Kindred
By Sweetprincipale
Set in early Season Five. When Dracula called Buffy 'kindred'', he was doing a bit more than just saying they had a lot in common. Hungry for knowledge of herself and her power, Buffy didn't realize what kind of connection he had forged with her until he left town, and the damage was done. Hoping to break his hold over her, Buffy requests help from Spike. However, the way you break the hold of one vampire is to let another one possess you more fully. But, it'll only be temporary, right? Simple business, that's all…
Dedicated to: The incredibly kinds and supportive people who are still reading!
XLI
He looked at his hands. Milk-white, long, graceful fingers, overlong nails.
It had been years since he'd seen his own reflection, but Daniela had painted and sketched him dozens of times throughout their centuries' long marriage. Others had as well, but no one had her artistic flair, the ability to capture the soul… or what passed for one.
He had a horrid thought that he'd never looked this bad. Not that he could check. Of all the laws of immortality he broke, it was a pity he couldn't break that one.
Fortunately, he could survive some of the usual methods of death, even if he didn't escape wholly unscathed. The Slayer, his "betrothed", had made him terribly weak with her stakes through his heart. The sensation of decorporealization and reuniting his essence was the deepest and most exhausting feat of magic. To do it twice in moments had put him as close to death as he had ever been.
This feeling was worse. This was exhaustion, emptiness, and a feeling of unease. Something was wrong in his world, but he didn't quite know what.
The Slayer had broken the bond, but he could reclaim her soon.
Something else… older, deeper, fainter…. Something was plaguing the back of his mind.
They'd said he would go mad eventually and he'd laughed. He was too clever and too sharp, too many fresh schemes and old magic to turn his mind.
He looked at his hands.
He was sure they matched his face. Something was pulling on him, draining him, and he had to find out what it was.
"Final call for passengers disembarking for the Los Angeles Excursion. Final call! Please remember to take your Shipboard ID card in order to reboard!"
Dracula looked at the luggage of the cabin's former occupants. He didn't really need a pass. This was a one way trip. After he retrieved his bride, they wouldn't honeymoon aboard cruise ships or island hop. He'd be too busy showing her around her new eternal home.
"Are you sure you can travel this afternoon? I don't mind if we're late. That is to say, one of the honored guests has similar aversions to a sunny afternoon." Wesley watched Daniela as she held up a curve-hugging summer dress, narrow straps, the fabric of the bodice all gathered around some complicated ring design in the center. "That's… that's quite a dress."
"Is it too ostentatious?" she asked, flipping back her mane of hair. "I do not wish to show up the girl."
"No, no! Is that new?"
"I made Cordelia an appointment at one of the better fashion houses in the city and she took the liberty of choosing a few things for us. She plans to come, you know?"
"I had feared. She and Buffy didn't always get on. Oh, dear. What sort of dress did she choose?"
Daniela gushed, eyes alight. "She looks like a Greek goddess come to life! It's white with a narrow gold belt and corset lacings in the back. I do not know about the shoes. I advised her not to wear anything like a lace-up sandal. One does not wish to become a caricature." She paused, sliding the dress back from her garment bag and held it to her chest. "Will I look like the man-eating ex-wife in this? Or simply a man eater?"
Wesley rose and put the dress firmly away. "You will look beautiful and stunning. Red is only one of your many lovely colors."
"Do you have a red tie?"
"Do I have… no. Red is a little flashy for a Watcher."
"But it is perfect for my escort, non?" She wound her arms around his neck. "You could go sans tie. I like when you leave a little bit of skin showing." She winked, unbuttoning her collar, trailing a finger down to his sternum.
"I wasn't sure how formal my attire should be. I'll pack a tie, although a navy blue one will have to suffice. You look gorgeous in anything. And nothing. Are you sure you'll be all right to leave before dark?" he wheedled, his hands on her perfect hips, rounded yet svelte.
"If we leave earlier, we shall arrive at the little hotel earlier," she murmured, swaying against him. "The car I rented has very dark windows. I shall of course have to get undressed to change…." she let the suggestion dangle.
Wesley reflected that she had turned him into a horny teenager, which was quite the feat, seeing as he hadn't been a sex-mad teenager even during his youth. "I'll bring the car up the rear of the building, it's a bit darker."
