fanficfan84: So happy we could be in sync with this chapter. There's nothing like hoping something will update and then it does. I had that experience with one of my favorites: Bound to the Prince- it's a Prince Nuada fic and inspired me to work more on this chapter and the next one.
BTW I really loved the Blade series. I think if I can work out the logistics, the crossover I'm considering will be the sequel to this story if I can work out the kinks logistically with merging two different vampire universes.
Honestly, it's been rather torturous keeping Sabas all tied up like this, thought finding ways for him to be an active seductor while in chains has been an excellent exercise in creativity. I'm so glad they're coming off even as I know the story is about to become more complicated. I hope these next couple chapters live up to at least a little of the anticipation.
I'm glad you enjoyed this new side of Sabas. It was so much fun to write. I seriously had sympathy tears when I read about your power outage tragedy. That sucks! I lost 40 pages once in a similar accident and spent the next 2 weeks trying to recreate it. The first day was making elaborate notes on everything I'd worked on and then the rest was filling in the blanks. I'll have to check out your stories one of these days, I love Vampire Diaries. I am glad this chapter cheered you up though.
Princess of all Vampires: Thanks for the great review. Welcome to the story. Here is more. Much more.
luthien587: I love your volumes of great feedback. Seriously, they're just awesome. The more the better.
Thanks for appreciating the role reversal trick last chapter, it was really tricky pulling it off. I also really appreciate your feedback on the characters. It's always super rewarding to know when your readers are seeing and experiencing things the way you intend them too. And yes, Sabas is a fine specimen of a man. Wow.
I would love it if you ever feel like checking out my POTC fanfic. Maybe you can help me figure out what's not working for it if anything. It could just be that there is so much more POTC fic out there than Underworld and that I am not writing a Jack Sparrow/ Elizabeth fic. I also am not true to Elizabeth's character in the movies because it served the story better. Ah well, maybe it'll get more love once things heat up a bit more. I'll get back to working on it soon I think.
I am totally a speed reader with stories where the details aren't working for me or I just am not caring about the secondary characters and I am even worse about it in fanfic. But when the details are amazing and really add to the story, I have to read every single one every time I read and re-read it. It's so awesome that you put me in that category. I really agonize over my word choice and phrasing to make sure that the words that are there need to be there and the rest are scrapped. A writer friend gave me that advice once. He said if you're not interested no one else will be either and if words make it through the editing phase, they should matter. I really love pushing myself to make this story as great as it can be and not slack off just because it's fanfic. I see it as a great way to become a great writer and tell a great story that damn it, has to be told. Thanks for all the extremely thoughtful feedback. It means the world to me. I hope I continue to become one of your favorite fanfic authors. Happy reading on these next two chapters.
Taylorxtorniquet: I loved you review. I could totally hear you in the room. I think the reviews for this chapter made my bff realize she needed to read this story. I love writing this story and it's so awesome that you all enjoy reading it apparently as much as I enjoy writing it. I especially had fun writing Sabas as a seductor even while he was all chained up. Ah, how much better he'll be once he's unrestrained (I hope).
Soaring hawk: Thanks for the great review. Here are two more chapters for your enjoyment.
BritishPixie: Much thanks for the awesome review. So glad you gave me this idea. I have so far to go with this story . . . I can't wait 'til things progress . . . that's all I'm saying.
Blueangelsvntn: Thanks for the great review. Here are two more chapters for your enjoyment.
Ardimus: Hi there. I'm so excited I finally enticed you into reading this! Best day ever! (For those of you who don't know Ardimus is one of my best friends since forever)
A/N: So I went to write this chapter and it turned out to be two. So I posted them both because I felt the natural break was in a place that would not get the chains off as promised on Chapter 10, so Chapter 11 is up too so you can see the chains come off at last. Also, I make reference to Viktor's wife. In this reality, the chain of Elders (one awake, two asleep) has not begun yet, William has been captured though. Viktor's wife is still alive and her name is taken from the prequel novel, Blood Enemy. Also if you want to know how I pictures Sabine, google Maharet, Queen of the Damned and that should give you a good idea.
