Richard's POV:
"Would you like anything?" I heard Baleen's sweet voice ask me. "I could get you tea." I glanced at him then frowned before I nodded.
"Tea would be great," I whispered and looked back out the window. Where is he? We've had to postpone the ball for him.... I rubbed my arm nervously as I felt uneasy. It's been too long.... What if he's not coming back? Baleen gave me a sweet smile but looked worried himself- he even looked hesitant to ask me something but nodded.
"I'll get you tea," he whispered and started out the door but stopped and quickly grabbed my shirt. "R-Richard!" He yelled out and backed away quickly- his back hitting the window. I caught Grimm's reflection in the window but quickly realized it was Paris standing there... watching me. His head slowly tilted to the side. He cracked his neck to the side slightly before disappearing again. As quickly as he came. "W-was that Paris?" Baleen asked me and shivered. I widened my eyes and turned around quickly, smelling the air for him as my stone pulsed at the lingering sight of him, I saw.
"Paris!" I called out and frowned, furrowing my eyebrows as I looked around the room. Where did he go? Why didn't he say anything to me? I whimpered and fell to my knees quickly as I couldn't catch his scent anywhere near me. He left... just like that? How could he? I heard a scream a few halls down that came from a maid. Baleen ran up to my side quickly and grabbed my shirt. I widened my eyes then grabbed him, pulling him close. Oh Hell... that's him and I need to take my mate's stone.... I shivered a little at the thought, remembering his reflection in the window and how he had looked like Grimm at first to me. He really is different.... I looked at Baleen then kissed his cheek. "Go hide somewhere, okay sweetie? I'll check out the scream." I gave him a small reassuring smile as I got to my feet then started to run in the direction, I heard it. Is it really him? What if it's Laurence? Paris was supposed to bring him back and Grimm said he would be like him too....
I found Paris standing over a maid's dying body. He ran his fingers down from his lips- taking a trail of blood with them as he rubbed at his neck then scratched his shoulders quickly. I could smell his blood then. His blood smelled different... Like a demon's blood- like Grimm's scent almost. They were related so it makes since. He was hurting himself again. His eyes landed on me before he gave a small smirk. He paused quickly and brought his free hand up to look at what was in his hand- eyeing over a pulsing dark stone. He bit down into his wrist quickly before he placed the stone down and started to pour his blood over the stone. Paris had changed since the last I saw him. His hair was pitch black with Silver tips now. His wings were burned and tarred looking. His clothes were falling off his body from being stretched and ripped. He wasn't even wearing shoes now. He had his horns still. Paris did change... Like Grimm said he would. No wonder why he took so long coming back. Who knows what happened there...? and maybe I'll never know. Paris might not tell me. He might have trouble remembering it. Grimm said he would be tortured there.
Laurence's scent filled the air as his small body formed from the stone. Forming from the blood Paris gave it. Laurence's small body finished forming and looked up at the ceiling with a tired expression. Paris pressed his wrist against Laurence's lips to continue giving him his blood and brought him into his arms quickly. While Laurence was drinking his blood, I spotted his gold markings across his body appear slightly before disappearing. Laurence had formed with black wings- the ones he had before they fell off days ago. They twitched a little but stayed this time. He's changed. Laurence has changed. He fed on Paris's blood greedily until Paris ripped his wrist away. I heard them both give out a light purr like they were happy to see each other but the purr sounded... off... and not like the normal vampire purr I've heard thousands of times. That's right- they changed. I must cure both before they get out of hand. I frowned a little as my stone pulsed in slight fear at the sight of the two of them. This isn't going to be good at all.... At least we have Laurence back, but it will be hard to get him with his future abilities.
"Paris," I whispered, eyeing my mate over before I reached out for him. "I missed you both~" I gave a small purr to hide my worry for the two of them, but I didn't dare budge an inch their way. I didn't want to become a meal... or join the dead in Hell.
"Richard~!" Laurence called out to me and was in my arms in seconds, giving me a hug. "I missed you too," he purred out to me. "Don't worry... I have more control than you think. More than Paris does at least." Paris eyed us over and smirked as he walked up to me slowly like a predator and gave me a hungry kiss before pushing us lightly up against the wall with Laurence between us.
"Who are you? Who am I? What did we do recently and what was the outcomes? You have a minute to answer me." I widened my eyes and blushed. Paris~! I wrapped my arms around him quickly and purred.
"I'm your mate! Don't you remember me, Paris? We killed our parents for each other~ We love each other so much that being apart is agony," I whispered then looked at his lips. "I'm Richard, the love of your life...." How does he not remember me? I'll make him remember.... His face softened as he eyed me over.
"I know who you're supposed to be. I'm just making sure you're the right you. So, who are you?" He asked me and pulled Laurence into his arms protectively to get his arms out from around me. I widened my eyes then snatched Laurence away from him, holding him close and then exposed my fangs at Paris.
"I'm Richardo Dracula and don't you take Laurence away from me," I hissed then kissed the top of Laurence's head. He's not taking him away from me after what happened to Laurence! "I'm your mate, and this is our friend! Don't question me like that. I'm me, and nobody else could be me, and there is no one in Hell I'd rather be." I reached out and snatched Paris with a slight growl then yanked him into a kiss. How dare he question my love for him! He kissed me deeply before pulling and gave a slight laugh.
"You think you're Richard- my mate?" He asked in slight amusement. His eyes trailed my face over before he touched my lips with his thumb and rubbed it. "You're the one that helped me kill my parents? You killed yours? I don't have a twin lingering around here?" He asked and raised an eyebrow. He eyed down the hallway as if he was expecting someone. I frowned and took his hand in mine before I kissed it. Did he see his twin in Hell? Does he still think he's there?
