Nightwalker Fan Fiction ❯ End of All Hope ❯ Memories ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Taking a page out of DeSora's book, I have decided to create an ancient language for the nightwalkers that is actually a mixture of a lot of real languages put together. This includes, Latin, Czech, Croatian, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Russian. The vampires still do speak Romanian and English, but there are certain terms that I had to create on my own. Just keep them in mind and enjoy!

carusevo--The name given to the weaker member of a mated couple. He/She is under the protection and providence of the more dominant member of the pair.

milÃ½ani--The name given to the stronger and more dominant member of a mated pair. It is his/her duty to care for all of his mate's need and ensure his/her protection and happiness.

tovarishch--a comrade and best friend, usually joined by a blood bond that seals the friendship. (those who watch Trinity Blood have heard this term)

Chapter 4--Memories

“Solar Missiles?”

Shido and Azrael had been busy cleaning up after their last resting sight, as the vampire lieutenant had been explaining some of the things he had observed in his spy missions to the human strongholds.

“They're weapons that could take out over 200 of us in one hit. It would give a single explosion that would send out rays 150 times more powerful than the sun's.”

Shido issued a Romanian curse as he thought of the ramifications of such a weapon. “How are our armed forces supposed to deal with something like that?”

Azrael flipped his long blue plait behind his back and brushed his long bangs out of his eyes, before mentally refreshing his clothes and body. It wasn't as nice as an actual physical shower, but it was efficient and gave the same results.

“We will have to reinforce our defenses and come up with new weapons of our own to battle those disgraceful mortals. However, it's the humans' military forces in Tibet or India that have me concerned. They are congregating further and further south, but whether it's to initiate a battle with us, I do not know.”

Shido tied his long lavender hair back as he began to think about what his traveling companion had said. Unlike the lieutenant, Shido had spent the better part of more than a hundred years in the human world and had adapted to its culture. His mind could think like a human's if he wanted it to, and he could instantly see many strategic plots that could involve the mortal armies' movements.

His sharp ears suddenly heard the sound of a small petite yarn. Turning, he saw Riho rising from her resting place, a small hand over her mouth as she looked up into the moon. She smiled at both men with that demure grin of hers. “I'm sorry for waking up so late; I was just really tired yesterday.”

Before she could even make an attempt to stand up, Azrael was suddenly at her side, his hand offered to help her to her feet. A slight blush came to her face at the charming gesture, and clasped her hand around his, letting herself be pulled up gracefully from the ground. However, once she was standing he didn't let go of her hand, but instead laid a light kiss upon it, before letting it drift from his grip.

With a sparkling grin, he said, “It's perfectly alright, Riho-chan. You just made the whole night even brighter.”

Bending down to the ground in front of her, he held his hand over the ground, letting his energy and spirit speak to the earth and commanding it to his will. The auburn headed vampiress gasped as she suddenly saw a small plant begin to grow at supernatural speeds from out of the ground. Within a single minute, as if by magic, a solitary small rose bush had erupted from the forest floor, the flora at the peak of their beauty.

Snapping of a perfect blue rose from off the bush (the stem surprisingly without any thorns), Azrael offered it to the girl, who looked up him with amazement. “A beautiful nocturnal bloom for you, my pretioasa floare la miezul nopÅ£ii.”

She smiled and took the flower, her blush growing as she tied it within the tresses of her hair. “I have no idea what you just said, but I'm sure it was something sweet. How did you do that?”

He blinked and looked at her curiously, “Surely you know that we, the walkers of the night, have powers over the greenery of the earth?”

As she shook her head, he laughed amused and turned to Shido, who stood behind them leaning against a tree, watching with a wry smile on his face. “You have not taught your childe well, Tatsuhiko. How could you have neglected to tell her that she is mistress over flora and can communicate with the fauna?”

The emerald-eyed male hunched his shoulders before turning from them, “We did not have much flora or fauna in the concrete jungle of Tokyo, so it kind of would have no purpose in our past lives. And as of now, we were too busy running for our lives for me to be able to teach anything.”

Azrael shook his head in laughter before turning to Riho with a charming smile, “Do not worry, little one. I shall teach you what your sire has neglected.”

The bronze-haired girl let a look of mock discontent come over her, “Shido-san is a very good teacher, Azrael. You shouldn't say such things.”

