ADULT

...

The full moon was coming sooner than Victoria wanted and along with it came terrible bouts of morning sickness. Carrying a Valerious was enough to make Victoria feel queasy, but her morning sickness was almost as though the babe was trying to punish her. Perhaps she deserved to be punished. She deserved to be punished for involving herself with two men. While one was her husband, the other was her past. The other held so many memories that she could not let go of.

She hated the fact that she could do nothing for the babe inside of her. For her child to live, she had to see the man she had once loved and adored be murdered. But the child inside of her now had to come first. Whoever she wanted to be did not matter. What mattered was keeping this baby safe and Victoria knew how that was to be done.

There was no other way to break the curse, other than to see Vlad die. She had searched through textbook upon textbook, but nothing was bringing her solutions. It seemed as though there was no solution to the problem she faced. The thought scared her. The thought of Velkan going out there and being hurt was worrying. She did nothing but spend her time fretting.

"You grow with each day."

Velkan's voice entered Victoria's ears as she finished brushing her hair. Looking down onto her stomach as she stood and turned to face her husband she forced a smile onto her lips.

"I look quite fat," she informed him, moving a hand to hold onto her stomach. "I had thought that women did not show until much later in their pregnancy."

"I should suspect that each woman is different," Velkan informed her. "However, pregnancy most certainly agrees with you. You look glowing each day."

Victoria scoffed. "I am not certain about that."

She most definitely did not feel as though she was glowing. She felt weighted down, a heaviness on her shoulders stopping her from feeling any form of happiness. As Velkan moved towards her, she kept the smile on her face, wondering if it was fake or real. Sometimes she felt as though she was forcing herself to act differently around Velkan. Other times, she was happy in his company.

He was charming, easy to converse with, and always so attentive. He truly was a real life Prince and Victoria adored that about him. The only problem was the passion. She never felt herself come alive when he kissed her chastely. She wanted to. If she felt that then she knew she would feel everything and be happy with him. But he did not have the same passion that Vlad held for her and she for him. She knew it was wrong. She knew that the devil was slowly taking her, but she did not want to stop.

"I am," Velkan said, snapping her from her thoughts as he cupped hold of her cheeks in his fingertips. "It pains me to have to leave you."

"Then do not," Victoria said to him. "Velkan, you cannot defeat a werewolf. This is a suicide mission."

"No, it is not," Velkan said, recycling the same argument they had been having for the past few weeks. "Victoria, the trap is in place and my men are ready. The creature will be killed and then I shall go for Dracula. Believe me, my love, this world will be safer for our child."

Pressing his hand against her stomach, almost as if he was making a point, he watched the material of her gown bunch on her stomach and Victoria moved a hand to his wrist as she felt his face move closer to hers. Before she knew it, he was kissing her tenderly, his hand still palming her stomach.

"We will raise this child in a world without fear," Velkan informed him. "Dracula will not win."

"No," Victoria meekly agreed.

"To think that we created something so special from one night of intimacy is marvellous," Velkan informed her and she, once again, forced herself to smile as Velkan pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes. "And I know it is wrong and you are not ready, but ever since I discovered you were pregnant I keep thinking about that night."

"Our wedding night?" Victoria asked, trying to step back, but failing. "You are my husband. I imagine it is only right for you to think of such things."

"Perhaps," Velkan said, "but not while you are so vulnerable. I should not want such intimacy from you."

"Oh," Victoria said, suddenly aware of what he was saying as she did step back this time. "Velkan, I know that I was with you, but things have changed. I have changed. I am not the same Victoria you married."

"But you are," Velkan said, smiling sadly. "I think that is what hurts me the most. You are still strong and fiery. You still look like you…everything about you."

"I know," Victoria said to him. "Perhaps you should rest before you leave this evening if you insist on going? You need your strength."