"No... your twin isn't here," I whispered then kissed the inside of his wrist. "Your father told you he died, remember? You're not in Hell anymore. You're here with me... and I've missed you so much!" I yanked him back to me and kissed him deeply. My poor Paris! Hell must have been awful.... He looks so torn up. I've missed his touch so bad and his presence! I can't imagine how he feels.... I let Laurence go then wrapped my arms around his waist, starting to pull him close as I made the kiss more passionate, a small moan escaping me from the relief of holding him. Laurence moved out from between us as fast as he could.
"You two should catch up with each other," Laurence purred out and used the shadows to leave. Paris leaned his face down into my neck and kissed there before gently biting in and marked me. He let out a purr just as my back hit something soft. Our bed. His fingers trailed down my sides and straight for my hips. He pulled away from my neck and let out a small gasp.
"Hell was terrible," he husked out into my ear. "I ended up escaping from Grimm because I thought you were there... but you were here. I tried to get back to you as quick as possible. How long has it been? I'm glad to be home with you." He looked down into my eyes while his seemed to be clearing up. His eyes were a pretty green at this point, reminding me that whenever Paris is happy his eyes are green. I purred quickly and kissed his cheek.
"Long enough to where we had to postpone the ball.... I was miserable without you," I whispered then went to flip us as I eyed his lips over. He frowned and used his strength to keep me under him.
"It's a good thing I came back then and relieved your misery," he whispered before smirking and bit down into his wrist quickly before he pressed his wrist up to my lips. I widened my eyes as I caught his blood's scent then felt my throat start to burn. I gasped as I got a taste of his blood then exposed my fangs as I instinctively bit into him. I reached up and grabbed his arm, gripping it tightly as I leaned up for more. He let out a gasp and watched me drink his blood. "Did you miss the taste of my blood?" I opened my eyes and looked up at him as I licked his wrist then groaned as my throat felt like it was on fire and my stone pulsed. I winced and gasped as I rubbed my throat then looked up at his neck before I leaned up and bit into him again, giving a moan at the taste of his blood as I sunk my fangs in deeper as the pain let up a little. I ran my fingers through his hair then gripped it as I marked him quickly. He gave a moan as soon as my venom flowed through him. Looks like we're not curing Paris this time. He won. He gave me a playful growl. "You'll have to catch me up on things. I'm sure Val was able to cure Dante in time. I'm not going back to Hell anytime soon." I pulled back a little then growled.
"He's fine," I whispered. Maybe it's not too late though. I still have my sanity. I glanced his chest over then looked up at him, giving a sweet purr. "I'll catch you up. I love you so much," I whispered then trailed my fingers from his hair to his shoulder then down to his chest. I can do this... and when it's all over, we'll be fine. I gave him a kiss and purred against his lips. He won't be so scarred from Hell... and I'm sure those wings hurt. I started to press my fingers into his chest quickly as my stone pulsed as his blood made its way to it. He frowned and his eyes trailed down to my hand quickly.
"How could you, Richard?" He hissed out and grabbed my arm. "After you just said you loved me too. That's my stone Richard. You're not taking it from me." He started to yank my arm out as fast as he could. I widened my eyes and let him before I looked up into his eyes.
"P-Paris... you need to be cleansed. Grimm said so," I whispered as I tensed up under him. He's angry with me.... "I do love you. I love you so much it hurts to be apart," I told him and gave him a hurt look. "Don't be angry with me."
"I love you too," he whispered. "Which is why I am going to wait until my blood takes you over and you come back to your senses that there is nothing wrong with me in this form and then we're going to go take out a whole town together and make them vampires! Then we'll send them home to our castles to stay there until they're needed." He leaned in and gave me a kiss. What? I kissed him back and wrapped my arms around him, keeping him close to me. He wants to go take a town with me and make newborns? I groaned and yanked back from the kiss as my stone pulsed in pain and my throat ached.
"P-Paris, it hurts," I told him quickly. "Please make it stop," I begged him and gripped him tightly as I felt my breath coming in shakily. "It burns!" He nodded as he watched me.
"It normally does that when you're hungry. You know this. We'll get you some blood soon... Just think happy thoughts. Let's go turn a town," he purred out lowly and exposed his fangs. I frowned but studied him. Is this really wrong? He's still my mate, my sweet Paris.... We kill all the time. Killing as higher demonic beings doesn't change that.... I gave in and nodded, leaning up for a kiss as I held back from groaning in pain. He eyed me over before grabbing my hand and pulled me to my feet. He teleported us into a small town. There was a fresh scent of blood nearby as a small girl was sitting down and crying over a skinned knee. Her father knelt next to her checking it. I gripped his hand tightly as I locked onto her quickly. It smells so good.... I was by her in an instant, snatching her off the ground with a purr before I bit down into her neck.
Paris gave a small moan as he watched me. He was quick to take the father before he could try to stop me and save his daughter. Paris bit down into him as the little girl let out a scream. She was so afraid, and her heart pounded in her chest. I could hear the rest of the town screaming. Running into their homes or the church and locked the doors... windows included. The town grew silent as we drained out first victims. This town was soon going to be ours and worship us alone. We're their gods now. We'll put them into our army.
I pulled back from my last victim, yanking my wrist back as he licked his bloody lips and snapped his eyes open. Smirking, I snatched his hand and yanked him to his feet before I purred in his ear. "Take the others away to Paris, France," I murmured then looked past him towards Paris, eyeing his body over. I licked my lips clean of blood then pushed the man away, heading for my mate then jumped him as I bit down deeply into his neck as we fell to the floor of the church. Paris let out a small moan before he teleported us into Laurence's castle. He glanced around before pushing me away and patted my chest.
