Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series
folder
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
23,296
Reviews:
696
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Vampire › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
23,296
Reviews:
696
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Ace of Diamonds
A little short, but sweeeeetttt!
Thanks again for the reviews. It’s 1:15 am and I’m just going to post this. I’ll have to come back and do the Q&A when I’m actually awake.
Whooo 100 Cappies!
WARNING: SHOWER BUNNIES
Chapter 100: Ace of Diamonds
I awoke to a cramp in my shoulder that steadily moved down my back. Oh…god…I gritted me teeth and tried to move. Marcus was on half of me, sound asleep and snoring. I was still trussed up like the Christmas goose.
“Watermelon…watermelon…MARCUS WATERMELON!”
The pain was intense. I crunched up my face and groaned.
He went from sleeping to ripping everything off me in the blink of an eye. My arms falling forward intensified the cramp. I cried out loud. Marcus rolled on me, sat on my ass and began to massage at my jumping muscles. I buried my face in the mattress as his hands worked at my overworked and under hydrated muscles. A hot burn ripped up my side. He twisted my head slightly. Marcus had sliced his wrist open with his fang and was giving me a blood bath as he worked on my spasming back. He worked feverishly on my back until my muscles loosened and relaxed. The pressure released but his hands kept stroking my flesh. I felt smaller drops of hotness on my skin.
“Marcus…”
“I’m sorry. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep…I just wanted to hold you for a while…I should.” He was crying. His tears mixed with his blood on my shoulder and upper back. “I am sorry Azrael…I have given you pain again.”
“Marcus…” The big man sat on my hips and buried his face in one hand, the cut on his wrist was sluggish but it still dripped. “Come here, be with me. Puppy, please.”
Marcus slid off me and laid beside me. His face was tracked with his tears and his eyes…he wouldn’t meet mine. The cramp was gone but I felt weak. I took his injured wrist and brought it to my lips. “Arigato, Marcus-kun, Aishiteru.” I lapped at his wrist until the ragged edge of his fang tear disappeared. I opened his palm and just held his hand. He finally looked over at me. His eyes were bright with new unshed tears. He looked positively stunning.
I lay my cheek in the palm of his hand and smiled at him. He looked at me genuinely puzzled. “I don’t understand what you said.”
I transferred his palm to my forehead. I dropped my shield. “Arigato, Marcus-kun. Aishiteru.”
Marcus shook his head. “I do not read like you do, Master. I get the sense of what you meant but not the language…”
“Thank you Marcus, I love you.”
“Put your shield up, Master. Only take it off at home. It is dangerous.”
“We both need to be careful when we try new things, Puppy. My body…our body is exhausted. All of us have been abusing it with missed meals, over use of coffee, lack of blood; too much good sex…” I kissed the palm of his hand. “…and way too little rest. I crashed on you. I didn’t mean to. I’m still tired and weak and really, really, thirsty.”
“Beer? Blood?”
“No, water. I think there are some bottles in the fridge.”
“How is your back, Master?”
“Sore.” He turned his face away. “Marcus…you did not force me into this. I walked in and knelt down for it. We just need to be careful.”
“I won’t ask you to do this again.” His voice was a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”
I let it go for now. I could feel he was truly distressed. He slipped out of bed and headed back into the office to get the water. I gingerly flipped over onto my back and sat up near the head of the bed. The sheets were bloody. I tested my shoulder moving it up and down. I leaned forward as far as I could and willed out my wings. I controlled my breathing as they slowly extended to their full breadth and width. They responded with no weakness or aches at all. Marcus walked back in the bedroom and stopped looking at the sight I must have made. Blue haired freak of a twisted angel. “You are beautiful…would you…would you pose for me someday, Master. Just like this.”
“Bloody and blue?”
“Naked and winged…and blue.”
“Somehow, I don’t see this particular painting you have in mind hanging in the Great Hall.”
“It would be mine.”
“It’ll have to be soon. I’m getting rid of this color as soon as possible.” Marcus came forward and perched on the bed. His eyes were tinted red with the lingering sadness of his tears. I took one of the bottles and drained in about five swallows. Marcus blinked his big brown eyes at me then handed me the other one. I took a sip and leaned back, letting my wings tinkle with the sound of glass chimes. The dark of night was still in full control of the sky, we hadn’t slept long but the playdate was over. We both knew that. “I have some music you can listen to, Puppy.”
“Now?”
“Now. Come here.” Marcus crawled up beside me. “Put your ear here.” I pointed to my chest. Marcus stretched out beside me. An arm came over my chest and he lay his head on me. “Can you hear it?”
“I hear your heartbeat, Master.”
I stroked his sale brown hair back from his face. “While I am here with you; it beats just for you. Do you remember what I told you, babe? Back in the limo after our little episode with madness.”
“Not to leave you behind.” Marcus words whispered across my flesh, pebbling my nipple.
