Vali walked miserably over to the older elf, taking the elegant but limp hand in his own.
"Tristian?"
The older elf continued to look blankly at the dead form of his love, as Gabriel lay in his coffin, the lid open so their last respects could be paid. The priests had already come and gone and most of the guests, but the whole time Tristian hadn't moved from where he stood. Vali was distraught himself but he was more worried about his friend. As he continued to watch his friend closely he wondered what on earth could be going through the other elf's mind. Was he as baffled as Vali as to why their lovers had killed each other?
It seemed like such an absurd thing to happen. How could they all have found such love with each other and then have it end so quickly and needlessly. Vali honestly didn't understand. Tristian had said that it had probably been because Gabriel had raped Vali, but the silver-haired elf wasn't so sure. For he had spoken to William about the incident, and his lover had told him that he agreed with Vali's reasoning, Gabriel hadn't been to blame. He knew William would not have done such a thing because of that one incident. After all William had told him himself that he despised killing. He would have handed Gabriel over to the law keepers before he would have tried to kill him. No, something about this was definitely not right.
He was brought out of his thoughts as Tristian finally turned to him, collapsing into the younger elf's offered embrace. Vali held the slender body close and almost laughed at his previous thoughts. How stupid to worry over such things now. It didn't matter why they killed each other...what mattered was that they were both dead.
"Are you coming back to Laurien with me?" Tristian whispered the question softly, trailing a hand across Vali's back.
"There is nothing left for me here." He answered sadly before leading the taller elf from the mourning room.
Wren watched them with a saddened expression, she felt terrible knowing that this was partially her fault. She should never have interfered. If she hadn't arranged it so Vali would travel to Brantilay and meet William then he may have not met his soul mate in this life, but at least he would not have lost him, nor would Tristian have suffered the loss of his soul mate.
"This really saddens you so much, my love?"
She turned to see him looking at her with worry in his pale eyes. "Yes, but there is nothing I can do, it is too late...even if I were willing to give you up."
"You have disobeyed the mother before."
She scowled, "I know, why do you have to rub it in?" She relented her angry gaze slightly as she saw his hurt.
"That wasn't my intent. I..." He took a steadying breath, gathering his courage, "I have not."
"What?" She looked at him, confused as to what he was trying to tell her. He shrugged and looked at the ground for a long while before finally returning his gaze to hers, in an oddly shy and timid gesture.
"I have never disobeyed her before, if... If I were to do so now she would not destroy us."
"You would do that?" She questioned, hope flaring in her heart, "You would do that for them?"
"No."
She felt tears gathering, how could he build her hopes up like that then...
"I will do it for you." He brushed her tears away gently and pulled her close. "But I must go now, before it is too late and they go back to the cycle."
"Thank you." She suddenly pulled back and took his face in her hands carefully. "You will not be in danger will you?"
"A little, but I will be fine, and so will they. I promise." He then placed a soft kiss to her lips before vanishing to go and perform a miracle.
"Hello, slayer."
He spun, drawing his gun in one smooth motion, but the woman just smiled unfazed by the weapon aimed at her head. "What do you want, Kasha?" He questioned the ancient vampire, wary of any move she might make, vampires were definitely not to be trusted.
"I have a deal to offer you." She answered before giving the rest of the empty alleyway a careless glance.
"I'm listening." He told her cautiously, his nerves still on edge.
"Give me free-play of the city tonight." She said as if it were a perfectly reasonable request. As if it was an easy decision to leave a whole city full of mortals at the oldest vampire's mercy. The demon who could shatter walls with her mind and change mortals into zombies.
"Never." He stated coldly, angered that she thought he could be so easily corrupted, what thing could she possibly offer him that he would sacrifice his honour for? There was only one thing in the world he truly craved for and that was impossible, something...someone he could never have.
