Gwendolyna did not want to give herself false hope, but lately, she felt Richter had been a touch… clingy, for lack of better words.  Not wanting to overstep her welcome, she did not take it as an invitation to pry into his day-to-day.  He came to her more often than not, often finding her in the library or chapel when the mood struck.  He requested her to accompany him more frequently.  She’d dine with him in the evenings, sit by his side at the colosseum as he commanded some of the more ferocious servants in the castle to combat for his enjoyment, and the bedtime stories…  What torment for her to have to read such idealistic works aloud to the very man with whom she wanted to live these fantasies!  She reminded herself not to look too deep into it.  Richter was merely committed to making this as convincing as possible to ensure Dracula’s wrath.  This had to be some twisted kind of torture specially handcrafted to cause her anguish.  That man had figured out everything her heart desired and forced her to perform it, knowing it only made her fall more in love each day, but oh, how she enjoyed every moment of it!

Because of this, Gwen thought it peculiar she had not seen Richter around the castle this particular afternoon.  He hadn’t sought her out, and wasn’t in any of the usual places.  Though she told herself it was silly to worry, she found herself concerned.  In her dread, she found herself seeking out the chamber they practically shared, hoping to find him there.

As she stepped into the room, her senses were assaulted by the sickeningly sweet, metallic smell of human blood.  There was a distinct undertone which could only belong to a Belmont.  Her hand darted in front of her mouth, which watered from the tantalizing scent.  She wanted to flee before her urges overwhelmed her, but Richter had other plans.

“Ah, perfect timing,” he said.  “Come, my pet.”

He stood in front of a mirror with his back to her.  From this angle, Gwen could not see his reflection, nor did he turn to her after beckoning her closer.  She did not know what he was up to, but knew the smell belonged to him.  She cursed her fate before meeting him by his side.

“Y-Yes, my lord.”

“I require your assistance.”

The man turned from the mirror he had been looking at to her.  His hand hovered in front of his face; behind it, she could see rivulets of blood streaming from his nostril.  Though she predicted this, she still gasped at the sight and took a cautious step back.

“What happened, Lord Belmont?” she asked.  “Are you injured?”

“No, ‘tis the dry air in this castle,” he said.  “Worry not; I’ve been prone to these since I was a boy.  Fetch me something to stop it.  I would myself, but I’d prefer not to leave a trail in a castle full of bloodsuckers.”

She swallowed hard and nodded.  What bitter irony that she had fallen for a man susceptible to nosebleeds!  Fortunately for him, she did keep a handkerchief.  She reached into her gown and retrieved the linen to offer to him.

“Do you mind…?”

He vaguely gestured at his face, blood covering his gloved palms.  Her lip twitched.  She did not wish to disobey, but she felt like sobbing that he was going to make her subject herself to this.  She wanted to believe there was malice in his request; why else would he ask a vampire to tend to his blood?  Yet he almost looked embarrassed.  He came across so sincere.  She recognized that he was the one at a disadvantage in this situation, and wondered if he did as well.  She stepped closer, still remaining at arm’s length as she brought the cloth under his nose.

“Thank you,” he mumbled.

She nodded, but otherwise did not respond.  She was too busy debating herself.  The monster within spoke to her.  It begged her to steal a kiss from him, just to have a quick taste of the blood that had dripped past his lips.  Her head felt light from the overwhelming scent.  Rational thoughts struggled to keep their footing.  She bit the inside of her cheek, swearing to herself that she would find something to quell her thirst after he dismissed her.

“This must be difficult for you,” he said as she dabbed at his face.

At times, she swore he could read her mind.  It was frustrating to be such an open book to him.  She still believed this whole ordeal was likely a test, and she intended to pass.  She would give him no reason not to trust her.

“I assure you, I do not feed on humans, my lord.  I can manage.”

“That may be so,” said Richter.  “But don’t think I do not notice the bloodlust boiling beneath the surface.  I can see the war waging within through your eyes.”

“No man’s blood can be satisfying enough to justify an eternity of damnation.  Not even your own,” she said.  “It may be that my fate is already sealed, but I wish not to allow that to compromise my morals.  Had I wanted your blood, could I not have taken it any night I laid by your side?”

Gwen finished her words with a slight huff, and Richter’s silence after this statement gave her a moment to realize how she indignant she sounded.  She drew back her hand and opened her mouth to apologize, but his laughter interrupted that plan.