“There was that, but I told you that we are a pair. We are a matched set. I can give you what you need. You can give me what I desire. We are lucky to have found each other. I am basically two years old, Marcus. I have many things to learn yet about being a vampire. You might as well be two. You have much to learn about love. I want to learn these things with you, I want to teach you how to love. At least my version of it. I want to wake up with you sleeping on me for all eternity. Will you walk with me throughout eternity, Marcus, even if we are limited to 24 hours out of the week?”
He tightened his hold on me. “Yes, Azrael.”
I brought my wings around effortlessly and embraced him a feathery white cocoon. “I am the Ace of Spades, you are the Ace of Diamonds.”
“Ace of Diamonds?”
“A diamond is forged out of unbelievable stress. Something that was so soft is turned hard, but beautiful and it reflects all the light and love it is given through itself and back out into the world for all to see. You are sweetness and light. You tame my darkness. You are magnificent to behold my Puppy. I am death. You are forever. In our own way we are equals.”
“Azrael the Ace.”
“Marcus, my diamond.” His face pressed into my chest and his lips kissed the right nipple ring. Our ring. He laid back down, “Sleep. I’m tired. After work, we’ll head back to Von Drachenfeld and you can pose me however you wish.”
I pulled my wing up tight over him. My back was a dull ache. I was going to have to talk to the brothers. I was the only one who couldn’t call on the Healing Light so I had to suffer all the lingering effectives. This was like Marcus pushing out bad experiences out of X and I’d be the dumping ground. I could live with it, but the stress was affecting my time with my boy. I stroked his hair that protruded from the top of my wing. This was still like we were being punished. Maybe we were. Marcus actively searched for forgiveness. I didn’t. I shouldn’t have to. X would have done far more if it were to save Armor’s ass. Shouldn’t I get the same consideration?
I could see part of the window leading back to the office. I watched the street lights twinkle off in the distance. I wasn’t going to get any more sleep tonight. I lay in bed, physically exhausted but my mind raced. Puppy finally drifted off. I kept stroking his hair. I was the last. Did that make me the least? I had the emperor’s wings but I couldn’t call on the Phoenix, the Hand of Light didn’t work for me, the Healing Light didn’t work. I could mind walk but it was so hard for me. I didn’t know if I could pick up talent the way Sex had. He did that so fast while getting his ass kicked.
I did like him, the little numbnut. I really couldn’t blame him for how he acted any more. Liam had done a number on him. Nine years of mental torture had undermined everything he could be. Edward...X and I would have been a part of him…an aspect, a fragment of him. He was like my Puppy. So fucked over. I didn’t even want to consider the hell my puppy’s childhood was. I should be grateful that he had the courage to stand upright. His slouching…no, he should be just as proud as Armor. He was a survivor. He had more strength than most people. Somehow he kept that core, that sweetness and light, protected. They messed with his body. The messed with his mind but he kept his soul.
I smiled down at him and touched my pebbled nipple and flicked my ring the opposite way with my nail. That sent a shiver through me.
A soul which he gave to me.
“Make it go away, or make it better. Isn’t that what love’s supposed to do?” I whispered watching the night fall to the demands of the awakening day. The room slowly got brighter. The outside world faded the street lights with shades of gray and pink and finally a pale, pale blue.
Puppy wanted more time together. I’ll get on my knees and beg, Xavier for it. If X wanted me to crawl, I would do it. I leaned over and pressed my lips to Marcus’ head. “I’ll make it better, Puppy. I’ll find some way to make it better.”
I actually drifted between wakefulness and sleep. Maybe I should have Marcus brush my hair. That seemed to work with X. Maybe it’s a physical trigger. I really didn’t want to resort to pills. There was too much going on with us now and I doubt drugging would make things any better.
I heard the outer door open. “Since security let Marcus in and you never signed out, I’m assuming you are back in the bedroom.”
I glanced down everything on both of us was covered by my wings. Hades walked into full view looking at the remains of the picnic. He glanced over us and covered a smirk. He touched a switch on the wall and there was a whine of customized blinds as they slid across the wide expanse and turned the bedroom back into a dark haven. “Are you ready for breakfast or you want to wait a while?”
“He can eat now. His stomach has been growling for a while.” Marcus just snuggled closer. “This feels nice. Let’s do this for a while.”
“Is this part of your job, Hades?”
“William did it for me.”
Billiam’s blonde head popped around the corner and he stared blatantly at us. “You’re a wing man. The way Edward was showing off, I thought he was.”
It didn’t seem to matter where the hell I tried to sleep it turned into Grand Central Station. “What time is it?”
“7:50.”
“Okay, you work here.” I pointed at Billiam. “You don’t. Boyfriends aren’t allowed in my bedroom at ungodly hours of the morning.”
“He’s here.” Liam gestured at my feathery bundle.
