A Little Respect Ch. 04

"I think we are in for some rain," he remarked. "We should really head back closer to the estate."

"I don't mind," I replied. "In fact I like it, probably even more now as I know I won't catch a chill from being out in it too long."

This made Aenerin laugh, and nod, saying that if I wished to continue my walk with him, he knew of a few places he would like to show me. I agreed, eagre to be shown around by my handsome vampire Lord, who also seemed to take delight in acting as my guide, holding me close to his side, my arm entwined in his own.

We walked down to the river, where there was a small bridge being built over the narrowest part. Normally during the day there were all sorts of birds and animals here, Aenerin told me, the women enjoyed bringing their children here in good weather and let them paddle in the shallows. He seemed sad that had never witnessed the joy of a summers day, or at least could not recall one, so I squeezed his arm, telling him that sometimes things were just as beautiful in the moonlight. This seemed to cheer him, as he nodded, and suggested that we follow the river and down to the old ruins of his former estate.

"I never knew there was a previous estate."

Aenerin looked at me and nodded. "Yes, before I built the one we live in now, there was a much smaller estate just to the south. It could not house all my staff and the people I took on to work the land, so I had another commissioned. However there was a terrible storm one night and the old buildings which I had made into houses for use of the farmers, caught fire. Lightning had struck and ignited something, today we do not know how it started, needless to say it was a great tragedy, and left what remained after in ruins."

"Did any loose their lives?"

"Luckily no," Aenerin smiled. "There was a feast at the new estate that evening and all attended. I sometimes think it was fate, but there was not one loss of life that evening, and I am most glad. I did lose a precious old home though, it is sad, but I suppose we all have to move on eventually. A new bride and a new home."

"Yes, I suppose we do have to-"

I had stopped mid sentence, the fact that he had just said bride preventing my mouth from working. I made a strange strangled kind of noise and just gawped at Aenerin like a fish out of water.

"Are you feeling quite well, Caroline?" Aenerin asked, noticing how pale I had become, even more so than usual, oblivious to what had cause my reaction.

"B-bride?" I stammered. "But I've only known you a few days!"

"You let me give you the gift of immortality, relieving you of your human life and yet you balk at the thought of marriage- my sweetest Caroline, what a strange creature you truly are!"

He laughed, but when he saw how upset I looked, instantly stopped and took my hand, firmly in his own.

"I had thought you may be pleased that it is my intention to make you my wife... I had even hoped that you may have realised that has been my wish all along."

I just started at him blankly, all my thoughts having turned to mush. I suppose I had known of his intentions. It was absurd for any girl, no matter now naive to think that a vampire like Aenerin might just want a fling, rather than a full blown relationship, and what about all the things Risha had told me about him wanting the perfect Lady for his estate. She didn't mean lady as in the status or rank, she had meant a lady as in his wife, his partner.

"I... I..." I stammered, still unable to speak.

"I should never have mentioned it, I knew it was too soon, but after so many years... so many hundreds of years..." Aenerin hung his head ashamedly. "Forgive me, my love, I was not acting appropriately, I understand if you are angered with me... mortals go about this ritual in a much different way, am I not correct? I... have a ring back in my chambers if that is what you wish for... I..."

"I'm not angry," I interrupted, placing a finger on Aenerin's lips to stop him from speaking. "I'm just shocked...and... and..."

He had turned his head away at my touch, so I lifted it back up with my hand, forcing him to look at me.

"...elated," I said.

"You... are?!"

His eyes lit up.

"Well, it's the best offer I've had in a while," I replied, playful mockery in my voice.

"Ah, so will I do for now?" my lover asked, pretending to be hurt by my words.

"I should think so," I replied, and kissed him.

He held me close and I could feel relief running through his body and into mine. He had been scared I might have said no... I was amazed.

"I will let you make arrangements as soon as you feel comfortable," he said. "If you are unsure, I will not force you."

"I know," I replied, "And yes, I'll do it in my own time... seeing as we've kinda done the honeymoon part first."

He laughed. "I cannot help it if we enjoy spending the daylight hours in bed together."

"That's your excuse," I smiled and he cuddled me close to his body, wrapping me in the folds of his cloak as if I were still human and he were afraid I would feel the cold.

