Arcanus 19

[catriana_fiction]

Title: Arcanus (Previously known as Demon King)
Series: Original
Genre: Fantasy/Drama/Romance
Rating: M
Chapters: 19(Complete)
Summary: He is the Demon King of the West, one of the few true immortals of the western lands. When his kingdom is frozen by 'Olde Magick' he goes out into the world to find clues and answers. Along the way he binds himself to a young vampire, encounters a half-elf that is more than what he seems and quickly begins to realize that freezing his kingdom was only the beginning.
Warnings: M/M relationships...s'bout it.
Notes: The story isn't over but I need to break this into two books. The next book, which will be right after this, is currently going to be called Quotos Island. Thanks to those who have read and enjoyed so far ♥

 

19

xxxxx

“Nal!”

Vari smiled thinly as the older male came charging at him. He had known this would happen and was prepared for it. The memories, the emotions, all of it made him understand this person’s anger. Even though it hadn’t been him that had done those things, it had been him that had done them. It was confusing and conflicting, but he had decided he wouldn’t fight the outcome.

If he died right here and now, that was fine. He loved Rori but his thoughts were too muffled and full of another man’s life, that man having been sick, twisted, and...

“Naliel stop!”

Something pushed hard on his chest and the blonde staggered back, blinking at the dark elf who had all but appeared between them. Cold blue eyes weren’t focused on anyone but Vari. This didn’t seem to bother the larger male who moved to stand more firmly in front of the other.

“Sarna,” he was still not looking at the other elf. “What are you doing.”

Hands gripped Naliel’s shoulders. “Stopping you from doing something really stupid that you’ll only regret later. That boy isn’t Veciel, Nal.”

Now the dark elf had his attention. “Surely your senses have not dulled that much in the past five years. That is Veciel and I...”

Arms wrapped around the hunter and Sarnaiel’s lips brushed along his lover’s ear. “Nal, look at him. He’s a noble. Human nobles believe in true names, remember? They don’t give it out to anyone; it’s the same as the demon giving their blood willingly to them. It’s been a while since I’ve dealt with humans and their language but ‘Varicen’ isn’t a shortened name.

“It’s not just that, Nal. That kid is ready to die by your hands. Look at him. I don’t know what’s going on, not really, but I can tell that this kid and Veciel aren’t the same. They might share the same soul, but they’re not the same person.”

He was not convinced. “He could be faking it, Sarna. He was always really good at appearing to be something he wasn’t.”

“Listen,” Vari took a step forward, holding out his arms. “I don’t exactly get all of this myself. The last thing I remembered before I woke up was being taken from the academy. Now I’ve gone from sixteen to twenty-one and I have some guy’s fucked up memories in my head. I don’t know why I’m here but I sensed you and I just...”

“If it is an apology or forgiveness you came here for, keep it to yourself, Veciel.”

“My name isn’t Veciel!” the blonde shouted and even Sarnaiel turned at the tone, looking at him curiously. “I’m tired of being called that. You want to kill me? Fine, kill me. I guess I deserve it or whatever but if I’m dying it’s going to be as Varicen vil Foclner. That is who I am and I won’t be considered as anything else! I’m not that guy, I will never be that guy but he’s a part of me whether I want it or not.” He chuckled humorously “Trust me, if I could, I’d love to go back to my life where I was just a normal human with a screwed up family background. When you wake up and find out that you were some sick, demented asshole in another life, come back and tell me how you feel about it.”

Sheathing his weapon, Naliel stood to his full height, his expression hard. Sarnaiel moved back only slightly, content with playing the referee role. “I’m sorry, are you expecting pity?” he sounded calm although cold and that was fine with Vari. Calm meant he wasn’t going to try and kill him again.

He didn’t want to leave Rori behind. Again.

“No. I don’t know what I was expecting. I don’t even know you and yet somehow I grew up with you.  Look, I...” he put a hand through his hair and sighed. “I’m not going to apologize for something I didn’t do. I’m not going to ask for forgiveness for something I didn’t do. What I can do, however, is take this guy’s information on the Crimson Tides, Arcanus magic, and who is all really behind this and give it to you. You guys need that, don’t you? Veciel was knee deep in it, Zana was going to try and kill me because of what he...I know.”