"Do not be so hasty to reject my deal, you have not even heard of what I offer." She said with a sly smile he really didn't like. "Do you think I haven't noticed the way you watch him? Do you think he hasn't noticed you at all his usual haunts? You are not hunting there, slayer, for you know he wouldn't abide the ones you hunt to be near him. You know they stay away from him as the deer will run from the lioness. So it must be him you go to see."
He really didn't like that she had read him so well, had he really been that obvious? And why was she saying this? She couldn't possibly offer him what he wanted, could she? "How do you know I am not just protecting the public from him?"
She laughed. "So pathetic, that you still feel you have to try and lie to me. But seriously, we both know he has not killed a mortal for over a century, he does not enjoy the kill as others do."
"Why are you wasting my time?" He questioned angrily, feeling furious that she knew his darkest secret, a secret that could get him thrown out of his job as a protector. A slayer lusting so fully for a vampire was intolerable.
She merely smiled at his anger, perhaps getting off on it, or perhaps she knew she would get what she wanted in the end anyway. No matter how pissed off he was, in fact his strong emotions were likely to aid him to choose the way she wanted.
"My poor little vampire has been unwell for the past few night, unable to go out and hunt."
He frowned at her words, she was basically telling him she had chained Vynor so he couldn't hunt and had let him starve, for what purpose he was sure he was about to find out.
"So when I brought him a lovely warm gift he drank greedily, unaware that the poor mortal was already dying from poisons in her blood." She smiled at the anger burning in his dark eyes. "So now he is just waiting for you to have your way with him... all soft and warm from the fresh mortal blood, and as weak as a kitten from the poison. All you have to do is spend the night with him."
It was absolutely the wrong thing to do, it was the worst thing to do. Leave a city unprotected to be with a drugged vampire, possible to rape the ancient creature. He swallowed heavily.
"Take me to him."
The door closed as soon as he had stepped into the room, and he wasn't surprised to hear it lock from the outside. The only furniture in the large cavernous room was a massive canopy bed. He walked over and pushed the flimsy curtain aside to get a good view of the pale and slender body lying prone on the dark red, silk sheets.
Vynor had never looked so beautiful to him as he did now. He was curled lightly on his side, his thin wrists wrapped in heavy chain and secured to the headboard, his long black hair spread carelessly behind him on the sheets, still looking shiny and perfectly straight as if the strands had just been brushed with the uttermost care. He studied the long slender limbs with something akin to awe, the skin was smooth and unblemished, not a hair in sight. He was far more beautiful than any young woman could ever be. His body was permanently in its prime, wrinkleless and perfectly formed. He reached out and stroked one hand down a perfect calf muscle, she was right, he is warm and soft, so perfect.
The vampire made a small sound in his sleep and he looked to the angelic face to see the thick lashes flutter against flawless porcelain cheeks. The thin and elegant eyebrows moved down in consternation as the vampire struggled to regain consciousness. Before the beautiful creature could awaken he slipped his shoes off and crawled onto the bed. Leaning over the docile creature to place a soft kiss to the rose-pink lips. Vynor made a sleepy protest as he licked his tongue over the succulent lips, and the chians clanked together helping to bring the vampire further into wakefulness.
Large golden eyes blinked open before Vynor jerked backwards in shock from the slayer's closeness. But the chains held firm, so all he succeeded in doing was banging his temple against the headboard and cutting his wrists on the rough chain links. He collapsed back against the bed, squeezing his eyes shut and letting out a small whimper of pain. The slayer sat still for a moment, having not been expecting such a reaction and he watched, mesmerized as the dark crimson blood slowly trailed down the milky white skin causing him to become further aroused. Kasha had given him an amazing gift. To have such a powerful and beautiful creature bound and at your mercy was an amazing intoxicant.
He turned his gaze back to the beautiful face to see the vampire was now looking at him, with what looked like fear in his eyes. "What..." He rasped out the word and a moment later was coughing almost violently, bracing his head against his arms as his body shook. When the coughs finally subsided he slumped against the sheets visibly, his whole body limp as that of a rag doll.
