangs bared..

Well, she had warned him. Inhaling swiftly, Arcadia unleashed her voice. A loud scream nearly pierced his eardrums, causing the vampyre to reel back in pain, even as the sound formed a name.

"Kain!"

She could only pray that he'd follow her scream which had contained a mixture of nervousness and loud anxiety. With another scream, she found that one harshly cut off by the vampyre pressing his mouth tightly against hers with a loud growl. Again, Arcadia screamed his brother's name, silently within the confines of her skull. No..! No..! She didn't want this..! Didn't want this at all..! Someone.. anyone.. help..!

Within moments the door to her room had flown open, standing in the doorway was Kain and when he saw what was going on a feral snarl tore out of his throat. Before his brother could react he had been thrown clear across the room, Kain following swiftly behind him. As he attempted to collect his wits, Kain had already hauled him off the floor and was beating him down fiercely. A roar of anger came from the elder vampyre as he continued to practically maul his younger sibling. Raziel had curled into a tight ball, screaming at Kain, begging for him to stop but the vampyre lord wouldn't. He had touched her, worse, he had tried to take her for himself and an unbridled fury burned in Kain's gold eyes. He wouldn't stop, not until he was made to stop or Raziel lay near death or dead.

She gasped, sinking back against the wall, panting before suddenly realizing what Kain was doing. With a loud cry, Arcadia moved, her arms wrapping around Kain from behind, the woman calling his name, begging with him to stop, to not kill his brother.. No one should be forced to kill their own brother.. or even kill them on purpose..

"Kain..! Kain, stop it..! Please..! He didn't do anything other then scare me.. Kain..!"

Arcadia pled with him to stop, to hold off of killing his brother.. The girl didn't want to see the vampyre lord kill.. Not ever.. She didn't want him to kill Raziel.. Even with the younger vampyre's perverted nature, she didn't want him dead.. Not at all.. The woman continued to plead, hanging onto Kain tightly, trying not to get hurt at the same time.. After all, she was only mortal..

Kain continued to beat his brother, barely hearing her pleas and even less aware of the fact she was hanging onto him. Slowly her words reached his ears and his assault relented. The vampyre lord stood over his younger brother, chest heaving as anger burned in his eyes, possessive snarls and growls rumbling out of his throat. Without realizing it Kain reached around and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to him before he spoke to his brother who lay bleeding and battered at his feet.

"If you ever touch her or look at her again, I'll tear you apart with my bare hands! Am I understood!" Kain's voice was a furious roar of sound causing his brother to flinch even as he began to drag himself away, whimpering as he gave a nod.

The elder of the two just watched as Raziel crawled away, blood dripping to the floor, his clothes torn and shredded, pitiable whimpers coming from Kain's brother. He hadn't been expecting her to scream for Kain, he hadn't expected it at all. He was equally unprepared for the furious attack by his brother, he could almost swear that he cared for this mortal woman..

Arcadia blinked as she was pulled into Kain's side, feeling his arm curling about her tightly. She remained silent as Raziel crept out of the room before finally looking up at the elder vampyre, lips parting slowly before she spoke, voice soft even as she looked down, noting that her top half was more or less naked while her pants were threatening to fall down about her ankles.

"Th.. thank you, Kain.. I.. If I'd known your brother had been planning to try something like that.. I.. I wouldn't have left you.."

He.. protected her.. Finally, she gently slipped out of his grasp, turning so her back was to him even as she watched him over her shoulder, cheeks heating up slowly. A brief flash of something upon her back stood out against her skin, but dark strands of hair obscured it.

"Uhm.. I.."

Arcadia's voice failed her and she turned her head slowly, staring towards the corner even as her eyes grew lidded, some indiscernible emotion lighting the soft blue orbs.

Slowly, Kain turned to look at her, the rage fading as he watched her.. He couldn't help but wonder why she'd moved away from him; was she trully so unable to be near him when they were alone..? For the first time he actually felt like he needed her by his side, with him. Silently he looked her over, she was quite beautiful. Cautiously the vampyre moved over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders lightly, respecting her enough to not grope her.

