The full Moon came and went. Lorelei spent that night back inside the cell they first locked her in, going rampant on the bars, and Tama spent it playing chess, reading, walking; actually craving her company.
Now, days later, she was still in need of rest and chose to stay in her bedroom.
Perhaps foolishly, that was yet to be seen, he began thinking of a present for her should she choose to leave Dorgoyl once Frey confirms her claims.
Treasure would be worthless since she'd most likely go somewhere remote; jewelry would, at the risk of sounding rude, be spent of her as she had no real appreciation for it; what she was likely to enjoy were good memories, he thought in the end.
Having heard the story about her fiancé, he decided his present would be but one kiss – if she'll have it, of course.
Marvelous things such as kisses didn't deserve to be remembered in such a sad way like hers were. He could feel a smile playing on his lips as he thought about it. Her lost, bashful expression appeared so vividly before him. He looked forward to it, honestly hoping she wouldn't turn out to be a liar and let him down.
"What's gotten into you?" Dimitri's voice made him snap out of it, and he cleared his throat in discomfort. "You're eerie."
Offering an annoyed look, Tama briefly looked for a creative retort, but soon found he wasn't motivated to outwit anyone at the moment.
"Just thinking of something. Never mind."
"By something, you clearly don't mean chess." The blonde remarked, using one of his white figurines to knock down Tama's black one. Without much will for it, he still decided to try and focus back on the game, tired of losing, when the door opened and a servant boy rushed in.
"My lord, guests have arrived. All three."
Springing up, Tama fixed the collar of his shirt, preparing to go out and greet his visitors. Truthfully, he was never personally very close with Frey, although they considered each other friends, so he hadn't seen the man in a long time. Dracul and Zmay were kept mercilessly busy by the Ottoman invasion during the past fifty years, but he learned Stefania had paid them both a visit not too long ago.
Walking down the circular stairway, with Dimitri close behind – not entirely thrilled, he imagined – Tama found they had quickly caught up with his sister. Her black locks were carefully shaped into a large bun; for a change, her black dress was replaced with a deeply red one. She appeared almost cheerful, and it brought a small smile to his face.
The moonlight illuminated his garden as they came out, greeted by the large party the knights had for their escort. Their horses were just being taken down into the stall, and they spoke among themselves as Tama approached.
"Tamni!" Zmay was first to call out, by the nickname that exclusively he used. Spreading his arms, he waited for Tama to join him in a hearty hug. His grip was steel, his pats on Tama's aching back caused the breath to vibrate in his throat and he couldn't hold back a weak laugh.
"It's wonderful to see you, Zmaye." He grinned, deciding to use his own pet name for the knight. As he moved on to shake hands with Frey and exchange a brief hug with Vlad, he could hear Stefania's laughter once Zmay picked her up and spun her around.
"Dracul, Serpent." He greeted the other two men by their knightly names. "Have you been well?" He added, gesturing for them to come along and led the way inside. Indistinct chatter between his sister and Zmay followed as they slowly walked behind everyone.
He could no longer spot Dimitri, and assumed he retreated somewhere peaceful.
"Well, friend." Frey answered first, brushing his gloved hand through his honey-colored hair that only in occasional spots showed hints of gray. Frey was well in his forties when the Order knighted him, hence he appeared oldest among them. "Responsibilities burden me as of late, but I appreciate the chance to rest in your home."
"What about you Vlad?" Tama grinned at the other's resting sour face while he quietly followed.
"As well as any man who has a sultan on his back." Vlad spat, a few locks of his black hair fell on his forehead and he impatiently fixed it. "This is the first peaceful month I had in decades, and I'm not even home." He sighed. "I appreciate it too." Eventually, he added out of courtesy.
"Feast will be served shortly, so that you might replenish your strength. I'll need you in high spirits while you're here. Prepare for endless dances and balls this winter." Tama smiled, leading them into the parlor. "On that note, Frey?" He called to get the knight's attention. "I have a surprise for you. You'll see at the dinner."
"For me?" The man checked, pleasantly surprised, as Tama nodded.
"Zmaye, have you been well?" He regarded, interrupting the conversation Stefania already led with the man.