Chapter 10: Sliding Back Behind Masks
My soundtrack if you're interested: [Vivian Wounded/ The Kiss- Elektra/ Saving Josh by Trevor Morris/Beautiful Disaster/Eternity and a Day/ Vold Eyes/ Across the Stars]
Aleeria reluctantly began to dry herself off with the soft towel that Sabine had left for her. Their time was nearly up. She kept glancing over at Sabas as she dressed. He looked exhausted when he thought she wasn't looking, but it disappeared the instant their eyes touched. "You look exhausted. I hope I haven't tortured you too enthusiastically." She teased, trying to hide her concern.
"If this is your idea of torture you can chain me up any day." Sabas grinned, hiding his fatigue as best he could.
"You're not so bad at torture yourself." She replied with a smile, slyly eyeing the bathtub she'd occupied not long before.
"I had an excellent subject to practice on." He replied, matching her tone.
Jealous heat flooded her. Aleeria suddenly had disturbing images of Sabas and other women in similar scenarios. Of course, she was but one of many practice subjects for him, merely the most recent, and not necessarily the most memorable. He was after all many decades older than she was. At the very least, he certainly had a life before he came here to the castle to be turned. "Oh? Your wife from before you were turned?" She asked, trying to sound casual though her emotions at the moment were anything but.
"No, you." Sabas clarified, puzzled at her question. "I had no wife before I was turned."
Aleeria smiled, her sudden flash of insecurities mollified. Knowing he had no wife before he was turned pleased her in ways she could scarcely articulate nor understand fully why it suddenly mattered so much. Still the idea that in spite of her volumes of inexperience by comparison, that she could still be special to him, to her Lycan . . . she scarcely dared form the thought it was so desirable to her.
Sabas could scent her sudden anxiety. "Aleeria, why would you think I was talking about someone other than you?"
She turned away from him, embarrassed. What was wrong with her? She'd never felt so crazy in her life, but her emotions were running amok like villagers in the face of wild Lycans. "I'm sorry; I don't know why I thought . . . I wasn't thinking. It's just that you are so . . . and I'm not and surely you are as skilled as you are at this sort of thing," she indicated the tub with a wave of her hand, "because of the others you've had before me." She could feel her skin getting hotter with each passing word until she was certain she'd just catch fire and immolate in mortification right there.
Sabas's eyes gentled as he began to understand the source of her anxiety and he set out to reassure her as best he could. "I haven't had so many others before today. I've been a slave most of my life. Slaves hardly can do as they please."
"So you would have had more if you were able to?" Aleeria blurted, hating herself for having to ask the question.
Sabas pursed his lips. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to upset her further. The truth was he was a male with healthy appetites; he likely would have sampled more if more had been offered. "Possibly, but that doesn't make you any less. Aleeria don't think about such things," he beseeched her. Then a wicked smile played over his lips as a wave of pleasurable memory of her touch flashed through him. "No one has ever tortured me like you have."
His enticingly delivered comment elicited an answering giggle from her lips. "You're incorrigible. I should tell Sabine to leave you here with me awhile longer so I can teach you some proper manners before you're brought into the house."
"Well, if you insist, though I think you will at least agree that I repay my debts well." Sabas grinned, relieved that her heart once more sounded as though it raced from pleasant thoughts once more.
Aleeria quirked a mischievous smile at him, "For now, but you have more debts to repay once you're freed."
"Whatever my captor desires. I will keep my eyes open for opportunity to repay my debts in full and perhaps even establish some credit on future favors on my behalf." His words were innocent enough, but the hungry gleam in his eyes left her in no doubts about his meaning.
She shivered in anticipation. "I look forward to those opportunities."
"As do I," Sabas assured her.
Aleeria glanced nervously at the door. "The sun has been down for half an hour, I can feel it. Growing up in this castle, I can always feel it. I must go and see her to see how she would like you prepared and to get your new House colors." She drew her overdress on and began to lace it.
Sabas sighed. "I know. I can feel it too. Our time is up for now."
Aleeria nodded and moved closer, finishing with her laces as she walked. She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, to savor these last moments before they were no longer alone, but she still had to say the words she wanted most to hold inside. "We're going to have to pretend none of this happened once we leave this room. We're going to have to go on as if we are friends perhaps, but nothing more," She was starting to choke on the words.