Shido had to hold down his own laughter as he watched his childe march away in disapproval, while a distraught blue-haired vampire followed her, pleading vigorously for her pardon. He knew of course that Riho was just playing with the young suitor, but Azrael would treat her displeasure seriously nevertheless. The master vampire sooo wanted to be on her good side.

The two's antics soon became a game of chase mixed with hide-and-seek, as Riho flitted through the forest, keeping just out of sight of the young master. Shido sighed as he realized that his little daughter was indeed growing up. He was astute enough to realize that over the past week or so, the lieutenant and his childe had become quite close to one another.

It hadn't taken long for Azrael to realize the nature of the platonic relationship between himself and his female companion, and from then on he had stayed on Shido's good side while making attempts to begin a courtship between himself and Riho.

Riho herself, was completely smitten with the master vampire, even though she tried not to let anyone know it. Though his childe had a feisty streak that had given her the inner strength to be able to endure this horrible ordeal so far, she was truly a kind, sweet soul that belayed the standard form of a nightwalker. Whoever became her mate would have to be understanding and patient, as well as strong and supportive. And as he got to know the male more and more, he had to admit that Azrael was indeed becoming a choice candidate.

Even now, though he covered it well, both he and Shido knew that he could have overtaken Riho with ease, outrunning and discovering her every hiding place with the efficiency of a deadly predator. However he allowed the vampiress her pride and let the love of the chase wash over him, as was his nature.

Yes, the two were well-suited for each other, but there was plenty of time before any kind of final decision was made. A fledging could not be taken as a mate until they came of age, and Riho had sometime before she was old and experienced enough to be given a rank. Vampires mated for life, so it was not a choice to be taken lightly.

While nightwalkers, who were in essence, creatures of sensation; they could have any number of romantic rendezvous and sexual relationships. In fact it was quite expected of the weaker common vampires. However, as a strict rule of vampyr law, one could only have a single mate. One's mate shared everything with his or her partner. They had unrestricted rights to the other's property, land, rank, and title. The only way to terminate such a relationship would be only in the case of final death, and even then, the surviving mate would live the rest of his unnatural life—alone.

Shaking his head in an attempt to clear his head from the idea of mates, he settled just to watch the antics of the two young lovers. However, that did no good as memories, sparked by the pair, were renewed fresh in his mind…

“Ha, ha! Is that the best you can do?”

Shido laughed happily as he watched his best friend try to catch up to him, as the two ran around in the forest of their homeland.

“I'll catch you yet, tovarishch. Just you wait!” Gwyn smirked as he rushed through the trees with ease, following the speeding figure of the violet-haired vampire.

The two had spent the night hours together, escaping from a tedious court session by going into the forests for a moonlight hunt. However after the two had taken their fill on a group of camping hunters in the forest's outskirts, their hunt had turned to play and games of tag and wrestling ensued.

Hours passed as the two enjoyed their jaunt, unconsciously going further and further away from the castle. They were on their latest game of chase, when a chill seemed to come through the air and mist began to rise from the earth, signaling the arrival or another—more powerful—presence.

“You two shouldn't be out here alone.” An arctic, authoritative voice cut through the echo of their laughter.

The two vampires came down to the ground and watched as the fog rolled and whisked away to reveal an impressive but familiar figure.

Dressed in his usual regal clothing, his black cape surrounding his ominous and intimidating stature, Cain came out of the darkness, his usually stoic face displaying a light smile as he looked upon the two young males.

Gwyn immediately went down on one knee in front of the golden-eyed vampire, his eyes to the ground. “Lord Cain, we didn't wish to be any trouble sir.”

The older male nodded, “You know as I do that it would have been no trouble at all. I expect you to take special care of your life, especially when you're in the company of my mate. Speak nothing of having compromised his own safety, he seems very fond of you and he would be very unhappy if something were to happen to you. You know that I cannot tolerate him being unhappy, correct?”

Shido stood to the side against a tree, his arms folded as he tried to stop himself from laughing aloud. His master loved to intimidate others, but both he and Gwyn knew better.

Gwyn smiled inwardly, but kept his voice steady as he responded to the High Lord. “My apologies, my lord.”

Cain motioned towards the north, “Raphael is preparing to head back to his territory, I suggest you catch up with him before he leaves without you.”

The raven-haired master vampire couldn't resist a small snigger. Raphael knew better. If he even wanted a ghost of chance of sharing his bed sometime in the near future, the loyal lieutenant would wait.

