Love or Blood
Chapter Seventeen: Size of the Matter
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I was hesitant at best but something in Vicente's eyes made me step forward. I smiled awkwardly at him and went to kindly refuse but he took my hand in his own before I could so much as shake my head.
"I must insist that you join us. It has been so long since I have enjoyed the company of such a pleasant young woman. Far too long." His touch took my breath away. I was overwhelmed with the oddest of sensations; a comfort I had never known. As if I could hear him whispering sweetly to me, telling me everything was going to be alright. I found myself being pulled in at his stare. His eyes so red and piercing, like the Count's.
They were so alike. It made my knees weak.
"Yes." I heard myself murmuring. "I shall gladly stay." The words sounded distant and foreign on my own tongue. But I had said them and that was all that mattered. Pleasing Vicente was all that really mattered.
"Excellent. I knew you wouldn't let us down." His voice was like honey, so sweet to my ears. And his touch, so cold and refreshing to my flushed skin.
"I would never let you down." I said aghast. Something had certainly come over me but I lacked the ability - or reason to care for that matter - to do anything about it. Vicente had become the object of my inner most private obsession. I wanted to make him happy but I didn't know why. But it did not matter. Only making Vicente happy mattered. I was happy if he was happy.
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"You dog." The Count stared hard at Vicente. "Why in oblivion would you do that?"
Vicente gave the Janus a cheeky grin before drawing the girl closer to him. "Nothing like a little Vampire Seduction to break the ice." He chuckled at the Count's expression and ran his hand over the servant's stomach, lowering his head to her neck and grinning into her hair. "She is so warm and smells so sweet." He sighed and patted her head. "She's a good girl, you know. I can feel her even now trying to resist my advances. So strong willed."
"Stop it." Janus rose, white knuckled and nauseous.
Vicente blinked and looked at him more seriously now and allowed the doting girl to slip into a chair. "Janus, you know me. I would never touch her. I'm only teasing-"
"You just were." The Count spat. "I told you not to touch her. I told you specifically not to lay a finger on her. Here you are now spelling the child!"
"Hey now, she was coming onto me, I swear." To Vicente this was priceless. Although the girl was beautiful she was just that, a girl. A mere child. He had no interest in her for she was far too young. He liked his ladies to at least know what they were doing.
However, Janus seemed to have forgotten Vicente's provoking ways. The elder vampire was always teasing, mocking and doing whatever he could to get a rise out of the grumpy Count.
After all what were fiends for?
"Janus," Vicente called in a sing-song voice, a meager attempt to calm the situation. "Stop being so primal. She's here, she's yours, take her." With a slight push, Vicente sent the chair the girl was seated in skidding across the stone floor. The Count quickly grabbed hold of it before it sped past him. He looked up toward Vicente with nearly tangible irritation. "Oh and the Spells gone. Forgot to mention that tidbit."
Janus found himself met with panic-stricken eyes. The girl, now fully alert, stared up at him. Desperation was plain on her face. She didn't remember anything past taking Vicente's hand, Janus was sure of that.
Thinking quickly, the Count forced a smile and a little white-lie to go with it. "Vicente is going now to fetch us some drinks. I'm so glad you decided to join us after all." Ah, diplomacy. Always good when in a tight spot.
"I…did?" She trailed off and scanned the room. Vicente had already picked up on the Count's fib and was bringing back goblets and wine bottles.
"Indeed! And thank the Nine for that. I certainly don't want to be all alone with Janus. Such a sullen fellow."
The Count laughed dryly but made no retort. Instead, he brought his gaze back down to the servant girl. She wore an olive green tunic that laced up the front, tied neatly into a little silk bow. It brought out her eyes and gave great contrast to her pale flesh. Flesh the Count found very pleasing to stare at. Ivory breasts pressed against the delicate fabric…
"Sir!" The girl exclaimed. Caught, the Count jumped back and straightened. "I'm so sorry! I've been sitting in your chair." Abigale Lynn stood quickly as the Count. Their simultaneous jump had them standing toe-to-toe. The Count – who moments ago thought he was about to get smacked — had leaned his torso back slightly, leaving his pelvic area exposed. In the one quick motion flesh and fabric touched. The tops of her breasts slid easily against his pants.
For a moment the world stopped and heated embarrassment filled the air. The two stared at each other, equally shocked and still trying to gather what happened. Odd sensations crippled them both, tying their tongues and turning their bodies rigid. The Count in particular felt substantially uncomfortable; physically and mentally.
Coming to and realizing what she did apologies quickly began spilling from her flushed lips. The Count, once again just as quickly kept assuring her that it was fine. Everything was fine. So very fine. He had for a brief moment thought all had been lost, gaining her trust and friendship. But the fact that she was still looking him in the eyes spoke volumes. This could be brushed away with effort. Strong effort on his part. He didn't want to forget it. At least not entirely.