"I have my cloak." Daniela slipped it on, not caring if it made her look like an overgrown Red Riding Hood gone to the demons, all black with a large hood and flowing fabric. It was outre-chic and she was an eccentric recluse who could get away with it. "Monsieur Charles and Cordelia are not joining us?"
"They're taking Cordy's car and they're not getting a hotel. They don't have the same concerns we do."
"Not being flammable?"
"Not needing to have an enclosed, private space to worship my Daniela."
"My Wesley." She smiled easily as he left the apartment, carrying her bags like the gentleman he was. When the door shut, her smile fled, concern in its place.
They couldn't have. He was only a human. His words were so sweet and meant the world to her, but they had no effect. Little exchanges of mine and yours were surely beautiful, empty gestures.
"Mom, this place looks amazing!" Buffy stepped into the backroom of the gallery and gasped. Silver and pink balloons shimmered in the corners. A buffet table decorated in simple white linen with sprays of pink flowers stood along one wall, devoid of dishes for the time being.
"Joyce, the place looks like it came out of one of those glossy magazines," Spike beamed around the room. "You look fetching, too."
Joyce found herself flushing with pride as Buffy sprang into her arms. "I'm glad you like it. I didn't have time to go shopping." She also hadn't thought this sham was worth celebrating until a few days ago. She wore a cream a-line dress with pink floral splashes on the opposing hip and shoulder. It was striking and pretty, and gave a nod to the dress Buffy had shown her.
"I remember that dress." Buffy nodded. Her mother looked gorgeous in it, but she hadn't worn it since the divorce. "You look beautiful."
"No, you look beautiful, honey."
"You both look beautiful!" Giles entered and put several bottles of wine and a few non-alcoholic sparkling options on the table. "Hello, Buffy. Spike, it's good to see you on your feet."
"Ta, Rupes. You look smart yourself." Spike kept one arm casually around Buffy's waist, his eyes making a circuit from the back door, to the emergency exit in the corner of the room, to the front of the room where guests entered through the gallery.
"Um. Should I help? How should I help? Is there something I should do?" Buffy felt like standing around looking pretty was dangerous. None of her big moments went well. Graduation. Birthdays. Christmas. Hell, even Halloween and Thanksgiving had been complete catastrophes. This is a fake event. A fake party. Well, no it's a real, actual party because look— balloons. Cake. Ooh, cake! "Tara!"
"Do you like it? Willow and I made it!" Tara explained, carefully holding the cake in front of her.
"For free," Anya beamed. "But if it's good, Joyce and I may want to give your card to some of our prospective clients."
Buffy made a little whimper as Anya and Xander filed in after Willow and Tara. The room was filling up. "Spike, no one told me what I should do," she whispered.
"You're the bride. Practicing sayin' thank you and smilin'."
"Slayer! Oops. I mean— Miss Buffy. Miss Summers."
"Oh, God." Buffy hid a groan behind a show of teeth.
"Willy! Good to see you." Spike shook the barman's hand in a bruising grip. "Ix-nay on the Ayer-Slay, all right, mate?" he hissed. "Ah! Clem!"
"What's happening?" Joyce's eyes raked over the new guests, people she was positive hadn't been invited.
"Well, how else is word going to spread through the demon grapevine? Must invite someone who chats a bit with the underworld locals," Giles murmured, discreetly wiping his hand off after grasping Willy's. "Don't worry, we've made sure that only a few, safe people with 'connections' were invited."
"But if she wants Dracula to hear about this, shouldn't we have invited more?" Joyce asked, unable to believe such words were coming out of her own mouth.
"In this case, it only takes one. They don't call him Willy the Snitch because he's so secretive," Giles said drily, lips close to her ear.
Joyce looked up at him and laughed softly.
He liked that, rather more than he should. "I'll open a few bottles. Xander, heaven help us, is looking after the music."
"I'll help Anya with the rest of the food. I didn't think evil people would be so punctual. Or bring gifts." Joyce blinked as Clem handed Spike a huge box.
"They're only semi-evil, I suppose."
"She's not going to stake me, is she?" Daniela suddenly clutched Wesley's hand as they parked outside the gallery. It was a small town that had quite a heavy aura of darkness and trouble. It was shot through with something kinetic, bright and powerful. Demons. A Slayer.
