Dario
Seeing how happy Thalia was about everything in the little cottage made me happy my sister didn't take no for answer when she said she will choose a home for Thalia, which my little Dhampir was only too happy about having had very little time for anything the last few days.
The little cottage was really perfect every part of it was Thalia and fit her personality perfectly. But all too soon it was time for them to get ready for their plans this evening, I would have loved to join them but at the moment I really don't trust I will be able to keep my hands off Thalia if I were to have a little bit too much to drink. Though in all honesty, I would have loved to see what she will be wearing this evening.
"Well, this is where I take my leave. You guys should enjoy your evening."
"Are you sure you won't come with us, Dario?"
"Yeah, Logan I am sure, but if anything happens and you guys need me just give me a call."
With that I take my leave and head back to my house I just needed some space and time to myself, to get my head on straight.
Later that evening…..
Danica
Everyone was having fun even Thalia was enjoying the time to just be a normal girl for a change. Looking at her as she was dancing with Skye and Rose she seemed like a normal girl, not the feared Dhympir royal guard. She looked stunning in the emerald green short knee-length mini dress she was wearing which she paired with black heels. I so wish Dario was here, to see Thalia like this is a very rare sight. To see Thalia in anything that is not all black almost never happens except for workout clothes but that too is also almost all black with pops of bright color here and there. Even though things were going great I kept having this nagging feeling that this evening might not end like we all thought it will.
After dancing to two more songs Thalia had enough excusing herself from Skye and Rose she walked over and joins me at the table we had booked for the evening.
"You look like you were having fun out there"
" Dancing is fun but clearing is not something I am used to. But even though this is not what I would normally choose to do. I got to give it to you guys I had fun. I danced more in the last two hours than I think I danced in my whole life."
We both laugh at this but all of a sudden the easy smile vanishes from Thalia's beautiful face as the color drains right out of her face and she stares as if frozen at the entrance to the club.
Feeling alarmed at the sudden change, I turn to see the worst thing I could have imagined. Serefina and her group of friends consisting of some of the meanest girls from every realm entered the bar and making everything worse they were accompanied by Vlad the half-vampire mage. It's not that he is not handsome because he is. maybe too handsome. With his black-blue hair and startling sapphire blue eyes, the guy was downright sexy and hot but he has a bad reputation and it is rightfully deserved he is just bad news on every level. He is the bad boy your parents warn you about, and the only one you actually take their advice about to stay away from. But the worst thing about seeing him here is that he has always had a very unhealthy obsession with Thalia and everyone that travels in the circles we do knows it. Not that Thalia ever gave him any reason to have this obsession over her.
This is the worst time for him to be anywhere near her with the change so close it can happen any day now.
"Danica I think it's time for me to go I really had a lovely time but I am really not feeling like dancing anymore"
Thalia tries to leave without them seeing her but too late, they spotted her she is just the type of person you cannot overlook. Being a royal guard does have its advantages using her small size she slips out of site but Vlad is hot on her tail following her through the crowd. Logan and Leo won't hear me over the loud music and Griffin went to get drinks I can't leave Thalia alone but I also know that me leaving and following her is not an option so all I can do is hope that Dario got my text and that Thalia's change does not start tonight.
Thalia
I knew this was a bad idea, I had this nagging feeling all day ever since they told me about tonight and here I am caught like a deer trap in a car's headlights, and not only do I have my dear sister and her mean friends here but now Vlad is making a beeline for me.
Looking at Danica I give her is smile and a small wave and turn to try and disappear into the crowd making a beeline for the back exit, as I turn for one last glance at Danica it is to see that she is frantically typing on her phone.
Looking back to the entrance I can't see them anymore but just I think I maybe got lucky that they did not see me I sense him coming towards me as I move through the crowd away from the dance floor towards the back passage/ whole way that leads to the back exit, I see him walking towards me and there is not enough distance to make a run for it. I try my hardest to walk faster but all of a sudden it feels like my feet are made out of, lead. I just reach the whole way before a sudden wave of dizziness hits me making me stumble a little as I lean against the passage's wall to keep from falling on my face.