Suddenly a spot of rain fell on my nose and I blinked as another splashed my brow as I craned my neck upwards to look up into the velvet depths of the cloudy midnight sky. In moments sheet rain plastered down, small droplets bouncing across the ground like miniature pearls, the water glistening in the pale moonlight from up above.

My hair instantly stuck to my face and I felt the cool caress of the rain over my skin. It was a wonderful feeling, and I couldn't help but skip a few paces ahead of Aenerin, brining my arms up in the air like a child and dancing around as I was soaked through to the bone within seconds.

Nature was all around me and I could smell the thick scent of the grass, the metallic twang of the rain on my tongue and see the warm fires from the estate glowing in the distance. And it was mine. This land was now mine to live in, I was free, no longer confined by a wicked master, and for the first time in what I could recall of my life I think I was truly happy.

I reached out and grabbed the rather bemused looking Aenerin who seemed a little reluctant to act in such a foolish manner, but as he saw the glint of true happiness in my eyes, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me up, as if I were as light as a feather, and span me round so fast I lost all sense of direction.

Screaming in laughter I raised my face to the night, exhilarated and feeling more alive than, well... when I had actually been alive. I was in love, and even though I was not one who liked romance all that much, probably because I had never believed in it, I could not have wished to be anywhere else right then, except in the arms of my Aenerin.

He eventually lowered me down, my senses throbbing, a stupid grin plastered all over my face.

"This is why I love you, Caroline," he whispered, holding both my hands, water dripping down us both as he drew me closer towards him, his lips finding the spot on my neck that I loved to be kissed in. It always sent shivers down my spine, the way he was being so gentle, the soft scrape of his teeth on my skin, and the knowledge of what he was and what he could do to me, even now as one of his own kind.

I closed my eyes as I felt his hands lift the coat from my shoulders, the wet garment falling to the ground. I stood there in my gown, every part of the fine linen sticking to my bare skin beneath, exposing my flesh beneath it, feeling Aenerin's skilful hands begin to caress my body. I shuddered in delight as he traced the outline of my frame from shoulders to hips, the sodden material of my clothing rippling underneath his touch.

"Aenerin," I whispered, his name sounding so right on my tongue.

"Caroline," he replied, hooking his claw-like fingers beneath the shoulder straps of my dress before, with a sharp tug, pulling upwards, ripping straight through the fabric like a knife through hot butter.

I murmured a little gasp of surprise but did not object as he peeled the now pointless garment from by body until it was simply a crimson pool at my feet, my total nakedness causing Aenerin to hesitate for a moment before reaching out and cupping my cheek in his hand.

"You are a true child of the night," he replied, his vampiric eyes glistening in admiration of me. "Your beauty is unsurpassed."

"You're not too bad yourself," I smiled, reaching up and unbuttoning his shirt, till I could peel it from his arms in return. I loosened his belt also and he stepped from the remnants of his clothing until we both stood there like newborns, naked, and willing to experience all the joys of life. I felt my insides churn and between my legs I felt the first stirrings of lust.

We sank down into the long grass, the coolness of every blade touching my bare skin as nature enveloped us. Up in the sky, soft clouds graced the heavens and a liquid moon shone down upon us, bathing our bodies in silver light. Aenerin's own form shimmered, his hair streaming across his back like water as he inclined his slender neck forwards and pressed his full lips to mine, kissing me tenderly.

I opened my mouth, my tongue sliding across his lips and teeth, his taste wonderful. His gentle hands began caressing my legs, pulling me gently closer towards him so that we could feel the form of each others bodies, our skin on skin.

I just wanted to posses him, to experience every inch of his being, and in return be consumed by his presence, to comfort me in the way no other man ever had before, to reassure me that he did indeed love me and that the pleasure he gave would never be reproduced by another.

Laying on top of me I felt his hard shaft brush my opening, teasing me as it passed over my tingling skin, Aenerin nibbling at the side of my neck with his cool fangs. I groaned, my body writhing beneath his slick yet solid weight, lust beginning to take over.

