Chapter 28
Raven
In front of the canopy, was the large red velvet chaise lounge that we sat on, it was Victorian era antique, and it was soft at the touch, as well as comfortably cushioned in the seat. On both ends of it were floor candelabras holding ten candles each. A black shaggy rug was placed in front of it. I continued to look around with Alexander standing at the wall far across from the coffin. I believe I tried to escape through there earlier. I briefly recall this early morning when I got home and he brought me down here. The thought made my cheeks heat again as I realized I was standing in the exact spot where he took me. I heard him chuckle menacingly and took a moment to glance at him and give him the no nonsense shake of my finger that I use on Alex and Lexy. That only made him laugh a little harder. He pushed off the wall and took long easy strides over to me and draped an arm over my shoulder. He led me to a side of the room that I assume is meant to be mine.
I admired the armoires, chests and dressers, my own vanity table and stool, more floor candelabras and wall sconces, and a few more paintings by Alexander. I opened the doors to the armoires to see my dresses and trench jackets and petticoats. There were some new things in there that I haven't seen before and knew they were from Alexander. I pulled out a beautiful red gown with silver embroidery on the bodice with the skirt beginning beneath the breast and was floor length. The material was the softest and most lightly weighted silk I've ever touched. It was split in the middle and gathered towards the back to reveal the layer of darker red silk and black lace beneath. It was breath taking, elegant, and very high quality. I could only dream of making something so beautiful as this. It was obviously vintage and well preserved. I wouldn't be surprised if it truly was from the Victorian era. "Oh Alexander," I whispered, "It's so beautiful. Where did you find clothes like this?"
"I brought them from my home in Romania. They date back to the early 1800s. I had a couple of chests of them brought here that I'd thought you might like. I did leave many others behind though. One thing I've learned during my time away is that no matter how much time passes, we must embrace our history, especially the times when our race was at it's highest in prosperity and peace. There were dark times for vampires long ago. We were ruthless, unnecessarily violent, slavers, uncontrollable, and were eventually hunted for it. When our numbers were greatly decreasing, a group of our strongest vampires gathered together to implement a new structure of laws to ensure our survival. We went into hiding. Our allies aided us in damage control. They recreated our image towards humans and other species. We became depicted as beastly creatures with false weaknesses such as holy waters, crucifixes, and many others. Our true nature was wrapped into their stories to satisfy those who knew for certain of our existence. Eventually we became myth to mortals, a story for children. During the 17 to 1800s we were successfully hidden to mortals and were able to blend in. We used our immortal gifts and charms to influence the mortal world. The fashion that had been deemed Victorian is actually Vampirian. We surrounded ourselves with luxuries, delicacies, quality stones and fabrics to heighten our natural glamour. It was pushed onto the world during Queen Victoria of Britain's reign. We prospered from many of our successful influences during those times. It is also why many purebloods have held onto old wealth and a piece of how our royal blood was incorporated into the mix, so to speak. When I learned of this I felt stronger pulls to selecting more of my own clothing inspired by the era. Though from time to time I will indulge in our modern attires. They weren't allowed in the gathering territories so I had to get used to Vampirian clothing. I've become very fond of them now." Alexander took time to ponder his inner thoughts and I watched him stroke his goatee. I felt myself brighten up inside as Alexander shared with me some details of his time away. When he mentioned the stronger vampires that grouped to form their laws, I thought back to what Sebastian had told me. I now know their laws were mystically enforced. I know Alexander left against his will and returned to me as a different person. But my love for him, even with the changes, no, especially with the changes, has grown more than I thought it could be. My blood, my body, my soul, and my heart crave him unconditionally. Thinking back to when I found out he was a vampire and spoke to him in about it, he told me some things about how their vampire image was distorted in books, movies, and tales to throw off the humans. I was beginning to understand fully what he was telling me when he spoke up again. "I remembered the second school dance you took me to, and the dress you wore; it was also Vampirian inspired. So I wanted to bring you some original designs. Could you see yourself wearing them?"