“He’s not my boyfriend. Marcus is my husband. Now, get the fuck out of here.”
“Temper temper, little attitude problem. I actually work for you.” Liam had the nerve to flop on the bed and then popped back up again with a strained expression on his face.
Hades came over and touched his arm, “I told you to be careful. You’ll be tender. You can’t heal quickly any more.”
I started laughing. My wings rustled and chimed. Marcus rolled off me to lay at my side and I started laughing even harder. “I guess we know who played the sacrificial lamb last night.”
I thought I heard a little bleat from under my wing then Marcus buried his face against my stomach.
“Ha, ha. Just for that, I’m not going to pussyfoot around. A limo will pick you up at Von Drachenfeld at 6 pm. I’ll have your tux ready. Your Baroness Intended will meet you at the doors. You’ll be on stage after dinner probably around 7:30. The buzz is that you will be the main course.”
That piece of information wiped the smile off my face. “Stage?”
“You Little Emperor are the piece de resistance of this years charity ball and bachelor auction.”
Marcus popped up from between my wings. “Azrael is not a bachelor.”
“Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not see it that way.” Liam reached out and snagged Hades around the neck, pulling him right to his side. “I loved this little Honeybee, I brought him to my court. I made him my Empress.” Liam got poked in the ribs. “For all intent and purposes, I married him. He could not stand beside me even way back then. Some things have changed for the better. Some things have stayed the same. The Baroness was railroaded into this. Some big name romance novelist got in a car accident and got his face all smashed up. Your name…well SEX came up as the replacement.”
“Today is my day.” I returned evenly. “It seems Marcus and my time is always getting cut.”
“Then, you’ll have to go to the event and make a spectacle of yourself. That blue is not coming out, is it?”
“I’m not letting some high society bimbo buy my husband.” Marcus turned and gave me a peck on the cheek. He ducked out under my wing and slid off the bed naked. All of us just stared. Marcus turned crimson then bent and pulled on his underwear and headed off to the bathroom.
“Oh, don’t get dressed on my account. OOwwww.” Hades slapped Liam off the back of the head and turned on his heel. “What?”
“This is why I act like a bitch half the time. Right in front of me.”
“Sorry about that. He used to be more fun. If I can get that stick out of his ass, it would be more enjoyable for everyone!”
“FUCK YOU!” The door slammed to the outer office.
Liam just let a big sigh go. “I apologize. I push him too hard. I’ve watched over him all those four hundred years, but he didn’t know it. To me, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, or that lonely.”
“Still Azrael, the charity is a worthy cause. You do a talent show, Marcus buys you, you embarrass the Baroness, everyone goes home happy.”
“Talent? Are they going to appreciate me shooting a man’s eye out at fifty feet? How about me chopping off fingers of a waiter. Those are my talents.”
“Do a little dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
“Xavier and Edward are quite good at it.”
“That’s them. I. Do. Not. Dance.”
“I like the Baroness but I can tell you this, Little Emperor. She is a chip off her natural father. Cross her and she’ll cut off your balls.”
“Figured that out on our own, old man.”
“You should show more respect, Angel of Death.”
“Like attracts like, progenitor.”
“I like you. Straight and to the point. If you won’t let your brothers come out and play in the talent show, you better come up with something stunning. They are actually hanging the whole success or failure on you, Little Emperor.”
“What is it for?”
“Fund raising for Breast Cancer research. The Baroness is quite active in a lot of worthwhile charities. We Vampire not that many. We kind of killed each other off back during the Blue Cull. Though we are few, there are fewer still who use their knowledge, power and charisma to make the world of Bloods and Humans a better place. Your Claudia is one of them.”
“Even though I was surprised to hear it, she carries your children, your legacy, Little Emperor. Honor her. Do not disappoint her.”
I pulled the sheet up to my waist then let the wings dissolve. “You told X you wanted him to be your father.”
“Or you, or Edward.”
“You’re in William now.”
“I made an Oath to Edward. I will only offer guidance to the younger Von Drachenfelds. I will not enter any of your line. I will not be Lord Emperor again. Still, it was a wish. You all will be slaves to your daughters.”
“You’re positive it’s going to be girls.”
“You are the first male in four hundred years, Azrael. I’m playing the odds here.” Liam pushed himself away from the archway. “A word of warning, no matter how much she resists it, she should have Loyal with her. You have just as many enemies as Loyal in your service. Once word gets out that she carries the royal seed, factions will start to move.”
“The older of us, these over 200+ are royalists at heart. It’s the punks you’ll have to worry about. Speaking of punk….can you walk after that?” He gestured after Marcus.
I matched him stare to stare, “Fuck Ewe.”
“Bbbaaaahhhh. Find a talent, Azrael.” Liam turned to head out, “Oh, you might want to take a shower, half your hair is bloody as well as your body. I’ll have Honeybee get housekeeping up here. Appearances make the Emperor, Angel of Death.”