"Not yet," he hushed me, drawing my hands above my head, so I could not interfere with his exploration of my form. I was passive tonight and let him do as he wished, his soft head lowering to my chest where he kissed across my breasts, sucking my rosy nipples until they stood erect, all the while soft rain splashing my bare skin like a million tiny fingertips all at once.

He slowly moved his way down my body, avoiding any more intimate places, yet placing wet, nibbling kisses across my thighs and stomach and the insides of my legs, making me almost beg for him to touch me in the place I wanted. I bit my tongue with a fang and closed my eyes in ecstasy as he caressed my calves and ankles, massaging my skin in slow sensuous circles, not leaving any inch untouched.

The sound was hypnotic, the rain pounding the ground and our bodies as I felt Aenerin lift my hips and slide firmly inside me, my willing body parting for him as I was unable to move, my hands still held firmly, my body stretched out underneath my lover as he slid in so deep I thought I may faint on the spot.

We did not speak, and if I had been a living, breathing mortal, my heart would have been pounding for each sensation spasmed through me like lightning, the length of Aenerin's shaft pulling from me before plunging in again. I widened my legs to accommodate him, water between us making each motion slick and cool, my hair sticking to my face as my mouth opened in a small 'o' of pleasure and delight. I looked up at Aenerin, noticing how sleek his neck was, how perfectly formed his chest was as his body rocked on top of mine.

I felt possessed, giddy, high on nothing but rain, the heady smell of the earth beneath us and sex, my lust for him making me squirm beneath his firm thrusting hips, forcing him onto me, trying to enclose every inch of him in my flesh. I wrapped my legs about his back and held on, every ridge of his shaft noticeable as it rippled across my insides, my moans growing louder by the second.

I scored my own sharp fangs down his creamy neck, the blood shimmering in the moonlight as it dripped into my mouth. The first taste of blood that evening drove me wild, and I moaned out loud, hardly able to move yet somehow feeling my spirit soar high above.

Aenerin lowered the wound closer to me, so I was able to sup from his neck more easily as we pressed our bodies even closer together and became completely as one.

My senses afire I could feel the buzz from my tongue all the way down to my parted legs where every thrust drew me closer to my release. Aenerin's pace was perfect, rhythmical, consuming, and I wished that this moment would last for ever. I wanted him in me, I wanted to please him and be pleased by him, and as we rolled in the grass, joined together, I could not think of anything else but how close I was to screaming out his name.

"Aenerin," I uttered. "Aenerin..."

I felt his hand slip between us and slowly start to rub at the nub of my pleasure. He was always careful with his sharp claws, but their smoothness only helped ease on my orgasm. The coolness of his fingers and the heat from his shaft was driving me insane and just when I thought I couldn't get any higher, without warming he thrust my head to the side and bit me hard.

I had not expected Aenerin to ever do this, and as his fangs slipped through my skin I came so hard I thought I was exploding inside.

"Yes, oh yes," I shrieked, pulling his face hard into my neck with my now free hand as I contracted around him, holding on so tight I lost sensation in my legs, but luckily no where else. Ripples of pleasure shot through me as I came and I whimpered as Aenerin grasped hold of my buttocks with his other hand and drew me in hard onto his shaft as I felt him tense and then shudder as he came deep within me.

It was as amazing as ever, our two slick bodies entwined within each others as we came slowly down from the peak of joy that we had ascended to.

Every move Aenerin made was intensified tenfold and I shuddered as I felt his shaft ease away from me and leave my body, the same when Aenerin's fangs slid from my neck, my wounds instantly healed, and my senses buzzing.

"Why do you feel so good?" I asked him, holding his firm chest hard against mine, licking the raindrops from his collar bone and breathing in his musty post-sex smell that simply made me wish to take him again.

"I guess it's a skill," he shrugged, smiling down at me. "And yet you seem almost eagre to go again... do I not satisfy you enough?"

"No, you do, you do so much," I assured him. "It's just I love the feeling of being so close to you. Your skin is so soft and when you are inside me, I melt away, it is the most amazing feeling in the world."

"Such praise, I do not think I am worthy," Aenerin laughed, looking up at the sky, the darkness all around us, caressing us.

"I can assure you, you are."

"Hmmm. Well then, let's see..."

