Prince Charming

Note: HaHA! The first and second days of time in hell are past me…now all I have left…is SIX MORE OF THEM! Ehh…alright. I do realize, no one cares. ^^; So, I’ll be onto my usual apologies…and excuses. I almost got it up yesterday! Really, I did! But I was so tired….alright. Enough with excuses. Here’s the story! I’m almost, almost done with this…promise. I’m HOPING that I will get this thing done before classes start back up for me buuttt…I’m bad with deadlines. I think it will be done before then, but nothing’s set in stone.

I’m working hard, hope you like it, more coming soon as I can! (Hopefully within some sane amount of time…) Thank you for your patience!

Chapter Seventeen

“Human!” Moonlit silvern locks whipped about ageless features, catching the wild wind and reflecting the torn immortal’s violent sea of emotions. For centuries, vampires were believed to be timeless, emotionless creatures with hearts as black as the nights they thrived in. But, alone for once without the presence of his younger follower, Cyprien’s ebony eyes glistened, the crimson fading from his gaze even as grief replaced it. “How is it that he sees something in you, you who can offer him nothing but a century of life at best, while I offer him eternity? How is it that he turns to you for shelter, you mortal who could perish with one fell swipe if a blade struck true, while I could slay an army if need be for his protection?”

Cyprien’s eyes turned from the coupled figure to the icy snow at his feet, his harsh visage suddenly calming as he did so. “You have nothing for him. Nothing but a hard bed of rock, dry bread, and tattered clothes…but, if he wished it, you would leave his side, sacrifice your life for his happiness, while I, though I know it will pain his heart for eternity…” His gaze flickered again to the cave. “…cannot bear to part with him.” Head snapping to face the sky, his voice echoed a call. “Raspel!”

In seconds, the answering caw of nighthawk reached him from above, a black shape silhouetting against the silver moon before plummeting downward. Moments later, dark wings beat before him, and in a flutter of movement, the redheaded vampire stood before him fully formed, eyebrow quirked and expression patiently awaiting a reason for his summoning.

“I’d almost caught a rat, you know.” The redheaded vampire stated firmly, tone gruff as ever and arms folding as he surveyed the slightly more delicate form of his fellow immortal.

Cyprien grimaced. “You must be joking…”

“I’m not prone to humor just before a meal. I haven’t eaten in three days.”

“Well that’s entirely not my problem.” The elder vampire snapped with a huff, leaning against a tree and turning his gaze to the gaping cave entrance and the sight that made his teeth edge their way to the surface. “Their time is up…we’ve waited too long already and I need the boy now.”

“We’ve waited? Cyprien-“

“Silence. Keep an eye on the exit. If the ape awakes before dawn…kill him.” Mouth shut and eyes ever so slightly narrowed, Raspel let out a muttered grumble as Cyprien lifted effortlessly into the air, then dove with one fell swoop toward the source of his mortal troubles.

“You may have me beaten in age by centuries…but the gravity of your occasional ignorance astounds me. You’ve always told me dealings with humans lead to nothing but disaster…and now I’m beginning to believe you.”

But down at the cave entrance, Cyprien couldn’t hear him, and Raspel could only wait and watch in silence as a fog slipped in around the cave, ensuring the mortals’ unconscious states before the silver-haired vampire reclaimed what he’d rightly lost. Stepping out of the ghostly haze with Teige’s limp form clutched to his chest, locks catching the wind ever so slightly as a gust took away the mist, Cyprien reminded Raspel of a mystic thief, a magician perhaps, appearing with his dazed ‘lovely assistant’ after the final show. A thin, faded grey sheet clung loosely about the slender mortal’s otherwise bare features, making him appear even frailer in his unconscious state, ghostly almost, and Raspel felt a twinge of pity for the man before he shoved the thought away. Humans were none of his business, and neither were Cyprien’s dealings with them. If Cyprien wanted to have a mortal bitch-turned-vampire for his toy in the night, who was he to stop him?