"Definitely. But I don't think I could ever wear them around you with your habit of ripping my clothing off." He smiled at that. "I'll be sure to never wear them while we're alone, then. They look too expensive and irreplaceable. I love them Alexander… I don't know how to thank you for all of this." I put the dress I held back on the rack then lightly caressed the material of the other gowns and petticoats from my official favorite era that inspire my many fashion choices.
"There is no need to thank me, Raven. I am eternally yours, and you are eternally mine. I will do everything in my power to ensure your everlasting pleasure and happiness." My darling vampire caressed the side of my face, and I leaned into him. We allowed the sentiments to linger a moment longer before continuing my exploration of our room.
I noticed the paintings from the house that were brought in and mounted. Portraits he made for me from the times we dated, and landscapes of the cemetery and Benson hill. I admired the newer pictures he must have worked on during his time away. I will ask him about them later on. I loved the dressing screens that were placed in the corners. I walked over to them, but as I got close, Alexander stopped me. "What?" I incurred.
"They won't be used for dressing privacies, my love. They are simply decoration that screens other intimate rituals." I blushed at the nature of those 'intimate rituals' and thought about what other BDSM themes Alexander may have picked up during his time away. Secretly I wondered 'how' did he pick up on these ideas. Of course bondage and other foreplay fetishes isn't new for teenage boys to discover. But thinking back to how Alexander was so sure of himself when he dominated me sexually made me wonder about if he was ever exposed to anything related while he was away. He swore that he remained faithful to me and I believe him. But how much control over his actions was enforced on him? Could any of it influence what he would consider faithful? Did his mother have any involvement with him cooperating with his duties at all costs? I know better than to ask him about any of it, and made sure to keep my wall in place to guard my inquiries. However, Alexander seemed more in tuned to my mood change and had been able to guess at what caused it.
"Raven, I swear to you, my love, I never slept with anyone. I have witnessed many sexual acts. I had been sexually curious and active before we met. I have fantasized about being with you in every way imaginable. I want to try some things with you; I want you to experience new depths to our passion. The laws of my people will never be strong enough to break our bond. Don't allow yourself to think me to be so weak." With a pull of my hand, he led me away from whatever hid behind the screens. I allowed myself to be led away, but couldn't hide the bitter shame that I had allowed myself to be weak where he remained true.
I went to the other side of the room that I assume is his. He had similar furnishings, but where mine were more slim and feminine, his were thicker, darker, and more masculine. Where I had a shaggy rug that reminded me of a more colorful one my parents had in our apartment before Billy was born, Alexander had a pelt from a very, very large wolf. The head, paws, and claws were still attached. It looked more… scarier and bigger that your average wolf. My eyes bulged and I hesitated to step forward, afraid the beast would snap at me. "Where the did that thing come from? I've never seen a wolf look like that!"
"It's not a wolf, Raven… it's a Lycan, or werewolf if you prefer." He explained steadily, as if to emphasize the creature, pelt or whatever.
"How did you get a werewolf pelt? Do they sell them in the immortal black market or something?" I asked still in shock that werewolves really do exist and I'm looking at a dead one right now.
Alexander stroked my arms to calm my nerves. "They probably do, I don't know for sure actually." He said seriously. "This one is my first kill."
"Oh shit!" I remarked in hushed tones, "Alexander, I don't really know what to say about that… um, were you hurt?"
Alexander
I hesitated before I told her the truth of what I had done. I didn't want her to think of me as a murderous monster. She has told my son and had always believed that I was a gentle vampire; one who would never kill a living thing. At a time, that was true, that was the vampire I hoped to always be. But the Council has no care for a single vamp's aspirations, especially one on trial in their eyes. I had tested the waters by giving small details of my time away, lessons I've learned, and the ultimate goals to Raven. I wish she could put down her walls around her mind, so I could connect with her in every way. I have now realized that if I can pull my own walls down for her, share with her my pain and fears, then she will without doubt do the same, trusting me to protect her from her own demons. This will also be a test to how much truth she can handle. Could she accept that I truly am not the same person she fell in love with? Time will tell.
