A/N: Just a heads up, there is smut ahead!
... ... ...
Chapter Seven - Bonds
Arwe startled awake, her heart pounding. She'd dreamt of screams and the clanging of metal, and as the frantic beating of her heart started to slow, she thought she could almost smell the acrid smoke of the battlefield.
She laid in the sweaty tangle of sheets for long minutes, breathing deeply through her nose until the panic almost fully receded from her mind. The space next to her was cool and untouched, and she fought not to feel a pang of jealousy at the thought of her lover sleeping in the blonde stranger's arms.
She wondered at their bond, this strange and alien maker-progeny relationship so unique to vampires. She'd spent many hours trying to understand its complexities, its secrets and power - in the end, she accepted she'd never fully comprehend it.
What kind of maker would Godric have been to her, if she were human? She'd witnessed the breathtaking depth of emotion between him and his child, and the idea of being Godric's… child? progeny-wife? made her feel a confusing mixture of emotions.
In her world, it was one's family — one's Clan — that encased her in a tight microcosm of bonds: responsibility, duty and honor. It was simultaneously comforting in its straightforward expectations and oppressively rigid, like a too-tight embrace.
Vampire bonds, to Arwe, reflected the wild and free nature of the creatures themselves - they claimed their family, carefully crafting a lineage based on so much more than accident of birth.
Despite Godric's words about feeling the Maker's call, she wondered if she'd have wanted to be his progeny, beholden to his will, controlled by his Maker's command.
Shaking her head to dispel the strange direction of her thoughts, she instead remembered the previous night and smiled.
She'd been watching (or as Pam called it, 'binge-watching') the strange human program with Godric's grandprogeny for most of the night.
It was a fascinating glimpse into modern human life and she'd taken the opportunity to ask Pam a stream of questions. What was a 'bikini wax'? Or a 'Cosmopolitan'?
Unsurprisingly given the name, Arwe noted with a mixture of embarrassment and fascination that the show was very open about sex, a topic that was deeply taboo in Malinor culture. Though her younger brother and other youths of his generation were more free with their sexuality, Arwe herself had always struggled to overcome the intense conservatism she'd been raised with.
Pam had tried more than once to slyly inquire about her sex life with Godric and had laughed uproariously at Arwe's horrified, blushing silence.
The two women commented on the storylines and picked apart the outfits, Pam's acerbic and often risqué humor startling shocked giggles out of the Madar.
She realized how much she'd missed female companionship, and the two women warmed towards each other in the absence of their maker and mate.
She must've fallen asleep on the couch and been carried to bed by either Pam or Godric. She ran a hand over the cool sheets next to her, missing her lover's presence and smell. Her nightmare still clung to her and she wanted nothing more than to cleanse it away with her intended's mouth and hands.
It was a few hours still until sundown, so after freshening up, Arwe decided to explore.
She Blinked into the kitchen, the only space in the huge house she was familiar with outside of the living room. Grabbing an apple, she wandered through the house, looking at Eric's relics and reading the titles of the seemingly endless books shelved throughout the property.
She found herself in the backyard and came to the edge of the pool, a luxurious and massive half-moon cleverly blended into the landscape. There were marble statues on either side, one of which looked suspiciously like Eric. She snorted.
She spontaneously decided to go in and stripped off her rumpled dress. In just her bra and panties, she dived neatly into the water and came up on the other side, slicking her wet hair back.
She'd swam often in Malinor, before the war. The northern coast was a mere hour away from Maldes and she fondly recalled the family trips she'd taken as a youth. She'd taught both Era and Sen to swim when they were little and she laughed to herself at the memory.
Era had been determined to get it right the first time and her tiny face had scrunched in intense concentration, her arm strokes deliberate and even. Sen, on the other hand, had toddled fearlessly into the water, screaming with joy when the waves sprayed him in the face.
She realized with a heavy heart that she missed her siblings terribly.
Pulling herself out of the pool, she sat cross legged on the edge of the diving board and closed her eyes, reaching out across worlds with her magic.
She found herself again in the meadow overlooking Maldes and tilted her head to feel the Malinor sun. Even in the psychic projection, her memory could perfectly conjure the smell of her homeworld and she breathed it in deeply.
