Holier Than Thou

[Emora Deen]

Tenele glanced to her leg, smoothing her hand over her dress. "Its healing fine, the soreness is nearly gone. I was scolded for reopening my stitching." Tenele lifted her green eyes to him, wanting to tell him the rest, wanting to tell him that Verin had paid her a visit in his absence, but she wasn't ready to dampen the mood.

"The room wasn't so cold, I made a fire at night. But, the bed was large and empty. It made me lonely," she whispered, leaning in against him. "I missed you holding me while I slept."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad drew her into his arms tightly. It felt good to be missed. "I'll make it up to you tonight," he said warmly. "Do you two want a minute alone?" He'd had all week to dig through what Talon had been through while they'd been at the Border. He even thought he could start to understand why he'd taken his own life. But Tenele probably still needed an explanation, or at least some reassurance.

[Emora Deen]

Talon nodded to Vlad, waiting for him to step out of the room. "What you saw when you got back, you didn't deserve that," Talon began. "I am sorry, I know I said it before, but I am saying it again. I couldn't do it Tenele. I tried every possible way to find a cure, and there wasn't one. It hurt to live, or at least, dying hurt. That's why I did it. That's why I drank Verin's poison."

Tenele sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. "Its okay," she whispered. "I just wish you would have told me, Talon. Vlad told me on our honeymoon, I had to find out through him. He only told me because of our father." Tenele was about to go into that long drawn out story when Talon held up his hand.

His red eyes were unnerving, and she wasn't used to seeing him with them. "I know the story," Talon muttered. "Vlad told me about our mother, about what Vincent said, and he told me about Verin."

Tenele reached up and rubbed her arm, glancing to the dark fireplace.

"You thought the poison was meant for me," Tenele muttered.

"I did at first, and now I think it was meant for me. I think Verin knew I was going to die and knew I'd drink it. I think he knew it would hurt you if I did," Talon muttered. He took a step forward, rage flowering in him. "I wouldn't have given him the satisfaction had I known. Our parents abandoned us Tenele, I'll not abandon you, and that's exactly what I almost did. I'm sorry."

Tenele nodded. "I'm scared Talon," she whispered, glancing to the door. She wasn't sure if Vlad was listening, she was afraid he was and at the same time she hoped he was.

Talon took another step forward. "We'll keep you safe, I promise."

"No one can keep me safe," Tenele choked out, looking up at him. "He's a god. I'm not going to be safe anywhere I go, and I'm scared. I hate being scared."

"I know that," Talon nodded. "But, we won't let him hurt you."

Tenele bit back her frustration, finally nodding instead of arguing. "Yes, I know. I'll be fine." Arguing with a New vampire probably was on the list of "not to do" somewhere.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad leaned against the wall in the hallway. He was shamelessly eavesdropping on the siblings when a stern voice brought his full attention to his left.

"Lord Dracul, you've returned to my capital without so much as a greeting." Upon seeing his wide red eyes, she broke into a smile.

"Yo, Queenie," Vlad smirked, raising a hand in salute.

Her eyes immediately caught on his wedding ring, and she rushed toward him. "It's happened! Oh, Vlad..." She was almost gushing. Vlad never saw her like this. He stared at her curiously as she grabbed and inspected his hand.

"Where is Tenele? Is she inside? I've been visiting Fenrir on business all week and came straight up when I heard she was back."

"Queenie, hold back a minute," Vlad suggested, moving to block the door.

"Stand aside, Lord Dracul," she warned, her command swimming through his veins like a reflex. He flopped sideways into the wall, his muscles unwilling to disobey her as she burst into Vlad's chambers. "Tenele, my dear," she smiled as she spotted her maiden and crossed the room toward her. "And Talon, no less," she added as she noticed the long-haired silver figure beside her.

[Emora Deen]

Talon flinched towards Sinead, her sudden entrance sparking every desire he had to pounce. Tenele stood up quickly, coming between them, throwing her body full force into his. Talon stumbled over her, but she managed to hold him still long enough to catch his nerves.

Talon turned his face away, huffing air.

"Sinead!" Tenele said enthusiastically, hoping it looked more like Talon was super happy to see her, but Tenele wanted a hug more. After all, the two siblings had vied for her attention as children.

She through her arms around the Queen, hugging her tightly.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad entered slowly behind Sinead and shut the door, while the queen embraced Tenele happily. "I'm so proud of you, my dear!" she gushed.

"Queenie, this is improper to ask, but could you have a seat please?" Vlad said frankly. He waved his hand, and one of his plush armchairs slid next to Sinead.

"I'm just fine standing. What's wrong, Vladimir?" Sinead demanded as she noticed his serious expression.

"You're distracting my ward," Vlad said, sparing a warning glance at Talon. The New vampire seemed dangerously off center at the moment, and if he wasn't mistaken, tempers in the room were about to get worse.

[Emora Deen]

Talon glanced to Sinead with red eyes. "You really might want to sit," he advised, stepping to the farthest corner of the room away from them, and leaning against the wall.

Tenele nodded to Sinead, gently urging her back into the chair.

[Soran Nightblade]

Sinead sat down slowly. Her pale blue eyes studied Talon warily as she sat. "Talon," she said very evenly, calm yet stern. "Come here."

[Emora Deen]

Talon frowned, shifting unevenly on his feet. He stared through the ruby glass down at the red tinted ground. After a moment he turned and waltzed towards Sinead, very slowly. He'd always been a graceful man, but now there was a certain haunting waltz to his step.

When he was close enough to her, he lifted his crimson gaze to her. "It was for the best," he pointed out.

[Soran Nightblade]

Sinead looked up into Talon's eyes knowingly. Perhaps she'd known before he even approached her. "Who did this to you?" she asked firmly.

[Emora Deen]

Talon lifted his gaze to Vlad. "He did it to save me," Talon told Sinead. "I was dying."

[Soran Nightblade]

Sinead's eyes and voice grew harsh. "WHO did?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele hesitated, slipping away to stand closer to Vlad encase she needed to act as a human shield for her husband.

"Vlad," Talon told her evenly. "He turned me. It was my choice."

[Soran Nightblade]

Sinead's gaze was cold now. "Vlad does not turn people. He does not turn anyone. He has sworn it to me. He has sworn it to himself." Her eyes finally released Talon and turned to Vlad instead. "Tell me you did not do this disgraceful thing. Tell me, Vladimir!"

The vampire frowned at her, conspicuously silent.

If Sinead could have struck him with her gaze alone, she would have. "Kneel."

"Sinead-"

"Kneel!" The dead king's knees folded like paper under him. A wave of her hand dropped him fully to his elbows, his face nearly slamming into the floor.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele's eyes widened and she stepped towards Sinead, holding out her hands as if too calm the queen's temper. "Please, Vlad only did it because Talon didn't want to die. I didn't want him to die. Do not be angry with him." Tenele reached out for her adopted mother. "He did it because he loves us."