"I'm fine right now and I'm stronger than before. That's all that matters." I see her flinch inwardly at my harsher tone and curse myself for not being gentler. I capture her chin to raise her head to look at me. When her hesitating gaze lands on mine, I give her a light kiss. "Thank you for being concerned." Her eyes soften and I know she has forgiven the lash.
"Will you tell me what happened? Why did you kill it?" she pleaded with me to tell her the tale. I felt many things as I thought back to this particular kill. Fear. Shame. Hate. But what's more damning was the blood lust resulting from the kill. This werewolf had a family, a pack. He probably had dreams and aspirations of his own. His annihilation was one of the many tasks I had to carry out to prove myself to not just the Council, but King as well. I can't tell her this tale without the entire story. Without it, she would surly think me to be irredeemable. She isn't ready for the whole truth. Ignoring her question would cause displeasure, and that is unacceptable. A half-truth?
"It was in defense," maybe not self-defense however, I thought to myself. "If I hadn't killed him, then I would've been a pile of ashes." And if I hadn't gone onto his territory to execute him, I would have been imprisoned for treason.
"Then I'm glad you're okay. Is it wrong for me to feel sad for him?" she asked quietly. She is still so sweet without realizing it. She may eventually harden over time. But hopefully I could preserve the good in her, so she may never have to be a darker, jaded version of herself.
"It is not wrong. I find myself thinking the same thing sometimes. But there are times when you have to decide if you are the hunter or the hunted. Only the strongest can survive. In this case, it was I who lived. Hopefully, that will always be the case. As the master of this house, and head of our family, I prefer to evoke enough fear and respect to those beyond us to ensure my family remains safe, and my territory remains undisturbed so we won't be pushed into choosing those roles. I keep the pelt as a reminder that I must never be weak, never the hunted. Does this bother you? I will remove anything that displeases you." I hold her close to me and stroke her bare back and arse. Keeping her naked in this room is going to become mandatory. The skin-to-skin contact is enough to calm me, settle my soul the way only my bride can.
"No, don't change it, it's okay. It'll remind me that my knight of the night is stronger than a werewolf. I hope I never see a live one." I'll never allow any creature to hurt you, again, mortal nor immortal, I sent to her.
'I know,' she sent back to me. I gave her a light swat to her arse cheek and she continued to look over my side of the room, careful to step around the pelt on the floor.
"Billy brought over the rest of your clothing and had your room boxed up and brought over except the bed and dressers. I hope that was okay. I know you said you wanted to do it yourself…" I mentioned. Again I was grateful Billy pointed out the box she kept of memorabilia to her time with me. I pulled away from opening it, for fear of the scents within. Would I find traces of her tears? Would her emotions be strong enough during those times to be existent today? Those were the thoughts that kept me from opening many of her boxes. I had only unpacked her clothing and put them away myself.
"Oh, thanks. It's actually okay if Billy does it. He knows me well enough to know my peeves about what goes where. Where are they? I know my clothes are here. You didn't have to make Jameson do all that you know." She laughed.
"I didn't. Nobody enters this room but you and I. Jameson made sure to order everything I requested and brought everything down as far as the basement. I put it all together in here… I hope you know that some of your choices in lingerie may never leave this room."
"Alexander!" she reprimanded me. But I was unbending. The thought of her with crotchless panties while I was away made me question my sanity as I practically destroyed this room the first time it was near completion. Thankfully Jameson had bought multiple furniture options for me to choose from and I was able to replace the ones I destroyed. While this room was in complete shreds, I sat in the middle of the floor frustrated until I imagined what I would do when she was wearing them for me. That was when I added a few more things to the list for Jameson to retrieve. He knew I was recovering from my enraged state and didn't question why I needed industrial chains, latches, and a vampire's supply of cuffs… and many other questionable items. I smiled at what I knew were behind every screen, and what I could do to my beloved the moment she tries to wear them outside these walls. I would question her on when she acquired them, how many times she wore them, who had seen them, and what she would wear with them while I had her strapped to a medieval contraption I would build. I knew my eyes gleamed dangerously when she blushed crimson all the way to the tops of her ears.
