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OSVP	By : LotornoMiko Category: +S through Z > Valkyrie Profile Views: 1214 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Valkyrie Profile or the charcters from it. I make no money off of the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-OSVP
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 19-Nineteen
- 20-Twenty
- 21-Twenty One
- 22-Twenty Two
- 23-Twenty Three
- 24-Twenty Four
- 25-Twenty Five
- 26-Twenty Six
- 27-Twenty Seven
- 28-Twenty Eight
- 29-Twenty Nine
- 30-Thirty
- 31-Thirty One
- 32-Thirty Two
- 33-Thirty Three
- 34-Thirty Four
- 35-Thirty Five
- 36-Thirty Six
- 37-Thirty Seven
- 38-Thirty Eight
- 39-Thirty Nine
- 12
- 13
- 14
He was warm with blood, the nourishing drink coursing through his veins. A flush of pleasure was on his face, visible proof that he had fed recently, the blood giving color to his cheeks. Brahms still had the taste of the girl he had drank from in his mouth, the blood paling in comparison to the sweet drink he had taken off of the former Valkyrie Silmeria. Even days later, he still vividly recalled the taste of Silmeria's divine blood, enough to want to moan over it.
She wouldn't taste the same now. Not after the change to her very nature. But Brahms knew he could never hate his bride's taste, even if her blood now bore the taint of the vampire in it. Silmeria's taste would be uniquely hers, and something Brahms would enjoy. Just as Silmeria would enjoy the taste of Brahms, if she would only give in to his urgings to feed.
The first night had passed without success in that endeavor. Silmeria had steadfastly refused to give in, ignoring the needs of her body. Brahms felt frustrated over that, even as he was impressed by her strong will. He wondered if she would resist the need to feed on this, the second night of her life as a newborn vampire. Could she be strong enough to starve herself unto the third night? He didn't know. But it pained Brahms that he had had to feed separate from her.
He felt guilt too. Perhaps perversely, he had wanted to endure Silmeria's fast together with her. As though suffering through hunger pangs together, would bring them closer together. But there was risk in starving himself. Risk to Silmeria. Blood gave him control, made him act like something other than a fledgling. With fresh blood in him, he could control his desire for her, remain level headed instead of needy and lustful. It would keep him from jumping on her like a hungry, sex starved fledgling.
There was another advantage to being fresh on blood. He would be able to better feed Silmeria, should she give in to her need to feed. Last night, he had expended much of the precious liquid, trying to tempt her into feeding. Brahms had replenished what he had lost and then some, full of enough blood to feed a starving fledging and even a third vampire.
He passed by vampires as he walked to the room he had given up to Silmeria. As much as he had wanted to sleep the day away with her in his arms, Brahms had known she was not ready for such a step. Even if all they would have done was sleep!
Brahms wondered if Silmeria had risen yet. It was still early evening, not even an hour since the sun had set. Newly created fledglings had difficulties their first few months, groggy and slow to awake. It was important that they had an elder vampire be their protector, to watch over them until they became more alert and aware. Silmeria had proved surprising as a fledgling, Brahms recalling how instantly alert she had become upon seeing him. And not just that she had shaken off her sleep so fast, but her strength and speed had been far too impressive for a mere fledgling.
Brahms had theories about that. The chief one being Silmeria had been a Valkyrie once. That some essence of her divinity had clung to her, enough to mutate the transformation. She was the first divine to be made into a vampire, the first save for one other. And Brahms was well aware of how that one had fared, his lips quirking in a humorless smile as he fought against the memories.
It wasn't just Silmeria's divinity infused blood. Brahms himself had used HIS blood to transform her into a vampire. Something he hadn't done in several centuries worth of time. Brahms understood his blood was powerful, and constantly evolving to become even stronger. To the point some of his own power could have been transferred unto Silmeria. Between the two potent bloodlines, he may have created a powerful new kind of vampire.