"What am I doing here?" He smiled as the pale eyes darted to him again and he noticed a drop of blood slip from the corner of the vampire's mouth. "Kasha has made a gift of you. For tonight you are mine."
"No." The delicate creature forced out the denial, this time managing to stop another coughing fit. The slayer merely pushed him onto his back, not caring of how this action caused the chains to tear more of the soft flesh, and he covered the smaller body with his own. Crushing him into the mattress and covering his mouth in a harsh and brutal kiss, turned on even further by the vampire's weak struggling. When he finally pulled back he watched in interest as the vampire gasped in shaky breaths, his eyes wide in shock and fear, his slender body trembling under the slayer.
He ran his hand, none too gently down the vampire's bound arms, over his shoulders and finally squeezing the pale throat, until the vampire resumed his struggling, taking in shallow and erratic breaths. Why not taunt the evil creature? He brought it on himself anyway by making the slayer want him so badly.
"How long has it been, vampire? How long since you have been so completely at someone's mercy? Someone who wants nothing more than your body and your screams?" He tightened his grip, bruising the soft flesh and causing the vampire to struggle so desperately he wrenched at the chains, dislocating one of his wrists. He laughed and released his grip, fascinated at how the vampire's frantic breathing quickly changed into helpless sobbing, tears streaming down the beautiful face. "Answer me." He commanded and when Vynor didn't immediately respond he grabbed the wounded wrist and shoved the joint back into place. The vampire let out a scream of pain and surprise, the sound ear piercing as only an immortal's scream could be. The light bulb shattered, and it took a moment for the slayer's eyes to adjust to the dimer light coming from the fireplace.
"That was very naughty." The slayer admonished, caressing the blood-covered arms almost affectionately. "Not only didn't you answer my question but you broke the light. You will have to be punished for that."
"Go to hell, you sick freak!" Vynor hissed before spitting in the slayer's face. "I swear, I will kill you."
He calmly wiped the saliva tinged with blood from his face and licked it off his fingers. "Still so feisty?" He sighed, "Oh, well, I will soon cure that." He then climbed off the bed and removed his clothes carefully and with deliberate slow and calm movements, knowing the vampire was watching and fearing his every move. When he was finished he climbed back on the bed. Vynor tried to kick him but he easy grabbed the weak and sluggish limbs, throwing them down hard against the mattress. Then before the vampire could protest further, he flipped the slight body over and positioned his pulsing erection in between the delectable globs, the tip teasing the tight ring of muscle and the vampire went very still.
"Don't." Vynor said very quietly and meekly, as if he knew his protest would go unheard but he still had to utter the word because of pride.
"You had your chance for this to be gentle but now you've pissed me off." The slayer spoke coldly before griping the vampire's hips with strong hands and pushing into him with one harsh thrust. The room echoed with the creature's pain-filled screams as he continued to push in and out of the fiery tightness, the movement becoming easier as blood lubricated the passage. Just as he was about to climax he slowed down, deliberately drawing out the process for as long as possible, thoroughly enjoying the pitiful noises the vampire was now making and the constant shudders which tore though his fragile frame.
When he finally came it was amazing, the best orgasm he had ever experienced. The only disappointing thing was the soft whimpering sigh of relief the vampire let out as he drew his limp, blood covered penis from inside the vampire. He leaned over and as he whispered in Vynor's ear he shoved a couple of fingers into the bloody passage, stretching and scraping the soft flesh, causing the vampire to struggle and squirm weakly to try and get away from the hurtful digits. "Oh, I'm nowhere near finished, my pet. And when I am done with you, I assure you, you will curse your immortality."
William felt tears running down his cheeks as he shook his head in disbelief at the recovered memories. "I...I can't have done that." He told the slender figure of death weakly.
"Ah, but you did." The beautiful man shook his head sadly. "But such things do happen. Besides that was a different life."
