Four months ago, after Dominick returned from his dark lady's estate, a noticeable change had come over him. He seemed burdened, as if carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders. The carefree demeanour Marcus was accustomed to had vanished, replaced by a somberness that lingered in his eyes and weighed down his every step.
Dominick no longer indulged in playful banter or inappropriate jokes. Instead, he had grown serious and withdrawn, his once vibrant spirit dulled, his appearance unkempt and neglected.
"Are you alright?" Velor's concerned voice broke the tense silence, his question directed at Dominick who lay sprawled on the bed, staring vacantly at the cracked ceiling.
Dominick let out a humourless chuckle, his voice raspy. "If I said I was well, would you believe me?" He sat up, running a hand through his unkempt hair.
"I did find some useful information," he continued, his eyes darting between Velor and Marcus, "but..." A heavy silence descended once more, leaving the unfinished sentence hanging ominously.
Finally, Dominick forced a tight smile. "Just give me more time. I promise I'll speak."
The air crackled with unspoken truths, a sense of dread prickling the back of Marcus's neck. Something dark had taken root in Dominick during his time away, a troubling secret weighing him down like an anchor.
Dominick rose abruptly from the bed and departed without another word, leaving Marcus and Velor alone in the chamber's oppressive stillness.
"It's been a whole week since he's returned, but he's not looking well at all," Velor remarked, his gaze lingering on the closed door.
"Do you think he'll find my cure?" A worried crease furrowed his brow as he turned to Marcus.
"All we can do is wait," Marcus replied, offering what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "He'll come to us when he's ready."
But as he stood, a determined glint flickered in his eyes. "But I'll try to talk to him as well. If it can help us get that information."
Marcus strode to the door, pausing with his hand on the latch to glance back at Velor with a faint smile. Then he was gone, descending the long winding staircase leading deep into the castle's dank cellar.
He made his way down the familiar steps, the musty odours of aged stone and damp earth enveloping him. Dominick's "room" was hardly a proper chamber at all - just a cramped alcove tucked away amid row upon row of dusty wine racks and mould-speckled barrels.
As Marcus neared the dimly lit nook, he caught the heavy scent of smouldering wood mingling with the sweet aroma of some exotic herb. A soft glow seeped through the partially open door.
He gave a customary rap of his knuckles against the aged wood. "Dominick? It's Marcus."
"Enter," came the muffled reply.
The door swung inward with a protesting creak to reveal Dominick lounging in a well-worn but comfortable looking armchair before the fireplace. He quirked an eyebrow at Marcus, a hint of a smirk playing about his lips.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, my friend?" His tone held an unmistakable undercurrent of something Marcus couldn't quite put his finger on. Suggestiveness? Cajoling? He shook his head minutely, dispelling the notion.
"You know why I've come," Marcus said, willing his voice to remain even. He moved further inside, taking an offered seat on the edge of Dominick's bed. The intimate surroundings made him feel unaccountably ill At ease.
"Velor worries about you," he went on. "About your journey and what you may have uncovered regarding his...condition."
A knowing look flickered across Dominick's features then, swiftly replaced by an innocuous smile. "Ever the dutiful companion, aren't you Marcus?"
Before Marcus could respond, Dominick rose fluidly and crossed the short distance between them. He lowered himself to the bed beside Marcus, near enough that their thighs nearly touched.
"But tell me," Dominick murmured, holding Marcus's gaze with smouldering intensity. "What of your own...concerns, hmm? Are you not worried for me as well?"
The husky timbre of Dominick's voice sent an unbidden shiver down Marcus's spine. He found himself unable to look away from the mesmerising depths of the other man's eyes.
"You are...not yourself of late, Dominick," Marcus managed at last, proud at how steady he kept his tone. "I will admit, it does give me pause."
Dominick held his gaze a moment more before throwing his head back with a rich peal of laughter that should not have sounded so unsettling.
"Oh Marcus, always such the worrier." He clapped the other man's shoulder in a display of camaraderie that somehow felt weighted with darker insinuation. "I assure you, all will become clear once I am ready to share what I learned. For now..."
That heated look returned as Dominick leaned in closer, his lips a hairsbreadth from Marcus's ear. "For now," he murmured, his voice a low caress, "let's simply enjoy each other's company, shall we?"