"Only if she goes through me," Wesley chuckled.
"That is not the reassurance I wanted. Should we wait for Charles and Cordelia?"
"Not if you want to avoid stakes. Cordelia and Buffy have rather a history. They competed for many things over their tenuous relationship. Friends. Fashion accessories. Academic and social accolades. And, I very much fear, Angel."
"But the Slayer, she has moved on. She is happy now, with her Kindred one?"
Wesley nodded, although something left a slight bitterness in the back of his mouth. "Do you think a woman ever truly moves on from her first love? Oh, not some little crush or some sweetheart from her early years. A life and death sort of love, a first true love?"
Daniela leaned against him, her shoulders equal to his as she glided expertly on her slender heels. "I believe so. I have. You— you are not my Lord and Master, but you are my love and my lover." She paused for a moment before letting him open the gallery's door. "Were you already an immortal…." her tongue darted over her crimson lips.
"Then you would be mine?" He gave her a melancholy smile for the things that weren't to be.
"Oh, non, non. I am already yours, and you are already mine. But I would not hesitate to belong to you. Yes, Wesley. We can move on, if we find something truly better."
"That's her." Buffy tugged Spike's arm.
Spike stopped haranguing Xander over the playlist and turned. "Oh. Reckon it is." The beauty in the red dress screamed "vampire" with her flawless pearly skin and her luminous eyes.
Daniela faltered as the petite blonde girl turned, her hair catching the light reflected off silver mylar floating above her. "Arina," she whispered.
Wesley squeezed her elbow. "Buffy, Darling." Although, he supposed that there could indeed be something sisterly about their bond. Both were claimed by Dracula and both had managed to find their way free.
"Wesley!"
"Rupert! Darling, this is Rupert. He— you helped him with his—research." Wesley nervously adjusted his tie.
Daniela gave the man a small, cold smile. "I'm glad to help a worthy cause."
"I'm sorry we didn't acquire your help in a better fashion. We had no time. We believed we had no time," Giles said softly, backing away. "May I introduce you to the mother of the bride, Mrs. Joyce Summers?"
"Charmed," Daniela swooped in to kiss Joyce on each cheek, hearing the woman's sharp intake of air. Her eyes widened. "Oh. Pardon. I had no idea you knew."
Joyce faltered, "I wouldn't have if they hadn't told me. Uh— punch?"
"Merci, thank you."
Buffy and Spike walked toward the newest arrival. "Countess?" Buffy held out her hand uncertainly. Was that what she should call her?
"Daniela, please. And William?" Daniela shook the girl's hand quickly and released it, unable to look at her for too long without noticing the similarities between her lost sister and this new "betrothed."
"Spike'll do. Hello, Watcher Junior."
"Hello, Spike. Hrm. Congratulations are in order?"
"Abso-bloody-lutely. Be even more in order when His Nibs shows up and we can make sure he never pulls this shit again. Whoever heard of claiming someone on the sly like that?" Spike groused.
"Honey! Don't say that in front of—" Buffy stepped pointedly on his toes, then looked at Daniela. "He's blunt. It's a thing."
Daniela smiled, surprising them all. "I have met Angelus. I have lived with Dracula. I imagine you enjoy blunt as opposed to empty words or incessant rambling threats?"
"Got yourself a good one," Spike laughed and slugged Wesley's shoulder.
"Hel-lo, there!" Willy inserted himself into the group, his eyes raking over Daniela. "Who's this foxy lady?"
Daniela calmly flashed her lamplight irises at him and watched the newcomer's pallid complexion turn a bilious shade.
"This is my lady friend, Countess Ana-Maria Elena Daniela," Wesley informed him curtly.
"Whoa. I didn't know you British types knighted the undead. Or was she knighted before that? Or what d'you call it? Dame-ed?"
Daniela turned her head with eerie slowness. "Go away," she said firmly.
Willy scurried.
"Teach me how to do that," Buffy asked, eyes wide. "I mean, I can make him leave, too, but I usually have to remind him I can break him in half first."
Daniela couldn't shake the heavy, tense feeling that was rising in her chest, simultaneously, she couldn't help but smile. She'd been to plenty of parties over the years, but she rarely expected to build any lasting friendships with the other guests. She had to be careful to preserve anonymity and conceal her true nature. "It comes with age and experience, my dear. Soon, you will simply look at a man, and he will not need you to tell him what you can do. He will simply know it."