“My intent was not to tease, though it is always delightful to see you get worked up.  The truth is I do admire that will of yours, vampire,” said Richter.  “It’s commendable.  I do not think you comprehend your own strength.  Of the creatures in this castle, you are among the most formidable.”

A breath of a laugh was Gwen’s initial response.

“You have a strange sense of humor, my lord.”

“You think I jest?” asked Richter, only for her to drop her eyes and shrug.  He pulled the cloth from her hand, causing her eyes to raise again to meet his.  “A lesser vampire’s resolve would have cracked the moment they stepped into this room.  The scent of a Belmont’s blood would have sent them into a frenzy, urging them to attack then quickly meet their demise.  But you…  You resist such temptation.  You do not strike when one would expect a vampire to strike.  I’ve come to the conclusion your patience may be what makes you so daunting.  It would be effortless for a creature like you to lure in a victim.  One wouldn’t expect it from you.  So gentle, so demure, so…”

Richter’s lips pursed, stopping himself from completing his thought.  His eyes kept her gaze for a moment before faltering.  Brows furrowed; expression twisted to one of confusion.  Both fists tightened around the handkerchief he held in front of his chest.  His sudden shift in behavior left Gwen concerned.

“Is… something the matter, Lord Belmont?”

“‘Tis not,” he said before clearing his throat and turning away from her.  “I appreciate your assistance.”

Without another word, he left her standing in the room alone.

Gwen remained there for a minute, utterly baffled at Richter, until she could no longer tolerate the scent his blood left behind.  She knew not where he had gone, but she decided it would be best not to pursue him.  Instead, the garden called to her.  She felt faint from the encounter.  If she did not take care of herself soon, she may not remain so composed next time.

Floors above, Richter had retreated to one of the castle’s balconies in an attempt to get some air to gather his thoughts.  The brisk breeze that preceded the incoming storm served to cool him down and ground him.  He intended to clear his head, yet fate was cruel.  Moments after he stepped out, he caught the vampiress as she strolled out into moonlit garden below.  The sight of her made him want to turn away, but his eyes were glued to her form.  The grace with which she moved only further complicated how he felt.  The word he left unsaid to her still lingered on the tip of his tongue, and it was the only way to describe how she looked down there.

Beautiful.

Resting his elbows on the railing, he held his head to his fists.  He realized minutes ago when speaking to her that he thought her beautiful, and such a startling revelation weighed heavy on his heart.

Richter recognized her as attractive the first time she stepped before him.  She was indeed; anyone who said otherwise would be a fool or a liar.  Auburn hair blazed like hellfire in the sunlight that morning.  The pallor of her smooth, alabaster skin was almost blinding- a testament of centuries living in the shadows.  And those eyes…  He’d caught glimpses of them peeking at him before they formally met, but seeing them up close was something else entirely.  A chest full of gold could not have glistened as much as her eyes when they fluttered open.  This was of no surprise or concern to him.  It was known monsters could very well be attractive; lust was a powerful tool of deception.  But beautiful?  Beauty was a term that deserved to be reserved for those not tainted by darkness.  He cursed himself for thinking such a thing.

The other words he spoke to her earlier were how he truly felt.  The lady was terrifying when he gave himself a chance to consider it.  Even though he did not anticipate her turning on him, she was indeed the biggest threat to him in this castle.  Such beauty was dangerous.  Her body had captured his attention from the very first glance.  Her reserved nature gradually lowered his guard over their time together.  Becoming intimate with her left him just as vulnerable to her as she was to him.  Even that shy smile of hers that he found himself so fond of exposed her deadly fangs as if flashing a warning.

This whole time, he believed he had the upper hand.  He intended to use her to get to Dracula, but should she be cunning, she could have been using his rivalry to make him her prey instead.  The fact that he now saw her as the threat she was made their little affair more interesting.  He lifted his head and opened his fist to view her handkerchief that he still had in his grip.  Though he had rinsed his blood from it so it would not be permanently soiled, he had no intentions of giving it back.  It would remain with him as a reminder of his weakness against her.

Richter straightened up, smiling to himself as he tucked it into the breast pocket hidden inside his coat.  With a new rival to bridge the gap until the revival of his family’s nemesis, his instincts would not dull.  She would do well to keep him on his toes until her sire awoke.  No, he did not think she would be foolish enough to betray him, but that did not mean he could lower his defenses.  He just needed to keep a closer eye on her.  He glanced beyond the banister again, ensuring she was still out roaming the grounds before he turned to re-enter the castle.

