Vampires could learn to live in the light but no matter what, they'll always feel more comfortable in the dark. It's their serenity. The lights were completely out in Micah's quarters, with the exception of one candle. His room was small, as you'd expect from a servant. It was still a Hell of a lot bigger than where he grew up in New Orleans, or where he lived in the underworld before it was frozen over.

Finch's visit was short, considering how late it was. There wasn't much he could do anyways aside from offering pain medication and a treatment for all the cuts. Paris took a piece of cloth soaked in the solution the doctor had given him and started to gently clean out the wounds on Micah's face. 

"Uhm... Your shirt..." He shyly stammered out, noting the tears in the fabric.

Micah pulled his shirt up over his head and tossed it back on the bed. "A shame. I hate it when a perfectly good uniform is ruined. Hm, what's the matter? Why are you being so reserved?"

His delicate hands pressed the cloth into one of the cuts on his chest. He was always shy, but Micah's bare chest was something he'd seen plenty of times before. "I'm not sure... Maybe, it's just because it's been awhile."

"Or maybe," Micah took the smaller vampire's dainty hand in his, "It's because you've found love in someone else."

Paris tensed up and pulled his hand away. "No... He doesn't love me. I can tell he's trying, I am too, but I just can't feel for him, what I feel for you..." He turned towards the small dresser in the room and set down the rag he'd been using. "I'm sorry. I know you don't want me to-"

"It's not that I don't want you to love me." He quickly responded, "It's that I can't let myself love you, and it's not fair to you to force you to be in a one sided relationship. I could never be with you because of reasons I can't tell you."

"Is it your pact? Is that why?" He asked, desperate to have some form of clarity.

Micah sighed, "Yes. I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to tell anyone the details of my contract, as I'm sure yours is the same way. But, know that when my contract is complete, there would be nothing left of me to love." He set his fingertips beneath Paris' chin, raising his head, "I wouldn't want you to fall in love with someone that you couldn't have in the afterlife. Isn't that the point of love? To have a mate for an eternity?"

"Why do you automatically assume I'll have an afterlife if you don't?" 

The dominant was stunned for a moment, "I... I guess I never... I never thought of that... Do you?"

"You two have been rather chatty tonight." Jasper suddenly spoke from the doorway, startling them both.

Paris instinctively fell into Micah's chest upon the scare. His long back hair fell over his face gracefully. "We're sorry, Master." He murmured.

He smiled, seeming almost amused. "That's quite alright. I'm rather glad to see you've abandon any efforts to give yourself to Mr. Sitkowski. That would've only been a path filled with heartbreak and struggle. Now, as far as you two are concerned..."

"I can only imagine you wouldn't be too pleased with two of your servants fooling around." Micah replied.

"If it bothered me, it would've ended already. You know I know everything. That's part of the reason I came here when I did. It's about time I informed you two of the other's contract, so you can stop with this nonsense and move forward. Many years ago, Micah got himself into quite a bit of trouble with a voodoo man. He lost his soul for quite some time.

The deal we made was I would return his soul to him and offer him a safe home, where none of his past demons could come for him. In return, he would serve me until the day he dies, and when he does die, I get to consume his soul. One that has seen so much wear as his will make a divine feast.

Prior to being hired here, Paris was a slave to an awful dictator. You may have heard some of the more refined members of the household speak of Carmella Orlando. She was a very vicious woman. She killed her own brother, Deacon's wife, along with a whole slew of other tragedies that I don't have enough breath to list. Her hatred for vampires burned deep. She looked for any excuse she could muster to punish Paris, and eventually one night, he had enough. 

I heard his desperate pleas and came to his rescue. In exchange for saving his life and freeing him from slavery, he'd come to work for me until he took his dying breath. And of course, I would get to consume his soul as well. A tortured soul that's maintained it's innocence like his has is quite a rarity."

Micah took Paris' hand in his, keeping the smaller's head on his chest. "Why did you keep this from me? The slavery, I mean?"

He glanced up at the taller, murmuring, "I was ashamed."

"In truth, the best person you could love is each other. You're both very young and I'm certainly not going anywhere for awhile. You'll be working along side each other for at least five hundred more years." Jasper turned on his heel, facing the door. Over his shoulder, he added, "And, hm, a small truth that most demons would never tell their prey; When we consume a soul, we truly only take it's energy. Your memories, your existence, still lives inside of us. You two may not continue onto the afterlife, but you will be together for an eternity."