Or maybe it was just a fluke, a rare occurrence. Perhaps tonight Silmeria would be as weak as any other fledgling. But as Brahms approached the locked door to the bedroom Silmeria was imprisoned in, already he could hear her moving about it's confines. She was awake and active, and seconds later would let out a very unladylike curse.
He immediately unlocked the door, outwardly calm as he walked inside the room. Silmeria was standing by the window, an angry glare on her face. She didn't deign to acknowledge Brahms, instead rubbing a hand against her dark purple skirts. He could smell the faint scent of magic discharged, and from the evidence presented, surmised the ward on the window had been activated. Silmeria had not heeded his warnings, actually testing the enchantment on the window in an attempt to see if it was a viable escape route.
He didn't reproach her for it, didn't call attention to what he had noticed. Instead Brahms locked the door behind him, then walked towards Silmeria. Like him, she had changed into clean clothes, no sign of blood on the white top. Her blond hair was loose and wild, as though she had run her claws through it. Brahms glanced at her hands, and noted her claws were still there. Silmeria had never calmed down enough to have them revert to normal, even when she had slept.
Brahms made a tsking sound, hands already reaching out for hers, She didn't gasp, but she turned, trying to bat his hands away. Brahms was patient, catching one in his grip. "They will never go back to normal, so long as you are unable to calm yourself." Silmeria just narrowed her beautiful blue eyes at him, glaring silently as he began massaging the hand that he held.
"I know this is a trying time for you. For us." Brahms told her. He was working over her fingers, trying to relax the tension from her hands. Unfortunately the very act he was doing, was making it difficult for Silmeria to be anything but tense. "But this stress is not good for you. Not good for your body." Still she only glared at him, fingers stiff in response to his massage. "Stress only serves to agitate the hunger, to make your need more pressing."
Not even that had gotten her to speak to him, Brahms holding in a sigh. It appeared she was determined to give him the silent treatment, a punishment for the temptations he had offered her, and the truths he had tried to reveal to her. Truths that weren't even half revealed, Silmeria refusing to consider any of what he said about Odin, about the war, as real.
Brahms could acknowledge that perhaps he had gone about it all wrong. That he had been less than tactful, insulting both her King, and the very Valkyries who had been her sisters in arms. He inwardly cringed and cursed, remembering the crude comment he had made about the Valkyries expected service. A comment that had earned him her anger and a slap on the face.
Brahms couldn't win her over to the truth if he continued to blunder about, disrespecting everything she believed in. Even if those beliefs were all based on lies. He was impatient for her to know everything, but more than that he wanted her to realize he spoke the truth. But it would be difficult for Silmeria, the girl finding out her entire existence, her purpose had been based on Odin's lies. There would be a domino effect, one thing after another falling apart in the face of the truth. But as things shattered, new pieces would fill the void, letting Silmeria see the truth wasn't nearly as horrific as she had thought.
He had time. They both did. Brahms understood that when he rushed, he made a mess of things with her. He could hold off on talks of Odin, maybe even of the war. Though he desperately wanted her to see the war wasn't as black and white as she had been led to believe. That his people, the vampires had a legitimate reason for fighting. One that had nothing to do with them being evil, and doing it for fun and profit.
Odin and the war were topics he should avoid, but perhaps a lesson on vampires was needed. It was as he had said, there was much she didn't know. Much she needed to understand, about the very nature of the vampires. He held her gaze as he massaged her hand, but already realized it was a fruitless endeavor. She would not relax enough for her claws to revert back to human nails.
"Silmeria..." She immediately cut him off, a petulant request being issued out.
"I want out of this room."
"That's not possible." She huffed angrily, and jerked her hand free from his. "At least not yet."
"When then?" Silmeria demanded.
"Maybe soon." Brahms answered. He reached for her hand again, catching it though she tried to evade him. "There are things I want you to understand before I let you roam about the castle with me."
"Things?" Her body was reluctant to his pull, Brahms leading her over to one of the room's chairs. "More lies about Lord Odin? About the war?"
"No. Let us put aside that for now." He placed his hands on her shoulders when it became obvious she wouldn't sit of her own accord. "Here, sit with me." Gentle force was exerted, Brahms pushing her down onto the chair's cushion. He would use his preternatural speed to fetch a stool, sitting in front of Silmeria, so that their knees touched together.