Sabas sighed heavily, wondering how he would conceal his regard for her once he was being watched again at all times. "I know. I've been thinking about that too. Your Mistress might not like it if she knew how much fun we've been having."
'Fun', her mind stumbled on the word and all its casual and transitory implications, but she forced her mind past it. "You'll have to earn her favor if you wish to see me again."
"I will. I do wish it," Sabas assured her. "What do I need to do to earn her favor and see you again?"
Aleeria offered a small smile as his words spread through her like sunlight. "Speak softly to her always, be respectful and obedient, and vigilantly hide your heart. Most of all, be certain you hear no sound more clearly than the sound of the Vampires speaking to you and always be respectful to all of them. You represent so many of your people. Don't disappoint them." And don't disappoint me, she wanted to add knowing any ill behavior on his part might reflect back on her.
"I promise I won't disappoint. I'll do as you advise." He vowed. Aleeria was so close to him again now that they were nearly touching.
Sabas cursed as there was a knock at the door. Aleeria moved to the door and opened it, letting Lucian step into the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have some news you'll find interesting. It seems that Sabas is to be trained in combat and weapons after today by Kahn." Lucian announced.
"One of the Death Dealers," Aleeria noted, her voice distant and concerned. "I know who he is. Kahn serves the House of Marcus." She knew Khan indeed. He was the Death Dealer she pretended to fancy whenever Erika was around. Of all the ironies, she marveled. She wasn't sure how yet, but she felt certain that this would complicate matters.
"Yes, well Sabas's training will continue for the next several weeks, until Kahn deems him ready to officially take over his post as defender of The House of Marcus." Lucian continued.
Aleeria gaped at him. "Weeks? With Kahn? Will any of the other Death Dealers be taking part?" She was quite worried by this development. Kahn wasn't a monster, but plenty of the other Death Dealers were, especially Kraven. She shuddered at the thought of Kraven training her Lycan.
Lucian nodded. "Weeks, but I think it will just be Kahn for now."
"I don't understand. Why the need to train? Plenty of Lycan guards are given no training because of their rapid healing abilities. Why would that change now?"
"Your Mistress wants to change that," Lucian explained in soothing tones. "She's saying it's because she wants a more skilled fighter protecting her house, but I think she's using this to set a precedent so all future Lycans of this new privileged class will be trained in this way. I was after all."
"How did you hear about this?" Aleeria demanded, twisting the hem of sleeve in an agitated manner.
"I was told by Khan himself. He came by to inform me that I will not be assuming my own duties hunting with the Death Dealers until Sabas is done with his training so I can continue to guard you during the day."
Aleeria paced restlessly. Something about this was still strange. It was an awful lot of preparation to protect a human; no matter how favored she was by Sabine. She made a mental note to ask her Mistress about it and soon, tomorrow preferably after she'd had time to think about it some more.
"If I could put in my thoughts," Sabas began. "It would be better for all Lycans in the long run if a prescient is set for some of us to be trained. I'm sure that from what Aleeria's said of her Mistress, that these trainings will be highly supervised and coordinated with her. I'm also hopeful that since she seems so interested in improving our welfare, she won't let them do any training that would cause permanent damage." He turned his attention to focus on Aleeria as if it was only the two of them in the room. "I'll be fine Aleeria. There's no need to worry. I heal quickly if nothing else."
Aleeria forced humor into her voice, not wanting Sabas to think she doubted his abilities as a protector and fighter. "Still, what was the point of getting you all cleaned up if you're just going to be rolling in the mud all over again?"
"Just think Fair Captor; that means in several weeks you'll have the distinct pleasure of cleaning me up all over again." Sabas replied, his tone tantalizing her senses with the scene it painted.
Aleeria nodded and smiled impishly at the thought before her face became serious again, her attention focused solely on him. "Be careful and listen to Kahn. I know him a bit. He's honorable. Beware of Kraven if he takes part in your training. Erika sees naught past his face, position, and lust for power, but he is dark and dangerous as Viktor, perhaps more so because Viktor loves his wife and daughter, whereas Kraven loves only power."