Velkan knew that she was trying to change the topic and a part of him couldn't blame her. He knew that he was speaking out of turn, but she had no idea what she did to him. The sight of her in those dresses was enough to make him ache. He could see the swell of her breasts and he could imagine the sight of them underneath that gown. He could imagine her legs wrapped around him as he made love to her. It drove him mad.

"Perhaps you are right," Velkan agreed. "Sleep well, Victoria."

…

It was the middle of the night and Victoria had not slept. She had changed into her nightgown and had found herself sat by the fire, thinking about what Velkan had said to her earlier. She could not stop thinking that things might change if she would simply let go. She had been intimate with the man before and God had given her his child. Perhaps that was a sign? She had given herself to someone else. He must be someone she loved. He had to be for her to act in such a manner.

Maybe she did not feel the passion with him because she did not want to. Perhaps she was clinging onto a hope of a life with a man who had died years ago? What if she simply let go? Could she love someone else again? Could she love someone who had not murdered in cold blood? Someone who adored her? Someone who she was going to have a child with? She suspected she could. The old her most certainly had.

Without thinking, she found herself carrying a candle down the corridor, heading towards Velkan's chamber. She didn't bother to knock, instead she pushed open the door and walked in, seeing him sleeping in bed, the covers pooled at his collarbone and revealing bare flesh. The moonlight streamed in through the open curtains as she moved in further, any sense of coherence gone as she set the candle down on the bedside table.

Velkan didn't once stir as Victoria moved herself towards him, bending down and letting her lips press to his cheek. She didn't pull back this time. Instead she continued kissing him, her lips moving down his cheek and past the corner of his mouth towards his neck. He seemed to move then, his body shifting under the covers before his eyes fluttered open and he saw a familiar set of curls moving by his chin.

"Victoria?" he questioned, his voice heavy.

Moving her lips from his neck, she moved then so that she was on the bed, her legs either side of him as she pressed her chest against his, her lips moving to press over his.

"Is this you?" Velkan enquired once she had pulled back.

"I was thinking about what you said," Victoria informed him, one hand moving down to take hold of his arm, pulling it from the covers as she let her fingers wrap into his. "I want to try, Velkan. I want to try this."

Velkan didn't know what to think as she hiked her nightgown up her thighs with one hand and moved his hand with hers underneath her nightgown. Pressing his palm flat against her stomach, she dragged his wrist upwards until his fingers were covering one of her breasts.

Velkan almost groaned in satisfaction at the feeling of her mound in his fingertips. He gave an experimental squeeze of the flesh and he heard her gasp in pleasure before his fingers moved to pebble her nipple.

"Yes," she hissed out.

Velkan wondered what more he should do before he moved himself, sitting up and resting against the headboard, his hand still holding her breast while she balanced in his lap. He didn't know how far he should go or whether or not she was similar to the Victoria he had first bedded. But he knew that his desire was taking over him.

Moving his mouth to her ear, he let his teeth grab hold of the lobe and chew down harshly, hearing her groan and feeling her grind her hips against his. Speaking into her ear, he kept his voice low and heavy as he did so.

"Your breasts are bigger than before," Velkan informed her as he let his other hand move up her thigh before his fingers graced over her sex and she shuddered. "But this…I doubt this has changed."

She groaned loudly and all sense of reason left her body as she felt his fingers toy with her. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back as Velkan greedily kissed her neck, his teeth chewing down and longing to mark marks. He wanted to mar her. He wanted her to know that he had done this to her.

"You are so wet," he spoke again, moving his hand from her breast to grab hold of her hair, his fingers fisting into it as he forced her to look to him. "Tell me I did this to you."

There was a sense of dominance, but also a sense of longing as she heard him speak. He needed this. He needed to know that he was the one having this effect on her.

"You," was all she managed to pant out before she felt his fingers press down and she panted with need as he expertly continued to play her.

"So slick," he continued to speak and Victoria felt herself shudder again as Velkan used his hand in his hair to move her until her lips were pressed against his. While they kissed, her move slowly until his fingers entered her and she broke away from the kiss, her mouth exhaling a deep breath against his cheek.