"Yesterday, I offered you a chance to learn about the vampires. To learn about us as a people." Silmeria opened her mouth as though to protest, but Brahms spoke over her. "I think it important you learn about your own kind."
"The vampires will never be my people!"
"You can say that even with those fangs in your mouth, and those claws on your hands?" Brahms challenged. She lowered her eyes, the only hint of her flustered state.
"I have not fed. I will NOT feed. Ever." She sounded as though Silmeria was trying to convince herself of that too.
"It is inevitable Silmeria. The time will come when you can no longer resist the blood's call. But lie to yourself if that comforts you now." He didn't mean to be unkind, but her adamant refusal of her new nature annoyed him. "Now...I can understand you might be scared to learn a different view of the vampires." Her chin lifted, Silmeria looking defiant.
"Why would I be scared?"
"It has to be difficult, to learn that which you thought as nothing more than monsters, might be more complex than that. That they might have real feelings and morals, real ambitions and dreams, hopes and desires." Brahms told her, watching as she glared once more.
"You speak of morals and vampires in the same breath? Do you want me to laugh?" Silmeria demanded.
"You have been conditioned to be prejudiced against my people. You hate and fear, and that will be tolerated only so long." Brahms told her, and she looked worried then. "You cannot rule what you despise..."
"I don't want to rule at all!" Silmeria protested.
"Maybe not now, but someday, once we are past this, and you accept your new life..."
"That will never happen!" Silmeria exclaimed, and he felt the agitated tremble in her legs.
"I would wager with you that you are wrong. But it would be an unfair gamble." Brahms did a half smile at her. She did not return it, looking distressed. "Silmeria, please. You just have to listen. It will cost you nothing to hear what I have to say. If your belief is real, is strong, than what I say won't change it."
Her shoulders sagged, Silmeria giving a stiff nod. "Very well. I will listen. But it won't change anything!"
Brahms hid how relieved he was by her acquiesce. He leaned forward, trying to gather his thoughts, trying to choose where to begin, what examples to give her. He thought again of how she and the other Valkyries referred to the vampires as monsters. That was hardly the truth, not entirely. "You often call our people monsters." Silmeria looked ready to object his calling the vampires their people. But he didn't pause for her protests. "But just as there are extreme differences between the vampires and the rest of the undead, there is another kind of vampire."
"Another kind of vampire?" Silemria's brow furrowed.
"Yes. And those are the true monsters." Brahms tried to settle his thoughts, his voice low and precise as he spoke. "Sometimes...something goes wrong with a vampire. Sometimes it stems from the attempt to transform a human, the vampire attempting such an endeavor not being powerful enough to convert a human completely. Other times, it comes from starving oneself. A vampire can only go so long without blood before he or she becomes mindless." There was a warning in his voice, one Silmeria acknowledged by shivering in fright.
"Regardless of their origins, the mindless vampires become consumed with the need for blood. They drink without stopping if they can, bloating themselves on the blood. Killing the source, even making others like them." He paused to gauge her reaction. "We call them revenants, abominations that obey no King. These monsters have been responsible for wiping out whole villages, slaughtering indiscriminately. Much of the fear of the vampires come from the revenants."
Brahms sighed then. "Of course we police our own kind. As soon as a revenant is learned of, a group of hunters is dispatched. The revenants are put down as soon as possible, but sometimes not before they have killed dozens if not hundreds of innocent people."
She was hugging her arms around her, as though Silmeria was feeling a real chill from what Brahms had told her. "Revenants are a dangerous creature." She acknowledged. "I can only imagine the kind of devastation they could do if unleashed during a war."
"We would never use them, not even for military purposes!" Brahms snapped with a low growl. "They are uncontrollable, and turn on each other, turn on anyone close to them. They care only for the blood. They would massacre both sides in a war!"
"So it's self preservation that keeps you from making use of them." Silmeria decided, and Brahms growled again.