William still felt terribly sick as he remembered that horrid night, the one he had so cherished in his last life. He glanced over to see Gabriel glaring at him hatefully, obviously remembering finding his broken vampire lover after that night. William took in a shaky breath, finding it hard to believe this was all real. How could he have lived in such a strange place? Where they had...vampires and weapons, which shot out little metal pellets. It was too bizarre to have really happened, and yet his memories were there.
"There are many dimensions which your souls are bound." Death told him with a careless shrug, "But that is not important. What is important is that you are both dead, and I will not bring you back to life just so you can kill each other again. So you must promise not to harm one another before I can send you back to your lovers."
"Vynor...he was...is..." Gabriel trailed off, his voice unusually soft and confused.
"Tristian? Yes. And Vali was Kasha." Death smiled wryly, "I must admit that was a very strange lifetime for all of you, though highly amusing to watch."
"It wasn't me...I couldn't have done that." William persisted.
Death sighed.
"I won't try to kill him again, I promise. I just want to be with Tristian." Gabriel said assertively as he stood to look down on the perfect but rather short immortal.
"And what about you William?"
"I...I can't have..."
"For the Mother's sake! Just promise and I can send you back. Don't worry I will remove you past lives memories." Death said impatiently. "Your corpses are rotting away as we speak." He added, pleased with the look of fear in the lord's green eyes.
"I...I promise." William said hesitantly, then all went dark.
Vali snuggled further under the blankets, shifting impossibly close to his lover as William's arms tightened around him. He then sat up suddenly as he remembered something.
"I forgot to water the roses!" He exclaimed in distress before trying to untangle himself from the blankets and his lover's arms. William chuckled and pulled the pretty elf back against him.
"They'll live." He told the panicked creature, as he started nibbling at his pale neck.
"But I only planted them yester...day..." Vali shivered in pleasure as the lord nibbled his ear. "They'll be fine." He mumbled as he stopped his struggling and melted into his lover's affections.
"I knew you'd see it my way." William said giving the elf several playful and affectionate kisses. The kisses eventually deepened and they stay in each other's embrace for a very long time before Vali suddenly pulled back.
"You know..." Vali started his thought, as he looked at his lover's face carefully. He then ran a finger down William's flawless left cheek. "It feels like something is different."
"And what would that be, love?" the human questioned as his green eyes sparkled with amusement at the serious expression on the elf's face.
"I...don't know. But it feels like I'm forgetting something." Vali answered almost sadly. William easily pulled the elf into his arms, comforting the creature physically.
"Perhaps you are still a bit troubled by Tristian's visit?"
"Perhaps." Vali shrugged, nuzzling his lover's cheek. "It doesn't matter. I'm wonderfully happy here with you. Brandon be damned."
"Oh, that is so sweet." Wren said as she watched the two lovers cuddle. "How did you manage it?"
"You know I can't tell you that." He said as he wrapped his arms around her. "I just hope I did a good enough job on their memories."
"I'm sure you did." She then smiled and turned to him. "That was a nice touch, de-scarring William."
"I know." He smiled smugly, "But unfortunately I couldn't do anything for Gabriel's seasickness, I guess Tristian will just have to cure that."
He groaned under the soft torture as a warm and slick tongue traced down his chest to flutter across his abdomen, before skipping to his thighs. He moaned again, not caring how loud he was as he reached for the creature that was tormenting him so ruthlessly. But the lithe being merely slipped away from him, only to come back and tease him a moment later. He reached out again, trying to focus his dizzy vision. He really hated ships. As the creature eluded him again he growled low in his throat.
"Tristian." He warned the creature, his voice carefully controlled as not to betray too much of his anger.
"Yes, love?" The elf questioned innocently as he trailed light fingers across the giant's thighs, carefully avoiding Gabriel's pulsing manhood.
"Stop teasing and let me fuck you." He commanded but the elf merely continued to smile like a child with candy. "Tristian." He barked out his lover's name and this time the elf moved. He leaned down placing butterfly kisses to his golden skin, following the same path his fingers had only a moment before. Gabriel groaned in frustration and reached his hands out yet again...but again he was too slow. "You little bastard!" He hissed through the haze of painful arousal.