"I will keep my eyes open," Sabas promised her.
Aleeria nodded, satisfied as she was likely to be. "I have to go see Sabine now. Lucian will you escort me?"
Lucian nodded. "Of course."
Aleeria moved to Sabas and ran her hand over the side of his face. "We'll be back as soon as we can. I'd sleep some more if you can."
"I'll do that. I didn't actually sleep much before. I had plans to make." He and Aleeria shared a knowing smile at the inside joke. "If you can get some more food brought down that wouldn't be amiss. I've been hanging here for over a day and I'll need more food to recover my strength enough to stand for inspection."
Aleeria nodded. "I could use more food myself. I've been cleaning for an entire day after all." She shared another meaningful look with Sabas. "You're a lot of work you know."
"I hope you think I'm work well worth the effort." He teased back.
"So far, you seem to be worth an extraordinary bit of effort," Aleeria retorted, her gaze both warm and enticing.
"And that is the last of that sort of exchange you two can have for awhile." Lucian cut in. "When we come back, Sabine may be with us and she must not hear any such exchanges between you two, nor may any one else for that matter. You two need to make sure your interactions are limited to only polite conversation. Sabine might get the impressions from exchanges like the one you just shared that you behaved in a manner that was more familiar than she intended. That would be very dangerous for both of you, especially Sabas. Don't be foolish. If Sabine is upset with anything she thinks passed between you two, she may choose to take it out on Sabas while he is training. Accidents can happen easily and untraceably and there are a great deal of extremely painful things she could have done to him that would not leave lasting damage or compromise his function as a protector in the future."
Aleeria's eyes went wide at the implications.
"Lucian, you're scaring her," Sabas scolded sharply.
"Good," Lucian replied uncharacteristically pitiless. "You both need to be scared. You've spent a lot of hours in this safe environment, without anyone watching you or hearing you and it's made you feel safe. Well out there, it's not safe. It's very dangerous for both of you. Your relationship, whatever it is, cannot appear to be more than friendship until it has the approval of Sabine or there will be consequences I assure you. You should both be terrified at how they could use you against each other or how you could put each other in danger, not to mention yourselves. I don't want you to be naïve and have it cost you dearly when some healthy fear might have helped you avoid it."
Aleeria nodded. "I understand. You're right of course. Thank you Lucian." She saw Sabas starting to protest for her sake and help up her hand. "No, he's right. I know her and I know the inner workings of their world. Lucian is right and he's right to remind us this way. It's been easy to become too comfortable and familiar. That can't continue outside this room. Sabine made the rules of her 'contest' very clear. If we're going to win, we need to play by the rules."
Sabas nodded, but he was still troubled by the fear he saw quivering in her eyes.
"Rest for now," Aleeria urged him. "We'll be back as soon as we can."
Sabas nodded and Aleeria headed into hallway with Lucian, feeling the mask of her other life slide back over her like an old cloak: hiding who she was, how she felt and making her appear to be exactly what Sabine wanted.
Aleeria took a deep breath. "Thank you again."
"Sabas is my friend; I would not see him harmed," Lucian explained, his tone gruff.
"Nor would I," Aleeria replied fervently.
"I know," Lucian replied his voice gentler now. "That's why I didn't understate facts for you and just remind Sabas in private. I know you'd want to help keep him safe."
Aleeria checked to make sure they were not within what she thought earshot for Sabas was. "While we are still in the relative privacy of this hallway that leads me to a favor I would ask of you."
Lucian stopped, checking the hallway to be certain they were alone, and turned to her. "I'm listening."
Aleeria cleared her throat, choosing her words carefully. "I believe I have enough influence with my Mistress that I could arrange for you to train with Sabas for several hours in the evening. I have a very persuasive argument for it, but I won't ask her unless you would be willing to do so. I've watched the death Dealers train new recruits for many years with Erika. I know some of what could happen to him and I know that if he spars with you, he will be safer. You are highly favored by the Elders and will not be targeted. You can help to protect him."
