"Your father. There is something he isn't telling us."
-Lucy Heartfilia (AKA Lucy the Celestial Valkyrie)
"After all we've been through, I trust you with my life. You're my bride."
-Natsu Dragneel (AKA Natsu the Salamander)
"Did you bring us back to Gaia?" Lucy asked. The world around them was the dark green of earth just after heavy rain, mist lingered in the air, and the overcast sky doused the realm in tones of gray. Rogue ran his tongue along his palm where he'd slashed his skin. The wound closed the same way Natsu's bite had on Lucy's neck. Just the thought of his mouth against her skin made her shiver. She wanted to say it was from disgust, but that wasn't the case. Slowly, she had found herself warming to the idea of being a vampire's bride. Or maybe it was Natsu himself that made her think about it this way.
"This is Dacia. My blood was the key for the portal to take us here," Rogue said.
"It does exist." Natsu stood at the precipice of the cliff line that overlooked the city below. A colossal dark castle reached toward the darkened sky. Fog covered the tip of the tallest terrace and obscured their view. His mouth hung open and she tipped her fingers beneath his chin to close it.
"You'll catch flies," she said. "So, Rogue didn't take us to some forest in Gaia then?"
"So quick to not believe me," Rogue replied.
"I wonder why," she said. Natsu trudged down the path toward the city. Lucy and Rogue trailed behind him at a slower pace. Something didn't feel right. Lucy couldn't put her finger on what and she was even surprised to find Rogue unusually quiet.
"So, what happens when the sun comes out? I thought this was supposed to be a vampire paradise?" Lucy asked. Rogue's grin was sly as he tipped his head up toward the misty sky.
"The sun doesn't come out."
"What?"
"Dacia is a city carved into a mountain. What you're seeing is the inside, not sky," he said. Lucy stilled and peered above her with renewed interest. Sure enough, some of the mist fluttered lightly and exposed some of the cavern ceiling. "Pretty incredible, huh?" His pride seeped through his words. Lucy caught up to him and followed the trail.
"Can you even be here?" she asked. The vampire blinked a few times, his red gaze was dimmer than when they first met him. Could a Dacian turned Horde vampire come back into the city?
"Depends," he said.
"On what?"
"On them." He upped his pace to walk beside Natsu. She couldn't hear what he said to him, but it made Natsu peer at her over his shoulder. They slowed down for her to catch up and walked together in silence. The only sounds were the trees as they rustled in a breeze that reminded Lucy of the beginning of a storm. The massive gates to the city were oddly vacant.
"What now, Rogue?" Natsu asked and leaned back and forth to try to see through the gate. Rogue's expression was unreadable as he stepped beside Natsu.
"The gates are usually open. They allow Loreans in, not out." He reached out to grip one of the thick bars. "When you leave, they will hunt and kill you. No one is to know the location of the city. Outside of pure blood Dacians, most of those that live here wandered in through the mist."
"This might sound dumb, but can't you trace past the gate?" Lucy asked. They both stared at her for a moment. She'd heard they couldn't trace somewhere that was in motion, but now that they had safely landed, there had to be a way to trace.
"They might have a barrier or something," Natsu said.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea." Rogue held out his hands for the two of them to take. This time, Lucy didn't protest. She was too close to Mavis to back out now. She sent up a silent prayer to her gods that this would all work out and she'd find her sister.
The room they traced to was dim and cold. The vaulted ceiling and long columns that looked out onto a terrace told her they were inside the castle. Lucy took tentative steps out onto the balcony that gazed over the city below. Other than the ancient mountain, the mist cloaked the streets from any possible sun. The architecture stunned her. The dark marble, the cold gray brick, and cool greenery down the walkable streets called to her. The vampires were right. This was a paradise for them.
"They say the first lord of the realm conjured the mist to create this vampire haven." Natsu stood beside her and leaned against the stone railing. "I'd only heard about it in stories. Never even seen a picture of this place before." A cool breeze blew over her skin and rustled his soft pink hair. She had the urge to run her fingers through it, to kiss him. But this wasn't the place, and they didn't have the time.
"Where would they take my sister?" she asked.
"There's a dungeon below the castle. But it's heavily guarded," Rogue said. His brows came down in a pensive line that told her he was serious.
"Can we get around them?" she asked.
"We'd have to fight our way through," Rogue replied.
"I can do that," Natsu said with a gleam in his eye. Rogue stared unfocused on the sky in thought. Someone had decorated the bedroom behind him in dark blues and gold.
"Where are we now?" she asked.
"My room," Rogue said.
"Wait, you're a royal?" Natsu asked.
"Unfortunately." Rogue moved through the room and took a matchbox out of a desk drawer to light a sconce on the wall. Unlike in the jungle and the chaos of Pandemonia, Rogue had dropped a lot of his playful banter here.
"Why did you leave?" Natsu walked back into the room and eyed the intricate paneling along the vaulted ceiling.
"Long story," he said. His long story didn't concern her, but she feared he withheld some information that could help them.
"Does this long story put us in danger?" Natsu echoed her thoughts.
"Not necessarily. More for me than for the two of you." Rogue brushed his hand across the back of his neck and eyed the balcony.
"We need a plan," Lucy said. His story would have to wait. She was too close to Mavis to worry about Rogue. For once, Natsu didn't protest.
"This level connects to the main hall. We'd have to pass through the throne room, but once we get into the basement levels with the servants, we should be free to move around. The dungeons are next to the cellar where they keep the blood mead stores."
"Anything we should be worried about?" Lucy asked.
"Just the guards everywhere," Rogue said.
"I'm not buying it," Natsu protested.
"What?" Rogue asked.
"Something else scares you here," Natsu said. Rogue's red eyes brightened; his stance was more defensive than before. But he didn't answer the question. Lucy glanced between the vampires. "I'm not putting Lucy's life on the line because you're too worried about something you're not telling us about."
"The gates were closed."
"So?"
"In all my years here, I've never seen those gates closed."
