Mature: Desert Moon

[Emora Deen]

Tenele didn't understand the significance of that or why he seemed distracted. She understood that there was a bad falling out between them... But, it was breakfast. It couldn't be that bad.

"You don't have to go," Tenele told him softly. She brushed his face. "You don't eat people food. I could go and eat and come back." Tenele didn't like the idea of going alone, especially when she didn't know them very well. But, she could manage a few minutes.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad grinned at her, masking his discomfort. "He saved my life last night. I need to attend. Don't worry; I can be civil when I must.

He stepped in chest to chest with her and brushed her hair back. "You're beautiful." He fell back a step and dipped his hand into the bucket from the night before, running his fingers through his hair and tugging it up into spiky tufts. He didn't notice that he was pacing.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele shook her head as he started pacing. She reached out and took his hand. "Come on," she told him. "I'll be there with you. Everything will be okay."

"Breakfast is served," the gruff voiced returned. Tenele opened the door slowly. "We're ready. Please direct us to the King's quarters." With each day she grew a little more like her old self.

The gruff Hajaran eyed Tenele and then glanced behind him to Vlad. "Follow me."

Atul was waiting for them on deck near the stern of the ship. There was a table and chairs and breakfast laid out across it. Atul jumped to his feet the moment he spotted them ascending the stairs.

"Good morning," he sighed pleasantly, smoothing his hands over his tunic. "I hope you slept well." He wanted to go to them, to hug them. Kiss them. Drag them back into his quarters and into his bed... To show them how much he'd missed them.

Tenele felt instantly shy under the king's bright stare. She couldn't help but look at his eyes. Tenara's eyes, so crystal blue and beautiful.

"Please, sit," Atul added quickly, motioning to the chairs.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad froze at the doorway as he spotted his former lover. He looked amazing. Happy. Confident.

How could he. How could he? Why was he doing this to him?

He grinned at the king nonchalantly and held Tenele's chair before taking his own. "It may be a good time to reintroduce you to my wife, your highness," he said calmly. "Tenele, this is Atul Hajaris, king of the land we are visiting. Or were visiting, you know, before the whole murder plot/wilderness survival thing."

[Emora Deen]

It felt strange for him to be reintroduced to her. It felt strange for her not to know him, after all the things they shared. So many nights and days tangled together. Loving each other. His expression faltered. Maybe it was best she didn't remember him.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Tenele," he replied, taking his own seat slowly. "Are you feeling better?"

Tenele nodded, looking at Vlad. She smiled. "Much better."

"Vlad?" Atul called. "Are you feel stronger? I have another man for you if you feel the need. Otherwise, we should dock in the morning. Tenara will be so happy to see you... She's... not been herself."

"What's wrong with her?"

"From what I'm told, after you both went overboard she went up on the top deck and... killed the man that had been attacking you. She says she doesn't remember anything. Talon believe's her. But, she's distant and quiet. This could also be because she lost you both so suddenly and under frightening conditions." Atul lifted the glass to his lips. "I'm sure she will feel much better when her mother can hold her again."

[Soran Nightblade]

"If you're not partial to him, I'll take your other man," Vlad said easily. It was hard to imagine an appetite at the moment. "You didn't see Tenara yourself?"

[Emora Deen]

Atul nodded off towards a man standing behind them. That man turned and disappeared below the decks. "I saw her, very briefly. I had to board the ship to retrieve you. That's where my concern stems from. Her eyes barely even lit up to see me... though I guess I don't entirely blame her," he whispered. He didn't have the stomach for breakfast anymore either.

Tenele wanted to go to her immediately. The poor child. She pushed her food around on her plate. She wasn't hunger anymore, but she knew she needed to eat. A crab in three days was not exactly a balanced diet. Tenele put food in her mouth, but she didn't taste it.

"You said that if we got you to that island you'd pardon us," the pirate spat. He rubbed his newly released wrists. "I've been locked in that brig for the better part of this trip. Where's Riley?" The pirate glanced over the deck, his eyes settling on Tenele. "Ello," he cooed, bending forward. "You're a pretty one. Why don't you bale on these boring nobles. I'll show you excitement you've never dreamed of."

