Please note that I posted this and Chapter 8 at the same time, so please make sure you've read Chapter 8 as well.


Melbourne continued with her to a secluded part of the palace. She had never known him so strong and powerful; it almost scared her. When they reached a study, empty and dark, he drew her in and shut the door fast after them. He was breathing hard and gripped hold of her as if she would be lost to him otherwise.

'I am sorry … I am sorry, I am sorry,' he repeated desperately. 'I should have been vigilant. We knew it was him. We knew he was coming. I should never have left you alone. Did he touch you? Did he bite you?'

His hands were all over her, seeking out any injury the man may have inflicted.

She shook her head urgently. 'No, no, it's alright. You found us in time, but … I …'

'What?'

Victoria dropped her head in shame and confusion. 'I do not think I could have prevented it. I … could not fight him … I did not want to, even though every part of me was screaming for it to end.'

Melbourne clasped her to him, his anguish making his voice rasp. 'I know, I know, my darling. He has that power. You would not have been able to prevent it.'

'I am sorry.'

He pulled back, searching her face for meaning. 'You? Why are you sorry?'

'Because I … I think I would have let him. I would have betrayed you.'

He took her head and held it so that she looked at him. 'No, no, that is part of his evil. He will have bewitched you. There was nothing you could have done.'

'I felt as if I could, as if I should … but my strength left me.'

He bent to kiss her. 'It's alright, it's alright. You're here with me, you're safe, it's over.'

She let his kiss heal and soothe the conflict still raging through her. When they parted Melbourne rested his forehead on hers.

'He fell from a great height. That will be it, will it not?' she asked. 'We can say that he fell, that is all. He was an impostor who was trespassing and he fell.'

Melbourne frowned and his voice was low in seriousness. 'Victoria … he is not dead.'

'What?'

'Remember … vampires can only be killed in certain ways.'

The horror of the situation struck hard. 'Oh God, I had forgotten. I did not think anyone could survive a fall like that. But … what ways … how can it be done?'

'Direct sunlight, although that is difficult as they can usually find shelter … starvation of blood, as we discussed once … a stake through the heart.'

'A stake through the heart? What kind of stake?'

'Any sort of wooden stick or pole, it matters not, but it must be driven in firmly and with conviction.'

'So he is still alive out there.'

'Yes.'

Victoria thought back to what had happened.

'He seemed so powerful. His body and his mind were overwhelming.'

Melbourne's face darkened. 'I wish him gone.'

It was her turn to reach up and kiss his pain away. 'My darling, he is gone for now and he did me no harm. I am yours, I am only yours.'

'I know …'

'I want the memory of him, of what happened gone,' she declared. 'I want it banished.'

He held her, his hands running over every part of her he could as if he needed to reassure himself of her existence. 'Yes, yes …'

Victoria curled herself about him. 'You know what will heal me.'

'Yes,' he murmured, and dropped his head to her neck, not biting but nuzzling, taking the scent and essence of her into him, kissing, plucking her skin with his lips while he guided her back to a bureau behind them.

'It must be now,' he said, his voice deepening with intent.

She murmured in assent and held him close. With strong hands, she was picked up and placed on the bureau and her skirts flung up around her.

They seemed to frustrate him as his expression darkened and he tore at his placket to release himself with aggravated urgency. 'Too many bloody clothes,' he hissed and she couldn't stop a little grin at his annoyance. Melbourne managed to negotiate his way through the layers of material and, holding himself – already urgently erect – in one hand, he pulled her in towards him with the other and thrust inside her quickly with a rasping groan.

She inhaled sharply. It was sudden and hard and Victoria's face twisted with the shock of it, but that did not deter him and, withdrawing a little, he was back in with another groan, deeper yet, hard, full, long.

'Yes,' he breathed. 'Like that.'

She nodded in agreement and clung to him. 'Yes, like that, just like that.'

He set about driving into her. This was not love-making, although the love they bore each other could never be denied. It was that word he had used the other day. Fucking. She knew it. And she needed it. He fucked her.

She took it all, her body welcoming the hard insistence of his cock time and again.

'More,' she murmured after a while as pleasure grew, focused and ready. She needed more and so did he. 'Bite me, feed on me.'

The pounding of his cock was intoxicating, but through this near drunkenness she focused enough to see his eyes redden. To some, the tightening and paling of his skin as he changed was disgusting, but to her it only heightened his beauty. She gasped as she saw his fangs forming and wanted their penetration as much as she wanted her body breached by his cock.