"Richard, it's time you catch me up on things," he instructed. I gave a light growl as I glanced his neck over hungrily then looked at him.
"Dante is sitting in a jar of blood, the ball is postponed, and I'm hungry," I told him then went for his neck again. "Dante is scheduled to be brought back in the morning if he clears up completely by then. He's been healing up, but it's like he's sleeping and doesn't respond to any of us when we talk to him or try to hold him. What more do you want to know?" I scrapped my fangs against his neck and purred, wrapping my arms around him.
"Dante lost a mate," Paris whispered and tilted his head a little. "Of course, he is being stubborn about not healing. Laurence is back though and he's probably getting to work on things. We should as well Richard. We're going home right after the ball. To France. Then to Transylvania. We have two countries full of vampires to rule. We can't waste any more time here. The sooner Dante is out of the jar the closer we are to going home and spending time getting closer together- but let's not forget we have Vlad and Rose to take with us. If Vlad doesn't start becoming grateful for what we've done, then we'll have to lock him up. If we don't, he might betray us- especially since he has that nasty attitude towards us. Maybe we should teach him a lesson... discipline him. Just because his parents are dead doesn't mean he can run around disrespecting us." Paris exposed his fangs then and ran his fingers through my hair. I purred and nodded.
"Of course, ~ He needs it, but maybe if he hangs out with Rose more~ She has him around her finger." I kissed his lips quickly and moaned as I leaned into his body, shoving him up against a wall.
"Rose has everyone around her finger," Paris whispered to me in amusement. He gave my cheek a kiss. "Did you miss me so much you can't stand another second of waiting to get me in bed?" He grabbed me by my hand and teleported us into our bedroom where he pushed me down onto the bed and crawled in with me. I purred and looked him over, moving on top of him as I leaned in for a kiss.
"Of course, I missed you. I was miserable without you," I purred then kissed him passionately. He's the one person I can't live without~
"I thought I wouldn't make it back in time," he whispered and trailed kisses down to my neck. "I kept seeing things... Like my twin. He was gorgeous and I wish you could have met him with me." He purred a little and wrapped his arms around me.
"Your twin? Is that why you asked about him?" I asked softly and tilted my head as he reached my neck and moaned. I love him so much....
"Of course, ~" He bit down into my neck gently and started to drink my blood. I moaned again and brought him closer to me as my own fangs exposed.
"Paris~" I purred then looked towards his shoulder then pulled his shirt away from it, sinking my fangs in eagerly and marked him. Paris let out a small moan before pulling away just as pleasure hit us both from the venom running in our veins. I moaned and pulled my fangs out, kissing his neck quickly and gave him a love bite as I reached for his hands. He grabbed my hands quickly before I could capture his and gave a playful growl.
"Richard... you're not taking my hands so easily this time." I laughed against his neck then growled back, nipping at his ear before I trailed kisses slowly to his lips and gave a teasing moan. He kissed me softly before rocking his hips up against mine. "You know what would be great?" He asked me before pushing my pants down slowly. I purred louder and kissed him quickly before I looked him in the eyes and smirked.
"What~?" I asked him and licked his lip teasingly. He gave a small smirk as his eyes wandered over me.
"You know," he whispered and ripped off my shirt. "Something to do with us, this bed, and no clothes." He flipped us suddenly and let out a dominate growl. "Let's have fun together."
Laurence's POV:
"We'll send out invitations right away to inform them that the ball is happening at the end of this week. Now that we're home from Hell. We'll have to send an apology with it for the delay," I told Val, Alex, and Victor. I had Timothy collect them for me as soon as I got him to dress me. Alex tsked and crossed his arms.
"Do we really have to throw a ball just because we conquered the older generation?" He asked and frowned. Victor crossed his legs and glanced me over before he looked at Alex and gave a small smirk. Timothy frowned at Alex then rubbed my shoulders.
"Of course, we do. My young master wishes it, and it is a sign of good will with the survivors," Timothy said then held me close. "We'll throw the ball and have a good time."
"It's something we do because we just had a war and we need to establish new rules since this war was about wrecking the old ones and revolting against our parents. The ball comes after the meeting we'll have to talk about a much-needed subject... The empty thrones." I said to Alex as I patted Timothy's hand. "Otherwise we might find ourselves fighting still against each other because everyone will be afraid of losing their birth right." Alex frowned at me but nodded before he looked at Val.
"Fine... as long as Val goes," he muttered. Timothy let me go and walked in front of me to a cart and started to pour us all tea, mixing a little blood in it for us all.
"Young master, would you like me to personally see to the letters being sent off?" He asked me with a happy smile, looking towards me. "I would love to do it for you. You could spend time with Baleen while I do it. He missed you so much." I gave him a sweet smile and nodded.
"That would be a great idea, but I want to get the letters there as soon as possible so I will take them out personally to make sure that happens. Val, you need to have Dante cured by then. I'll help you see to it by putting a few healing herbs inside the jar. He might be stubborn, but he can't resist healing forever. Besides... he has duties." Alex smirked then.
"I don't know about that~" He purred as he picked up Dante's jar off the table in front of him and examined it. I could see Dante had healed a little bit, but he seemed to be sleeping, not wanting to wake.
"We'll wake him up when he's healed and in his normal form," I suggested and eyed the jar down. Maybe we could soak him in some vodka to loosen him up into healing. "How about you put him in a jar of vodka first. Alcohol might help him. Victor, you want to be in a jar of Vodka with him?" I asked in a teasing tone to try to cheer him up. He can't pout forever... Luuna was just a wolf. He looked at me and seemed to be thinking it over before he smirked.