"I-I-I'm so sorry Sir!" She placed a hand over her mouth, exasperated and stunned by the simple movement that turned a brush awry. "I didn't mean to touch you, I-"
"It was an accident. My fault entirely." He felt like he needed to breathe but he didn't. Although everything was odd and suddenly fast he liked it. He liked everything about it down to the girl's exasperated face.
"I wasn't supposed to sit there in the first place." She pleaded, her hand finding its way to her hair as she smoothed back several red strays. He noted that she kept touching her face. Like the heat of the moment was too much to bear. He could feel the heat and wondered if so could she.
"You may sit wherever you please-" Janus waved his hand around the room in a brief example, finding moving his limbs was more difficult than he originally thought. He felt so constricted. Confined in his own skin. Her look was…empathetic? As though she felt sorry for him more than herself. Could she possibly know what was running through his mind, what he was feeling? Oh dear.
"How delightfully awkward!" Vicente chirped, cutting the two off and breaking both trains of thought. "This is going to be a good night indeed."
Abigale Lynn gave another glance to her master. 'Should I leave?' was written plainly on her face. But Janus didn't want her to go. He desperately wanted her to stay. To make up for it all and get back on their own mutual trust. That's all he wanted, no more…
Her hands were wringing obsessively but she was coaxed into sitting again by Vicente. Not by spell but with honeyed words of accomplishment. He gushed over Janus' body language when confronted by a pretty girl. He joked; every movement filled with mirth and congratulated her on achieving the impossible: stunning the Count into compliance.
However, the poor Count received no words of comfort or praise. Just sympathetic and apologetic looks from his servant. Regardless, Janus had to sit down, otherwise certain appendages were sure to knock something over.
They both gratefully accepted the wine Vicente poured and neither glanced in the others direction once seated. They drank quietly, avoiding each others path of vision like the plague. While Abigale Lynn mentally cursed the size of her breasts the Count was busy reliving the moment again and again. He felt less guilty for doing so with each sip of Blood Wine. (1)
Vicente on the other hand was delighted. He kept them both chatting idly and drinking. He wanted more to happen, it was such fun! He had not expected to witness Janus' most erotic moment in years. Poor Janus looked as though he had been caught with his hand down his pants. But Vicente could feel the tense air taking on a more alluring wave. The more they drank the heavier the feel of the room. He could smell the curiosity on the two. That reserved, dignified and most honest Count was so swayed by this girl. And the girl couldn't stop bringing a curious hand to her chest.
By Sithis, Vicente would never let him live this down.
Around the third glass of wine they began to loosen. Vicente caught the two glancing at each other again and again. Abigale Lynn looked at the Count like they shared a secret. He looked at her with brightly red shining eyes, both hot and guilty. The elder vampire knew that secretly, they both liked it. And it was deliciously different to such seemingly innocent creatures. One would think they had gotten away with murder.
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Janus watched her recline in his chair. She sighed heavily and smiled at Vicente. Again chattering about the Imperial City or some such nonsense. The Count would have never imagined her warming up to Vicente as fast as she did. He believed it was partially forced, as Vicente would never shut up. It was bothering the Count more than usual. He was taking away all her attention. Hogging it and gloating secretly about it. Janus knew it.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity she turned to him. "Sir," She breathed, a smile playing across her lips. "I truly am sorry. That was an accident."
"No my dear, you are wrong." Vicente interjected, once again stealing away her attention. "It was entirely our Count's fault. You see, had he a mind for personal space you would have never been forced into such a position."
She laughed at that and waved her right hand enthusiastically. Janus blinked. He never hovered around her before…did he?
When she turned to the Count again and met his puzzled expression her smile quickly faded. "I'm afraid I have to disagree with you, Master Vicente." She cleared her throat in an attempt to compose herself. The wine was fogging her mind but even in a drunken state she felt a compelling need to comfort the Count. "It was indeed my fault. I shouldn't have been there…in the chair." She glanced over at said chair and grimaced. "Chairs…" She took another hearty gulp from her glass.
The Count smiled at her even as she wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her gown. It was a thoughtful gesture and the Count was glad that she expressed it. She stared into the fire and the Count found himself marveling at her relaxed body. The light of the flames licked at her pale skin and danced in her eyes.
"You seem to have yourself quite the little admirer, Janus." Vicente teased. Abigale Lynn looked up and gaped, then quickly closed her mouth. She was now sporting a heavy blush but her eyes strayed over to the Count's form and stayed there a long while.
"I do admire him." She mumbled in her best attempt to diffuse the situation.
Vicente's grin grew wider at this, his fangs flashed brightly at his host. "How very sweet she is to you. Now Janus, you should thank her. Kindness like that is very hard to come by these days."
