Love Lost

Love Lost, Love Found

By

Christos Kastellanos

Chapter Eight

Rickie soon found himself surrounded by the royal guards as he knelt on the ground with Demetrious in his arms.

"He's killed the king apparent," one of the guards called out.

"Alexandros please... I need your help,' he mentally cried out.

Suddenly a vapor appeared and with it, Alexandros and Chrysanthos. They stood frozen where they stood, their eyes looking down at the lifeless body of Demetrious.

"Not my son," Chrysanthos cried out, falling down to the ground and taking Demetrious into his arms. "Why Rickie... he loved you so much and this is how you repay his love?"

"I didn't do this Chris, honest to the gods above I didn't do this to him," Rickie replied, looking from Chrysanthos, to Alexandros, and then back to a tearful Chrysanthos.

"Liar, for there is no other around but you and the palace guards," Chrysanthos accused. "Alexandros have him taken away," he begged looking at Rickie with hatred in his eyes.

"I really doubt that Rickie did this, look at the sorrow and pain in his eyes. Now does that look like a man that had just committed murder? No sweetheart, there has to be another," he said and whisked his hands around in the air, causing all within sound of his voice to freeze where they stood.

Suddenly, the guards, Rickie and Chrysanthos, as well as a dark shadow just past the guards, froze in place. Alexandros rose and moved toward the shadow, waving his hand once again, causing the shadow to change into its bodily form. Acanthus stood there, his evil glare locked with Alexandros' eyes and an evil smirk on his face.

"I might have known it was you, Acanthus," he said and with a simple nod, time and those frozen resumed normalcy. "Guards seize him and let him join his father in the dungeon," he ordered, causing the guards to move quickly to take hold of Acanthus.

"It's my right to be king, now some bastard son of a whore," Acanthus cried out, struggling against the guard's hold. "He's dead and now you will have no excuse not to crown me king," he screamed even louder, causing Alexandros to move like lightning to stand before him.

"Don't hold your breath waiting to be king, and more so, do not count Demetrious dead," he said but a breath from Acanthus' face.

He turned away and hurriedly moved to the body of Demetrious, knelt down and turned him over. Alexandros closed his eyes as his hands hovered and moved over Demetrious body. Chrysanthos and Rickie watched, their tears still falling as Alexandros murmured a prayer.

"Awake my son," Alexandros said after pulling a minute wooden dart from Demetrious' body.

Slowly Demetrious' eyes fluttered open, and the first person that he saw was Rickie.

`Ah, what a beautiful face to see when I awaken,' he whispered.

I was afraid that I had lost you, De,' he whispered in reply as he lowered his mouth to Demetrious' in a passionate kiss. I love you, my husband,' he added.

`I love you more... oh so much more.'

It is now the eve of the new millennium and the throne room is crowded with joyous revelers as the Lamia people prepare to crown a new king.

In preparation for the Coronation of Demetrious, that morning great care had been taken to ensure that the golden vessel was filled with blood for the anointing of the new king and his consort, which in Demetrious' case was Rickie. The vessel, together with the scepter that the reigning king possessed, was laid ready upon the special altar in the throne room. The two golden goblets, which were both to be filled with blood supplied by the reigning king, had been set to either side of the spoon and Ampulla in preparation of the ceremony.

The nobility of the Lamia already vested in their ceremonial garments, stood ready to witness the Coronation of Demetrious as their new king. The throne room was beautifully decorated with flowers, their scent heavy in the room. A special section was assembled for the dignitaries from the human community, now a vivid part of the coronation as well as the Lamia community.

As king, Michel's first proclamation had been the dismantling of barrier that once made humans of lesser importance, compared to the noble state of the Lamia. Michel, like Alexandros, felt that they were just as worthy of happiness as were his own people. The law also cleared the way for the two races to intermarry, something that Alexandros needed before he could legally marry Chrysanthos.

It was now the evening and the royal family stood waiting in the wings for the trumpets that would announce them. The new king, as soon as he enters the throne room, is to be received by the reigning king and along with his consort, proceed forward to the altar. The King and King to be, shall walk up through the main body of the throne room, into and through the nobilities of the Lamia, and so through the humans assembled, and having passed by his throne, he shall make his humble adoration to the honored guests, and then kneel on the faldstool set for him and his consort before his throne and to the right side of the altar.

