Heirot

Vlad watched her quietly across the fire, still as a great stone. Several hours passed before he tore himself from her side to slip away into the dark. He scrapped and cleaned the pelts from the muskrats and fashioned them into a pouch. It wasn't the beautiful thing he'd ever made. He studied it for a while and wondered if he should have made her mittens. Of course, that would be more romantic. Too late now. He'd never been great at keeping her warm.

He moved on and walked the highest part of the island until he finally found a solid stone outcrop that was crescent shaped. A solid wall against the elements. He spent the night building a lean-to, much sturdier than the tent, and covering it in thick slats of bark. He piled rocks around the outside of the foundation and used banana leaves to waterproof it. A small spot in the corner was left roofless to leave room for a heat fire. Outside, he made a circle of stones for a cook fire. He gathered kindling and wood that would take some time to cure, but at least she wouldn't have to get the trees down herself.

What if she needed to?

He stretched out the claws on his right hand to their full length and sliced at them with his other hand. He'd never tried to cut through his nails before, and he'd never seen anything break them. It was actually quite a bit of work. When he was done, he set the spearlike claws and the pouch in a banana leaf and left them in the lean-to.

By then, dawn was creeping up on the horizon. He returned to the teepee to see if Tenele was awake.

The movement of Vlad entering the teepee woke her. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms above her head slowly. "Good morning," she replied through a yawn. She felt her stomach growl, despite the hefty dinner she'd managed to stomach through.

She peeked out to see the sun rising and the clouds had passed. "Looks like the rain is gone. That's good at least. We can dry out."

"Yeah," Vlad grinned. "Maybe we should enjoy the beach, for a change. Before it gets too bright," he added.

Tenele smiled. "Okay," she replied. She'd noticed how much he liked the shy away from the bright reflection of the sun off the sand. She climbed to her feet and brushed passed him. The beach sand was already warming from the dawning sun, but she knew the water would be a little colder still.

She stood at the edge where the water crashed against the shore and rolled up over the sand. She laughed, squealing as the cold water washed over her feet. She hopped back to safer drier dirt. "Ah, its not so bad," she added, before stepping closer to the water.

Vlad pulled off his boots and walked to the edge of the sand. The cold water kissed his feet. He crossed his arms and gazed off at the horizon. "It's pretty here," he mused.

Tenele smiled at the sunrise. "It could be considered paradise," she mused before laughing. "I bet a lot of women who would kill to be trapped alone on an island with a handsome man."

Vlad grinned. "Why thank you." He looked over at her. "Maybe now is a good time to tell you what I mentioned last night."

"Okay," Tenele smiled, digging her feet into the sand. "Lay it on me."

Vlad turned to face her. She was so beautiful. He smiled. "First, kiss me."

Tenele tilted her head at him. He asked for a kiss. He was her husband. She'd kissed him last night... Her gaze flickered over his face. She faced him, took a step closer. She put her hands on his shoulders and stood up on the tips of her toes. She bit her bottom lip, staring into his red eyes, and then she kissed him. She kissed him like the day could last eternity, taking her sweet, careful time.

Vlad's lips molded to hers in a gentle caress. When they parted, his eyes were sparkling with joy. There was love in that kiss. Maybe she didn't realize it, but it was love, and it was for him. He showed her a loving smile. "Speak these words, maiden girl. Sagra na Reion."

"Okay," she replied, nodding. She gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze. Was this how she made Atul take the full brunt of the power so that Vlad wouldn't suffer as much? "Sagra na reion."

Vlad's eyes glowed. "I love you, Tenele."

In a flash, the vampire was gone. Before her, a few feet further than Vlad had been, a handsome man, lean with long black hair, materialized. He stood very still as if confused or digesting a complex speech. "Tenele," he said in a warm obsidian voice. He swept into a slow bow.

Tenele planted her feet a little firmer in the ground as she observed this new man. So, this was Knight? She crossed her arms over her chest, more like a self-hug than anything, and appraised him. "H-hello," she replied as confidently as possible.

This was Knight. Another lover. Another father to her child... A combination of Vlad, and another man she hadn't met... Atul.

"Soo..... Yeah. Hi. I've heard a little about you. Oh... You might not know." Tenele tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. "I'm having some memory trouble, on top of being trapped on an island... with a vampire."

Knight smiled at her. The light in his mismatched eyes was much like Vlad's. "Yes. Vlad's told me everything," he reassured. He didn't move to approach her. "A rather unusual vacation." His gaze grew more up-front. "Your daughter is safe. Atul is away from the capital on business, but he has been notified that you are missing. He is riding for the capital now. In a few days' time, his ships should be within range to spot your fire."