Marcus stiffened imperceptibly at Dominick's intimate proximity, a primal instinct warning him of potential peril. He stood abruptly, staring down at Dominick with a furrowed brow and cheeks flushed ever so slightly. Dominick glanced up at him from his crouch by the fireplace, those penetrating eyes dancing with mischief as he flashed Marcus a smile that bordered on wolfish.
For a fleeting moment, it was almost as if the old Dominick had returned - the charming, irreverent rogue. But just as quickly, that playful spark diminished, leaving only the strange, disquieting shadow of the man he had become.
"Seems you truly don't desire my company this evening," Marcus stated, trying and failing to inject some dismissive levity into his tone. A lump formed in his throat, belying his attempt at nonchalance. "So I'll take my leave, then."
He turned to the door, the scent of sweet herbs and Dominick's warmth lingering in the air. Just as he reached for the latch, a softly murmured voice stopped him in his tracks.
As he turned to go, Dominick's voice reached out, a soft promise
"I'll come to you soon, Marcus."
The words, spoken in that rich timbre that used to bring him such ease, now only furthered the sense of disquieting dread pooling in Marcus's gut. He offered no reply, simply pulling open the door and hastening back in the direction of the winding cellar stairs.
Once in his own bedchamber, Marcus flung himself down atop the mattress, expelling a ragged sigh. He knew Dominick had been growing strange, erratic ever since returning from his mysterious errands. But this newfound attitude went beyond mere strangeness.
The way Dominick looked at him with those heated, hungry eyes... the weighted innuendo in his every word... it was as if he sought to unsettle Marcus, to insinuate himself beneath his skin in a manner that sent a chill through him.
He closed his eyes, surrendering to the pull of sleep. The long night brought a measure of solace, easing the worries and unfamiliar feelings that had plagued him. But when morning came, those sensations hadn't vanished entirely. A lingering warmth, a ghost of Dominick's words, remained, a tantalising reminder of the night before.
He rose from the bed, shaking off the remnants of sleep. With practised movements, he washed and dressed, following the familiar routine that grounded him. In the kitchen, he found a simple breakfast to appease his grumbling stomach before setting off on his duties as Velor's servant.
The village streets were familiar territory, each step echoing with the responsibilities Velor had once shouldered. As he went about his tasks, the inevitable question arose from the villagers, their voices laced with concern: "Where is Lord Velor?"
Marcus offered the usual platitudes, his mind focused on the day's tasks ahead.
As the day wore on, the sky transformed into a fiery tapestry of orange and deep pink, signalling the end of another day's labours. Marcus trudged back towards the castle, his moustache dusted with the grime of his work, his clothes damp with sweat.
"You've done a wonderful job today," a familiar voice boomed as Marcus set foot within the castle gates. The Duke stood before him, a warm smile gracing his noble features.
"Your Grace," Marcus replied, bowing his head in the customary gesture of respect.
"Now, head inside. Velor may be awake by now." The Duke's smile lingered as Marcus passed by him into the castle.
Marcus made his way down to the cellar and to Velor's room, where he knocked before entering. It was not Velor who greeted him, but Dominick, sitting on the bed with an inviting smile.
"Where is Velor?" Marcus inquired, his brow furrowing as he saw Dominick in Velor's stead. He cast a quick glance around the room.
"He's taking a bath," Dominick replied, patting the spot beside him. "Come, sit with me."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Marcus's face, but he acquiesced, settling onto the bed beside Dominick. The air crackled with a feeling Marcus couldn't quite define
"So, it seems you have made up your mind?" Marcus inquired, his eyes meeting Dominick's steady gaze.
"Indeed, I have," Dominick replied, his smile widening. "Thanks to you."
"Me? What did I do?" Marcus asked, genuinely perplexed.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Dominick's smirk deepened, a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned closer to Marcus. The air between them crackled with a tension that was both exhilarating and unnerving. Marcus held his ground, his gaze unwavering, refusing to flinch at Dominick's advances
"Ha, this is why," Dominick said with a sly smile, leaning even closer. But before he could say or do anything more, the door burst open. Velor stood in the doorway, dripping wet from his bath and clad only in a loose linen robe
"It's refreshing, indeed," Velor commented, glancing at the pair before turning to his closet. He seemed unfazed by their intimacy, his focus solely on the matter at hand.