“You know what’s going on?” The dark elf stepped forward, holding up a hand when Naliel tried to interrupt. “About the barrier surrounding the Bavarian kingdom and all of it?”

Vari nodded. “Yes. I can tell you that the demon king is barking up the wrong tree. What he’s looking for isn’t with the humans, it’s on Quotos Island. If he truly wants to unfreeze his kingdom, that’s where he needs to go. If he sticks around trying to figure it out, he’s wasting his time.”

Naliel put a hand on the other elf’s shoulder. “Sarna, we cannot trust him...”

“Yes, we can.” Crimson eyes took in blue. “If there’s one thing a liar can tell it’s another lie. He’s telling the truth Nal. You’re not thinking straight because you’re still pissed off over what happened and that’s not like you. Where’s the level-headed elf I’m used to dealing with? The one that infuriates me with his overly passive nature?” Gently, he raised a hand, pulling back black strands of hair. “He’s the only lead we’ve got, Nal. Put aside your blind hatred for just a little while.”

“Why?” Naliel asked the question to Vari and everyone knew what he was referring to.

With a sigh, the blonde shook his head. “I...it’s only been yesterday that we’ve merged. He wanted to come out on top but I told him he could fuck himself. He wasn’t happy.” Sarnaiel snickered at that. “Uh, that guy...had problems.” He looked at Naliel “But he wasn’t born with them. That family is twisted, you should tell Lavern to seriously look into it. They’re powerful, but they...they really screwed this guy up.”

How was he going to explain this? He knew what Naliel wanted, needed to hear but he wasn’t sure how the elf would react. “Veciel. I’m pretty sure he thought he was in love with you.” He ignored their stunned expressions and continued. “He didn’t understand why and it went against everything he stood and lived for.” his gave them a wry smile. “I’m surprised he wasn’t really Kaden’s former life, the two bastards think and act alike.

“You confused him because you were strong but you didn’t act strong.  You were proof that what he had been taught to believe in was wrong and he couldn’t handle that. It made him obsessive and eventually it became just another piece of the insanity pie that was his head. “ his eyes narrowed. “At least he had an excuse for becoming screwed up, Kaden doesn’t have any and I’m going to...” he shook his head. That wasn’t important right now.

“There had been a time when he could have turned out different...cuz of that guy Mironel.” He shrugged when they blinked at him. “The guy was unfailingly loyal, if Zana had never approached Veciel, I think he would have gotten through eventually. Maybe.” Even he didn’t really know for sure and he really didn’t want to delve that deep to find out. “So to answer the question you didn’t ask no, he didn’t regret what he did and yeah, if he had taken over instead of me he would have tried it again. He was obsessed with you.” It really was disgusting how much. Vari hated the fact that he had once lived that life, he didn’t even know what that was supposed to make him.

Both Veciel and Kaden were similar yet different. Kaden had lived a pampered life, Veciel had appeared to have lived a pampered life when in reality his family had driven him to insanity. Both had craved power, but for different reasons. Kaden wanted power because he felt he deserved it and power meant he could delve even deeper into his perfect life. Veciel had done it in hopes that he would actually receive some semblance of love from his family. There had been other reasons, but that had been the number one driving force.

Both had become obsessed with someone, but also for different reasons. Veciel had envied and had wanted to be Naliel and he had hated himself for it. Eventually, it had twisted and became something messed up and wrong. Kaden had been a spoiled brat that had been unable to handle the fact that the one thing he wanted didn’t want him in return. He had been unable to understand why Rori had chosen Vari over him and that had made him bitter and resentful.

It really made him sick to his stomach that he was more like Kaden than he had ever wanted to be; even if it technically wasn’t him.

“Come on.” Sarnaiel put a hand on Naliel’s shoulder gently. “We can’t stand out here.” He looked at the blonde. “We were going to leave tomorrow but we will spare the day for you. I’m sure what you have to say will take some time.”

