Ricky was still asleep when I woke up the next morning. Our journey here had taken a lot out of both of us, and the emotional drain of our conversation last night hadn't helped. I'd at least gotten to feed, which is probably why I was back on my feet. You know, all these months, he's never mentioned to me whether consuming souls was a necessity for him or not. If so, I wouldn't know how often he needs them. He must get his energy from somewhere. Whatever the case may be, I decided to just let him rest.

Hopefully Ville will be okay with me looking around the castle a little bit. The place was so big and beautiful. I wanted a chance to see more of it. Plus, I enjoyed getting to see snow for the first time in probably over a year. It reminded me of Scranton. That may be one of the few things I really miss about Earth. Though it wasn't my birthplace, it was where I settled and built my empire. I not only watched the city rise up around me, I helped build it. No one knew about that, of course. It was a small personal victory. I miss hearing the trains at night, but it was only a matter of time before they stopped running anyways.

It's still hard to believe that the link between this world and Earth, was Ville Valo. I always knew there was more to him than meets the eye, but I could've never guessed it was this. After seeing what he has here, I can't believe he'd risk it for a shitty place filled with shitty people. It was a testament to his altruism if nothing else.

Speaking of, he nearly scared the shit out of me when he suddenly appeared behind me. I'd found my way to a ballroom. It was breathtaking; Massive chandeliers, gold fixtures, a polished cherry floor, a large piano, murals on the walls, and perhaps my favorite, floor to ceiling stained glass windows.

"This was once a very busy place." He said, "Now, it's just a time capsule."

"I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to be here. I shouldn't have just let myself in." I began rambling nervously. Yeah, still haven't really gotten past the whole speaking to Ville Valo like he's just another person thing.

He waved his hand dismissively, "You're fine. I have nothing to hide. Besides, someone should get a chance to see it. I'm the only one who spends time here anymore."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"You need guests to have a ball. The only people I could invite are other demon lords, and honestly, I'm not interested in having most of them in my home." Ville leaned over the piano, resting his arms upon the top. He looked at the instrument with a great deal of love. That must be the reason he spends time here, to play. "You and Ricky, you're an item?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, yes, but I did also hear you having sex last night." He replied.

It's a good thing I put my mask on this morning, because my cheeks were red. It's been awhile since I've gotten embarrassed by anything. It's probably my least favorite feeling and I'd like to crawl in a hole and die right now, thanks.

"Sorry about that." I said, "We haven't made it official, but what we have is definitely more than sex. Um, I was wondering, you know how on Earth people say 'the love of my life' as if you only get one true love in your lifetime? Is that true? I loved someone else once, and I thought they'd be the love of my life. They'll always be important to me too, but now, Ricky's starting to be important to me, too."

"Of course we have more than one love in a lifetime, and you're allowed to have two that are equal to you in importance. Relationships, they're like fingerprints. They're all unique and different, but if you cut off your pinkie, it's not going to hurt any less than cutting off your thumb. That's rather morbid, saying it out loud... Try this thought, instead. Why is it perfectly acceptable for someone to have multiple pets, multiple children, multiple relatives? Yet, everyone freaks out at the thought of multiple partners? Love is limitless and blind. It doesn't require us to choose. It's not a competition, there is no first place. Earthlings, they always felt a need to put rules on love, when emotions are untamable."

His perspective was incredible to listen to, and he was right. I'm not sure exactly how long he's been a demon lord, but it's clear in his immortal life, he's learned far more than I have. Now that I think about it, it does make me curious as to what determines a demon lord's title and abilities. Ricky made it sound like he chose to learn shadow magic. Ville, on the other hand, every fiber of his being was stitched with passion, as if the universe made him for this very purpose.

I will always love Yuki. He helped to show me who I am and what I value. His smile was priceless to me. When he was in my arms, I was at peace. The endless noise that hummed in my vampire ears would finally silence, and the feeling as if all of the lives I'd taken were constantly trying to pull me down into Hell would stop. Deep down, I knew I didn't have to choose. I knew I had room in my heart for my past and my present, but I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else.

"Thank you." I told him.

"Of course." He tapped his fingertips on the top of the piano as he thought. Ville snapped up and walked over to the bench. "When all this nonsense with the others is settled, we should have a celebration. Put this room to use!" He took a seat, going to work on the keys as if it was second nature. "After all the wonderful parties I've attended at Avatar Country's palace, I believe it's about time I repay the favor."

"I can't speak for the others, but I'd certainly enjoy that." I smiled as I looked around the remarkable surroundings. "I should get back to Ricky. He always gets grumpy with me if he wakes up alone."

Ville laughed knowingly. I wasn't jealous in the least bit. Though he had a piece of Ricky once, he had no intention of keeping it. He only sought to nurture a broken soul. I do wonder just how many lives he's helped, and if he's played a role in the creating of multiple demon lords. Surely, if he knew by simply looking at Ricky that he had potential, he's had plenty of experience with blossoming demon lords in the past.

That was so far in the past, now, though. Ricky had gone from a scared servant to a leader whom healed others as he'd been healed. His trust issues with strangers and his need to go to the ends of the world to care for his loved ones makes so much more sense now. I returned to the room we had shared last night. It was gorgeous, the perfect place for a romantic getaway. However, it wasn't home. Oh, how I can't wait to get home to my own coffin and the safety of the castle. And, I can't wait to tell Kuza about Ville. He probably won't even believe me. Not to mention, I get the joy of letting him and Ryan know they can finally return to Earth if they'd like.

Ricky was still asleep when I slipped back into our room. Well, obviously he woke up the second he detected my presence. His sinful body laid bare, wrapped up in silk sheets. Fuck, he was so beautiful. He tiredly sat up, combing his messy hair out of his face with his hand. I came to the side of the bed and greeted him with a deep kiss.

He moaned as he pulled off of my lips. "Come back to bed."

"Shouldn't we be worried about preventing a war and all?" I asked.

"There's nothing we can do until Johannes gets back. Now," He undid the fastenings on my cloak, causing it to drop to the ground. Then, he started unbuttoning my shirt. "Come back to bed." He pushed my shirt off my shoulders and looked up into my eyes, "That's an order."

I laughed, caressing his face gently. "Yes, Master." Our lips connected once again and our tongues danced together. Ricky grabbed me by the hips and pulled me closer against the edge of the bed, closer in between his legs. He's such a little slut. I love it.

My whore was desperate for an encore to last night's performance and I wasn't going to deny him that pleasure. I dropped my pants and yanked him closer to the edge of the mattress. As I crawled over him, I slammed my cock into him and started fucking him like an animal. Maybe it was all this talk of love and romance, or the sensual surroundings, but I just couldn't be bothered with foreplay. I needed to be inside of him, feeling his skin against mine, his legs wrapped around my waist and his nails clawing at my back.

"Fuck," He gasped, "Chris, please, bite me!"

Little did he know, my fangs had already been crying out for his flesh. Taking a fistful of his hair, I wrenched his head to the side and plunged my teeth into his beautiful neck. Despite all the times I'd bitten him, not once had it left a scar. Sometimes I found that disappointing. I would've loved to mark him, even if no one in this realm would've understood what those four puncture wounds would've meant. I'll have to settle for fucking him every night, so that my scent lingers on his porcelain skin every day.

—

a/n:

this is a bit of a filler chapter, i'm sorry! BUT! i have a new book up. it's going to be a collection of short stories/one-shots and requests are OPEN! <3