Heirot

She smiled, glancing down at Stalker. "I'm used to being in the desert heat, and didn't grab a cloak on my way out." She glanced back to him, wanting... dying to know what it was he wanted to tell her. Her green eyes flashed back to him, and her smile faded slightly. "What are we going to do?"

Vlad's nerves spiked again at the look on her face, but he threw up a shield in his expression. He didn't want her to misconstrue his nervousness for doubt. How did this conversation even start? "Well, clearly we will always be a bit different from other couples," he said. "I mean, let's face it, you're a bit unusual."

Tenele scowled at him. "Ha ha ha," she said, rolling her eyes slightly. "And lets face it, your just too normal for me." She shrugged her shoulders, a smirk tugging at her lips. However, in the back of her mind she didn't see this going well. She was scared, and it was useless of her. No matter what decision was made, she would always love him. She knew that...

Vlad smiled tensely. "In all seriousness, you're the most incredible woman I've ever met. My existence has changed dramatically since I met you. For all the trouble we seem to find ourselves in, I've never been so happy in my life," he said. He stared at her, adrenaline building in his veins. "But I also want you to be happy. I want you to live your dreams." He searched her face for a reaction, but all he could think was that he had to keep speaking before his nerve broke. "I want to live your dreams with you." He opened his mouth to continue, but it was like cotton had stuck in his throat. He swallowed and stared at her. The shields flickered out in his eyes, which glowed with a deep, determined affection. This was it. This was no time for him to be tongue tied. "This might be easier if you sat down," he breathed with a slightly embarrassed flicker of a grin. He swept his arm out to indicate the bench under the tree he'd just come from. It was the bench he'd found her sleeping on that day years ago.

Tenele swallowed hard, not liking where this was going now. Nothing happy ever happened when one was told that it was better if they sat down. Tenele wasn't quite sure if she could make it to the bench on her quivering legs, but she did, taking a seat and crossing her legs at the ancles under her. She rested her hands in her lap, looking back up at him in anticipation... and fear. "Alright... I'm sitting down."

Vlad followed close behind her and took a deep breath as he looked down at her waiting stare. He wondered if she knew what he planned to say. She didn't look happy. No, he wouldn't hesitate. "There are some things I can't give you, but I will always do everything that's in my power to make you as happy as you deserve," he said firmly.

And then the strength came to him out of nowhere. In a resolute, graceful sweep, he knelt to one knee before her. "I love you, Tenele," he said certainly, his crimson eyes glowing in the dusk. "In that much, you have no choice." He reached for something that floated from his pocket and held it out to show her. A green stone glinted brightly in the low light. It was set in a band of deep gold. "Wear this ring, and I am yours as long as I live."

Tenele blinked. She glanced to the ring in his hand, blinking again... before her eyes suddenly returned to his face. She thought maybe she was dreaming, so just for good measure she blinked a third time. Nope, he was still there, and that ring was still in front of her. Was he? No... Wait... he was.

"Wha..." She couldn't get the words to form, so she swallowed them and paused for a moment, looking dumbfounded. Shocked. She smiled then, shaking her head in disbelief. This was a cruel trick. However, the look on his face told her it was no trick. This was very real. Her slender hand stretched out towards the ring. "But... I thought... We can't. They won't let us." She wanted to, so to let him know she wasn't turning him down she wrapped her hand around his, the one that held the ring.

"I've spoken with the church, if that's what you mean," Vlad said, a sly smile rising to his lips. "Of course, it is still your choice, and I will respect your decision, though there may be a substantially greater amount of cold water in your future if you decline." His other hand clasped around hers as he looked up at her with renewed sincerity. "Marry me, Tenele."

Tenele just stared at him, unable to believe she had actually heard those words out of his mouth. She smiled, and then that smile turned into a grin. She laughed softly, and it wasn't to be mean, it was simply because she honestly couldn't beleive it was happening. She laughed out, "Sinead is going to kill us," before she flew forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes," she told him as she kissed his cheek. "Yes, I will. I will. I will." She drew back, unable to wipe the smile from her face.

Vlad wasn't sure what to make of her laughter, but he managed not to explode while he awaited her answer. But then she said it. Three times, even, so that there could be no doubt of what he heard. He threw his arms around her back and pulled her in tight, feeling his own measure of disbelief. She'd said yes. It was hard to believe he could be this happy this easily. Of course, a few moments ago, it had seemed the hardest thing he'd ever done. "Good," he breathed excitedly, pulling away enough to kiss her on the lips before leaning back to look at her. What exactly was there to say that wasn't a gross understatement of what he was feeling? "May I have your hand before you come to your senses?" he laughed, lifting her wrist in his palm. He glanced into her eyes before sliding the ring onto her finger. He stared at her hand in overwhelmed silence.

Tenele felt her eyes watering unexpectedly, and she felt a bit foolish. She laughed at herself as she looked at the ring on her finger, taking her other hand and wiping her eyes. "I can't believe you went to the church," she muttered in a breath, shaking her head. She took her hands and framed his face. "I love you very much." She leaned forward and kissed him like she'd never be able to kiss him again. It was the only way she could think of expressing how she felt. "I can't believe they'll allow this... What changed their mind?"

"Apparently, my newfound immunity is a sign from God. If Thar does not reject me, neither will they. However, my case is exceptional, so the pre-marriage screening must be performed by the High Potentate rather than Father Harold. Conveniently, he is right where we're about to be reassigned." The vampire blinked as a thought came back to him from his conversation with Sinead earlier. "I did what was necessary to give you every possible option," she'd said. This was all awfully convenient. She couldn't possibly have planned this....could she? "It is possible Sinead will be easier to speak with than we think," he murmured.

Tenele smiled. "Can we tell her? Now?" She was a little bit nervous about it, but Sinead was like a mother to her. She wanted very much to share such joy with her, she only hoped that it would be joyful for her as well.

Tenele thought of her brother, and of what he would think of it. She wasn't quite sure how he'd take the news, since he hadn't seen Vlad since she'd told him the story of what had happened between them. He might try and kill Vlad before expect the news. Then, again, Talon had always been far to overprotective of her. Way over protective for a person who used to bully her when they were little.

"If you wish," Vlad smiled, amused by her eagerness. "I have to admit I am looking forward to Queeny's reaction," he said craftily.

Tenele stood up, tugging on his hand, her eyes falling on the ring on her finger. "Lets go," she said with a grin, pulling him through the garden, forgetting he could just as easily teleport them there.