"You summoned, sister?" asked a warm voice behind her. She turned and saw her youngest brother standing behind her, smiling lopsidedly.
Laughing, she ran to him and threw herself into his arms.
Sen lifted her and spun her around until she shrieked in his ear. They stumbled dizzily before plonking down onto the ground, chuckling and breathless.
"I've missed you," she said softly. She cupped his cheek and sniffled.
"By Orsa's light, Arwe, it's only been a few weeks. What are you crying for?" he laughed, taking her hand and kissing it.
"It's just… so much has happened, Sen. It's unbelievable. I don't even know where to start."
Sen lifted an eyebrow and appraised her shrewdly. His eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Oh, I think I know what's been happening," he teased, making an obscene gesture with his hands. Arwe covered her eyes and howled, blushing furiously.
"That is not something I will discuss with you, little brother," she said firmly, a smile still tugging her lips.
"I accept that," he conceded, chuckling. He looked at her with a more sober expression and took her hand again.
"Are you alright though? Have things been going too fast?"
Arwe sighed and rubbed her forehead. She hadn't been expecting Sen to intuitively touch on a feeling she'd been deliberately quashing down the last few weeks.
"Yes… and no. I never knew a magic bond could feel like this, Sen. It's like…" she trailed off, her eyes misty. "…like finding a part of yourself that's been missing."
Her brother was smiling, listening to her patiently. She gathered her thoughts and guiltily admitted, "But sometimes it does feel intense. I went from being a hermit in the woods to spending every moment with Godric. I love him and I yearn for his presence, always, but it can feel overwhelming."
Sen nodded thoughtfully, looking unsurprised.
"I'm pretty sure this is a normal feeling, Arwe. Relationships can be challenging, and it's important that you not lose your sense of self. A magic bond is indeed a rare and beautiful thing, but you are also your own person. Don't ever forget that."
"When did you become so wise?" Arwe shook her head in amazement, eyes soft.
"I've always been wise, but my devastating good looks distract from it," he scoffed, winking at her.
"Sen, I do need to tell you something. Godric and I are planning to blood bond."
Sen looked blank.
"And that is…?"
Arwe rolled her eyes, suddenly feeling ridiculous for building up so much anxiety about telling him. In Malinor and Madar culture, a magic bond was a sacred, highly honored relationship. It wasn't necessary for marriage, and in fact many Madar married without one considering its rarity, but once found it was a given the bonded would stay together. They were magical soulmates, after all.
She realized now that a vampire blood bond would seem redundant to Sen, and knowing how little he knew of vampire culture, its significance would be lost on him.
"Vampires have their own kind of magic, Sen. In their blood. When Godric and I will drink from each other, our energies will merge. He'll be able to feel me, and I him, even without reaching out with magic. He will also gain some, or perhaps all, of my powers."
Sen was looking at her, wide eyed.
"So he'll be a vampire-Madar hybrid?" he wondered. This startled a laugh out of her.
"In a way. What I mean to say is that Godric will be part of me, therefore part of you. He will be your kin."
She watched her brother process this explanation and she felt a flutter of nerves. He unexpectedly reached up and cradled her face, leaning down to kiss her forehead. His eyes were shining brightly.
"Arwe, I knew from the first moment you mentioned him that he would be part of the clan. I don't think I've ever seen you so happy," he said, tenderly tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. Arwe sniffled.
"So this blood bond, is there a ceremony? Are we invited?" he asked.
"We need to blood bond soon, so it'll be just between me and Godric. It also… uh… requires some privacy." Sen's eyebrows had shot up and he looked amused.
She twisted her hands nervously. "I want to have a traditional Madar wedding in the future. I want to ask Godric to marry me."
Sen grinned and pulled her into his arms, whooping in her ear. After they finished celebrating, which mainly consisted of Sen yelling in her ear, Arwe looked down and pulled at the blades of grass at her crossed feet.
"I would like it for Era and Ele to join. I want you all to meet him and my new bloodkin. It just…" she trailed off, gazing out at the gleaming rooftops of Maldes in the distance. It seemed to her in that moment that the city was mocking her.
"…seems difficult?" finished Sen. She nodded.