"We do not use them because it is wrong!"
"And you expect me to believe your people care about right from wrong?" Silmeria's disbelief was apparent. Brahms was almost tempted to run a hand over his face, feeling exasperated by her prejudice.
"You forget, the vampires start out as mortals. Just because they have transformed into enhanced versions of themselves, doesn't mean they lose any of their morals. Any of their feelings, or even their soul. Vampires are very much like mortals, having the ability to choose between right and wrong, to decide between good and evil. It is up to the individual vampire to decide what force they will align themselves with. And many choose to do GOOD."
"You said many, but not all." Silmeria was quick to note. "What of the vampires who choose to do evil?"
"It is unavoidable. No race is purely good or bad." Brahms told her. "Not even the Gods." She huffed at that, not liking the perceived insult to the divine pantheon. "And just as no race is entirely one thing, a people shouldn't be judged based on a few bad seeds. Nor should they be condemned, wiped out for the crimes of a few."
"You stress the vampire's origins are ultimately that of mortals. That they retain the mortals freedom to choose between good and evil." Brahms was nodding his head to what Silmeria said. "But unlike the vampires..." Silmeria had turned snide, haughty even. "Mortals do not hold such powerful destructive capabilities." A pointed look from her, Silmeria acting as though she was victorious. "What mortal can rival one of these revenants in slaughtering so many?"
"You know better than that." Chided Brahms. "Beserkers lose themselves to a warrior's fury, turning on friends and foe when under the influence of their rage. They kill many when under the rage, sometimes not stopping until someone guts them dead." She actually turned sullen in response, not liking how he countered her feeble argument. "And what of the mages?" continued Brahms. "The mortals who are magically inclined, many of them align with Hel. And we both know what the evil they do in her name."
"And yet you sometimes ally yourself with her!" Silmeria was quick to point out. "She gave you control of the rest of the undead."
"I make use of the tools available to me, while protecting creation from the worst of the monsters." Brahms calmly explained. She snorted, even s Brahms corrected what he said. "At least the monsters that are not mortal."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Just what it implies." Brahms said. "There are many of mortals that choose to ignore the Gods' guidance, that use the freedom of choice to choose evil. I'm not just talking about wars, which your Odin so favors for they give him new warriors. But the killings, rapes, and thievery. The countless and creative ways the mortals find to hurt each other. If you want to look at true evil, look at the examples the mortals set. Serial killers, rapists, pedophiles. Some even attempt the complete genocide of an entire race. Much like Odin is trying to do with the vampires!"
"I thought you weren't going to talk about my King?" Silmeria asked, annoyed.
"Perhaps we can't avoid the subject of Odin completely." Brahms admitted. "I don't mean to bring him up with the intent to upset you..."
"Somehow I doubt that..." She muttered.
"After yesterday, I suppose you have a right to that thought." Brahms told her. "We've talked about the choice to do good or evil. Perhaps we can tone it down some, and speak more on the vampires as individual personalties. Just because a person is turned, doesn't mean they lose their feelings, their likes and dislikes. They are still passionate about things, still enjoy the same hobbies, still employ the same skills."
Silmeria said nothing, but at least she was listening, her gaze focused on him. "When we are not engaged in war, we are living much like the mortals do. We have friends and rivals, we have businesses. We even have a social hierarchy, with levels of status assigned to each vampire. If Odin would let us, we would live out our eternity in peace..."
"You can never truly be at peace." Argued Silmeria. "Not so long as you feed on the other races."
"It need not be a forceful relationship." Brahms countered. "A vampire can feed without killing the donor."
"Donor implies willingness to submit to this act. I think victim would be more appropriate."
"Not all the mortals of Midgard are unwilling blood givers." Brahms saw the shock on her face. "Some would willingly submit, for money and favors, for even the chance to became immortal."
Her jaw dropped for a moment, Silmeria sputtering in reply. "That is...unthinkable. Unforgivable!"