From the ground, the moon above was largely obscured by darkened clouds, yet somehow the twinkling light of the stars managed to illuminate the lady’s path.  It was strange, Gwen thought, that Castlevania could have a garden.  Even as a girl, the irony of an area dedicated to life and growth on such desolate grounds was not lost on her.  The garden was as familiar as the old library.  Though the location and appearance may have changed like all of Castlevania, a sense of comfort and nostalgia filled her in its midst.

The evening was quiet, but not silent.  Nothing was ever silent with hearing as fine-tuned as hers.  A rustling in some shrubbery so faint and distant that it wouldn’t be heard by man piqued her interest immediately.  She crept towards the source of the sound.  If she was lucky, she would find exactly what she was out here in search of.  She stalked closer, slowly and stealthily, intending not to make any sudden moves lest she startle her target.  Once approaching the shrub that the noise originated from, she crouched down and moved a limb so she could see what hid inside.  A rabbit had obscured itself to nibble on leaves.  It paused and looked up when it noticed her.  Gwen held her hand out for the small animal.  It hopped right up to her and allowed her to pick it up.  From childhood, she had a way with nature.  She grimaced at the memory of her guardians discovering and using this gift to lure poor animals to their demise to keep food on the table, but shook away those awful thoughts.

The rabbit’s fur was soft as silk, white as snow.  She held it to her bosom, tenderly shushing it while running a palm over its back.  Petting it was more for her benefit than that of the rabbit.  She brought her lips to its head, pressing a kiss between the long ears before burying her nose in the fur of its neck.  Eyes screwed shut.  Though she no longer had air in her lungs, she feigned a deep breath out of habit.  That little girl she once was would be horrified if she knew what she had become.  She tried not to think about what she was doing.  Better to be this animal than a man, she reasoned with herself.  She was growing weaker by the day.  She had been too wrapped up in her infatuation to listen to her body’s needs.  If she didn’t feed, the temptation that Richter wrought would become too great.

Grace was silently mouthed before canines sharp as daggers pierced into flesh.  The poor animal did not have a chance to struggle.  It went limp in her arms as she drained it of life.  At least she had that much to be grateful for; guilt always weighed so much heavier when her prey struggled.  The cries of victims past rung in her ears despite the stillness of the night.

Never had she feasted on the blood of a human, despite her sire’s urging after she had been turned.  The thought made her sick to her stomach.  She vowed to never feed upon man, fearing it would seal her fate.  Yet the Belmont’s smelled so intoxicating…  The heady blood coursing through his veins was alluring like no other.  She wouldn’t dream of hurting him.  She wouldn’t be able to face eternity if anything were to happen to Richter, but she couldn’t deny that the thought had crossed her mind long before his little trial earlier.

When she laid by him, the rhythm of his heart hypnotized her.  So long had she been without a beating heart of her own.  His was fascinating beyond measure.  She enjoyed burying her face amidst that beautiful mane of his during his slumber.  Her lips would ghost over the column of his neck, relishing in the throb of his steady pulse against them.  It would be so easy, Dracula’s voice goaded her in the back of her mind.  It’d be so easy to end the noble bloodline right there, so easy to succeed where her sire had always failed with the Belmonts.  If she was feeling selfish, it’d be so easy to turn Richter so she could spend the rest of eternity with him.  That would be easy.  The difficult part would be living with herself for centuries to come after committing such an atrocity.

When the poor rabbit was nothing more than a lifeless husk, Gwen pulled away.  Gaping holes of crimson stained the pure white fur.  It pained her to see such beauty blemished by her hand.  At the perimeter of the garden, she laid the tiny corpse.  The flesh would be available for some other creature to feast upon.  The cycle of life and death would continue.

On her walk of shame back towards the castle, the silhouette of a man watched her from the entryway.  Upon noticing him leaning against the frame with folded arms, Gwen stopped.  She knew not why he kept watch over her, but the attention was flattering.  Though it was not late, perhaps he was getting ready to retire for the evening and refused to do so without her.

Without a word, Richter descended the stone steps and strutted over in her direction.  Chestnut waves were slightly tousled by evening breeze as he drew near.  He stopped before her, sizing her up before stepping closer still, backing her against one of the marble statues on the grounds and placing a hand of his on it behind her head.  With the taste of blood still present on her tongue, she felt as if her meal moments before was a mere appetizer.  The main course now stood before her, faint moonlight reflecting off the cerulean eyes that were fixed on her.

