All throughout breakfast, my heart kept pounding as his words replay in my mind. The kiss Dario gave me a few weeks ago left me waking up at all times during the day craving his kiss, and so much, much more not to mention how hard focusing on work was every move he made whether he was walking or working out especially when he was working out messed with my head and body. If he considers that tame how would the type of kisses he is talking about feel like and what's more how would they affect me?
The more rebellious part of me wanted to know badly, but the part that was fearful of any romantic intimacy was petrified to find out.
While we were eating he never took his eyes off me even though I kept my gaze cast downwards as I sat and ate, I could feel his stare and even though it should have made me feel self-conscious it did the exact opposite. It made me wonder what he was thinking, did he find me sexy, and cute, was he picturing kissing me, or was it just my imagination going crazy?
As soon as I placed the last piece of breakfast into my mouth he was up taking the dishes over to the sink and started washing them.
See now I know, I am going crazy because even this I found sexy. Seriously Thalia are you crazy or have you just lost your mind….
"Okay, now that is done let's get down to business. Why don't you go get dressed? There has to be some of Danica's clothes in the guest room's closet. Not that I don't like what you're wearing now. I mean I would prefer you just in my shirt but hey I had to think of my own peace of mind too and you wearing just my shirt yeah that would cause complications that though I would not mind in the least we don't have time for at this moment. So hurry up Baby, we have a lot to talk about and we don't have that much time to do it in."
"Okay"
Rushing up the stare to the spare room I find myself staring at the closet. I adore Danica and I love her fashion style even more but what the hell…. There are almost nothing I can get to work in cute tops, jeans, skirts and dresses a plenty but barely any clothes that would be suitable for work and I honestly don't think we will have time to stop at my cottage if Dario still wants to talk.
After about ten minutes of scouring the depths of Danica's closet, I finally found a pair of black pants. It's made out of a stretchy fabric that looks like leather but is not. But no luck in finding a suitable shirt to wear with it. As I stood there with the pants in my hand I figured desperate times call for desperate measures.
Placing the pants on the bed I make my way toward Dario's room. As I get closer to his room his scent gets stronger. It is one of the few scents I can identify no matter how faint it is. Dario smells like a rainstorm, green forests, and something that's all his own, a scent that is personal only to him, something I can't compare to anything else.
Taking a deep breath I reach out to knock on the door…
"You can come in."
Stepping into his room I am caught off guard, even though I was in his house plenty of times I was never in his room. It's big and unlike the rest of his house, his room has a much darker color palette. Dark blues and Grays with white accents to lighten the space. As my eyes quickly scan the room I notice that his bed is huge turning my gaze to Dario, I almost gasp out loud as my eyes find him standing with his back towards me seemingly looking for a shirt to wear.
Now, at this point you are probably wondering Thalia why would the sight of his bare back shock you? Well, simply first he is half naked and if I thought his front torso was perfectly ripped his back is even more so but that is not what made my breath still in my throat. No, it was his tattoo all across his shoulders, and down his back was a stunning tattoo of their family crest, an ancient gilded sword with roses intertwined around it. I only ever saw it in color but Dario chose to get his tattoo in all black and I have to say it works.
"Like what you see?"
Blinking I found that in my time staring at him I didn't notice that he shifted and was standing right in front of me.
"What??"
" I asked if you like what you see? Never mind, but I would advise you to stop otherwise I cannot and will not be held responsible for my actions. Did you need something?"
"Sorry yeah, I need a shit Danica doesn't have a shirt that is suitable for work."
" Ok, I suppose it should be black, let's see…"
Looking through his closet he finally pulls out a shirt.
"Here you go, I think this will work. It's stretchy so you will be able to move in it and it's pretty long enough to cover you up plus the long sleeves will be helpful if a second wave should hit or if you just get cold."
"Thanks, I will only be a few minutes"
"No problem, I will wait for you in the living room."