"The war was hell, and the aftermath…" His brows were furrowed and he looked away, a look of pain flashing across his face. "We all understood why you left. Era and Ele love you. We all do and always will. You need to trust us."
Arwe bowed her head, a tear slipping down her face.
The siblings sat on the hill for a while longer, catching up on Maldes gossip and reminiscing about their youth. She told him about Godric, about her move, the hilarious flight attendant. They giggled over Era's endlessly awkward flirtation with Arne of Clan Gries, which hadn't come to any fruition in almost two hundred years.
Eventually, it was time to go. Arwe ruffled her little brother's hair, savoring his roguish grin.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw were three vampires standing across the pool, looking at her with a diverse mixture of expressions. She also became aware that she was in nothing but her underwear.
"Good evening," she said, trying to sound relaxed and not blush. It'd come out a little too high-pitched.
Eric was smirking and Pam simply raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, looking amused. Godric was smiling at her warmly. He suddenly appeared behind her and wrapped her in a fluffy robe.
"Hello, love," he greeted and kissed her. She sighed into his mouth and Blinked them over to the others.
Tying the belt of her robe, she looked at the family and felt a warm feeling of contentment. Her meeting with Sen had lifted some of the anxiety she'd been feeling about the drastic changes in her life.
"What's the plan for tonight?" she asked.
"Pam and I have some business to attend to at the club," Eric said, a mysterious twinkle in his eye. "I'm sure you kids can find something to do."
Godric had taken her hand and was looking at her softly.
He pulled her gently back into the house and led her to the living room. She stopped dead in her tracks, gasping.
The entire room was illuminated with hundreds of candles and massive bouquets of wildflowers. She noted with shock they were the same kind that grew around her cabin and that she'd frequently picked for her kitchen.
She turned to Godric, her eyes shining. He was looking at her tenderly and behind him in the doorway stood Pam and Eric, their hands clasped reverently before them.
"Arwe," Godric began, his voice thick with emotion. "I was lost in despair for so long, until your light guided me to you. You are my miracle, a wonder I don't feel worthy of. You lifted me out if the darkness with your light to walk beside you for the endless years before us. I vow to you, now and forever, to love and protect you as my eternally bonded."
Arwe's magic had started to swirl, flickering the candle flame.
She lifted a hand to his face, tears falling from her eyes.
"I love you," she whispered, "Always, Godric."
As he pulled her into his arms, she saw Eric and Pam bow their heads and turn to leave. Right before Eric disappeared from sight, she caught the streak of blood down his face. Her heart swelled.
Turning her attention back to the man before her, she ran her fingers gently down his face, tracing his angles and contours with a feather light touch. He'd closed his eyes as she caressed him and drew her closer, pressing his lips against her temple. They stood and swayed in each other's arms, lost in the warm glow of magic around them.
Godric suddenly lifted her, grinning down at her as he carried her to the center of the room. There were thick, plush blankets, pillows and fur rugs carefully spread out on the floor. She realized with some amusement that the television above them was showing footage of a crackling fireplace.
He noticed her gaze and shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed.
"No fireplaces in Louisiana, apparently." She laughed, touched by his thoughtfulness and creativity.
He gently laid her down on the blankets and settled over her, smoothing the hair out of her face.
"Are you certain?" he asked tremulously, sage green eyes brimming with emotion. She decided to answer him by leaning up and kissing him deeply, running her fingers through his hair.
He groaned into her mouth and cradled her jaw, tilting her head to deepen their kiss and she hummed with pleasure at the feel of his tongue entangling with hers.
With a deft hand he undid the belt of her robe and ran a hand down her body, cupping her breast through her bra. She felt a tinge of impatience that there were still far too many layers of clothing between them.
As if reading her mind, he ripped her bra and panties in a blur of motion and pulled away to take her in, eyes dark with desire and fangs gleaming. His burning gaze and the look on his face was enough to send a shock of lust through her.
Noticing her excitement, he slowly leaned down to take her nipple in his mouth, never breaking eye contact. He lapped at her breasts until she was writhing and keening under him and she started pulling urgently at his clothes.
"Why are you always the last to get naked," she complained, laughing breathily. She felt the rumble of his laugh through her skin and faster than she could see, he tore off his clothes and sank back down against her body.
