Heirot

Atul nodded. "Well, I am going to be in your country for a few weeks," he admitted. "Let us hope that is enough time to figure out what must be done."

Tenele moved back to her seat, staring down at the fire. "Thank you," she murmured, glancing back to Atul. "Thank you for helping us."

Atul smiled at her. "I'll do what I can."

Tenele sighed. "Well, we can research all we want, but if we miss that welcome ball tonight Verin will be the least of our short term worries." It was a pore attempt to lighten the mood.

Vlad smirked at Tenele's comment. "She's correct. Sinead has been arranging for your arrival all week. I think she's making up for not getting to plan our wedding."

Tenele chuckled. "Well, I didn't notice until you mentioned it, but I kind of agree!" Tenele leaned back in the chair, smiling at the fire. "Well, as long as the two of you don't try to punch each other into the earth at this ball, I think the night will go very well."

"I haven't a clue what you mean, my love," Vlad scoffed. "I am bound to Sinead's orders, so I would never whoop the ass of her beloved diplomatic guest in public, easy though it might be."

Atul chuckled. "And, as interesting as it might be," the Outerland King mused. "I would hate to embarrass the servants by showing them how easily it is to mop the floor with her trump card."

Tenele sighed heavily. "Oh dear."

"I'd enjoy watching you try," Vlad grinned, sinking into the casual banter like they'd never spent the past few months apart. He put his research aside for a while, though his mind kept going back to the offer Atul had made and the prospect of what might happen if the spell went wrong. No, he would make sure they had a safer plan.

By the time a messenger came to collect them for the ball downstairs, they'd already been talking for several hours. "The queen requests your presence, King Atul, Lord and Lady Dracul."

Vlad was about to torment the messenger when he recognized the form of address. It was the first time anyone in the capital had acknowledged them in such a way. "What is your name, boy?"

"S....Sean," the servant stuttered, all too familiar with the reputation of Vladimir Dracul.

"You're coming to the ball, Sean," the vampire proclaimed.

"What? I couldn't possibly-...I'm a servant!" the boy stuttered.

"You're my guest. Now go get cleaned up."

The kid's eyes lit up in shock. "...okay!" he gasped, bolting back down the stairs before the vampire could change his mind.

"I suppose we should prepare as well," he muttered as he turned back to Tenele and Atul.

Atul nodded. "Yes," that's probably for the best. "I'll find my way to my room and I'll see you there." On his way out the door he paused to give Tenele a quick and friendly peck on the cheek. "Everything is going to be fine, so don't worry, okay?"

Tenele nodded, her lips turning up in a smile. "I won't."

When Atul was gone Tenele went to their bathroom to start running water for a bath. As the tub filled she went to the closet that now held most of her clothing along with Vlad's. She fished through it until she found what she was looking for, pulling out a crimson gown and draping it over their unmade bed.

When she was finished she slipped up next to her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm going to bathe, are you going to keep your nose in the book or are you going to get indecent with your wife?" She chuckled softly, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "It won't hurt my feelings if you want to keep studying... I know this is important."

"If I'm studying, who will help you?" Vlad murmured flippantly. He swept her up into his arms. "I can be of great use in the bath," he promised her huskily.

With that, he proceeded to draw her an extremely hot bath and then 'help' her get clean. Of course, by the time they were done, not only were they not particularly clean at all, but they were 30 minutes late for the ball.

Tenele finished pinning her silver hair up, leaving a few free strands to float around her face. She smoothed her hands over the velvet crimson ball gown, an off the shoulder dress with long sleeves that hugged the skin tightly and hung just slightly over her knuckles. For a finishing touch she wore a red velvet choker with a small pendant dangling from the center.

The ballroom was unusually packed for the event, which was most likely do to the rarity of an Outlander visit. It was exceptionally decorated. As Vlad had hinted to earlier, Sinead had gone all out for the occasion.

