luthien587: I have to say, I really appreciated your very thoughtful and very detailed review. Thank you so much! It's wonderful hearing that others are enjoying the story the way I hoped. It's one thing to write a story and love it yourself and it's another for those you share it with to feel what you felt, and see and experience it as you did when you wrote it. To have both is spectacular. I'm still amazed at how the story is continuing. I thought the last chapter would be the end more or less, but there's so much more to tell. I'm enjoying the characters far too much to not continue. This chapter is going to start expanding the story outside the safety of that little room and soon the chains will have to come off. I plan to keep addressing my reviewers personally before each chapter as long as I can because if each of you can take the time to give me your thoughts I can do the same.
maggie 56: So thrilled you loved the description. I really agonized over the right word choice for Chapters 6 & 7. I'm so thrilled that you felt like the wait was worth it. I have so much more in store for those two.
fanficfan84: You're gonna laugh, but Darken Rahl's actually the role that pushed me over the edge. Something about Craig Parker with long hair and those predatory movements and the penetrating gaze that just completely took over my brain. It was a moment where I could almost hear the line, "Resistance is futile." I also loved him in this little watched show called Diplomatic Immunity. You can see two of the best episodes on YouTube.
Taylorxtorniquet: Your review totally made my night! I love how much you're enjoying it and it's such a thrill to hear someone else enjoyed it as much as I did. I'm so glad that you enjoy the detail. It's something I always really appreciate in other people's stories. It's so frustrating to me when people have great characters, great plot, but they rush the story. I look forward to hearing how you like their relationship as the story continues to develop.
a/n: This chapter is the first one to start expanding the story far beyond its original plan. I hope you enjoy. Two more chapters or so until the chains come off, but you'll have to decide then whether the chains are providing a comfort zone or a restriction for their relationship. Also in the movies in case you are unaware, until Underworld Evolutions, everyone save Tanis believes Viktor to be the first vampire, when in fact Marcus is the first and Viktor, his first creation.
Chapter 7: Erika
[Vivian Wounded/ The Kiss- Elektra/ Saving Josh by Trevor Morris/Beautiful Disaster/Eternity and a Day]
Sabas grinned back at her. "Speaking of interruptions, Lucian is on his way."
Aleeria sighed heavily and moved back to the leather pants on the table to work at cleaning them until their visitor arrived. She didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, two swift and reluctant knocks sounded. Aleeria went to the door and opened it.
"What can I help you with Lucian?" Aleeria asked.
"Erika needs to speak with you. She has a message from Sabine, but insisted you come out to speak with her in the courtyard." Lucian explained, rolling his eyes. "She seems to be under the misguided impression that if she were to come down here herself, she would fall prey to Lycan appetites."
Aleeria rolled her own eyes in kind. "Well she is less favored than I. It would probably be less objectionable to most if you happened to eat her." Aleeria joked. "I'll go see what she wants. It's probably better this way anyhow. I wouldn't want her negativity to sully the room." She turned to Sabas. "I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Lucian nodded towards Sabas, noting his new woolen makeshift tunic.
Once out in the hallway, Aleeria didn't say much. She wasn't really in the mood for Erika at the moment. Erika had decidedly negative feelings towards Lycans. In fact, Erika's opinions on the subject were the exact opposite of Aleeria's and in light of the day she was having, Aleeria had no patience for it, even less than usual.
"I'm sorry," Lucian murmured, interrupting Aleeria's dark musings. "I hope my timing wasn't bad."
Aleeria smiled at him, understanding the underlying question. "Not at all. I was just preparing to finish cleaning Sabas' clothes. Of course, spending time with Erika at the moment is hardly high on my list of things I'd rather be doing."
They both exchanged a look and chuckled.
Lucian slanted her a look, debating whether or not to comment on his friend's unusual attire. "I find it interesting that a human raised by vampires for most of her life would feel the need to cover a naked Lycan while you wash his clothes."
Aleeria stopped walking and glanced around. She chose her words carefully. "Just because some people that I associate with can't see the value of treating others decently doesn't mean I share that view."
