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@Morrighan ]
To be so far away from his home, Baeon never thought he'd see the day. But it was an effort to get away from it all. The fighting, the grit, the blood, the death. He had thought Serendipity would have closed its borders, but he'd found a way in. Money in the hands of the right pockets usually made such passage easier. He would stay in Serendipity for as long as he could afford it.
Enough time to bring some relief to his troubled mind, if that was even possible.
He'd never been to this strange green country. The fact that magic was used to so liberally
was a bit unsettling, but he was no Mordecai or priest of the Church of Ansgar. He was a knight, and an executioner at that. It did not bother him much longer than his first entry into this outlandish nation. He enjoyed the quiet, and the people did not treat him as an outsider though he was.
Yes, this was just the kind of place he was looking for. This was just the bar he was happy to have found himself in, a quiet corner in the heart of Selevea, in the last place he'd ever thought to find himself in the world. And he was just fine.
Baeon sniffed at his whiskey in his glass. It was definitely watered down, he could tell, but he didn't mind. It diluted the flavor, the alcohol, and how much he could drink before feeling hammered. He didn't mind, he was alone after all, and thankful that most of the patrons were content to keep to themselves.
He sat at a table off to the side, by the stairs where he'd come down from his room. A favored position with his back to the wall, and able to keep an eye on the door. Looking out for what, he didn't know. Maybe he was just antsy that way.
"Just relax," he told himself. "You're on vacation." And took another sip of his watery whiskey.
A young woman entered the bar and walked over to the counter. She was dressed in a red satin gown with a deep V-shaped cut in the front, clearly accentuating her chest area. The gown was decorated with gold threads and jewels, and her dark hair was arranged in an advanced hairstyle.
She looked like a noble from head to toe, which made the barkeeper stare at her from the moment she entered. His flirtatious smile, however, quickly disappeared what she ordered.
"One glass of blood, please, and make it fast."
The voice was sweet, melodious and calm, but the expression on the woman's face clearly revealed she meant business.
The barkeeper gulped nervously. "B-but Milady, we...."
The woman sneered, withdrawing her upper lip for a moment and baring a pair of white fangs.
"Now!"
"Yes Milady, at once..." The barkeeper nervously opened a bottle from a drawer in his counter, pouring a disgustingly red liquid into a crystal glass before offering it to the young lady. She placed a couple coins on the counter, then took the glass and turned towards the room to see if she found a vacant seat.
It was then she spotted a man seated at a table off to the side. A smile lit up her face, and she moved gracefully towards the table. Placing herself in her most favorable position, she offered the man a flirtatious gaze.
"Excuse me, good Sir," she said in her most sensual voice. "Is this seat taken?"
He had seen the woman walk in, but Baeon had learned to observe quickly and not let his eyes linger. Most people didn't take well to being stared at. And neither did he, that was for certain. Baeon liked his privacy, and only wanted to afford the same courtesy to others. Few people were keen to give such, and he learned to be thankful for small blessings.
Her conversation however was rather unusual. Blood? What the hell was wrong with her? Great another crazy.
Baeon sniffed in his whiskey, smirking at the thought and taking another swig. Or would have when said crazy just came right over. He paused and set the glass down. He moved across and pushed it out with his foot from beneath the table. "By all means take the chair, milady," he said.
She just wanted the chair right? Of course. He smiled and finally took that sip.
Flavia watched the man at the table as he sniffed in the whiskey, her soft, red lips curling up in a charming smile. When he offered her the chair, she sat down in an elegant manner, taking a sip of her glass and closing her eyes as she felt the liquid gliding down her throat.
"Thank you," she said softly, reaching her hand towards him in a greeting. "My name is Flavia, a countess of Essyrn. Whom do I have the honor of addressing?"
There was something lost in her eyes, something vulnerable. In spite of her exquisite dress and her expensive jewels, it didn't look like anything much in this life mattered to her anymore.
She wanted to sit down with him, oh. That would explain a lot. He straightened, setting his glass down gently, watching her sit and his line of vision falling right down to her cleavage. The night had been rather rainy out, and in fact a clap of thunder rolled right overhead.
Wasn't she cold?
Baeon mentally slapped himself for all the delay he'd let pass between her question and his response. "Baeon, milady." He reached for her hand, unsure if he should kiss it. They'd only just met after all. Instead he squeezed it and he smiled. "A countess of Essyrn, surely? What are you doing in these parts?"
Flavia sat down, draping herself as decoratively to her chair as she possibly could. Noticing that his line of vision fell right down to her cleavage she made sure to puff her chest, but made sure it looked like it was completely random and innocent.
She sent him yet a beaming smile, her brown eyes sparkling under her long, dark eyelashes. Her blood-red lips curled in a dazzling smile as she looked at him in an intense, almost hypnotic gaze.
It is an honor to meet you, Sir Baeon," she said in her sweet, sensual voice. "So rarely do I meet men of honor. I am delighted to see there are still gentlemen left in this world..."
She laughed when he commented her title, a laugh devoid of the joy one might expect from a lady of the society. "Do not let my title blend you, my newfound friend," she said in a tired voice. "It is an empty title, just as empty and cold as the world it belongs to."
When he asked what she was doing here, she looked around, as if she was afraid someone might be listening in on their conversation. Then she leaned over the table, whispering low enough for only him to hear.
"I am escaping, Sir Baeon," she whispered. "Trying to forget my empty life, if not anything else, so at least for a few hours...."
There were tears in her eyes, as if she had been suffering for a long time, but been denied the right to show her emotions. Even now she looked like she tried to hold back, fighting her tears.
Baeon managed somehow to look at her face. Despite only just meeting her, something struck him as just not right about this woman. She was friendly, no doubt, and it did not seem to irk him in a negative way. In fact, if anything, it intrigued him. He found himself sitting straighter rather than leaning back in his chair like he was. He leaned in, elbows propped before him and gingerly held the whiskey in his other hand.
"I hope you find the escape that you seek," he answered with a smile. "It's a long way to come for a drink. The whiskey is very good. You should try it. It helps me find my escape. But something strikes me as curious..." He sipped his glass, head tilted.
"Sir? And what makes you think I am Sir Baeon?" He was curious, tilting his head as he did not recall mentioning such a thing. He was a knight of course, but it seemed like such an odd thing to say upon first meeting.
