Chapter Twelve
Eight years later
Howls filled the air, Belustrade Manor's grandiose splendour failing to obscure familiar golden orbs, peering curiously at Aline, as she sat on the marble surrounding a fountain, head low, auburn hair mask, though her posture was relaxed as she gave her husband respect. If he wished for her attention, he would ask for it.
Brilliant white fur sprang into the woman's view, her chuckle causing wolf to tilt his head, howling, head low, tail straight up, alert, jumping around, claws retracted. He meant no harm, though disquiet perked his ears, prickled hairs. Aline resisted vocalising, hands kept to herself, until he gave permission for her to follow.
He padded up to her, wary, though not of her. Familiar gleam in eyes recognised, Aline's instinct to please him kicked in, irises scarlet.
"May I enter the manor, my love?"
She kept her head low, hand palm facing down. Alucard nuzzled it, wet nose making her laugh, masking frown.
"Thank you, madadh-allaidh gheal."
Alucard chirped, Aline practically seeing smile form on his muzzle, use of his native tongue charming, heartening.
Whatever ailed him cast aside, boundless legs sprinted for the gallery, Alucard stopped, turning body, head following, beckoning his wife to follow.
This was her domain, though his space, his safe place, able to shift form at will, expend energy, chasing rabbits through ample range, without anxiety cradling itself in his chest, wrapped in cold, long suffering digits.
The man was lonely, alone no longer, left pondering as to why he let himself feel lost, within himself. He had to lose himself in order to find clarity. His wife was there, behind him, diligently yet cautiously trailing, but Alucard felt numb, freezing, barren.
Aline provided respite, recompensed him, as he did her. The more she walked, the more his pace would slow, winding stairways of spires causing whines, pants of longing, saturated with desire, appetite slowly building over months, the vampire trying fruitlessly to cease it, if his form allowed it, that was. It gave up more often than he did, mind made up that little would happen, other than sadness in his wife's eyes, quivering bottom lip as she bit her cheek, hollowed, to keep from crying.
By her vanity, Aline primped, preening her eyebrows, hair straightened, neck exposed, laughter on her lips, given she could only do so much, reflection nonexistent...
It didn't take long before her husband, inevitably looked for her, knowing her location but drawing moment out, painfully sweet shivers down her spine.
The shadow leaning against her bedroom door had shivers making hairs stand on end.
Looking her at arm, Aline hummed, pondering ruby orbs, etching patterns into the skin of her back, knife running across expanse of flesh.
"I wanted to give this to you. Its from my Father and I."
She swivelled, small blue velvet box in hand.
"Happy birthday, and anniversary. I know that's tomorrow, but, you cherish my pedantic ways..."
Alucard, wolf form shifting to mist made his way towards her. Soft growls permeated the air, not from his mouth, but his stomach.
Aline chuckled, facing him fully, tilting head, auburn locks swept aside.
Returning to vampiric form, Alucard took the box, putting it next to Aline, on her dressing table.
Biting, pulling her upward, Aline felt immense gratitude that they were alone, sure her uttering of eroticism echoed through the halls.
This was vital part of courtship, gaining purchase, freedom to express himself, Alucard expressive beyond anything else.
Expression lead to passion, mind, body as one, forming heated flesh, feverish appetite.
Aline wanted to give him everything, fully wanting, eager to help his confidence bloom.
Hands slipping off fabric as easily as water, metal belt buckles clanging together, vanity unofficial seat, the couple danced, moonlight shimmering in beads of sweat, rhythm as old as time itself. Far from making love, it was what they needed at the time. Fervent, chaotic, intense, eyes meeting with emboldened spur.
Swallowing blood, hearing him swallow her blood spiked lava through her veins, throwing her head forward, sinking her teeth into his wrist, own hands behind her back, bracing nails in oak, splintering it. Loud gasp tore through her mouth, liquid dripping onto tiled floor, audible, prompting her husband to glance down, then at her, eyes rivalling brilliance of purest rubies. Simper had Aline's hips buck, rapidly losing control of herself, surroundings blurred, everything hazy.
She wept, need all-encompassing, unaware of whether she made coherent noise, or babbled nonsense.
Breathing all over the place, destined bliss, bodies scorching, the two fell apart, world cracking, crackling embers in their ears...
"Happy birthday?"
Alucard huffed laughter.
"It is now."
His wife joined in, chuckling.
"I'm glad." She extricated herself away from her love, arms wobbling, legs deciding holding her up was decidedly tough. Her laughter grew in pitch, amusement glimmering.
"You've made me one with jelly, mon amour. I can't find it within myself to care..."
She moved the box next to him.
"I suspect you know what this is. Its from Dad and myself."
Alucard nodded, taking the box, stepping out of clothing, kicking it aside, svelte form gliding past hers, fluid water.
Taking his gift, velvet touch cushion, he opened it, winged silver lion pendant greeting him, with topaz eyes, chain his family crest colour, burnished aurelian.
He took it, Aline eagerly undoing the clasp, watching him sweep majestic locks to the side.
Once affixed, Aline kept her hands on her husband's chest.
"I don't know if I can say how much you mean to me adequately. Barely manage to stand..."
She huffed, trail making its way down her legs...
"Lets avoid the table, next time. Any splinters in my derrière? Be a dear and check for me?"
Batting her eyelashes never ceased making Alucard laugh.
"Turn around, please."
She did, pushing lower half out.
"Dieu, I love you. You are my âme, my lumière, I cannot find myself without you. I neglect to say that. You love me, and that is simply félicité."
"How could I not? I found myself within you, you completed puzzle I considered unsolvable."
Aline grinned mischievously.
"Have I worked out everything in a mere eight years? Oh no!" She feigned worry. "Should I have let all my secrets out of their bonds? Skeletons out of the closet?"
The smirk her husband wore melted her instantly.
"Never all. Never." He employed growl, nipping her ear. "Come."
Aline took his hand, the two making their way to Aline's bedroom balcony, full moon filling their eyes, stars shooting across the sky, scene perfect.
The couple were far from that, as far away as one could get, but the strength of their love, their tenacity, their powerful conviction, compassion flowing forth, they didn't need 'perfection.'
They simply needed one another...