"Does that change your mind about loving me?" Paris questioned. His sweet, doe like eyes peered up at the man he craved.

"Mon amour*," His deep voice whispered, "I always loved you. That is unchanged. Now, though, I see I was a fool for pushing you aside. I can love you to the end, and I will love you to the end."

Paris wrapped his arms around his neck, cooing, "Oh, Micah, that's all I've ever wanted to hear from you."

His strong arms wrapped around Paris' back as the two met in a blissful kiss. Nothing had felt more right than their connection in that moment. To think, what it took for them to find one another. True love is not something you can find around the corner or in your backyard. Yet, even if you traveled to the ends of the earth searching for it, you wouldn't find it. It takes time, and it comes when we're not looking for it.

Micah pulled Paris' shirt off over his head. He tossed it to the ground, not giving much care to where it landed. Nothing mattered right now except the exquisite creature in his grasp. The two fell back onto the bed, the smaller being on top. Their lips never took a break from one another. They craved each other even more now that their love was permitted.

"Promise me you'll be mine forever. I've been... Misused and lied to, and betrayed. Please," Paris buried his head against his shoulder, "Please, don't betray me."

"I would never." He whispered, his voice sounding like pure sex, "But, please understand, my beauty, once you submit to me tonight I will expect your full submission. Your body, your mind, your heart, are mine. And in return, I will shower you in unconditional love and protection."

His breaths shook in his throat, "I've waited a hundred years to hear an offer like that."

Micah trailed his hands down Paris' body, beginning to unbutton his jeans. "Then it's settled? You'll be mine until the ends of time?"

He gently traced his thin hands down Micah's toned chest. It left a screaming feeling inside of him. He wanted his partner so badly, it was driving him insane. Paris placed the softest, most loving kiss on his lips, then murmured, "Éternellement vôtre*."

A smile graced his lips and he tangled his hand in his submissive's hair, "Éternellement vôtre."

| | |

Croc kissed Kuza's head gently, holding him as close as he could. While his little vampire was managing to find sleep, he wasn't fairing so well. He stared up at the ceiling, wondering how it had come to this. Something about the way he was taken, the fact that he was taken, didn't seem right. It never added up properly to him. Being an ex-criminal himself, he was pretty damn good at sniffing out traps.

He'd gotten in plenty of public fights before and no one cared. Why would they in the dark elves' realm? Those creatures were built for war. They had no bother with public disturbances. Not to mention being taken to an asylum filled with long lost members of his lover's family seemed too coincidental. Somehow he was the only one that saw that.

The door creaked open, spilling light into the room. Kuza stirred a bit in Croc's arms, making the demon pissed that anyone dared to wake his precious baby. He was overprotective of him, to say the least. The figure in the doorway stepped in with his cane beside him clicking against the ground. He let the door shut behind him, taking away the harsh light. Truthfully the light in the hall wasn't that bright but who wants even a sliver when they're trying to sleep?

"I owe you an apology, Mr. Marécage. I typically do not take this long to greet a patient properly, but some things have been preoccupying my time. My name is Jasper Knight. I'm the warden of the manor." He explained.

"It's a little late, don't you think?" He snapped back.

"I'm afraid it's the only time I have, but there is something important we must address. I'm assuming it won't be a problem to speak business in front of your property?" He asked, referring to Kuza.

Croc tightened his grip around him. He sat up, still keeping Kuza as close to his chest as possible. "It won't be a problem. You have a vampire body but I can see it in your eyes, you're a demon."

"Hm, very perceptive. In all my years I don't think I've known anyone who could tell immediately, but that's part of the reason you caught my attention. You're extremely gifted in your senses and strength, but your anger tends to get the best of you. We can help with that if you'll allow us."

"I don't need help with my rage. As long as I have him, I'm fine." He replied.

"I beg to differ. I can tell, you want to rip me to shreds right now. He doesn't get rid of your anger. He only inspires you to bottle it. As noble as that may be, it's not a solution."

Croc growled lowly, "Just spit it out. What do you want from me?"

Jasper snickered, "A deal."

__________

Mon amour = My love

Éternellement vôtre = Eternally yours