I wondered what he meant at first, but then suddenly I felt him run his hand down over my pelvis and slowly slip the tip of his clawed finger into my sensitive, still throbbing channel. I moaned in unexpected pleasure.

"Does that feel good?" he breathed.

I nodded, unable to move.

He began to gently rotate his finger inside of me, the softest of movements around my wet tunnel. I had only just orgasmed and yet here he was building me up again. I did not think this was possible, but what with the rain and being outside, it had all had simply made my desire run wild. So I let him pleasure me, his other hand caressing my breasts and the underneath of my neck, softly scraping at my skin.

I hoped that no one would find us like this, as it would be a little embarrassing, but that feeling soon passed as I found myself lost once more, contracting round his finger in tight spasms of my second release, moaning and writhing like a mad thing. So when he leant his head down and flicked his tongue between my legs, just to finish me off, I almost fainted.

"You really do want it tonight don't you?" Aenerin whispered to me, holding my bucking hips down as the remnants of my orgasm faded and I lay speechless gazing up at the moon.

"I think I should take you back to a proper bed and maybe see to it that you are satisfied there as well.

"No more..." I said shaking my head. "Any more and I think I would explode."

"I thought you just did," my lover replied, raising a cheeky eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes at him, yet smiled contentedly as he snuggled me up under his arm and held me close.

"What do you think we should say when we get back?"

Aenerin looked at me, confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, you ruined my dress for one, and we are completely wet through and covered in mud. I don't think we leave much to the imagination."

"Ah yes," he replied, obviously not really having thought of practicalities in the heat of the moment. "I... suppose we will just have to make sure no one sees us. There is a back way into the estate, we can use that, but we might have to make a run for it to get across to the tower."

I giggled thinking about two partially clad, muddy people running across the courtyard, and how if anyone did see us, how confused they would be.

"I suppose I can still put your coat on...let's just hope the wind doesn't watch up too much or I really will be embarrassed."

See, that was the thing people never told you. It was all very well being a couple in love, but as soon as things got a little bit frisky and there was no way to stop the inevitable, who was there to kindly remind you that the world went on after your tryst, and you somehow had to get home or cover your tracks?

I smiled. It was all worth it though, and I was sure I'd laugh when I looked back on the moment in days and months to come.

"Come on then my muddle little angel," Aenerin said, standing up and offering his hand down to me, which I took as I hauled myself back onto my feet. I looked a complete mess. Luckily Caith's package still remained undamaged, hidden in the inner pocket of the coat I had been wearing, nice an safe. I would be interested to see what it was, yet thought that handing it to Risha myself would be unwise, as then I would have to explain to her how I was given it, and that could just lead to an untold number of problems. Instead I would leave it somewhere I knew she would find it. That wouldn't be hard as she stuck her nose into everything.

"Ready?" Aenerin asked, helping me gather up out clothes and struggle into whatever we could to maintain our dignity.

I smiled up and him and kissed his cheek. "Yes, but I want a nice warm bath run when we get back."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," my lover replied, linking my arm in his.

It had certainly been an interesting evening, but I was looking forward to getting back to the estate now. It really was starting to feel like home, which I suppose was a good thing, seeing as... well, seeing as I would be spending a lot of my time there for many years to come. However as we began the trudge home, a thought entered my mind that made my mind begin to churn.

"Aenerin?"

"What is it?" he asked, noticing a sudden frown had swept across my face.

"I just had a thought," I replied, pursing my lips and looking up into the vampire's concerned eyes.

"Yes..?"

"After what we were talking about earlier... I just wondered..." I paused for a second, just to let the reality of our situation sink in. "Does that mean that we're now... engaged?"

"What do you think?" Aenerin asked with a slick smile.

I suppose it was a silly question, but I hadn't really thought that when I came home that evening I would be an engaged woman. I was going to be getting married...

Me...the tavern wench from the border lands was going to marry a rich and handsome vampire lord. I thought that this kind of thing only happened in fairytales, and that the girl involved was usually a princess, and the hero was a good, noble prince on a white horse. Not that it mattered to me really, this was going to be my own dark fantasy, and to me it would be perfect... Yes, I thought to myself. I'm going to get married and it's all going to be perfect.