The Count shot a subtle glare at Vicente and turned to Abigale Lynn. Again she stunned him. Her large eyes set upon him, brightly. She eagerly awaited what he had to say but…she looked so damned hopeless. She always seemed to. No matter what the occasion, what the conversation, there was always this sad, pitiful expression. But at the same time it was beautiful. Like she needed comforting. Tonight Janus had to suppress the urge to hug the child. "Thank you." He said lightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Well if a dead man could blush." Vicente laughed, helping himself to yet another drink. "In all my years I have never seen our Count so speechless! My dear girl, you have just opened a page on this dusty tome and started a fresh chapter." Vicente patted her head and she smiled up at him. "Our dear Janus is growing up. Oh, how the years fly by."
"Grown?" She asked, turning towards Vicente. Drunkenness making her movements sloppy. "Isn't the Count grown already?"
"Of course my dear. I believe whole heartedly that our Count has grown several inches within the past few minutes alone." Janus, whom had been contently sipping from his glass, coughed the liquid onto his sleeve, eyes wide and set dangerously on Vicente.
Abigale Lynn simply furrowed her brow, mouth pursed and puzzled. She looked the Count up and down twice. "He looks the same to me." After a short pause and a few more curious blinks her expression changed violently to abject shock and horror. "Oh!"
Vicente's laugh came as a bark and caused him to double over. "Sweet child! Innocent being!" His laughter filled the room. Janus ran his hands through his hair. Mumbling how incredibly 'unfunny' his guest was. They were both surprised however when another laugh rang through the air.
"Awful! Awful!" Abigale Lynn cried as she covered her bright red face. "Poor Count! You are too cruel Master Vicente!"
"Perhaps I am," He beamed. "But it is incredibly funny to imagine such a thing, yes?"
To the Count's horror, she nodded.
"Then allow me to indulge you." Vicente again chirped. Janus was mortified but felt conflicted on how he could react. Everything he thought of to stop the conversation ended badly in his mind. "You see all these big fancy columns? And those great walls outside?" Abigale Lynn hurriedly nodded, already biting her lip with anticipatory laughter. Janus had privately agreed to drink away his sorrows. "My sources tell me that although it may seem so, the Count is not compensating. Just proving his manliness."
The two rejoiced with renewed laughter. Clutching their sides at the Count's dismay, until he could take it no longer. "Anyone else tired?" He snapped, starring daggers at Vicente.
A little hand raised wearily and his servant smiled. "I am, Sir."
"Drat!" Vicente exclaimed, "We were just starting to have fun." He pouted.
"Unlike you, people have to work in the morning." The Count said, faking his best smile and cheerful tone. He turned his attention back to the girl. "You've had an awfully long night here. Perhaps it's time for bed?" The Count stood.
"You'd like that wouldn't you…" Vicente coughed. The Count bent over and took Abigale Lynn's hands, discretely kicking Vicente in the shin while doing so. They both overlooked the elder vampire's painful howl.
"I had fun." She breathed, starring up at the Count.
"I did as well." He smiled "Would you like an escort to bed? If you need one I will happily provide one for you."
"Happily and erectly." Vicente hissed, massaging his shin, only to have a prompt blow hit the other.
"Thank you, my Lord but I think I'll be alright." She let her hands slip gently from his and took hold of her skirt, bowed her head and wavered slightly. "Permission to be dismissed, Sir?"
He nodded back at her. "Granted."
She bid them both goodnight with an enthusiastic wave and wobbly left his room.
No sooner had the door latch clicked the Count grabbed a book and flung it toward the other vampire. Vicente, though still drunk from the blood wine was able to incline his head and miss the hurling book. Thus sending it into the fire.
The Count growled in dismay. "You insufferable fool! H-how dare you! Where do you get off?-"
"I don't." The elder vampire interjected, fighting off a smirk. "But you do."
Another book was cast into the fire. "She will never return! You've scarred her away with all your racy disgusting talk!"
"Relax my friend." Vicente sighed, leaning in his chair. "If you were paying attention you would have noticed something very interesting."
It was Vicente's tone alone that made Janus slightly interested. "And what would that have been?" The Count snapped.
"When it came to discussing your, ahem 'manhood' she was awfully curious." He let the sentence hang and slowly sink in.
"Curious?" The Count quietly repeated. Suddenly it became alright again. Everything was wonderful. He had been so embarrassed but now…
"Given a little encouragement, I probably could have got her to pants you in the hall."
Janus smirked, wide and wicked. His anger quickly dissolved as though it was never there. Instead he was filled with a strange lustful sensation. He wanted to cure his little maid of her curiosity and set her mind at ease. As well as other things that were currently aching just at the thought.
He cleared his throat and straightened his shirt. "If she was so curious all she needed to do was ask." Janus couldn't wait to see her tomorrow.
A.N: OH MY GOOOOOOOOOD. I updated? YUS! Thank you to all who have been reviewing. It's the thing that got my butt in gear again! Hopefully for good this time! This chapter is very choppy, sorry 'bout that! Please let me know if you liked it! And ALL characters were inebriated, so if they seemed a tad OOC, that is why. I had the most difficulty writing the drunken Abbey. She's a pain but men are usually all about weenies and sex when they're drunk XDXD (So are women but shhhh) XDXD