"The mortals of Midgard do not have the best lives. Many are willing to do far worse things than give a little blood to escape the sickness, poverty, and desperation of their situations." He bit back a comment that it was Odin's fault. That it was Odin neglect that allowed such desperation to fester. There was much to blame Odin for, many wrongs that needed righting. But it would do his case no good to list them all to Silmeria now.
"We vampires offer these mortals a deal that is mutually beneficial to us both. It costs them nothing but a few pints of blood now and then."
"Are you done with your tales?" Silmeria asked. "Can I go outside now?"
Brahms stared at her a long moment, feeling as though she had not truly understood anything he had told her. A keen sense of disappointment filled him, Brahms wondering how often he would have to repeat the discussion before it sank in to Silmeria. "Do you think you can behave yourself if I take you out of this room?"
She gave him an offended look. "It is not I who have behaved badly."
He didn't argue about that. "If I take you out, you will be sure to encounter other vampires. I am worried about what will happen."
"You think they will hurt me?" Silmeria smirked. "Let them try."
"It is you I am worried about. I don't want you ruthlessly killing our people!" A stubborn set to her lips, Brahms sighing. "Until you can promise me you will not try to kill the other vampires, I cannot risk taking you out of this room."
"Fine. I promise not to attempt to kill anyone tonight." She paused, then amended. "Provided they don't attack me FIRST."
He considered this. "I can allow that. But trust me Silmeria, when I say if someone attacks you, they will have to deal with my wrath first." His eyes blazed with a promised threat, his look both protective and possessive in the moment. He meant it too, Brahms protecting the woman he considered his. He would tolerate no attacks on her, would slip into a rage with ease. In fact, he would be hard pressed not to kill the offenders, Brahms recalling how brutally he had destroyed the vampires who had been responsible for Silmeria's debilitating injuries.
If he had had any doubts that Silmeria was meant to be his, the killing rage that had come over him in response to her injuries had vanquished them. But Brahms didn't think it would help his case to admit to that just now. Perhaps in the future, when she was settled and had accepted the transformation he had forced on her.
Silmeria had reacted to his look, seeming to shudder in place. He couldn't tone it down, eyes fierce a he rose. She stood as well, Brahms offering his arm to her. She hesitated but ultimately took it. It was silly, but just that she willingly touched him filled Brahms with immense pleasure. He wouldn't be surprised if he was glowing, the two heading for the door which he unlocked with a spell.
Silmeria's eyes were alert, the girl watching how he unlocked the door. But just like the window was warded against vampires teleporting in and out, the door held a similar enchantment. She would not be able to break it, not until Brahms decreed her trust worthy enough to no longer be confined to this room.
There was more than just pleasure in her touch. Brahms was thrilling at the thought of being seen with Silmeria on his arm, of introducing her to some of his people. He
very much enjoyed the thought of showing off his beautiful bride, of seeing her interact with his vampires. He didn't have to think long on just where he would take her, Brahms leisurely leading her through the castle. Their destination was the old ball room, where many a noble socialized the night away.
Their hearing was superior, but had they been mortal, they would have heard the loud music from as far away as one lengthy corridor. Brahms wondered how Silmeria was adjusting to the noise, knowing it could be overwhelming for a fledging as they struggle to filter out one too many sounds. It was easy for him to tune out the many conversations, knowing that at any point he could choose one to focus on. But he wouldn't eavesdrop on his people.
They reached the grand doors of the old ballroom, two vampires on guard besides them. The doors' upper portion was glass, allowing the lights of the ball room to filter out into the hall. For one moment they just stood there, Brahms letting Silmeria peer through the glass at the partying vampires. He wondered what she thought of them, and even tried to imagine the sights through a fledgling's eyes.
The ball room was as tall as it was wide, stretching up to the very roof of the castle. The ceiling was smooth, with an artful fresco painted on it's stone. It was all dark reds and black, with some white sprinkled liberally about. It was turbulent emotion translated by colors, the red reminding Brahms of the life giving blood that made up the vampires diet.