"Better than I was before coming here." The knight grinned warmly, looking Stefania's way. "As Vlad said it, Ottomans are giving us a hard time. But, you know," He shrugged, "You can't tell me peace isn't boring? At the very least, we're inspiring new songs."
"Indeed," Tama sighed, taking his seat in one of the recliners and the others soon followed, picking a place for themselves around the room. "I've had an encounter with a pack recently—"
"I've been meaning to ask what in the world wrecked you so badly." Zmay interrupted, looking more amused than sorry.
"Five of them." He continued his story. "I just barely made it. Although, I must admit I missed the thrill."
"If it's fight you seek, you should have gone East instead of North." Vlad interjected as low-spirited as always. He did seem even grumpier than usual, but Tama recently heard his wife and child were terribly ill, so he chose not to pry into his bad mood.
"North has its hardships, believe me." Frey added, accepting the wine Cassandra was serving. "Kalmar Union is nothing we thought it would be. Not to mention beasts have overrun us. You can hardly find a thicket by the road that isn't home to a pack!"
"I choose to stay above politics when I can." Tama leaned back into his recliner, wondering about the best time to bring Lorelei down among them. "Although, should things continue to escalate at this pace, I might just have to save the day." He joked.
Facing Vlad once more, he inquired, "I hear you have no problems with beasts. How did that happen?"
"Common enemy." The Romanian shrugged.
"They have been great help." Zmay decided to spare them a moment from courting his sister. "In the past thirty years, I haven't gone to one battle without a few packs at my side. A werewolf had saved me not once! They started calling me Vuk[1] to show acceptance, and I decided to make it part of my name in gratitude."
"I refuse to believe you'd lower yourself in such a manner!" Stefania crossed her arms, clearly prepared to start another dramatic argument, to which the knight snickered. At times, Tama envied him on his patience.
"No two vampires are the same, dear lady, and no two werewolves. You shouldn't allow your hate to blind you."
"Truly." Frey quietly agreed.
"Speaking of werewolves," As per usual, she wouldn't permit any useful criticism to sway her, and so she swiftly changed the topic. "My brother is keeping one right here. Frey, you—"
"Stefania!" Tama interrupted her before she could ruin the surprise he'd been preparing for the past month. "I'll send for the werewolf right away." Offering his sister a reprehensible look, he sent a maid to check on Lorelei and make sure she was presentable before coming down.
"You've caught one?" Vlad inquired.
"Yes, but, she's staying here as my guest." As the others' curious eyes focused on him, he began, "A sad story, really. The poor thing was raised a noble, only to be abandoned once she became an inconvenience. You'll see for yourself – a very sweet girl."
Luckily, he and Frey weren't great of friends to begin with, or what he was cooking up could very well kill that friendship. Still, it was amusing.
"Sweet girl?" Stefania curved her upper lip in disgust, turning to the other knights, "An insolent brat is what she is! You should have heard the way she talked to me."
"You were being terrible!" Tama defended, unable to fight off a smile as Zmay began laughing. Before the bickering could evolve further, he overheard bat of steps from down the hallway, and raised his hand to call for attention. "Here she comes."
.....
The maid dragged her down the stairs in attempt to make her go faster, but once again, she was given those terribly uncomfortable shoes. At least she enjoyed the dress they'd given her this time around. Its emerald green color was just to her liking, and the lady who made it, Anna, actually bothered to make a more breathable corset for once.
Nevertheless, she was steadily going breathless as they approached the parlor since she was informed who waited there.
From once, an irrational fear that there might be another knight named Frey possessed her. It was silly, but one part of her couldn't believe she'd get to meet him after so many years, while another wasn't even sure she wished to.
How should she behave, and more importantly, how would he?!
At last, they reached the third door down the hall on the ground level and the maid let her go to open it. At her signal, Lorelei slowly made her way inside to join everyone. Her breaths turned quick and shallow as she allowed her gaze to roam their faces.
Two were entirely unfamiliar, pale men. Both bearded, one of them black haired and the other brown. One was lanky, brooding, somewhat reminiscent of Tama if he was thinner. The other was of brawny, strong build, and he sat curiously close to that terrible woman, Stefania.