Dario
During the time it took for Thalia to get dressed, I tried in vain to come up with a game plan to get her to accept this crazy plan. But all too soon she came walking into the living room. The sight of how she looked did not help my concentration process at all. The pants she wore were a tight stretchy material which meant they fit like a second skin along with my black shirt which was way too big for her. She fixed that by using one of Danica's belts to cinch it at her waist along with the high heels she was wearing. She looked amazing. Which obviously short-circuited my brain for a few seconds.
Dam this girl she is the reason I want to keep on breathing but at the same time, she will be the death of me.
" You look good, I see you made the outfit work…"
"Thanks, not really my style but I think it worked out ok."
" Yeah it sure did…, why don't you sit down and we will get down to business."
"Ok?"
" How much of last night do you remember? You were pretty out of it for a bit of it."
" Well, let's see. I remember being at the club dancing then Serefina and her friends came, I said I was going to rather leave. I started towards the back exit. Vlad came after me, I started to feel very dizzy and I remember we talked but not the specifics. You came, we left, and you helped me. O NO! That really happened, you bathed me!"
I couldn't help but smile at her outburst. She looked so cute with her cheeks flushed and trying to hide her face in her hands, her long crimson hair falling around her like a curtain shielding her from view.
" Yeah, that did happen… not that anything happened but it is a site that I would not forget soon but anyway let's skip that part. You do realize the 'change' started and that Vlad is very much aware of that. You are lucky I arrived when I did. But this all leaves us with a big problem Baby if he knows it is only a matter of time before Lord Marcus and Serefina will know if they don't already know. The effects of the 'change' will only get worse and the time for the whole thing to pass varies, sometimes it takes days but there have been accounts of it taking up to a month."
"Great, so all in all not good. Lady luck must have her knickers in a twist with me about something."
" Maybe perhaps she is one of my admirers and is mad that you are always the sexy Ice princess around me"
" Really funny Dario, I am glad to see your sense of humor is not affected by this situation."
" Well, I am just trying my best to lighten the mood, anyways so the problem is you Sweetheart are not safe at the moment and well we have to keep you safe as Lord Marcus will like nothing more than…"
"To wipe me off the face of the earth?"
"Yeah, so last night while you were asleep Lucian and my dear siblings came over and discussed the situation and well there's one plan that will stop unwanted gossip and at the same time keep you safe or at least we hope it will. But I am going, to be honest, I don't think you're going to like it."
"Why what is it?"
" Ok, I am going to be real with you. I like the idea, but Danica and I said you would not go for it. The only way is to make you my Consort."
Thalia
Consort… the word hung in the air between us like some living entity everyone was too scared to touch. I know what he said was true. My situation did place me in danger but a consort and Dario's consort of all things. The idea sent shivers down my spine but not the unpleasant kind. But at the same time, it filled me with overwhelming fear. I know Dario is attracted to me and if I was honest with myself I did have feelings for him. The problem was did his feelings for me go beyond mere fiscal attraction?
" A consort? Seriously? I am your personal guard Dario, and a Dhampir of all things do you really think the Vampire aristocrats would accept that. Not to mention how your parents would react to this crazy plan and what if you meet someone you love. The festival is in a few days you may meet the girl of your dreams and then you're stuck with me as your consort. Sure you can undo the union but that would leave me sund an outcast…"
I was too busy rambling not realizing that once I started I couldn't stop I wasn't even seeing him anymore I was stuck in my head my imagination running wild filling my head with images of Dario with a beautiful creature at his side and him casting me aside like my mother was tossed aside left to fend for herself and her unwanted child with only her pain and heartbreak as a constant companion. As the images filled my head my throat seemed to close up as if I was being choked by an invisible hand.
I was struggling to breath, finally being dragged back to reality by Dario shaking me as I gasped for breath.
" Thalia, snap out of it breath Baby you have to breathe!!!!"
I heard his voice had a hint of panic in it but I could find my breath. I was overwhelmed by fear. It filled me up as if it was a living thing taking me over.
"Thalia!!!"