Flavia smirked inwardly as she saw the man looking at her face. She liked him looking at her, and she sent him warm flirtatious glances when she calmly sipped her drink - nothing over the top, but trying to be friendly enough, hoping to catch his interest.
"Thank you," she replied gently to his wish that she found the escape she sought, attempting to give his hand a gentle squeeze across the table to show her appreciation. Another smile lit up her face when he spoke of the whiskey being good here. "Wonderful, it may be what I order next...."
She perked her ears when he said that something was striking her as curious. "Curious?" she asked gently. "What would strike you as curious? I am fond of curiosities..."
She chuckled with laughter when he asked why she thought he was Sir Baeon.
"I know nothing of your titles or your work, my friend," she said calmly. "I am in the habit of calling men if titles I don't know Sir. I was raised to never address people just by using the simple term "you there", as it may appear rude and less respectful. You introduced yourself as Baeon when I arrived, but you did not mention your work or profession. Thus, when I addressed you, I called you Sir Baeon. It's rather common really. If you for example had introduced yourself as Baeon, Professor of Whatever-name Academy, I would have called you Professor Baeon. "
If it really was just a coincidence that she be correct, Baeon was astonished and quite pleased with it. So pleased in fact that he suddenly threw his head back in loud laughter. Not that anyone looked his way, people were too deep in their conversations to give a damn. Which suited him just fine. His entire body tilted back in the chair, with such force that it balanced for three seconds on the two back legs, before slamming hard on the floor, lifting dust upon landing.
"Then I'll count that as my fortune," he said, sobering, although his face hurt from all that smiling.
"I can't imagine myself being the professor of anything, much less that of an academy. But I understand your sentiment. I'm not sure if you'll be pleasantly surprised, but you've got luck on your side, good lady. I do happen to be a Sir Baeon. I am ...was a knight." He smiled a little, blushed over his whiskey before it was the drink that rosied his cheeks.
"I am sorry...for laughing so hard. I'm not usually so uncouth. Especially not in front of a beautiful woman such as yourself."
A smirk crossed Flavia's face when she saw the man in front of her throwing his head back in loud laughter. Many men were surprised to find out she had a brain to think with. Sometimes it seemed like they believed that beautiful women couldn't think.
She had no idea why Baeon laughed, but she liked to watch him as he laughed out loudly. He had a rather handsome face, and she loved to see how it changed when he laughed. Suddenly his chair tilted backwards, slamming hard on the floor.
"Careful now, Sir," she smiled and looked over at him with mirth in her eyes. "The chair may topple over if you are not careful, and the lovely whiskey may get spilled. A waste of good liquid, don't you think, Sir?"
She smiled when he told her he was a knight, giving him a deep curtsy. "And a most galant one at that," she said as she sent him yet a flirtatious glance. "Handsome too... But you say you were a knight. Past tense? What happened, if I may be so free to ask?"
There was a warm tone in her voice, her eyes looking up at him while expressing sympathy. If he had burdens that needed to be relieved, she would be more than willing to listen to his woes.
Her soft lips curled in a smile when he called her a beautiful woman, apologizing for laughing so hard.
"Thank you. Please, don't apologize for laughing. I think you look quite handsome when you laugh like that... I rarely hear laughter in my own life, so I find pleasure in other people's happiness."
He smiled back, shrugging off the compliment. "You are too kind, truly," he murmured, considering another sip and leaving the glass at that. He looked her over, eyes peering into her otherwordly ones. He sniffed the air. One thing was for certain, she was not human. No human could drink blood in the glass, no human would look at him like that.
But why was she speaking him of all people? Was she here with some ulterior motive?
He sat back against his chair once more, observing her now much more closely. "It is an overly long and boring tale," he said quietly, index finger roving over the rim of the glass. "But you, I would like to know more of you, Countess. Why are you so empty? Unhappy? You seem so out of place here in this Serenian city."
Flavia smiled when the man shrugged off her compliment. "Not the least, Sir," she replied. "I am just honest..." Noticing when he looked her over, she made sure to place her body in a favorable position, trying to look her best and most beautiful. She peered into his eyes under long, dark eyelashes, trying to send him a flirtatious glance and a sweet smile.
She had no ulterior motives for speaking to him, other than her need of company and - if she was lucky - maybe even a lover. But she wanted a man that came to her bed willingly, not because she forced him. She didn't count flirtatious invites as cheating though...
She chuckled with laughter when he spoke of his own story as a long and boring tale. "I can't imagine there are anything boring about you, Sir," she replied. "You seem so strong and brave, so filled with mystery and romance. I bet a man like you will have lots of girls standing in line for a smile or a kiss or a romantic evening..."
Her eyes saddened when he asked why she was so empty and unhappy, but she tried to keep her voice cheerful to not appear too miserable. "Oh, the usual," she replied. "Like so many girls of our time I was forced into a marriage with a man I don't love. It seems he was forced to marry me as well, and now he is punishing me for being his wife..."
She wondered if she should tell him of her recent turning to a vampire. She had just met him, and did not know how much he was willing to take in at once. Perhaps it was better to wait with that part... But the unhappy marriage part was okay to speak about. This man looked like a galant knight. The type who would probably try to save a lady in distress. Soon she would find out if she was right in her speculations...
She certainly laid the flattery on rather thick didn't she. He could tell when she was flirting with him. Or as much as he could fathom anyone would want to flirt with him. Something about her didn't seem quite as ungenuine as he might have originally assumed. He relaxed in front of her. And he looked her over, eyes drifting up from her bosom to her neck and finally her chin and her lips. They were luscious and well rounded and he wondered at the teeth that hid behind them.
Because if there was one thing he could sense, she was definitely not human.
Baeon didn't seem as interested in his drink anymore at leaat not initially. His current company made him curious. "I'm sorry," he said. "Is your husband really so terrible? What about him makes him so?" He wasn't interested in defending her husband, but he wondered if what truly brought her all this way was her loveless marriage.
"Why would anyone wish to punish a lovely creature such as yourself?"
Flavia smiled as she saw the man relaxing in front of her. As his eyes looked her over from her bosom to her neck, chin and lips, she made sure to sit in a position that showed all her feminine curves in the most favorably manner. Her brown eyes twinkled, sending him an expression flirtatious and inviting at the same time. Her luscious lips parted and she ran the tiny tip of her tongue gently over her front teeth.
