64: 64 Fire and Rain (AVOT)

64 Fire and Rain (AVOT)

Rhain reclined gracefully, elbows pressing into the soft fabric beneath him, his gaze sharp and attentive. Daisy, with newfound confidence, began to shed her clothes, layer by layer. He found delight in her blossoming assertiveness. All she needed was a nudge in the right direction, and now, she was an unfolding mystery, even perhaps to herself.

Yet, as she reached the point of only her chemise remaining, her resolve wavered. He waited, allowing the silence to stretch, giving her the space to choose her next action. A gentle blush, starting from her neck and spreading to her cheeks, was her only response before she gently pushed the garment from her shoulders.

The dim light played off her exposed skin, capturing the glow and casting shadows in just the right places. Stray strands of her hair veiled parts of her bosom, acting like nature's own artistry. Everything about her seemed perfectly sculpted to him, from her full breasts to her gracefully curved hips.

Hunger stirred within him. Hunger for both blood and flesh. He wanted to sink his fangs in the swell of her breast, on the inside of her thigh, where he knew one delicious blood vessel awaited. Then he wanted to taste her, to have his mouth where she throbbed with need, to hear her moans, to feel her writhe before he took her body.

Yet, he restrained himself. The art of anticipation was one he cherished, and he wanted to introduce Daisy to that exquisite edge, holding her there, making her yearn for more. Besides, his innate curiosity made him wonder about the limits of her human endurance.

He caught her hesitation as she contemplated removing her stockings, vulnerable in her state of undress. "Allow me," he murmured. 

Her cheeks deepened to a richer hue. Gracefully, she moved closer, settling on the plush mattress. As he positioned himself at her feet, her legs pressed modestly together, betraying her unease.

With a gentle touch, he cradled her calf, extending her leg delicately. His fingers grazed her thigh, eliciting a subtle shiver, before gripping the edge of her stocking. Slowly, he slid it off. He met her gaze briefly before turning his attention to her other leg. His hand ventured daringly higher, his fingers ghosting the warmth of her inner thigh. The subtle hitch in her breath did not go unnoticed as he repeated his previous actions, the slow reveal heightening the electric charge between them.

Rhain's eyes skimmed over her form, taking in the delicate strength of her limbs. "You are beautiful," he murmured.

She drew her legs close, wrapping her arms around them. "Not in comparison." 

"To whom?"

"To you."

His chuckled. "Do you really think 'beautiful' when you look at me?" He arched an eyebrow.

After a hesitant sweep of her eyes over him, she met his gaze more boldly. "Perhaps not the initial thought, but eventually... yes."

He leaned closer, intrigued. "What's the first thought, then?"

She bit her lip, cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. "That's… a secret."

Curiosity piqued, he moved to press further, but she diverted the conversation. "May I have the blanket?

Grasping the nearby blanket, he draped it over her, then slid under its comforting embrace beside her. As he reached for the horror novel beside him, her expression shifted. "You prefer I not read?" He asked.

She nodded gently. "No, please proceed."

When he began reading, his voice melded seamlessly with the ambient symphony of the fireplace and the rhythmic patter of rain. Her eyelids fluttered shut, allowing the sounds to envelop her, amplifying the story's eerie essence.

As the protagonist was pursued by an elusive shadow, she could almost feel the urgent beat of his footsteps, syncing with the rain's tempo. The narrative's climax coincided with a roaring thunderclap, causing her to snap her eyes open in shock.

Rhain's laughter was gentle, teasing. "Got a bit frightened?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "That was genuinely frightening. Did you have a hand in that rain?"

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "From invisibility to weather manipulation?"

"How did you predict the rain then?" she prodded.

Setting the book aside, his focus returned to her. "It's all around us—the atmosphere, the wind's whispers, the subtle shifts in humidity. When you live long, you just learn the patterns."

Her eyes widened in admiration. "What other talents do you possess?"

Rhain leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have heightened senses, granting me perceptions beyond your ken. I can move with a swiftness unseen, and even manipulate objects." With a fluid gesture, a vase from a nearby table soared into his grasp. She flinched, eyes wide in astonishment.

She watched him in disbelief as he put the vase away. "That's how the doors shut!"

He smirked, tracing a gentle finger down her cheek. "Yes. You see? Escaping me might be a bit challenging," he teased.

She remembered the conversation in the carriage. "Earlier, in the carriage... I didn't mean to imply I was trapped. I like being here with you."

The back of his fingers tenderly brushed her cheek. "I know but you are right. You are trapped here with me."

"You say it as a bad thing" she remarked.

He sighed heavily. "Being with me, it comes with many things."

She took a moment, her eyes searching his. "I understand. I mean, I am still a bit confused, but I am willing to try my best, Rhain. We can perhaps… negotiate you know." 

"Negotiate?"

"Yes. You know, meet each other halfway." 

"I am listening," he nodded.