The next thing I became aware of was Dario's lips against mine and his hands one cupping my face the other on the small of my back pulling me towards him as he kissed me like he never kissed me before. It wasn't soft or gentle, this kiss was demanding and unyielding. The intensity of his kiss brought me back to my senses but too late I realized that while my mind was struggling to return to reality my body acted on its own. My hands were tangled in his hair as I moved closer to him answering his kiss. Still under the spell of the kiss he pressed me backward onto the couch trapping me in between his hard body and the softness of the couch just as my mind started to protest that this is going way too fast in dangerous territory Dario seems to come to his senses. Moving with a blinding speed he was off of me and across the room in an instant. As I struggled upright making sure that my clothes were still in the correct places I saw him struggle to gain control his broad shoulders heaving his muscles tensed as he held himself in place.
" Give me a minute, don't move or say anything or else we would be back where we were and this time I won't stop and I will be crossing the line."
Crossing the line… didn't he just annihilate that line or was it just me that thought he did. Hell a few minutes longer and well neither of us would have been going anywhere today except upstairs.
"Are you ok? I didn't mean to let it go that far or get so intense, you were having a panic attack and I just wanted to snap you out of it but hell, Baby you are my kryptonite, you're more of a danger to me than anything else out there. I mean this in the best way darling but you undo me, what you do to me should be considered a crime."
" Yeah I am ok, and I know exactly what you mean."
" I know what you were thinking by the way. And no I don't want nor do I think there will ever be a female that can take your place or replace you. Because babe you're it! I was lost to the female species the moment I laid eyes on you there has not been anyone since nor would there be."
"It is not that I don't believe you like me but I have seen that fiscal attraction doesn't last long. Dario, I can't end up like my mother if I let myself lower my guard and fall for you. That is it there will be no way out for me."
I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe he would try and convince me some more or make promises but I sure as hell didn't expect him to smile at me and to make it that much more annoying it was that sexy cocky smile the one that I love and drives me insane at the same time. Walking over to me very slowly he stops and bends forward placing his hands on both sides of my head effectively trapping me.
" Baby, if you think you haven't fallen for me you're straight up in denial. The only thing stopping you from throwing caution to the wind is fear but let me make this crystal clear to you. You already lost the war"
Bending even lower till he is right next to my ear…
"You're, mine sweetheart and if you think I will let you leave me or let anyone else have you, you're dead wrong."
Standing suddenly he walked towards the door as if he didn't just make a declaration that sent my heart racing and robbed me of my heart, body, and soul.
"I will give you a day or two to think about this but note this Thalia even if you are not ok with this plan, you are mine and you will be my princess sooner or later…"
With that, he steps outside to wait inside the car. Taking a few good deep breaths I get up only to find my legs have been reduced to jello sticks.
Now by this time you are probably wondering why vampires have cars, simple answer is because they like it and because some do leave Nosferatu to live in the human world most of them claiming they suffer from Solar Urticaria, an allergy to sunlight. Therefore they learn to drive and just like cars even though they don't really need them.
Finally, I made it to the car where he sat patiently waiting for me. As we set off towards the castle we didn't talk at all but the silence that fell between us is not uncomfortable. I know he is giving me space to think about everything he said, and I am thankful for that.
No sooner did we arrive at the palace when Logan came out to meet us first asking how I was feeling and if anything should feel off that I should tell one of them immediately, after that he informed us that the King would like to see us asap. We walked to the King's study in silence but years of training made me very much aware that Dario was watching my every move even the other high-ranking guards were.
As we entered the King's study he was seated not behind his desk as usual but on one of the armchairs. Looking up from whatever he was reading, his face lit up with a warm smile.
" Dario, Thalia I am glad you made it so early. Thalia dear, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Good morning your Highness" I greet with a bow " At the moment I feel fine."
"Good, good but Thalia, if you start to feel bad or strange please let Dario, Logan, Leo, Danica, Lucian, or Griffin know immediately. This my dear also brings me to a new point until the change has passed you will not be permitted to be alone. I am sorry if you feel annoyed by this but your safety is most important right now. I do hope you understand."