`Are you alright, Chris,' Alexandros asked, noticing how pale and quiet Chrysanthos was.

`I am fine, my husband, I just feel sick to my stomach is all,' he responded, wondering if he would make it to the end of the ceremony without being sick.

`Rickie said that Demetrious was sick also upon awakening,' he confided.

`Nerves, we are all nervous about the coronation, and so soon after the execution of Abaddon and his son, Acanthus.'

`Maybe so Chris, but this is the fourth day in a roll that you have felt ill upon awakening,' he pointed out and Chrysanthos did not tell him that he had been sick also.

`Where is our son... he should be up front and I don't see him,' Chrysanthos asked.

`Rickie, where is Demetrious,' Alexandros asked.

He needed to use the bathroom... here he is now,' he replied looking at a pale Demetrious. Are you alright honey,' he asked with great concern.

I'm fine, my love, I was just momentarily sick. I guess it's all the excitement of the coronation,' he said with a smile. I think I'm...' he began but was interrupted.

The trumpets sounded and when the large golden doors open, the royal family begins its progression into the throne room. Michel, the present ruling king stood ready and waiting for Demetrious, who lead the procession, followed by Rickie, and with Alexandros and Chrysanthos bringing up the rear of the procession. They were smiling as they watched their son walking with his hand upon Michel's right shoulder toward the altar.

It took many long minutes for the procession to finally reach the altar; Michel took his place upon the throne while Demetrious knelt before him and Rickie stood behind him, his hands resting on his husband's shoulders, a sign that he supported his right to be king.

Michel rose from the throne and stepped down the four steps to stand before the kneeling Demetrious.

"Demetrious is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?" he asked.

"I am willing," replied Demetrious.

"Let all those assembled hear as I minister these questions; and the King to be, having the book of laws in his hands, shall answer each question honestly," Michel proclaimed.

A hush fell over the room as Michel opened the ceremonial book that held the questions to be asked and answered.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Lamia, and also the human population dwelling among them, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do," Demetrious said loud and clear.

"Will you to the utmost of your power cause law and justice, tempered with mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"

Again, Demetrious said, "I will".

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of the gods and those of the humans?

"I will."

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the Lamia Kingdom the established laws that came before you and may come during your rule? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the Kingdom of the Lamia, and its doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in our nation by the kings before you?

"All this I promise to do to the best of my ability before the people of Lamia, the proud community of humans and more so, before the gods that sit upon the thrones in Olympus," he said, looking up at his uncle's eyes.

`Would you have spoken the same vows, Alex,' Chrysanthos whispered mentally.

`Yes my love, but back then, the humans were not allowed into the throne room. Although my father governed over them with love and compassion, as well as respect, the laws separating humans and Lamia had not yet been done away with.'

Then Demetrious stood and moved to the altar, along with Rickie. Rickie was trembling inside as he stood stoically beside his mate. He looked over at Demetrious, their eyes met for but a moment and turned back to look at Michel.

With all the people and Lamia assembled to observe the premises: Demetrious and Rickie joined their right hands, Rickie's atop Demetrious' and both hands sitting upon the royal scepter. Demetrious and Rickie said these words together:

"The things which have here been promised, I will perform, and so keep. So help me by the power of the gods," Demetrious and Rickie said solemnly and then bent down and kissed the ring that sat upon Michel's finger.

Demetrious, having thus taken his oath, turned toward the throne and along with his mate, climbed the four steps, turned and each sat upon their throne.

Michel turned to the altar, took the golden vessel into his hand and climbed the steps to stand before Demetrious and Rickie. He dipped his finger into the blood and made a line across both of their foreheads and then drank the blood. He stepped over to the altar once again, took a knife and made a long cut up his wrist. He held the bleeding wrist over first one cup and then the other, and when both were filled, he licked the wound, thus closing it.

"As my father did before me, I now do for you, take and drink the blood of your ancestors that flow in my veins and now flow in yours," he proclaimed and handed each a goblet.

