Rory stared in awe at Mina, asleep in her crib.
"It's amazing! She's a vampire! I can smell it from here! But-you're breastfeeding her-I noticed that earlier when things got intimate between us. How is that working for either of you? Was she born before or after you were turned? Gah! I have so many questions!" Rory clutched his head while I shushed him with a small grin. I led him away from the crib towards the bed and sat him down, then paced back and forth for a bit, trying to figure out how to explain it.
"Ok, now I don't understand all of the science behind it-so if you want better details, you'll have to ask Alexandre or Cornelius, but basically, we think that vampirism is a virus, that mutates in hosts over time, right? Like the flu. It evolves. Well, we think it evolved much further recently between Alexandre and I." I then gave him a quick recap on our theories about how or why all of it had happened, still pacing until Rory captured my hand and pulled me to the bed beside him.
"So does that mean if I fall in love with you and we keep sharing blood, my virus with mutate too?" He asked, kissing me softly. I pushed him back gently.
"Rory, I don't think you understand. Alexandre and I-we're bound together by this virus. I love him so much it hurts. I don't think it's possible for me to love anyone else. Don't waste your time." It came out more harshly than I expected. Rory pushed me backwards onto the bed, his hair a golden curtain around my face.
"You love your daughter, don't you?" Rory asked, kissing my neck. I stifled a moan.
"That's different." I replied. I was still hungry and I eyed his throat, licking my lips.
"You seem fond of Cornelius as well." Rory pointed out. I rolled my eyes, but it was true. I wasn't sure if I could say I loved him, at least not in the same way I did Alexandre, but still... Rory saw me giving way beneath him and his eyes shone with triumph.
"So I still have a chance then." He whispered, nibbling at my neck. I groaned and bit my knuckle, trying to control myself. I wanted to attack him, his honeysuckle scent was so strong.
"You look hungry." Rory remarked, rolling over while pulling me atop him. "Why don't you use me as you need?" He turned his head to the side, moving his hair and I could barely control myself.
"Are you sure? How many times have we fed on you already?" I asked with concern. Rory laughed lightly and traced my cheek.
"I've taken in return, and I'm half vampire, I heal quickly. Take what you need." He turned his head again and this time I didn't hesitate, lunging at his throat eagerly. He stiffened at the sudden assault, grabbing my waist. I felt my vampiric side kick into overdrive and I ground myself against him, pressing him into the bed. He gasped, but then moaned in pleasure and I could sense his arousal quickly climbing. I let my teeth sink more deeply into his neck, drawing the blood more eagerly. He had started to move under me and it was making my vampire side wild. Then the quiet rustle of clothes in the door caught my attention and the fragrance of flowers and books drifted over me. I jerked and looked up to see Alexandre standing in the doorway. His expression ran through hurt, anger and jealousy before settling into a mask of calm. I released Rory's neck, pushing myself up onto my knees in a seated position. Why did I suddenly feel so guilty? Alexandre turned to leave.
"Don't let me interrupt." Alexandre said in a flat voice.
"Alexandre-wait!" I held out a hand to him, but he was gone before I could stand. Rory sat up and leaned his forehead against my shoulder.
"Oops." He whispered.
"Ya think?" I growled.
"I didn't mean to cause problems between you two. Perhaps I should go and explain.." Rory offered.
"No, it would be better if I did. Come on, let's go find him so we can get you a room. IF he'll let you stay now." I grumbled, picking up Mina and following Alexandre's scent. When I realized it led out into the gardens, I made Rory wait for us in the library. Alexandre was seated in the gazebo when I found him, staring off at the gardens, even though I knew he could sense me coming easily. Especially since Mina was fussing lightly after being disturbed from her nap and being brought out into the bright daylight. Alexandre promptly held out his arms for her as we approached, and I shifted her into his grasp and he softly hummed until she fell back to sleep. I sat down beside him, leaving space between us.
"Daddy's girl." I sighed, slightly jealous, watching him calm the baby.
"We'll just have to have another one that can be mommy's baby." Alexandre chuckled, then his expression soured. "That is, if you haven't found other partners you'd rather explore that option with."
"Are you... jealous? Ancient man baby like yourself?" I teased.