"Sure~ vodka sounds nice," he purred then pulled out a bottle from his jacket and took a swig of it.
"Victor... no you don't. You don't want to be in a bottle. You should stay out here. Luuna is gone, and you have to realize that. It's not like she was your soul mate." I exposed my fangs at him just as Rose walked in and dragged Vlad with her. She widened her eyes as she saw me then giggled. "Laurence is back!" She gasped and looked around. "Is Paris home too?" Victor looked towards her and I saw his eyes light up a little before he purred at her.
"I'm sure he is, little Rose," he told her then gave her a smile. "Want to go find him? I can help you." He smirked and got to his feet, tossing the vodka at Alex who caught it. "Use that. Dante likes that kind." Alex smirked and nodded before he started to fish Dante's stone out of the jar then slipped him into the bottle of vodka as Victor scooped up Rose and gave a playful growl. He exposed his fangs at her and smirked. "Want to show me your fangs yet?" He teased her, starting to tickle her side as he held her. Vlad laid his ears back as he watched and growled at Victor. Vlad looks a little upset... He's not jealous- is he? Rose giggled and grabbed his hands.
"No, not yet." Rose told him before looking at me. "I'm glad you're home. Now we can have tea parties together with Baleen and Vlad!" She let Victor's hands go before looking towards Vlad. "Don't growl if you're not going to bother to save me Vlad." He narrowed his eyes and snatched her from Victor quickly before he purred at her and flicked his ears. Victor smirked at the two then reached over and rubbed one of Vlad's ears, making Vlad gasp in delight and blush. Alex sat Dante's bottle down and watched it curiously as his stone seemed to swirl a little more like he was waking up.
"I think Dante likes the new change," he purred out then looked at Val. "What do you think?"
"I think so too.... I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. Hopefully this won't turn him into an alcoholic though like someone else in this room is." Her eyes went straight to Victor. I held back a laugh and gave a small smile. At least Dante will have something to fill him up until he meets someone worthy enough to fill in the missing pieces Reuben once filled. Rose squealed in delight as she squirmed her way away from Vlad and took off running for me. She crawled into my lap as soon as she reached me and wrapped her arms around me tightly. She glanced back at Vlad and Victor before she gave my cheek a kiss. I blushed quickly and tensed up as I caught Val's eyebrow twitched as she watched me. Alex smirked at me and tapped Dante's bottle lightly to mess with him. Victor purred and watched as Vlad ran over to us and looked at Rose before, he looked me over then crawled into my lap to join her, laying his ears back.
"Heh, seems that Vlad warmed up to her more than the last time I saw them," Victor murmured under his breath then looked over at Val and purred. "And Val~ I'm not a bad alcoholic," he told her and smirked, walking over to her before he sat down beside her and gave her a playful look.
"At least you're cheering up. If I knew the kids was the cure, I would have made you babysit them this whole time," Val told him and shook her head. I eyed Vlad over in shock. He's got some nerve crawling into my lap just to be closer to Rose... I eyed him over before I rubbed his ear. Rose eyed down Vlad and giggled.
"You're becoming my shadow, kitty," she told him and rubbed his other ear quickly. "What are you going to do when I marry a prince some day? You won't be allowed to follow me as much then." I stiffened a laugh as I heard her question. That was a good one. He purred and wrapped his arms around her with a happy smile as he flicked his ears in our hands.
"I'm a prince. You could marry me," he teased her and kissed her cheek gently.
"No~ Our brothers are mates. We're not getting married ever, Mr. Prince. You're already family." She eyed him over before looking at me and giggled before looking back at him. "Besides~ You're not a prince.... you're a kitty." Vlad's jaw dropped before he flattened his ears against his head, upset looking.
"I AM a prince! I'm not a kitty! I'm prince Vlad Dracula of Transylvania!" He scooted away from her then and looked away with a slight growl, pouting.
"Fine you're a kitty prince. Don't look so upset kitty. You can still be my protector and make sure I marry a good prince," she giggled out and rubbed his head. "If you be a good boy I will throw in a good word with the ladies." He looked at her then relaxed a little before he purred and pulled her into a hug, cuddling her up to him.
"Okay~ I will make sure you marry a good prince," he whispered to her and laughed. "I'll watch out for you, Rose~"
"Can you two run- along now with Victor and get out of my lap?" I asked and frowned. Their weight is killing me. Vlad looked at me and purred before he took Rose and got off my lap with her and went for the door. Victor got up quickly and followed them with a smirk just as Timothy set my tea in front of me and gave Alex and Val theirs.
"There you go, young master," he whispered and gave me a sweet smile. "I put my own blood in it for you- just a little bit." When I had come back, he had been one of the first to welcome me back. He had missed serving me terribly and had been taking special care of me, serving me lots of sweets. If I knew that leaving and coming back would get me extra treats, I would have done it more often before.
"Timothy, can you go get some healing herbs you would use normally and put it in the vodka with Dante in it?" I asked calmly. "I'm sure that will do just fine for him." I took a sip of the tea he gave me and moaned at the taste. He nodded and bowed to me.
"Of course, young master. I'll do that for you right away," he told me then straightened up, heading off quickly to do as I asked. Alex took a sip of his tea then moaned, sinking down onto the couch.
"Your butler tastes amazing~" he purred out and took another eager sip of his tea.
"Hmmm... yes he does." I gave him a huge smile. "Just make sure to keep your fangs out of him until Baleen is a little older. If anything happens to prevent Baleen from learning everything from his father on how to serve me... I will end you." Alex looked at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Well aren't you a caring master~" He hummed out then finished off his tea. "I wouldn't sink my fangs in him anyways. He personally serves you, and Val would have my fangs in a jar for being impolite to you."