Her teeth were pearly white and just as pretty as the rest of her. Her fangs were there, but they were not as large as she had seen them on other vampires. They could do damage if she wished to, but she was not seeking to bite anyone now. She was here to seek company for the night. If Lady Luck was willing she might perhaps even find a lover.
The man she had in front of her seemed galant and kind, and she showed him her interest. If he wanted to hit on her she would not reject him, but rather welcome his advances. Glancing over his body she liked what she saw, and she wondered how it would feel to make love to this man.
A hint of sadness appeared in her eyes when he spoke of her husband, and for a moment she resembled a child lost in the woods. "Everyone thinks my husband is a handsome, goodlooking and kind man," she said, looking anxiously around to see if any of her husband's henchmen had followed her here. But for now everything seemed normal.
"Only... once we are alone, this deception vanishes, and he shows his true face... Normal as he may seem on the outside, he is really a monster... He is cold and cruel and brutal. He seeks every chance he can get to punish me..."
She pulled up her sleeve a bit, showing dark bruises on her arms. The bruises showed someone had grabbed the young woman and shook her violently.
"He did not want this marriage, Sir Baeon," she whispered. "But if he divorce me he will lose a yearly income of 3 000 gold coins. He is furious for this, and he hates me."
To hear about such abuse and to actually see the results of it were two different things, and yet both of them sent chills of unease seeping into his gut. Baeon had all but forgotten about his drink as he leaned forward and took her arm delicately in his hand to better examine the bruises. She was not human indeed, this much he could tell from her, but the fact that she would allow herself to suffer such abuse said volumes. This man was her husband, and she did not fight back...
"My lady, if I were in your place, I would sooner be a widow than to subject myself to the tyranny of another undeserving of my heart," he frowned and set her arm down. "You're not human... I can...uh, sense, that about you. You're much stronger than you seem, so why let yourself remain as his wife?" He shook his head, pushing hair away from his face.
"Er, sorry, it really isn't my place to ask," he said with a laugh. "I suppose you could say I'm doing as much escaping here as you are. This is my first time in Serendipity, and I'm enjoying my stay so far. Maybe even more now that I get to gaze upon a beautiful creature like you."
The warmth of Lord Baeon's hand against her own felt nice, and she wished the touch of his hand could have lasted for much longer. She allowed him to examine the bruises, to see what kind of vile creature her husband truly was. Her own father had turned her away when she came to him to complain about her marital woes, and as time went on and her marriage got worse she started seeking sympathy where she could get it. It no longer mattered to her if the man she sought sympathy from was rich or poor, powerful or common. All she asked for now was at least a little bit of kindness, and - if she was lucky - a warm embrace for a longer or shorter period of time.
She lowered her gaze when the man in front of her spoke of being a widow if he had been in Flavia's place. "That is the problem, Mylord," she replied wistfully, tears brimming up her big, brown eyes. "I can't divorce my husband. My father is a man of noble family, and my husband belongs to another powerful family. As long as I stay married to my husband, my in-laws will protect my village from harm and keep the villagers safe. If I leave, I will break the contract, and I fear it will be an excuse for the two families to start a war against each other. I can't bare the thought of seeing innocent people getting butchered because of something I have done. I am a lady, Mylord - not a killer..."
She smiled shyly when he spoke of sensing that she was not human. "I used to be human once," she said. "But not anymore. Don't be afraid of me though. I am not dangerous. I am just a bird in a golden cage - bound to a man I don't love. All I want is company of a warm and caring soul who can show me that there is still warmth and kindness left in this world..."
She sent him a sad face expression when he asked why she remained as her husband's wife. "If it was up to me, I would have left him already," she said. "He is so much stronger than what I am. But for the people of my town to stay safe and alive, I have to sacrifice my freedom. As long as they are kept safe from war and hunger, it is a small price to pay..."
She smiled when he spoke of doing as much escaping as she was, her smile widening when he said he enjoyed his stay even more now that she was here. "Perhaps we could escape together then," she smiled and looked up at him with warmth in her brown eyes, reaching out a slender hand and trailed her finger lightly over his hand. "I think I know a way of getting back at my husband, but I may need your help..."
Her gaze rested upon him, hypnotic and mysterious at the same time, and her soft lips curled into a smile.
In truth, her plight moved him. Baeon didn't know why, but he felt some semblance of empathy for her. She was stuck in a position she could not help, not without incurring the wrath of forces greater than she. Or that was his impression of it. Baeon felt trapped by his own circumstance, disgraced in vocation, untrusting of his own loyalties. He dropped his head and fell silent for a time. He could not look at her, despite her presence being quite powerful in a time like this.
He stared at his drink, and the ice that melted away in it. He took it in hand once again and downed the rest of the watered-down whiskey. Best to not let that go to waste, he thought. In the end, they were all just melting ice cubes, no?
"Escape together," he murmured, mulling the notion over in his mind. "I don't know if I'm the soul that bears the kindness you seek." He gave her a small smirk. "But I would be happy to further stay in your company for the evening, friend."
He put his hand over hers and gave her a smile in turn, turning his hand into hers so their palms were touching. Cool to the touch, no pulse. If he didn't know any better he'd say she was a vampire. That would explain the smell.
He laughed at that though, though she might know why by looking at him. "Do you want to get out of here?"
Flavia watched the man as he dropped his head and fell silent. She didn't know what went through his mind, but she felt some strange form for empathy for him.
As he stared at his drink, she couldn't even fathom to imagine how he felt or what plights that troubled him so, but she knew that if she could she would be willing to make him forget.
She placed her hand gently over his vacant hand as he downed his watered-down whiskey. "I don't know what you have been through, my friend," she said. "But if you need to forget as much as I do, I suggest we try to help each other at least for a few hours...."
She smiled when he spoke of being the soul that bears the kindness she was seeking. "You are far better company than the man my parents forced me to marry," she said gently. "At least you are kind and sympathetic. You have been nothing but gentle from the moment I arrived, and for that I am grateful..."
She enjoyed the feel of his hand over hers, smiling to him as he turned his hand to make their palms touch. His hands were warmer than hers, and they had pulse. But Flavia was not here to hunt today. She merely sought some friendly companion. Her eyes twinkled towards him when he asked if she wanted to get out of here, and she linked his fingers with his in a gentle caress.