Tenele chose to ignore him, like he wasn't even there, and continued eating.

"Bitch," he huffed, straightening.

Atul glowered. "Unfortunately, Mr. Riley was not given a pardon. As you are not entitled to one, either, I have arranged for someone to dispose of you." Atul lifted a glass to his lips. "And you made the mistake of calling his wife a bitch."

The man squinted in confusion, casting a glance at Tenele.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad scowled at the man, and at Atul. He didn't want Tenele to go through any more leering and jeering, especially not at breakfast. "There was no need to bring him here," he said coldly. "I'm not going to make a spectacle of myself. Excuse me." He took the man by the throat, like he was scruffing a pup, and dragged him to the back room at an unnatural angle. From the way the man's feet dragged, Vlad's angry grip may have already killed him. The vampire shut the door hard behind him.

[Emora Deen]

Atul blinked in confusion. Vlad had never had a problem killing anyone in front of Tenele before... and she could more than handle a man who was being pushy. He'd seen it a number of times. So what was the deal?

He watched Tenele eat, like it was some task that she had decided to focus all her attention too.

She had lost her memories... Maybe she didn't like his violent nature anymore? Maybe that was why Vlad was so upset?

"Tenele," the King sighed. "I'm sorry. I apologise."

Tenele swallowed. "Its okay," she murmured. "I'm okay."

"Good," he sighed. "I'll be right back. Stay here."

Tenele watched him leave. He went straight into the room Vlad had entered and closed the door behind him.

"Forgive me," he told Vlad quickly. "I'm sorry. Old habits die hard. I didn't think that it might be difficult for Tenele to see your more frightening nature."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad looked over at the king. He'd grieved the loss of this relationship for so long, and every word the man spoke seemed to undo his progress. He looked out through the porthole at the waves outside the ship. "Tenele's been abused. It happened right after she lost her memories. She couldn't defend herself. I didn't find her in time." He took a deep breath and frowned at the man lying dead at his feet. Those sorts of men should not be allowed anywhere near her for a while. She barely trusts people as it is."

[Emora Deen]

Atul wasn't sure what he was implying at first. Abused? He thought about the beautiful, strong woman he knew, and then the meek, quiet, frightened one he'd just met. Abused... He thought about how she lashed out at him when he'd kissed her. The terror in her eyes when she clung to the wall in the corner of the lean-to.

Atul's face lit with rage. The idea of her being hurt by someone, especially like that, while she was frightened and confused, drove him into a red heat. "Please, tell me he's dead. That you ripped him into tiny pieces so he can't hurt her or frighten her again?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad nodded. "I took care of it, but I was too late to stop it. Sinead was dying, and I..." He stopped as he realized he was slipping into old habits with the man. "Okay...I'm going to have my breakfast in here. I'll rejoin you shortly."

[Emora Deen]

Atul frowned. "Vlad," he whispered. He reached out and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "You need to talk to someone about this. She's your wife. You can't just bottle it up and move on. I know we have our problems, but I still care for you. Talk to me."

[Soran Nightblade]

The moment Atul's hand touched his shoulder, Vlad's emotional temperature began a rapid drop. By the time he was done speaking the vampire's mood was sub-zero. "Oh, now you want to be here for me? Fuck you. Fucking king," he snarled. "Keep your damned pirate."

[Emora Deen]

Atul drew back like the vampire had struck him. "Vlad..." he frowned at him. He should have known better than attempt to be nice to him. Once Vlad wrote you off, he wrote you off for good. Nothing would come of him trying to befriend the vampire.

Atul's heart hurt. The pain was visible in his eyes. He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Forgive me. This was a bad idea. I didn't mean to upset you." Atul turned from him and left.

"I'm sorry, Tenele, I have to attend to something, but please... Enjoy the breakfast," he breathed. The sight of her, those green eyes, and knowing that someone had hurt her... Knowing he couldn't comfort her, or hug her, or make Vlad feel better. It ripped him in pieces. He looked sick.

"Are you okay?" she asked him, standing up slowly.

Atul waved her off. "I'm fine," he replied. "I'll see you later." The King disappeared down the steps and bellow deck.