"Better?" he murmured, kissing down her neck. His hand was between her legs, fingers swirling against her clit and she nodded shakily, eyes rolling back into her head. He worked her for what felt like a blissful eternity and she felt that delicious tension build to an almost unbearable level, her hands raking across his back and through his hair in an aimless path, desperate to touch him. Her hips rolled with rhythm of his touch and she whined into his neck. Right as she was about to fall over the edge, she opened her eyes and saw him smirk.
"That's right, little banshee," he growled, brushing his nose over hers. His eyes were lit with lustful mischief. "Come for me." And she did.
She cried out against his shoulder, riding the waves of her orgasm and shivering in his arms.
Boneless, she panted against him and from the corner of her eye, she saw that the television screen had cracked. She covered her face with her hands and laughed in embarrassment, Godric huffing a chuckle against her temple.
"I think we can do better than that," he teased, kissing her again. She immediately felt her desire roar back to life, but there was an idea forming in her mind.
She rolled them over to straddle him and kissed down his neck, running her tongue over his throat and down to his sternum. She licked his tattoo and continued on her downward path, fingers brushing his nipples almost shyly.
Realizing her intentions, Godric growled and tangled his hand in her hair, looking down to watch her. There was something almost feral in his gaze, but the lines of his face were soft. The hand in her hair was gentle and he caressed her scalp with the tips of his fingers. His tenderness made her heart ache.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice a hoarse growl.
She paused as she came to his cock and met his gaze with a shy smile, suddenly struck with insecurity. Looking at his face, at his eyes burning with heat and desire for her and his hand so, so gently cradling her head, she decided to let it all go - she was safe, she was loved and she wanted to worship him as he had her.
She nodded and smiled impishly before taking him in her mouth.
She'd never done such an act before, but with her lover it felt natural, and she found herself intensely aroused by the sleek hardness between her lips, his moans of pleasure and the hand fisting in her hair.
Her other hand came down to work his shaft as she pumped her mouth over him, going faster as his breaths started coming in sharper gasps. She could feel her magic buzzing excitedly and she sent a fraction of it into his cock as she sank her mouth down on him.
She struggled slightly to focus on her ministrations as she was overwhelmed with sensations - her own arousal, the feel of his hand in her hair, his musky but tantalizing scent. Through it all, she looked up and watched him, watched the fascinating contractions of his beautiful face, his long white fangs gleaming from his open mouth, his eyes shuttered in pleasure.
She purred, filled with joy and a secret pride at putting such a look on his face, at bringing him so much pleasure.
"Oh fuck, Arwe, I'm going to come," he warned, his voice strangled. His hand in her hair reached for her jaw, lightly pushing her away, but she made a protesting sound in her throat and took him in deeper, wanting to feel every single thing when he fell apart.
He bellowed and gripped her head, shooting into her mouth with warm bursts. She swallowed and primly wiped her lip, watching him from under her lashes.
He huffed a laugh and glanced at her, a smirk ribboning his lips.
"You are a natural, love," he said and she giggled, shimmying up his body and grinning down at him, enjoying the hazy look on his face.
He grabbed her chin and kissed her, already hard again against her stomach. She wondered vaguely if it was a vampire ability, and decided she was grateful her magic had gifted her with such a virile creature.
He easily shifted her so she was beneath him and he smoothed the hair from her face, nudging her legs apart. Her heart was pounding, knowing what was to come. She suddenly felt the urge to cry, and instead leaned up and claimed his mouth in a passionate kiss.
He was murmuring incoherently against her mouth and he dragged his lips across her jaw, nipping her and lapping at her skin.
"I love you," he growled, sucking at the crook of her neck. She felt him tremble in her arms. "I'm yours, my love."
"I'm yours," she moaned, cradling his face and guiding him back to her, wanting to soak in his face, get lost in his eyes.
He pushed into her and they moaned against each other's lips, the sudden connection between them deliciously tight. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him in deeper, craving more of him.
As he started to move, he looked down at her and with deliberate slowness, bit into his own wrist. His blood dripped down his arm and onto her breasts and he lowered his hand to her lips.