"I would love to," she replied gently. "I just don't have anywhere to go. But I'll be happy to come with you where ever you wish..."
He looked down at their intertwined hands and he felt something squirm in his belly, a jolt and he let his thumb roll over her knuckles and he stood. "I think I have a place where we might be alone. Upstairs," he said with a gesture of his head. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.
And gave nothing else a glance as he led them both upstairs. Once before his door, he opened it gently, and allowed her to enter first before softly closing the door behind them.
It was a quaint room, comfortably furnished for what it was, with a hearth and a soft sofa and a bed on the side. "Home sweet home. For now anyway," he said, smiling and moving toward the hearth. He knelt before it and put in kindling, scraping sparks into it and starting a small blaze.
Flavia smiled softly as she looked down at their intertwined hands, a soft smile beaming up her face when he let his thumb roll over her knuckles. She caressed his hand gently as she stood up from the chair, a silent token of appreciation that he wasn't scared away by her presence.
"Upstairs will be fine," she replied softly as he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, allowing him to lead her away from the bar.
As he led her into his room, she stepped inside and looked around. The room was quaint and comfortably furnished. A bit more simple than what she was used to, but she preferred this humble place with this kind and noble man before silk sheets and being brutally raped by a fierce and violent husband.
"What a nice and cozy room you have," she smiled as she watched him starting a small blaze by the hearth. "Warm and comfortable, just the way I like it..."
Baeon turned to face her, only then feeling more than awkward. He was a bit at a loss in situations like these. While he was no innocent, he was not the kind of man simply to tear apart anything in front of him. Not with something as unknown as she stood before him.
He rubbed his palms together and looked at her. "What are you?" he finally blurted out. "Are you a vampire?"
Flavia looked up at the man in front of her, her eyes twinkling towards him in a seductive manner. She placed herself in decorative manner, trying to look her best in an attempt to seduce him. But she wanted him to come to her of his own free will, not because she made him. It always felt a bit better when the men fell for her on their own, without her helping them...
Of course her life as a vampire had granted her the gift of Glamour, the way of seducing a man with hypnosis. But as she was a beautiful woman of her own right, she always thought it was fun to see how far she could come without cheating, as she called it.
Perhaps she was a bit perplexed for a moment, when she instead of passionate kisses received a question of whether or not she was a vampire. Even so, he had not seemed threatening towards her so far, so she decided to be honest.
"I am," she admitted softly as she met his gaze with her brown doe eyes. "But you don't need to fear me. I was human once too. I am not dangerous. I am a creature in an unfortunate situation I can not escape. And as I understood from our conversation downstairs you had some problems of your own you wished to forget for a while. What do you say we leave our differences behind and try to forget our problems together?"
He was not threatened by the fact that his assumptions had been correct. Depending on how he guaged her next. He could smell it on her, and while he was intrigued, he remained wary. He stepped closer to her, looking her over, and feeling his palmstingle. Vampires were supposed to be strong creatures, and for a moment his mind flickered to that tender flesh and wondering if it might tear as easily as a mortals.
"I admit, I've never met a vampire before," he said. He reached up to poke her cold cheek. "I'm sorry. I'm just curious that's all." He gave a soft grin. "Just my luck to run into a vampire in my first trip to Serendipity. It's funny. Sort of." He stroked her cheek instead.
"At least it didn't seem to hurt anything. Physically speaking."
Flavia was pleasantly surprised to find out that this man was not scared away by the fact that she was a vampire. She noticed he was wary, but she did not find it surprising. After all, most vampires had built up quite a reputation for spreading terror in the human realms. But Flavia was not most vampires. She had only recently been turned, and was still getting used to it. She still had to remind herself to stay out of the sun, and to not eat garlic in her food. She still found it yucky that she had to drink blood now and then to feed, and she tried to get what she needed through things liked tapped ox blood or perhaps a blood pudding now and then.
Even as a vampire she was still stuck in her marriage with her husband, but used the nights to recover from the abuse she suffered at daytime when her husband was awake. She still got bruises when her husband hit her, and she could still break a finger or an arm by brutal treatment. If vampires were strong, this was nothing Flavia knew about. She had seen nothing to this strength. Perhaps it was a good thing, as she might have used that strength to get back at her husband.
But as it was now, she was a fragile woman locked in a marriage she had never asked for. The only way she knew she could get back at her cold and brutal husband was to seek the love and warmth he couldn't give her elsewhere. This was why she had come to Serendipity tonight, and she had been lucky to find this kind-looking man at the bar.
She smiled as he looked her over, allowing him to poke her cold cheek when he admitted he had never met a vampire before. Her brown eyes sparkled and she drowned her gaze in his.
"Have you ever wished to make love to a vampire?" she asked gently, resting her cheek gently against his hand as he stroked her. "I have always wondered how it feels to make love to a real man - not one of those savage brutes who force themselves on you and make you cry, but a gentle being like yourself..."
Her lips curled into a warm smile, and she stepped a little closer to him, brushing her slender body lightly against his. "I will let you if you want to..." she offered, hoping she did not go too far and thus scare him off.
"Make love?" he murmured, letting his hand linger on her cheek. Fingers traced the shape of her jawline and index finger rolled down along her chin. "We are total strangers are we not? Making love implies we have a history, that we've known each other for a long time and in that time have come as close as the left hand is to the right hand."
He chuckled lightly, not in amusement, but more in curiosity. He smiled, though, and it was genuine. He didn't know why it troubled him so that she thought of him as a kind man. No notion of kindness made him better, he thought. He was a monster, perhaps just waiting for the right moment to show it. He blushed, flushing more in how little he thought of himself, than of how her words or touch affected him.
But the tingling trace of her fingertips perked his eyes up, peering into hers. "How could you trust me like this? You don't know anything about me," he said, hating the quiver that peeked out in his voice. Quickly he cleared his throat and turned his eyes awkwardly down, looking at the floor and at times the fire.
Flavia purred when he traced the shape of her jaw line, allowing this strong and handsome stranger to touch her and enjoying the feel of his fingers on her skin. Her own fingers gently started caressing his face and hair as she pressed her body softly and inviting against his.