"Well, well," Velor drawled, slipping on a shirt as he joined them on the bed. "You came here alone, Dominick. Do you wish to speak now?"
"Indeed, I do," Dominick replied, tossing his hair back with a flourish.
"You should prepare yourselves for what you are about to hear," Dominick warned, turning to Velor ."It may turn your stomach."
Velor met his gaze unflinchingly. "Whatever it is, just tell me. Is there a way to cure me?"
"There is, but it's not what I wished to say." Dominick paused, pulling a scroll from his jacket. "There are ingredients needed to brew the potion. Chamomile, salt, apple vinegar, and full moon honey," he recited, tracing his finger down the list.
"Those are commonplace," Velor interjected. "We can easily procure them."
"There is more," Dominick continued, his voice lowering. "Parental essence, holy water, tears of a mortal, and..." He hesitated, a shadow passing over his face.
"One pure human soul," Dominick finally finished, his eyes locking with Velor's. The silence that followed was heavy, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"That sounds impossible," Marcus finally broke the silence, his voice filled with disbelief.
"That's all I could find about the cure from scouring my lady's library," Dominick said, placing the scroll on the bedside table.
"And there's one more thing," Dominick added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "There's a journal that speaks of... I believe it's the sunspawned."
A chill ran down Marcus's spine. "Sunspawned?"
"It says that a human who stays with a vampire during the azure night long enough, who can slip through their fangs, will absorb the vampire's essence. And well..." Dominick trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
"Well, some vampires have to claim this human as their bound blood," Dominick continued, a grave expression on his face, "or the human will wither away, or worse, the sunspawned will rip their skin off and swallow their soul." He shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of the gruesome images conjured by the words.
"But even their bond doesn't mean that the human will survive the sunspawned," Dominick said, his gaze shifting to Marcus.
"They can give you a symbol," he continued, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "I don't know what it looks like, but the journal said that if a human carries this symbol, the sunspawned can track their every move."
"And how does this symbol appear?" Marcus asked, his brow furrowing.
"There are no details about that," Dominick admitted, shaking his head.
"No, but how can a human absorb a vampire's essence during the azure night?" Velor interjected, a puzzled expression on his face.
"I don't know for certain," Dominick replied, his brow furrowed in thought. "The journal simply said it happens, and that the essence can lure evil creatures to them."
"So the vampire and human must be bound together forever?" Velor inquired, his voice tinged with concern.
"No," Dominick clarified. "It only lasts until the next azure night. The essence will dissipate on its own after that."
"So this is why you've been so strange all week?" Marcus asked, a frown creasing his brow. "It's understandable, given the circumstances."
"But how do you bind your blood exactly?" Velor pressed, his curiosity piqued.
"Simple," Dominick replied with a wry smile. "Just drink the blood of the human who has absorbed the vampire essence, and boom, you're bound together."
"And why this method?" Velor questioned further.
"We moonspawned have a vow to the moon god," Dominick explained, a touch of reverence in his voice. "We drink human blood, so we must also protect those we take from. It's a sacred duty."
"But you also turn humans into vampires?" Marcus countered, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"That's the exception," Dominick replied with a knowing smile, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Anyway, that's all I can tell you for now," Dominick chuckled, patting Velor on the back. "Looks like you're going to be stuck with me for a while."
The playful remark earned him a sharp slap on the thigh from Marcus, who glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"You are the worst!" Marcus hissed. He knew full well this so-called cure was a cruel joke. Despite Velor's mother having disappeared after his birth, it was clear this ritual required both parents. Velor was doomed to bear the vampire curse for the foreseeable future, and Dominick's jesting about it was beyond insensitive
"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do," Dominick said, his eyes filled with genuine remorse as he met Marcus's gaze.
"It's alright, Marcus," Velor said with a gentle smile, his voice surprisingly calm.
Marcus's anger bubbled over. "Perhaps you shouldn't have bitten him in the first place!" he spat, his voice sharp with accusation.