He stopped and picked something up off the floor. “You might want this.” He dangled a gold locket from a broken chain.
I grabbed at my neck. Oh crap. “You might want to get this fixed as soon as possible.”
Where the hell am I going to get a goldsmith at 8:00 a.m.? I cradled the broken chain in both hands. I was still looking at it when Marcus came out of the bathroom. “I have the shower ready…what happened?”
“We broke Father’s locket.”
Marcus blanched. “I broke it, when I was trying to get straps off you. I’ll take the blame.”
“No, he beats the crap out of you. I’ll need you to buy me tonight at that auction.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll make it better, Puppy.” I tried to move to get off of the bed and I think I did a parody of Liam’s face. “But, I’m going to need your help into the shower.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Make it up to me.”
“How?”
“Brush my hair. I think if I can just relax, everything can recharge and reset itself.”
“Yes, Master.”
We played in the shower. He worshiped my body. I assumed the position as he knelt before me and took me into his oh so talented mouth. I could barely stand before he started his mouth to cock resuscitation. I hung on the shower head to keep from falling over completely. Marcus stared up at me as he mouthed me so beautifully. I panted and tried to match his gaze but it was too intense. I popped out of his mouth. I watched as he sucked on his finger, coating it liberally with his saliva.
“I’m sorry Master, this will sting.”
He pushed his coated finger against my portal, lightly, gently, lovingly stroking my injuries. My knees got weak. I tightened my hold on the shower head. He took me back into his warm caress. I couldn’t hold back…I tried to do math tables…but it was just too much. I spurt into his mouth as his finger continued to gently invade. My knees just quivered and collapsed. Marcus caught me and lowered me to the tiled floor. “You need more attention there, Master. You will be in agony all day if I do nothing.”
I nodded and got my hands and knees. I lowered my head to the tiles and just waited. The warm rain of the shower watched over me, driving off the scent of dried blood. Gently, softly I felt Marcus tongue at my portal. Filling me with his healing saliva. I grunted as he poked a finger in a little too roughly. He slowed down and stroked my inner heat. He hit my prostate. I gasped and my back arched up like a Halloween kitty.
“More?”
“More.”
“I won’t penetrate you, Master. You need to heal.”
“More…”
While I seriously doubt that masturbation can be considered a traditional way of relaxing…by the time Marcus was done with me, I think my bones slipped down the drain with my cum. Marcus washed me with usual brisk efficiency, dried me to within an inch of my life, then wrapped me in a heated bathrobe and carried me to our newly made bed. He laid me down so my head was at the foot of the bed then disappeared back into the bathroom. He came back fully dressed in yesterday’s clothes but bearing a wondrous gift. He knelt on the floor in front of my head and began to brush my blue hair. Oh yeah…this worked…I drifted boneless and semi conscious.
“Marcus, I have an assign for you.” I heard Father’s voice from the den. I closed my eyes and nestled into the comforter. Wait…
“Azrael…Claudia asked me to remind you….where’s Sex’s locket?” I sat up. Holy crap! My hair was smooth and shiny and it decided to do a Veronica Lake peek-a-boo look.
“I got a little carried away.” I reached over and snagged the gold locket and chain from the bedside table. “I broke the chain. I can get it fixed…”
“You seem to make it a habit of discarding someone else’s love token, Azrael.” I watched as Father picked the locket up from my hand then tucked it into his suit pocket. His eyes were expressionless. He turned and walked back into the den.
“I thought you had a message for me.” I scrambled to the archway dividing the den from the bedroom.
Claudius stopped but didn’t turn around. “If I stay here, I will cause you some serious damage, my son. I will get this repaired and give it back to Sex when our time begins.”
Father continued out of the room. The click of the outer door was soft but it felt like I was standing beside someone with a double barreled shot gun with no ear protection. He was pissed.
I leaned back as Marcus draped himself over me. “I’m glad you took the blame. Father is livid. The less expression he has, the madder he is. Well, Master. I have work to do.” There was a clatter and rattle coming from my office. A silver trolley was being rolled in. My breakfast. “You have to work too. May I have some sugar?”
I caught him by the back of his neck and kissed him with abandon. I got the hand in the face. He pushed me back, peeling me off his body. Now, I knew what Haley felt like. My Puppy closed his eyes and controlled his breathing. “I love you, Master….but I have to go.”
“Think of me, Puppy.”
“You are never far from my thoughts, Master. Find a talent.” I slapped his ass and shooed him out my door to the cold cruel world of assassinations inc. I turned to my closet, found the blood mark and looked at my array of suits.
Find a talent. I know what I wanted to do. I just didn’t know if I had the ability to get it. But first, I had about one hundred and forty to discuss with Hades. Well that was going to be fun. I let a grin split my face. Well if everything when according to Hoyle today, I just might impress the hell out of my Ace of Diamonds. Charcoal gray pin stripe it is. The blue hair went well with it.