Lucian nodded. "True. I suppose I am surprised that you feelings extend to a Lycan you barely know."
Aleeria looked away. "That's not true in this case as I do know him, though I would be courteous and respectful of anyone under my care. Sabas saved my life many years ago. He's no stranger."
Certainly not now, Lucian thought to himself, smiling. "So you did recognize him. I'd wondered if you'd remember."
Aleeria met his eyes shrewdly, "I see, so you were testing me. Yes, I remember. I've never forgotten."
"I imagine you know that the cold will not affect him." Lucian continued.
"I'm not covering him because of the cold," Aleeria interrupted. "Or my own modesty," she added before he could suggest otherwise. "I just didn't feel that anyone walking into that room needed to see him naked when there's nothing he could do about it."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, but didn't press the matter further. Clearly, she cared about Sabas, enough to feel protective, enough to feel concern for his well-being and sense of self and to insist on affording him a significant level of respect. That Aleeria claimed she would have done the same for any of the Lycans was remarkable in itself, but the fact that she did so for Sabas was at the least suggestive of a deeper level of attachment. Very interesting indeed.
Lucian escorted Aleeria to the doorway of an enclosed courtyard, made sure it was safe and then closed the door, promising to wait nearby to take her back to the interrogation room when she was finished.
Aleeria glanced around the courtyard finding Erika, a petite, stunning, blond girl with skin nearly as pale as a vampire's sitting on bench drenched in sunlight on the opposite side of the yard.
"Aleeria," She sighed with relief. "Thank you for speaking with me out here. You know how Lycans make me nervous," She began breathlessly. "I have a message from Lady Sabine."
Erika, another servant girl in the castle who had survived for a surprisingly long time was the closest things Aleeria had to a girl friend, even though they had very different views on many things, particularly Lycans. Erika thought of them as no better than oxen, dangerous, beastly oxen; beasts of burden that were unintelligent and unimportant. It was the vampires she desired, particularly Kraven, one of the Death Dealers.
Erika's appearance was the sort that could make any woman feel inadequate. Aleeria was no exception. Erika often made Aleeria feel small and unimportant. She was fine-boned, lithe, graceful, and curvy in all the right places with hair pale as winter sunlight, skin like alabaster and eyes blue as ice: the vampire ideal. In sharp contrast to Aleeria with her Mediterranean build and coloring who was more muscular, more curvy, dark haired and tan skinned from watching the Lycans for hours of daylight while Erika got her beauty sleep.
When Erika was around, vampires always noticed. It was only a matter of time before she was changed or killed. It was a fact that cemented their unlikely friendship. Aleeria was always protected as Sabine's favorite whereas Erika, who served Viktor's House in a less prominent way, was not. Aleeria knew that by spending time with her, Erika extended her own life. For Aleeria, there was also some comfort in being companionable with someone who had a similar lot in life, shared similar dangers and had lived in the castle nearly as long. Additionally, Aleeria felt a compulsion to protect those in need of it and deserving of it. Whatever Erika's failings, she was more vulnerable to danger than Aleeira because of her preferences for Death Dealers and she was not an evil person, so Aleeria wanted to offer what little protection she could when it was possible. Still, Aleeria never allowed Erika to come into her tower where she watched the Lycans. That time and place were sacred ground and Erika was not welcome there, not only because she wouldn't appreciate it, but also because Erika's feelings towards Lycans would only pollute Aleeria's sanctuary and she'd have none of that. Aleeria did enjoy watching the Death Dealers well enough to keep up her ruse of a personal interest in one of them, Kahn, without much fabrication on her part.
What Aleeria didn't know, was that Erika was jealous of Aleeria's long dark hair, golden coppery skin, and large intense eyes that changed color from grey to green to blue, not to mention and the position of favor she held with Marcus's house, a vampire elder. Erika also enjoyed the safety and elevated status and privileges that being in Aleeria's company afforded her. In her mind, one could never have enough allies, especially when one of them was someone as well-placed as Aleeria. Just as Aleeria knew it was only a matter of time before Erika was turned or killed, Erika certain it was only a matter of time, before Sabine made Aleeira a permanent member of her own household and Erika hoped that Aleeira would turn her if Erika couldn't manage to have one of the Death Dealers turn her sooner. Furthermore, Erika hoped that Aleeria would help Erika increase her own position in the house, perhaps making Erika part of her retinue if Sabine adopted Aleeria as part of the House of Marcus as it seemed likely she would.