Her luscious lips curled in a smile when he spoke of the definition of making love. "We encounter many beings in our lifetime," she murmured back. "But can we really say we know them? Our futures are uncertain in this life of chaos - all we have is here and now. So we might as well enjoy it while we still can...."
Leaning closer, she caressed the skin of his neck with her lips in a slow, gliding kiss. Her left hand buried itself in his hair, caressing him gently, while her right hand caressed his skin lightly.
"Besides," she added gently. "What way is better to get to know someone than this? The entire history of humanity began with a man sleeping with a woman...."
She saw the blush in his face, wondering if it was her presence that caused this rush of blood to his face, or if there was something else. When his eyes peered into hers, she gladly drowned herself in his gaze.
"There is something special about you that makes me like you," she replied as she gently caressed him. "You are right I don't know anything about you yet, and you don't know anything about me. But what do you say we get to know each other as we give each other mutual pleasure?"
Her touch sent chills down his body, unearthly chills. And when she looked at him, he didn't feel that hollowness that he so often did when others peered at him. Was it the beast within him that she sensed? Was it the man? Or in a halfway plane that edged on the desires of both? His hand rose up to caress her cheek, cupping it for a moment.
Something told him to get away from her, far away that he would not even remember her shadow should it come crawling along the ground. Baeon had no more words to utter then. Not because she had managed to steal them away, but because he felt his blood grow hot in his skin.
He waited a moment, counting his heartbeats, before he leaned in and pressed his lips hard to hers, kissing her with feverish hunger.
Flavia's one hand buried itself in his hair, caressing it gently while her other hand gently trailed his strong body. She drowned herself in his gaze, enjoying the caresses on her skin and body as she pressed her soft, slender body tightly against his. She enjoyed his presence, the feel of a strong, warm body so close to her own. She felt both the man and the beast within him as she caressed him, and she felt a strange attraction to both the man and the beast. When his hand cupped her cheek in a caress, she rested her cheek lovingly against his hand, showing him how much she enjoyed his touch.
As she drowned her gaze into his she felt the feverish desire inside her body growing, the yearning for his touch increasing. Her hands continued caressing him gently, encouraging him to continue his exploration of her body.
Pressed against his body, she could feel his heartbeats against her chest, feeling his dark desire. Then he leaned in and pressed her lips hard to hers, and she welcomed him into her arms and kissed him back with the same feverish hunger in her own kisses.
That desire set his blood ablaze. Baeon breathed in sharply at the sound of her lips against his. Where her touch sent shocks down his back and up again, he leaned into her touch, reaching down and wrapping an arm around the small of her back. He pulled her in forcefully against him, tilting his head to kiss her deeper.
His desire won out then, wanting her, wanting a release from all the tension that had built up within him. This was not love, this was just a moment of escaping from reality. Reality could wait, life as it were would remain.
Would it hurt to escape? And in something to sweet as she?
A moan of desire escaped Flavia's lips as Baeon pulled her forcefully against him. She pressed her body tightly against his own, melting into his warm embrace. Her soft, luscious lips parted, allowing him to deepen the kiss, and her tongue curled around his in a playful, erotic manner.
"Mmmmmmmm," she murmured into his kiss, her hands wandering across his hair and body in passionate, rhythmical caresses. The thin fabrics of her dress showed that her nipples were already erected, longing for his caresses, the touch of his hands and his mouth.
She knew that her problems would return in the morning, the painful reminder of being married to a man she did not love. But for now she chose to leave her problems behind, enjoying every second of pleasure the handsome man in her arms could give her.
He gratefully explored the hollows of her mouth, tongue sliding hungrily along hers as if trying to devour her from within. Baeon could think of little more than what more this could bring. Her body and his both quivered in that fire, one that started to grow in intensity.
Only for a moment did his hands reached down and part the fabric of his tunic, pulling it up and over his head, tearing them away long enough for him to regain his breath. He returned to kiss her in full force, hand drifting down her side and gripping her rear with powerful hands. Though her body was soft, he admired the hardened places therein, where muscle came through.
He panted heavily, pulse racing, blood curdling with want. He tore away long enough to look her over, touching the points of her breasts through her dress and letting his hands rove up to her shoulders, and slipping the straps from them, and parting her from her dress from the front.
Flavia moaned into his mouth as her tongue danced with his in an erotic game, playfully and sensual at the same time. Her slender body trembled from desire, a fire burning deep inside her as her lustful passion grew. At this point her only thought was about Baeon, and giving him as much pleasure as he gave her.
She watched with lust and desire in her eyes as he pulled his tunic over his head - the sight of his strong torso only making her want him even more. When he returned to kiss her in full force, she moaned in pleasure as she allowed her hands to caress every patch of his warm skin while she kissed him with passion.
Her chest was heaving from the passionate kisses when he tore away, soft moans of desire escaping her lips when he touched the points of her breasts through the fabrics of her dress. She did not protest when he slipped the straps from her shoulders, but helped making the undressing of her body easier. Inch by inch the material of her dress was moved further down her body, revealing her soft skin and feminine curves.
As she had only been 18 years old when she was turned, her breasts were not very large, but they were well formed and soft to touch. Her erect nipples had a light pink color, a slightly darker and different shade than her pale skin.
She was slim around the waistline, but her stomach was flat and well built, as if she was used to exercise like belly dancing. Her hips were curved to fit the rest of her slender body, and her legs were long and well shaped.
Once her dress had pooled around her feet, Flavia slowly unfastened her advanced hairdo, allowing her long, dark hair to fall freely around her head and body. Her hair was long enough to pass her waistline. Once Flavia had loosened her braids, she turned to Baeon again, allowing him to take in the sight of her beauty.
Her eyes were dark from emotion, sparkling with lust and desire as she leaned in for yet another kiss.
Baeon took in her body, and he let himself look her over for a time. She was as beautiful, and when he could not resist touching her, he let his hands rove up her sides, and took one of her hands to slip across his form. His knighthood had trained him well, and his body was riddled with scars and abrasions. He made no protest should she choose to explore them.
He breathed in sharply as his thumb grazed over her nipples, cupping her breast and he leaned in to kiss the top of it. They were round, and flesh supple. He found encouragement all on his own, taking mouth to breast and lapping it gently.