When both vampire and captive faded to mist, swirling off in the direction of a towering ice peak, far off in the distance, Raspel shook his head, then prepared for a long night, dark eyes intent on the usually stoic figure asleep, yet already showing signs of restlessness at his partner’s absence. On the furs, Davinoff’s mind fought desperately for consciousness, and Raspel knew, regardless of Cyprien’s spell, the man would wake long before dawn.

~

Ebony eyes shot open to the dark, and Davinoff’s previously tossing body fell still, his racing heart steadying as he came to terms with his surroundings. The sun had yet to rise, and from the signs his body gave off, it probably wouldn’t for several hours. Taking into account his reasonably wearied figure and sluggish mind, he probably hadn’t received more than a few hours of sleep at most, and the thought didn’t rest well with him. Something had woken him up.

Shivering brought a sudden chill to his attention, and he frowned, shifting slightly against the furs and, for the first time, noticing the absence beside him. Unexpectedly, a frigid knot dropped to the pit of his stomach, dread filling him even as he sought desperately to see and cursed the dark. A wind had picked up outside, the storm blowing clouds across the moon and limiting his vision severely. Even as he felt for clothes, he told himself Teige had most likely stood up to relieve himself or something similarly trivial, but it did little to dissuade his worries, and his anxiety had only begun to build when a dark shadow fell across him from the entryway, blocking what little light the sky provided and confirming his worst suspicions.

“I believe we’ve met before,” the figure said calmly with a tone that, if not for the circumstances, Drake could almost have taken as friendly. Even in his only half-aware state, though, he had to admit the voice did sound familiar. “…though I don’t remember ever introducing myself.” Hastily finishing the process of getting pants on, Davinoff felt a brief moment of comfort as his blindly searching hands came in contact with his boots, each of them housing two daggers to be used in a pinch. “I am Raspel.” As if he’d simply vanished out of thin air in that instant, then appeared again a moment later before him, the voice suddenly sounded eerily close, and Drake nearly stumbled back as he looked up to find gleaming ivory fangs looming above him not three feet away in a predatory grin. “And you are?”

Davinoff scowled, hardly making an effort to conceal his tense grip on the daggers in each of his hands, body still scrambling to get good bearings without ever loosing sight, even for an instant, of the intruder. “In a bad mood. Where’s Teige?”

“Tut-tut…Teige, Teige, Teige…it’s always Teige with you, isn’t it?” The vampire shook his head, tilting his head to the side with mock concern for a moment, fingers to his chin before the humor left his face completely. “If you forget him, human, maybe I can let you live. Cyprien doesn’t care about you, just the boy. If you don’t bother him…you can get away now and I’ll forget you ever existed.”

“You’d do that for me?” Drake sounded doubtful, his expression indignant as he worked his fingers and palms over the hilts in his grip, clenching and unclenching in preparation for rapid movement. “I’ve never known a vampire for his mercy…”

“Ah, but we were all human once…something most of us forget. And, pathetic existence as it is…you’ve only got one life to live…so why should you die now? When the only crime you ever committed was falling in love with something that didn’t belong to you?”

If Davinoff had possessed fangs, they would have sprouted, and his fists clenched instinctively around the daggers as he held down a fiercely protective and totally irrational temper. “Teige…is not some ‘thing’…and he belongs to no one…” It took every sane thought in him to stabilize his body, keeping him from lashing out at the other. After years of staying alive, he knew when he was matched…and when he was out-matched. Going full front up against a vampire willingly was never a very bright idea.

Raspel heaved a sigh, and Davinoff noted with mild pleasure that the clouds had moved again, allowing moonlight back into the cave and giving him at least a decent line of sight. “Cyprien likes to…play with his food. I’m simply hungry and haven’t fed in far too long. If you want to live to see the sunrise…forget him now and get out of my sight.”

For a moment, their eyes locked, Drake crouched on the balls of his feet, back nearly against the wall, and Raspel standing proud, chin high and eyes dark but sincere as they offered one last chance. Finally, the human shook his head slowly, preparing himself for the strike he knew to come the instant he finished his speech.

“You know I can’t do that.”