'Need you, Victoria,' he moaned, barely audibly, 'I hunger for you.'

He continued to move in her, insistent and demanding, but his left hand rose and fingers threaded through her hair until they dug into her scalp. He tugged and she had no choice but to draw her head back and expose her neck for him, not that she would have chosen otherwise.

As Melbourne saw the pale ripe skin glowing in the candlelight, he dragged in air, his own desire uncontainable.

She saw as he lowered his head to her, still fucking, still pressing his cock deep inside her, and just before he bit down, she closed her eyes to revel in it.

His fangs pierced. It always took more effort than she imagined, breaking through her flesh, and it was deep; nearly an inch of his teeth sank into her, right through her skin and sinew so that he could tap into her blood at its deepest. It hurt again, how could it not? It always hurt, but she was used to it; she relished it.

He drank deeply, but did not neglect her, his innate awareness as a lover was present even now, especially now, and he caught that nub with each stroke in and out, in, out, building her pleasure as the rapture of his feeding caught hold.

She came first, strong and fierce, and as he felt her orgasm grip and let her blood nourish him, it took him too. It exploded hard from him until she was plug-full of the warmth of his cock and seed.

He remained attached for some time after, still drinking, still deep inside her, until he fell from her and was sated at last.

Her body was heavy after, richly catatonic from pleasure and the dizzying loss of blood. She could not open her eyes and wanted only to sleep. She vaguely remembered trying to stand and falling instead into his arms.

Victoria did not know it, but he carried her through secret corridors to her bed chamber and, after Lehzen had checked that Her Majesty was simply drained after an exhausting ball and was now sleeping soundly, he slipped into the bed next to her and held her close all night.

Melbourne, however, did not sleep. As glorious as the feeding had been, he had other matters on his mind so troubling that sleep would not ease them tonight.

-xoOox-

He had taken much blood from her the night before and it was not until the afternoon that Victoria managed to rise from her bed. This, of course, prompted concern yet again, but she assured everyone that she was merely tired after the ball and her previous illness had not returned. When she did rise and settled happily to court matters, their concerns seemed to be allayed.

The Prime Minister stayed close, and many tuts could be heard at his insistence on keeping by the Queen's side throughout the day and into the evening.

'Have you not got business in Westminster, Lord Melbourne?' asked her mother tetchily.

'Nothing that cannot be attended to here, Your Highness,' he offered as smoothly as always.

But Melbourne was not entirely focused on the Queen, and Victoria sensed it even if nobody else did. He would frequently walk to the windows and look out, his gaze intent on the people below and the movements of citizens as they passed the palace gates. She caught him often in discussion with footmen and butlers. She knew what he asked: Had anyone been caught in the grounds? Had there been any intruders? Suspicious activity of any kind?

She approached him at one point as he stood scrutinizing the people below and stood as close as possible without raising suspicion.

'Lord M.'

He turned, almost surprised to find her there. 'Hm?'

'Come away from the window. What do you think you will achieve by staring out?'

The muscle in his jaw clenched. 'Why could he not have stayed in his underworld? He is best suited to it, after all.' His words were low, only for her. How she longed to thread her fingers through his and reassure him with her touch, but there were too many others around.

'We could go to Windsor for a few days,' she suggested. 'He may move onto other things in that time. And no matter what, he will be far from us and our worries.'

Melbourne smiled down. 'I would like that. I like being in Windsor with you.'

She ached to kiss him but could content herself only with staring up and giving him the openness of her smile.

Victoria turned to her Ladies and announced loudly: 'We are going to Windsor, I fancy a change. Please instruct everyone. We shall leave before it grows dark.'

And with her Ladies gawping open-mouthed at her sudden decision, the Queen and her Prime Minister paced from the room to prepare.

-xoOox-

The sudden move to Windsor did not go down well amongst the court and only a few of Her Majesty's entourage went initially. But as soon as Victoria rode through the Henry VIII gate, past the glorious architecture of St George's Chapel and along beside the Middle Ward to her chambers, she felt content. Here, they would be safe. Here, he could forget.

They enjoyed a small supper before retiring to bed. Again, Melbourne managed to find his way to her room secretly and silently. They made love but he did not feed, and for the first time in several days, his body entwined with Victoria's, Melbourne slept contentedly.

The next day dawned bright and unseasonably warm. Victoria stared out across the Great Park. 'Let us ride out after lunch. It is such a fine day.'

'Of course, Ma'am.'