“Lord Belmont.”

Richter leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

“Tell me, vampire…”  His breath was warm as it fanned over the frigid skin of her neck.  “What brings you out here?”

Swallowing harshly, she managed stammer out, “I… I was feeding, my lord.”

“Feeding…”

She hesitantly nodded, shame rising for participating in something so barbaric.  His free hand took one of her copper tresses and twirled it around his finger.  Eyebrow arched as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Preying on the innocent, you mean?”

Though his words were accusatory, his actions betrayed him.  This thinly-veiled flirting filled her with confidence.  Pride welled in her chest as she met his eyes and allowed herself to return the provocation. 

“Is this not the case for all carnivores?” she inquired.  The blood she’d consumed moments ago had given her the energy necessary to retort.  “Was the roast you dine on not once alive?”

A chuckle rose from Richter’s chest.  Butterflies fluttered in response to such a soft reaction from the object of her desires.

“Very well,” he said and straightened up.  Her hair was dropped so he could tilt her chin.  Thumb stroked her jawline as he shook his head.  “So meek, I oft forget you are indeed a cold-blooded predator.”

“I do believe that’s a dangerous precedence, Lord Belmont.  Lest you slip up and become prey yourself.”

Eyes narrowed as his grin spread.  Though the night was chilly, she felt the fire of his gaze warm her deep within. 

“I’m curious,” she said.  A cautious hand reached up to grace the exposed skin of his chest.  Fingers settled above his heart.  She smiled as she felt the soft thumping beneath the pads of her fingers.  “What brings you out here, my lord?”

“I grow suspicious when I don’t feel those eyes of yours follow me through the castle.”

The brush of leather crept atop her hand.  Richter didn’t break eye contact as his gloved hand enclosed hers and pressed it to his chest. 

“Who knows what kind of mischief you could be up to without my presence?”

A light smile played on her lips.  The Belmont had been growing fond of her in spite of himself.  She wondered if the spell she had intended to use on him would have worked as well as the passage of time in each other’s company.

“Suspicious?” she asked.  “Or… envious?”

“Of?”

“Of the thought of my attention being elsewhere.”

“I worry not that your interest will wane, my pet…”

The hand that had been propping him up now found her neck and pulled her into a kiss.  The chaste caress of his lips upon hers was punctuated by a whisper.

“… For a predator doesn’t take eyes off its prey so easily.”

The kiss resumed with newfound passion as the darkened clouds above began to weep.  Their cold tears were a stark contrast to Richter’s warmth surrounding her.  Faintly, she worried he’d be disgusted by the fresh blood coating her tongue as he ran his along it.  If he was aware, he must not have been bothered.  He wasn’t deterred as the rain picked up.  In fact, it appeared to encourage him.  His body pressed against hers, pinning her to the statue as he chased her lips. 

As the passion began to reach a peak, Richter broke away, giving Gwen a chance to admire the rise and fall of his chest as his lungs sought out the oxygen of which he had been deprived. 

“Let us retire,” he said.  “We can continue this in the comfort of the sheets.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With a smile, he eased off of her and held out his hand.  She gratefully accepted and allowed him to whisk her back inside the castle.

The corridors they wandered felt no less forgiving than the storm outside.  The chill of the castle caused the damp fabric that clung to their bodies to feel even more like a burden.  Richter could not wait to get himself out of this stifling garb, nor could he wait to rid that vampire of the gown that clung to her curves in a way that already stripped her of all modesty.

Unable to deny himself of that pleasure any longer, he ducked into the next chamber he passed and pulled her along with him.  While not as luxurious as the one in the heart of the castle where they spent most their nights, it would serve its purpose for the evening.  The instant the two were behind closed doors, Richter stripped Gwen of her drenched dress as he guided her to the bed.  When her body hit the mattress, he dove between her legs.

“Lord Belmont!” she exclaimed, grabbing his damp hair and pulling him back by it.  “What are you…?”

“Shh…  You’ve been such a good pet to me.  Think not I take your obedience for granted,” he said.  He pressed a kiss to her inner thigh as his fingers traced between her legs.  “Such behavior deserves to be rewarded, lest you grow jaded and turn from me.”

Gwen’s grip loosened and she gave Richter a nod to proceed.  He proceeded to kiss up her thighs.  The feel of his lips and the remaining raindrops that dripped off his nose tickled as he kissed a trail up higher.