A gust of wind whistled through the cave, as if cheering for the upcoming battle, and Davinoff watched as the vampire’s lips drew back into a hungry cross between a smile and a sneer, tongue running just along the base of his upper ridge of teeth before two white fangs glimmered in the darkness. When clouds fell over the moon once again, his surroundings swooped into shadow, as if someone had suddenly thrown a black veil over the world, and the last thing he saw was a pair of greedy, gleaming crimson eyes, reflecting in the dark, Raspel’s slithering voice suddenly reminding him of a snake as it echoed in around him. “Very well.”

For a moment, there was nothing but utter stillness: no light, and no sound save for the occasional distant rustle of wind outside. Then, everything erupted at once. Solely dependant on hearing without his sight, Davinoff shut his eyes at the first hint of movement, allowing him to slip to the side with surprising grace, using his hearing with skill that would have impressed a blind man. Judging from the answering swoop beside him less than a second after he’d moved, the dodge had probably saved his life. Moments later, he had twin daggers in his hands, swearing to himself and making a mental reminder to never again let undressing cause the misplacement of his sword. If the clouds would just move once more…

“Think fast.” The words came from behind him and he spun to attack, striking air and cursing. “Lovely tongue.” He caught a glimmer of teeth and struck, blinking in a moment’s surprise as he heard the unmistakable rip of cloth, then following hiss of rage. Even this brief pause cost him everything.

Over the course of his existence, Davinoff had grown reasonably used to outshining the large majority of his opponents in both size and might, and the last time he remembered being knocked aside quite so easily was likely over a decade ago, when he’d found himself, at the age of six, faced with a considerably large group of boys not altogether pleased with his ability to best them individually despite his age. He’d learned that day what it felt like to have his face ground in the dirt, the wind crushed from his chest, and his own bones broken at the hands of another. Now, as the vampire tossed his weight aside like a rag doll, and he heard a familiar ‘crack!’ echo across the cavern walls, his features rippled with pain, but not a sound escaped his mouth, his ears intent on catching the vampire’s next move.

“I gave you a chance, human…and your determination, if not your strength, is admirable. The less you struggle, the less this will have to hurt.”

Drake blinked rapidly, his teeth gritted and head spinning, but even if he could see, he had a strong feeling his vision would be blurred, his consciousness currently teetering on the edge of a knife his legs threatened to tumble from beneath him, his balance severely dependant on the wall behind him. How pathetic. One bad fall and he’d already doomed both himself, and likely Teige, to death. His gut tightened at the thought, the image of Teige, pale and lifeless, splayed out on the floor with blood at his neck sending his stomach into the type of somersaults that made him want to puke. No way in hell things could end like this.

Testing to see what he could do, he found he’d jarred his right shoulder badly, pain making it hard to move, but still possible, and he hadn’t lost his grip on the dagger there, so he assumed his bones were still intact. Possibly offset, but not broken. Good news. His left arm felt perfectly fine, and as the vampire approached, he prepared for a last ditch attempt for at least freedom, if not victory.

“You smell anxious, human…” Davinoff felt tempted to mutter “no shit” as the man approached, but held his tongue, gathering together the last of his strength both mental and physical for a final assault. “…pain, tension, regret…” Drake on the wall didn’t dare move, his eyes shut and breath chopped though he struggled to keep it even. “…but most of all…fear.” For the first time, Drake became aware of Stallion’s restless whinnies, the horse apparently having woken up sometime during the scuffle, and he felt a fresh pang of regret at the sound. For so long, he had thought of himself as perfectly alone, with no hope of companionship or least of all compassion, but now, as someone stood before him, threatening to take away everything, he realized how much he did have, and how much he couldn’t stand to lose. “Are you afraid of me, human?” The words brushed against his neck, a flowery show of overconfidence on the immortal’s part, the man having somehow crossed the distance between them silently in seconds, but Davinoff didn’t hesitate as he heard the warning hiss of fangs withdrawing.

“Hell yes.” In a moment’s notice, his daggered hand swooped around, striking deep into an exposed back at the same time gleaming canines sank into his flesh.