Flavia enjoyed the desire in Baeon's eyes when he looked at her. Her own attention was focused on his strong body, riddled with scars and abrasions. When he let his hands rove up her sides, she came closer to him, allowing her soft mouth to gently kiss, lick and caress every patch of skin she could reach. His skin was a bit rougher than hers, but warm, and she enjoyed caressing his body.
"You are a brave man, Sir Baeon," she murmured in his ears while they kissed. "Your scars bear witness of your courage...."
Her nipples hardened even more at the touch from his thumb and his mouth, and when he leaned in to kiss her nipples and lap on her breast, she leaned her head backwards and moaned softly with delight. Her breathing became quicker with the excitement, and she started feeling warm and wet between her thighs.
While he caressed her breasts, she allowed her hands to travel across his body, gently exploring every inch of him, as they slowly and gently traveled their way down to his belt.
Her breath made his heart skip a beat, and the feel of her mouth on his body only quickened his pulse. In his mind he felt the soft growl of the wolf that resided just under the surface his desire only doubled in intensity. He made a soft gasp at her touches, her explorations, and groaned in pleasure when he felt tension build within his trousers.
A metallic sound, and he heard her nails rattling against the buckle of his belt. He blinked, peering down at her from where he'd still lapped at her breast and watched the belt pop open, coming undone, and he held his breath in a moment of anticipation.
He let his hands remain at her breasts, feeling the soft points of them between an index finger and thumb.
His strong body felt so warm against hers. His soft gasps and his groans only increased her own desire, the fire slowly building up inside her body. She kissed every patch of skin she could reach, allowing the tiny tip of her tongue to glide over sensitive areas as she explored his entire body.
Her own body trembled by his touch, her erect nipples begging for more of his caresses. Her secret spot was pulsating, craving his presence. As she moved her caresses to his waistline, she could feel his desire through the fabrics of his trousers.
"Mmmmm, let me help you with that," she purred, kneeling down in front of him as she gently started undoing his pants, pulling them down to see what was hidden inside them. She moaned in passion by the sight of his manhood, and started caressing it gently with her hands once it was freed.
As her gentle tongue and hands caressed his most sacred parts, she looked up at him with eyes burning with lust and desire.
The sound of his belt clasp opening made that breath hiss out slowly. He watched her kneel before him and the cloth of his trousers pooling around his feet. He gasped and let his hands caress her face and moved fingers into her hair. He did not protest her advances or her exploration. Breath hitched at the sensation of her tongue, and his attempt to stifle a moan all but failed.
His body curled over hers, as he moaned, and gasped, fingers gripping against her scalp.
"Flavia," he murmured and brought her chin up to his face. Baeon smiled, stepping out of his clothes before reaching down and wrapping powerful arms around her, lips trapping hers intent on stealing her breath.
Flavia's eyes twinkled when his trousers pooled around his feet. The sight of his erect manhood made her lips curl into a smile, and she kissed his manhood from the base and up to the head while gently massaging his balls. After stroking him for a few moments, she looked up at him as to ask for permission, before she slowly started sucking him. Her mouth was warm and soft around his manhood, and she made sure to keep her fangs away from his skin. She had already discovered that she could retract her fangs when she did not feed.
She enjoyed the taste of his warm, hard manhood and the sound of his gasps and moans. It enticed her to go on, and her dark hair danced around her head as she bobbed her head eagerly up and down around his manhood.
When he brought her chin up to his face she willingly released his manhood, smiling up to him. "Did you like it?" she asked as he stepped out of his clothes.
The next moment she was wrapped into his powerful arms, her lips locked against his in an intense kiss that made her moan loudly from passion as she pressed her body tightly against his.
It wasn't too much. In fact, it might not have been enough. The moment her mouth made contact with his member, Baeon knew it was too late to turn back. And he felt the fire in his blood burn insatiably. The wolf within was hungry, for want of flesh to devour or innocence to steal. Although from her actions, Baeon knew that had gone from this woman long ago.
He held her tightly to him, possessively, arms that could crush her and render her a tangle of limbs broken and mangled. Those same arms cradling her to the bed and lying down with her as his lips would not leave hers. He kept himself hovering above her, coaxing her body to splay out before him as he loomed over her. He held her legs on either side of his hips, the hardened tip of his manhood prodding against her heated flesh.
Flavia moaned with passion as Baeon held her tightly and possessively to him, pressing her slender body willingly against his. Her breasts were pressed again his chest, her rock hard nipples clearly showing the desire burning inside her.
Locked in a passionate kiss, she allowed him to carry her to the bed, her arms wrapped around his strong body and her hands burying themselves in his hair. She moaned into his mouth as her tongue curled around his in an erotic dance.
Soon she found herself laying on his bed with him on top of her. Her legs wrapped themselves lovingly around his hips, willing him to come closer, begging him to take her here and now. She felt the hardened tip of his manhood prodding against her heated flesh, and the moist of her womanhood revealed that she was more than ready for him.
He didn't ask. He didn't have to. Her body invited him enough and when he felt her heat, his body trembled long enough, working out the dregs of hesitation and eventually, he slipped within her. Baeon gasped at the feel of her taut and supple body. He began to move slowly, testing the feel of her, the way she gloved all around him. It felt surreal, to be here with one such as she.
And as if the most natural thing in the world.
He kissed her deeply, moving his mouth in unison with hers as his hips started thrusting in an exploratory rhythm, finding where her gasps led to moans.
She moaned in passion when he slipped within her, curling her legs around his hips and willing him closer. She loved feeling him inside her, and when he began to move slowly, she met his moves by moving her hips gently against him.
She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply and curling her tongue around his in a playful and erotic manner. Her hips met his thrusts in a sensual and erotic manner. Her hands caressed his hair as she moaned out in passion - her breasts bouncing in rhythm with each powerful thrust.
"Gods," he whimpered, moving in unison with her. He continued his slow and painful thrusts, hips working hard against hers, but gentle enough so that she could feel all of him. She was tight, unbelievably so, but he turned his hips this way and testing strokes at whatever felt best.
"Uhh," he panted, moaning deeply. He kissed down her throat as they moved together, mouth claiming the other breast he had neglected before.
"Oooooooooh," Flavia moaned loudly, thrashing wildly on the bed with each powerful thrust. She knew the trick of tightening and relaxing the muscles in her lower abdomen, giving the man an impression of having a woman's purity. In addition to that his hard manhood turned her on, making her juices flowing inside her womanhood to make it easier for him to glide in and out of her.