"What would that mean?" Lucy asked. Movement out of the corner of her eye made her turn, but nothing there granted her alarm.
"It means they are on the defensive."
"What? Like they don't want something to get in?" Natsu asked.
"More like they don't want something to get out," Rogue replied.
"Great, so another dangerous obstacle," Lucy said. Natsu's grin made her stomach turn with nerves. She turned back to the balcony, just in case whatever she saw had returned.
"What is it, Lucy?" Natsu asked. "You smell worried."
"Stop sniffing me!" Lucy protested. "I thought I saw something, but I was wrong."
"This room gives me the creeps. We should head out," Natsu said.
"Hey, this is my room," Rogue replied. The door was thicker than Lucy thought as he pulled it open into a dim hall with lit sconces.
"One question before we sneak through Frankenstein's castle," Lucy whispered.
"Who?" Natsu asked, and Lucy ignored.
"Why can't you trace us there?" she asked.
"I knew no one would be in this room. I can't say the same about the lower levels, and the dungeon is unreachable by tracing."
"Like the witch's dungeon?" Natsu said.
"Exactly."
"Fantastic," Lucy said. The hall appeared desolate and put her on edge.
"It doesn't smell like anyone's been here for a long time," Natsu said.
"Then why are all the lights lit?" Lucy asked.
"You're right. Something isn't right," Rogue said. They took their time down the hall with many identical doors. It was a wonder anyone could find which door they needed to go through.
Rogue gestured for them to follow him through a door at the end of the hall. It led them down a stone stairwell. While there were thin castle windows that could allow light through, the overcast sky granted little in the way of sun. Thankfully, someone had lit the sconces here as well. Uneasiness came over Lucy and from the look of the other two, they felt it as well.
"Wait here," Rogue said at the end of the stairs. He pushed open the door and peered around the other side before he slipped through.
"Do you think he's hiding something else?" Lucy asked when her and Natsu were alone.
"No. He reeks of fear, but I don't think he's lying."
"He can't, right?" she asked.
"He'd be in incredible pain, and I didn't sense that," he said. Where they stood at the end of the stairs was chillingly silent. Lucy fidgeted in place. How would they know if the Dacians captured Rogue? Could he be selling them out to the Dacians? That could secure his ticket back in their good graces. She had to come up with a plan.
"Hey." Natsu took her by the arms and forced her to look him in the eyes. "It'll be alright. If things go south, I can get us out of here," he said. There was no way he knew how to do that, but the thought did put her at ease. His unwavering loyalty to her made her feel like she could count on him.
"Okay," she said. He let her go and eyed the door.
"It's been a while."
"Maybe something happened to him?" she said.
"I'm going to check." He placed his hand on the doorknob.
"Not without me."
"Then stay behind me." Natsu pushed open the door and checked the room. The door opened into an imposing space. The floor was a hard marble in different colors cut to make a pattern on the floor. Other doors lined the room, but no sign of any Dacians or Rogue.
"It smells odd here, familiar." Even with his voice lowered, it bounced around the cold room.
"Wait, what is that?" Lucy pointed to the short stairs across from them that led up to an impressive chair. "Oh, shit. This is a throne room." Before she could finish her thought, a barrage of bodies traced into the room.
Natsu called out to her, even reached for her, but a hand wrenched her away. An unseen figure pushed Lucy to the floor hard. Her cheek pressed against the cool marble floor.
"More intruders?" A low masculine voice said from somewhere above her.
"Rogue you bastard! You sold us out!" Natsu yelled.
"Does it look like I sold you out?!" Rogue responded. Lucy turned her head to find a room full of armed guards in glittering black armor. They were stoic and beautiful. Long black hair came out of the top of their helmets and fell to the small of their backs. A couple of these guards held onto Rogue as he struggled to break free.
"Call the king! He knows me!" Rogue said. One of the guards greeted this outburst with a kick to the back of his leg to bring him to his knees.
"And who is this?" The deep voice belonged to a tall muscular man with long red hair tied in a thick braid over his shoulder. His dark red eyes told her that she spoke to a bloodlust vampire. Lucy's heart raced in her chest, and she began to struggle as the man walked toward her. She peered around the room for any place she could run and found Natsu staring at the man with his mouth open, in awe.
"A valkyrie in Dacia?" he said. Lucy cursed her silver eyes for giving away her race. The man made a gesture for the guards to pick her up off the floor and set her on her feet. She grunted from the sudden pull.
"Don't," Natsu's voice was a soft ghost of his usual confidence. The vampire turned his head to the sound and his face warmed with a smile.
"Hello, son," he said. The world around Lucy spun and time slowed to a crawl. The man in front of her, the crimson eyed vampire, was Natsu's father.
"Don't hurt her. Let her go, take me." Natsu's eyes had filled with black as he pushed up off the floor. The guards struggled to keep hold of him.
"Let him go," his father said to the guards. As soon as they freed him, Natsu charged the guard that held her. His flaming fist pulled back before he punched the man in the jaw. The guard didn't even have a chance to pull out a sword. The room was tension pulled taut. Guards surrounded them with their swords drawn.
"No one touches her," Natsu said. He'd positioned himself between Lucy and the rest of the room. The heat from the flames around his fists warmed her chilled skin. To her horror, his father laughed. There was something odd about the man. She couldn't put her finger on it, but Natsu's personality was so spirited and charming that she expected the same from his father, only to find this.
"Ah, congratulations, Natsu. You found your bride, and a valkyrie no less!" The man beamed at his son.
"Where have you been?" Natsu's voice was hardly how she thought he'd speak to him. He practically growled at his father.
"There will be time to catch up later." He turned to the guards with Rogue and gestured to another door. "Please bring him to the dungeons."
"What?! Hey! Hey! I'm royalty! Listen to me!" Rogue's voice disappeared behind the door with a mass of guards holding onto him.
"Now, what brings you to Dacia, Natsu?" his father asked. Natsu didn't move and didn't respond while the guards closed in. "Fall back. That is my son and his bride. Leave us." The guards immediately sheathed their swords and left out of the same door they took Rogue. The dungeons. Lucy took note of the door's position.