"Drink, my love," he said and gasped when she wrapped her hand around his wrist and started lapping at his wound. The second his blood touched her tongue, the world disappeared in an explosion of light. She could see her own energy at the core of her being and another presence, Godric, merging with hers in a warm, blissful harmony. It felt like being healed.
While she sucked at his wrist, he nuzzled into her neck with an aching tenderness. A moment later she felt him sink his fangs into her and she came apart under him, crying out with wordless ecstasy. She distantly registered a crash, but everything except the man in her arms and the balls of light burning within her were but a hazy insignificance.
She didn't know how long she floated in their light. She was lost in the all-encompassing sensation of being connected to another magical source and knew on some level that this would be the only time in her life that she'd experience it this way. It felt sacred and she cherished every moment.
Finally, the world started coming back to her. She opened her eyes and found that Godric had collapsed against her, his face buried in the crook of her shoulder. There was a slight ache in her neck and she reached up to feel two small puncture wounds. It made her lip quiver with emotion.
Godric pushed up on his elbows and she saw streaks of tears down his face. She lightly wiped them away, eyes brimming.
"How do you feel?" she asked softly.
She felt a sudden foreign swell of love and happiness within her and knew that was his answer. She started laughing and crying, tears slipping down her temples into her hair. Feeling him like this was the most beautiful thing she'd ever experienced.
"My bonded," he murmured, eyes roving over her face. He kissed her tears away and gathered her in his arms. She wrapped herself around him and they breathed as one, their magic dancing together in a joyous union.
... ... ...
When Eric and Pam returned to the house an hour before dawn, they found the living room in utter chaos. The carefully arranged bouquets of wildflowers had exploded petals and leaves all over the floor, and crumpled against the wall were the remains of the television screen, glass scattered around it.
It looked like the scene of a vicious fight.
Panicked, the two vampires reached out their senses and could hear voices in the kitchen. Eric sped into the foyer and ripped his longsword off the wall while his progeny slipped a sleek beretta out of her Gucci purse.
Together, they slunk towards the intruders, fangs bared and every muscle in their bodies steeling for an attack, only to freeze in their tracks at the sight that met them.
Arwe and Godric were sitting at the kitchen island, talking in soft tones and giggling. The Madar was wearing a silk robe, her long hair in wild disarray. She was eating cake while Godric watched her with a soft look on his face, leaning his chin against his hand.
The couple turned to the flabbergasted vampires frozen in the doorway, still holding their weapons at the ready.
"Morning," Arwe greeted brightly. Her golden eyes were shining with happiness and the vampires could immediately sense their maker and grandsire's blood in her veins.
Godric had raised an amused eyebrow at his kin and beckoned for them to join them at the island.
"Ready to take me on?" he joked, looking relaxed.
Eric huffed out a laugh and lowered his sword, running a hand down his face. Pam had scoffed in disbelief and slipped the gun back into her purse, but there was a small smile on his lips.
"By the gods, Godric, we were about to slaughter you. What in Odin's name happened out there?!"
This seemed to strike the two as terribly funny, and with a glance at each other, they fell about laughing.
Shaking his head and smiling with relief, the Viking strode over to the seat across from them and sat down, leaning his sword against the island.
"You are both insane," he declared cheerfully. He looked at Arwe for a long moment, his eyes suddenly tender. He leaned over and kissed her brow, smelling his Maker on her skin.
"Welcome to the family, little banshee." He saw a spark of mirth in her eyes at the nickname, but she only smiled back and cupped his cheek.
"My child," she said, embracing him with her magic. She turned her gaze to Pam and gestured for her to come closer. When the vampiress was near enough, Arwe took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
The four stood in a peaceful silence, the joy of their union singing through their blood.
"Now I really am Mrs Godric," Arwe said solemnly and both her and the Celt exploded in more wild laughter.
Baffled, Eric and Pam simply gave each other a look and shrugged.
... ... ...
A/N:
Lots of bonding in this chapter! Writing this made me long for a girl's night.
Next week we're headed to our favorite bar and Arwe gets a glimpse into vampire society - stay tuned! Also sorry I am late with posting, my story isn't getting as much traction on here and also I much prefer the actual posting/formatting/editing process on Ao3, but I promised I'd also do my best to post on other platforms! So you get two chapters!
Also I appreciate your comments, reviews, even complaints - your feedback is cherished.