"And who will protect you?" Lucian asked pointedly knowing that Sabas would try to skin him alive if he found out Lucian had agreed to such a request without concerning himself first with Aleeria's safety.
Aleeria took a deep breath knowing how difficult her solution to that problem would be for her. "During that time, I will stay by my Mistress's side at all times. She will ensure my safety while you train with Sabas." She knew how exhausting it would be to hide her feelings so carefully for such long periods of time while Sabine could watch her every moment like a hawk, but it would be worth the effort if it kept Sabas safer.
"If you can arrange for Sabas and I to train together, I will ensure his safety as best I can." Lucian assured her. "It would be my preference that he and I train together as well, but only if you are certain you will be safe,"
Aleeria nodded fervently. "Sabine will protect me. I will feel more at ease if I know you protect him. The hardest part will be being under constant observation, but I have many years of training in this. I can manage."
"Than if Sabine gives her permission, I will do so," Lucian promised.
"I owe you a great deal after tonight Lucian. I won't forget." Aleeria's voice was solemn as she said this, wondering idly who had stolen Lucian's heart. He must be quite adept at hiding it by now. She wondered if it was one of the male Lycans as there were no female Lycans and Aleeria knew all the female humans in the castle. She could not imagine Lucian would be interested in any of them. With the exception of Erika and Aleeria, every other human female that had been in the castle for more than a few years was quite homely in appearance, which is why they had survived so long and most were rather old.
"I know you won't. You are an honorable human." Lucian replied equally solemnly.
"And you are an honorable wolf."
They exchanged a smile and chuckle and then resumed their progress to Sabine's apartments. Aleeria left Lucian just outside the door and asked him to wait for her.
Once inside the chambers, Aleeria heard Sabine's voice call out to her. "I'm in my room Aleeria."
She felt anxiety begin to creep through her now that Lucian was no longer with her. Would Sabine know what had passed between her and Sabas just by looking at her? Aleeria forced calm into her breath and being before stepping into Sabine's chambers. "Mistress," Aleeria greeted, bowing deeply. "I have finished cleaning the Lycan as you requested Mistress. I have come for the House colors so he can be made ready for your inspection."
Sabine smiled warmly at her, "Excellent Aleeria. I trust he continued to be well-behaved for you."
Aleeria wondered how she remained upright, her legs felt like they were made of lead, but she managed to keep her heartbeat level through the sheer strength of her years of practice. "Yes, Mistress, very well-behaved. I have cleaned his clothes thoroughly. I can re-dress him before you arrive in those clothes or others if you prefer. When you unchain him, I can put dress him in our House colors."
Sabine sipped a goblet full of blood mingled with red wine. "I see no reason he needs alternate clothes unless you have strong feelings on the matter or the ones he had are in poor condition."
Aleeria shook her head. "No Mistress, they are well-oiled now. I think they will serve for awhile longer as long as his training doesn't destroy them."
"Marvelous. His over tunic for our house will cover his clothes for the most part and he should be comfortable in those garments when he is not on duty. I have his colors here." Sabine indicated a bundle of clothes on a table near the door. "You can take them down shortly with the key and unchain him."
"Mistress?" Aleeria was certain she had not heard that last part correctly.
Sabine continued on as if she had not noticed her lady-in-waiting's eyes turn to saucers. "Aleeria, do you feel comfortable taking responsibility for him? I trust from what you've said of him that he will not harm you."
"No Mistress, I'm sure he will do as I ask." Aleeria assured her quickly.
"Excellent. In truth after so many hours in restraints, he will likely be rather weak when you release him. If you would be so good as to unchain him, dress him, and get him some food, not necessarily in that order. I'll be down to inspect him in an hour or so. Be sure to get some food yourself as well. I would like our new guard to receive a better quality of food now that he will be serving in our House and it starts now."
Aleeria nodded. "Thank you Mistress."
"So Lucian told you that Sabas is to be trained tomorrow night," Sabine began, referencing Aleeria's comment regarding the durability of Sabas's attire. "Does that news distress you?"
Aleeria considered. "A little," she admitted. "Though I know Lycans are strong and heal quickly. I am pleased that you would wish him to be well-trained as out other guards Mistress."