As lord of this castle, he understood it was not customary for him to be bowing to another, and as a Belmont, he recognized that humbling himself before a vampire was unheard of.  After this evening, he decided such pride may need to be reeled in before it resulted in his downfall.  If provoked, she could strike.  It could happen in the dead of night, after she lulled him with that voice of hers or wore him out with her body.  Perhaps even during a moment of unforeseen mortal vulnerability like he had caught himself in earlier.  Should he not value her alliance, should he not revere her for what she truly was, he could very well find himself sharing her fate if he did not pay her closer attention.

Deft fingers parted the lips of her already wet slit.  Richter slowly, yet reverently traced the folds, watching as she squirmed from his touch.  Fists tightened around the blankets as his fingers continued to explore her.  When two of them entered her, his thumb ghosted the tiny nub of hers.  Her hips bucked into his hand.  He proceeded with this for a moment, ensuring she had ample time to ready herself for what was to come.  He wanted her dripping with anticipation of his next move.  When he noticed that she had begun seeking more friction by grinding against his hand, he deemed her sufficiently aroused.  He eventually withdrew the two fingers he had in her, and brought his mouth down to replace them. 

“Oh!”

Gwen’s body tensed the moment she felt his tongue upon her.  Barely lifting his head from its current position, Richter looked up at her through his lashes.

“Everything fine?”

She could do nothing more than bob her head in response.  At this, Richter lowered his mouth again.  She felt his small huff of a laugh as it left his nostrils; the tiny brush of air against the already sensitive area had her fighting back a moan.

His tongue flicked past her opening before delving inside.  Her body language proved his efforts were being rewarded.  She arched her back; her hips lifted to meet his mouth.  This new angle she offered him was much appreciated, and Richter thanked her by tonguing her harder.  He allowed himself to travel away from the entrance and up towards that cute button of hers.

Instinctively, her thighs clenched when his mouth came down upon it.  They were soft, yet firm around his head as his tongue teased the clit.  Smirking to himself, Richter continued toying with this.  He alternated between feather-light traces and soft suckles causing her to writhe and moan all the while.  The squeeze of her around him was eventually enough to leave him lightheaded.  Richter eased up, hoping that she would permit him a minute to breathe.  Her thighs did relax, and by the sound of that subtle string of swears, one would think she was the one being smothered.

“Oh, God…” Gwen exhaled a little louder than before.  He chuckled to himself. 

“Pretty breathless for one who doesn’t breathe,” he teased.  “Enjoying yourself?”

A frantic nod was her response.

“I am as well,” he confessed. 

With the taste of her sex heady on his tongue, his own throbbing arousal was demanding attention.  He did not consider himself done with her.  He wanted the triumph of savoring her ecstasy, but feared if he dragged this on too long, he would make his trousers even more uncomfortable.  Like a bolt of lightning, he was struck with an idea.

“Pout not, my pet,” he assured her upon hearing her whimper.  “‘Tis just the beginning.”

Clothes were discarded in a flash and he joined her upon the bed.  Richter pulled her into his lap, back against his chest.

“You love sucking my cock, don’t you?” he whispered in her ear.  Her mouth fell open.  “You don’t have to answer.  You’ve made it clear; you do.”

Richter craned his neck to view her expression, causing her to turn her head to avoid him.

“Don’t be shy.”  Voice still low, he nudged her cheek with his nose before kissing it.  “I’ve realized I love the taste of your cunt.  I get the feeling you’d much prefer your reward if you get to worship me as you receive it.”

In utter confusion, she looked over her shoulder back at him.

“Would you not?” he asked with a laugh.  Richter found it adorable how those deadly little fangs peeked out when she chewed her bottom lip like that.  Taking that bright look in her eyes as a yes, he laid back down onto the pillows.  With his hands on her hips, he pulled her back from his lap closer to his chest.

Caught off guard by this sudden movement, Gwen ended up on her hands and knees above Richter’s body.  Though he had already had his face between her legs moments ago, this compromising position left her feeling so much more exposed.  Not to mention, her own face was so close to his erection.  She gasped when it clicked what he planned on having her do.

“Go ahead,” he said as his fingers teased the cleft between her legs again.  Considering his sexual prowess, Gwen wondered if the man had been possessed by an incubus.  Never in her long life could she have come up with something so explicit.