“You have no idea.” Vari said, smiling wryly.

xxxxx

“There are a few things you don’t know that’s going on.” Vari explained. He was sitting at the guest room’s desk, drawing out what he was saying. Both elves were on either side of him. The few times that Vari had met Naliel’s gaze the other elf would look away and his jaw would set.

He’s going to hate me no matter what. That was fine; as long as he didn’t try to kill him.

“Not sure if you know about the war that took place when Arcanus magic first came about but basically, these guys believe that they’re the rightful owners of the planet and that we’re the invaders.”

Sarnaiel snorted. “That’s bullshit.”

A nod. “Yeah. Anyway, the reason I say that the demon king is barking up the wrong tree is because these guys are just lackeys, they’re not actually running the show. The one running the show is on Quotos Island. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about him except that he’s called ‘the Ancestor’. He’s like a god to them and that’s where they’ve gotten all of their ‘accurate’ history from.”

He drew something that looked like a blob and made a circle around it. “Pretend that’s Quotos Island. The circle is the barrier. The barrier was created by the gods to keep them in.” he erased a small portion of the circle from the inside. “Well, centuries back they began to notice that the barrier was weakening from the inside. They don’t know how. Eventually, it opened enough for someone to go through but only one. If more energy than what the barrier can handle goes through it’s not pretty for the person who makes the attempt.

“The first one who came out, Zana, started going to the other races, to see what they could do about taking back ‘their land’. The Vampires told her to screw off. They won’t approach demons or dragons and the elves had their war going on. She did give Veciel that book but he had been the only one who had really been promising.”

“That is how he gained access to Arcanus magic.” Naliel crossed his arms, scowling as he looked off to the distance. “I see.”

Feeling a little uncomfortable, he continued. “Anyway, the humans were very responsive but ever since the whole thing with the demons being soul suckers and then the elves disappearing they’ve been wary about magic and other races. They realized that they could use the humans but it wouldn’t be a quick sell and Zana couldn’t do it by herself.

“Well, the barrier is severely limited because although it’s weakened on the inside, the outside energies of the world are keeping it from dropping completely for whatever reason. This means that only a very few amount can leave and only after a certain amount of time each time. In short, once they leave they can’t go back and only one can leave the barrier between intervals.”

“Well, it’s been over two hundred years.” The dark elf frowned thoughtfully. “There should be a lot of them by now.”

Vari shook his head. “No, there’s only ten of them. All of them are races that had been too thoroughly corrupted by Arcanus magic to remain when the gods banished them. Although there are more on the island, the only ones who have left to come here are the mortrask, the centarians, and the lintra. The mortrask are what used to be dwarves. The centarians were once meedians and the lintra were once faeries. Since they live in darkness –“

“Wait.” Naliel was now frowning at him in confusion. “Meedians? Rioran claimed that the meedians were the physical manifestation of the spirits, that eight of them split their powers between the demons and dragons and that’s what made them what they were.”

“That’s inaccurate.” Pausing, the blonde shook his head. “Well, not exactly. It’s kind of sort of really complicated. The gods, basically, took energies from the planet and themselves and gave them to ‘guardians’ that gave them god-like powers.  Four of them were dragons, four demons, and then three meedians. Those three, all from the Nor’Kotor family, were the only ones who truly remained loyal to the old ways. But that was because their connection to the spirits was unbelievably strong and one, Salil, was actually connected with the goddess Lunaria. She was one of the first creatures that had been able to truly use healing magic on a massive scale.”

“Then she is perhaps still the only one.” Naliel shook his head. “Healing isn’t an easy ability, it never has been. Alchemy allows us to make elixirs and potions, but being able to actually heal on a decent scale is something that perhaps...”

Confusion filled Vari when the two elves looked at each other, as if coming to some sort of conclusion at the same time.