Tenele looped her arm with Vlad's turning her eyes up to him. "Well, are you ready to mingle with mere mortals? If you need entertainment you could just order Talon to do something emberassing..." Tenele chuckeld and then forced herself to stop. "No, that's not wise."

Vlad chuckled at the thought of his new protege. The new vampire had turned out to be a remarkable asset to him over the past week. But there was also a bond there that was different than it had been before Talon had turned. It went both ways, making Vlad unusually protective of his brother in law. He made a mental note to stay close to Talon tonight. It would be a challenge to him in more ways than one, being amongst so many people as well as making his debut to the court.

It was only a few hours into the night when Talon had had enough. He seemed intent on staying, but Vlad commanded back to his quarters as he noticed the man's control slipping. Vlad himself didn't last too much longer. These types of events were dull affairs, but for once, he didn't want to spoil it with his pranks. This was, after all, in honor of Atul's arrival. Or maybe the research and stress of the past week had just made him less engaging than usual.

"I'm going to do some work in the tower," he whispered to Tenele, leaning over to her amidst the noise of the party.

Tenele smiled at him, placing a hand on his arm. "Okay," she told him softly. "I'll give my regards to Sinead. I'll be right behind you."

Tenele stepped away to say good night to Sinead and let her know that they were heading back to there room. A little girl with curly blond hair bounced around Tenele. She'd been playing with her on and off the entire night, and apparently sensing Tenele was about to leave she latched on to her.

Tenele opened her mouth to speak when an older stern woman waltzed up and grabbed the child, and then forcibly removed Tenele's hand from the top of her head. "Abigail," scolded the woman. Her eyes looked heatedly at Tenele. "What have I told you about playing with dirty things?"

Tenele's head cocked back, like the woman had physically slapped her. She watched, feeling a slow simmer of anger as the old hag walked away. All things considered, it was the first time anyone had openly been rude to her since Vlad had pretty much laid down the law where their marriage was concerned. She let out a soothing sigh, continued on her way to Sinead, and made her respectful retreat from the party.

Vlad was glad to be free of his formal clothing. He stretched out languorously on his bed and propped his head up on his elbow to read.

The spell was a merging of souls. It was too permanent. It might let them take down Verin, but their individuality would be lost. He wasn't feeling too keen on the idea, but it felt good to have something.

As he went on researching, he recalled a spell he'd noticed early on in his research. It hadn't meant anything to him then, but now... The thought made his whole body tense as he realized there was a way around the problem. There was a way, but...

Tenele climbed the many, many steps leading up to their tower. Often hitching a ride with Vlad, skipping all the steps, she grew a little spoiled by it. When she finally reached her room she pushed the door open to find her husband lounging across the bed, and a warm fire in the hearth.

"Well, that went smoothly," she whispered, closing the door behind her.

Tenele went immediately to the fire because the halls of the palace had put a chill in her bones. She sat down on the floor before it, the crimson of her dress pooling like a puddle of blood around her. She draped her arms over her knees and rested her chin there, gazing quietly at the flames.

Vlad raised his eyes from his book as Tenele knelt by the fire. For the first time since...probably since the night he proposed, he was nervous about talking to her. He rose from the sheets and went to her. He sat down behind her, pulling her back to lean against his chest. He smirked at the secure feeling and rested his chin on top of her head.

"Enjoy the ball?"

Tenele smiled, wrapping her arms over his. She nestled back comfortably against him. "It was a ball," she admitted. "Though, I do believe the young girls at court took quite a liking to Atul. Their fathers must have mentioned he was single. The poor man was never without an invitation to dance. We rarely got to speak with him."

She rubbed his arm soothingly with her hand. "You seemed distracted," she told him quietly. "I know you... I know you've been working hard- studying hard. He hasn't made any advances... Why don't you take the night off?" She twisted in his arms so she could see his face. Her hand reached up and touched his cheek, stroking along his jaw gently. "I've missed my husband."