The Dessert Cart

Strange. Strange, strange, strange. That's all I can say. hmmmmm.


Masque
By
Kiix

Word Count: 2522
Completed: November 29, 2007 @ 11:50 a.m.
Pairing: Claudius x Hades


He was waiting for me. I looked in the mirror and straightened my cravat. I’ve admired him for years--a century at the very least. I turned my head to the right and left. Everything looked presentable. I had waited long enough especially now that he challenged his way up into my sphere of influence. I looked directly into the mirror and regarded my pale blue eyes. I’d waited two hundred years and William hadn’t come back to me. My Lord Emperor was gone and truth be known, I was tired of being lonely. If I wanted to, I could have different bedmates every night. They were not strong enough to last more than one night with me. I hated waking up with a corpse in my bed; but, my new First was different.

I turned and came out of my bed chambers. The servants had all the lamps lit so it was easy to cross the landing and descend the stairs. He stood in the entry way holding onto his tri-corner hat. My eyes drank in his appearance. He didn’t know I was approaching. He was dressed in deep wine breeches, waistcoat and frock. The bleached linen of his shirt just accented his dark beauty. His black hair was tied back in the fashion of the day, but he seemed oblivious to his magnificence. It wasn’t faked modesty or vanity. He was elegance and refinement in the world that was taking excess to heart. His clothing was finely tailored but he had not gone for over the top embellishments that were so the rage. I looked like a peacock compared to pheasant.

“Claudius. My apologies for my lateness. Responsibilities have no care of time.”

“I await your command, Lord Hades.”

That was something that annoyed me. He kept the proprieties. “This is outside of our positions within the House, Claudius. There is no need to call me Lord, tonight. We are just two fine gentlemen off to a masque.”

“Of course Lord Hades. I will remember that once we get to our destination.”

I wanted to knock him in the head. He agreed to my suggestions so readily but so far had avoided my advances with a turn of a phrase. Not tonight. My Black Death was not getting away from me tonight.

Servants slipped my Lycan lined fur cape over my shoulders and handed me my own golden hat. Claudius followed behind me as I let the way down to our carriage. Tonight’s party, a masked ball was little more than excuse for anonymous sex among the nobles of the land. I don’t think my little black haired vampire knew that. I sincerely doubted he would have agreed to be my escort if he had known.

Claudius sat across from me, his black leather mask was on the seat beside him. I inhaled his clove essence. I would only need scent to find him in that throng. No idle chitchat from my First. He just looked out the window at our dark world as the carriage bumped along.

I remember the first time I saw him. A wild Russian peasant dragged in from the cold by Katerina Du Bussey. You could see the mud literally clinging to his boots. His introduction to Vampiric society was like one teaching a monkey some manners and letting him loose. It was a riot. It was one of the more entertaining times at court. Katerina never brought him back.

The wild Russian was not seen again until he petitioned admittance to the House. It was more out of curiosity than anything else that made me watch his ranking test. There are some callings in the world and Claudius had found his with the House of Assassins. He was the finest killer I had ever encountered. He was grace. He was refinement. Those who had to fall under his blade could count themselves lucky to be escorted from this world by the Black Death.

Katerina had taken the wildness and tamed it. I can’t say he was broken. There is a light of mayhem in his eyes when we’ve had to take the battlefield against rogue Lycan packs. An enchanting figure that just drew your eye. I have never been jealous of anyone before, but I envied Katerina. To have this Vampire under her control…I think that is when I began to fixate on him. He was beautiful but so were many others, but he had skills that I admired and reminded me of my lost love -- William. I always associated William with light. The impression of youth I guess. Vampires and light are not a good combination.

William, my love, are you well? Has time finally ended for you? Your protection has become a curse…as well as a prison. I don’t think you intended that but it has. I can’t bear to be alone anymore. I have found someone who can endure me. What I intend to do to him…is evil. I cannot court him like he deserves. I cannot win his affections with pitched woo. I can only show him how I rut. Contact must be limited. I don’t want to kill him. He is competent and responsible. I have reports that he raised a human child to adulthood. There are few Vampire amongst us who would do such a thing. It is something that you would do, my sweet William. You have never left me alone for so long before. Waiting is no longer an option. I will claim him tonight under the banner of anonymity.

“Claudius, I understand you have made yourself a son.”

“Yes, Lord Hades. He is an artist and musician.”

“A musician? What does he play?”

“The violin. He is a large man, I did not think he would be able to play such a small instrument but he plays it as if it were extension of his hands. No, truthfully, I think he plays it as if it were his soul.”

“How old is he?”

“Marcus is thirteen.”

“You should bring him to my next meal day. I would have him play for me. I do support the arts.”

“I shall inform him of your request, Lord Hades. He has not played for anyone but my household. He has talent.”

This was a human event. The carriage rolled forward to the main entrance. I reached down and picked up my masque. It was as golden as my attire. I didn’t mind being the center of attention. I think I preferred it. We vanished into the throng that was human. There were a few more vampires here, but they were of no consequence. Claudius ran them off before the clock struck ten. He does have a presence about him.

There was a reason I was dressed as I was. The heavier the clothing, the less chance I had of accidentally poisoning someone. My white gloves snagged a flute from a tray and I made my way toward the black and wine vision of loveliness. As usual he was surrounded my simpering women. Gah. I used his distraction to set my plan in motion. I mixed the powder the alchemist had made for me into the liquid and swirled it until it was completely dissolved.