She wrapped her arms around him, allowing her wet, juicy lips glide over his neck and his chest area. She kissed, licked and sucked gently on his skin, gently raking his backside with her fingernails - testing what could bring him the greatest pleasure.
"Oh gods," she moaned again as his mouth claimed the other breast, her nipples almost painfully erect.
Hot tongue lapped at her chest, suckling gently but deeply in long, hungered strokes. Indeed, it was not all that was hungered. Baeon took her, moving harder and deeper with each thrust. Even if he was not the first to pluck her flower, it didn't matter. All he cared about was if he pleased her.
Baeon turned upon his side, rolling onto his back and allowing Flavia to ride him to her pleasure.
Flavia purred and writhed her slender body under him in slow, agonizing moves when he took her and lapped at her chest. Her long hair flowed around her head in dark curls, tiny beads of sweat started forming on her slender body. Her breasts bounced in tact with each powerful thrust.
"Oh, oh, oh...."
Her moans of passion seemed to increase in strength the harder and deeper his thrusts were. Her arms curled around his upper torso, hands buried in his hair as she sucked on his neck with passionate kisses.
As he rolled onto his back, Flavia smiled and followed his moves. With one foot on either side of his hips, she started moving slowly and seductive, the same moves she had learned in the bellydancing lessons in school. She had never known the meaning with them then, but now she knew, and she used them for what they were worth.
With these seductive moves with her hips and her abdomen, she started moving gently up and down his manhood, teasing, flirting, testing how long he would resist the temptation....
He was containing himself just barely. He didn't know if he could hold out for much longer, but somehow her motions only seemed to draw out his pleasure. Every motion elicited a hitch from his breath, throat holding in that sound, until it seeped out of him in a long, deep-throated moan.
He looked up at her from where she perched, eyes half-lidded and he reached up to caress her face. He held her hips now, moving them in deepened thrusts, as he shifted his hips upward when she came down upon him. "Don't stop," he begged. "Please."
Flavia's soft lips curled in a smile when she noticed how her bellydancing excited him - his moans only increasing her own excitement. She varied her seductive moves, changing between riding him fast and slow, gentle and hard, Her breasts were bouncing up and down as she slammed her crotch against his, each thrust sending spirals of pleasure through her body.
"U-uuuuuuuuuuh," she moaned as she felt his manhood inside her, the seductive dance moves lowering her body to take as much of him inside her as she could. "I... I think I come soon.... Do you feel the same?"
Her body trembled with passon as he moved them in deepened thrusts, and she felt his nut sacks slapping against her moist womanhood every time she rode him as deeply as she could.
She got her answer soon enough when his body suddenly clutched beneath hers. Baeon arched his back up into her, throwing his head back as he felt his body suddenly tremble and burst from within her warmth. His nails sunk into her hips, gripping her possessively until he felt the rush slowly pass. "Gods," he panted, feeling himself ease, just slightly against the bed.
But he didn't want to move. His entire body felt limp, at ease and the tension gone into an ease of bliss like he hadn't felt in ages.
She felt his body clutching beneath her, his manhood hardening inside her as he arched his back up into her. Her spine arched backwards in a bow as a tremor washed over her body, and she screamed in delight when she finally reached her climax.
She could feel a warmth from his body spreading inside her, and her body was limp when she finally sank back into his arms. Still trembling from aftershocks she rested her body on top of his, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath.
"That... was wonderful," she purred when she finally was able to speak again, caressing his face gently with her lips. "Did you enjoy it too?"
She didn't want to move, but rested her body peacefully in his arms, her hands gently trailing the warm skin of his chest as she snuggled against him.
"That was...quite invigorating," he admitted, feeling flushed and panting heavily, her head rising and falling with the force of his chest. He grinned though, hands trailing up her back, and along her spine. "I haven't had sex like that in many...many moons." He was a bit shocked at himself, at what he'd done, but feeling shame in the slightest.
"I hope I wasn't too rusty." And he flushed, turning away in a blush.
Flavia smiled and snuggled close to his body, holding him in a warm embrace and allowing him to rest in her arms when they were done. It felt nice to stay like this. She loved the feel of his hands trailing up her back and along her spine, and her own hands trailed along his skin.
"I haven't had sex this good in a long time either," she replied, leaning in to kiss him. Her lips curled in a soft smile when he said he hoped he wasn't too rusty. "Not rusty at all," she assured him, caressing him gently. "You are a great lover. I wouldn't mind spending another night with you if we ever meet again..."
"You flatter me," he said with a deeper blush. Something about this moment felt surreal and he leaned in to catch her lips in a kiss momentarily. His lips lingered there, feeling her breath and the flushness of their skin together. He smiled, though she was a stranger, he was warmed with delight.
"Ever meet again... I think I'd like that. But I live very far away from here... but I would travel a thousand miles to see you." He smiled. "I like you. I think you deserve a better lot in life."
Flavia smiled and caressed his hair when he said she flattered him. "Not the least," she replied bluntly. "I am just being honest. You sure know how to please a woman..."
She enjoyed the feel of his lips against her own, and she responded to his kiss with the same warmth he showed her. A warm delight filled her now that her needs were filled, and a joy of seeing she had managed to make him happy as well.
"I think I would like to meet you again too," she replied, smiling when he said he lived very far away from here. "Where do you live, Baeon? I live in Essyrn, in the noble part of town... Hopefully you won't have to travel quite thousand miles to see me..."
Her eyes sparkled when he said he liked her. How many men had said that to her? She didn't know. But at least this one looked like he meant it. "I like you too, Baeon," she replied, nuzzling her face lovingly against his. "I think you deserve a better lot in life too..."
"That is very far away indeed," he said. "I live all the way in the heart of Connlaoth. I have a life there. Or a semblance of one anyway." He sighed. He was not proud of his profession, but it seemed all he was destined to be good at, rendering death. It was not his to say whether the people he killed were guilty, his only to sink the blade down on their heads, and watch as their lifeless expressions when it landed in the basket.
The worst ones were the ones that had kept their eyes open, and stared back at him. "I'm...not a good man there, but I am necessary."
