Mature: Desert Moon

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's instincts kicked up a notch at the man's words. He was paranoid after hearing Herod's talk of insiders within the castle, and he didn't know how to protect both his loved ones at once. He suspected Atul was in greater danger at the moment, but Tenele was his wife, and he hadn't seen her for days. He was tempted to take his advice, but he also felt suspicious that it had been offered. Was he being crazy?

He knew better than to try to move Atul right now, as much as he wanted to keep him in sight. "I will go quickly to see Tenele," he said to the king. "I'll return as soon as possible."

[Emora Deen]

The midwife was hurrying down the main corridor to the royal living quarters when she saw Vlad coming towards her. "Oh, my lord, I was just coming to see you. I'd heard that you wanted to see me. Your wife is doing well, she's sleeping, and the child is very healthy. What was it that you needed to speak with me about?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad paused as he ran into her, a bit embarrassed. "I had hoped to ask you about my wife," he said, "But I need to see her for myself after all." He pushed aside the wave of hunger that assaulted him. She'd been running, after all. "Tell me about the last few days," he invited her as he put a cajoling arm around her shoulders and redirected her in the direction she'd just come.

[Emora Deen]

The midwife blinked her confusion away and began to give him an overview of the last few days. "I helped her walk around a bit yesterday so she could get some use in her legs. She's gained strength back enough to do small tasks, but tires easily. She's stopped taking the medicine, against the suggestion of the nurses. She says she isn't in any pain, and her heart is set on feeding her child. I can understand her desire..." The midwife pursed her lips together. "Right now she's sleeping. The child was restless last night. No one has bothered her, and we hadn't any incidents that would cause worry.... However, you may not be met warmly at first. She hasn't admitted it, but I think she's been very concerned."

The midwife opened the door for him. "Do you want privacy?"

[Soran Nightblade]

"Please," Vlad confirmed as his soul seemed to tug at him to enter the room. "Thank you for the news, and I need one more favor of you."

The woman nodded uncertainly.

"The king is home. I want you to direct two comfortable beds to be brought to the hospital ward downstairs. Then pack up Tenele and the king's wardrobe, enough for several days' comfort. Is that clear?"

The woman's eyes went wide. "T..the hospital, sir? I can remove myself from his quarters at once. I haven't even touched his bed-"

"He is there for a reason. I'll thank you to keep it quiet," the vampire said gently. "Take your time setting yourself up a bit closer to the ward.

When he'd finally convinced her of his instructions, he turned and made his way into the bedroom. His wife's familiar scent made his exhausted body alert with anticipation. "Tenele," he breathed as he recognized her graceful form on the bed. He was at her side in a blink, sitting down on the mattress beside her. "My maiden," he called quietly, stroking her stray hair behind her ear.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele blinked her eyes opened slowly, pressing her face into his hand. After her gaze focused on him and she realized she wasn't dreaming, water blurred her vision. He'd left so suddenly, without a word of good bye. Without telling anyone where he was going or when he'd be back. She'd played it strong the whole time, but now that he was here and she knew he was safe, she couldn't hold it back. She covered her face with her hands and rolled over so he couldn't see, her shoulders shaking with each sob.

"I worried about you," she told him as she tried to dry her tears. "No one knew where you'd gone. The Midwife said that you went to retrieve Atul, but took no one but Talon with you and no one knew where... and you didn't come back. For days you didn't come back. I worried that Maxwell had grown impatient and snatched you away or that they had taken you as they took Atul." Tenele rolled over, narrowing her gaze on him. "Don't ever do that to me again. Don't ever leave without saying good bye."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad bowed to her deeply. "I am sorry, my love," he said. He ached at the sound of her tears. "I will not do it again. If Atul's life had not hung in the balance, I would have waited until you woke."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele knew it was silly of her to be this upset, because she agreed with him. Atul's life was more important than a silly farewell. But, days of not knowing if he were okay or not had taken its toll on her. "You found him?" she asked. "Is he hurt? Where is he?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad met her eyes, torn between relief at seeing her safe and the sudden impulse to give in to the fear that had been pounding at his insides and trying to get out since he'd found Atul in the hellish room. He suppressed the fear, at least in his voice. "I found him, and he is here. And he is hurt," he almost whispered. He was so, so hurt. So hurt the vampire didn't know how to deal with it. He'd focused on the task of getting him home, and he felt certain that he'd failed the man somehow by not supporting him better, not talking more. He didn't know how to see Atul hurt. Not like that.

"I would like to spend the night at his side. Will you join me?" he invited softly.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded. "Of course," she whispered. She grew flustered, trying not to think of how hurt he was. Maybe it wasn't so bad. But, if Atul hadn't healed yet... Her stomach twisted. "Let me get Tenara."

Tenele pushed up slowly, brushing past him as she stood. She went to the bassinet next to the bed and scooped up the child gently. "Shh," she hushed softly, cradling the baby girl. "Daddy's home... Everything's alright." She pressed a kiss on the infant's cheek and turned towards her husband. "I'll get Melinda to bring her bed down for us. I don't like the idea of her being all the way up here and so far from me. I promise she won't keep him from resting."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's tense heartrate seemed to drop to a standstill as he caught the sound of his daughter's voice. The child was like a sweet dream he had completely forgotten. His feet brought him to Tenele's side of their own will. "Tenara," he said kindly to the small thing in his wife's arms. "I am at your side." He reached a finger toward her, and she clutched it tightly. Warmth flooded his chest, making him almost giddy. "This is a miracle Tenele," he breathed.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled at Vlad as he interacted with Tenara. It warmed her to see them together after he had been gone so long. "She is," Tenele agreed. "I had resigned myself to the knowledge we would never have this... Never hold our own. But, here she is and she is beautiful."

"I want Atul to see her so badly," Tenele grinned. "He'll fall in love the moment he sees her. She's going to get wrapped around his finger. Yours too. I already see it."

Tenele shifted to the tips if her toes and pressed her lips to his. "I'm sorry for berating you when you've just arrived. I'm glad your home."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's pulse remembered itself and returned, fast and stiff. "I haven't told Atul yet about Tenara. I'm sure he'll be pleased," he said, his voice holding something back. "But there's a chance he won't be able to see her."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele's brow scrunched in confusion. "Why can't he see her?" Worry began to fist around her heart. "How hurt is he, Vlad?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Visualizing the king's injuries made Vlad suddenly fierce with the need to be close to him, even though there was little he could do to help. "They tortured him. He hasn't talked much since I found him. His eyes...they scarred him. He's past healing on his own. The doctor is simply waiting for improvement, and keeping him alive."