"It's already happened, Marcus," Velor said, a calming hand on Marcus's shoulder. "No need to lose your temper over something that's done."
"When something can't be fixed," Velor continued with a gentle smile, "the only way forward is to accept it."
"But..." Marcus started, his voice thick with emotion. He looked between Velor and Dominick, a storm brewing in his eyes.
"Remember this, Dominick," Marcus said, pointing a finger at him with a tremble. "I will not forget what you have done." He then turned away, unable to meet Dominick's gaze any longer
"Now, both of you, to your rooms," Velor commanded, pushing them off the bed and towards the door. "Clear your heads before you speak to each other again."
The two men found themselves standing in the cellar, an awkward silence hanging between them. Marcus could hear Dominick fidgeting beside him, the rustling of clothing betraying his unease. Marcus turned to face him, sensing the waves of remorse emanating from the other man. He knew the incident had been beyond Dominick's control, but the anger still simmered within him, a knot of frustration he couldn't unravel.
"Hey..." Dominick began, his voice barely a whisper.
"What?" Marcus's tone was sharp, but his eyes held a hint of curiosity.
"Nothing," Dominick replied, a flicker of sadness passing over his features. "Go rest. I'll talk to you later... I guess." He turned and walked towards his room, leaving Marcus standing alone.
Marcus watched Dominick's retreating figure, then turned and climbed the stairs towards his own room. There, he washed away the grime of the day, the cool water offering a brief respite from the turmoil brewing within him. As he dried himself, he replayed the events of the past few days, wrestling with his emotions. He chastised himself for acting like a petulant child, reminding himself that there must be a reason behind Dominick's actions. With a sigh, he collapsed onto his bed, seeking solace in sleep.
A week had passed, and Marcus found himself surprisingly at ease. The initial shock and anger had faded, replaced by a cautious curiosity. He and Dominick fell back into their usual routines, though their interactions now carried a lingering awkwardness, occasionally punctuated by moments of unexpected comfort.
Later that evening, Marcus made his way down to the cellar, not to seek out Velor or Dominick this time, but to retrieve a bottle of wine from the racks near Dominick's chamber. He moved as quietly as he could, acutely aware that stealth was not his forte, especially not around someone as perceptive as Dominick. He simply wanted to quench his thirst without the added discomfort of a conversation. While a tentative peace had settled between them, the air remained thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
As Marcus's fingers finally closed around the neck of the desired wine bottle, its rich red liquid swirling invitingly within, the door to Dominick's chamber creaked open. As expected, Dominick's head emerged from the shadows, his gaze fixed on Marcus with an unreadable expression
"What do you need?" Marcus asked, his voice a low rumble as he watched Dominick approach.
"I was simply wondering who was creeping around outside my room," Dominick replied with a playful smile, peering over Marcus's shoulder to see what he was holding.
"Having a drink tonight?" Dominick inquired, his smile widening as he recognized the bottle.
"Yes, I need to clear my head and..." Marcus trailed off as Dominick plucked the bottle from his grasp.
"Care to join me?" Dominick asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes
Marcus held Dominick's gaze for a beat, searching for the answers he sought in the depths of those eyes. On one hand, the prospect of a solitary drink was tempting, a chance to gather his thoughts in quietude. On the other hand, company might not be so bad, especially if it helped to ease the lingering tension between them.
After a moment's contemplation, Marcus gave a slight nod. "Very well," he acquiesced, "but in my room." He was uncertain if Dominick could still be called a friend after recent events.
Dominick's smile widened, and he disappeared into his room for a moment, returning with a bottle in hand. It was clearly no common vintage from their own cellar - the ornate design and rich label hinted at a far more refined and expensive wine.
Marcus turned and headed towards his room, Dominick following close behind. They walked in silence. The awkwardness lingered, yet the prospect of a shared drink offered a potential bridge over the newly formed rift between them that words could not.
They arrived at Marcus's room, and as the door closed behind them, the familiar silence descended once again. Marcus felt a prickle of irritation.
"It's the same as the night I was here for the first time," Dominick said with a soft chuckle, referring to the expensive bottle of wine.
"Ah yes, the night that you barged in," Marcus said, putting down the bottle he had brought from the cellar.
He paused and stared at Dominick. "You really sounded like a jerk then." A soft smile played across his lips. "Maybe you still do."