She propped herself on one elbow, determination evident in her eyes. "Yes, find a balance. Like, you mentioned you... find a thrill in fear." She swallowed, the words still strange on her tongue. "What if we read horror tales, and when I get... frightened..." She trailed off, realizing she was indirectly suggesting an invitation for him to bite her.

His eyes narrowed. "Are you proposing… ?"

She held up a hand. "I am just laying out possibilities. Ways we could solve a problem. Would that… work?" She asked curiously.

His laughter echoed in the room as he collapsed onto his pillow. "There might be more effective methods."

She frowned. "But not like that night. Rhain, I was petrified. I am not doing it again. You have to meet me halfway." 

His gaze softened. "Alright. Then, how about not terrifying you but having some suspense now and then?"

She chuckled. "Isn't that what you do all the time?" 

"Yes, but with a little more intensity. What do you say?" 

She took a deep breath. "Alright."

His eyes bore into her, searching for any hint of doubt. "Daisy," he murmured, watching her as if she was a star on the sky. His smile took on a different form. "Would life be simpler for you with a human? Someone... normal?"

"Would it?" She asked in turn. 

"It hinges on your desires. I yearn to offer you the world, but some things remain beyond my grasp."

"Rhain, no one can promise everything. Nor does one truly need it all," she whispered.

"People often marry with dreams of a future family. Don't you yearn for children?"

The idea of children caused her to smile. She hadn't pondered it much since marriage traditionally meant a family. Did he not want a child? If so, how did he think to avoid it? It was impossible.

"I would love to have a few." She replied. "Don't… you?" 

His gaze flitted away. He didn't. Why? 

When he looked back at her he smiled. "How many is a few?" He asked. 

"I don't know. Perhaps three or four." She grimaced wondering if he would find it too much since he didn't seem keen on it. "Two?"

His smile was enigmatic, so she reached for his hand. "I understand. You have been alone for many years and children can be frightening, but imagine," She said. "A small girl with your dark hair but my locks, or a boy with your smart golden eyes. Wait! Will the children be half vampires? Can vampires even…" she stopped her blood freezing

Could vampires reproduce? 

Thunder struck again as she realized, they couldn't.

Rhain's eyes were a tumultuous storm as he watched the realization dawn in hers. "You... can't have children?" Her voice was barely a whisper.1

He simply responded, "No."

A charged silence enveloped them. It was Rhain who broke it, his voice tinged with regret. "I am sorry."

She shook her head, strands of her hair cascading around her. "For what?"

"For getting you into this. You didn't choose this."

Daisy's thoughts were a whirlwind, making her silent.

"Daisy. If you like… want I… " he wanted to tell her he would let her go. Let her find someone normal. Let her live a normal life away from danger and where she could have the children she desired, but he found it impossibly painful to say so. 

He sat up, taking a deep breath. "You are not trapped. I will let you go if you wish." He told her.

She sat up, her fingers lightly touching his arm, seeking his attention."What do you mean?" 

"I will arrange for you to start anew somewhere else. Find someone else."

She moved so she could look at his face. "Find, someone else? As in a… husband?" 

He nodded. 

"You will arrange for it?" 

He nodded again. 

"Have you lost your mind?" 

He nodded a third time. 

Well, then find it!" She said. "And… don't look down. Look at me!"

His gaze, raw and filled with pain, met hers. The intensity of the moment left her breathless. She gathered herself before speaking, her tone gentle, "Do you want to be with me Rhain?"

His response, choked with emotion, was but a whisper. "More than anything."

"Rhain," she leaned in, wrapping her arms around him. He put his arms around her tightly, burying his face between her shoulder and neck. The sheets fell from between them, pressing their naked bodies tightly.

His voice, already heavy with emotion, grew huskier, every word resonating with the weight of his feelings. "I want to be with you, Daisy. Selfishly, I want to keep you, but you will be in danger here with me, and I can't give you a family. You will get hurt if you stay with me."

"You are no danger to me." 

"Not I but there are vampire hunters… looking for me. They are dangerous. They will try to hurt you." He said. 

Vampire hunters? 

"They kill vampires." 

"Yes." 

"They are after you." 

"Yes."

"I don't want to leave. I can't." she said. "We are married, and please don't even say the staring anew thing. Just don't!" 

He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her away. "I can't keep you safe, Daisy."

"I know you will to your best ability, and no, not by sending me away to start anew. You will do it while I am by your side. You vowed to stand by my side through endless nights and breaking dawns, or was that a lie too?" 

He smiled a little. "Was." He took her hands in his. "I want to be by your side, so I need you safe." 

She took a deep breath. "Rhain…" she began. "Just forget this one. I am not willing to negotiate on this one. Some things are just too much. I won't leave you." 

He looked at her for a long moment and then nodded. 

"Good," she smiled, eager to change the subject before he would try again. "And about children… perhaps we could adopt?" 

Adopt? 

"I am sure many children need parents." 

He smiled a little skeptically. "A vampire parent?" 

Right. That would be a bit of a problem, but she didn't allow her spirit to die. "There will be a way," she insisted. 

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