"It's no crime to look after your servants well being when there are predators around," I hummed out. I adjusted quickly as I felt my wings move behind me. I frowned quickly and looked towards them. These things are still here? Alex eyed them over then frowned.
"So... is it a touchy subject to ask about your wings? I didn't think you would have them like Paris," he said and looked towards my eyes. I suddenly felt his fingers touching my feathers as Val remained motionless with her teacup in her hand.
"I'm not really sure myself. I'm not supposed to have them but here they are. When Paris brought me back from the dead, I turned demon just like he did. It's an automatic inconvenience. But I'm not supposed to have wings- they should be gone but they're remaining." I eyed his hand over. "Are you enjoying touching my feathers?" He smirked and nodded.
"Yes~ they're quite soft," he told me then ran his fingers over them again. "It's not like anyone can hear us right now. Time is paused." I frowned as I watched him.
"I noticed you stopped time," I whispered. He has a very interesting gift. He purred at me and playfully exposed his fangs.
"Want to play a game, Laurence?" He asked me and leaned over my chair to look at me.
"Depends on what kind of game you're interested in," I told him and leaned back in the chair quickly and placed my tea down. He's interested in the taste of my blood? No wait... is he wanting to know more about my past? He smirked at me then playfully leaned in towards my ear.
"Let's play a game of chess," he suggested and then rubbed my shoulders. "Winner gets what they want from the loser." I smirked as I eyed him over. He knows I'll beat him... right? I can predict every-move he'll make.
"Sure. I'll need time to think about what I want from you... though.... I could take anything. How about I take your blood from you. If I win, I get to drink your blood." He tsked and watched me before he nodded.
"Fine, if I win, you have to tell me anything I want to know," he purred out and patted my shoulder. "Won't this be fun? An emperor who can't lose versus a vampire that predicts the future~" I widened my eyes slightly. Oh... that's right... He's ALEX! I'll have to pay extra attention to his moves and intentions.
"You'll get a limited amount of time to ask your question," I told him sharply. "Just like I will have a limited amount of time to drink your blood." He nodded then purred.
"How does three minutes sound to you? Three minutes to ask a question or three minutes to drink blood. Perfect, isn't it?" He smirked and exposed his fangs playfully at me. I smiled at him and nodded. I grabbed my tea and stood up slowly.
"Join me in my study," I purred out to him. "We can use the chest board there and have a great view as well thanks to the windows it sits by." I took his hand in mine before leading him to my study and sat up the game for us to be polite. Once it was set, I took a sip of my tea and made the first move. This going to be a hard game to win. He looked the board over for a second and I got a flash of hundreds of moves he was planning, but he took the least expected one of his courses and leaned back in his seat, looking at me with a cool, collected smirk.
"Better start thinking on how to word that question I want to ask, huh? I'm going to win," he told me and purred at me as he watched me in fascination. I could tell he was excited deep down from the challenge of fighting someone that would know his moves and how to beat them. Knowing him he's going to play blind and quick to think on his moves last second so I can't catch it. He is Alex of course. He'll end up winning if I don't stay alert.
~Time Skip~
Alex looked the board over one final time before he picked up his knight and knocked my king off the board with a smirk, setting his piece down in its place as he looked up at me and purred. "Looks like I win~ You almost had me, Laurence." He leaned forward then and smirked. "So, about that question... I hope you're ready to answer me~" I frowned as I eyed the board over. Well that sucks... the never-a-loser won, and I'm stuck with a question I have to answer.
"What do you want to know?" I asked him curiously and looked up at him. "Perhaps it's about Val... Maybe about your future... You can ask anything so think carefully." He nodded then leaned forward a bit.
"I heard not a lot of people know about your past, and Val seemed upset about you being so small since you were alive when I was. Who are you really and why can't you age past that?" He asked and purred slightly in amusement. I frowned as I heard his question. Of course, he would ask that.
"It's a curse," I explained calmly. "I was cursed when I was this age, and I stopped growing like a normal person would. I'm stuck as a little kid. I didn't want to tell anyone I was older than them because some people get suspicious of me. I'm not much of a threat.... I'm in a little boy's body so there isn't much I can do. This is who I am Alex. A never aging boy because I was cursed." His eyes softened and he gave a small nod before he picked my king off the floor and placed it off to the side of the board.
"Cursed huh?" He muttered. "That must suck to never age." I nodded quickly as I watched him.
"One day I'll find a way to break my curse and age... That's going to be a fun experience." I gave a small smile at the thought. He smirked then purred at me.
"Is that so? We'll have to throw you a party when it does happen for you," he told me and winked. I nodded in agreement with him. I will deserve one.
"So, who am I?" I asked him before I calmly stood up and walked over to my bookshelf. I pulled off a blue book and opened it up to a page to show him. I brought it straight up to him and placed it in his hands before pointing to my name amongst many other names. Ten to be exact. "Do you know anything about the vampire history? A long time ago a few witches and wizards got together. This is the list of the first purebloods formed- ever. They each got a name and that's my name. My name is Laurence Wayte. Here is Dracula," I whispered and pointed to his that was at the top of the list. "We were told he was formed first and we made him our king." Alex frowned then looked the book over.
"You really are old... so just because he was made first, he was made king? Or was it that he was the strongest?" He asked and held the book carefully in his hands. "If this has the history... can I borrow it?" He looked up at me in interest and watched me closely.