`You have your mate curled around your finger, Gwyn. However, you had better go.'

The master flicked his eyes over at his best friend for a second, acknowledging the other's mental comment with one of his own. `You are one to talk. Your mate is chastising mefor yourbehavior. However, I guess that is just how things are. Our mates may call the shots, but we're the ones who make them count. Until our next meeting, tovarishch.'

Gwyn stood and bowed at the waist to Cain first, then Shido. “Then it seems I must go. Farewell, Lord Cain, Lord Shido.”

He then leaped up into the trees, flying across the branches back in the direction of the castle. He was soon flanked on both sides by two of his mate's soldiers in escort.

When the other was gone, Shido looked up at his mate with a knowing smirk. “I know you were just trying to get rid of him, Cain. If you wanted to get me alone, you had but to wait.”

The blond smiled furtively and took a few steps forward, “I don't wait for anyone, carusevo. You should know that by now.”

Shido stood his ground despite the hungry gaze in his master's eyes, and instead looked at him with mock disdain. “Yes, I know that patience is one of the many virtues that you failed to learn.”

Pushing a purple lock from out of his face, younger vampire felt his breath quicken as his mate came up to within a hairsbreadth of him, causing him to have to look up at the taller male. The aristocratic lord's brilliant gold orbs seemed to look straight through him to his very depths, as if trying to find out his every secret and uncovering his very soul.

Being this close to such a commanding immortal, whose very presence instantly affected the very ground he walked on, would be enough to frighten the most valiant of nightwalkers to the very bone. However, Shido had never felt such fear. He felt entranced and intoxicated by the other's presence. His eyes, his scent, his hair, his mere existence seemed to send his blood pumping twice as fast through his dead heart, making his body temperature shoot up at least 10 degrees (which was saying something, since vampires didn't have a real temperature to begin with).

As Cain watched his childe's face begin to turn a charming pink color, his smirk widened to become rapacious. “Don't think I'm going to let you off so easily, Shido. You know better then to go off on your own without an escort.”

The comment acting like a bucket of cold water over his head, the younger vampire rolled his eyes before turning away and distancing himself from his master. “Tch, I am no fledgling Cain. And it wasn't as if I was alone.”

The blond let his eyes roam over the simply arousing figure of his Shido standing there in young defiance. His long, luscious, lavender tresses, shimmered in the bright moonlight as it cascaded over his shoulder wild and free, long ago having been abandoned by the emerald silk ribbon that had kept it bound.

It felt like forever since he had seen Shido alone, and he was determined to make up for lost time. How he wished he could simply run his fingers through those fine threads, while listening to the melody his mate's pants and moans as he trembled and quivered beneath him.

Well, the night was still young…

But first it seemed he had to placate his irate beloved, before he could think on more…pleasurable…activities.

“I did not mean to suggest that you are a child. I know that you are quite a warrior in your own right. However, I, as your mate, am responsible for your safety. As he is the mate to one of my lieutenants, I am responsible for Gwyn's safety as well. If you two must leave the safety of the castle, you are to have a trained escort with you at all times.”

Shido looked over his shoulder, his jade eyes blazing, “You can not tell me what to do. I am no longer just your childe, I am also your mate. As such, I am equal to you in all things, and I shall do as I please. You know I hate being cooped up in that stone fortress while you go through tedious meetings. And those common vampires that you have as my escorts only look down on me in contempt. If I am ever to gain their respect as High Lord de facto, you must give me the allowance and room to do so!”

With astonishing speed, Cain's form appeared directly behind him, his muscular arms encircling his waist and pulling him closely against his chest, as his head was cradled securely beneath the other's chin.

“Has someone mistreated you, carusevo? I felt the sorrow in your heart, but I thought that it was because you missed my company.”

Immediately after he had finished his tirade, Shido mentally cringed with regret. He had not meant for the elder vampire to know of his inner frustrations. Yet, maybe it was better this way…Cain seemed to always find out the truth anyway…

While his sire's voice was quiet and would have sounded nonchalant to most, Shido knew better. Under that still, placid faÃ§ade, laid a fierce tempest that was growing stronger and stronger in ferocity by the minute. It was the calm before the storm—one that he would have to try to diffuse before heads, literally, began to roll…

He chuckled slightly before turning around and looking into Cain eyes, his arms automatically lacing themselves around the older male's neck. “You always think everything is about you, hmm? Well, I have news for you: I don't give you a single thought when you're away.”