She was thrilled to be given work by Sabine. It was such an honor for her to serve the House of Marcus and the wife of his son no less. Erika wished for the thousandth time that Viktor had more children or an interest to take a new consort. Viktor was the oldest vampire as far as any of them knew the first and therefore to serve his house theoretically would hold more prestige, if his daughter would allow her to fill the same role that Aleeira filled for Sabine as her handmaiden. For some reason, Sonja, Viktor's daughter, never seemed to be interested in her help. Still, serving in an upper level position in Marcus's House, one of the three Elders, would be nearly as good and in spite of all her efforts to the contrary, it was the best Erika could seem to do for herself.
In spite of their extreme differences of opinion that Erika was entirely ignorant of, both women had their own reasons for continuing the connection. If Aleeira was honest with herself, a good part of her friendship with Erika was a way to control Erika's gossiping tongue and what it said about her and the things that mattered to her, as well as a way to learn about the inner workings of the palace life and politics beyond what Sabine shared with her. Lucian had his sources and Aleeria had hers. Erika, meanwhile, enjoyed having another woman to share gossip with and her own adventures and intrigues with various members of the Death Dealers.
"The Lady Sabine gave me something to give to you," Erika explained, handing Aleeria a large basket. "She said that after a full day bathing a filthy Lycan, you should bathe yourself and scrub out the room before calling her to inspect your work. She suggested you use whatever is left in the tub by the fire to clean the room when you're done with that one," Erika jerked her hand in the vague direction of the interrogation room. "Then that other Lycan that brought you here would bring you fresh water to warm and wash yourself with. Apparently, she doesn't want you to track the filth and stench of the Lycans into her home. I can't blame her there. Still, I do hope there's a privacy screen in the room you're working in. How horrible it would be to have to bathe with the beast leering at you the whole time." She said all this quite fast.
Aleeria could feel her temper rising. She'd heard Erika speaking of Lycans like this before plenty of times, but to hear her do so now, after what she'd just shared with Sabas, she had never been so close to slapping Erika silly. Instead, Aleeria took the basket Erika held and giving herself time to hide her emotions while she looked through the contents. Keeping her tone as neutral as possible, Aleeria replied, "I imagine that Lady Sabine doesn't want any trace of unclean scent in such an enclosed space when she returns to inspect my work either."
Erika naturally assumed the fury sparking in Aleeria's eyes was because of Sabine's message and not the way Erika spoke of Lycans in general, and therefore, just as naturally, Erika misinterpreted the reason behind Aleeria's anger. "I imagine you're right." Erika agreed. "I'd be furious to at the very idea of having to bathe one, much less bathe in front of one. Ugh, the very idea of having to touch one enough to clean it . . . What are you doing cleaning Lycans all day anyhow? Are you being punished?" She said the last bit with her voice quite low.
Aleeria sighed heavily. "Hardly, Lady Sabine just knew I would give the task full attention to detail. As you said, my Mistress doesn't want her House's new daylight guardian to stink of mud and excrement. He is to have a status equal to that of Lucian." Aleeria replied with a bit of pride. "He'll be keeping us safe while we sleep."
Erika sighed. "I suppose the more protection we have between us and the wild Lycans, the better.
Erika, nosy by nature looked through as well over Aleeria's shoulder. There was a fresh set of clothes, a thick, soft bath robe, her hair brush, and a creamy bar of lavender scented soap within. "You get all the best things." She pouted. "I only get such things with a good bit of finagling and wiles."
"Speaking of your wiles," Aleeria began, desperate for a change in topic. "I assume using them on one of your latest conquests is why you are here hours after Sabine went to sleep."
A vixenous grin broke out across Erika's face. "Yes," She admitted wantonly. "Coram, one of the Death Dealers."