They turned to each other, raised their goblet to each other and then to those assembled. They drank it down in one gulp and then handed the goblets back to Michel.

"Come my brothers," Michel said to Alexandros and Chrysanthos, who stepped forward and up to the thrones.

"Our blood we freely offer you, take so that you know that our love and happiness flows in you both," Alexandros said to Demetrious as did Chrysanthos to Rickie.

Both stood and when Alexandros and Chrysanthos bent their head to expose their throbbing vein, both bit and drank. When they had taken the sufficient amount needed to feed, they kissed the wound, thus closing and healing it.

Alexandros and Chrysanthos then turned and accepted the crowns from Michel. They set them upon Demetrious and Rickie's head.

"Behold, your new king, King Demetrious and his royal consort Prince Richard," Michel proclaimed and the room erupted with applause and cheers as the clock struck the midnight hour, proclaiming the year two thousand.

`My husband, you must find a way to get me from this room and to a bathroom,' Demetrious whispered in Rickie's mind.

Again, my love,' he asked and Demetrious nodded. Just go and I shall make your excuses,' Rickie said and Demetrious vanished in the blink of an eye.

`And where did my son just vanish to,' Alexandros asked as he smiled and shook the hands of the various dignitaries.

`To the royal bathroom to be sick... again,' he replied as he accepted congratulatory wishes from the same dignitaries.

`As did Chrysanthos,' Alexandros returned with a puzzled look upon his face.

When the two missing men returned to the festivities and each with a wide smile on their face, Alexandros pulled them both over to a shadowed corner, along with Rickie.

"We both want to know what is going on with you two and this daily sickness you seem to have," Alexandros demanded to know.

"I'm surprised the all wise Alex hasn't yet figured it out," Chrysanthos said with a smirk on his face.

"No way... you're not preggos are you honey," an excited Rickie asked.

"I'm afraid so and from what dad and I can figure out, we should be due just about the same time," he replied.

"I can understand Chris, but why you?"

"Sweetheart, Chrysanthos is my natural father so the demi-god blood that flows in his veins, also flows in mine. So when I was recreated into a Lamia, I inherited the same capability to bear children as he did upon transformation."

"I'm gonna be a daddy, a real flesh and blood father," a joyous Rickie asked.

"Yes Richard, a real flesh and blood father."

"Then this explains the reason why your nipples were so sensitive honey," Alexandros stated and Chrysanthos nodded.

"I'm pregnant too," he admitted, but not as excited as Rickie and Demetrious were. "I'm going to look like those veteran cops on the force with their big ole guts," he cried.

"But only for a short while. Now we have to have the royal physicians look at you both and give us some idea as to when we can expect our bundles of joy."

The weeks passed and soon weeks became months with each expectant father quickly gaining weight. Upon examination by the royal physicians, it had been determined that although both were due around the same time, Demetrious was having one while Chrysanthos was carrying three.

During this time, both Chrysanthos and Rickie took the time to return to Springfield to tie up loose ends.

"My God Christopher, look how fat you are getting now that you are no longer patrolling a beat," Patrick said enveloping him in his arms. "Look at your chest, why you have man tits now," he added, giving a breast a gently fondle.

"I wouldn't talk, look at your own belly," Chrysanthos replied, poking it with his finger and laughing.

"Well ever since Norm and I moved in together, neither of us are going out and carousing, much less going to the gym," Patrick confessed.

"You and Norm...when did this happen," he asked a smiling Patrick.

"Shortly after his wife left with another man," he confided.

"But the kids..."

"We have them and they couldn't be happier."

"I'm happy Pat for the two of you," he said and hugged Pat tightly, feeling a sudden kick from the baby.

"What the fuck was that, Chris," Patrick asked stepping back and placing a hand on Chrysanthos' belly.

Again the baby gave a kick, causing Patrick to pull his hand away quickly, and looking up with a puzzled look at Chrysanthos.

"It's a very long story Pat, but the short of it is, I'm pregnant," he said and Patrick laughed. "I am Pat, feel," he said taking and placing Patrick's hand back on his stomach.

The baby kicked harder and Patrick looked up with astonishment in his eyes at Chrysanthos.