* * *
Thanks again for the reviews. It’s 1:15 am and I’m just going to post this. I’ll have to come back and do the Q&A when I’m actually awake.
Whooo 100 Cappies!
WARNING: SHOWER BUNNIES
Chapter 100: Ace of Diamonds
I awoke to a cramp in my shoulder that steadily moved down my back. Oh…god…I gritted me teeth and tried to move. Marcus was on half of me, sound asleep and snoring. I was still trussed up like the Christmas goose.
“Watermelon…watermelon…MARCUS WATERMELON!”
The pain was intense. I crunched up my face and groaned.
He went from sleeping to ripping everything off me in the blink of an eye. My arms falling forward intensified the cramp. I cried out loud. Marcus rolled on me, sat on my ass and began to massage at my jumping muscles. I buried my face in the mattress as his hands worked at my overworked and under hydrated muscles. A hot burn ripped up my side. He twisted my head slightly. Marcus had sliced his wrist open with his fang and was giving me a blood bath as he worked on my spasming back. He worked feverishly on my back until my muscles loosened and relaxed. The pressure released but his hands kept stroking my flesh. I felt smaller drops of hotness on my skin.
“Marcus…”
“I’m sorry. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep…I just wanted to hold you for a while…I should.” He was crying. His tears mixed with his blood on my shoulder and upper back. “I am sorry Azrael…I have given you pain again.”
“Marcus…” The big man sat on my hips and buried his face in one hand, the cut on his wrist was sluggish but it still dripped. “Come here, be with me. Puppy, please.”
Marcus slid off me and laid beside me. His face was tracked with his tears and his eyes…he wouldn’t meet mine. The cramp was gone but I felt weak. I took his injured wrist and brought it to my lips. “Arigato, Marcus-kun, Aishiteru.” I lapped at his wrist until the ragged edge of his fang tear disappeared. I opened his palm and just held his hand. He finally looked over at me. His eyes were bright with new unshed tears. He looked positively stunning.
I lay my cheek in the palm of his hand and smiled at him. He looked at me genuinely puzzled. “I don’t understand what you said.”
I transferred his palm to my forehead. I dropped my shield. “Arigato, Marcus-kun. Aishiteru.”
Marcus shook his head. “I do not read like you do, Master. I get the sense of what you meant but not the language…”
“Thank you Marcus, I love you.”
“Put your shield up, Master. Only take it off at home. It is dangerous.”
“We both need to be careful when we try new things, Puppy. My body…our body is exhausted. All of us have been abusing it with missed meals, over use of coffee, lack of blood; too much good sex…” I kissed the palm of his hand. “…and way too little rest. I crashed on you. I didn’t mean to. I’m still tired and weak and really, really, thirsty.”
“Beer? Blood?”
“No, water. I think there are some bottles in the fridge.”
“How is your back, Master?”
“Sore.” He turned his face away. “Marcus…you did not force me into this. I walked in and knelt down for it. We just need to be careful.”
“I won’t ask you to do this again.” His voice was a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”
I let it go for now. I could feel he was truly distressed. He slipped out of bed and headed back into the office to get the water. I gingerly flipped over onto my back and sat up near the head of the bed. The sheets were bloody. I tested my shoulder moving it up and down. I leaned forward as far as I could and willed out my wings. I controlled my breathing as they slowly extended to their full breadth and width. They responded with no weakness or aches at all. Marcus walked back in the bedroom and stopped looking at the sight I must have made. Blue haired freak of a twisted angel. “You are beautiful…would you…would you pose for me someday, Master. Just like this.”
“Bloody and blue?”
“Naked and winged…and blue.”
“Somehow, I don’t see this particular painting you have in mind hanging in the Great Hall.”
“It would be mine.”
“It’ll have to be soon. I’m getting rid of this color as soon as possible.” Marcus came forward and perched on the bed. His eyes were tinted red with the lingering sadness of his tears. I took one of the bottles and drained in about five swallows. Marcus blinked his big brown eyes at me then handed me the other one. I took a sip and leaned back, letting my wings tinkle with the sound of glass chimes. The dark of night was still in full control of the sky, we hadn’t slept long but the playdate was over. We both knew that. “I have some music you can listen to, Puppy.”
“Now?”
“Now. Come here.” Marcus crawled up beside me. “Put your ear here.” I pointed to my chest. Marcus stretched out beside me. An arm came over my chest and he lay his head on me. “Can you hear it?”
“I hear your heartbeat, Master.”
I stroked his sale brown hair back from his face. “While I am here with you; it beats just for you. Do you remember what I told you, babe? Back in the limo after our little episode with madness.”
“Not to leave you behind.” Marcus words whispered across my flesh, pebbling my nipple.