'I have happy memories of riding out with you here, Lord M.'

'I am pleased to hear it, Ma'am.' He smirked but did not look at her.

At half past two they were both ready to go riding. They soon put anyone else off accompanying them. Everyone knew the Queen and her Prime Minister were best left alone on these occasions.

They trotted away from the castle quickly and rode on towards Home Park and into it as the trees thickened.

'It was around here that you tasted me the first time,' she observed, her very core quivering at the mere thought of it.

'I believe it was.'

As they reached the deepest part of the woods, Victoria grinned over at him and slipped from her horse before leading it to a tree and tying the reins to a branch. Melbourne followed suit.

He approached her and pulled her in.

'Am I not ready yet?' she asked.

'For what?'

'You know what … to be turned.'

He averted his eyes. 'I suppose you are, and yet … I must be certain.'

'Of what?'

He smiled softly. 'Do not fear. It will be soon.'

He bent and kissed her, but both were pulled up abruptly when a twig snapped behind them. They spun to it. 'What was that?' he asked, his eyes wide.

'It's nothing. The horses, that is all.'

Melbourne's gaze scoured the woods. She tried to guide him round to her again. 'William … it was nothing. We are safe here, my darling … kiss me.'

So he did and soon they were drifting in an intoxicating haze of desire.

'Oh … am I interrupting?'

They leapt apart, gasping with the shock of it. A few feet away, standing as tall and proud as the trees around him, was Byron.

At first Melbourne was lost for words, but then rage tore through him and he stepped furiously up to the man. 'What the devil are you doing here?'

'Much like you, I imagine … out to take the air … although I'm not sure how much air you two are taking.'

It was Victoria's turn to step forward. 'This is royal property. How did you get here?'

'Oh, my dear, it takes more than a fence to keep me away.'

'You are trespassing,' she declared but knew the futility of it before the words had left her tongue.

'I'm terribly sorry … but, I don't see anyone around to stop me.'

Melbourne took a step into him. 'I told you the last time, Byron – keep away. Leave and never come back.'

'But where's the fun in that, hmm?'

Melbourne's fists were clenched, his body livid with rage. 'I should have ended it properly last time.'

'I daresay you should have but … we both know you haven't got it in you, have you?'

'Go to hell,' Melbourne spat.

Byron merely smirked and held his eyes steadily. 'Oh, but you know we're both there already, Will.'

'Why are you back for us? There are plenty of others you can corrupt and torment on this earth.'

'But a Queen and her Prime Minister? … Don't deny me that.'

'We don't want you. We want you gone,' Victoria said clearly and boldly.

'Are you so sure?' He glanced at her.

'Wh-what?' she stuttered.

'Do tell, Vicky. Do you really want me gone?'

'Yes.' She blinked.

'Well, you say that, but …' He smirked. 'It was fun, wasn't it?'

'Byron,' warned Melbourne, the muscle in his jaw working furiously.

'Oh … she's a good one, Will, I'll give you that. I'd've had her if you hadn't arrived when you did. She wanted it … Didn't you, girl?'

He paused briefly waiting for the denial he knew would not come. And so he continued, staring across at her. Victoria could not ignore the twisting, rolling desire which took hold again. Damn the man! How dare he make her feel this way?

'My God, she wanted it. I could smell her desire, feel her blood pounding for me.'

Victoria released a sob at the effect he had on her.

'Listen to her now. My God, what she would give to have me sink into her. He hasn't changed you, has he, even though you want it so desperately? You know why, don't you? He hasn't got the nerve.' He smirked sickeningly before taking a step towards her. 'But, Victoria, you stunning, perfect, delicious creature … I do.'

And Melbourne was at him. With a roar of fury, he hurled himself at his nemesis, pushing them both to the floor. He began pounding him, fists pummelling, arms strong, enraged.

But Byron was ready for it this time and started to fight back. Soon they were both on their feet again and Victoria watched appalled and helpless as they set upon each other. Their strength seemed extraordinary, far beyond anything a normal human could achieve. They were hurled against trees, picked up and tossed about and always recovered and came back for more.

Their potency was terrifying, like two tigers with rampant claws and limbs which could crush any other beast.

But the power of the two men was indistinguishable. First one then the other seemed to hold supremacy, but both were bloodied, both staggered under the onslaught of blows and kicks they hurled at each other.

Victoria stood staring, enrapt of the rampant masculinity before her, but horrified at the sight of her lover bruised and battered. She stepped forward but her feet caught on the broken branches under them and she was prevented.