As Lorelei's gaze momentarily lingered on her, she didn't pass up the opportunity to send a hateful squint her way.
Before facing her father, she glanced at Tama who readily offered an encouraging nod.
"Come, sweet Lorelei, join us." He called, and before doing so, she finally looked Frey's way. He hadn't changed at all, and even though she had, he had recognized her immediately.
Standing up abruptly, he caused the others to look his way in confusion. He sent a knowing look Tama's way, and she wasn't certain whether he was angry or glad.
"Sweetheart?" The familiar deep voice called, and Lorelei's unease finally reached its peak, and she felt her eyes itch as pooling tears clouded her sight. In hopes to avoid, or at least postpone crying, she chose to remain silent. Instead, she nodded.
Unexpectedly, he rushed forward, and she was almost about to back away when he reached her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Leaning into his chest, warm and secure, his clothes smelled of road and twinflower she remembered him by, Lorelei soon found her attempts to hold back tears became futile.
Wrapping her arms tightly around him, she hid her face in his shirt and let herself go. She could feel as a large hand gently landed on her head.
"What are you doing here?" When she didn't answer, he took her shoulders and made her face him. "I looked for you! It was stupid of me to ever send you away, but… You were gone! No one knew what happened. I gave up…" Taking her face in his hands, he looked at her closely, "I thought you were dead."
Unable to speak, she only shook her head.
"No matter now. I have found you." He smiled, and swiftly turned to Tama. "Why haven't you told me you had my daughter?"
"I had reasonable doubts when she told me she was your child, but…" Tama shrugged, "I enjoyed her company. And if I'd asked you right away, and your answer was negative, I'd have to kill her." His keen gaze met Lorelei's and he smiled. "I'm happy to let her live."
"Are you following?" The black haired man asked the one beside him, and as a response he only got a shrug. Tama turned to them.
"Everything will be explained timely, Vlad. Now that all my guests are present, let us feast."
.....
"You lived in a cave?" Frey asked dismally, the food on his table remaining untouched as he couldn't take his eyes off of his long lost daughter. "Why have you left the village? They treated you poorly? I sent gold to Roland every month to make sure they could provide for you."
"No, I just couldn't bear to hide anymore. And the cave wasn't that bad!" Lorelei defended, more talkative and with a better appetite than Tama had witnessed in a while. She was more or less comfortable around him, but if anyone else was in the room beside them, she's fall silent and only consume a few careful bites. "I acted as I pleased, ate what I caught, turned when I had to without fear. I was alright."
"And you're certain you won't come home with me? I would love to take care of you again."
"No." The girl offered a thankful smile. "After you leave, I plan to see the alpha of this pack we met recently. I'd like to see if I can stay with them."
Before she could go on, Tama placed his hand atop Zmay's whom he conveniently seated next to himself.
"I was hoping for your aid in that regard, friend." He said as the man faced him. "If my broken ribs are anything to judge by, I'd say the pack won't be very happy to see her."
"What should I do?"
"Escort her there, talk some sense into them. They'll listen to you."
"This is madness!" Stefania had to intervene, nearly spilling her wine as she gestured with the hand that held her cup. "It wasn't enough that you got hurt for the sake of—her," Tama had no doubt she forced herself to regard Lorelei like that purely out of desire not to offend Frey. "Now you're forcing him to go! The beasts from his lands are his allies, not these ones!"
"I appreciate your concern, my lady. However, the packs keep contact with each other. They'll know me." Zmay explained, which contributed nothing to Stefania's mood. He turned to Lorelei next. "That would have to be soon, lady Lorelei. As I said, Tama, I can't stay too long."
"I'd like a few days with my father, and then we can go."
"Well," Tama sounded cheerfully. "Now that that's settled, we'd enjoy some music." He gestured at Cassandra and the butler who accompanied her with piano. Soon enough, the guests got immersed in volitional conversation and the energy at the dining table picked up.
After they had had desert, he invited them to dance, keeping the host's right to pick his own dancing partner first.
"Were you practicing?" He teased as he and Lorelei waltzed, and she kept up marvelously. She rolled her eyes, but still nodded, causing him to laugh. "Do you know what I like about you, sweet Lorelei? You care."