"Another topic for another night, my bride. The rest of your boxes that I thought you'd like down here are in the passage through these doors." She looked around and fixed her eyes on where she figured the 'doors' to be.
"How do they open?" she asked.
"I will teach you before dawn. Remember, this room is under gypsy magic. It will take you practice to do it properly. Jameson has the children getting ready for the night. They should be dressed now and ready for breakfast. I also brought your clothing from the dressers upstairs so you should have everything you need to ready yourself for work. I will grab a shirt and we'll head on upstairs."
"Okay, I'll take a shower, eat, and then leave at 11:30pm. I'll be home by 3 in the morning. Thursdays I stay an hour later to help get things set out for Friday night, our busiest nights." She explained. Her hours away from our young bothered me a bit I am hoping for more time spent together as a family. But for now I will accept her choice in this while I continue getting to know more about being a father and keeping her happy.
"I'll take you and pick you up, then." I decided. She agreed and went over to her dressers and picked out what I knew were leather shorts, a matching bustier, a white wench's blouse, and black webbed stockings. When she went to her lingerie drawer, she glanced over at me and realized I wasn't looking away.
"I don't wear brief granny panties, Alexander, so don't judge me!" I laughed and gave her a wink for many unsaid promises when she chose a tiny black lace panty with a matching bra that had no straps. She placed her pile of clothing atop her dresser and went in search of her footwear.
"Look in the chest with the gargoyle carvings," I told her. I felt the blood rush to my groin when she turned and bent over, giving me a full view of her intimate parts. As she moved her hips while in search for her footwear of choice, I contemplated whether we would skip breakfast while I take her from behind where she stood. I was ready to distract myself from my lust and went to grab a shirt to wear that is my style for hanging out at the Crypt for a while after I dropped her off.
If Luke is returning as Billy mentioned last night, than I must continue to study my enemy. I know he poses no threats towards my bond to Raven, but that doesn't erase the fact that he touched what was mine. I know Raven's intending to hold onto her friendship with the vrekener. My children have become attached to him and think of him as an uncle. He has become a brother to Billy that I failed to become due to my summoning. One fact that came to mind about the myths of his species is that they are simply myths. A mixture of half-truths and exaggerated lies intended to throw off predators. It wouldn't be wise to act rashly without first observing my prey's habits and search for weakness. I don't intend to attempt taking him out while he is highly viewed by those I care for. But in the event that he or any other beings of his species become viewed as threats to the welfare of my family, I won't hesitate to hunt him down and take him out.
I decided to grab a pair of leather pants as well, and left our room with Raven following with her outfit in her arms and her robe wrapped around her. We passed some of her boxes in the passage way and some more in the basement. Once we reached the main level's full bathroom, we showered together. Raven allowed me to wash her soft as silk hair as I massaged her from head to toes. When I got to her center, she grinned mischievously then pouted when I wouldn't linger. I smiled and continued to pamper her. After she was fully washed, I was pleased when she returned the favor. Not so pleased however when I had to share her frustration when she refused to stroke my lust. I did however enjoy caressing her abdomen where our unborn child is growing, as I knelt while she washed my hair and massaged my head. I will enjoy watching the changes in her, as she grows rounder.
Because she had birthed a nest of bats in her first pregnancy, there's a high chance she'd do it again. That was also a rarity in our race, and an asset of her fertility. She will remain safe. Very few vampires have the ability to procreate at all successfully. For those who can, their young are born in human form, and at most times in singles. I know of only two vampiresses alive today who've successfully delivered a nest of bats. Raven makes the third. And a handful many who have had multiples, such as the Maxwell's. If I keep her well fed throughout this pregnancy and she delivers another litter of bats, she will be under notice of vampire officials, in a good way. It's imperative that we are in strong standing when that time comes. There's only so much I can keep from them until I finish building our case. If Raven knew I wasn't completely free of them, would she run away? No, she is stronger than that. Raven never runs from a fight. That's what I'm afraid of…