"I'm sorry about that. I hope you can forgive me. We have the city on alert," he assured them. Natsu's flames subsided, but his posture didn't.
"We're looking for another valkyrie." Natsu reached back to take her hand, and she intertwined her fingers with his to reassure him that she was there. The man's red gaze lingered on their hands.
"I wish we knew."
"She was taken here," Lucy said.
"If I knew where she was, I'd tell you. In fact, we are also looking for your sister."
"What?" Lucy didn't understand any of this.
"It is a lengthy story."
"Answer her," Natsu demanded. A deafening silence stretched across the cold throne room. The man's demeanor changed, softened even. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about him. Everything felt too calculated.
"First, let me introduce myself properly." He bowed low. "My name is Igneel the King of Fire. I'd be honored to know the name of my son's bride." Lucy didn't know how to respond at first, even Natsu appeared out of things to say for once. But she was a valkyrie. On this plane, she represented her sisters, and she would show no fear. Lucy stood a little straighter and stepped forward with Natsu's hand in hers.
"I am Lucy Heartfilia the Celestial Valkyrie," she said her tagline with pride. Igneel gave a soft low laugh.
"A valkyrie and a vampire. Accession works in interesting ways. Well, you are welcome here. To answer your questions, I am here to serve the king. We do not have your sister, Lucy," Igneel said. Lucy felt her heart sink. They were so close.
"Where is she? You seem to know something," Natsu said.
"Someone else has taken her. His name is Acnologia." He continued when neither of them made any reaction to that name. "He took her to this plane and has gone into hiding somewhere in Dacia. I am working with the king to find him and stop him from following through with his plans."
"What plans? What is he doing to my sister?" she asked.
"Your sister is the queen of the valkyrie and has the power to match such a title. He plans to use it to eradicate Gaia. I've been following him for a long time." Igneel met Natsu's gaze. "And it's taken away many important centuries of my life."
"Is this realm that big that you can't find them? Surely, you've searched," Lucy continued.
"Searched, yes. But even if we find them, Acnologia is too strong to defeat without an army."
"What kind of Lorean is he?" Natsu asked.
"That's the problem. Acnologia is a god," Igneel said. Lucy felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. How? How did this happen? How was she going to tell Erza? Natsu squeezed her hand, keeping her present.
"What is he the god of?" Natsu continued.
"Acnologia the God of Chaos."
"How do you defeat a god?" Lucy asked.
"That is what we are trying to find out. With an army we have a chance. With an army of strong soldiers, we have a better chance. It's all about strategy," he said. Lucy didn't like any of this. She felt like he wasn't telling them everything. She could feel it. But Natsu always said that natural born vampires couldn't tell a lie without excruciating pain. Either this man was in constant pain and endured it well or he was a sweet talker who knew how to dance around the truth.
"I want to help," Natsu said. Fear overwhelmed her. She wanted to pull him away from this man who said he was his father. Could Natsu not hear what she heard in the way Igneel spoke?
"You would be invaluable to the cause." Igneel stepped forward and made Lucy step back. Natsu hadn't moved and stood still as his father placed a large hand on his shoulder. "A blooded vampire is one of the strongest in the Lore. Having you here brings me hope."
She wanted to scream. She wanted to shake Natsu. He shouldn't listen to him! Igneel peered over at her, a stare that felt as though he saw inside her mind. He must know that she could see through his pretty words.
"We will be convening with the king and his armies tomorrow. We would be honored to have you both there."
"What about Rogue?" Natsu asked.
"Is he a friend of yours?" Igneel asked.
"A comrade of sorts," Natsu replied. "He helped us here."
"I will speak to the king. I'm sure they will hold a trial." Igneel moved his hand, stepped back toward another door in the throne room, and opened it. A servant came forward from the other side and bowed to Igneel.
"Please, take these two to your best room," he said.
"Of course," the servant replied and waited for Natsu and Lucy to follow him. "I wish we had more time to catch up, but I must meet with the king."
"Tomorrow, then," Natsu said. They moved toward the servant. Before they reached the door, Igneel cleared his throat. Natsu turned to see him over his shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, son. Congratulations, the both of you." Igneel turned and walked through a different door. Natsu squeezed her hand and took a moment before they moved to follow the servant. Lucy feared she would have a hard time convincing him that something wasn't right with his father.
Natsu's chest loosened as the servant brought them to a door up some stairs and down a short hall. He still needed time to process everything. He felt numb from the meeting with his father. The search for him spanned so many centuries that it put Natsu in a state of disbelief.
The servant closed the door behind them. Lucy breezed past him to a set of tall French doors that led out onto another terrace. She left them open as she sagged against the banister. Natsu followed her and stood at her side.
"I owe you some explanation," Natsu said. Lucy turned with one of her arms still resting on the banister.
"I know that you've been looking for your father," she said.
"How?"
"Gray told me."
"That bastard. I meant to talk about it eventually. I had no idea Igneel would be here," he said. Lucy nodded and averted her eyes toward the city below. It was a greater view than Rogue's room. Though, the mist felt thicker.
"Natsu, do you trust me?" she asked. Where was this coming from?
"After all we've been through, I trust you with my life. You're my bride."
"Then I need you to listen to me." She took his hands, flipped them over in hers, and brushed her thumbs over his palms. "Something isn't right. Do you feel it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Your father. There is something he isn't telling us," Lucy said. He wasn't sure what she meant by that. Igneel was nothing but inviting and immediately told the guards to back down.
"Lucy, he answered all our questions." This was not the answer she wanted to hear.
"What about my sister?" she asked.
"He's trying to stop Acnologia from using her."
"But what is he planning to do with her?" Lucy's beautiful face had fallen. She stepped closer with his hands still within hers. He knew her sister meant a lot to her and the other valkyrie.
"Look, I'm sure we can ask them tomorrow, get more answers. This was all so fast. We don't know anything yet." Natsu pulled a hand away from her, pressed it against her cheek, and forced her to meet his eyes.