Flavia listened when Baeon spoke of where he came from. Connlaoth.... She could not remember to have been there before, even if her family had servants from the area. From what she had heard it was a beautiful area.
"Perhaps I should take the trip North to visit one day," she mused. "I have not yet had the honor to travel so far north in this world."
She looked up at him with a quiet question in her eyes when he spoke of his life there, wondering if this was why he needed an escape from reality. She didn't judge him though, as she had a life of her own to escape from. She wasn't always proud of the methods she used to escape, but it gave her a brief relief for as long as it lasted.
"I can't see why you shouldn't be a good man," she cooed and caressed him gently, trailing her lips across his neck and his chest area. "You took time to comfort a complete stranger in need of a shoulder to cry on. And you gave me a wonderful night to remember when my world darkens again..."
Her trail of kisses left tingles on his flesh, but they did not comfort him. If anything, they made his stomach turn and he sighed, moving away from her efforts of affection. "I am not," he said again softly. "I'm not what I seem. This was but one night, Flavia. I go back to hurting people when I return home. I'm a monster."
He turned back to her, observing her features. "There was a reason I could tell you were a vampire. I could smell it on you. I can smell and sense lots of things. It's the wolf within... "
Flavia listened when Baeon spoke of being a monster, caressing his skin softly to show support. There was no judgement in her eyes, no signs of disgust or horror. She knew that she as a vampire had hurt people too. It was because of powers she could not control, and she had a feeling there had to be something similar to him.
"A werewolf," she replied softly. "It's not your fault you know. I picture you didn't ask for it, the same way I never asked to be turned into a vampire, right? It just happened - and sometimes the darkness within us is very hard to control.... Even so, those talents of smelling and sensing must come in handy, no?"
He gave a smirk and turned to her. "You...are too kind," he said, blushing. He put a hand up and caressed her cheek. "You're an unusual creature. I think I'd like to get to know you better." He smiled a bit wider and he averted his gaze. "How did you become a vampire? I can't imagine it was anything less than horrible. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to...I'm only curious."
Flavia smiled and caressed his hair when he spoke of her kindness. Not everyone would call her kind these days - not after everything she had done. Even so, it was nice to know that not everyone judged her.
"Thank you, Baeon," she smiled. "You are one of a kind too - and that is meant as a compliment. I would like to get to know you better too..."
She thought for a while when Baeon asked how she had become a vampire, trying to remember. "It happened on my 18th birthday," she said. "I was invited to the wedding of my best childhood friend. I remember a masquerade ball to celebrate the newlyweds. We had wine, and lots of champagne, and everyone were happy. When the bride and groom disappeared, I and a group of my closest friends stayed behind in the ballroom to dance....
It was then I met him - the man who changed my life. I remember we spoke, and he danced with me, and we had a couple glasses of champagne... The next I remember is a pair of fangs sinking into my neck, the sound of my clothes being ripped from my body, and strong hands holding me in a forceful grip as he forced himself on me..."
"I see," Baeon was quick to say. He didn't want to hear anymore of it. It wasn't that he was faint of heart, but details of such a thing happening to anyone was something difficult to hear. He put a hand on her face. To think she was robbed of life and of light made his heart go out to her, truly. Nobody deserved that. In the end, however, nobody could change the past. It was all layered reality.
"So you married after you were changed?"
Flavia smiled and silenced her tongue when she saw how the theme upset Baeon. She didn't want to give him more concern than he already had - especially when she was here trying to help him forget his problems at least for a while.
Resting her cheek against his hand, she caressed his hair gently and enjoyed his presence. Her brown orbs saddened when he asked if she married after she were changed.
"No," she replied gently. "I was married when I was sixteen years old. My father sold me like a piece of meat to increase his own wealth and gain powerful connections with my husband's parents.... So in fact I was married two years before I was changed."
There was a hurt undertone in her voice when she spoke. Flavia had never forgiven her father his betrayal: To drag her out of school to marry her off for profit. Sold, by the two people who weresupposed to love her unconditionally - trapped in a loveless marriage to a man who did anything to beat her senseless every time she showed any signs of intelligence.
"And what did your husband do when he discovered what had happened to you? I can't imagine your condition is an easy thing to hide," he muttered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. He was content to comfort this lovely creature if he could.
"It's terrible that you can't find peace in your world. But I guess that makes us two of a kind..."
Flavia smiled sadly when Baeon asked what her husband did after discovering she had turned. "Well, he reacted just the way you could expect him to," she said. "He wasn't happy - but on the other hand - if he divorce me he will lose a yearly income of 30 000 gold. For every 10th year of our marriage that sum will double. He continues beating me though, and I notice I am still capable of feeling pain when he does..."
She snuggled closer to Baeon, nuzzling against him and kissing his cheek when he kissed her forehead.
"I am sorry you can't find peace in your world either," she said as she caressed his hair. "I hope I will be able to lift your spirits at least... And that I will be able to take your mind off your problems at least when you are with me..."
"What a foolish man, to squander gifts more precious than gold. I could sit here and feel sorry for you, but that wouldn't help you," Baeon admitted. "I only hope that what little moment we stole away in, you were able to forget your troubles. Even if just for a time."
He smiled and sat up. He moved over to his clothing, picking up something from his belt, a satchel, and moving back toward her. He sat at the edge of the bed and opened the small sack, and within it, he pulled out a little figurine of a mounted rider on a horse. It was a faceless figure, one that sat straight on the horse, a female from the apparent artist rendering, and he handed it to her.
"I found this on my way here to Serendipity. I liked it enough to pay a few coins for it. What do you think of it?"
Flavia smiled when Baeon admitted that it wouldn't help feeling sorry for her. It was still nice to know she had his sympathy. "I managed to forget my troubles for the time I was with you," she admitted with a smile. "I hope I was capable of helping you forgetting your problems also for a while..."
She smiled and watched him when he moved over to his clothing, picking up something from his satchel. When he returned to her side and opened the small sack, she admired the little figurine of a mounted rider of a horse.
"It is a very pretty figurine," she smiled. "You can tell from the details that the artist is good at what he does. I am quite certain this will become very valuable one day. So you did a good find."
"You can keep it if you'd like," Baeon said, smiling and pushing it into her hands. "I like it. But I wouldn't know what to do with it, or where to put it. You look like someone who appreciates trinkets. Perhaps you can find some use in it."