Her confused expression brought him to smile. "You have no need for dance, yet you learn. You could live with your father comfortably, but you choose to join a pack. You…" He paused to pick a right word, "You live."
She nodded, and he swiftly went on, seeing no issue in chatting away.
"I, on the other hand, have given up. I've done everything, went overboard one too many times, and now – especially after you leave – I'll just count my days as they pass by, eternally. I could join Zmay and Vlad in their war. Yes, there's not much else to do."
Lorelei's worried eyes lingered on his face as she looked up at him.
"I won't be far." She said.
"Oh, you mean you'll be dying to see me again? I thought so." He pestered yet again, causing her to make an irritated sound as they kept dancing. "I certainly will miss you. Already, I do! I'm used to having you all to myself."
Lorelei said nothing, but her lips relaxed into a soft smile. And his mind just birthed an idea, so he stopped dancing, took her by her hand and led way out of the room. The others either danced or were too immersed in conversation to pay them any attention.
"Where are we going?"
"Out."
As they went though the main door, they were greeted by a proper winter's night as snowflakes fluttered about, already having created a white coat on the ground. They weren't bothered to get their furs, so he took his cloak off and draped it over Lorelei's shoulders. He suspected he could take the cold a bit better than a werewolf.
"To the maze?" She questioned, following him as he went ahead, and he quietly confirmed.
"I've been preparing you a parting gift." He hinted vaguely as they walked, approaching the entrance to their destination.
"What is it?"
"A story."
"What story?"
"The one I never told you. One with the kiss, remember?"
"I remember." She nodded, proceeding to quietly grumble under her breath, "Some gift…"
Tama laughed, taking her hand once more as they went inside and the high hedge began swallowing their figures as they ventured deeper in.
"So it's about your first kiss?" Her impatience kicked in after a couple of minutes of silence.
"Oh, no. Not my first."
"Then why are you telling it?"
"Because every kiss should be cherished, not just the first. Because, you see, first kisses are often the lousiest, sweet Lorelei." He chuckled. "Nobody knows what they're doing, it's either too meek or too… sloppy. It's the ones that come later that are truly something."
"How many kisses have you had?"
"Oh," A small laugh escaped him. "I worry you'd think badly of me if you knew. Let us stick to the story at hand. So," He cleared his throat. "It happened on a cold night such as this one; near a castle, like this one," Absently, he pointed towards his home with no real regard of right direction. "I was left alone with a wonderful lady." He offered a knowing look and watched her glare at him for discontinuing his comparison there.
"You know I'm joking, lovely Lorelei. Anyway," He stopped walking, standing opposite her. "I took the lady by her hand," He performed the action as he spoke of it. "Brought it to my lips to kiss." Looking up at the girl, she was barely breathing, her eyes refused to blink as she carefully watched him. "I came closer, and," He did, "Closer. One should always make sure he's wanted before approaching a lady, and although outright asking for permission kills the romance, it can easily be acquired without a word."
"All that's needed," At that point, his voice was reduced to a whisper, he stood so close to the werewolf he could feel her warmth.
Her eyes blinked abruptly once his gloved hand landed on the side of her neck, and slowly, he used his thumb to lift her chin and make her lips more accessible. "Is to give her time to refuse." Lorelei stood perfectly still, her arms at her sides. Amused, Tama noted her hands crumpled the fabric of her dress. "And if she doesn't…"
Softly, his lips captured hers; and the initial response was nothing but ordinary. Among all the ladies and gentlemen he's had romantic encounters with, none were werewolves, hence he was unsure what he should expect. She responded shakily, her arms gently rose to wrap around his neck and make him bend down for easier access.
His arms hugged her waist, bringing her as close as the hoop of her dress allowed. He suspected nothing would change unless their encounter was to escalate so to speak, but in the very next moment he let out a hiss in pain. Lorelei had grabbed a fistful of his hair and brought him in for a rougher, wetter kiss. Shortly after, she shoved him down on a nearby bench and climbed his lap, returning to his lips before he could protest.
In an instance, her hands were on his shirt, and since her patience was clearly out of it for the time, they simply tugged at the fabric and ripped it open, in the process leaving a nasty scratch across his chest and buttons clinking across the paved floor.