“You little liar…” The blond stated with amusement, letting a trace of affection seep into his tone. “We have a blood link remember? Now stop changing the subject. Who was it that has distressed you so?”

Shido closed his eyes and shook his head, “Cain, I have to deal with this myself. I need to fight my own battles.”

He then leaned forward, touching his lips to the other's firm jaw line, fulfilling his temptation of tasting of the skin that lay there, all salty and musk, with a flavor that was all Cain's.

His mate had been away quite often in the recent months and both of them had been busy in meetings and such, because of the trouble brewing in the some of the southeastern vampyr territories. While Cain was busy helping to sort out the hostilities, direction of their own territory, fell to him as Cain's mate and the second-in-command. Even though Shido was up to the task, it was hard and lonely work.

He had often spent his nights alone in more ways than one, and during the mornings his body shivered from more then unnatural cold as he slept alone in his own rooms until the next rising when the cycle would start all over again. He had truly missed his mate's presence, the feel of the safety and security of his strong arms around him, and especially his harsh, yet loving touch…oh, he was going to definitely enjoy this moment for all it was worth.

The lord felt a jolt go through him at the feel of his childe's tongue upon him and almost forgot the whole thing. However, as he reached out into Shido's mind, the frustration and sadness that lay carefully hidden there, yet plain to his experienced mind, reawaked his ire and fury. Anyone who dared upset his beloved, would die before the night's end. Shido deserved the utmost care and respect, and Cain would not tolerate anything less.

However, looking into those ethereal emerald eyes, he also realized that his childe had his pride, and he would never gain true esteem and loyalty unless he earned it himself. For his angel's sake, he would try to compromise. “I will let you do as you please, carusevo. However, if anyone disrespects you in any way, within my area of notice, I will make sure that their punishment is extensive and torturous, so that they will beg for the final death by your hand before I am done with them.”

Shido smiled wryly. Well that was the most that could be hoped for. Much was said about Cain, some of it true and some of it not. But let it never be said, that the High Lord of the Northwest didn't look after that which was his.

“Thank you, Ca—milÃ½ani.”

Cain let his smirk widen at the sound of the traditional name, his fangs gleaming in the darkness. He reached up and ran a finger against the gentle skin of his mate's cheek, lightly caressing it. “However, I still sense sadness within you, and that just won't do.”

“And just what do you plan to do about it?” he answered back coyly.

“Oh, I can think of a few things.” Letting his finger stop underneath his mate's chin, Cain lifted the boy's head, and let himself feast on the vision of perfection that stood before him. “And I think I'll start with this…”

Shido trembled as he felt Cain's fingertips faintly ghost over his lips. Despite how long they had been together, he didn't think he would ever stop craving this golden god's touch. Maybe he was addicted, and maybe he didn't really quite care. However, he inwardly smirked; this time he was going to have a little bit of fun first.

Just as he was about to capture his beloved's luscious lips with his own, Cain felt Shido suddenly become mist, only to reform perched on a nearby oak branch.

Cocking an eyebrow at his childe curiously, Shido answered his unspoken question with a laugh. “A kiss from my lips is not so easily taken, Lord Cain. I don't give myself to just anyone.”

Flipping his cloak over one shoulder and putting a hand to his hip, he chuckled evenly in response, “I should hope not, LordShido. I would hate to spend the rest of this night making the sky rain red and the ground stain scarlet. Now get back down here, and let's go home, carusevo. ”

The younger vampire stood lithely on the tree branch, one hand leaning carelessly against the trunk. “Haven't I told you once already tonight? Stop telling me what to do. I do what I wish.”

With that he flew off into the trees, letting the wind sweep against his body and he leaped from branch to branch, his feet hardly touching the surface. He did not hear or see, so much as feel his mate's pursuit. Looking from the corner of his eye, he glanced over at the blond racing next to him, easily keeping pace. Instead of speaking verbally (which was nearly impossible at that speed) he felt Cain's voice within his head using the bond the two shared.

`You are trying my patience, little one. This chase only makes me desire you more…if that could be possible…'

`Well, at least I am teaching you something. And what makes you think I care to share your bed tonight, especially as you have treated me thus? I think I will stay at the southern villa for a couple of risings.'

