Heirot

"You're just a little seasick, that's all," Vlad winked at her as Atul joined at her other side. With the vampire and the king on each arm, she suddenly looked much less feeble and more like what she was - an elegant balancer of two dangerously powerful men. Vlad noted that Atul's people did not seem quite as enthusiastic as they had when they'd first seized control of the kingdom, but they were there to welcome him, and he could see eagerness and hope, if not trust, in their expressions. They made their way through the crowd fairly swiftly. Atul was mercifully quick in his greetings to his senior staff and advisers. Soon, they found themselves inside the gates of the castle. As soon as they had a bit more privacy, Vlad used telekinesis to levitate Tenele's weight just a bit above the floor so that her feet floated as they guided her down the hallways. He had no desire to advertise her weakness, but for a different set of reasons. With the exception of the doctors, as far as the ship's crew knew, she had simply been engaged in talks with Atul and Vlad. Many suspected there was more to their relationship, but while Atul didn't silence the rumors altogether, he also gave them nothing indiscreet to talk about. If others noticed his closeness to the ambassadors from Ighten and perceived them as a unified force, so much the better.

The palace was just as Tenele remembered. Vast and ornate. She did notice the missing statue of Verin out front. The servants met them, and they were introduced by the advisers. Vlad was assigned a guardian who would teach him about the customs of the Outerlands, and Tenele was issued her own stern looking woman. The introductions were made, and a time for their first meeting was assigned to begin in the coming week. Tenele expected as much, as ambassadors they would be need to learn the customs and traditions of their temporary home.

After that quick introduction they were whisked off to the royal wing, where the palace nobility lived. Atul's suite was located at the end of the hall, and theirs not more than three doors down.

It was an elegant room with massively high ceilings and ornate furniture. The exterior wall was little more than pillars and glass doors open to a wide balcony.

Vlad guided Tenele across the room toward the balcony, suspecting that might be what most attracted her. A sheer curtain hung lightly in the breeze. Vlad whisked it aside and stepped with her onto the large balcony. It overlooked the desert, with its sparse foliage and brightly colored tents. There was a cushioned fainting couch next to the carved stone railing. "Sit a while?" he suggested mildly, studying the couch and knowing she'd probably be tired of resting by now.

Tenele gave a nod, and went the couch with him. She sat down with a sigh. "Well, I'm interested to see how you do in your lessons with Mr...." Tenele tried to remember his name, but she couldn't. The information that had been run by them had happened so fast that she barely remembered anything at all.

"I like this room," she whispered to him, kissing his cheek. "It seems romantic. I can see us lying here under the stars." She brushed her lips along his ear and jaw before resting her head on his shoulder. She held his hand gently.

Vlad curled his neck along her warm skin, enjoying the intimate contact and the quietness of being still and on land. "It is a good room," he murmured approvingly, thinking back to the cold tower he'd inhabited for the past 600 years. He found himself wondering if he would see it again, and stopped. He wasn't sure how he'd feel about the answer.

"Perhaps we should test that plan this evening," he suggested, spooning behind her and drawing her carefully down into the cushioned couch with him.

Tenele smiled. "I would like that," she told him softly. "Maybe..." Her finger tips trailed up and down his arm. "I feel better... I mean, I'm feeling stronger and my wounds are all closed." Tenele felt silly for admitting she'd missed the intimacy of his touch, or maybe it was that she felt silly for being addicted to the intimacy in his touch. "It would be nice out under the stars, in the warm night air."

Vlad's lips pulled back in an arrogant smile. "Missing me?" he teased, his fingers roaming over her inner arm.

Tenele smiled, closing her eyes. "Maybe," she told him in a soft sigh. "Do you miss me?" Her finger tips glided gently across his skin and she settled her weight more against him.

"All the time," he murmured against her healing neck. Far from what she feared, there was something about her weakened state that was instinctively attractive to him, though he didn't intend to tell her that any time soon. "However, you're in no shape to endure my affection."

Tenele felt a flutter of disappointment. Her light touch hesitated for split second before continuing. "I'll survive," she insisted, smiling. "And you can be gentle I'm sure." She rested her eyes, listening to the birds.

In a few moments, Vlad was over her and brushing his lips against hers. "Yes," his breath caressed her cheek, "It may not be my usual style, but I can be gentle." He slowly drew away her clothing, laying feather-light kisses on her stomach as the fabric slid out of the way.

Tenele's breath quickened. She hadn't meant for him to start now, when it was still daylight and people would be needing their attention. But, she wasn't about to make him stop either. She reached out a hand and stroked fingers through his hair lightly.

Vlad was never one for waiting. Amused by the idea of watching Tenele put up with his gentleness, he slid lower along her body and unfastened her skirt so he could draw it away from her waist. His fingers graced along her waist, hips, and inner thighs. He kissed just inside her knee as he knelt in front of her and slowly glided lips and fingers upward.

Tenele sighed at his touch, her body gently encouraging by moving to meet his kisses. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his lips and the warm breeze against her skin. She slid a trembling hand down her body and into his hair again, twinging her fingers in the short black strands.

"I love you," she whispered to him with a soft smile.

"What's that?" Vlad teased huskily, drinking in her pulse and the taste of her skin. "I couldn't hear," he said before sliding his tongue where she wanted it most.