“There was that, but I told you that we are a pair. We are a matched set. I can give you what you need. You can give me what I desire. We are lucky to have found each other. I am basically two years old, Marcus. I have many things to learn yet about being a vampire. You might as well be two. You have much to learn about love. I want to learn these things with you, I want to teach you how to love. At least my version of it. I want to wake up with you sleeping on me for all eternity. Will you walk with me throughout eternity, Marcus, even if we are limited to 24 hours out of the week?”
He tightened his hold on me. “Yes, Azrael.”
I brought my wings around effortlessly and embraced him a feathery white cocoon. “I am the Ace of Spades, you are the Ace of Diamonds.”
“Ace of Diamonds?”
“A diamond is forged out of unbelievable stress. Something that was so soft is turned hard, but beautiful and it reflects all the light and love it is given through itself and back out into the world for all to see. You are sweetness and light. You tame my darkness. You are magnificent to behold my Puppy. I am death. You are forever. In our own way we are equals.”
“Azrael the Ace.”
“Marcus, my diamond.” His face pressed into my chest and his lips kissed the right nipple ring. Our ring. He laid back down, “Sleep. I’m tired. After work, we’ll head back to Von Drachenfeld and you can pose me however you wish.”
I pulled my wing up tight over him. My back was a dull ache. I was going to have to talk to the brothers. I was the only one who couldn’t call on the Healing Light so I had to suffer all the lingering effectives. This was like Marcus pushing out bad experiences out of X and I’d be the dumping ground. I could live with it, but the stress was affecting my time with my boy. I stroked his hair that protruded from the top of my wing. This was still like we were being punished. Maybe we were. Marcus actively searched for forgiveness. I didn’t. I shouldn’t have to. X would have done far more if it were to save Armor’s ass. Shouldn’t I get the same consideration?
I could see part of the window leading back to the office. I watched the street lights twinkle off in the distance. I wasn’t going to get any more sleep tonight. I lay in bed, physically exhausted but my mind raced. Puppy finally drifted off. I kept stroking his hair. I was the last. Did that make me the least? I had the emperor’s wings but I couldn’t call on the Phoenix, the Hand of Light didn’t work for me, the Healing Light didn’t work. I could mind walk but it was so hard for me. I didn’t know if I could pick up talent the way Sex had. He did that so fast while getting his ass kicked.
I did like him, the little numbnut. I really couldn’t blame him for how he acted any more. Liam had done a number on him. Nine years of mental torture had undermined everything he could be. Edward...X and I would have been a part of him…an aspect, a fragment of him. He was like my Puppy. So fucked over. I didn’t even want to consider the hell my puppy’s childhood was. I should be grateful that he had the courage to stand upright. His slouching…no, he should be just as proud as Armor. He was a survivor. He had more strength than most people. Somehow he kept that core, that sweetness and light, protected. They messed with his body. The messed with his mind but he kept his soul.
I smiled down at him and touched my pebbled nipple and flicked my ring the opposite way with my nail. That sent a shiver through me.
A soul which he gave to me.
“Make it go away, or make it better. Isn’t that what love’s supposed to do?” I whispered watching the night fall to the demands of the awakening day. The room slowly got brighter. The outside world faded the street lights with shades of gray and pink and finally a pale, pale blue.
Puppy wanted more time together. I’ll get on my knees and beg, Xavier for it. If X wanted me to crawl, I would do it. I leaned over and pressed my lips to Marcus’ head. “I’ll make it better, Puppy. I’ll find some way to make it better.”
I actually drifted between wakefulness and sleep. Maybe I should have Marcus brush my hair. That seemed to work with X. Maybe it’s a physical trigger. I really didn’t want to resort to pills. There was too much going on with us now and I doubt drugging would make things any better.
I heard the outer door open. “Since security let Marcus in and you never signed out, I’m assuming you are back in the bedroom.”
I glanced down everything on both of us was covered by my wings. Hades walked into full view looking at the remains of the picnic. He glanced over us and covered a smirk. He touched a switch on the wall and there was a whine of customized blinds as they slid across the wide expanse and turned the bedroom back into a dark haven. “Are you ready for breakfast or you want to wait a while?”
“He can eat now. His stomach has been growling for a while.” Marcus just snuggled closer. “This feels nice. Let’s do this for a while.”
“Is this part of your job, Hades?”
“William did it for me.”
Billiam’s blonde head popped around the corner and he stared blatantly at us. “You’re a wing man. The way Edward was showing off, I thought he was.”
It didn’t seem to matter where the hell I tried to sleep it turned into Grand Central Station. “What time is it?”
“7:50.”
“Okay, you work here.” I pointed at Billiam. “You don’t. Boyfriends aren’t allowed in my bedroom at ungodly hours of the morning.”
“He’s here.” Liam gestured at my feathery bundle.
“He’s not my boyfriend. Marcus is my husband. Now, get the fuck out of here.”