"Hey, remember what I said? It'll be alright. The slightest sign that we need to go, I'll get us out of here," he said. She leaned into his hand and softly closed her eyes.
"I hope you're right," Lucy said. Natsu was hyper aware that this was the first time they'd been alone like this in some time. All that fire he'd felt when they first met threatened to spill over. He leaned down to take her mouth, to feel her body relaxed against him as he tasted her. He cradled her face in both his hands and took his time. How could he be this lucky? To find not only his coveted bride, but also to have finally found his father. Joy ravaged him. He wanted to fly, to taste the sky. But with Lucy, he felt like he already had.
She wrapped her arms around him, fisting the back of his shirt. Her intoxicating scent surrounded him, making him impatient to feel her. Her kisses became more demanding, and he couldn't stifle the groan in the back of his throat.
Natsu leaned forward to take Lucy's thighs in his hands and pull her up around his waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers into his hair. The feeling of them against his scalp made him groan as he pulled her into the room with him. She moved her kisses to his neck as he found the bed, covered in plush red bedding.
Then she bit his neck, not hard enough to break skin, but enough that it made him freeze and attempt to keep it together.
"Getting you back for what you did to me," she said in a husky voice. She kissed the crescent of his ear. Natsu groaned, placed her back against the bed, and yanked down her skirt. He moved her little underwear aside to feel her slick heat with his fingers. He pulled away to watch her writhe. Her sweet caramel gaze shifted to his favorite shade of silver.
He clutched her top and concentrated on the fire in his hands. He had only one chance to do this right, and he felt particularly impatient. The fire wrapped around his hand and over her top. Lucy opened her mouth to protest, but the fabric was already gone, leaving her bare to him. Her breasts spilled over; her tight peaks invited him.
"Are you kidding me?" Her words died away as soon as he took that beautiful rosy nipple into his mouth. Her soft breast was heaven, and he groaned against her skin. He heard her curse as he slid his fingers over her slick clit and sucked her hard. Her little claws dug into his back and set him ablaze.
Lucy was his wicked undoing, and he could do nothing other than please her.
His eyes were obsidian, focused and riveted to her body. Lucy had never felt so wanted in her entire existence. He made her feel like she could take on the gods.
"What was that?" he teased. His hot mouth against her breast and his fingers massaging her clit made her spread her legs further apart. When he slid inside her and nipped at the underside of her breast, a moan fell from her lips and appeared to spur him on more. Her walls gripped his fingers, and she tightened her muscles there so that he could feel it. Natsu groaned against her skin.
Lucy gripped his hair, thrust against his hand, and hissed out a soft curse. Sex had never felt like this, no one made her feel this wild. She moaned his name as he curled his fingers, coaxing that sweet place inside her.
Natsu sat up to watch her as he worked her sex. He had taken off his pants to free his hard erection, the tip wet with precum. Lucy's body coiled, she gripped his arm like an anchor, and her lips softly parted as his hands brought her to ecstasy. She couldn't hold back the moan of pleasure that ripped through her. Her eyes closed as she rode out that feeling.
"Gods, I could listen to you all day," Natsu said and moved forward to kiss her. The kiss was sloppier, impatient for more. Lucy struggled with his top and yanked it over his head. She ran her hands over his toned body, gripped his hips, so she could get him closer.
"Do you want this, Lucy?" he asked quietly for her permission before he continued.
"Yes." Lucy took his face in her hands and kissed him. He pressed against her entrance. As he entered her mouth with his tongue, he sank into her hot sex. Natsu moaned into her mouth, and Lucy spread her knees around his waist to accommodate him. He filled her and stilled as he seated deep inside.
Her heart ached with joy when she felt as though she were finally whole. The fates had their hands wrapped around them. Everything felt right with him inside her. Natsu kissed across her jaw, down her neck, and pulled his hips back slowly. She cried out when he thrust forward.
"Fuck." Natsu's moans vibrated against her chest, and he kissed her neck. "You're perfect for me," he said. His pace quickened and Lucy gripped his back as he took her to the moon. She hiked her knees a little higher as he hit just the right places. She felt that build again, that hot coil in her stomach. She felt desperate to feel that connection, feel him sink his fangs into her throat.
"Bite me," she cried. Natsu nipped the skin of her neck.
"You sure?"
"Yes!"
"Say it again." He gripped her hips as he rocked his own. She said it over and over, and her voice wavered as she came closer to coming. She begged him in a way she never thought she would. The sky answered her valkyrie intensity and rumbled somewhere past the ancient mountain and its misty city. The wind had whipped up and the doors banged open against the wall.
"Gods, I can feel you," he groaned. Her walls tightened as her body bowed against him. She dug her nails into his skin. Then, finally, he sank his fangs into her throat. Her orgasm engulfed her. She cried out in sweet bliss. He moaned against her with each suck of her soft throat.
Even when her orgasm threatened to wane, another began and coursed through her as he sucked her down. Natsu lapped at the wound and leaned in to take her mouth. He pressed his hands into the pillows on either side of her head and balled them up with his fists. He moaned against her lips as they unraveled together, his thrusts becoming erratic and languid until they stilled. The only sounds were their heavy breaths and the soft patter of rain outside.
Soon Natsu rolled over and lay beside her. He pulled the covers over them and tucked her body against his chest. Lucy leaned into his warmth; her palm pressed against his chest to feel the steady rhythm of his heart. She'd done that. Her existence blooded his body and brought him back from the dead. He took a long deep breath and clutched her hand, running his thumb over the back.
There was so much to do now that they were there in the mythical city. But after talking with Natsu, she felt more reassured that they could take on anything together. Strange how close they had become in such a short time. She could do this thing, be a vampire's bride, as long as the vampire was Natsu.
Her body gave into the pull to sleep. Her dreams were soft, comforting embraces and slow kisses. Even in her dreams they felt right together. But something had changed, and the world was dark and cold. Lucy sat up in the middle of the throne room, naked on the cool floor, her eyes wildly taking in the shadows in the dark. A figure stepped forward, eyes glowing a menacing red.