“I told you it was weird that she could heal with her other abilities.” Sarnaiel shrugged. “And from what Rioran says, she kept you from dying and I can sense that you’re much more powerful than before, Nal. She had to have been doing something amazing to have kept you from completely keeling over from the circle you had cast.”

The hunter looked thoughtful “But what could that mean? Perhaps she is this Salil woman reincarnated?”

“Uh, excuse me.” Vari waved a hand between them. “What are you talking about? And no, Salil is alive.”

They ignored his question to address his latter statement. “How could she be alive? You said she was alive during the war and not even the demon kings have been alive that long...”

Violet eyes rolled. “If you two would let me tell the damn story you’d know!” he was getting annoyed by the interruptions. “As I was saying, it was their efforts that they were able to fight back a lot of the mortals, but it was the gods themselves that actually came and defeated the Larka. According to those guys, the Ancestor was able to seal the meedian guardians away after the war once they had been banished but I don’t believe it, not if both sisters are out and about. Something woke them up and I really doubt it was him.

“Now, I don’t know what happened to everyone, all I know is that Malista Nor’Kotor has pretty much all but secured the empire and the Crimson Tides can’t get a foothold there. Rivsa, the Lintra that heads the organization near the imperial capital, has been bitching about her for years now. I don’t know where Salil is; only that she was also awakened. Malista is the one that’s been letting these guys know she’s around and she’s not going to let them do whatever. As long as they can’t take the empire, they’re not going to win the war the Bavarian king has declared. If the Empire doesn’t jump in, the other kingdoms won’t and there’s no way Bavaria could take on the vampires by themselves and they know that.”

Naliel closed his eyes briefly. “Which means they are, at the moment, not the real threat. This Malista Nor’Kotor must be very powerful if she was able to do such a thing, especially since the organization has been around for two hundred years.”

“Well, no. The religion isn’t two hundred years old, more like thirty-five. I told you, they needed more people and then there was the matter of freezing the demon kingdoms. They didn’t want anyone getting in the way so they laid low until they had been able to strike at the demons. That’s when they really started spreading the religion. The first thing they did was go to the Bavarian king and manipulate him through his own greed and desire to become emperor. That’s why they’re so strong there.

“I can only assume that Malista has been awake for a while, because she had secured the empire by infiltrating and rising up in the ranks. She’s right now the emperor’s war master and she’s like, best friends with the empress and her son or something. At least, that’s what Rivsa says. As for her being powerful...she was Filarn’s – the god of fire – champion. She actually carries his sword although I hear in mortal hands it’s not nearly as powerful. They’re sure as hells scared shitless of her, though.

“But there’s something important you need to know.” Vari sighed, drawing a large black dot in the middle of the ‘island’. “That’s the Ancestor.” He began to make smaller dots. “These are his lackeys. The barrier can only take one of the little dots at a time because of the planet’s outside influence.

“Now then, these guys have been able to successfully train humans in Arcanus magic. It’s not easy, because humans for some reason just aren’t evolved enough to hear and connect with magical energies, but they can learn it. Those who are ‘ordained’ are the ones who have been able to master it. As you know from basic lessons we...er you guys took as kids, foreign energies break down natural energies of the world they are in. So, if the humans, who have the largest population of all the races combined were able to learn and harness Arcanus magic on a massive scale...”

“It would break down the planet’s ability to reinforce the barrier and this ‘Ancestor’ can get through.” Naliel finished and Vari nodded. “So if we do not stop this Ancestor, they really will become a threat. Until then, it would appear that this Malista and her sister are actively trying to stop them from advancing on this front. That is odd, are they hoping Rioran will handle the Ancestor himself?”

Vari shrugged. “Maybe. Demon kings are the only true immortals ever created besides the gods. If anyone could kill a Larka it’d be a demon king. That’s why he had them freeze the kingdoms once they had acquired enough people and energy to do it.”

“We must inform Rioran of this.” The brunette turned to his lover. “And somehow, we must find a way to Quotos Island...if there is a way. It is said the island isn’t even really in the mortal realm.”