“Temper temper, little attitude problem. I actually work for you.” Liam had the nerve to flop on the bed and then popped back up again with a strained expression on his face.
Hades came over and touched his arm, “I told you to be careful. You’ll be tender. You can’t heal quickly any more.”
I started laughing. My wings rustled and chimed. Marcus rolled off me to lay at my side and I started laughing even harder. “I guess we know who played the sacrificial lamb last night.”
I thought I heard a little bleat from under my wing then Marcus buried his face against my stomach.
“Ha, ha. Just for that, I’m not going to pussyfoot around. A limo will pick you up at Von Drachenfeld at 6 pm. I’ll have your tux ready. Your Baroness Intended will meet you at the doors. You’ll be on stage after dinner probably around 7:30. The buzz is that you will be the main course.”
That piece of information wiped the smile off my face. “Stage?”
“You Little Emperor are the piece de resistance of this years charity ball and bachelor auction.”
Marcus popped up from between my wings. “Azrael is not a bachelor.”
“Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not see it that way.” Liam reached out and snagged Hades around the neck, pulling him right to his side. “I loved this little Honeybee, I brought him to my court. I made him my Empress.” Liam got poked in the ribs. “For all intent and purposes, I married him. He could not stand beside me even way back then. Some things have changed for the better. Some things have stayed the same. The Baroness was railroaded into this. Some big name romance novelist got in a car accident and got his face all smashed up. Your name…well SEX came up as the replacement.”
“Today is my day.” I returned evenly. “It seems Marcus and my time is always getting cut.”
“Then, you’ll have to go to the event and make a spectacle of yourself. That blue is not coming out, is it?”
“I’m not letting some high society bimbo buy my husband.” Marcus turned and gave me a peck on the cheek. He ducked out under my wing and slid off the bed naked. All of us just stared. Marcus turned crimson then bent and pulled on his underwear and headed off to the bathroom.
“Oh, don’t get dressed on my account. OOwwww.” Hades slapped Liam off the back of the head and turned on his heel. “What?”
“This is why I act like a bitch half the time. Right in front of me.”
“Sorry about that. He used to be more fun. If I can get that stick out of his ass, it would be more enjoyable for everyone!”
“FUCK YOU!” The door slammed to the outer office.
Liam just let a big sigh go. “I apologize. I push him too hard. I’ve watched over him all those four hundred years, but he didn’t know it. To me, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, or that lonely.”
“Still Azrael, the charity is a worthy cause. You do a talent show, Marcus buys you, you embarrass the Baroness, everyone goes home happy.”
“Talent? Are they going to appreciate me shooting a man’s eye out at fifty feet? How about me chopping off fingers of a waiter. Those are my talents.”
“Do a little dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
“Xavier and Edward are quite good at it.”
“That’s them. I. Do. Not. Dance.”
“I like the Baroness but I can tell you this, Little Emperor. She is a chip off her natural father. Cross her and she’ll cut off your balls.”
“Figured that out on our own, old man.”
“You should show more respect, Angel of Death.”
“Like attracts like, progenitor.”
“I like you. Straight and to the point. If you won’t let your brothers come out and play in the talent show, you better come up with something stunning. They are actually hanging the whole success or failure on you, Little Emperor.”
“What is it for?”
“Fund raising for Breast Cancer research. The Baroness is quite active in a lot of worthwhile charities. We Vampire not that many. We kind of killed each other off back during the Blue Cull. Though we are few, there are fewer still who use their knowledge, power and charisma to make the world of Bloods and Humans a better place. Your Claudia is one of them.”
“Even though I was surprised to hear it, she carries your children, your legacy, Little Emperor. Honor her. Do not disappoint her.”
I pulled the sheet up to my waist then let the wings dissolve. “You told X you wanted him to be your father.”
“Or you, or Edward.”
“You’re in William now.”
“I made an Oath to Edward. I will only offer guidance to the younger Von Drachenfelds. I will not enter any of your line. I will not be Lord Emperor again. Still, it was a wish. You all will be slaves to your daughters.”
“You’re positive it’s going to be girls.”
“You are the first male in four hundred years, Azrael. I’m playing the odds here.” Liam pushed himself away from the archway. “A word of warning, no matter how much she resists it, she should have Loyal with her. You have just as many enemies as Loyal in your service. Once word gets out that she carries the royal seed, factions will start to move.”
“The older of us, these over 200+ are royalists at heart. It’s the punks you’ll have to worry about. Speaking of punk….can you walk after that?” He gestured after Marcus.
I matched him stare to stare, “Fuck Ewe.”
“Bbbaaaahhhh. Find a talent, Azrael.” Liam turned to head out, “Oh, you might want to take a shower, half your hair is bloody as well as your body. I’ll have Honeybee get housekeeping up here. Appearances make the Emperor, Angel of Death.”
He stopped and picked something up off the floor. “You might want this.” He dangled a gold locket from a broken chain.
