Mature: Desert Moon

[Emora Deen]

Atul arrived a few minutes later, ascending the stairs to the veranda. He smiled when he saw Vlad pacing around the edge and admiring the view. He slipped up behind the vampire, wrapping his arms around Vlad's waist. "This is romantic of you," he murmured, pressing his lips against the vampire's shoulder. "I'm sorry I was gone all day. I was behind on my summonings, and I had to listen to all the quarrels of nobles and those who had appointments to bend my ear. I would have much rather spent it with you."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad wrapped his arms over Atul's, relaxing in his embrace. "It's all fine. The morning had a rough start. I thought it would be nice to relax together after all the business of the day. Talon's taking Tenara for the night."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele yelped, tripping on the last step. She stumbled to catch her balance, gathering the silk dress and righting herself. "So many steps," she huffed, taking a deep breath and letting out a soft sigh.

The view captured her. The torch and candle-lit city took her breath away, and the two men embracing warmed her heart. She'd dressed appropriately for the evening in a rust silk gown that was off one shoulder. Her silver hair drawn up in braids and pinned with gold clasps, and she sported a pair of dangling gold earrings. Tenele never really wore jewellery, accept for her wedding band, but she splurged for the occasion.

"Its beautiful up here!" Tenele greeted them.

Atul peered over his shoulder at her. "It is beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as you. Vlad and I are very lucky men."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad looked over his shoulder and his gaze warmed at the sight of her. "You're wearing earrings," he noted with a grin. Come huddle for warmth with us."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled at his invitation, slipping up along side them. Atul moved away from Vlad's back and circled around so that the enveloped her. She hummed softly, slipping her arms around her husband's waist and hugging him tightly. "This is nice," she sighed.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad put his arms around them both and rested his head against Atul's shoulder. His body was exhausted from that morning, but he wasn't ready to acknowledge it yet. He wanted to be with his lovers and show them he was fine now, and make it up to them for what he'd put them both through that morning.

"I love you both," he purred.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled, nuzzling her husband's chest. "I love you," she whispered, enthralled with his embrace.

"I love you, too," Atul replied to him, pressing a kiss to the vampire's temple and then to the back of Tenele's neck. Atul peeked over Vlad's shoulder. "That dinner looks delicious, shall we?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad returned to the table with them, holding Tenele's chair while she sat down. He took a glass of wine and raised it. "To beginnings," he offered.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled lifting her glass along with Atul. "New beginnings," Tenele repeated, eyeing her husband curiously.

New beginnings indeed. It was hard to imagine what life was going to be like once they were joined permanently with Atul... It was even harder to believe it possible.

"This is fantastic!" Atul sighed happily, mulling over the morsel in his mouth, while Tenele purred softly at the taste.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad drank the wine with quiet satisfaction. He didn't care that he didn't taste it. "I got to see Tenele's wedding dress," he grinned stealthily at his lover from behind his glass.

[Emora Deen]

Atul's gaze brightened with surprise. "You did?" he asked, glancing to Tenele. He leaned his elbow on the table, bringing himself closer to Vlad. "What does it look like?"

"You can't know!" Tenele piped in, kicking Vlad under the table.

"Was she wearing it?" Atul asked, smiling.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Most of it," the vampire conspired, ignoring his wife's protests. "It was very elegant. Will yours be the same color?" he teased.

[Emora Deen]

"Well," Atul thought. "If she's wearing white... I'll be wearing white. You might be wearing white too. I'm not sure. I suppose you can wear whatever color you wish. Red would look nice on you." Atul's gaze fell on Tenele. "I can't wait to see you in it. I'm sure you'll be beautiful."

Heat rose in Tenele's cheeks and she smiled, lifting the wine glass to her lips. "Thank you."

"Not too far off now," Atul sighed happily. "Everything's going in order. Things will run very smoothly. I was thinking that after the wedding we might take a little trip to the cabin by the ocean, with Tenara of course, and have a long relaxing week. The city can manage with us being gone a week, and its not so far off that we can't hurry back that same day if something does go wrong."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled at the thought of their time there. Images of taking them both at once, while the smell of the ocean and the wood cabin warmed the air, flashed into his mind. His smile shifted a notch, a bit more subdued and carnal than before. "Yes," he purred in smooth approval of the idea. "Have the powers that be settled on a date for us yet? I recall some fussing about having all the dignitaries back in time."

[Emora Deen]

Atul folded his arms. "Well, if you both approve," he began. "They have mentioned that the first of the week would be as good a time as any. Invitations have been sent out. That would give enough time for the ones that should be here to be here. They suggested that I invite Arken, and I heavily declined. I want my wedding a happy one, and I have no desire to show them any favours. This will mark the first Hajaran wedding where they won't be invited."