I reached over the women’s shoulders and offered my white gloved hand to him. He paused then noticed who it was. He made pretty apologies and took my hand, leaving the harlots to their own devices. That would have to stop when I finally brought him officially to my bed. I would be the center of his attention. These females…just would not do.

I have him the wine then turned and picked up another glass from a passing tray. I raised it in silent salute and drained it. So trusting. So foolish. So now, he is mine. Claudius finished the wine, collected my empty glass and returned it to the circulating trays.

“Come with me. I have something to discuss with you.”

I lead him out into the gardens. It was dark. Too dark for humans to feel comfortable in. Things that go bump in the night indeed. It didn’t take long for my drug to start to take effect. It was double the usual dosage. Claudius may have only been little more than a century old but he had proven to be strong and quick. I needed him to be completely pliant this first time. I wanted him in my bed for decades at the barest minimum.

“You seem a little out of sorts, Claudius.”

He brought a hand to his forehead. “I think that last glass of wine has gone straight to my head.”

He staggered. He quickened his pace moving toward the large fountain that was the center piece of this garden. He hit his knees about five feet from it. I walked up behind him and untied the black leather mask. “Claudius, you have no head for wine.”

“Hades…”

Yes. I pulled the mask from his face. I pulled the ribbon from his hair. Even in the darkness of the night, I could see his expression. Realization had dawned on him. It was too late for him. I ran my fingers through his hair. I have wanted to touch it for so long. Blackest onyx. I lifted the strands to my nose. The sweet warmth of cloves. My exotic black Russian.

“…Hades…”

“Your scent has called to me for years, Claudius. You are now my First. Your existence is mine to control. After this day, I will provide for your household, as you provide a vital service to me. Your precious son will want for nothing. You will want for nothing. I will bring your claim to your House under my wing. No one will dare challenge you as you claim the Head of Du Bussey with my protection behind you. I just desire a few things from you.”

I ran my gloved hand down his face. I wanted to touch him with my bare hand but that would be too dangerous. “…no…”

“Your co-operation is not necessary, Claudius. Just be my vessel. My touch is poison. Just a mere brush against me on bare skin, sends vampires into shock and illness. Humans just die. You…you are able to endure my touch. I cannot prepare you as you should…at least not tonight. I will have servants do this when you come to my bed in my manor. Tonight…it is just us.” His body was limp as I picked him up off the stones and carried him toward the fountain. I leaned his chest on the wide ledge. I arranged his arms to cradle his head. I angled his hips up and back towards me, setting his knees against the side of the fountain. I pulled his breeches down, exposing his skin and taut buttocks.

“…do not…”

I was amazed that my Black Death could utter words. I would have to up the dosage in the next batch. I loosened my own breeches. “I know of your past, little Alexander. How many women cried out those same words? Did you listen to them? They were going to hang you once the men found their courage. How many bastards did you father? Or did you kill those you raped? You have the capacity for it. That is what makes you an excellent First. That is what makes you mine.”

I pulled a small vial of oil from my shirt. I had been erect from the moment I saw him in my hall. I poured it on my hand and groaned as I rubbed it into my purplish flesh. I so wanted to run my tongue over his backside. As it was, I spread my gloved hands on his globes and spread his legs wider. He deserved kindness, but he would have to earn it. In time, he would build up an immunity to my touch and I would be able to caress his flesh. I would be able to press kisses on his throat and lips…but until then.

I forced my way into his portal. “AAAHHHHHH!”

I bucked forward, burying myself deep. It was exquisite. I leaned over him, placing my hands on the fountain rim on either side of his head. “Think of this as your penance, Claudius. You deserve this for all the misdeeds you have done as a human.”

I wanted to linger. I wanted to stay buried in his channel for hours at a time. He gasped. I burned his sensitive innards. I began bucking into him hard and fast. Later, when he learned his place, I would get the chance to linger. His breathing had changed. It wasn’t just the pain of rape…it was my essence. I rammed deeper and harder. I was about to…I pulled out as I began to orgasm. I shot my offering onto his buttocks and thigh. One day, I would be able to cum inside him.

I pulled my breeches back up. I leaned forward and took handfuls of water and poured them on his skin, washing my hemlock essence from his leg. Where it had sat, there was a red skin discoloration almost like a burn. I couldn’t resist. I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his right cheek. He hissed. When I sat back on my haunches, my lips were burnt into his flesh. Claudius Du Bussey was mine. Whether he wanted to be or not.

I looked into his face. Tears poured down his nose and pooled into his sleeves. “That was an exquisite experience, Claudius.” I arranged his hair around his head. “You are mine now. I will not tolerate others approaching you thinking you are free to indulge. They will die. You know I am capable of it as well. You are mine until I release you from my service. Once you are used to my touch, you will find enjoyment, until then…you will suffer. That will be your punishment for your twenty-two years of terror on that poor countryside. All deeds are eventually judged and punished. Don’t look at me like that, my First. I am being punished as we speak. We will make a fine pair, the two of us.”

I re-dressed him. While I look young and while not frail, not that strong, I was able to pick up this bigger man and carry him to the side gate where I had the carriage waiting. It took two of my servants to get him into the carriage. “Take Master Du Bussey home. He has no head for wine.”

I watched as the carriage rolled off into the night. Yes, I was being punished. Hemlock was not a reward. The Black Death and I were a pair. We were damned. It was only right that the damned try and find fleeting comfort with each other. I turned back to the fountain. A black lump was laying on the pale stones. I walked over to it and picked up the black mask he had worn. In time, maybe we could both drop the masks we were forced to wear.

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