I grabbed at my neck. Oh crap. “You might want to get this fixed as soon as possible.”
Where the hell am I going to get a goldsmith at 8:00 a.m.? I cradled the broken chain in both hands. I was still looking at it when Marcus came out of the bathroom. “I have the shower ready…what happened?”
“We broke Father’s locket.”
Marcus blanched. “I broke it, when I was trying to get straps off you. I’ll take the blame.”
“No, he beats the crap out of you. I’ll need you to buy me tonight at that auction.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll make it better, Puppy.” I tried to move to get off of the bed and I think I did a parody of Liam’s face. “But, I’m going to need your help into the shower.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Make it up to me.”
“How?”
“Brush my hair. I think if I can just relax, everything can recharge and reset itself.”
“Yes, Master.”
We played in the shower. He worshiped my body. I assumed the position as he knelt before me and took me into his oh so talented mouth. I could barely stand before he started his mouth to cock resuscitation. I hung on the shower head to keep from falling over completely. Marcus stared up at me as he mouthed me so beautifully. I panted and tried to match his gaze but it was too intense. I popped out of his mouth. I watched as he sucked on his finger, coating it liberally with his saliva.
“I’m sorry Master, this will sting.”
He pushed his coated finger against my portal, lightly, gently, lovingly stroking my injuries. My knees got weak. I tightened my hold on the shower head. He took me back into his warm caress. I couldn’t hold back…I tried to do math tables…but it was just too much. I spurt into his mouth as his finger continued to gently invade. My knees just quivered and collapsed. Marcus caught me and lowered me to the tiled floor. “You need more attention there, Master. You will be in agony all day if I do nothing.”
I nodded and got my hands and knees. I lowered my head to the tiles and just waited. The warm rain of the shower watched over me, driving off the scent of dried blood. Gently, softly I felt Marcus tongue at my portal. Filling me with his healing saliva. I grunted as he poked a finger in a little too roughly. He slowed down and stroked my inner heat. He hit my prostate. I gasped and my back arched up like a Halloween kitty.
“More?”
“More.”
“I won’t penetrate you, Master. You need to heal.”
“More…”
While I seriously doubt that masturbation can be considered a traditional way of relaxing…by the time Marcus was done with me, I think my bones slipped down the drain with my cum. Marcus washed me with usual brisk efficiency, dried me to within an inch of my life, then wrapped me in a heated bathrobe and carried me to our newly made bed. He laid me down so my head was at the foot of the bed then disappeared back into the bathroom. He came back fully dressed in yesterday’s clothes but bearing a wondrous gift. He knelt on the floor in front of my head and began to brush my blue hair. Oh yeah…this worked…I drifted boneless and semi conscious.
“Marcus, I have an assign for you.” I heard Father’s voice from the den. I closed my eyes and nestled into the comforter. Wait…
“Azrael…Claudia asked me to remind you….where’s Sex’s locket?” I sat up. Holy crap! My hair was smooth and shiny and it decided to do a Veronica Lake peek-a-boo look.
“I got a little carried away.” I reached over and snagged the gold locket and chain from the bedside table. “I broke the chain. I can get it fixed…”
“You seem to make it a habit of discarding someone else’s love token, Azrael.” I watched as Father picked the locket up from my hand then tucked it into his suit pocket. His eyes were expressionless. He turned and walked back into the den.
“I thought you had a message for me.” I scrambled to the archway dividing the den from the bedroom.
Claudius stopped but didn’t turn around. “If I stay here, I will cause you some serious damage, my son. I will get this repaired and give it back to Sex when our time begins.”
Father continued out of the room. The click of the outer door was soft but it felt like I was standing beside someone with a double barreled shot gun with no ear protection. He was pissed.
I leaned back as Marcus draped himself over me. “I’m glad you took the blame. Father is livid. The less expression he has, the madder he is. Well, Master. I have work to do.” There was a clatter and rattle coming from my office. A silver trolley was being rolled in. My breakfast. “You have to work too. May I have some sugar?”
I caught him by the back of his neck and kissed him with abandon. I got the hand in the face. He pushed me back, peeling me off his body. Now, I knew what Haley felt like. My Puppy closed his eyes and controlled his breathing. “I love you, Master….but I have to go.”
“Think of me, Puppy.”
“You are never far from my thoughts, Master. Find a talent.” I slapped his ass and shooed him out my door to the cold cruel world of assassinations inc. I turned to my closet, found the blood mark and looked at my array of suits.
Find a talent. I know what I wanted to do. I just didn’t know if I had the ability to get it. But first, I had about one hundred and forty to discuss with Hades. Well that was going to be fun. I let a grin split my face. Well if everything when according to Hoyle today, I just might impress the hell out of my Ace of Diamonds. Charcoal gray pin stripe it is. The blue hair went well with it.
* * *