The floor was marble, and to his regret, there was a few blood stains that hadn't been wiped away before the liquid had set into the stone. The walls had thick curtains of heavy velvet on them, hiding private alcoves from view. Those alcoves could be used for both a feeding, or a rendezvous with a lover, though most vampires preferred the privacy of their own rooms when it came to love making.
There was no buffet tables in this room, the vampires having no use for food. But there were several humans intermingled with the vampires. These men and women were scantily clad, their arms, legs, and especially their necks bare. There were bite marks on much of their exposed flesh, the vampires not discriminating where they would sink their fangs in. Some of the bite marks were fresh, but many were older, healing wounds.
A band played on stage situated in the eastern corner of the room. The musicians were all vampires, playing music in a way that their mortal counterparts could never hope to mimic. Some vampires danced to the tunes, but many stood in circles, conversing with one another. They were dressed in a wide assortment of clothing, many choosing to wear the fashions of their homeland, and the time period in which they had existed as mortals.
There was not an overabundance of black clothing to be found. The vampires simply weren't that cliche. But they shined with the wealth on display, especially the women who wore thick necklaces, and jewels in their hair. Nearly every female had her hair swept back with a clip, leaving an unobstructed view of the sides of their necks. It was done on purpose, vampire males finding slender necks just as enticing as womanly curves. Some might say the revealed necks were the ultimate tease, and many vampiresses were attempting to attract a male's attention with that display.
Silmeria had yet to notice the humans. Brahms could tell by her lack of an appalled reaction. "It's...it's different from what I thought it would be." Silmeria admitted quietly.
"Were you perhaps expecting a blood bath?" Brahms couldn't help teasing her. "Or perhaps an orgy?" She lowered her eyes, and that was signal enough that she had thought the worse of the partying vampires. He chuckled softly under his breath, and did not miss the question she asked.
"What exactly is an orgy?" That gave Brahms pause, the vampire not sure how to explain it to a girl who was sexually naive.
"Something I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy." He said at last. "Come." He glided them forward, the guards pulling open the doors. The motion drew the attention of some of the vampires, and they reacted to the sight of their King. Depending on their status, they did anything from a bow, to going down on one knee, all in attempt to show Brahms and his bride the proper respect.
As they did this, a rippling motion spread through the crowd. The music stopped, as one by one every vampire turned to acknowledge the new arrivals. Brahms actually felt Silmeria tighten her fingers on his arm, but it was the only sign of her nervousness.
For several minutes, Brahms just stood there, gazing out into the crowd. He could feel them assessing Silmeria, trying to ascertain the level of threat the former Valkyrie posed to them. He knew they would be surprised, surely underestimating her due to her fledgling status. But they were well aware she was under their King's protection, and thus would not foolishly make a move against her. Some might hate her, but only the insane and suicidal would attack her now.
Satisfied all had seen Silmeria, Brahms gave a subtle nod of his head. It was enough to restart the party, many vampires resuming their previous activities as the music picked up. Silmeria was still clinging to his arm, but she moved when he did as though the girl feared being left behind. He wouldn't leave her to fend for herself, not without a good excuse and another protector ready to stand guard in his place.
"Lord Brahms." A female vampire was approaching, looking delighted to see him. "It is not often you join us here." She tskd then, ruby red lips pursed together as she clicked her tongue. "You're always so dedicated to the battle, always so busy with the war."
"Sureen." He nodded at her. "It is not often I can get away from the front lines..." He then presented Silmeria to the vampiress, the woman briefly looking at the former Valkyrie. "May I introduce you to my bride, the lady Silmeria."
"Ah your bride. I didn't even see her there." Sureen exclaimed, bringing a hand to her mouth in feigned dismay. Silmeria seemed to stiffen, recognizing the vampiress was purposefully baiting her with that claim. "How do you do?"
"I've been better." Silmeria told her.
"Hmm yes, I'm sure you have." The vampiress said. "Brahms has she fed yet? She is looking practically starved." Before Brahms or Silmeria could answer, Surren was already snapping her fingers at one of the humans. The man was a green eyed, black haired youth who came forward with an eagerness to his steps. Brahms heard Silmeria gasp, and a glance at her face showed her staring at the human with hunger and horror equally sharing her gaze.
