Holier Than Thou

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad groaned at the sound of her muffled cry. He continued until the shivers went through her whole body. Relishing her faint trembling, he let his own sensations go free. He took her in long, slow strokes until his own form shuddered with his release. Then he sank close against her, torso to torso, without actually putting his weight on her. His lips traced affectionate lines long the side of her neck.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele draped her arms across his shoulders and back, enjoying the luxurious numbing buzz running through her body. She panted to regain her breath, pressing her lips to his cheek. "You can be very gentle," she murmured to him with a smile, knowing how difficult it was for him. She enjoyed laying there with him, tracing light circles on his back with the tips of her fingers. Tenele pressed her cheek to his and closed her eyes.

The warm wind danced across the balcony, tickling her skin and blowing her silver hair gently. "I like this balcony."

* * *

Talon went back to his room along side Tenele and Vlad's once the adviser accepted he would have to wait to have his audience with the incarnation of a goddess and her husband. He admired the architecture before flopping back on his bed. Talon spent the next few minutes trying to not think of all the sounds he'd overheard for the past few weeks on their trip to the Outerlands.

While he had a unique relationship with Vlad now, it didn't make it any easier for him to ignore what happened between them. He could admit that he was a lot better at handling it than before, and that had to do with the trust he had in Vlad. Vladimir Dracul would never willingly hurt Tenele, and he would only seek to bring her happiness. He knew that, even without the sire bond.

Still, he wished he didn't hear quite as well as most vampires.

[Soran Nightblade]

"I don't mind it myself," Vlad agreed huskily while the hot breeze dried their skin. He slid to his side next to her, his arms and legs capturing her against him. He watched the breeze blow through the colored tents beyond the palace. "Our new home," he murmured thoughtfully. He considered what it would be like to stay here. To be with Tenele each day, and with Atul as well. His heart warmed at the thought, unskittish as always at the thought of their intimacy with his friend. "There's just one thing standing in our way. One god."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele stiffened in his arms, the beautiful feeling that had flowered in her withered at the mention of Verin. She turned her face away to look out at the desert and the dunes that went on like ocean waves. She swallowed hard. "You want me to call him here so Knight can fight him," Tenele muttered, assuming that's what her husband meant.

Tenele closed her eyes. The wind kissed her naked skin, and she let the feeling distract her from what Vlad wanted. She wasn't ready for that, and deep down she knew that she never would be. "I want him gone, believe me... You know I do..."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's fingers traced light circles on her arm. "Every minute the four of us are not all together, we are in danger. He's made effort to remind us of that. There's only one way to end it. Sometimes I think he's trying to extend an invitation."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele clenched her teeth and blinked the water from her eyes. "I don't want to," she whispered, turning her eyes up to the blue sky and the white clouds. "Its not that I don't trust Knight, I do. But, there are so many things that could go wrong. If we challenge him and I lose you, it will be my fault."

She flashed her green eyes to him. "I know we have to do this. I know we need to do this. I'm just not ready to do it. Not right now."

Tenele swallowed hard. "If you think we should do it now, then I will. But, if it can wait... Let me wait. Let me heal. I want to be strong enough too fight him if he somehow overpowers Knight. I don't want him to take me without being able to fight. I'll lose if I do, but it doesn't matter to me. At least I tried. Does that make any sense?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad was quiet for a long time. "I will wait," he finally budged, not sounding thrilled about it. "Your safety is the top priority. When you're fully healed, I will no longer wait." Garnet eyes flicked up to hers. "Agreed?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded slowly. He said it so firmly, commandingly. She wondered in the back of her mind what he would do if she still wasn't ready by then. She knew she didn't want to find out. "Agreed," Tenele muttered.

"I'll be fine, Vlad. You don't have to worry about me, okay? I am safe. I have you, and Atul, and Talon, and Knight. If anything, I think you can pretty much assume even with the God of Darkness breathing down my neck, I am the safest person in the world. You can leave me for five minutes and I won't disappear. I promise. The moment he appears I'll call Knight. Knight can reach me any time, any where, and all I have to do is call him." Tenele reached up and touched Vlad's cheek.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad sighed. "How did I fall for such a hard-headed maiden girl? I pity the day Atul realizes what he's gotten himself into," he smirked.

On the other side of the curtain, the door to their room swung open. "Vlad, Tenele. They've prepared dinner," Atul said, poking his head through the curtain. He stiffened as he saw they way they were lying, and the clothes all over the balcony.

"You know, your servants were very astute earlier, and left when we didn't respond. Could it be that you are the only man in this kingdom who was never taught to knock?" Vlad raised his eyebrows at the king.

Atul's cheeks darkened beautifully, doubt clouding his eyes before he averted his gaze. "Pardon," he forced out.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele giggled, cupping a hand over her mouth. She moved to sit up, but her body felt too week. She pursed her lips together, arms quivering as she pushed into a sitting position. She bent to lift up clothing lying next to the lounge and began pulling on the layers of chiffon, all the while wondering how she was going to explain that her legs weren't going to hold her weight.

"Maybe I should stay here, you can bring me something back to eat," Tenele told Vlad, not wanting to admit that making love might have zapped what strength she had left for the day. At least, for the time being it had.

[Soran Nightblade]

"I suspect they will be eager to meet you," Atul pointed out from behind the curtain, his back turned to them, though he grew increasingly confused as to why he bothered.

"If you don't feel strong enough, I will make up some excuse. 'I sexed her into oblivion.' Something along those lines," Vlad reassured with a dark grin.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele glowered at him. "You most certainly will not," she growled. Tenele set her teeth tight and stood up and her legs shook. Even earlier in the day she had to have Vlad's help to walk. When her knees buckled, Tenele grasped the stone banister, leaning halfway over it to support her weight. "See, no problem. I can totally make it to dinner." She huffed while looking down at the tent city below.

She straightened slowly, keeping most of her weight on her arms. "Okay," she sighed. "Dinner."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled as he watched her. Atul moved a little closer in case she tipped over, while the vampire got himself dressed. Sensing that he had two sets of eyes on him, Vlad got dressed accordingly, taking his sweet time. Only Vlad would bother to do a striptease backwards. By the time he was ready, Atul was looking slightly annoyed and his cheeks were darker than ever.

"Smile and prepare to be friendly," Vlad scoffed as he and Atul took opposite arms for Tenele. "I must warn you, Atul, if my queen did not, that I do not excel at diplomacy."

[Emora Deen]

"Oh, I think he remembers quite well from our first visit, when you tried to kill him in the middle of the feast," she snickered, leaning on Atul and Vlad's strong arms. That whole night had been a disaster, from the moment Verin accepted the old King's invitation to dinner, to the moment Vlad left her because of her inability to lie worth a damn. It was a cringe worthy memory for her.

"Lucky for you, Atul, I am very good in diplomacy. So maybe we should got ahead and decide that all matters requiring a delicate diplomatic touch will go to me, and all matters requiring battle strategy and less-than-ethical finesse go to Vladimir? You boys can play in the war room, and I'll do the speeches."

[Soran Nightblade]

"I can make speeches," Vlad grumbled as they continued to the banquet hall. It was much as they remembered, though Atul had spruced up the place. The banners and tapestries praising Verin had been replaced with newer, more traditional pieces that made the room feel festive instead of ominous.

As soon as they entered the room, servants rushed to them. "Your highness," one greeted them humbly. "The tables are hoping you and your guests can make the rounds."

"No. We will sit tonight. Escort those who wish an audience with us to our table. Our guests are tired enough. Work can wait until tomorrow," Atul said.

Vlad glanced at the king, a little impressed. "So you can be kingly when you choose," he snickered.