"So tight," Velkan continued to taunt her, adding another finger. "So beautiful."

"What are you doing?" Victoria mumbled as she felt him move inside of her.

"Making you mine," Velkan informed her before letting his hand pat her thigh where the nightgown sat. "Take this off and let me see those breasts."

Victoria was about to protest, but she didn't bother. Tugging her nightgown over her head, she knew that she should feel vulnerable, but nothing about this situation was causing her to feel that way. Instead she tossed the material to the side and before she had a chance to say anything, Velkan's mouth had engulfed one of her breasts, tugging at it harshly.

Victoria moved her hands to his hair, tugging at it before she felt his fingers leave her, trailing up her thigh and leaving a sticky trail up her smooth skin. Before she could ask what he was doing, he removed his mouth from her breast and placed his fingers into them, looking her in the eye as he sucked on them.

"You, my love," he said as he moved to lay her underneath him, "are delicious."

Victoria was about to comment, but she had no need as she felt herself gasp again at the feeling of Velkan lining up to enter her. He raised himself onto his elbows as Victoria spread her legs further.

"Tell me you want this," Velkan urged from her, bending down to kiss her neck.

"I want this," she responded and he swiftly entered her.

Both of them moaned at the contact, but neither of them relented. Velkan let his hips snap up and down, his hands holding Victoria's thighs apart as he continued to thrust relentless. She moved her hands to his back, holding onto him tightly as she also felt her hips rise and fall with each movement. Victoria knew it wouldn't be long until she reached her end, and sure enough, Velkan was the same. They both held off for as long as possible, but it was impossible.

Gasping for breath as they came down from their high, Victoria felt Velkan roll to his side and she closed her eyes, a small smile on her face. Perhaps it was possible to move on, after all.

…

Victoria entered the breakfast hall with a smile on her face the following morning. And it wasn't a forced smile. As she moved into the dining room, she saw that only Velkan was there. Looking to her, his cheeks tinged red as she took a seat and he recalled their previous night together.

"Good morning," Velkan said.

"Good morning," Victoria responded. "I trust you slept well?"

"If the Gods intend to take me today then I shall die with a smile on my face," he informed her and she almost laughed at his words as she sipped on her water and Velkan picked at an apple. "Victoria, last night-"

"-Must we discuss it?" she enquired from him. "Especially at the dinner table."

Velkan nodded. "I simply wanted to say that it was everything I have wanted," Velkan said. "I only hope that you do not regret it."

"I do not," Victoria informed him. "However, I had hoped it might be enough to change your mind from going through with this plan."

Velkan chuckled and bit into his apple. "I am afraid not, my love," he informed her. "I shall destroy the werewolf and be home by tomorrow evening. You shall see, my dear."

"I only hope so."

…

Victoria waited for Velkan to return. The night had come and gone and a new day had broken. She found herself wandering the gardens, waiting for news. It was only once she saw Anna did she let her eyes look at the woman dressed in her corset and trousers, her hair askew on top of her head. Smiling to her, Victoria expected Velkan to step out from behind her. But as she approached, there was no sign of him.

The smile from Victoria's face proceeded to fall slowly from her lips as she realised there was no Velkan. Looking around, Victoria felt Anna move her hand to her arm.

"Where is he?" Victoria asked. "Where is Velkan?"

"Victoria." Anna sighed her name.

"No," Victoria said with a shake of her head. "No…he has to be here…Velkan has to be here…"

"Victoria…he…"

"No!" Victoria snapped, anger and worry taking hold of her as she came to realisation of what she was being told. Anna moved with haste then, taking hold of the young woman in her arms as Victoria continued to shriek and yell with worry and fear.

Soon her yells died down into sobs and Anna fell to the floor with her, both of them crying in a heap together over the fate of Velkan Valerious.

...

A/N: Do let me know what you think!