"Well look what we have here, if it isn't the little Dhympir looking all sexy, and isn't, it just my lucky day that you are all alone. Very stupid of Prince Dario to leave such an enchanting creature like yourself all alone"
His voice drips with compulsion, seduction, and persuasion as I feel him standing very close to close to me whispering into my ear. Why does anyone thinks a relationship between a Mage and Vampire was ok I don't know the things Vlad can do should not be legal for any creature to be able to do.
"Lord Vladimer, what a surprise to see you here. I don't want to seem rude but I was just leaving."
Thank goodness my voice sounds normal and far stronger than I feel right now.
"No, Sweetheart I think not, you're not leaving at the moment. You don't even seem able to walk more than a few steps let alone leave."
Leaning in I feel him sniffing at my hair and my breath everything about this situation makes my skin crawl but the dizziness has gotten worse, I am just barely standing.
"Though it doesn't seem to me that you are drunk, I can't smell any alcohol on your breath this is very interesting."
He says this with a tone that I don't like and all the while his hand has started stroking the length of my arm.
What the hell am I supposed to do now Danica and the others are back on the dance floor they would not hear me over the music and I know right now I will not be able to fight off Vlad even if my life depended on it. Just as I start to think I am doomed a hand shoots out and grabs Vlads hand just before he could stroke my arm again.
"Lord Vladimer, what a surprise to see you here, and even more to see you trying to be so intimate with a royal guard even though she is off duty that is still not something that can just be allowed."
"Why Prince Dario if I didn't know better I would have said you sound like a jealous boyfriend."
Smiling at Vlad's attempt to humiliate him or bate him into an altercation Dario calmly removes Vlads hand from my arm and pulls me towards him supporting most of my weight he holds me close to him.
"I don't have to play that role, Thalia, as far as I know, has not made any decision on dating yet but I have to look out for her as she is technically owned by the royal family. I am sure you understand. And like she said she was just leaving she is a working girl after all and shouldn't be out too late."
Turning to face me with a look that promises a scolding he bids Vlad a goodnight and leads me out of the bar. As soon as the door closes behind us he lifts me up into his arms and carries me to his car.
Dario
The fact that Thalia doesn't even utter a word of protest over the fact that I picked her up and was caring her to my car says more about how bad the state she is in than her pale face could have revealed.
I try my hardest to get my raging anger under control, I would have loved to have ripped Vlads hand from his arm. The instant overwhelming anger and possessiveness I felt when I saw him stroking Thalia's arm was shocking even to me. It was made so much worse when the realization that Thalia must really be feeling sick to just stand there not even trying to defend herself and the worst thing is now Vlad knows she has not gone through the change which puts her in even more danger. Opening the car door I place her as lightly as I can on the car seat her head lols a little as she doesn't even attempt to sit up.
As I close the car door the anger inside is still raging on at the thought of what might have happened if I didn't get Danica's text? What if I got there a few minutes later? You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know what Vlad was thinking or planning.
As I get into the car I glace a Thalia she is still pale and she curled herself up on the seat which is not doing me any favors as in doing so her dress has slipped up a little higher showing a hell of a lot more of her thigh.
Get it together Dario she doesn't need this right now!
As I sit trying to decide whether to take her home to her cottage or to Lucian's she speaks for the first time since I got to the club.
"Dario, I am cold, so cold and I feel really dizzy. What's wrong with me"
"The 'Change' has started Baby, you start feeling better soon but I am sorry to say this is just the beginning."
She doesn't respond but keeps mumbling "I am cold, it's so cold"
Deciding that getting her warm is of the utmost importance, I quickly send Danica a text letting her know that Thalia is feeling sick and that the 'Change' has started and since she is not feeling so good I will be taking her to my house as it's the closest and they are welcome to stop by and check on her before they all go home if they like. I also let Lucian know what happened and that I will be taking Thalia to my house to take care of her and also at making sure she is safe not knowing how much Vlad has figured out about her situation.
The drive to my house is short thank goodness for that, as I finally pick Thalia up and carry her inside I get the sinking feeling this is going to be a very long day.
Danica
The relief is overwhelming when I get Dario's text saying he has Thaliaand that she is safe, and he is taking her to his house is short-lived when the realization that Vlad must have put two and two together and realized Thalia's change has started.
Just then, Logan, Francesca, and Griffin join me at the table looking less than pleased.
"That woman is really vile, Thalia is a thousand times better in every way than she is."