If he could have found the breath in him, he would have screamed, but as it was, he could only arch in violent objection, moonlight flooding the cave as the clouds receded again, and his every muscle tensing as panic rocketed through his veins. In sheer desperation, the last shred of instinct left within him leading him on, he twisted the dagger in the immortal’s back, and he felt a flutter of hope as the man choked on his blood, the warm, sticky liquid seeping down his shoulder and onto his chest even as the vampire’s weight stumbled slightly against him. But when Raspel withdrew, his rust brown eyes held no sign of pain, only pure, utter shock.

Too revolted to even thank the gods for his luck, Davinoff shoved the now-limp figure back roughly, only pausing briefly to watch him stumble back, then fall to his knees before snatching his sword and medicine belt in a clumsy backwards escape towards his horse. Not together enough to even bother with knots and reigns, he gave a quick hack at the rope tethering Stallion, but before he could mount, a disgruntled whiney to his right reminded him of Lancelot, and he held back a groan. Without time to do anything else, he slashed the pony’s binds as well, simply praying for the small beast’s safety before topping his steed the next instant. He was gone before the blood on his shoulder had even had a chance to cool, following blind instinct as he disappeared off into the night.

Back at the cave, Raspel watched him go in silence, his dark eyes, so very similar the pair he’d met with just seconds before taking blood, gazing into the silent distance until the injured rider had faded completely out of sight. The entire time he sat motionless, barely seeming to notice the dagger at all, though its wound left a thick crimson stain on his back. “I remember nothing of my years before this dark existence, but it is only a fool who does not recognize the taste of his own blood. Farewell, my dear brother…”

With that, he reached behind his back, pain etching across his features for the first time as he yanked free the lethal weapon without remorse. There, the redheaded vampire crumpled in defeat, protected in the cavern’s shadow and safe from the dawn, still long yet to come.


Note: As I mentioned in a, eh, slightly….odd…way in the first note, I’ve been a bit busier lately. I’m in a good mood! So I’ll be writing… But I’m busy, so I just might not have quite so much time, and when I have classes again, it’ll just make it all that much slower, but…again, I hope to have this over and done with before then. –crosses fingers- Tell me what you think!

Review Replies

Katica Locke: Yes, update! I've been checking every day. I'm sorry things haven't been going so good *hugs you*

I don't think it's too soon for another *ahem* intimate encounter, especially after Drake rode off and left poor Teige all alone with the pony. They had to have some passionate make-up/ I-won't-ever-leave-you-again sex. I think these two characters are just wonderful. There's nothing like seeing a big, strong man's man type guy trying to come to terms with his sexuality, and you show that just beautifully. I adore them both.

Please, please update soon! I'm dying to see what horrible thing that vampire has in store for the lovers.

Katica

Aww, I get another review from you! Thankies! ^^ And thanks for the encouragement, my wild and wacky world has its ups and downs, but I usually strive for more ups than downs, so thanks for the hugs. ^^

I’m glad you saw it that way; that’s kind of the approach I had on things. And as for big, tough, totally gay men in denial…muahahaha! -Ahem- -grins evilly- I don’t think I’ll ever get over the hilarity of it…they’re just too much fun to mess with…so easy too. I’m glad you like both of them though, and my apologies for making you wait so long again, some way to show my appreciation for you reviewing, right? ^^; It really does make me happy though…and I enjoyed your most recent chapter! As soon as I post this, I’m off to ramble on about your lovely little novel in the making.

Thanks again for the review!

Mara: Ok, here I am reviewing this story, after I just started reading last night and finally finished still hungry for more. I love the characters and even though I like vampires, it's almost like the story doesn't really need them. I am sure, you will put them to very good use later on, but I still think a story just about the two of them would have been fine. I know, there are ardent fans of the two among your readers, so I apologize to them.