“I could ask the dragon king for you.” Vari smiled thinly when they regarded him “He and I uh, had a bit of a run in and...someone important to me is traveling with him.” It hurt that he didn’t know what they were any longer. Five years really did change a lot of things. Briefly, he wondered if perhaps there was something going on between him and the dragon king.

If...if there is; I’ll...just have to be happy for him. Even if it would hurt more than anything.

“I am going to assume the dragon king will have ways of contacting Rioran. What else do you know...Vari?”

At least he was trying. The blonde smiled thinly. “I’m going to try and track down the Nor’Kotor sisters. Veciel knew everything regarding what was going on here in Bavaria because he was the high priest. He did travel to different cities, but this was his base of operations. Since the empire is secured, all that would be left to kill off the organization would be to take down Bavaria.” He held up his hands. “Don’t ask me how I’ll do it, I have no clue. I just know it has to be done or a lot of people are going to die. If memory serves, I don’t think the vampires could take another hit. They’d probably defeat the humans, but at great cost to their own numbers. That’s all I can tell you.”

“I also agree about the vampires not being able to take another war after only seven hundred years. “For a moment Naliel looked as if he wanted to say more, but looked highly uncomfortable. Seeing this, the dark elf began to leave, causing the other two to regard him with alarm.

The brunette reacted first. “Sarna?”

“I’ll be right back.” He closed the door behind him without another word, leaving the two alone in the room.

They avoided each other’s gazes and the air was tense and awkward. While Vari didn’t regret coming to speak with Naliel, being alone with him like this was the last thing he really wanted to do.

“Who...is Kaden?”

Violet snapped to blue and then abruptly looked away at the elf’s expression. He would have to avoid looking Naliel in the eyes, for apparently it disturbed him. “He’s...” another sigh. “He and I both knew Rori. I think you might have met him, he did say something about you two.”

A slow nod. “I was unable to meet him, but I was told what he and the dragon king did.”

“Yeah. Well.” He shook his head, scowling. Just talking about it was going to piss him off all over again but he had an idea as to why he was being asked. “Kaden and I both liked Rori. At first it was friendship but it quickly became more. Well, Rori ended up choosing me, for a lot of different reasons really, but it pissed Kaden off a lot. It pissed him off so bad he became obsessed in his anger and bitterness. A while back he eventually lost it and turned Rori in as a magic user. He didn’t know it, though, so still thinking he was friends with Kaden he went to say goodbye...and let’s just say I’ll be paying him a visit before I track down Malista. If you want specifics I’m going to tell you right now that it’s none of your damned business.”

“Did you love him?” he ignored the last bit. Vari nodded.

“I still do. But I think he’s moved on. I can’t blame him, I was gone for five years.”

Instead of responding right away, Naliel walked over to the window, back facing the other. “If you are truly life mates,” he began “Then you will be together again. I am...sorry for what happened to your lover.” His hand went to his arm, the scarred one. After a long moment he sighed and tried to speak again. “My...earlier when I...”

“I don’t want an apology.” Vari said and Naliel’s shoulders relaxed from their tense position. “I gave you what you needed, I hope it helps.” He stood and turned to leave. “Besides, you and I both know you don’t want to give me one. Not really. I’m Varicen but I’m Veciel, I don’t expect you to see me any other way. If I can help it, we won’t meet again.” No matter what, Naliel would never be able to call him a friend or trust him, he couldn’t. Vari understood it and wasn’t about to hold it against him.

He wasn’t surprised when Naliel said nothing as he walked out of the room.

xxxxx

Every night Liari practiced when she could and every night Rioran would watch her when she didn’t think he was looking.

At the moment, she was practicing outside in the forest, the small home-turned-inn only feet away. The enchanted blades were in her hands and they moved smoothly, as if they were a part of her. She would tie her hair back while she practiced and he would watch, almost mesmerized as long thick hair trailed behind her. It was almost like a dance, she moved so gracefully.

Melee-wise, Liari was formidable. She had strength, speed, and agility all on her side. She wasted no moves and her manipulation with shadow magic and her clan’s innate ability made her deadly.