His body still ached from being wounded, and slowly but surely, he understood what a stupid idea this was.
Chuckling into Lorelei's wild kiss, he decided to take over, grabbing her wrists and forcing her arms to bend behind her back. Binding them together with one hand, he used the other to grasp her jaw and keep her in place.
"Shh." He whispered once their lips parted, proceeding to leave butterfly kisses across her cheek. "You have to settle down, sweet Lorelei. Did you enjoy that?" He grinned as she nodded, watching him as though she was starving for more. "I'm too hurt to continue, and the location isn't the most appropriate."
"I don't care."
"Shhh." He tried again, granting her lips one last peck. "Settle down. We're not leaving until you do."
.....
"What happened to you?!" Frey gasped as he came through the door, joining them all back at the feast. Sighing, Tama offered a helpless shrug.
"I fell."
"Where's Lorelei?"
"She went to bed – she sleeps at night." He briefly explained. "Anyway," He paused to rub his eyes from exhaustion. "At the risk of being a lousy host, I must retire as well. I'm still hurt, and very tired. I'll make amends another night. Enjoy yourselves, friends."
The time it took to drag himself up the stairs he used to meditate upon his actions, and found he couldn't keep the stupidest grin off his face. He'd have to get in a much better condition if he meant to handle Lorelei in the future, since after all that, he definitely didn't plan to pass up on the opportunity to see her again.
"How was everything?" Familiar voice sounded, and he looked up to face Dimitri. He was in his sleeping shirt, at the door of his own bedroom just as Tama had reached the floor. He'd clearly been asleep – in the middle of the night – which was slightly worrisome.
"Well." He smiled. "They're still down in the—"
"What in nine hells happened to you now?" Sleepiness seemed to wash away from the man's face immediately once he took a better look at Tama.
"Werewolf." He replied as vaguely as he could.
"What?" Dimitri stiffened. "You fought another werewolf? Where?"
"No." Tama chuckled. "I kissed one."
"You crazy bastard."
"Are you alright?"
"Why me?"
"Because of Zmay and all… I think he really means seriously with Stefania." He chose not to beat around the bush. "It's time to forget about her, friend."
"The time to forget her… was long ago." To his surprise, Dimitri chose to be direct about his emotions for once. "Good night, Tama."
"Good night."
Upon reaching his room, he decided he was too tired to wait for maids to prepare a bath and then to actually stay awake to go through with it, so he just went straight to bed.
Smiling to himself, he thought of Lorelei. He's missed the thrill of fight and romance, and gods know what else. Perhaps he hasn't entirely given up.
.....
As soon as week later, Lorelei and Zmay were ready to leave. She had no things to take, except the clothes they made for her, and Zmay was returning immediately, anyway.
Standing before the large gates of Dorgoyl, Tama watched them while they waited for the help and coachman to be set to go.
"You must pay me a visit." Frey said, exchanging one final hug with his daughter. "If the pack mistreats you, you have a home, Lorelei."
"I know, father."
"Of course," Tama couldn't resist interjecting. "You can always come back here should you need a home." She approached to say the final greeting to him as well, and before she got to get away with a lousy bow, he also pulled her into an embrace.
Allowing his lips closer to her ear, he quietly teased, "Look at you acting tame." He felt her stiffen as the words left his mouth. "If only they knew how you savaged me. I look forward to more."
Once they parted, he signaled a servant to approach and hand over a wooden box he was holding. Accepting it, Tama opened the padlock and took out an axe he had custom forged for her.
"I decided this should be your gift, after all. I lost the one you gave me." He smiled and gave her the weapon. "It's incredibly light, and the blade will always remain sharp."
With a look of honest delight Lorelei looked at him then down at the weapon interchangeably. A week wasn't enough time to work many details into the handle, but the smith had managed to carve in a beautifully shaped sun. Finally, setting her eyes upon him, she smiled.
"Thank you. For everything."
"Don't thank me. Just come see me."
Watching as she walked away and got into the carriage, the lyrics of her song came to mind, and he sighed contentedly,
Oh the song of Lorelei
Charms the Moon right from the sky,
She will get inside you mind
Lovely Lorelei…
[1] Vuk (srb. wolf)