Sabine nodded. "Worry not, dear child. His training will be carefully overseen by Khan. I trust Kahn to handle our new daylight guardian appropriately. Sabas's training will not be unduly harsh and he will recover from any injuries he suffers. I assure you that no silver will be used."
Aleeria smiled weakly. "I thank you for putting my foolish heart as ease Mistress."
"Of course my child," Sabine reassured Aleeria, her mellifluous voice wrapping around her like the comforting pull of satin. "It's only natural that you would feel some affection for the Lycan who saved your life. In truth, I harbor gratitude towards him for the same reason. As long as he comports himself honorably and obediently, he will be safe in my good graces. In any case, I do want him to be well-trained so he can be a better protector."
Aleeria relaxed visibly and took a seat at Sabine's invitation.
"I'm pleased you came up here to update me on your progress," Sabine continued, her manner more reflective of a mother speaking to a child than a Mistress to her servant. "I wanted to speak with you apart so you would feel comfortable to speak freely. I want to know how your time with Sabas is going."
Aleeria flushed. "I didn't know when you first showed him to me that you'd chosen the one who had saved me." She began.
Sabine smiled warmly. "I thought he would be an excellent choice to protect our house as he has unknowingly already done so when he saved you. Are you pleased with my choice?"
Aleeria smiled broadly. "Most pleased Mistress, thank you."
"And has he been cooperative with you? Respectful? Can we trust him to serve us well?"
"Oh yes, Mistress. Sabas has been very cooperative." Aleeria bubbled. "I think he will serve our House quite well. He is honorable and brave."
"What makes you say that little one?" Sabine asked lightly.
"He saved me even though I was nothing to him and he has done so before for others. He also has not tried to beguile me thought the temptation is no doubt great." Aleeria replied, hoping she hadn't said too much, but she wanted her Mistress to see that Sabas should be among her choices. It was true more or less. He hadn't tried to beguile her, until she had shown interest in being beguiled anyway and he had been respectful throughout all their explorations, which Aleeria felt spoke to the spirit of Sabine's wishes.
Sabine nodded. "I'm sure you are quite a temptation to him indeed. Aleeria, what are your personal feelings for this Lycan? Do you wish for him to be considered?"
Aleeria's whole being seemed to glow. "Oh yes please, Mistress. I have admired him for a long time now ever since that day he saved me. He has been good company while I clean him as well." She tried to sound more like a young girl fond of a protector than a woman enamored with a Lycan.
Sabine nodded, pleased. "Well then, if he serves well and you continue to favor him, then I think he should be among those considered. When we began discussing your future as a Lycan, he was one of the first I thought of since he has already taken care of you in the past. Do not let your past sentiment clouds your judgments though. Judge him for who his is now because eternity is an unpleasantly long time if you choose poorly.
Aleeria nodded. "Yes, My Lady. I will heed your advice."
"Good. Well then, you should get back to Sabas. I will be down to inspect in about an hour. Will that be enough time?"
Aleeria considered. While part of her wanted to buy Sabas and herself some time and provide them with a "proper opportunity" as Sabas put it, she didn't want to risk deception of any sort on something like this. As she had said to Sabas before, what was the point of risking all over a situation that would be alleviated soon enough on it's own as long as they both followed Sabine's wishes. "Yes, Mistress it should be about enough time if the kitchens are sufficiently timely. I'll have Lucian go fetch food as soon as we return to the room."
"Very good. I'll see you in an hour or so then." Sabine reached into her robes and removed a key. Then she handed it out to Aleeria. "Here is the key for the manacles. I am trusting you to use it appropriately."
"Yes, Mistress, of course." Aleeria bowed her head obediently.
"His House colors are in the front room on the table by the door," Sabine reminded her.
"Thank you Mistress." Aleeria bowed and retreated from the room.
When she reached the entrance to the literal House of Marcus, she nodded to Lucian who fell into step beside her. "Lucian, once we get back to the room, if you would be so kind as to lock us in and get more food for both Sabas and myself and return swiftly as you can. We don't have much time."
"Of course."
A/N: Next chapter chains come off that's why I posted them together. Enjoy!