Heirot

Vlad's heart leaped up in his throat. "You are not claustrophobic. You are my freedom." He thought of the small wooden box, sealed away in his luggage, foolishly toted around with him like one of Tenara's stuffed animals.

He couldn't tell him. Wouldn't it just hurt him? But what if there was a chance....even the slightest chance? "We've thought it through before, you know," he said carefully.

Atul smiled. "Yes," he admitted. "But, would Sinead really let you go? And now with Tenele... She won't love me, Vlad. And if we did something like that, it is just as much like forcing Espha into a marriage with the wealthy man from Ida."

Vlad's muscles went taut with adrenaline. "Are you saying there's a chance, if those were overcome?"

Atul's words seized. Was that so? Could it be overcome. His eyes watered. "I don't know," he replied. "But, at any rate... I only have two weeks left before I'm married."

Vlad reached for Atul's hand and held it very tightly. His thoughts were flying. "Atul..." He was so nervous, far more than he'd been having this conversation with Tenele. It made sense. He'd already known Tenele would say yes to him. Atul, on the other hand, had never so much as breathed a word that he would consider marrying them. Sure, Vlad and Tenele had discussed it, but from Atul's perspective, he'd always had other plans.

But now those plans were hurting him.

Vlad looked him in the eye. "Atul, if I regain Tenele's memories, if I can make our past real again, marry us. Please." He didn't breathe as he realized what he'd said, and that there was no taking it back if the king didn't like it.

Atul stared at Vlad with not visible emptions on his face. He seemed frozen in a state of shock. To answer this question... He both adored and hated that the vampire had asked him. What was he to say to it? Yes. He wanted to say yes.

But, did the vampire even know what he was asking? Being married to a King was nothing like being married to a simple noble or commoner. The risk of assassination, kidnapping, that all increased ten fold. The people the vampire loved most would have an even larger target on them. He would not have the freedom he had as a plain noble. While the vampire had never lived a life without scrutiny, it would only increase and grow worst. Atul had full faith that with a taste of what that life would be like, the vampire wouldn't want it.

Atul took the vampire's face in his hands, his eyes tearing up. "You are a stubborn fool, and yet I love you," he whispered. "If I were not king, I would have had you both by now. We'd live in the cabin by the shore and watch Tenara play in the sand all day. It would be peaceful bliss." The king's face grew pained. "But, Sinead will not allow you to leave her court, and we have no idea whether Tenele's memories will be recovered. I'm getting married in two weeks Vlad. If you love me, please do not make this any harder for me. It hurts too much already."

Vlad's hand tightened around Atul's his expression blank. He was hurting him. His proposal hurt him. He saw the pain in the man's eyes, and nothing else mattered. He'd said no. He'd said no. No. "Okay," he said quickly. He gave a small, stiff nod. "Okay. I will not make it harder," he whispered. He kissed the man on the shoulder. "Alright if I go get some air?"

Atul nodded slowly. "Of course," he replied. But, he didn't want Vlad to go. Didn't want him to be upset. Gods, why did this world have to be so cruel. Couldn't he just be happy with loving him? Did marrying him really mean so much?

"I would," the King whispered, glancing down at his feet. "If the circumstances were different. If... everything worked out. I would. But... time..."

Vlad hugged him warmly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I'm glad for the thought, even if you can't act on it." He pulled back to look at him, bright-eyed and confident. "I'm going to make sure no one is assassinating my wife. I won't be upset. I promise."

He held tight to the walls inside him, and the mortar held firm.

Atul nodded gently. "I'm going to bathe and prepare for court," he told Vlad softly. He needed his own escape.

Tenele and Tenara had already dressed and left the room to head down to the large dining hall where breakfast would be served. She was sure that the maids would bring it up to the room if they asked, but Tenele liked the idea of seeing more of the castle.

Tenele held Tenara's hand, helping her down the steps slowly so she didn't fall. "So, what do you want to do today, my lovely?"

"Fountain!" Tenara replied enthusiastically.

"You are so much like your father..."

Vlad took a step back, giving Atul a little more space. "See you tonight," he said, kissing his lover's hand. "I will be alright, my love. We will be here for you. I'll be at your side whenever you need me. Of all the scenarios that could have happened, this is among the best. I don't need anything more." He gave his hand another light kiss, and left through the passage at the edge of the room.

Atul wanted to believe Vlad's words, but he couldn't. He thought about it as he lay in the bath. He imagined a world where he was married to them. Tenele, his wife, and Vlad his husband. He wondered what his people would think of it. They worshipped and adored Tenele, and they loved Vlad because he was chosen by their Goddess. He was a child of Verin that had won favor with Attara. Mathis had said it himself, if the people thought that he was with Tenele, they would not accept Espha.

But, Tenele... she was no herself. She did not love him. She might never love him. To agree and accept and marry her, and Vlad... it would be dragging her into the same situation he had put Espha in. Loveless marriage.

But, the thought of the old Tenele as his wife, and Vlad as his husband, and he could finally acknowledge Tenara as his daughter... The palace over knew just by looking at her eyes, but no one ever mentioned a word. It made him happy to daydream of that, and so the King did just that for the next thirty minutes.

* * *

Tenara sat in Tenele's lap at the table so she was high enough to see her food. They shared a plate of eggs and bacon. It was delicious. Tenara's favorite was the bacon, but that was no surprise, everyone loved bacon. The little girl was so happy that she hummed her happy song and swished her legs out merrily. Tenele pressed her cheek into the soft warmth of her hair.

"I love you, Tenara," she whispered to her daughter.

"I love you, Mommy," Tenara replied with a smile.

"And me?" Vlad prompted as he swung leg over the bench opposite them. He'd changed from the clothes he'd spent the night in, and washed his face. "I thought I would visit my Snack and my amnesiac before I get to the library."

"Hehe! I love you!" Tenara told her father proudly. "What's a an-aniesac?" She reached out, handing Vlad a strip of bacon.

Tenele smiled at Tenara's gesture. "Sweetheart, I don't think daddy eats bacon..."

Vlad broke off the tip and put it in his mouth to satisfy her generosity. He was in the mood to accept any small kindness. Tenele wouldn't remember how he liked to eat with them, even as a token gesture. "Plans for today?" he inquired to them both.