"What is it, Arcadia..?"

He tilted his head around slightly, looking upon her face he noticed the slight redness of her cheeks as though she were blushing. Leaning around further, he carefully avoided looking anywhere but at her face.

"Arcadia..?"

Arcadia jumped slightly at Kain's touch, not expecting it and turned her head, hearing him speak to her softly.. perhaps one could even say.. intimately.. Her face heated up even more and her lips parted, her blue eyes peering up into his own yellow orbs. Then, her gaze was turned downwards, embarrassment causing her shoulders to hunch and eyes to widen ever so slightly.. Had she just wanted him to kiss her..? No, couldn't be.. Finally, the woman turned to look at him, cheeks flushing even more before the thief swallowed and spoke.

"Do.. do you think you could.. leave.. for a moment perhaps so I could get dressed..? Or at least.. t-turn ar.. around..?"

Arcadia's arms were quite firmly locked over her chest, covering it from his view. Yet, the straps of her brassiere wrapped about her shoulders and chest, the shoulder straps sliding down from Raziel's gropings, the material loose. Even if they were to be married, the woman wasn't quite comfortable yet with the idea of a man seeing her naked. Then, Arcadia blinked, thoughts churning through her mind.. She was thinking of Kain as a man, not the monster he had called himself. Then again, she had little reason to think of him as vampyre. ... Vampyre.. The word skittered down the corridors of her mind and Arcadia swallowed, staring up at him with wide blue eyes even as she felt her pulse start to quicken, the veins at the base of her throat fluttering up and down beneath the smooth skin tinged by the sun.

Gazing into those sapphire pools Kain nearly lost all concept and perception of time, her words barely reaching his ears. Subtly the vampyre lord's gaze shifted, quickly flitting over her partially revealed form. With that brief glance a flare of yearning welled up within him, yearning to hold her close to him, her bare skin against his own. Finally he nodded, lifting his hands away as he turned his back to her, placing his hands in the pockets of his pants. He couldn't bring himself to leave, not so soon after what had happened with his brother. Subtly he glanced over his shoulder at her.. more than idly curious as to what she's going to do..

The woman moved behind a dressing screen and leaned against the wall, shutting her eyes tightly. He had saved her.. Arcadia just assumed he was doing it to save face and felt a bitter smile touch her mouth. Only to save face. This would be a loveless marriage.. and she would most likely never have a baby.. Closing her eyes tightly, Arcadia finally began to remove her breeches, eventually pulling on a loose gown that draped over her body in soft folds. Swallowing, she moved slowly about the edge of the dressing screen. The fire cracked and popped loudly, warm orange/yellow light being shed upon the room. A white night-gown adorned her figure, lace serving to gently trim the neckline as well as the hem of the nightgown. Tiny seed pearls formed designs upon the gown and the woman moved over, sitting on the foot of her bed before looking to Kain with wide blue eyes, finally looking down.

"... thank you, Kain.. you.. saved me when your brother would have.."

She shuddered, hands curling into the fabric of her gown, hair hanging over her face.. He must be laughing at her.. After all.. he was an all-powerful vampyre and she was but a mere mortal he had taken in for amusement..

He raised a hand in a dismissive gesture, not wanting her to feel indebted to him. He knew all too well what his brother was like and he would have none of it in his home, especially directed at his future bride. Turning towards her, his face was carefully expressionless and guarded as he looked down to her. He couldn't help but hope that his brother would be gone soon, that this threat to Arcadia would leave. Kain had taken a bit of a liking to the girl unlike anything he had ever done before. She was a strong woman unlike the majority he had met, he admired such strength.

"Think nothing of it. It was my pleasure to put my brother in his place, especially for touching you in such a manner. He deserved what I did to him, he's had it coming for a long time now."

Those gold wolf eyes of his eyes looked over her carefully before he moved over to her, looking down before sitting by her, a comfortable distance between them..

"Are you going to be alright, Arcadia?"