"But how...you're a man Chris," he asked and Chrysanthos took the time to explain it all to him, as well as admitting that he was a Lamia.

"First you tell me that you're a vampire," he said and again, he erupted with an insane laughter. "But now you also expect me to believe that you are pregnant," the laughter was loud as Patrick doubled over with it.

Chrysanthos stood quickly, his need to feed had come suddenly upon him again. He looked deep into Patrick's eyes and made a mental suggestion, Patrick tilted his head and Chrysanthos fed, sealing the wound and healing it when finished.

"What the fuck are you doing to him," a stunned Norman asked from the doorway. "You were just sucking blood from his neck," he added, pulling his side arm and aiming it at him.

"Oh fuck," Chrysanthos whispered looking directly down the barrel of the gun, while a comatose Patrick slipped to the floor.

"A prince, you married the fucking king of the vampires and now you're a prince?" a shocked Bryan asked.

"That's the short of it and he's also pregnant with my child," he proudly said.

"Well better him than you, right, sugar," Bryan asked, pulling Rickie back into his arms. "How about you and I... you know... for old times sake," he suggested, letting his hand roam down to Rickie's ass.

"No Bri, I'm married now and I won't cheat on him," he said, pushing against Bryan's chest.

"You fucking owe me kid, now give it up," he shouted and through Rickie down on the sofa, slapping his face hard. "I fucking protected you when you first became a vampire and this is how you repay me, denying me a piece of ass," he shouted as he hovered over Rickie.

Rickie knew that he could easily throw him off and defeat him, but he still liked Bryan, and yes, he did feel indebted to him.

"I'm very grateful Bri that you did help me then, but like I told you, I am in love and married."

Bryan didn't care, he ripped away Rickie's clothes, as well as his own and once naked, he parted Rickie's legs with his knee.

`De, help me please,' he called out mentally and almost instantly, Demetrious was by standing beside them.

"I believe my husband said no," he told Bryan, who laughed when he saw the pregnant Demetrious standing there.

`Do it babe, drain him and make him your slave,' he mentally told Rickie.

`But I'll be a vampire then and evil,' he replied back.

`Not when the king decrees it and you replenish his blood with your own,' he added.

"So you want to fuck me for old time's sake," Rickie asked.

"You know it baby boy," Bryan said and thrust his cock hard and deep into Rickie's ass.

"I don't think so Bri," he scolded and nodded at Demetrious.

Demetrious was enraged when he pulled Bryan from Rickie, as if he weighed no more than a few ounces.

"Oh God no...you're going to kill me," Bryan cried out, seeing the anger in Demetrious' eyes and his fangs glistening with saliva as he bared them to him. "Please don't do this...I'm sorry," he pleaded but it was too late for him. "Rickie please...don't let him kill me," he appealed to Rickie.

Demetrious looked down into Bryan's fear filled eyes and with his hypnotic glare, made Bryan tilt his head to the side.

`Now drink, my husband, and then you shall feed him when he awakes,' he instructed Rickie, who stepped up to Bryan, and sunk his teeth deep into his throbbing vein, drinking until he had drained Bryan completely.

Gently he laid Bryan's body down on the sofa, his body as white as snow from lack of blood. Demetrious stepped into his husband's arms and kissed him, sharing the remnants of Bryan's blood which was still on his tongue.

"He really is a good man, De," Rickie said in Bryan's defense.

"Do you remember your first drink upon awakening," Demetrious asked and Rickie nodded. "Well he too is going to be as thirty. So feed him and do with him as you please," he commanded.

"But I never wanted a slave," Rickie said, glancing over at Bryan's body which lay still on the sofa.

"You do know the only other option to slavery and of course the ramifications of just freely killing a human," Rickie was reminded.

"Yes...I will make him one of us," he reluctantly said. "But I don't have to like it," he added.

"As I said, he's yours to do with as you wish. You can also make him, like my father did with you, make him a free Lamia. But first you must instruct him and then you can free him."

"I like that best, De; I'll free him after he knows the laws of our people and how to responsibly feed," he said excitedly.