"I...I won't feed." Silmeria immediately stated, and Sureen frowned.
"Won't feed? If you are worried about privacy, there is always the alcoves." A shrewd look came into her eyes. "Or is it you think feeding on blood is beneath you?"
"Sureen don't bait her!" Brahms snapped at the same time Silmeria answered the question.
"It is."
Surren tsked, and sent the human back into the crowd to dote on some other vampires. "She hasn't yet accepted what she is now?" Brahms gave a stiff nod of his head. Something like sympathy appeared in her eyes, but it was not for Silmeria she gave that look to. Surren was showing she well understood what Brahms was going through with Silmeria. Understood and felt for him.
Unfortunately Silmeria misinterpreted Surren's look, a low, threatening growl coming from her mouth. "I do not want or need your pity."
"Then you are fortunate for you do not have it." Surren delivered that statement with a haughty sniff, not even looking Silmeria's way. "Do try not cause our King too much grief with your obstinate refusal to feed."
"He is not my King!" Silmeria snapped. "I follow no man but Lord Odin."
"The God? As if he would want or accept a vampire in his court." Surren laughed, a pretty sound that held cold mocking to it. "The grandeur of Asgard is forever in your past, closed off to you now. You'd do well to accept that." A smile at Brahms. "And accept Lord Brahms too."
"Surren, your tongue is as sharp as ever."
"Oh my Lord, ever do you flatter me!" Surren batted her eyelashes at him in a playful, almost flirtatious manner. Brahms hadn't entire meant his words to be interpreted as a compliment, but wondered if Surren's caustic tongue might not have a positive impact on Silmeria. Certainly it couldn't hurt the girl to hear someone else's bad opinion of Odin.
"He's good at that." Another vampiress had approached, her flaming red hair still not as fierce a shade as the crimson that colored her eyes. She smiled as Brahms met her eyes, stepping towards him to place a solicitous hand on his chest. The vampiress would raise up on tip toe, straining to plant a welcoming kiss on Brahms' cheek.
"Risana." Brahms named her, the heat of her kiss lingering on his skin. She had fed within minutes of coming to him, the blood on her breath and warming her chilled lips.
"It is good to see you my King." She still lingered her fingers on his chest, the touch just short of inappropriate considering he was now wed to Silmeria. "I do get ever so lonely when you are not around."
"Now now, you know that is not true." Brahms chided her. "You have no end to male and female admirers."
"Yes." Agreed Surren. "You are never one to want for companionship."
"The men here cannot measure up to his lordship.' Countered Risana, looking coyly at Brahms through lowered eyelashes. She was laying it on thick, and not for Silmeria's sake. Risana had always been one to chase after Brahms, hoping to inspire a love match between them. It would be good to put distance between them, Brahms touching her hand and attempting to remove it from his person. But Risana would quickly glide her hand towards his neck, an unasked touch as she examined the faint scars where his and Silmeria claws had torn open the skin. "This did not happen on the battlefield."
"No it did not." This time Brahms succeeded in casting away her hand, the move dismissive enough that Risana would surely not attempt another touch. Risana glanced at Silmeria, and something twisted in her expression. A second later she was back to her dazzling, flirtatious smile. "I am happy for you Brahms." She nodded at Silmeria. "It is...good to make your acquaintance."
Brahms had expected Silmeria to make some cutting remark, but the girl only nodded. At some point she had let go of Brahms' arm, the vampire king distracted enough by Risana that he hadn't noticed right away.
Other vampires were approaching, all high in the status that made them think they had a right to demand access to Brahms' time. A small cluster would form around him, the men and women eager to see the Valkyrie that had stolen their King's heart so completely. They weren't crude enough to make too many pointed comments, but Silmeria's tension was heavy all the same. Heavy enough to practically taste on his tongue.
