Serenity

His lips felt so warm against mine as my mind attempted to process the evening. I didn't want the kiss to stop, but at the same time I didn't understand why I had even agreed to this date. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as he pulled back. "Serenity?"

"I don't understand," I hiccupped, "I don't understand why I feel this way, or why I agreed to even come. I feel like I'm going crazy. I can't love a vampire...I'm just a human who's scared of her own shadow and covers up her fear with sarcasm. I don't even like the sight of blood, not to mention, what will my bosses at Caffrey and Dahl think? How would this even work?" I was starting to hyperventilate when his hands cupped my face.

"Listen to my voice, Serenity. I need you to take a deep breath and close your eyes for me, baby." His words seemed so soothing to my frenzied mind. I did as he asked and felt like a sharp wind had enveloped me, then the scent of soft musk filled my senses. "Open your eyes, my love," he said quietly.

I gasped as my eyes opened. "Where are we?" The room was enormous and dimly lit with a huge bed and expansive windows.

"My home," Daniel said simply. "I needed to calm you down and the club wasn't the place to do it. I'll take you back to your apartment as soon as you wish. Now, please, sit," he led me to the edge of the bed as I eyed it nervously. When I finally sat, he knelt before me on the floor. "Now, let me explain. When you were so freaked out by my confession at work, Garen became concerned. He took it upon himself to come and see you today. Do you remember speaking with him?"

I nodded my head hesitantly, "Um, sort of, then I felt like going dancing. Wait, are you telling me he's the reason I agreed to this date?" I sputtered, anger filling my very core. "Just what the hell kind of game are the two of you playing with me?"

Daniel raised his hands, "I had no idea what he was doing, I swear. I rushed over when he called and told me he had compelled you. You see, Garen has one of the strongest gifts I've ever known. He can not only compel but even create a scene - a thrall if you will, where you feel what he wants you to feel. It can be so convincing that the person or vampire can't tell the difference between it and reality, sometimes ever. The fact that you came out of it so quickly, shows me he just gave you a low dose to ease your nerves."

I yanked my hands back.  "He still had no right!" I tried to stand up and leave, but Daniel pulled me back. "Let me go, you said you would let me go!"

"And I will, but not until I make you understand everything, dammit!" he gruffed. I crossed my arms over my body and pouted as he continued. "Serenity, I need to tell you about me, the truth about me. I'm not just a businessman, I'm, well, I'm the King, and Garen is my second. That's why he took matters into his own hands. It is his sworn oath to protect me, and helping us connect is his way of trying to do that."

My eyes bulged, "Wait, what? I didn't even know vampires had a king. Why don't other humans know?"

"When my father decided our kind would join the rest of the world, we thought it better not to reveal our hierarchy. It keeps the royal family from having a target on them, or at least from the humans. It's one of the few good ideas my father ever had," Daniel snorted.

"So that's why they lower their heads to you," I muttered. The room felt like it was spinning. "I think I'm going to be sick." He lifted my chin and his eyes locked with mine. I suddenly felt a warm sensation flooding through me, like a calming blanket. "H...how are you doing that?"

"It's the bond. I want you to be safe, to feel safe with me, Serenity. I will do anything to protect you," Daniel said gently. His words filled my mind and slowed my racing heart. I found myself leaning into his body, our lips connecting yet again. Only this time I couldn't blame the compulsion. You are so beautiful, my Eternal - Daniel's voice filled my mind. I felt the cool sheets against my back and opened my eyes to see him above me. I could feel my body heating, wanting him to kiss me, to make love to me. Would it really be so bad to be loved by someone for the rest of my life? Wait, my life...

"Are you going to turn me into a vampire?" I asked, my voice shaking. "How can I be your Eternal when I'm mortal?"

Daniel smirked, his mouth dipping near my ear, his tongue flicking at my neck. "Is that what you wish for, my love? I would gladly face the eons with you by my side if you desire it." His fangs grazed my skin and I let out a moan, much to my embarrassment.

"I...I don't know," I stammered. "Would it hurt? What about children? Can I have children with you?"

His blue eyes sparkled as they met mine. "You want to carry my children, Serenity?"

"Yes." My cheeks flushed at my boldness and I tried to hide my face, but Daniel held me firmly in place, chuckling.

"Oh my little girl, you are so much more than I deserve. Yes, Serenity, you can have children with me and you can choose to be changed or stay mortal. No matter what you decide, I will be with you until the end of our lives and love you completely." Before I could answer, his lips closed on mine as he lowered his body, his hips grinding against me. My arms encircled his neck as I felt my last bit of resistance fade. He made a grunting noise when my legs wrapped around his midsection and my hips began to move in response to our need. He only pulled away for a moment. "I won't be able to stop if we go much further, love. My beast is desperate to claim you."

I blinked in confusion, "Beast?"

"Yes, love. Royal vampires have a very different form from most vampires. Would you like to see it before you make any decisions?" Daniel asked. I nodded my head and with a quick kiss, he moved away from my body, coming to stand at the end of the bed. "Don't be frightened. We will not harm you. The beast is a part of me, part of the dark magic that transformed my family into vampires. We are some of the first, Serenity - my father, mother, brothers, and me. In ancient times, vampires were a type of demon. As time passed, they began to die out - no one understood why, but to preserve their race, many used powerful dark magic to bind their demon souls to mortals. This was the bargain my father struck. He was transformed into what I now am, then he had Mother take on a demon as well as his children. I was once mortal, but now I am a hybrid - half demon, half vampire. That secret must be kept, my Eternal."

"I understand, Daniel. I'd never tell anyone," I promised.

He smiled then closed his eyes, breathing deeply. I sat mesmerized as he seemed to swell in size, his normally porcelain skin taking on a reddish-black hue. Large black claws pushed through his fingertips, curling slightly at the end. They looked razor-sharp. His eyes opened and they were pitch black. I looked him up and down. Daniel was a very attractive man, well-built, but not overly muscular, whereas his beast was massive. Each muscle was defined and taut. The curled horns on top of his head gleamed an ebony shade that matched his claws. My mind kept telling me I should be afraid, but my body wanted to stay as heat pooled in my core.

"I'm glad you approve, my Eternal." His voice was deeper with a bit of a gravel-filled growl to it. "Shall I come closer and let you investigate?"

My mouth parted, my tongue darting out to moisten my lips. Damn, was it getting hotter in here?  He chuckled and crawled up on the bed until he was kneeling right before me. I cautiously reached out, running my fingers over his skin. He made a purring sound that made my insides flutter. I looked up at him, "Are you still Daniel?"

"Yes, this is just what the demon part of me looks like, but I'm still your Daniel," he said, his claws skimming over my skin.

"If you turned me, would I have a demon too?" I questioned him.

He shook his head, "No. You would be only a vampire if you were turned, but that makes no difference. We are still fated, Serenity. You are my other half - the only woman made for me." I shivered at his words and he frowned, "Are you afraid of me?"

My lips turned up as I lifted my hand to his face, "No. The shiver was one of anticipation, not fear. Um, can you change back? I really want to kiss you, but damn those fangs are a bit intimidating." He chuckled and began to shift back to his normal appearance. I giggled and leaned forward, kissing him.

"Mmmm, I like that. Now, where were we?" he teased as he flipped me onto my back, his mouth devouring mine as our hands began to explore one another with abandon.

Author's Note:  Well, seems our leading lady has accepted her role.  Give me some feedback, my lovelies.