Thinking to myself that this is going to suck and drive me insane I just smile at the King knowing that he is coming from a place of caring.
" Of course your Highness I appreciate that my safety is praised so highly."
" You're special to us all my dear now if you would please step outside. I would like to have a word with Dario."
" Of course your Highness, your Grace, I will be waiting for you outside."
Stepping out into the hall I close the heavy door behind me only to turn around to find Lucian mere inches away from me.
" Good gracious Lucian, make some noise you scared me I could seriously hurt you you know."
" That Honey, I think, is highly unlikely. How are you feeling?"
" Like I am being treated like a porcelain doll… but if you meant am I feeling better than I did last night then yeah I feel better."
" It is only because we all love you and want to keep you, safe honey."
"Yeah, yeah I know… so I hear you approved of Leo and Logan's crazy idea."
" Yes, I did because I think it is the best option at the moment and because he really cares about you, Thalia. I would not have approved of this crazy plan as you call it if I did not truly believe he loved you."
" So you think I should agree to it and become his consort?"
He almost laughs out loud at this statement
" O, Honey sometimes you amaze me you truly do. The limits you would go running from the things that scare you. We both know that he wants to marry you hell I think given half the chance he will marry you today if he could. But he is smart. He knows you need time to get used to the idea of being in a relationship. But yes I do believe you should give in and accept this crazy idea and above all accept him. Because you won't find anyone that will love you more than he does."
Dario
As Thalia left I started to feel anxious. I don't like the idea of not having her in my site.
" So Logan and Lucian have told me about the idea Leo came up with. How do you feel about it?"
" Dad, you need to be a bit more specific about that question."
" Do you agree with it?"
" I love her dad more than is probably good for my sanity, but I do. I love her. I want to make her my bride but if making her my consort will keep her safe and give her time to accept the idea of a romantic relationship then yes I agree."
"I am glad to hear your feelings for her are this strong and true goodness knows she has been through too much in her life and seeing what love did to her poor mother no one can blame her for being scared of everything to do with a romantic relationship. Have you spoken to Thalia about it yet?"
As my dad's question fills the air between us images of the morning's kiss flood my mind. Yeah, I spoke to her and made it very clear how I felt now it's all up to her. Does she know that she is literally holding not only my heart in her tiny little hands but also my life and soul…
" Yeah I did, I am giving her time to think it over and decide what she wants to do. I won't force this on her if she doesn't want it then I will come up with another way to keep her safe and protected."
" That is good, a wise decision; she must not feel pressured into any decision."
"I agree"
" But that being said Dario I know she only moved into her little cottage yesterday but she can't stay there alone. Marcus has never hidden the fact that he despises Thalia and I do believe he will use the 'change' to do her great harm."
" Don't worry Dad I got this covered. I was not planning on letting her be alone even if she thinks she is."
" Good, now please go do whatever it is you do during the night. I do have a lot to do and as much as I love you. I have to kick you out of my office now, please tell Lucian to come in, and also do remember to inform your mother that Thalia is ok and do promise her that she will be the first to know if Thalia accepts and becomes your consort. I do believe your mother is more eager for you and Thalia to get married than you are and not to mention your sister. I do believe she has given the same time to planning your wedding as she is planning her own. Though I have to say that poor Griffin is still plucking up the courage to ask for her hand and I can't blame him it must seem quite daunting to him. If only someone would tell him that we already approved of his and Danica's relationship."
I left my father's study smiling. Maybe I should let it slip to Griffin the poor man is completely whipped for my dear sister but then I can't laugh. I am just as whipped if not more so for Thalia.
Greeting Lucian and conveying my father's message, Thalia and I head off to the gym. I need a good workout to get my mind off of certain things and focus on what I should be doing, training the guards. I guess my official work title would be General. I am in charge of the military side of things Logan and Leo both help my Father in the running of the vampire realm and, I make sure we can protect and defend it if the need should ever arise but lately I find it harder to keep my focus on that as it seems to stray to a curtain Crimson-haired Dhampir…