"Welcome to the family," Igneel said as the shadows grew around her. Another figure stepped forward. Gray stood beside Natsu's father and crossed his arms over his chest. His expression had fallen to a familiar pity.
"He'd do anything for his father. He'd dump you in the nearest ditch if it meant he would see his father again." Gray crouched in front of her shaking body with a wide grin. "He'll kill her, you know?"
Lucy woke with a start. She lay alone in the bed that she'd shared with Natsu inside their room. Flames inside the fireplace sent warmth over her skin as she sat up, so different from the chilling dream. Sconces around the room gave off a cozy glow that made Lucy relax. She was awake. It was just a dream.
She ran a hand through her messy hair and stood. A soft blue silk robe waited for her at the end of the bed, and she happily wrapped it around her. Strange noises came from the terrace, and she stepped away to check it out.
Natsu was on the floor with both hands pressed against stone. He grunted with each push up. It appeared he'd been there a while as sweat glistened off his back. Lucy sat back and watched his muscles bunch with tension and imagined herself underneath him. Natsu shot up and turned to her, his eyes already darkened. He moved toward her, took her mouth, and pulled her close. She felt the kiss through her whole body, pliant in his arms.
He slid his hand into her robe to skim his fingers down and grip her ass. Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck. Natsu groaned, broke their kiss, and pressed his forehead against hers. He shuddered a breath and ran his fingertips up and down her bare back.
"If you don't calm down, Lucy, I'll have to take you right here," he said.
"Looks like you're the one that needs to calm down," she retorted. She felt his warm breath when he laughed. Natsu pulled back to look at her.
"Distract me," he said.
"What were you doing out here?" Though the answer was obvious, she couldn't think of anything else to say unless she wanted to pull him back into the room with her. The idea was full of temptation.
"Blowing off some steam," he said.
"Did you leave this out for me?" she asked and ran the silky fabric of her robe between her fingers. When she did, it opened up enough for him to get a glimpse of her breasts.
"Yes, and you are not making this easier." He let her go to pick up a towel that he'd left on the ground. "I was waiting for you to get up."
"Did you have something in mind to do?" Lucy closed her robe and followed him back into the room.
"Spar with me." His boyish grin returned with fervor. She knew now that there was no arguing with that drive for challenge in him.
"You still want to spar with me?"
"With a renowned valkyrie? Hell yeah!" He opened a wardrobe for her to see all the clothes inside.
"I don't know about renowned. Did they know we were arriving here or something? How did all these clothes get here?" She stood beside him and ran her hand along the soft garments inside.
"Enchanted, I think. When I took your robe out of here, another piece of clothing appeared." He turned and took each of her shoulders in his big hands so that she couldn't escape. "And you are renowned! Your name is in The Living Book of Lore, you're known as the celestial valkyrie, and the other valkyrie trust you a lot. I'd say that is renowned."
"I don't know if that means anything," Lucy confessed.
"Look where you are. You came all the way out to a vampire paradise to rescue your sister. I'd say that's the kind of legendary behavior of a renowned Lorean."
"I appreciate the pep talk."
"Hey, I mean it." His tone gave sincerity. Her heart warmed.
"I know you do." Lucy took up some clothes and watched as more filled the spaces she'd left behind. Natsu sat in one of the chairs by the wardrobe.
"Are you planning to watch me dress?" she teased.
"That was the plan," he said, obsidian eyes already fixed to her robe. "Gotta make sure no one tries to attack. You know, for your protection."
"Mhm, sure." She put on a little show out of slinking out of it. She turned her back to him first and allowed the fabric to fall to her waist, her back bare to him. Over her shoulder, she watched him clutching his knees, brows turned in as if in pain. It felt like a challenge to break his composure.
Lucy faced him and allowed the rest of the fabric to fall to the floor. He stood up but didn't come closer.
"So, spar with me," he said.
"I'm not sparing with you naked," she said. Natsu melted back into the seat with his legs crossed over his waist. He adjusted himself as she threw on the clothes she'd found.
When she'd finished, Natsu tugged her back out onto the terrace and pulled her to a staircase that brought them to a private courtyard covered with lush vegetation. She couldn't imagine what kept the plants alive with Dacia's location.
"Has this always been here?" Lucy asked. "I don't remember that staircase."
"I guess so. I found it this morning," he said. Lucy walked around and attempted to look over some hedges.
"So, are you ready?" Her playful tone died in her mouth. He waited for her in the center of the courtyard. A shiver ran up her spine from the look in his eyes. It reminded her of his portrait in The Living Book of Lore. She couldn't disappoint him.
"Bring it on, valkyrie," he said.
Her eyes were like a bolt of lightning that went straight to his shaft. As soon as they turned that turbulent silver, all bets were off, he was lost. Gods she was beautiful. She stood in front of him ready to take him on, and he wouldn't let her down.
Natsu moved to sidestep her to pull her off balance, but Lucy was faster. She dropped low and kicked out her foot to knock his legs from underneath him. He flipped backwards, landed with his feet on the ground, and one of his hands pressed flat onto the stone. This is what he'd longed to do with her since they met.
"A little slow, vampire," she teased. He could feel the fire now. He kicked off the ground and rose high into the air. Lucy took a step back, unprepared for the move. He landed behind her and wrapped an arm around her neck. She leaned forward and kicked back with her foot.
Natsu hadn't expected the move and fell onto his back with a grunt. She straddled him and held an invisible knife to his throat.
"Still want more?" she asked. He flipped her over so that his body pressed her to the ground. He took her wrists and pinned them above her head. Her chest labored beneath him.
"I plan to spar with you forever, bride." Natsu took her mouth with a ferocity that riveled his lust for battle. Her body was pliant beneath him, her back bowed into him as he tongued her mouth in a slow and sensual taking. She moaned when he slid his hand up her top to touch her soft skin. Her legs splayed wider for him to fit between her thighs.