Regardless, she now understood what he expected her to do.  Leaning forward, she lowered her mouth onto his cock.  She steadied herself with one forearm on the bed by Richter’s thigh, using the other to hold his length in place so she could thoroughly lavish him.  She had grown so captivated by the task ahead of her, she had forgotten all about Richter behind until she felt his tongue rediscovering her swollen folds.

“Mmph!”

Hearing her surprise muffled by a mouth full of prick brought a laugh out of Richter.

“You’re doing magnificent, my pet,” he encouraged.  “Don’t mind me.”

Gwen centered herself and focused her attention back on what she had been doing.  She felt Richter’s lips press against her as she brought the tip of his cock between her own lips.  It was difficult to focus and ignore the shiver it sent down her spine when he mouthed at her so lewdly.  She wondered if he was aware of how her toes were curling on the pillow right on either side his head as his tongue curled inside of her.  She knew she could see how his thighs tensed when she sucked him, and how the sight encouraged her to keep that up.  Both of them attempting to please each other at the same time felt like a game.  She was enjoying herself as she tried to get more reactions out of him.  He did have the advantage of a head-start, but Gwen wondered if she could bring forth his release before he managed to give hers to her.

She knew not if he felt the same, but Richter did appear to be just as enthusiastic as her.  His strong hands kneaded her bottom as he lapped and sucked at her.  His ruthless attention between them made her legs feel weak.  She showed her gratitude by meeting him when he thrust upward into her mouth and taking the head of his prick deeper into her throat each time.  The fruits of her labor were tangible and it felt like she would soon be victorious.  The way he twitched against her tongue warned her that climax was imminent.  Though she could hardly hear them with everything that was going on at once, each moan that slipped past his lips caused sensations that had her pressing back against his face for more.

This in turn brought moans from Gwen as well, which were equally arousing for Richter as he felt her throat constrict around him.  As his pleasure mounted, he considered that moments like these drove home the fact that she was indeed a force to be reckoned with.  It hadn’t gone unnoticed that she had gotten a little competitive, considering her aggressive attempts at pleasing him.  He appreciated a good challenge, but could recognize this was a battle he may not win. 

Richter tried to hold out and best her, knowing she was so close he could taste it, but his resolve was cracking faster than he could think.  As much as he wanted to bury his face between her legs until he heard her crying out for him, he knew his limits, and he had already pushed them.  His head was growing light; he had to part for breath.  In the second it took for him to fill his lungs, he knew he had met defeat.  The power she held over him was too great.  The way she savored his cock without granting him a single moment to recover was ruthless, and the reactions she conjured from his body because of that fervor were unavoidable.  He would let her have this.  Victory would be her reward; ecstasy would soon follow.

With one final taste of her, Richter’s body was seized by pleasure.  She did not pull away as he began to cum, and he pulled her closer in an attempt not to be outdone.  Feeling her greedily swallow all he had to offer had him groaning as his fingers dug into the flesh of her hips.  He knew his form had faded; he knew each swipe of his tongue was now sloppy and uncoordinated.  Even as clumsy as he had become, he was granted the satisfaction of making her squeal for him.

“Mmph… R-Richter!  My lord!”

She pulled away to moan his name, rocking back against his face.  Though he was growing dizzy again, he held her against him, fucking her with his tongue until he could taste the sweet flood of her release.  She gripped the sheets for dear life as he drank in all of her orgasm.  He did not cease until her body grew weak and collapsed against his.

Knowing she was completely spent, Richter took the liberty of moving her so she was by his side instead.  Once she was in his arms, she snuggled up closer to him and allowed her eyes to flutter shut. 

“I feel like I could sleep after that,” she mumbled after a moment.  “The rain is not helping.”

She spoke of the soft tapping of the rain shower as it struck the glass of the window.  It was a sound rarely heard from bed, seeing as the master chamber was not at the perimeter of the castle like this room.  Richter agreed that the steady sound after such an exhausting bout was enough to lull anyone, but wondered what reason she had to resist dozing off.

“Well, why don’t you?” he asked.  “Do you fear letting your guard down around me?”

“Truly, I do not believe I have any guard around you,” she said with a soft laugh.  “Though I fear if I drift off, I may not wake back up.  Usually when I sleep, much time passes before something wakes me.”

“You must sleep like the dead,” Richter joked. 

“I suppose I do,” she replied.

“If you wish to sleep, perhaps I could wake you.”

“Do not feel like you have to do that for me,” she said.  “Unlike you, my rest is not necessary.”