"What is the matter, my love?" The redhead tilted his head cutely, his sweet smile in place on his angelic face. "Why would you call me such names?"
"Because you are being very, very bad."
"Really?" He paused and tapped a long elegant finger to his full moist lips, eliciting another groan from the giant. "Then you will just have to punish me." It was then he noticed the silk rope in the elf's other hand.
"If I wasn't so sick I would." He said angrily before turning his head to the side, feigning helplessness. "How can you be so cruel? I can hardly even move and all you do is tease me."
Musical laughter echoed around the small cabin and the elf sat back on his heels. "How stupid do you think I am, to fall for that?"
"If you don't do as I say now, I will hurt you until you are screaming for me to stop." Gabriel told his lover darkly.
"Oh...I'm so scared." Tristian mocked sweetly before twirling the silk cord with his slender fingers.
He had had enough. He moved quicker than even the elf could avoid, had the beautiful being wanted to. In an instant he had the slender body under him and Tristian looked up at him, his eyes wide with surprise. As Gabriel glared at his lover the elf went perfectly still and swallowed heavily, his expressive eyes betraying his slight fear.
"Umm...sorry?" The elf offered meekly and the giant shook his head, that definitely wasn't good enough. He gripped the delicate wrists easily in one hand while he wrapped the cord around them, securing them together tight enough to make the elf wince. "That's a little tight, love." The redhead complained as he tried to pull out of the giant's grip.
"I am punishing you as you wanted. That rope around your wrists will be the least of your pains." He growled out lowly as he leaned down to bite at the perfect lips hard enough to draw blood. Tristian moaned softly and pushed his hips up subconsciously so Gabriel could feel the elf's hardness. He grinned and pulled away from the lips before placing many little bites along the smooth white skin at the elf's throat as his hands ran down the slender arms roughly, leaving red marks in their wake.
"Mmm...Gabriel." Tristian purred, tilting his head back to give the giant better access to his neck. Gabriel pulled back and narrowed his eyes as the elf squirmed under him.
"I did not say you could enjoy yourself." He told the elf coldly and was surprised and angered when the elf smiled.
"So? You do not control me, Gabriel, do not deceive yourself into thinking you do."
Gabriel suddenly felt angered beyond words. He backhanded the elf sharply then grabbed his delicate chin in a harsh grip before forcing him to face him again. Tristian opened his mouth to say something but in an instant Gabriel had his tongue shoved into the warm sweet cavern. As he continued the fiery kiss he shifted his hands to the smooth skin where neck met shoulders, placing his fingers carefully before suddenly digging them into the soft flesh. Tristian jerked in pain but his scream was muffled by the passionate kiss. When Gabriel was certain the pressure wasn't causing pain anymore he shifted his grip to hold the elf's face again.
"Cry for me, my beautiful pet." He commanded darkly as he noticed the elf's eyes were stubbornly dry. Violet eyes narrowed at the giant's words and Tristian struggled to push him off.
"Get off me!" He hissed angrily, obviously not wanting to play anymore, but Gabriel would have none of that. He slapped the elf again, darkening the mark already marring the elf's perfect cheek. "You ungrateful sh-" He was cut off abruptly as Gabriel again claimed his lips, intent on distracting the elf from his anger. Tristian was no fun when he was aggressive and hurtful, he was much better vulnerable and submissive. The elf eventually started responding to the kiss in kind, and making small pleasured sounds as Gabriel ran unusually gentle and affectionate hands over the fragile beauty under him.
When he eventually pulled back from the kiss Tristian sighed softly and turned his head to the side, his eyes shut lightly, his bound hands still above his head. Gabriel untied the elf before kissing the underside of each wrist in turn. The beautiful creature looked so pale and needing of comfort, he leaned down, ignoring his own throbbing need as he placed a gentle kiss to the slender throat. "Vynor...my love, don't leave me." He pleaded softly before placing another kiss to the cool skin.