Unfortunately, some couldn't help express concern over how peaked Silmeria looked. They wondered if she would faint, knowing Silmeria was forcing unneeded suffering upon herself. Silmeria seemed annoyed by their concern, her eyes flashing as she snapped about not being so weak as to collapse from a little hunger. Brahms was quickly realizing the hunger was getting to her, putting Silmeria in a foul temper.
Her fangs were flashing more and more as she spoke, Silmeria visibly agitated in the presence of all these vampires. She wouldn't relax, even once the conversation started to move on to things that had little to do with Silmeria and her refusal to feed. Surren began leading the group in a discussion about the latest, greatest work of the vampire novelist Stocke. Silmeria could not really participate in the conversation, having not read the book nor realized that vampires could and did create their own works of literature.
While not quite an eye opener, it was a conversation that exposed Silmeria to an aspect of vampire life she had never dreamed existed. She listened without interruption, eyes flickering from face to face. Brahms wondered what she searched for in the faces of the vampires around them. He wondered if she noticed how at ease and animated the people were, how passionate they became as they argued the merits of certain scenes.
Occasionally he would give his own opinion about Stocke's work, but mostly he was content to observe Silmeria. It was why he saw it when her eyes began turning towards the human donors, a keen sense of yearning on her face. She was projecting her hunger in an embarrassing display, but the vampires were too polite to call attention to what Brahms' bride was inadvertently doing. It wasn't that they respected or liked Silmeria, but that they didn't want to risk Brahms' displeasure. It was clear to all he was taken with his fledgling, ready to indulge her in numerous ways.
A vampire shouldered his way into the heart of the group. He had salt and pepper colored hair, having been made a vampire late in his human life. There was even uncharacteristic age lines on his face, but rather than make him look haggard, they merely gave him a distinguished look. Most vampires had an eternal appearance of youth, but Gideon had just enough age to make him a unique oddity among the vampires.
"Gideon." Brahms couldn't keep the concern out of his voice, knowing if Gideon was here, trouble was brewing. It was up to Brahms to find out what that trouble was, and make the decisions needed to neutralize the threat. "What is it?"
Gideon did a subtle sidelong look at Silmeria. It was enough to tell Brahms it was about a subject Silmeria should not hear. "Ah, if you will excuse me?" Brahms asked the group who was already nodding in response. But he didn't immediately leave, taking Silmeria's hands. "I won't be gone long."
"You're leaving me here?" Was that dismay mixed in with Silmeria's surprise? But Brahms didn't delude himself into thinking it was fondness that made her want him to stay close.
"Just briefly. There is a matter I must attend to...Vandimeer will escort you back to the bedroom." Vandimeeer, a vampire that was frozen at an eternal thirty-two stepped forward, ready to offer Silmeria his arm.
"Oh Lord Brams." A protest from Surren, one that the others echoed. "Surely she doesn't have to go just yet? The night is young, and we've barely gotten a chance to enjoy the lady's company."
"Let me say." Silmeria urged him. "I.." Her lashes lowered. "I don't want to stay locked in that room."
He was still hesitant about this, even with the others trying to persuade him otherwise. "All right." He said at last, Surren smiling in victory. "But remember your promise." He gave a firm squeeze of her hands, then slowly let go. "Vandimeer, watch over her."
"Yes my King."
As Brahms walked away with Gideon, he heard Risana ask, "Promise, what promise?" But he didn't linger to hear Silmeria's answer.
To Be Continued...
So...I was originally planning to end this chapter a different way. I wanted to show what Brahms and Gideon talked about. But this is already a super long chapter, and I think it will better serve to reveal what Gideon says after the events in the next chapter. Which is a Silmeria point of view. After that I may make fifteen a Brahms point of view, or I may switch back to Lezard and Lenneth's half of the story. We shall see how I feel. But it is guaranteed that fourteen is a Silmeria point of view!
Oh! Before I forget...I also need and want to thank my good friend Huntress for her help with the this chapter. She let me bounce a lot of ideas off her, she made suggestions of things I should do, even helped me rearrange my confusing notes so that the events of this chapter would happen in a less confusing manner. Her help was invaluable! *hugs her*
Michelle
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- 14
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