Ironically, if not for the vampire ‘fans’ you mentioned…the vampires might never have been there at all. Originally, Cyprien (in my mind) was dead. End of story; out of the picture…and Raspel didn’t even exist. If I hadn’t had a very desperate plea from one of my readers (and found the idea interesting myself), the plot line might have gone in some entirely different direction. As it is, you’re right, the vampires will end up becoming important ohhh…say…next chapter? Heh. Yeah. But, I’m glad you think the story could have gone on even without them, because it might well have gone that way had things been different in the review board. No need to apologize. ^^

I think the last chapter is great. I always like men that can't express themselves and here we have two, even though one of them talks a lot. I felt in a way it is time for Drake to be the one to show a little more emotion or try to go after his princess instead of being followed himself. I know, he is the one that has more trouble with this relationship, but maybe in the future he can actually go after him. Anyway, the smut was great again. I don't mind it so close together after you made me wait for so many chapters already. Not that I'm saying every chapter needs extensive stuff, I've seen a couple of stories like that and it gets really boring, since there is hardly any plot left and you really don't want to read it. Good stories have been butchered that way. Yet in this situation the whole make-up sex was warranted. I mean since they don't say what they want or how they feel, there seems to be hardly any other way of showing it. Also it's a good way to get the vampire angry!

Another nice thing to hear! Funny you should mention it…I was feeling the exact same way (in regards to Drake and his need to go out there and do some rescuing). After this chapter, as you can see, there will definitely be some of that going on. And maybe, after all is said and done…we can finally see a Drake-induced love scene… (Because every happy story in my opinion ends with one last bit of end-it-all smut.) It’s also nice to know that you didn’t mind too much having to wait so long for the adult-content. I tend to love men who always end up with their tongues tied (one way or another…). But, as you say, too much of anything…and it all becomes the same after awhile.

Anyway, I wonder where this is going. I have been wondering for a while, if Drake is actually going to his hometown and I am looking forward to what their actual destination is (if any). I have one question though, that other vampire Rsomething (sorry, I am sooooo bad with names and I just read his name probably 1/2 hour ago) was he by any chance out during the day???? I thought that they can't be out during the day, but either I didn't read it right (if that's the case sorry), but when Drake meets him in the village wasn't that daytime? Or is he different from others or was he wearing a cloak or something??? I know this is already a chapter back, but I was just wondering. Anyway, I love the story, its humor and characters and hope to read more soon.

Raspel. -grin- No problem with not knowing the names…I always have to go back and check several times when I’m reviewing for a story (when I press the ‘back’ button while reviewing to check the story again, then go back forward, my text stays in place…but I know it doesn’t work that way with all computers). I’m always terrified I’m going to get everyone’s names spelled wrong otherwise. XP ^^ And you’re right! In fact, I didn’t even think of that, no one else mentioned it, and my beta didn’t even catch it (and she catches everything, I swear…^^). It was daytime, and he should have…eh…burned to a crisp. I suppose I could give you several excuses (could make up some on the spot), but really it was a mistake on my part. You definitely caught a plot hole, and if it hadn’t been several chapters back, I might have tried to fix it but ehh…now I can’t really. So, since you found it, you can imagine whatever reason you like! I feel kind of dumb now for not noticing, but I hope you still enjoy the story, and I’m glad to hear from you! Reviews mean oh so much. ^^

Renair: Hmmm, was this the link you wanted me to press? *LOL* I love the entire story so far, and I'm sorry I didn't find it sooner! (when websites die it creates problems for the people who use them) Umm, noramlly I would try to add in something usefull here, but all I can say is HURRY AND WRITE MORE!!! So far execpt for some teency-weency spelling mistakes, it's perfect exactly the way it is ^_^

Yes! That’s the link! You got it, and you…are the, uh…thousand dollar winner! Except that…I’m broke. So you’ll just have to settle for this imaginary internet money –hands you a thousand imaginary dollars- and this most recent chapter! Don’t worry, the encouragement is as useful as pretty much anything else you could have put in there but…SPELLING MISTAKES?? :gonk: I have a lovely little computer program that picks up loads of errors AND an absolutely terrific beta (brilliant, she is), and yet I STILL manage to get mistakes in there? -grins- Dang, I must be good at this…^^

Well, next time you see an error…feel absolutely free to point it out to me. Trust me, I know what it’s like to have my crapload of problems pointed out to me; I used to be waaaaay worse. So, I’d much appreciate a little help, ya? ^^ Anyway, thanks for reviewing! It makes my day.