"Of course I'm jealous." Alexandre sighed. I blinked, it was not the reaction I was expecting.
"I want you all to myself-but I realize that is not a possibility for either of us with the virus. And I know you were only feeding, but the smell of your arousal and the position you were in." He turned his face and clenched a fist on his knee, the baby still clutched tightly in his other arm.
"But you and I just shared him-" I reminded him.
"It's different." He snapped and Mina fussed. Alexandre took several deep breaths. "It's different when we share, or when we go into a situation like earlier where we know the bloodlust might lead us to other acts separately or together. It's different when I know." Alexandre snarled, clenching his teeth. "And in our bed no less!" I thought his teeth might snap. I winced.
"Ok one-possessive much. But two, you're basically just talking about a different form of consent." I gripped his hand. "Alexandre please look at me." He turned his face reluctantly. "I can't promise I'll ask before every meal, but if you're concerned about me stepping out, then yes, I'll be sure I let you know what's on my mind and ask your thoughts before I go letting my lust drive me into the arms of others. I really love you Alexandre, and have no intentions of leaving you. Ever. I do find Rory's scent intoxicating, but I'll be sure you're well informed before I do any 'sleeping around'. Sheesh, I'll probably die of embarrassment about what happened here last night later today anyway. I hope I never see any of those people again." I blushed.
"And yet, you've invited Rory to stay with us." Alexandre retorted.
"Ah yeah, about that-"
Mina was full out wailing by the time we returned inside. My breasts were aching so I knew what she was after and Alexandre handed her over after I untied my shirt again.
"Good grief, chill out, little monster." I grumbled, bringing her to my chest. Cornelius rounded the corner with his own shirt open, a person on each arm, yawning widely.
"What's with all the racket?" He asked. I covered myself and blushed.
"No use getting shy now, little fire nymph-they all saw it last night." Cornelius chuckled. "So how's our little baby girl doing today?" He cooed, coming over to rub Mina's head gently while she nursed. I smacked his hand away.
"You're just trying to cop a feel. God, how many people did you run through last night, and you're still not satisfied? If you want anything from me, you know how to get it." I snapped.
"Run through." Cornelius chuckled. "Quite apt phrasing. Although I do enjoy the occasional running through myself you know." He winked, lowering his voice and drawing closer. "And I'd really like to run through you a few more times too, fire nymph." He snarled in my ear. Alexandre gripped him by the throat and shoved him against a wall.
"Cornelius-you're on a high right now, or I wouldn't excuse this behavior from you." Alexandre growled.
"Ooh, somebody's moody this morning-what did you do fire nymph?" Cornelius purred, then began to fondle Alexandre. "Maybe you'd like to 'run through' me today instead Xan?" Cornelius smirked lasciviously. "Or maybe...you and I should get together and run through Carys together again." Cornelius suggested with a lewd gesture. Alexandre growled and held him higher on the wall.
"Is there anything I can do?" Rory's calm voice suddenly asked from the hall entrance.
"Yes-get the remaining humans out of here. This one is on a high and I'm about to lose my temper." Alexandre snarled.
"Right." Rory's tone was serious as he ushered the pair towards the door that Cornelius had brought with him, asking if anyone else was left as he led them on the way out of the house.
"Carys, it might be best for you and the baby to leave, in case Cornelius gets violent." Alexandre said calmly.
"I have a better idea." I responded and walked up beside them. I gripped Cornelius' arm and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "May I?" I asked him coquettishly and Cornelius grinned. He let me have his arm and I sank my teeth into his forearm fiercely, drawing the blood into my mouth quickly. Cornelius sucked in a breath and then quivered in Alexandre's grasp.
"Fire nymph-Carys... uhhn..." Cornelius' head fell back slightly and he gripped my hair with his other hand. I was becoming more thirsty as Mina nursed, so Cornelius' blood was like drinking water after walking a mile under a scorching sun.
"Not too much Carys. You don't want to be in the same shape." Alexandre said softly. I pulled my face away regretfully, then then offered Cornelius' arm to Alexandre. Cornelius nodded at him slightly and Alexandre let him slide back down the wall, gripping Cornelius' arm with both hands and sinking his own teeth around the marks I had previously made. Cornelius moaned and grabbed Alexandre's shoulder to steady himself.