"You can come here and look at it anytime you'd like, but it stays here. Dracula was made king because he was first.... Plus, at the time... it just made sense. When we started to grow as a species.... He appointed others to thrones and lands to oversee. We all reported to him. Everyone on this list is dead now... except for me." I explained to him and smirked. "We all woke up though cold, naked, and together alone. We didn't remember anything besides waking up. We were in coffins back then. We were supposed to be allergic to the sun, but only one of us got the disease and died at sunrise. When the wizards and witches figured out, they failed at making us all nocturnal, they had no choice but to count us as equals instead of... bodyguards. So, we eventually got from point a to point b in knowledge and left them." I left Alex's side and sat back down across from him. "All of us had gifts. Dracula soon found out that he had the ability to control other vampires. It makes sense because he was the first vampire. After everyone found out, we definitely didn't question him." I eyed over my wings quickly. "Like I said... I was born with a curse. There was another small child there when we all woke up that was my age, but she grew up." I looked back at him then. "It's a good mystery." He nodded and frowned as he shut the book.
"Sounds like a wreck that was waiting to happen.... Do you know why you were cursed?" He tilted his head as he sat the book down. I clenched my jaw before shaking my head no.
"No. It's always been this way though." I rubbed my jaw before eyeing him down. "I'm sure that if the others ever do think to look at that book then they'll discover just how old I truly am." I gave a small laugh. "Everything in that book has correct information about the birth of our species. The names of the witches and wizards are there on the next page. There are logs dating crowning and much more. I kept it all. Just like Paris keeps his diaries. That way I can easily hand it over when it's my time... all this information that's kept will be someone's one day. This is important... it's vampire history." He nodded and purred as he glanced the book over.
"It'll definitely be treasured by then," he told me then looked up at me. "I've restarted time. Val should be noticing that we aren't with her anymore." He laughed and got to his feet. "Thanks for the game~"
"We'll have to play again sometime," I suggested to him and took the book from him. I placed it back on the bookshelf and gave a small smile as I eyed it over. Life was boring while I waited for Paris. There wasn't anything truly interesting... But everyone wants to know their history. Everyone has a right to know. I heard Alex purr at me before he walked up.
"We could play again tomorrow to see if you can manage to beat me," he teased lightly and smirked.
"Sounds like a fun idea," I purred out to him and turned to face him. "One day I might beat you," I warned him. He smirked at me and gave me a playful growl.
"I doubt it. The gods blessed me to never lose a battle~ I'm great at everything I do, but I do like the challenge from you," he told me and purred.
"It's a good thing you have that gift. Otherwise I would have never sent Val to turn you," I purred out to him. "Then we wouldn't be here." He watched me and frowned a little before I saw his hand clench.
"Yes... we wouldn't be here.... I'd still be the emperor of my own kingdom... but I would have died a bloody death without that blessing," he muttered.
"I think one day you'll become a king Alex. You might have to marry in though." I gave him a wink. He looked at me then laughed a little, holding his head.
"Maybe one day," he whispered then started for the door. "Let's go get Val. She must be wondering where we went."
"Actually, I can't. I've got to go deliver those invitations. So, make sure to watch my castle for me while I'm gone." I walked over to my desk and grabbed the invitations off it that I had set up in case I ever needed to use them. Always keep spares. I used my shadows to take me to their locations and made sure they were handed off to people that would get them to the right people. Of course, I waited to take the prince of Wales's invitation until it was the last invitation in my hand to take. This one needed to be handed over specifically to him... Actually., he won't receive it. I needed to personally... talk to him.
When it got down to just his invitation in my hands, I stuffed it inside my pocket and used the shadows to step into his throne room. I glanced around for him in expectance. He's either here... In his study... Bedroom... Garden... or somewhere else... but wherever he is I will find him and talk to him. I'll try calling for him first. "PRINCE OF WALES? Informally known as Louis?" I raised an eyebrow as I waited for his response. "My name is Laurence! I'm the Prince of England!" I blushed slightly. He's supposed to look just like Paris... but this will be my first time meeting him since he was an infant. His parents never brought him to parties due to the fact he's Paris' twin and their parents didn't want to raise suspicions. I heard a low purr behind me and as soon as I turned my head, I caught a glimpse of Paris's doppelganger, sprawled out on the ground as he laid flat on his back and looked up at the ceiling where an elaborate mural was painted.
"Prince of England, huh? I thought you might come here soon. Our kingdoms are close together, and my father had a treaty with you before he died," he hummed out then tilted his head to look at me, his eyes exactly like Paris's. I saw it flicker a few colors before it rested on green and he grinned at me and sat up. "Welcome~" I gave him a huge smile and laughed. He's so beautiful. Handsome... just like his twin.
"It's a true pleasure to be here Louis. I just thought I would let you know that there is a treaty between all of us and that the war ended. Plus, I wanted to see how you are doing." I eyed him over before giving him a hand to shake. "The party was delayed due to unfortunate events. You've got a new invitation," I whispered and revealed it as I took it out of my pocket. "But... I don't think you should go to it. After all if you were to go to it... I might have to break a sweat trying to keep the girls off you." He laughed then and looked the invitation over before he stood up.
"Is that so? Well it's too bad I'm not looking for a princess right now," he said then smirked. "You came a long way to suggest to me not to come to the party. What's the real reason? Girls can't be your only reason."
"Well there are a few boys too," I told him in amusement. "If you came, I would just lock you up in my bedroom and make you play games with me all night. You've got good looks after all... so if you do come... I have to advise you it's a masquerade, and you better keep the mask on the whole night." I gave a small laugh as I pointed to the little detail on the invitation. I've been trying to keep this part a secret from the others and I had Timothy make masks for everyone at my castle weeks ago, that way Louis can get away with coming and not revealing himself so soon to Paris. This part has been so tricky to figure out how to work with... but a mask ball will do just fine. He looked at the invitation then purred.
