"What is a soul without a heart? What is a heart without a life? What is a life without love? These are the things which make up the un-lives of those creatures that walk the night…"
Neganda paced his study as he listened to the voice drone on through the radio. He rolled his eyes once or twice then walked over and flipped off the radio leaving himself in silence once more. Three months now it had been since Catherine had first come into his life and she had changed him in so many ways, he could scarce believe. But, then, he had also changed her. He saw it as the nights went by and yet, held his tongue for fear she would become afraid and leave him alone once more. He walked to the open doorway and peered into the main living area, leaning against the doorframe. He folded his arms across his chest and tilted his head to watch her.
Catherine stood on the other side of the room in front of an easel, painting what appeared to be a self-portrait. Her wings were folded at her back and the tips just barely grazed the floor by her feet. Neganda had learned in those first few nights just how sensitive her wings were and how much it could either hurt her or pleasure her by having them touched. She'd grown attached to him and would not leave the house unless it was at his side. Not that he minded. Everyone said what a pair they made: The Angel and her Vampire Lord. Heaven and Hell. Good and Evil. Light and Dark…Morning and Night.
She worshipped her gods of the morning and he worshipped his goddesses of night. The Sun and the Moon, the lived together in harmony now, never fearing the other.
Catherine felt his eyes on her and smiled softly to herself. She set down the paintbrush and turned to face him, brushing a lock of hair from her face. Having been a slave for so long, living with Neganda had become a learning experience. He let her do and say what she wished and taught her about herself and about those like him. She had nothing to fear from his kind for he was their Lord and Ruler and they followed his commands without question. They saw her as a sort of Empress to their Emperor and she allowed them to think in such a way so long as they were happy. Her relatives, however, were none to happy to find their Angelica inhabiting the nighttimes with a Vampire Lord and time and again had sought the two out in hopes of killing Neganda and reclaiming Catherine once more.
Neganda stood straight and walked over to Catherine, brushing the side of her face with the back of his hand then kissing her softly.
"I was thinking you might like to go out tonight and visit some of the more livelier places in the realm." Catherine nodded slowly.
"I would like that very much, Neganda," she answered quietly. Neganda smiled softly.
"Why don't you go and get dressed and I'll make arrangements for the carriage to be brought around." Catherine smiled and turned, walking into their bedchambers while Neganda walked outside to converse with the stablemaster.
Catherine entered the bedchambers and walked to the wardrobe, opening it and stepping inside, lighting the torches as she did so. She picked out the first outfit she came to, because it was the first outfit Neganda'd had made for her after he'd set her free. It was a midnight blue gown made of silk and the cuffs of the sleeves were made of the finest lace. She walked to the bed and lay the dress down in order to remove the white silk robe she was already wearing. The robe slid down her slender body and pooled on the floor at her feet. Her skin was soft and creamy, her breasts firm and high. She reached down and pulled the gown over her head, letting it slide down across her body. She shivered slightly at the feel of the silk against her naked skin. The dress fit perfectly and molded itself to every curve on her body. Her wings unfurled for a moment then settled against her back once more. She turned to get her shoes and stopped short, a gasp caught in her throat…
Neganda was just coming from the stables when he heard the high-pitched scream and began to run towards the house. He heard the flapping of wings and looked around frantically. Another scream and he looked up to find Catherine being pulled from the house by a male Angel who then took to the sky with Catherine in his arms.