`That'll be fine, but I will have to call back Raphael to take over for a few days while we're there.'

`I meant by myself, you cretin. Or maybe I'll take Gwen and Naphtali with me; they'll probably prove better company than you.'

`I tolerate Gwyn, but you are not to be alone with Naphtali, you know that.'

`There you go with giving orders again. I might invite Naphtali to my bed just to spite you.'

`Not unless you want my 3rd Lieutenant to lose his mate. Naphtali is a master by nature as well as rank, I want no master near you when you are alone.'

`Who I associate with is none of your concern.'

`You are my mate. Everything about you is my concern, carusevo.'

Shido laughed in response as he twisted around the trees before vaulting up into the treetops and landing atop a sweeping willow. The soles of his boots barely touching the wood's peak as he looked over the layout of the forest, the summer's night air sweet and fresh on his senses.

“Are you finished with this little jaunt, Shido? While it was quite refreshing, I tire of this.”

Shido didn't even look over his shoulder at the other vampire floating in the air behind him. His voice was quite as he looked into the starlit sky, “Well, I enjoy it Cain, this time is precious to me. You might not know it, but I often go out to the turrets and balconies of our home and simply stand there alone, letting earth surround and embrace me. I wanted to share this experience with you…now that you have the time.”

Cain felt the kiss of pain and heartache bloom within his chest, followed by renewed anger and determination. He didn't tolerate anyone who made his darling Shido unhappy—even if that someone was himself.

He walked across the treetops and tenderly brushed his hand against the soft skin of the other's ivory neck; tracing the sensuous curve with his gloved fingers. “You have been quite patient with me, carusevo. I understand your ire, and I know I have neglected you. Hopefully with the hostilities dying down, I won't be needed as much.”

Shido still kept his eyes to the moon, “Lord Devon's 2nd Lieutenant came to see me tonight.”

“Why did he come to see you?” Cain asked suspiciously. Devon was a friend of his and one of main sides in the skirmishes in the south. He would have thought nothing of 2nd Lt. Mikhail had come to see himto discuss business. However, what reason would there be to bother Shido?

“He pleaded with me to help represent their side in the mediations that will occur soon, along with Devon's mate, Julian. I told him that I would do agree to do all I could to help.”

Shido felt the hand that was on his shoulder increase in its grip. It was not enough to truly hurt him, but there would be slight bruising. “How dare he ask that of you…you will most definitely not be going. I don't want you in a war zone.”

Wrenching away from his mate's touch, the younger leaped into the air and went to another treetop further away, before turning and glaring at Cain with angry, hurt eyes. “Well, then isn't it a good thing that I don't have to do what you want?! I thought you would be happy about this Cain, but I guess I expected too much. You mean its okay for you to go on all these diplomatic missions, but I'm not allowed that pleasure? I have to stay and tend the home?!”

“You knew what becoming my mate would mean, Shido!” Cain snapped irately. Why was his mate getting so upset? He was only trying to keep him safe!

He gestured to the entire expansive forest as well as the land beyond. “You have a duty to all who live under our leadership to take over for me when I cannot. That is what you agreed to when you became my mate!”

“I know my duty Cain! What do you think I've been doing all this time, while you've been gone all these months?! But I am good for more than that Cain! Julian needs all the help he can get, and all the other lords, including yourself, are either too powerful to be affective or just too disinterested, in something like peace talks. Besides by the time I will be needed, you will be able to take back over here. I am needed there, and I know I can aid him in this, and I will, Cain.”

“Shido…” the blond had been blown away by the ferocity of precious angel's defense. He was so stunned that he almost missed the crimson tears that were welling in male's eyes….almost.

Shido himself, felt all of his tormenting emotions that he had gained during this rough time of war, begin to collapse upon his heart. The loneliness, the anger, the frustration, the feeling of emptiness and uselessness…he could not hold the resulting sorrow back much longer; Cain's rejection had been the final straw. “I'm sorry you do not agree with my decision, but this is something that I need to do. I need to know that I can do more than just look pretty, keep house and attend meetings; to prove to myself that I have what it takes to be the rightful mate of a High Lord.”