She looked on and it seemed now that Byron was gaining the upper hand. Melbourne's decency gave his enemy the edge and he staggered now as Byron rained down blow upon blow upon him.

'Stop!' she yelled, terrified and horror-struck. 'This must end!'

But Byron didn't stop and, after stumbling a little, Melbourne fell to the ground. Byron's face was drawn, his fangs out, and he looked around urgently, searching for how to end her lover's life a final time.

She screamed out the only way she could.

'Byron! George! Take me! Feed from me!' she cried. 'Feed from me, Byron! You are right – I want it now. He couldn't do it – I need it from you!'

'No!' yelled Melbourne. 'Never.' He tried to drag himself up but his strength had been beaten from him.

'Now, Byron! I am here! Take me!' And she scratched at her throat with her sharpest ring so that her blood was drawn and dripped thick and red down her neck.

Byron paused and turned to her, his eyes redder than ever, his fangs out. He inhaled long and slow, and she knew the scent of her blood was irresistible to him.

He turned slowly and approached her.

His fangs gleamed in the moonlight and he breathed heavily after the exertion of the fight. But a look of victory took him and he roared in triumph. 'Yes! It must be! I will suck you dry and I will claim you. Together, we will rule for eternity!'

Melbourne was trying to stand but the blows had taxed him too much and he managed only to crawl across, but not fast enough.

Byron took a step towards her, his fangs bared, his mouth wide and his head poised to descend. He allowed himself such a surge of supremacy that he held his arms wide out to the side and clenched his fists to roar out his victory.

And at that moment, with an unnatural swiftness of her own, Victoria bent and picked something up before quickly standing again before him. As Byron rushed in to bite her, she struck out with all her strength, and drove the broken branch in her hands straight through his heart.

The vampire's eyes widened, and for a moment he was unsure what had occurred. His eyes met hers as disbelief took hold. She took the moment to thrust the wood deeper yet into him with a roar of determination. Then his gaze turned down to the stake protruding from his chest.

And his expression twisted into one of unmitigated horror. He roared again, this time with despairing realisation.

Victoria could only stare as he stumbled about briefly and then collapsed, the stake still deeply embedded. And then, before her very eyes, his flesh seemed to shrink, to dry onto his bones, and he crumbled into nothing but dust on the forest floor.

Lord Byron was no more.

Immediately, she rushed over to Melbourne, who was at last able to push himself up and sit slumped against a trunk.

'He's gone, he's gone, my darling, he's gone forever,' she repeated over and over.

She showered his bruised, bloodied face with kisses, trying to help, trying to soothe.

'You … you did that. You did it.' He could barely talk through exhaustion and disbelief but eventually her kisses healed enough for him to return them.

She laughed out with incredulity. 'Did I? How? I never realised. I didn't think, I just did the only thing I could. He was going to kill you, I had to, I had to stop him.'

'I told you – you are my angel. After all these years, after all the horror that man has inflicted on me … it was you. You have saved me.' Melbourne held her, cupping her face as if it were a precious ornament, and kissed her again with such complete devotion that the tears at last came.

They broke out of her with a mighty sob and she lay against him and wept.

'I have just killed a man.'

'No. Not a man. The last of his humanity deserted Byron decades ago. He was evil. And you did what I should have done an age ago.'

She lifted her head and met his eyes. 'You are rid of him. You are rid of him forever.'

'Yes.'

'Now we only have each other.'

He stroked her face. 'And what more could we ever need?'

She smiled softly and laid her head against him. Neither could move for some time, but soon enough it began to grow dark and they knew they would have to try to return. She glanced up at him. 'Can you stand?'

He tried to push himself up but failed. 'He weakened me. He had strength, I grant him that.'

'My darling, what can I do? How can I help?'

He lifted hooded eyes to her. 'You know.'

'You must feed?'

'I must.'

Already his fangs had emerged, such was his need.

With no hesitation, Victoria undid the buttons of her dress to reveal her neck fully for him. And, like a mother drawing a baby into her, she pulled him down. She uttered only the slightest gasp as his fangs sank into her this time, and as he fed, she turned her head up to the heavens and gloried in it.

He was too weakened for sexual ecstasy to take hold this time – her blood merely restored his physical strength – but Victoria, for her part, let the rapture of his feeding take her, silent and still, and there, in the middle of the wood, she treasured it.


Go Vicky!

The next chapter will be the last. Reviews, as ever, greatly appreciated.