Falcon Bertille: Awww. This was one of those chapters that gives me the warm fuzzies. The initial awkwardness between them made the sex all the more sweet and heartwarming. Okay, I admit that your lovely descriptions also warmed a few other regions of my body, too. *Wink* Very hot and erotic stuff.

I totally cracked up when Teige told Drake that he followed him in order to offer protection. It sounds hilarious, but there's also an element of truth to it. Drake does need a sort of protecting -- mostly from his own negative thoughts -- and Teige is just the one to do it.

And I loved this image: "Finally, swallowing his pride with the ease of consuming a hornets’ nest..." It's original, vivid, and it really says something about Drake. Also, it's a nice bit of dry wit.

But now Cyprien is really pissed off, and that can't be good. Didn't Shakespeare once write: "Hell hath no fury like a vampire scorned"? (Okay, maybe he didn't say EXACTLY that, but I've always felt that his plays would be greatly improved by the inclusion of a few vampires. *Wink*)

Anyway, can't wait for the next bit!

Love,
Falcon

Yay, warm and fuzzies! Haven’t had much of an opportunity for that yet in this story…but I’m glad you appreciated it for both the love and the eroticism (occasionally but not always two different things, I suppose…). For the record, your stories have a knack for getting three thumbs up from me too. –coughfumbleblush-

The hornets! Safer subject…I have absolutely no idea where they came from… Usually, I have pick around in my head to find even decent comparisons, but in that case…the idea came and I had to find a place to squeeze the sentence in (had already written the chapter, was looking back over it, and the idea got stuck). I’m glad you liked it though.

Teige’s comment about coming back to protect Drake came in after I had written the chapter. One of several things (like the hornets), that I messed with a bit after the original slop-job/rough draft. ^^;

For some reason…that quote made me picture Cyprien as an enraged housewife…complete with ankle-length dress, apron, duster and- Poor Cyprien, my mind seems to be putting him through severe mental torment a lot lately. :gonk: His masculinity has been severely threatened… ANYway…-grin- Everything’s better with vampires, no? -chuckle-

Thanks uber bunches for you pretty feedback! ^^

Charisa: Sure. Ooh! This was a hottie, LOL!

Lol. Glad I didn’t disappoint, and thanks for taking the time to review! ^^

MakaiKitty: Whew, and here I was worried that you'd have posted like a dozen chapters while I was being lazy and not reading anything *LOL* Anyway, sorry I'm late on reviewing, but better late than never? No? I loved this chapter. You know that I like everything all happy-happy, but a little angst really made this relationship believable. Now, if only you could let the two vamps keep each other distracted so that our happy couple can live happily ever after it would be perfect *LOL* Can't wait to see what your boys get up to next. This chapter was beautifully written. I loved "White Rabbit", you know I did, but you've grown so much since then that it's scary. You continue to amaze me, keep it up ^-^

^^ If I had been a good little boy and updated on TIME…then your worries would have been confirmed (well, maybe not dozens but….nyah). Anyway, you’re right, late is way better than never, and I think this is the longest review I’ve gotten from you in a very long time! It made me sincerely happy to read. Can’t explain how nice it is to hear that I’m improving, since, though I’m trying all the time to get better, I can’t really be a very accurate judge of my own work.

Cyprien and Raspel, distract each other? -tries to imagine- Lol…that was surprisingly easy…… -Ahem- Actually, unfortunately, I think Raspel’s a little too rough and tumble for Cyprien’s tastes. For one thing, ain’t no way in hell he’s getting that guy in a dress… :gonk: Plus…we haven’t had our climactic finish yet! And besides the very beginning…Drake hasn’t gotten a chance to prove his manly, knight-in-shining-armor side! What kind of fairy tale would this be if the hero never got a chance to properly rescue his uh…fair lady? -wicked grin- Hope you continue to enjoy the coming chaps as much as I enjoy your writing. ^^