Royal Temper

Vicki sat in her chair in the living room reading a romance novel. Laughing to herself she didn't hear Henry's steps until the back entrance slammed shut and feet stomped on the stairs. That was her first clue Henry was in a bad mood, the second was the vicious snarl on his lips and the terse "leave me alone!" as she tried to greet him. He stormed on through the room into the bedroom and up the attic steps. The next sound was the trap door being pulled up and the locking bolt shot home. Vicki followed close behind only to feel the wind as the trapdoor was yanked shut.

"Henry?" Vicki called out.

"Leave me be. I'll let you know if I want to hear from you!" The tone of a royal dismissing an underling was unmistakable.

"Yes my lord prince." Vicki returned to the living room closed her book and went about securing the apartment for the day.

Henry paced back and forth growling under his breath and kicking shoes that dared to be in his path. He kicked the same hapless shoe repeatedly since his path varied continuously.

Vicki listened to the growls accompanied by shoes bouncing off walls, and decided to take Henry's words to heart. He would have to speak first.

Henry thought to him self, "There was no excuse." He had not be this sloppy with feeding in more years than he cared to remember. He had not secured the chain of the hotel room door. The party in the lobby was in full swing when he culled out his prey and followed her to the room. He was anxious to feed and leave. The three other roommates opened the unlocked door and started screaming when they saw his fangs and dark eyes as he was about to bite the fourth roommate. He snarled in anger and fled the room, but the damage had been done. He had been seen and recognized as vampire. Not taking the time to cloud the memories of the four frightened girls, his only thought was escape and Vicki. But when he saw her he was too angry with himself to speak other than to tell her to leave him be. He continued pacing back and forth trying to remember his exact words. He thought, "Bloody hell" as he remembered the words and tone of voice used. He stopped pacing, listened and heard nothing. Dawn was just seconds away. He eased back the bolt and released the trapdoor. Not bothering with the steps he dropped silently into Vicki's room and stood looking at her back. He walked around so that he could see her face. He bent close and said, "I want to hear you."

She growled, "Get in asshole." as she turned the other way and made room for him. He barely had time to pull the sheet over them both as the sun exercised it's power over vampire.

Vicki's eyes opened as the sun's last ray faded from the night sky. She felt Henry's breath on her neck, and his arm around her waist. She waited until he moved before resuming the thought started that morning, "Keep being an asshole and you'll find your stuff on the front lawn."

"I deserved that. I was a bit of an ass this morning." He felt her stiffen in his arms. "Okay, lots of ass."

"What happened to warrant royal wrath?" Vicki rolled onto her back and looked at the opening in her ceiling.

Henry blurted out, "I was seen as vampire by three girls when starting to feed."

Vicki looked at his wide open eyes, and stricken look. She started laughing.

Henry assumed as much royal dignity as he could lying naked in bed, "What's so funny? This could be a major disaster."

"What kind of party was it?"

With a deep Bavarian accent he said, "I vant to drink your blood." Hethen started laughing too, " A Halloween costume party."

"My dear Bella Lugosi. So someone that has been drinking way too much alcohol saw a vampire at a Halloween party. Big deal." She kissed is face and resumed talking. "I know the local cops. They smelled the booze and looked at the costumes. They threw away the complaint before getting into the squad car."

"Still, I was sloppy." He shook his head then asked, "Did you feed last night?"

"Yes. Why?"

"May I have a small sip. I left the party before the main course was served." He was grinning with boyish charm.

"Make it quick, the staff meeting is in fifteen minutes." She regretted there was no time for full vampire passion. Those were her favorite moments with Henry.

His eyes turned onyx and his teeth ivory daggers as he bit into her tender neck, allowed his passion to warm her, and took enough to hold him until he could hunt. He held his tongue to the wound a few seconds longer than necessary hoping she could feel his love for her. His lips brushed her neck saying, "My true love, forgive this royal ass."

She smiled and kissed him thoroughly and said, "Vampire you make it difficult to stay angry. Get up. I have work to do."