“But I imagine it must be tedious waiting for me each night.”

Smiling, she shook her head.

“No, it is never dull.  I enjoy watching you,” she said.  “You look so peaceful when you sleep.”

“Ah,” Richter said as he began to grin.  “So, you wish to be selfish…  What if perhaps I wanted the opportunity to keep an eye on you?”

At first, she did not respond, but her smile faded.  One of her eyes then cracked open.

“Is this in regards to my outburst earlier, my lord?” she asked.  “I assure you; I have no intentions of feeding upon you while you rest.  I meant it not as a threat.”

“No, worry not.  I did not interpret it that way.  I believe you have as much to gain from keeping me alive as I do with you,” he said.  “Might I suggest that both of us can sleep?  When I rise in the morning, I can wake you.”

The other eye opened so she could judge his expression.

“Promise?” she asked.  He gave her a nod of confirmation, causing her smile to return.  She shut her eyes again.  “If you are certain, I’d like that.”

“You do not snore, do you?” he teased.  “I will not hesitate to wake you if you snore.”

Gwen was thoroughly tickled by the question and began to giggle.

“No,” she said when she calmed enough to speak, shaking her head.  “I do not think so, my lord.”

“I suppose we shall see,” said Richter as he shifted to get beneath the blanket.  She followed suit.  When both were under the blankets, he took her into his arms again.  “Sleep well, my pet.”

“And you, my lord.”

Though he had no intentions of going to sleep so soon, Richter succumbed to sleep the moment he shut his eyes.  He was almost disappointed when he woke, as he intended to observe the vampire as she slept to see what she found so fascinating.  When he turned to his side, he realized he may still have his chance.

It was uncanny at first, seeing her lay so still.  There was no graceful rise and fall of her chest, no gentle flare of her nostrils or subtle quiver of air slipping past her lips.  The initial sight startled his sleepy mind, and he had to remind himself that breathing was not a necessity for that unsettled feeling to subside.  Once he looked past that, he found himself thinking that damn word again.

The vampire was beautiful.  It pained him to acknowledge it, but the sight of her in that moment was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.  Her ivory skin was radiant in the natural light.  He drew the blankets down a little further to appreciate the softness of her body, so smooth and supple one would claim it impossible she had lived as many lifetimes.  Long, ruddy waves were fanned across the pillow beneath her.  The partial braids on either side of her head that she wore in an attempt to contain some of the wild hair had become partially unraveled over the course of the night.

What a night it had been…

Richter wore a satisfied smiled as he thought back to it.  Never before had he ever been so intrepid when it came to pleasures of the flesh.  It was something about how beautiful she looked in the moonlight that possessed him.  Something about the seeing the twinkle of her eyes make up for the darkened sky’s lack of stars, and how much it thrilled him to see a flash of her fangs behind her smirk when she dared to tease back.

Yes, she was beautiful.  Richter could accept it.  She had a very beautiful body that he did not mind indulging in.  If she found him half as attractive as he found her, he could see the appeal of spending each night appreciating the sight.  Deciding he had gawked enough and eager to get cleaned up and start his day, he decided he would wake her like she had requested of him.  He had anticipated it being a bit of a chore, but a gentle shove was all it took to usher her back to the world of the living. 

Upon opening her eyes, Gwen was greeted by Richter’s gazing down at her.  The moment she had shut them the night before, Gwendolyna fell into a deep slumber.  It wasn’t restful.  There was no energy to be gained from it.  It was nothing more than a way to pass the time.  Sleeping never felt like she remembered it being before she was turned.  If she had to describe it, she was for all intents and purposes lifeless.  There were no dreams nor faint awareness of the world around her.  Everything ended.  She incapable of rousing herself on her own.  In the past, she had to depend on a major event like the resurrection of Castlevania. 

This was preferable.  Rays of the early morning Transylvanian sun shone around him as he leaned over her.  Such light was such a stark contrast to the pitch-black nothingness from which he stirred her.  Before she was fully conscious, she felt his lips against hers.  His fingers combed through her hair as he kissed her awake.

“Good morrow, my lord,” she whispered when he eased away.

“Morning,” he replied.  “Sweet dreams?”

A sleepy laugh was her response as she shook her head.  She could not bear to tell him that what she was living in this moment was far greater than any dream she could have conjured.  She hadn’t the faintest idea what he gained by toying with her like this, but she prayed he wouldn’t dare stop.