Time passed for the two and shortly after the stroke of midnight, Bryan began to stir. First his eyes suddenly popped open, he glanced around the room and when he saw Rickie sitting in a chair, he rose with the speed of light from the sofa.

"Ah...you're awake and I imagine quite thirsty," Rickie said watching Bryan, who was watching the throbbing beat of Rickie's heart in the vein of his neck.

"Very thirsty," Bryan said, licking his lips and stepping closer.

Rickie lifted a hand and Bryan stood captivated, his full attention now on Rickie.

"There are rules or laws that you will have to adhere to, Bryan," Rickie began telling them and Bryan nodded. "Firstly, I am your master; I made you and will now feed so that you will be indebted to me. Secondly, when I speak to you, you will listen and obey when I speak to you," he added, again Bryan nodded. "Now drink and I will tell you when to stop," he said and Bryan lowered his mouth to Rickie's neck, sank his teeth deep and drank freely.

Rickie held Bryan to him, feeling his life's blood flowing from his neck and into his past lover. Rickie's heart ached for what he had done to Bryan, but he loved Demetrious more.

"Now kiss the wound to close and heal it," he commanded and Bryan did as he was told.

"I'm one of you, aren't I," he asked hanging his head in shame, for he remembered what had caused him to become a lamia.

He knew he had angered Demetrious, when attacking Rickie, but he was thankful that he had been allowed to live.

"Yes you are, Bryan, and you know why you were converted, don't you," Demetrious asked as he stepped from the shadows and Bryan nodded.

"Yes ma'lord...forgive me ma'lord," he said, dropping to his knees in submission to the king.

"Do you know who you are addressing," Rickie asked, surprised that Bryan would remember.

"Yes ma'lord, he's the king of our people," Bryan said, his head lowered to both of them.

"Your life has been spared because of Richard's compassion for what you once had together, but hear your king and heed his words," Demetrious said, placing a finger beneath Bryan's chin and raising his head so that their eyes met. "If you ever dare to sexually attack my husband again, mercy will not be given. Am I clear on this, Bryan," he asked and Bryan nodded.

"Yes ma'lord, your humble subject hears and will obey," he promised.

"Very well, I will accept your word, for Richard assured me that you may be many things, but a liar you are not. Now we must leave, I do believe that my fathers are ready to return to our homeland," he said and once Bryan was instructed on how to shape shift, they took to the air as great birds.

Alexandros appeared suddenly behind Norman, causing the man to jump and the gun to fire.

"Norman look at me," Alexandros demanded and the man turned to face him. "Patrick is safe, he was not harmed," he encouraged.

"But...but Chris was biting his neck and sucking blood from him... I saw him myself," he countered.

"He's pregnant and eating for two now so it makes him very hungry," he explained further.

"What? He's a man, how can he be pregnant," Norman asked.

"We are Lamia, or if you will, vampires, but not the kind portrayed in your movies. We are peace loving and abide amongst humans, who feed us when we are in need."

Norman dropped to the floor in shock, his brain overloaded with the knowledge that he had been given.

"I'm afraid that this poses a dilemma, Chris. We cannot have these two running around with the knowledge of us and our people; it could be harmful to us."

"What shall we do, Alex, I won't allow you or anyone else to kill them," he said in defense of his friends.

It was then that Demetrious, Rickie and Bryan arrived, and once they had taken their human form, Alexandros saw Bryan, he knew what had to be done.

"Feed and drain Patrick, I'll do the same to Norman," he told his mate, stepping over to Norman and pulling the man to his feet.

"Oh God no...you're going to kill us, aren't you," Norman cried out in horror.

"No Norman, but we are going to give you both life eternal," Alexandros told him, putting him under his spell and then feeding on him.

Chrysanthos did the same to the unconscious Patrick, draining him of his blood as well and laying the two men side by side as they awaited them to awaken.

"I won't have them...slaves to us, Alex, Patrick means too much to me," Chrysanthos argued adamantly.

"Once they have gain knowledge of our people and our ways, they shall be free Lamia."

"Hours passed and as the day turned to night, Patrick and Norman awoke, both thirsty beyond reason.

"What happened to me...to us," Patrick asked sitting up and looking over at a just awakening Norman.