He groaned with the feeling of her. He'd already claimed her with his bite the night before, but his body begged for more of her, his Lucy. His mouth moved to her soft neck. She obediently tilted her head to the side to receive him. He thrummed with anticipation, a rush of lust from her subtle movements alone.
Natsu pulled her top higher until he was able to reveal her lush breasts. He leaned in to nuzzle one of her rosy nipples. Lucy groaned as he sucked her into his mouth. His name spilled from her lips and ignited him. His erection returned with a vengeance. Not only did he need her but desperately needed to satisfy her.
"Bite me," she moaned. He lapped at her nipple with the broad length of his tongue for her to see. If he tasted her blood now, he'd come before they'd even begun. There was something powerful about feeding from his bride. It was an addiction.
"Not yet," he said. He moved down her body, tugged her shorts off, and tossed them to the side. He kissed her stomach and down to the lacey blue thong he'd watched her pull on. She bit her lip as he moved the fabric to the side so that he could run his tongue up her damp slit. He grinned into her sex when she cursed long and slow. He'd never get over the scent of her.
"Looks like I win this time." He waited for her to open her mouth in protest before he delved his tongue between her folds. Her hands came down to grip his hair. A soft tug made him groan into her core, his tongue sinking deeper. He nuzzled her clit as he fucked her with his diligent tongue.
"Don't stop." She rolled her hips up to meet his mouth. He sucked her clit hard and delved a finger into her tight sheath. Lucy writhed beneath him until her moans echoed in the courtyard and her climax ripped through her. Her sex gripped his finger in her ecstasy. He nearly came thinking of her around his aching cock. When her breaths eased, he kissed her inner thigh and skimmed the soft skin there with his teeth. Lucy watched him with hooded silver eyes and flushed cheeks.
"My bride wants my bite that badly, huh?" Natsu said. He felt her legs shake when he nibbled at her skin. "Tell me."
"I want it."
"Want what?"
"I want you to feed from me," she breathed, eyes fucked out from his mouth. He practically growled as he sank his fangs into her thigh. The pleasure was instant, a hard wall of bliss that flooded them both. He gripped her hips hard and tugged her closer to him. Her eyes had fluttered closed, and her mouth hung open. His first suck was like a bolt of lightning. Lucy cried out and pulled at his hair in rapture.
Her back bowed off the ground and her hair fell around her like a golden halo. Natsu willed himself not to come right there and then. He was so close. It was agony without being inside her. Though the fact surprised him that he could make her come with his bite alone, it wasn't enough.
Natsu pulled away and lapped at the wound. He stood from the ground and lifted her into his arms. She pressed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him in for a searing kiss. He needed her now and he didn't want to take her on the ground. He pulled away from their kiss to take her up the stairs. Her little mouth was on his chest kissing and lost. He nearly stumbled to the bed when she bit him. She hadn't broken the skin, but the pain was like a sweet pleasure.
He placed her on the bed and pulled off her top, kissing her skin as he did. She reached down between them to help take off his pants. An idea struck him like her valkyrie lightning, and Natsu moved away from her on the bed. She lay back and watched him as he picked up a long full-length mirror and placed it on one side of the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked. He moved onto the bed, put her on her side facing the mirror, and pressed her back against his chest. He met her eyes in the mirror as he kissed her neck and slid a hand down to the soft curls between her legs. He opened her up to him so he could slide two fingers between her drenched folds. Her mouth fell open in a silent cry.
She leaned back into him while his other hand snaked beneath her to take one of her soft breasts in his hand.
"You keep asking for my bite. I figured you wanted to see it, how I take you," he said in her ear. Lucy's moan vibrated against his chest. He spread her lips for him and moved to sink his cock inside her. "Perfect for me," he moaned into her neck. He met her eyes in the mirror before he opened his mouth wide for her to see his fangs and plunged them roughly into her neck.
Lucy gasped with pleasure and writhed in his grasp. Silver eyes watched as he penetrated her. He thrusted deep as he sucked down her exquisite blood. Lucy, Natsu decided, was what heaven felt like.
She mumbled something incoherent when he pulled more blood from her throat with a growl. He felt her beautiful sex clutch his shaft in a vice grip. She grabbed his arm that held her in place and sank her claws into him before she came over him. Natsu's eyes rolled back, the sensations too overwhelming for him.
He came so hard that he couldn't tell up from down. When one orgasm started, Lucy fell apart all over again. Blood trickled down from his arm where she gripped him and still, he pushed forward, devout in giving her all of him. He slowed when she weakened in his arms and licked at the wound on her neck.
Panic welled up inside him as she lay still in his arms.
"Lucy?" he said. She rolled over slowly and nuzzled into his chest. Relief. He'd thought he'd taken too much blood from her. He'd need to be careful with her. An immortal, yes, but still not immune to being drained dry.
He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. Lucy felt like a coveted treasure, more than any other he'd collected in his long life. If he couldn't keep her safe, if she were to leave him for the afterlife, whatever that may be, he'd walk into the sun. He felt it with conviction as he fell asleep.
A knock on the door startled Natsu awake. He bolted upright and moved a protective arm over Lucy. A tiny servant peeked in, gasped, and put a hand over his eyes.
"Master Igneel wishes to speak with you," he said with a voice that shook. "I'm sorry to intrude." He moved to stand halfway out the door. Natsu pulled the covers up over Lucy. He felt reassured enough to leave her alone in the room.
Natsu got out of bed and pulled some clothes out of the wardrobe. He dressed before following the servant out into the hall. They had lit the sconces all the way up to their room in the tower for their journey. The servant brought Natsu back to the throne room where Igneel waited with his back to the door. The young vampire bowed and slipped through a different door. It was odd that he hadn't seen a single female vampire here. He would ask about this later.
"Ah, Natsu." Igneel's smile was warm as he pulled Natsu into a strong hug that took him by surprise. When Igneel pulled away, he held him by the shoulders like he'd done so many centuries ago. "Look how much you've grown." There was warmth in his eyes that reminded Natsu of his memories of childhood.
"This doesn't feel real. I've been looking for you," Natsu said.