"And what does Kraven think about that?" Aleeria asked, feigning sly interest.
Erika rolled her eyes. "Kraven still keeps his distance from me for the most part. Coram, on the other hand, was more than happy to while away a few hours with me before heading to sleep. Speaking of whom, I need to head out and get some sleep so I can be awake when Kraven heads out on patrol." Erika went on. She loved to watch the comings and goings of the Death Dealers.
Aleeria nodded. "Keep an eye out for Kahn for me," Aleeria replied. "I'm sure I won't make watching them go out tonight." She'd realized long ago that she could never reveal her fondness for her Lycan to Erika, so she'd made up a fascination with one of the Death Dealers. Kahn was a decent sort, attractive enough and was held in high esteem by Marcus and Sabine. He was also far too classy to ever submit to Erika's wiles which did make him more appealing to Aleeria. Still, Kahn was not the one her heart longed for.
Erika promised to tell Aleeria everything she observed later that evening and left the courtyard through a doorway opposite to the one Aleeria had used.
When she was gone, Aleeria let out a sigh of relief and frustration, not wanting to see Lucian or head back to Sabas yet. She was so angry and embarrassed. She pounded her fists into her pile of clean clothes in her basket, and then buried her head into them, screaming. When she'd gotten it out of her system, she stood back up and took several deep breaths calming herself.
Lucian opened the door and came in swiftly, looking concerned and scanning the courtyard for danger. "Are you all right? I thought I heard screaming."
Aleeria shook her head. "Sorry about that. I was just venting some frustration over Erika." She took a few more deep breaths and then looked over at Lucian feeling suddenly more embarrassed, not wanting Lucian to think ill of her. He was a Lycan after all and Sabas was his friend. "Did you hear any of that?"
Lucian shrugged. "Enough, but nothing I haven't heard before and certainly nothing you haven't heard before."
"I know, but I have less patience for it today." Aleeria replied in a defeated tone. A horrible thought occurred to her, and she turned to Lucian with pleading eyes. "Please don't tell Sabas what she said. I'm sure he'd think badly of me knowing I am companionable with her even knowing she feels the way she does about Lycans."
"I won't tell him," Lucian promised.
"At least she wanted to meet out here, far from Sabas." Aleeria murmured gratefully. "I'd be so ashamed for him to hear her speak that way and hear me just listen and respond as if I agreed with her."
"Aleeira," Lucian began, stepping towards her. "I know you don't think that way. You and I both know how dangerous it would be for Erika to know that about you. Sabas would understand. He would want you to do what is necessary to stay safe."
"Even at the sacrifice of my integrity?"
"Do you think we Lycans don't have to sacrifice pieces of ourselves to survive here? We do what we have to in order to survive. In a way, that's what Erika's doing too."
Aleeria shook her head. "I still don't want him to know what she said. No one should listen to that toxic nonsense. I wouldn't even be friends with her if we didn't share so much of the same dangers being mortals in this place. It's safer for us to be friends, but the things she says sometimes . . . Come on. I should get back. Her visit did offer some redeeming information." She replied a little brighter, thinking about the bath Sabine ordered her to take in the interrogation room . . . where Sabas would see her.
Lucian smiled roguishly thinking that Sabas would certainly enjoy the bit of Erika's message he would get to hear. He shook his head ruefully. Some Lycans had all the luck. What he wouldn't give to have an entire day with nothing to do but be bathed and pleasured by his beloved Sonja. Though, unless he missed his guess, Aleeria and Sabas were not nearly as far into their physical relationship as he and Sonja. Lucian didn't think that would last long though the way those two were looking at each other. Still, he was concerned. As Aleeria's sometimes protector, he was well aware of Sabine's orders toward Aleeria. If Sabine were to catch on to their chemistry as she was bound to, the consequences could be severe. Still, he'd warned her and Sabas knew all too well the consequences he was tempting. Lucian hoped that would be enough.
A/N: Sorry this chapter's a bit short, but I was pressed for time with one of my best friends coming into town. I've got a bunch more in the works. But Chapter 9 is going real slow. Wish me muses and blocks of time.