It wasn’t a matter of her being weak and Rioran wished he could make her see that. She was even down on her abilities as a healer which was ridiculous; she was the best healer he had ever met and that was saying a lot. The real issue was that Liari wanted to help and her skills had so far not been needed for the encounters they had experienced. But he and Naliel were mid to long range fighters and they were both immortals. Liari was a close range combat fighter only and she was not an immortal.

Speaking of which...

He needed to bond with her. The vampires were drawing closer. They had been following them for a while now; why they hadn’t attacked was beyond him. He had a feeling that if they planned on striking soon it would be because they felt they had an advantage. If something happened to Liari he had no idea what would happen to him or his powers as a demon king. The bond would prevent that but at what cost?

It doesn’t matter anymore. I can’t keep putting it off as long as she’s in danger.

The redhead wished he understood his feelings for the young woman, but he didn’t. He knew that he was growing fond of her, that he cared for her more than he had for anything or anyone. Physically, he desired her and emotionally he wanted to become closer to her.

They didn’t have to love each other to complete the bond, Rioran knew this. Perhaps he was growing sentimental, but he didn’t want to cross into the more physical aspects of their relationship until he could honestly say that he returned her feelings. But time was running out. Arcanus energies were growing, the spirits were becoming restless.

When he started walking from his hiding place to near her, Liari stopped in what she was doing and turned to him. A small smile flickered on her lips, hazel eyes bright. She was lightly sweating, hair was matted to her forehead and her clothes were somewhat disheveled. She looked beautiful and for just a split second he thought, not for the first or last time, that perhaps he truly was in love with her.

“Spar with me.” The redhead said, smirking when her eyes widened and her jaw dropped just a bit. They had been traveling for almost two months and not once had he offered.

“Um, you can use swords?” it was somewhat a legitimate question, he supposed, since he didn’t carry weapons and only used magic for fighting. It still made his eyebrow twitch slightly, though.

“I’ve been alive for two thousand years, Vampireling. Yes, I know how to use swords. I also know thirty seven different languages and, if we ever get around to them, sex positions that you wouldn’t have even imagined to be possible.” The smirk widened when her flushed face turned bright red. “Do we have any other questions about what I can or cannot do?”

Chuckling, he shook his head as he closed the distance. “In any case, I didn’t say anything about using weapons. You are more than welcome to, but there’s a reason I don’t carry a weapon like the other demon kings and it’s not all because I prefer magic.”

Just because he couldn’t help himself, his fingers brushed along the side of her face when he stood before her. She shivered lightly at the touch before looking away, embarrassed. His heart felt thick in his chest and there was warmth in his smile as he regarded her. Was that love? Was this what people felt when they were in love with someone?

“Alright.” She took a few steps back, ending the small spell between them. Taking a small breath, she sheathed her swords and shifted to a defensive stance. “I attack first?”

He didn’t move. “Yes. Use whatever you feel necessary to fight level with me.”

With a small nod, she suddenly disappeared.

Green eyes narrowing, he twisted his body to the left just in time to raise an arm to block the kick that had been aimed for his head. She immediately vanished again and he dipped back to avoid another kick. From there it went into a series of blocks and feints. He wasn’t trying to fight back, not yet. First he needed to see just how far he could take things and he also wanted to see how good she was against a real opponent.

So far, she was good. Surprisingly, she didn’t rely on shadow magic at all, preferring to use her innate ability. He would have to ask her about that later. It seemed that close quarters combat with swords was her specialty, which he was actually happy about. While Liari had felt helpless around her more powerful counterparts, Rioran had been feeling helpless concerning what to do about it. He wanted to help her become stronger, but he had been at a loss as to how until now. He could train her in hand to hand combat, because there could come a time when her swords wouldn’t be readily available for her.

He went on the offensive then, avoiding any heavy punches and kicks and tried to see if she would see any of the openings he left for her. She picked up on the lack of guard to his left side and then to the way he relied on his right leg when he moved.  These were flaws he had learned to rid himself over the years and it had taken a long time to do it.