“Shido—”

However, the lavender vampire had already turned away from his sire, and looked out into the sky as scarlet began to trickle down his face is silent rivulets. His tone was tired and distressed, with a slight tinge of disappointment. “I am doing this whether you like it or not, Cain. I am not your slave and I will do as I see fit. I do not belong to you…”

With that final note, Shido fell down gracefully from the trees, closing his eyes as he landed perfectly on his feet on the forest floor. His mind reflected a final passing thought as he began running deeper into the forest:

And here I thought he would be proud of me. What a fool I am…

Suddenly an incredibly strong force pushed him to the ground, causing him to land on his back in a bed of freshly fallen maple leaves!

After the initial shock had worn off, Shido opened his eyes prepared to fight off his attacker, only to pause, as the eyes that stared back glowed an intense aurelian.

“Cain…?”

Shido quickly found that he couldn't get up, his arms and torso pinned by his mate's heavier weight. His eyes narrowed in frustration as more tears ran down his cheek. “Get off me, Cain. I don't want to face you right now.”

But the silent look on the other's face didn't change. A tender hand stroked his hair gently, before even softer lips kissed his cheek, light flicks of the tongue erasing the tears of blood.

At first he was stunned by the show of affection, but then new tears replaced the old and he struggled harshly to release himself from the other's grip, his head moving violently from side to side to avoid Cain's attentions. “Let me go, Cain. If you think you can seduce me into submission—”

“I'm sorry…”

Shido's emerald eye's shot up in shock. Silence seemed to permeate the wood as he lay on the ground, with Cain hunched down over him, his golden locks hiding the expression on his face. Did he just hear what he thought he'd heard? Did his sire, just—apologize?

“Cain? W-What are you asking forgiveness for?”

Suddenly he was gathered in the other's unyielding arms, and held close against the solid planes of his chest. The feel of Cain's fingers running through his hair felt incredibly and ridiculously wonderful, and the sensation of his holding him, assured him that nothing could ever hurt him as long as mate was there.

“I can't stand to lose you, Shido. I know I can be overbearing and insensitive, that is my nature, and for that I do not apologize. However, I am sorry that I have not noticed your needs as I should have. As your milÃ½ani, I have a responsibility to insure your happiness and protection. You have been forlorn, mistreated, and I have denied you your desires. I am truly sorry for how I have wronged you.”

Shido pushed himself away from Cain, enough to be able to look into the other's eyes. “Then you do not mind me going as mediator?”

Cain smiled widely before capturing his mate's luscious lips with his own, ravaging them with ruthless intent until Shido relinquished to him and allowed him to taste of the delicious flavor that only he alone could create.

Shido had been taken by surprise by the kiss, and was surprise by the very ferocity of it. Cain had always been a savage lover, and he had gotten used to the fact that the male could be very dominating and authoritarian. However, the man's kisses were always to die for; the simple touch of his skin against his own caused him to feel sparks fly throughout his body. The smallest skimming of his lips against his own caused his eyes to see fireworks…you can give a pretty good guess as to what he was seeing now…

When Cain finally released him—all too soon—he tried his best to breathe normally, but couldn't quite manage it since there was hardly any breath left in his body. He looked up into the endless magnetic pools that were Cain's eyes, gasping with barely leashed anticipation. “Are you…t-trying…to…seduce me again?”

“Is it working?” the blond asked, taking in the beauty of his lovely fallen angel resting within his arms, breathless, his lips full and swollen with desire.

Shido smiled seductively, “Maybe… but you are not going to talk me out of this. Now, if you want even a hope at taking that kiss any further, will you at least try to believe in me?”

“I dobelieve in you, little one. I always have, even if I may not show it sometimes.” Taking a hold of Shido's chin, he angled it upwards, pulling him a little closer so that his could see the truth for himself. “I love you, and I am proud of all that you are and of what you have become. It is only before you that I can let myself become so vulnerable. Only to you, to whom I would offer an apology on my own behalf. I love you, my dearest Shido, and despite what anyone may say, I chose you as my mate because I will have no other but you. Even before you came of age, before you were reborn, from the time I first met you, I knew that you were my other half, the one I would pledge my life and love for all eternity for. ”

He planted a soft kiss on Shido's surprised lips, before moving to his jaw and down to his neck, placing little playful nips here and there, that cause his mate to mew and whimper with yearning.

He whispered low against the throbbing vein that lay under that delicious milky white skin. The mark of his ownership that usually rested there, having disappeared during their time apart. Well, he would have to do something about that…

“You were quite wrong, when you declared that you do not belong to me. I own you heart and soul. You are mine, now and forever, as I am yours…”

Shido tried to keep his wits about him, but it was getting harder and harder to keep from being distracted. “I have missed your declarations of love, as I have missed your company, my milÃ½ani….However, I am still going.”

