Mature: Desert Moon

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's eyes twitched wide. A lethal red glow entered his gaze. She couldn't possibly mean that kind of rack? He suddenly noticed the way she was standing, the uncomfortable movement of her joints. "Plenty of time," he said in a tone that promised violence as his ruby gaze scanned her. "You can lean on me, if you wish."

What was he doing? Maybe this Tenele actually preferred to be carried. He was used to her wanting her autonomy.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele appraised him for a moment. There was a frightening look in his eyes that made her wary, but also... safe. This man confused her senses. "I guess if you were going to eat me you would have done it in the woods," she whispered to him, reaching out for him slowly.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smirked and fought his urge to say something perverse. "I will avoid eating you if at all possible," he scoffed.

On second thought, maybe it was okay to at least explain a little bit about himself. "I'm Vlad. I also serve in the Queen's court, since my human days and onward, for several hundred years.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled. "Vlad," she mulled over the name, hoping it would ring a bell. It didn't. "So we work together?" she asked him, hobbling along with him. "Do we work together often like tonight?" Her brow knit with concentration as she focused on walking and speaking with him. "Vlad..." she mused again.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Very often," he smiled, looking away to hide his reaction to hearing her say his name. He put a hand on her waist politely and escorted her toward Sinead's room. The guards outside her chamber stepped out of the way immediately as they passed, not questioning their clearance.

Sinead was asleep on the medical cot, but her eyelids fluttered open as they entered. "Please hide your condition, for now," Vlad whispered to his....to Tenele. "She is still weak."

The queen recognized them and smiled tiredly as they approached. "Tenele, my dear...Vladimir tells me you spotted the plant for my cure. Thank you, as always," she said, touching the girl's hand.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled at Sinead. She had such a warm smile. So inviting and friendly. Tenele curled her fingers around the woman's hand. This is who she called mother? "You're welcome," she told Sinead, doing as Vlad asked. She understood not wanting to worry the woman in her weakened state. "You'll be better soon. We'll punish those who did this to you. We shouldn't keep you. You should rest."

Tenele's eyes brimmed with tears. How could she have forgotten all of this. From the vampire she worked with, to the woman who she called mother and fought to protect. "Please, feel better soon."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad nodded to the queen. "I am at your service, my Queen," he said formally, tapping his head. "We'll give you quiet." He began escorting Tenele out, when Sinead's voice stopped him.

"Tenele....why are you wearing a medical smock?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele swallowed, glancing to Vlad. "I was very dirty when we returned. Instead of sparing time to go back to my house to change, I bathed and stole this." She bowed her head to Sinead. "Good night Queeny." That's what Vlad called her, wasn't that what she called her too?

[Soran Nightblade]

Sinead narrowed her eyes. "I expect that from your husband, Tenele, but not you," she scolded gently. "Don't pick up on too many of his bad habits."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele blinked at her, confused at first. What had she said, the only thing out of the ordinary was the name she'd called her... And the only person who said her name like that...

Tenele's gaze fluttered from the Queen to the man holding her up right. She opened her mouth to protest, to bark at him, but instead she clamped her mouth shut to keep up the rouse. "Yes, ma'am," she replied in a croak.

Tenele pushed away from Vlad and stumbled to the door. She managed to make it out of the room before her knees buckled.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad tensed, giving the queen a familiar bow before pursuing his amnesiac wife. "Tenele," he said warily, hoping she hadn't really put it together that fast. His whole body was rigid with anxiety as he knelt next to her. "What is it?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele shook her head. No, she was imagining things. This guy couldn't be her husband. She had a daughter. A blue eyed beautiful daughter. Vampires couldn't have children. So this guy couldn't be her husband. If he were her husband he wouldn't hide that from her, right? He'd be concerned and want her to know who he was?

Tenele nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just... Its been a really scary day for me. Losing my memories, being chased by a vampire through the forest, torture, sexual assault... and then..." Tenele turned her eyes up to him and laughed softly. "I could use a drink."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad met her eyes in shock. Sexual assault? He'd gotten to her quickly...hadn't he? What had happened before he got to her? His voice dropped carefully. "Did someone rape you, Maiden Girl?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele blinked at him, flushing. "That's... that's a very direct question," she whispered, trying to stand. Her legs were too wobbly to be cooperative.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's heart sank. "Were you?" he insisted. He couldn't care less how little she thought it was his business.