A strong spike of energy hit him and he hesitated just long enough for her to land a blow to his temple. Staggering back, he shook his head, disoriented.

“Rioran!” then she was at his side, her hand gently resting over the injured spot. Warmth filled him as her energy poured into him and the quickly growing headache ceased. “I’m so sorry, I thought you –“

“It’s alright.” Taking her hand in his, he tried to keep his expression neutral. The vampires were close and they weren’t trying to mask their presence any longer. That meant they no longer saw him as a threat and that was bad. “You’re good; better than good, really. My specialty doesn’t involve blades but I think I could show you some things that could help improve your form.”

Her gaze drifted down to their joined hands, her expression blank. When she tried to pull back he wouldn’t let her. Instead,  he tugged until she was almost flush against him. An arm went around her waist and he let go of her hand to brush it along the side of her face again and then into her hair. He loved the feel of it, even damp and dirty.

“Liari.” She looked up at him and he drew closer. “We have another day or so until Naliel meets back up with us and we head to Liunos lands. There are things I have wanted to tell you but somehow or another,” his expression briefly showed irritation “we keep getting interrupted. I...” he opened his mouth but did not immediately have words to convey. After a moment he found his voice again.

“I know you do not believe I love you and you feel that perhaps nothing will ever happen between us.” When she tried to look down he tilted her chin with his hand, forcing her to keep his gaze. “Our relationship...from the beginning was not a great start. You had been a child and I had been a pissed off demon king.” She smiled thinly but there was uncertainty in her eyes. He shook his head.

“As I said before, I do not know if I love you; but in this time we have spent together I have felt more strongly for you than I have ever felt for anyone else.” He framed her face in his hands. “I might not know if I love you, Liari, but I want you in my life. Not as a friend, not as a ‘forced’ lifemate, not like any of those things.

“Eventually I will regain my kingdom. I know you feel that you will be hated but you won’t. You won’t be hated, or branded as weak or unintelligent. You will be...if you so desire, my queen. My wife, if you wish to call it that.”

He almost smirked at the shocked look on her face and resisted the urge to kiss her. It was strange how she could be so adorable and so beautiful at the same time. Was that even possible?

“I...” closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her eyes looked almost like warm gold when she looked back up at him. “Did you just...ask me to marry you?”

Rioran rolled his eyes although he did feel a little embarrassed which was annoying. “You are ruining the sappy moment, Vampireling. You are supposed to fall all over yourself with happiness and joy or some other such nonsense.”

Laughing, she tilted her head. “Perhaps if I was some airhead or naïve. But this is you we’re talking about here. I know better.”

Another twitch of the eyebrow. “Liari you –“he was cut off when her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him in, their lips connecting. His response was immediate; arms wrapping tightly around her slender frame. His tongue slid into her mouth, trailing over small fangs. It was a bit of sweet torture, knowing how pleasurable it felt yet only standing at the precipice.

Hands slid up her back as slender fingers delved into his hair. He made a small appreciative noise as her fingers massaged his scalp. How long they stood there in the forest like that was beyond him and he didn’t care. Nothing mattered to him at that moment but her.

Vampireling, I may not know if I love you...but I want to. That is what I have wanted to say. I want to be with you, I want you by my side for as long as you’ll put up with me. It did not start that way, but I care about you more than...anything. No matter what you may think or feel, I need you. This two thousand year old, irritable and insufferable demon needs you. And only you.

Pulling back, her hands slid down to frame his face, tears sliding down sweat stained cheeks. She was smiling up at him and his breath caught briefly at the emotions he could clearly see. The barriers that she had held up to protect her feelings around him seemed to have crumbled and he felt relieved. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable about how she felt about him; he wanted her love. He wanted to return that love and right now he felt that he could if he didn’t already.

“Rioran...” she let out a shaky breath. “Rioran, I love you and I...I was always yours. From the first night in that forest, I belonged to you.”

“Belonged with me, Liari.” He murmured, dipping his head for another kiss. “You belong with me.”

We belong with each other, Vampireling.