"But it hurts to stay." His lover whispered softly in reply. "I can't live anymore...I'm sorry..." And that was the last breath he took. He grabbed the delicate shoulders and shook his lover, determined not to let him leave. The slender figure suddenly gulped in a shaky breath and his eyes flew open. It was then they both froze, violet locking with emerald for several long seconds.
Tristian eventually swallowed and took in another shaky breath before speaking in a surprisingly calm voice. "That was...weird."
"Very weird." Gabriel agreed, wondering what the hell was going on.
"I think we should forget that ever happened."
"Good idea." Gabriel blinked and released his strong grip. "Where were we?"
"You were punishing me." Tristian answered with a slight smirk before reaching down to stroke Gabriel's still full erection with agile fingers.
"Oh yeah."
This time he didn't bother with the cord, simply holding the elf's arms above his head with one hand. One hand was easily enough to torture his lover. He shifted almost completely off the pale body before running his hand slowly up one slender thigh, across a toned stomach, then back down the other thigh. Tristian whimpered under the soft attentions and he told Gabriel with irritation, "Take me already."
"No." Gabriel smiled teasingly and spread the thighs a bit wider before slipping one finger into the tight heat. As he pushed in another finger and moved them around roughly Tristian squirmed, gasping out delicious little noises as he inadvertently tried to free his arms. "What are you doing?" Gabriel questioned, halting the movement of his fingers and slipping them out of the warm body, despite the elf's whimper of protest.
"I...need you, damn it! Stop watching me squirm and take me!" He gasped out in answer still trying to wriggle free.
"I really don't think you are in a position to order me around." Gabriel commented dryly as he trailed the fingers of his free hand along the elf's silky flesh.
"Please love." The elf almost begged, which was a lot for Tristian and enough for Gabriel. The giant released his grip on the fragile wrists and shifted to kneel between the elf's spread legs. The elf quickly wrapped his arms around his lover's neck and basically jumped into his lap, wrapping long legs around his waist and sliding down to impale himself on the large firm manhood. The elf gasped in a shuddering and slightly painful breath but as Gabriel shifted inside him he let his head drop back, a delighted moan slipping from his luscious lips. They moved together in fiery passion until both came together in perfect unison, collapsing together on the soft rugs.
Once he had regained his breath and some of his strength, Gabriel pulled the beautiful and slender body into his arms, loving the way Tristian nuzzled his neck sleepily. He smiled, once again wondering how he had been blessed with such a perfect creature to love and treasure. "For all eternity." He whispered the words softly into the silky red hair, thinking the elf was already asleep. Of course he wasn't.
"What is?" He questioned, snuggling closer before placing a kiss to the strong golden neck before him.
"My love for you." The giant answered without hesitation, causing the elf to sit up and look at him seriously for a few moments. He then smiled and gave a soft laugh, his eyes sparkling with joy and affection.
"You are being sappy, my love." The elf teased before placing another kiss to his lover's skin. "How do you feel?"
"I think you cured my seasickness." Gabriel commented with a grin before shifting to hold his lover's face gently and kiss him with all the passion and desire he still felt burning within his soul. When they finally parted he let out a light-hearted laugh. "But I think you will have to treat me again, just to be on the safe side."
Tristian, still a bit stunned from the kiss could only gasp in surprise as he was once again pinned to the floor, the body of his lover covering him completely. His eyes widened slightly as an insistent hand ran down his side to settle on his hip and the other moved to caress his throat. "I-If you are sure... I do not wish to tire you."
"If I didn't know any better, my beautiful elf, I would think you are nervous." Gabriel said before moving to show the elf just how he would love him for all eternity.
THE END
Well, that's it. It's finally finished. Thank you to all of you who sent me encouraging emails, it was greatly appreciated and helped me to bother to finish this.
Please feel free to tell me what you thought of the ending and help me decide if I should bother writing a sequel... or prequel really.