"I'll come," he told me then snatched it from my hands. "Since you are here though~ you should stay awhile. I have been meaning to write you." He smirked a little before the door opened a crack, and a cute young boy poked his head in. He looked about the same age as Louis, and he smiled at me nervously as he slowly entered. I could smell he had been freshly turned by Louis. I eyed him over in wonder before looking towards Louis.
"So, this is one of your fresh pets?" I asked curiously and gave Louis a huge smile. I think I will stay and earn his trust. He glanced towards the boy and purred, his eyes lighting up in joy.
"Yes, I found him at a castle I conquered. He was sick, so I took him here and turned him. He's a great friend~ Javier, come meet Laurence. He's from England." The boy looked me over curiously and walked up to Louis, grabbing his arm.
"Laurence?" He asked, his voice thick with a Spanish accent. Louis nodded and smirked.
"That's right. You're catching on quickly since I shared my language with you," he purred and looked towards me. "I can serve us some tea if you would like."
"Tea sounds wonderful!" I gave him a huge smile. "So, you conquered Spain?" I asked and gave a small laugh. That's so close to France. I'm almost tempted to make Paris and Louis meet briefly at the ball... Maybe even make them dance and stir something up to keep Paris on his toes. He needs hope his twin is out there- to be specific he's here in front of me. He winked and started for the door, dragging Javier behind him.
"Of course, I conquered Spain. I would have done France, but I heard that the main forces were going to take it and that one of the leaders of the rebellion came from there," he hummed out and looked at me. "Two lumps of sugar or one?"
"Two," I purred out. "Yes, Paris to be exact is from France and his lover Richard comes from Transylvania. They're the reason behind the war. Or rather the cause. They love each other and are soul mates. So, they sped up a much-needed war and I helped them. I might introduce you to them at the ball. There is also Dante, Val, Alex, and Victor who were a lot of help. I'll make sure to introduce you to them as well. My visit has been much needed, wouldn't you say?" He looked at me and nodded.
"Yes, after all, I am still a prince, and we live in neighboring kingdoms. We had to meet at some point," he told me then smirked. Javier tugged on Louis's coat and exposed his fangs.
"Louis, I'm hungry," he muttered and looked Louis's neck over.
"Ask a maid," he purred then gently nudged Javier off. "I have company. Besides, you know I want you drinking from humans right now," Louis said firmly, watching as Javier whined and gave him a pleading look. "No, go ask a maid," he repeated and pointed his finger down the hall. His newborn growled lightly and walked off, muttering under his breath in Spanish. Shaking his head, Louis looked towards me and reached for my hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Laurence~"
"Pleasure is mine," I whispered. I grabbed his hand quickly and yanked him to me. I pulled him down to my height and bit down into his neck quickly to see if he would taste like his twin. He yelped and struggled a little in my grip before he relaxed as I got a good taste of his blood. He tasted like I expected, exactly like Paris except more pure- the hint of demonisms missing from his untainted blood.
"L-Laurence," he grumbled. "Why did you bite me?" I pulled back as soon as I got a taste and stared him directly in the eyes as I smelled his scented blood.
"I suppose because I could," I told him and smiled softly. "Your blood is delicious." He has no clue there is someone at my castle with the same tasting blood. "Try mine," I suggested. If I get their blood smelling alike... no one will be able to tell much apart from them besides Richard's mark. He looked at my neck curiously then leaned in and smelled it. He gave a soft moan, and I felt him grab my arms before he bit in and sunk his fangs in deep. I widened my eyes and gasped.
"Loosen your bite! That hurts! I'm smaller than you!" I held in a scream and trembled against him. He growled a little but took his fangs out and licked my neck clean of my blood. I felt him pick me up before he started to carry me down the hall as he licked his lips clean.
"That would hurt a smaller vampire, wouldn't it?" He looked me over then gave me a playful smile as he nudged a nearby door open with his foot and brought us into a study. "Your blood is delicious though~" I eyed over the study before I brought my hand up to my sore neck and rubbed it.
"Pureblood's blood is very delicious but it's not as healthy as human's blood is," I told him softly. "So, try to keep human on your menu." He laughed a little then.
"There aren't many purebloods around for me to drink from. I live here with just my servants and Javier. I think I will be fine with my appetite," he told me then sat me down in a chair by the desk then looked towards a maid nearby. "Could you go make us some tea? I have a guest~" She widened her eyes and nodded, getting out of the room quickly. "I don't get many visitors either. My parents kept me here in the castle most of the time, so it's not like I have met many other princes and princesses."
"Yes, I know. I have an ability that lets me see the past present and future events along with multiple outcomes to decisions I could make now to affect something later. Of course, sometimes it's blurry or events come last minute to me... but I do like to say I know everything." I crossed my legs quickly. "You're going to make a lot of friends and I would like to count myself as one of them." Louis looked at me and smirked as he sat down in the chair next to me.
"I would hope so~ I was wanting to gain your trust. Our kingdoms are so close together and we both rule small areas compared to Germany or France, even Italy~!" He chuckled lightly then gave me a playful look. Small? Wait until England spreads out to America! I'll show him who's laughing.
"I like to think of us as equals no matter the size of our body or land." I gave him a playful smile in return. I make up for it anyways due to being so intelligent. He nodded then purred.
"Your ideas are definitely going to be amazing to live by if they are all like that. I don't have as many vampires in my kingdom as some of the bigger ones," he told me and crossed his legs. "So~! I'm going to take you up on that-" The door busted open and Javier came in with a bloody chin, looking towards Louis with a purr as he walked up and sat down in his lap. He leaned in for his neck only to be stopped by Louis's finger. "I have a guest~ Clean your chin up," he told him then started to wipe the blood off him, licking it off his own fingers with a smirk. I eyed them over before giving a small laugh. Louis... No matter what he thinks about me, he's still very special to me. I love the Grimm twins.