"You are both now one of us," Chrysanthos explained.

"I need a beer Chris, because I have one killer thirst," he explained as he stood to his feet.

"I'm afraid a beer will no longer quench your thirst, Patrick," he said and pulled his friend into his arms. "Drink and live," he whispered and offered Patrick his neck.

Patrick lowered his mouth to cover the throbbing pulse he saw and bit deep, drinking freely of Chrysanthos' rich blood, as did Norman from Alexandros.

"Wow... what a rush," Patrick shouted after stepping away from his former lover.

He looked over at Norman, who was still in shock over the sudden happening and embraced him.

"The first thing I am going to do is to make an honest man of you," Patrick promised Norman. "Will you marry me?" he asked and Norman silently nodded his head.

"My children, what will become of them," Norman asked when he regained his ability to think clearly.

"How many do you have?" Alexandros asked.

"One, a son, Daniel," he told him. "He's just sixteen and I can't just leave him behind," he said sadly.

"We can transform him also, but that must be his decision, not ours," Demetrious explained. "Where is the boy," he further inquired.

"He should be home soon from his job at McDonalds," Norman told him, looking at his watch.

Less than twenty minutes later, Daniel arrived home, and as soon as he entered the house, he froze when he saw Bryan sitting there with all of the others.

"Bryan?" he asked, puzzled as to why he would be there.

"Danny... this is your son, Daniel?" he asked, looking from Daniel to Norman and then back at Daniel, getting up and moving to stand beside the boy.

"You two know one another," a surprised Norman asked.

"Look at them, anyone can tell that they are lovers," Patrick said upon noticing how Daniel and Bryan gazed at each other.

"Yes father, Bryan and I have been seeing each other sexually for quite sometime," he affirmed, stepping into Bryan's arms.

Ignoring the others standing there, the two lovers looked into each other eyes. Bryan explained what had happened to him, to Patrick and to Daniel's father. When he finished, he gazed lovingly at him and asked,

"Would you marry me and become one with me," he asked holding the boy's hands and gazing into each other's eyes.

"Only if you do it," Daniel whispered, tilting his head and allowing Bryan to drain him.

Bryan looked to his king, Demetrious nodded his approval and Bryan lowered his mouth to the boy's neck, bit and drank freely. Drained of his life blood, Daniel's body was lowered to the sofa, where they waited for him to awaken and complete the transformation.

"I could have you arrested for molesting a minor," Norman said to Bryan. "But seeing how thinks have turned out, I guess all I can say is welcome to the family... son."

"Excuse me if I don't call you dad, but hell man, we are what, two or so years apart in age?"

"Well I'm forty and you?" Norman asked.

"I'm thirty-six, so four years," Bryan acknowledged.

"It really doesn't matter guys, Rickie and I are what, two thousand plus years apart?" Demetrious asked. "And besides, with the way we Lamia age, you, us are going to look young for at least another four thousand years."

"Are you kidding me, I am going to live that long?" a stunned Patrick asked.

"Well yes, but then you'll begin to show your age after awhile."

"I already looked fifty, what with my grey hair and wrinkles," he said with a sigh.

"Really babe, turn around and take a look at what I see," Norman asked and Patrick turned and he looked as he did when he was eighteen, as did Norman.

"Holy fuck... I think I am going to like being a Lamia," Patrick mused.

As they awaited Daniel's awakening, the men got to know one another. It was close to the midnight hour when Daniel began to stir. Bryan knelt down beside the boy and helped him to sit up.

"Here sweetheart, drink," he whispered, tilting his head to allow Daniel access to his neck.

The teen bit and drank, his right hand holding Bryan's head while his left encircled his waist. When he had taken what was needed to give him life, he was instructed on how to close the wound and stepped back.

"We are now one," Bryan told him.

"Weddings can and will be performed once we are back home," Demetrious said. "Now we must be leaving," he instructed and once the new Lamia's were instructed on how to shape shift, they left.

To be continued...

There you go my readers, a chapter without a cliff hanger. I'd ask you to drop me a line, but since only one of you reading the story has, and the others cannot be bothered, I won't do so.