Buffy turned her eyes towards Spike.
"I don't count, Pet. I know exactly what you want to do with me." Spike rested his lips against her ear. REsting his jaw to her cheek, he looked at the newcomer again. "Pretty much every demon in this town buggers off before Slayer gets near 'em. Willy's 'specially dense. Likes information wherever he can get it, since he thinks it makes him useful, unkillable." He lowered his voice, "Which makes him perfect for this. Reckon Ol' Spooky will show up to stop the nuptials once word gets about."
Daniela lost her smile. "Perhaps. If not sooner."
Spike tightened his grip on Buffy's waist. "He's not linked to her anymore. Not in her thoughts."
"Only one person in my thoughts," Buffy ran a teasing fingertip over Spike's throat, ending on a scar partially hidden by his collar.
Daniela looked surprised. "So soon?" It had seemed like ages before she stopped feeling his eyes on her, hearing his whispers in her ear.
"Uh. Well. This is kind of a public ceremony, but the private one already happened," Buffy explained in a low voice, eyes darting.
"I'm glad. I didn't wish to alarm you. I merely meant he is impatient. Once he wants something, he'll play a fast game, so fast that you may not even realize the game has begun," the brunette said with a dark look. The unease in her chest surged.
"Pretty much how he started our 'engagement'. " Buffy forced a laugh.
"Yes, but this is a celebration of an end to all of that." Wesley snagged two glasses from the nearby table and raised the one he kept. "To the end of unwanted control."
Spike and Buffy, already in possession of glasses, joined him.
Daniela smiled and suggested one of her own, "To true love."
"To true love," Buffy echoed, clinking the rim of her glass to Spike's.
"I'm not going to say this is going well," Buffy swayed against Spike's shoulder as they danced in a corner. Around the room, other people were dancing, eating, and drinking in no set order. Cordelia Chase had shown up and seemed genuinely, quietly happy for her. Giles and her mother were non-stop talking and arguing about art, but the argument seemed to be full of laughter. Wesley and Daniela were having an intense conversation at one of the little tables Anya had set up. Various friends and neighbors from town had dropped in and left until only the people with a history remained.
Spike looked around, trying to suss out what was wrong, why his girl wasn't happy with the proceedings. "Can't see any reason why you shouldn't," he finally said.
"Because the rules of the universe state that if Buffy is having a good time, evil must ruin it."
Spike smirked, one eyebrow slowly arching. "Yeah? What about all those good times we had when we—"
Buffy hushed him, blushing . "You're technically evil. The Universe thought you had it covered."
"Then I'll have this covered, too. Plus, we've got our fair share of 'technically evil' on the ground. We've got that bitchy Chase woman."
"You get so many bonus points for calling her evil. But aside from the fact that she and Xander might have set a record for world's most awkward 'what's new with you?' conversation, she's been cool about this whole thing. When we're not competing over stuff, she's not that bad." Buffy shrugged, feeling unexpectedly warm to the girl who'd come to wish her well.
"Well, if you won't count her, we're still ahead in the books. We've got two vamps, a gorgonitic demon—"
"A what? Where?" Buffy looked around worriedly.
"Clem! Good Lord, woman, You'll make me sound like Rupes in a minute, but you should learn the names of what you're fighting, or accepting wedding gifts from."
"Shut up, you didn't know the name of that thing that bit my leg," Buffy bantered with her groom-to-be, a wide smile on her face.
"Yeah, but I'm not the Slayer."
"No, you're the Big Bad." Buffy's hand wandered lower and connected discreetly with the space below his belt. "The very, very Big Bad."
"We have to go home soon. I b'lieve honeymoon practice is in order."
"We can't leave now. There are still a handful of guests. We should at least open the gift and the cards. Shouldn't we?"
"Oh, Precious, you're asking the wrong bloke. I don't know any modern engagement party etiquette. Let's ask your mum." Buffy wrinkled her nose, but Spike insisted, "She likes when you ask her for advice! It makes her feel needed. Mothers like to feel needed. So do husbands, I expect."