"Javier still has much to learn... He's very smart though... Not many know no means no." Louis looked towards me and smiled.
"It helps that I can do this," he told me and reached for my cheek. "Here~" He touched me gently, and I started to get a flash of laying on the floor while looking up at the ceiling before a sweet scent reached me and I could hear my voice calling for Louis. My vision slowly turned to look at my body, but it was like I was Louis, not myself. It was Louis's memories and thoughts, the complete and perfect reverse of Paris's power to hear thoughts. Louis could only share instead of receiving. I felt his hand pull back from my cheek as he gave me a happy look. "It is really nice to finally meet you," he purred to me and hugged Javier who glanced at Louis's throat but stayed put. I eyed Louis down in awe before giving a small laugh. He's incredible.
"Louis," I whispered. My scent is really that sweet to him? I leaned in and gave his cheek a small kiss. "I want to invite you over to my castle after the ball and when I send my guests home." His eyes widened a little then he grinned at me.
"Really? That would be fun. I would have to bring Javier though. He shouldn't be alone until he's older," he told me and purred lightly, looking at me in admiration. "You could stay here a little while too if you'd like- after the ball that is. I'm sure you have lots of planning to do."
"More than you could possibly imagine," I whispered sweetly to him. He likes me. I've already won over that, I can tell. "I don't mind if you bring Javier. He can come to the ball with you as well if you'd like." Louis nodded then rubbed Javier's head.
"If you want, I might be able to help you with the planning," he suggested and purred at me. "I could have some of the food made here in my country then brought over to your castle." I bit my bottom lip before nodding. That was so thoughtful!
"Thank you, it will definitely help my servants and it would be great for them to mingle. I'll let my head butler know you plan to bring some food so he will make sure we don't overcook." Louis purred at me then nodded before he leaned over and laughed.
"When the government is settled, we should form a treaty," he suggested and smiled at me. "It would be nice~" Javier looked at his exposed neck then leaned in, exposing his fangs quickly as he bit down and moaned at Louis's taste. I heard Louis hiss slightly like Javier had bit down too deeply, and he tightened his grip on him quickly, looking towards him. "Javier," he murmured then rubbed Javier's jaw to get him to loosen up. I eyed over Louis's neck before licking my lips. Louis smells so delicious it's no wonder why Javier used that opportunity to get a bite. Purebloods always taste delicious anyways.
"Louis, this is a bit personal, but do you have a friend that only you can see?" I asked curious. I bet Grimm visits him. Even if he's not chosen, he was still born first. He's still his own blood, and he is Paris's twin. Grimm probably visited Rose when she was younger. I would like to think that Grimm keeps an eye out on all of his descendants... whether he has good intentions or not. Louis shifted a little in his seat, tensing up as he looked at me.
"What?" He asked me softly and ran his fingers through Javier's hair. "What kind of a question is that?"
"It's okay if you tell me. I know everything," I whispered and gave him a friendly smile. He tensed so maybe Grimm did visit him. He gave me an uncertain look and shifted nervously as he glanced at the door then at me.
"Why do you want to know?" He asked and gripped Javier's hair. Louis sat up a little more as he studied me. "I'm not crazy."
"Louis, I know you're not crazy." I gave him a sweet look. "I was wanting to know if he visits you." He watched me for a few seconds then nodded.
"Y-yes... His name is Grimm," he told me and relaxed a little. "He visits me, but the servants don't see him... and my parents used to tell me that he wasn't real... but he is."
"Of course, he's real! You're his great grandson," I purred out to him and gave a huge smile. "He's a demon." He widened his eyes then covered Javier's ears, kissing the top of his head.
"Don't say that around Javier! He doesn't need to know about that~ He might freak out if he finds out I'm related to a demon. Grimm told me before about it, but my parents didn't seem to know, or they didn't want to tell me. They got upset when I asked about him.... He visits me, but it's been a little while since his last visit." Louis mumbled and rubbed Javier's ears as his newborn took his fangs out of his neck and looked at him curiously. I purred as I eyed Javier down. He probably doesn't understand half the words we've discussed. He still learning our language.
"He comes and goes. He likes to visit my castle as well." I smirked a little at the thought. He likes to visit Paris. His eyes widened and he looked at me in amazement.
"He visits you too? Well that explains where he's been. I didn't know he was friends with you too," he said and laughed. "That's why you asked me, wasn't it?" He smirked then and looked towards Javier before he ran his fingers to Javier's jaw and made him tilt his head. He leaned in and licked Javier's neck, chuckling as Javier shivered and quickly gripped Louis's jacket.
"Well he's very quiet about where he goes when he leaves. I thought he would visit you though. It just makes sense. You are his relative." I eyed over Javier's neck curiously. I wonder how he tastes. Louis caught me looking and smirked.
"Would you like a bite? I can share~" He laughed and licked Javier's neck.
"No," I whispered and looked away quickly. "I shouldn't."
"Suit yourself," he purred, and I suddenly smelled the scent of peaches and apricots as it filled the air along with a faint hint of tea. Javier moaned softly and I heard him start to purr in happiness. I eyed them over before smirking.
"I'll come by again soon to go over more plans about the ball," I suggested and got to my feet quickly. "It was nice meeting you again Louis," I purred out. "As well as meeting you, Javier." I'm sure it's time for me to head home before they send out a search party for me... especially since I don't normally stay gone for this long from them.