The tension broke as they both chuckled at the familiar banter. They settled on the couch nearby, and Marcus brought out two wine glasses along with some fruit and snacks he had procured from the kitchen earlier.
"Here, try this one," Dominick said, uncorking the ornate, rich-looking bottle. The pungent aroma of fermented grapes, a heady mix of sour and sweet, burst forth as soon as the seal was broken.
Marcus poured a modest amount into his glass and swirled it, allowing the bouquet to fully unveil itself before taking an appreciative sniff. He raised the glass in a silent toast to his companion before venturing a sip, letting the full-bodied vintage coat his tongue.
"Exquisite," he murmured in approval, eyeing Dominick over the rim of his glass.
"I got this bottle as a gift from my dark lady, it's been a while," Dominick smiled, clearly pleased to see Marcus enjoying the fine vintage.
Marcus paused, putting down his glass and selecting a small piece of cheese from the platter. "I was wondering, since the first day..." He trailed off, giving Dominick an appraising look. "You can tell me if this is inappropriate to ask."
"Go on," Dominick prompted, a curious glint in his eyes.
"Did you and your dark lady have a... close relationship?" Marcus asked, his gaze unwavering. "Since you can't seem to stop mentioning her, even after she tried to murder you."
Dominick smiled fondly, a playful spark in his eyes as the rich wine emboldened him. He leaned back against the couch, draping an arm along the back as he angled himself toward Marcus in a manner that could be interpreted as casual or suggestive.
"Are you curious about my past...relationships?" he asked, voice lowered as he leaned in slightly. His hand brushed against Marcus's shoulder in a way that could almost be interpreted as accidental.
Marcus rolled his eyes good-naturedly, used to Dominick's incorrigible flirtatious banter by now and taking it as just his usual joking manner. He maintained his composure with a sip of wine. He cleared his throat. "If you'd rather not discuss it, I understand," he replied evenly, though his cheeks flushed slightly.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Dominick tsked, leaning in until they were almost inappropriately close before pulling back with a roguish grin. "Allow me to pique your interest first."
He traced a fingertip tantalisingly along the nape of Marcus's neck. Marcus tensed slightly at the intimate touch but dismissed it as Dominick merely hamming it up for effect, as always.
An awkward yet charged silence stretched between them before Marcus broke it with a low chuckle, oblivious to the true nature of Dominick's flirtation. "Well? Do go on and 'pique my interest,' you relentless tease."
Dominick's eyes danced with a hint of something more than just delight at flustering his friend. Topping off their glasses, he launched into the most enticing morsels of his sordid romantic tales, each casual touch and heated glance carrying layers of meaning that Marcus remained charmingly unaware of.
As Dominick regaled Marcus with tales of his romantic escapades with the Dark Lady, his words dripping with innuendo and secret promises, the wine that normally didn't affect Marcus began to take its effect.
A blush crept across his cheeks, deepening with each sip, each suggestive detail. He shifted uncomfortably, the blush spreading down his neck, unsure if it was the strong wine or the increasingly intimate nature of Dominick's stories that was setting his skin on fire.
"So you and her... just had that kind of relationship?" Marcus asked with a sigh, unable to meet Dominick's gaze.
"Are you jealous?" Dominick teased, tilting his head to better study Marcus's reddened face.
Marcus frowned at him. "Why would I be?" He forced a soft smile, trying to brush off the suggestion.
Needing a distraction, Marcus refilled his glass from the nearly-empty bottle. He downed it in one go, hastily popping a piece of cheese into his mouth afterward.
As he was chewing, Dominick leaned in close, his lips nearly brushing Marcus's ear as he murmured in a low rumble, "I wish you were."
Marcus froze, the cheese caught in his throat as Dominick's heated words sent a jolt through him. He coughed, eyes watering, acutely aware of the sudden shift in the atmosphere between them.
When he finally recovered enough to speak, Marcus's voice came out strained. "I... you..." He trailed off, at a loss for words as he finally met Dominick's heated gaze, searching for the truth behind that loaded statement.
Dominick's expression softened, and he returned a gentle smile. "You don't have to say anything," he assured Marcus, his voice a soothing balm