"You don't have to expect. You know. The rest of the world might not know it officially, but you are my husband and I'm your wife. They tried to break us apart, but they didn't." Buffy blinked hard suddenly, as if she could erase images of Riley and his maniacal eyes as he jammed his gun under Spike's chin.
Spike kissed her, temporarily without words. "Hey. Remember what I said I'd do tonight?"
Buffy blushed. "Yeah, but to be fair, we do that every night we can both move."
He chuckled softly against her hair before pushing away. "I do love you, you know? I'd love you if you weren't mine by some magical words or some ancient laws of blood and life. I'd love you 'cause you make me happy, Buffy. You make me feel things I didn't know I could. You make me the person I wanted to be a long, long time ago, and the person I want to be now… an' you still let me be a bit of a devil with it," he winked.
"Spike, stop. I'm going to cry."
"Not the worst reason for cryin'. But, since you're already getting all misty eyed. Hr-hrmph." He coughed loudly and dug into his pocket. Around the room, heads turned their way. "I got somethin' to ask you, Slayer," he whispered.
Buffy gasped, eyes wide. Spike had said he'd ask her with the biggest diamond ring he could find, there in front of everyone. But they'd been busy and he'd been hurt, he hadn't had time to go out shopping. Had he? "Spike?"
He dropped to one knee, slowly, carefully. "Will you make this real? Real for the rest of the world. It's already been real for me, pretty much since the moment you said it back to me. Put this on…" he held up a shining sliver of white gold, sparkling with a single white stone, "my Kindred?"
She nodded, throat choked up. "My Kindred. Yes! Yes, of course!" Buffy dropped next to him to pull him up her lips all over his face, mingling with the happy tears she'd lost control over. "Yes! Yes! Mom! Giles! Look, Willow, Xander, look!" Buffy slipped her finger into the circlet and trotted over to her awestruck family. Only Anya looked unsurprised.
"I saw it when I picked it up for him," Anya whispered, but she still looked at the ring with eager eyes. "It's a beaut. I told him not to go too big. You don't want to get it embedded in flesh while punching. 'Cause— hard to clean."
"You're a very practical woman," Daniela regarded Anya curiously.
"Thank you!" Anya beamed.
Buffy was too busy embracing her mother and Giles to worry about the particulars of the ring and Anya's advice. "Mom? Are you… is this okay?"
"It wouldn't matter if I said no," Joyce laughed. "So it's a good thing I'm on board. I think you two— well, you are a little young, but maybe it can be a long engagement."
"Very long," Giles murmured, shaking Spike's hand.
"What was that, Rupert?" Joyce demanded.
"I said— a very long life and happiness! Get the glasses. Willow and Tara, Anya, Xander, glasses?" Giles made shooing motions. "Would everyone take a glass, please? A toast to Buffy and Spike."
"To the happy couple," Wesley proclaimed.
"Aw, hell, no…" Gunn mumbled. Cordelia elbowed him sharply. "I mean, yeah! To the blondies."
Daniela took a glass, a small, tight smile on her lips. Wesley rubbed her back, his eyes raking her face anxiously. Seeming to falter over the words, she finally joined in the well-wishing. "Yes. Yes, congratulations. I hope— I hope you get every chance for happiness."
"Well… you can attest to it that she will."
Spike's head whipped around, the glass in his hand falling. He felt Buffy tense beside him, her heart rate accelerating like a wild horse breaking free.
Wesley gaped, not only at the voice but at the sudden change that had come over his partner. He saw Cordy's eyes widen in unison with his as Daniela's eyelids drooped and her face went slack.
Everyone was turning now, eyes searching the corner of the intimate room. No one was there— it seemed. Slowly, tendrils of mist formed into a shadowy figure with wide, glowing eyes and chalkdust skin.
"Tell her, Daniela. Didn't I make you happy?"
Daniela answered in a voice that dragged from the place where her soul used to be as she met Dracula's eyes. "Yes… Master."
No one panic! I mean it. No panicking is required and the next chapter is already finished. Everything will be okay. Please put down any pitchforks and torches you may have picked up.
End Note: I was a busy and unfocused person. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I was tackling a HUGE project that many fans have asked me to undertake— re-creating Finding Faith as the inspiration for original fiction for my paranormal romance series. CrossRealms: Healing Hope by S.C. Principale is finally ready. It's on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited if anyone missed it and wants to check it out!