"You? Searching for me? It is strange how the Accession works its ways. No doubt, it was fated for us to meet." His voice was as low and soothing as Natsu remembered it.
"What did you need to see me about?" he asked. Igneel took a step back and eyed the throne beside them.
"What do you know about gods, Natsu?" he asked.
"Just that they are powerful, nearly impossible to overturn." Somehow that fact made Natsu's blood turn with the thrill of a challenge.
"Right. Godhood is no easy feat. Only given to those chosen few though indiscriminate of their race or creed."
"So, anyone can become a god?"
"In some cases, it is power and influence that help in the achievement of godhood. In others, it is birthed so."
"So, what was it for Acnologia?" Natsu asked.
"I knew you would pick up on what I am trying to explain. You were always quick to learn. His power was bestowed upon him, but he wanted it for revenge."
"Revenge for what?"
"A god or goddess that had once scorned him, perhaps? Whatever the reason, he wanted to use the power for nothing noble."
"How do you know all this?" Natsu crossed his arms over his chest. Lucy had told him about a bad feeling, but even now, speaking to Igneel, Natsu couldn't decern what she saw in his father. He spoke so casually to him, much like when he was young. He was honest and up front with them about his intentions.
"I've been following Acnologia for longer than I've raised you. When he ascended, all I could do was follow him and keep him from harming others."
"That's why you left."
"If I took you with me, a mere child, I would have put you in grave danger. I couldn't risk losing my son." Igneel looked out with eyes unfocused, thoughts somewhere far away from here.
"I understand," Natsu said. If he wanted answers, now was the time to ask. "I have a question."
"Of course."
"What is your plan with Lucy's sister? The valkyrie?" He was sure the answer would take little thought and that it would be a reassurance of his bride's sister's safety. Igneel wasn't the type to kill the innocent. But Igneel did pause, he did have to think about it, and it made Natsu's blood run cold.
"Gaia is at stake, Natsu. If Acnologia destroyed the realm, more than just her sister would perish."
"What do you mean?"
"Mavis the Valkyrie Queen is a force of nature, a powerful Lorean with the age to back it up." Something had switched inside Igneel, Natsu couldn't place it. He felt as though his father attempted to break some terrible news to him the lightest way possible.
"I don't do that cryptic thing. Let's get to the point here. What are your plans?"
"Killing Acnologia is nearly impossible. Our odds are poor." The cogs clicked together; a horrible feeling of dread welled in Natsu's chest by what he had heard. "If killing Acnologia is out of the question, we must look elsewhere."
"You want to kill Lucy's sister."
"If it comes to that, for the good of the realm, we will kill her," Igneel replied. Natsu stared down at himself in the cold throne room. This couldn't be real.
"You're joking," Natsu said.
"If Acnologia follows through, the rest of her siblings will die including everyone she has ever known on Gaia." Igneel took a step toward him, but Natsu took a step away at the same time, a brief attempt to keep his distance from his estranged father.
"I should have known something like this would happen," Natsu said. He couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in his throat. "It was all going so well. Then, I find out my father wants to kill my bride's sister." Now, he really began to laugh. Something like a crack formed inside himself. He wanted to start over. He wanted all this to end. He wanted his father back.
"I'm sorry, Natsu. I will do everything in my power to stop Acnologia without having it come to that. But if it must be done, I will not hesitate."
"It sounds like you already concluded that Acnologia is impossible to kill."
"Nearly impossible. I know this is not what you want to hear, but this is the Accession. If you help us, we may be able to take him out without casualties," Igneel said. "Valkyrie are intelligent. I'm sure if you explained this to your bride, she would agree with our assessment."
"I highly doubt that."
"A bride is sacred, her protection comes first, no? I fear Acnologia will set his sights elsewhere once he has finished with Gaia. Revenge is a web of lies. He will not be satiated with one realm. Her life is at risk." It was strange that they would have such a conversation alone.
"Is that why you called me down here without her?" Natsu asked.
"It felt important to tell you why I left. No matter what happens, you will always be my son. I am proud of the man you have become," Igneel said. The longer Natsu looked at his father, the more he saw the weariness on his face. The look reminded him of his brother and the disheveled way he appeared to Natsu with the ask for help. Could he allow his father to kill his brother's bride?
"You are free to choose, Natsu. I will not hold you down. If you wish to flee with your bride, I will turn the other way. But we could use your strength. With your help, we may not even need to take her sister's life."
You are free to choose…
His father was giving him the gift of choice, of freedom. Igneel hadn't lied to him. He even assured him that he'd go for Acnologia first. Natsu wanted to trust him. Every fiber of his being burned to trust his beloved father. If he fought with him, helped him with this god, he may be able to save everyone in the process.
A fire lit inside Natsu. He wasn't sure how he would explain this to Lucy, but surely, she'd understand that there was a chance they never had to lay a hand on Mavis. He had always trusted that his father had ample reason to leave. He had no reason to lose trust in him now.
"Think about it for a time. Rogue's trial will be soon. I'll have a servant take you where you need to go," Igneel said and moved to take his leave. The talk of servants brought back that nagging question inside Natsu.
"Why aren't there any female vampires?" Natsu asked. Igneel stopped at the door.
"A vampiric disease killed them all." He opened the door without another word and left Natsu alone in the throne room.
The click of the door startled Lucy awake. She sat up in bed, and her hand pressed against her bare hip where she usually kept her whip. When Natsu entered the room, she relaxed against the headboard.
"You're up." As if a dark cloud receded above him, his expression brightened.
"Is something wrong?" she asked. He sat beside her on the bed and appeared to search her face.
"They should be starting Rogue's trial soon." He didn't answer her question, and she took note of it.
"Where did you go?" Lucy slid out of bed. She couldn't put her finger on what ailed her about Natsu. What happened while she slept?
"Igneel wanted to see me."
"And?" Her heart thundered in her chest as she opened the wardrobe. The cool breeze blew in from the open terrace and made her shiver. Thin white linen curtains fluttered over the floor. Lucy resisted the urge to turn around and see the look on his face when he inevitably skirted the truth.
