Evening came far more peaceful than any other night for Sephiria, as the woman was nestled next to quite simply the most attractive man in the world to her. She woke with a sense of renewed confidence and pride in herself, honored to be at the side of such a powerful warrior. She held the collar in her hand that she'd been given, having turned to rest her round, bubbly butt against his lap, and thought of what it meant to her.
It meant freedom from the past, from the pain of the guilt that it all caused her, and a chance at a new life. It was everything she ever wanted and more. Did she deserve it? Thorne believed she did, enough so to give her a gift meant to be given from his late wife. She smiled and kissed the metal, whispering a quiet "
I accept
".
"
Do you?"
Thorne spoke up then, having seen the exchange between herself and the collar in her hands, so delicately cradled that he truly saw the meaning of it in her eyes. She understood and he hadn't even needed to explain to her fully what it all was. She had known the weight of a collar on her throat, as she'd grown up a slave...the memory dawned on him. He realized that no other would have understood the meaning better than her. "
Give it here, my love,"
he ordered gently, holding out his hand to her.
She turned to face him and placed the circlet into it, smiling with a hope he'd never seen before. He understood, and whispered the spell used to open it. A small click revealed a lever in the seamless metal, materializing out of a sigil that gleamed crimson on it. Bound by blood, this collar would not come off unless its trigger word was given. He looked into her eyes as he fit it against her neck, searching for any sign of hesitance. The woman didn't tremble, didn't move away, and met his gaze with compassion. "
It's okay, Thorne,"
Sephiria encouraged, touching his cheek. "
I know what it means."
Click!
The beautiful iron collar, bearing runes upon it that began to burn into the metal and cool, was fastened upon her throat. He drew her into his arms and kissed her passionately, overwhelmed by the love he could feel thrumming from her energy. The fact that she'd asked for the collar was more meaningful than he could ever ask for. He felt her hand brush at the corner of his eye, and noticed he'd started tearing up. Thorne chuckled and kissed her hand, drying his eyes.
"
I'm honored that you chose this so soon,"
Thorne spoke again, his voice gruff with emotion.
"
I'm surprised you believed I didn't understand what it meant, my love,"
Sephiria chuckled tenderly, stroking his hair from his face. "
Plus, we have known each other for over twenty years. I've waited for this a long time. I would like to travel back to your home...I cannot stand to live in Romania any longer. Would this be reasonable?"
"
There is no home to go to, but I know a friend."
Thorne spoke as he remembered something; his friend Anders had arrived two weeks ago from a land where they drank plenty and sailed for their riches, protecting their people and establishing clans. He could not remember what it was called, but it sounded like a glorious home for the both of their war-torn souls. They could fight only if needed, rather than being forced to fight for others. They could live their
own
lives, and Sephiria would be able to safely raise her children...as many as she'd let him give her. His heart warmed at the thought, and he kissed her tenderly as he stood, helping her up as well. He draped a cloak around her naked body and smiled at her, cupping her chin. "
I will speak with him, get his aid. We will be refugees, but we will be free of this place. I promise."
Sephiria nuzzled against his hand as she spoke. "
I will see what resources I can restore once we arrive. I have a variety of trades that might serve us, but bounties might be the most profitable should we need the extra gold."
With that, she went to turn, but he stopped her. "
What is wrong, my love?"
Thorne smirked at her; she was doing it again. She was worrying about taking care of everything herself, and he could see it on her face. He knew she'd had to survive on her own for a long time, but never really expected her to be the type to resist help. "
Sephiria, you may be strong, but you've needed rest for years. You are sickly to the common visage, and on top of that, you may be carrying my child right now. Will you not allow your man to care for you, and rest for a while?"
When he put it in that light, Sephiria couldn't exactly argue. She sighed softly and nodded, smiling wearily. "
That is fair, Thorne. I have...been quite ill of late."
"What troubles you? Is it an ailment?"
He asked, to which she shrugged.
"
I do not know. I have not seen a physician yet. We typically dealt with it through brief healing, but I am tired frequently and need more sleep than usual. I also weaken easily,``
she admitted. He looked at her in concern, but didn't show her his worry as heavily as he felt it.
"
You feed so irregularly, that I'm not surprised,"
He spoke up, saying the very thing he'd dreaded bringing up with her for years. She had to hear it, no matter how stubborn. "
I've observed your feeding patterns, and I know you starve yourself of blood deliberately. Why?"
Sephiria looked at him in shock, but knew he was right. She
hated
feeding. "
...Their memories,"
She spoke softly. "
I hate seeing their memories when they..."
"
You never have to kill them, Sephiria. Another of that man's lies to you. You only see them when you are near the end of their life,"
He explained, taking her hand and gesturing for her to sit with him. He took up residence in a rocking chair near the fire, and took her into his lap. "
My sweet girl, what else has he taught you? He wasn't your sire, was he?"
"No. That was Vlad, who taught me much the same,"
She corrected quietly. "
I was told that seeing them would make me stronger, but it only broke me. I have fits at night because he isn't the only thing that haunts me in my sleep."
A shiver, then her shoulders shook. "
I could have avoided all of that...all of the killing."
"
You had no choice in what you did. Need I remind you?"
He gently touched her collar, pressing it against her warm skin as adrenaline had risen her temperature. "
You had no choice before. You do now. Remember that. Breathe with me, love, you're working up. I know how hard it is."
She took a deep breath, and then another. Waves of calm followed each exhale, bringing her back down to earth and out of that horrible place in her mind. "
Thank you,"
She spoke gently, resting her head on his shoulder. "
It happens frequently, I'm afraid."
"
No need to worry,"
He chuckled, kissing her temple. "
We'll find a way to help you, my love. It will be alright. For now, let us dress and get you--Sephiria?"
He heard panting against his chest and he tilted her face to him, seeing that she was flush in the cheeks - likely experiencing a stress response, or her heat... Living vampires, with a need to breed, dealt with it every month if they were female. Men did not experience it as much, but certainly could go through periods of feral fucking. He saw that her eyes were darkening, the whites becoming black as void, her irises crimson as blood and gleaming in the dim light.
Sephiria looked up at him, her lips slightly parted, fangs aching to bite or be bitten. She'd been fighting it all this time, but for how long? Had it been the entire time she'd hosted him as a guest in her home? Either way, it took full hold now, and it looked like she was an entirely different person. The look in her eyes was pure lust, but also exhaustion.
Not too long after, her knees gave way in his arms. She stumbled, her fangs extended and hunger making itself known.
"
Damn it girl...let me get you to bed,"
He spoke as he carried her, standing from the chair and laying her down on his silken sheets. Thorne saw the exhaustion from lack of food and he whistled, a signal to alert the guard outside of his room.
Two soldiers stepped into the room after Thorne made sure to cover her, saluting him. He'd had them posted since he arrived, something Sephiria insisted on for him yet not herself. He held her hand and turned to them, ready to give their orders. "