Cain chuckled as he ran a hand along the other's chest, flicking off the top button of his shirt with a single claw before running his finger along the flesh that lied beneath. “That's one thing that I find trying, yet quite interesting about you, Shido. You are so determined. It is hard to divert your attention once you've set your mind to something.”

The emerald eyed nightwalker let out a moan as Cain's fingers traveled beneath his shirt, finding his nipple and giving a lavish squeeze. “I find many trying things about you, such as your annoying need to be overprotective.”

“It is in my nature to be protective, carusevo. However, I guess you may go if you really wish. However, you must be sure to take Talion and two others with you.”

Shido inwardly sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time that night. Talion, the commander of Cain's personal guard, as well as his designated bodyguard when needed, was a good and loyal soldier. Talion was a common vampire, but he did not have any of the condescension or resentment for Shido that many others in the territory did. If he had to have anyone as his escort, he trusted the redhead to do his job.

“I guess we can compromise on that front, lover.”

Cain smirked, “Now that we have that settled, do you have any other complaints or opinions you wish to express this night?”

Shido laughed softly, “I will pretend I do not hear the sarcasm in your voice. I however, have one more complaint to report to you.”

The blond lifted his eyebrows, “Which is?”

“There is something to which I have a right to, and yet have been denied.”

The male gazed at him in surprise and confusion, “All I have is yours, everything I own and everything I am. What has been denied you, carusevo?

“The company of my milÃ½ani for the last month—I expect to be paid back in full.” His sea-green eyes gleamed with want.

Cain smiled knowingly, while tracing the outline of his mate's face. “Don't you concern yourself, my love. I always pay back my debts.”

With one swift movement, Shido felt himself being lifted up and tossed over his mate's shoulder! Aware that they were moving, he tried to lift his head up to see where they were going, he hit Cain playfully in the shoulder. “Put me down, you oaf! I can walk on my own.”

“So you can run away again? I don't think so.”

Shido smiled as he hit the male's back again while trying to push his long hair from out of his face. “That wasn't running away, that a friendly game of chase. If I had really run away, you'd know it.”

“Anywhere you go carusevo, I will follow. And no matter where you would go, you would always be mine. Never forget that.”

Before Shido could respond, he felt himself being flung off Cain's shoulder and landing in an enormous, luxuriant bed covered in silks and satins and pillows of every size. He wasn't surprised to find himself in his master's personal chambers, and smirked as Cain looked down at him from his standing position. He could feel his mate's heated desire and easily reflected it back, before reaching up with one hand and pulling the blond down beside him. Crushing his mouth against that of the blond, he kissed him lavishly before pulling away slightly in order to whisper quietly against the other's lips.

“As long as you keep treating me like this, you won't be having any problems with me running away.”

Cain growled as Shido felt his way down his chest, tracing every plane and angle with his lithe fingers. Striking out like a coiled cobra, he drove his fangs deep within the flesh of his beloved's neck and into his pulsing carotid artery!

Shido gasped in ecstasy as the mixture of stinging pain and extravagant bliss ran through him to his very core. However, through the entire tumble of emotions, he could still hear Cain's voice within his mind; speak softly within his consciousness with hard conviction.

`Then you will never leave me my Shido, for I shall never let you go. You will be in my possession and protection for all time, beloved.'

Shido beamed with the most happiness he had felt in what felt like forever, `For once, I agree with you, lover.'

The lavender-haired vampire smiled wryly as he recalled the memories. He had kept to his promise. He had been quite happy with Cain and had never thought of running away, until everything went south. Cain's treatment of him had changed, and as he had warned his mate all those nights ago, it was when the treatment became too hard to bare that he had run away, disappearing into the night without a trace.

“Shido-san?”

The male looked over to find Riho approaching him followed by Azrael, the two obviously finished with their games for now. The corner of his mouth lifted as he asked, “You two ready to start moving?”

Azrael stopped gestured to the auburn-haired female, “Riho needs food Shido. I propose we hunt before we continue on our journey.”

Shido looked over at his childe, who grinned back at him bashfully in agreement. He then sighed before brushing his pants off, “Very well, but you shall have the pleasure of teaching her how to hunt, lieutenant.”