"He said he'd been following Acnologia and that was the reason he left. He wanted to keep me from danger."
"That was it?" Lucy shrugged into a tight blue dress that came down to just above her knees and peered over her shoulder. Natsu watched her from the edge of the bed, his hands gripped the edge.
"And told me about Rogue's trial." No pain that she could tell. He wasn't outright lying.
"When is it?" A knock came from the door. Natsu stood to open it. The same young vampire answered and glanced between the two of them.
"The king requests your presence," the servant said. Lucy zipped up her knee-high brown leather boots.
"We'll be out in a minute," Natsu said and closed the door when the servant nodded. She found her holster with her trusted whip and keys and secured it to her waist. He leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest.
"What?" Lucy asked. His eyes trained on her every movement. She tugged on the hem of her dress. When she neared him, he took her hand, pulled her body into his, and kissed her. The earth-shattering kind of kiss. What the hell happened while she was asleep?
Natsu moved them aside and opened the door before she could ask. The servant bowed and motioned for them to follow. No one spoke on their way to the throne room. Natsu took her hand as the servant opened another door. Lucy knew this one. The guards had taken Rogue here toward the dungeon. Surely, they wouldn't hold a trial down there.
Instead of a dungeon, the servant led them through another set of doors and into a circular court room. Benches lined the walls and led the eye to the center platform in the room. Rogue kneeled there with his wrists bound behind him, chained to the floor. The look of him reminded Lucy of when they'd found him below ground at the dark market. Though he was in better shape here.
All eyes turned to the two of them. Across from the main doors was a large podium. Three people sat behind it, including Igneel. He nodded to them and went back to listening to something the man beside him said.
Natsu took her hand in his and slid into the end of a bench. Guards were everywhere. Lucy tried to devise a way to get Rogue out of there if they sentenced him to death. She wished she could talk to Natsu, but the court hearing had begun.
The man beside Igneel stood. He was much taller and more muscular than Lucy had initially thought. He pushed back some strands of his tawny auburn hair that had fallen into his face. The length of it reached just above his shoulders and framed his short beard. She could feel his power from where she sat. His presence made her want to listen to him even before he opened his mouth.
"We are here today to discuss the penalty for Rogue's transgressions against the kingdom of Dacia." His voice was low and calmed the room. Usually, leaders had booming voices that commanded attention. But his tone seeped with quiet confidence. Something about this man made him feel lethal. He stared across the sea of vampires stuffed into the room. It came to Lucy's attention that all of them, with exception to Igneel and Rogue, had eyes clear of blood lust. Interesting.
"These are dangerous times. And we need all the support we can get for the coming battles ahead." He leaned forward and pressed his palms against the podium to give his full attention to Rogue, who had lifted his gaze. "I have it under good faith that you have returned with a valuable asset to the cause, and for that I would like to postpone your punishment." Murmurs from the others began. A few angry voices rose in displeasure. But when the man held up his hand, they all fell silent.
"I am well aware of our laws. But I have heard the testimony of a trusted source that tells me he is far from mutinous. I would hope our judgement is enough to settle your fears." He held up his hands to motion to the other two beside him. When confirming murmurs began, he locked eyes with Natsu and Lucy and motioned them to stand.
"This is Igneel the King of Fire's son, Natsu the Salamander and his bride, Lucy the Celestial Valkyrie." At her name, more murmurs began. The two of them stood. She had already noticed the lack of women in the room, but now, under the spotlight, she felt even more alone. Natsu placed a warm hand at the small of her back, a subtle reassurance of his presence.
"I trust that you are satisfied with our general's son and his valkyrie bride as trusted sources. I know that I am." He gave them a warm smile. Lucy found herself leaning in to hear more. Did anyone else feel this way? The room buzzed with approval. They sat and the court resumed with formalities that set up the date of the next trial for Rogue.
"If you are deemed loyal and useful in battle, we will put that into consideration for the next trial," the king said and waved his hand for the guards to take him.
"Wait," Natsu stood and caught the king's eye. "Why is he still being detained?" he asked unceremoniously.
"He is to be held until he is needed in battle."
"What kind of freedom is that?" Natsu said. More murmurs.
"If it satisfies you, we can discuss our customs after this court is dismissed," he replied.
"We'd love to," Lucy said and tugged on Natsu to sit down. They waited for the room to clear once the king had dismissed the room. Igneel also remained beside the king. A few guards, more armored than the others, lingered behind them.
Natsu stood first and marched across the seats toward the king. Igneel stood and gestured to his son.
"A spitfire like I told you," Igneel said. Natsu beamed proudly by the deemed compliment.
"You have great concern for that vampire," the king said.
"I thought you were related?" Natsu said.
"We are, and this court judges every member of Dacian society equally regardless of birth."
"But you dismissed him? How is that fair? Ouch!" Natsu said. Lucy had pinched the back of his arm. He pulled it away from her and rubbed it.
"What he means to say is that he was helpful to us, and we'd be disappointed if something were to happen to him. You have loyal friendships, I'm sure, you understand," Lucy said. This close, the man looked more ethereal than most of the immortals she'd met. Was he a mere vampire?
"That I do, valkyrie." The king gave her a pleasant smile.
"Your majesty," a guard stepped forward. "You are needed in the square."
"Ah, with that, I must leave you both." He took her hand and pressed his lips to the back. She felt Natsu stiffen beside her.
"Can we speak to Rogue?" she asked. The king tilted his head in thought.
"Of course," he said with a nod.
"Thank you, your majesty," she replied, unsure of their customs when it came to royalty.
"Please, call me Gildarts." The king didn't wait for anyone's reply and left the room with his guard in tow.
Lucy had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time they'd meet with the king. He'd left them with more questions than when they entered the courtroom. As Igneel exchanged pleasantries with Natsu, his deep red eyes flicked up to Lucy. It appeared Natsu read his father's smile as cheerful, but Lucy felt nothing but dread.