" We know love but there isn't much we can do about Serefina, bad-mouthing someone is not a crime but I agree Thalia is better in every way."
"Where is Thalia, I haven't seen her in at least half an hour?"
"At the moment she is with Dario or I should say Dario is with her. Serefina didn't come alone" I say this as they all follow my eyes across the room right where Vlad is sitting looking at people dancing but clearly not noticing them at all.
"Wait I get Thalia will leave because Vlad's her but why is she with Dario? How is she with Dario? Did Dario come anyway?"
"No, Griffin I texted him to get Thalia she was leaving but Vlad saw her and went after her I did the only thing I could think of. I texted Dario telling him to get his ass over here because you know how Vlad gets when Thalia is alone."
"But that is not the worst of it Thalia's 'Change' must have started while she was trying to leave. Dario texted me to tell me that he is taking Thalia to his house because she is not feeling well and to inform me that unfortunately, it seems like Vlad might know Thalia has not gone through the "Change' or in this case that her 'Change' must have just started"
"Shit, this is bad, Thalia is now at her most vulnerable."
"And now the worst person possible knows about it."
Thalia
I swear I have never felt this cold before, I instinctively snuggle into the warmth of Dario's chest as he carries me inside.
"Honey, will get you warmed up soon, ok? Then you will start feeling better. Does it hurt anywhere?"
His voice is so soft and there is a gentleness to it that I never heard before. He places me on the couch and kneels in front of me waiting for my answer.
What was his question again? Does it hurt….
"No, I am just very cold and so dizzy"
Is that really my voice why does it sound so shaky?
"Ok, first things first let's start getting you warmed up."
He places a warm blanket over me and I snuggle into it still feeling cold, lying down helps a little to ease the dizziness. Moments later I hear the crackling of the fireplace. As I lay with my eyes close I hear the bath water running, a few moments later he is back, picking me up and caring me to the bathroom.
"Ok honey, we can do this two ways either you try to wash or I do it for you but if I am honest you don't seem like you will be able to do it yourself so. I suggest removing all your clothes except your underwear that way it will kind of be like your wearing a bikini and let me bathe you afterward you will be able to at least dress in the sweatshirt and boxer shorts I have placed in the bedroom for you."
"If I didn't feel so bad I would have said you're just trying to get me almost naked, but that does sound like the best option right now, but I could just stay like this"
"Baby, trust me, do I want to see you naked…Yes! Do I think the hot water will help to warm you up a bit … yes! Will I take advantage of this situation and try my luck … NO! Because I know you think I am a playboy but I have never and will never take advantage of a woman. The day when you do decide you will allow me to see you naked that day it will be because it's your choice and you do so willingly. And I sure as hell would rather you be 100% coherent when that does happen, which honey right now your not, it takes the fun out of the situation."
Smiling at his long speech I simply nod my head to give him the go-ahead talking feels like the hardest thing right now.
Dario
This really is one of the worst ways to test my self-control. As I help Thalia out of her dress and shoes. I know for the next few months I will be taking a lot of cold showers. The site of her in her emerald green underwear all but takes my breath away. Against her ivory skin, the green is vivid, emphasizing all her assets.
Placing her into the tub I bathe her as quickly as I possibly can lifting her out I dry her off and carry her to one of the spare rooms, not wanting to give her or my family the wrong idea. As I leave her to get dressed I decide for my own sanity to take a very cold shower before checking on her again.
I find Thalia asleep curled up under the blanket shivering, taking another blanket out of the closet I through it over her, but she is still shivering. I decide to sit next to her hoping that my own body heat will help a bit. As soon as she senses a heat source close she instinctively curls up next to me, and in doing so she is unwittingly wreaking havoc on my senses and imagination. But with a will of steel, I shut down all thoughts that could lead to nothing but trouble and focused on doing whatever it takes to help Thalia through this, she always gives her all to us so keeping her safe through her "Change" is something I will make my personal mission.
Finally, she stops shivering and her breathing deepens signaling her slipping into a deep restful sleep. Hearing a car approaching I untangle myself from her hold before leaving her room I turn up the central heating which I completely forgot about in my heist to get her warm. Pulling the door close I walk through the upstairs hallway down the stairs towards the front door reaching it just as a knock sounds against the thick wooden door.