A Rose for Essence

(Asher's POV) Asher sat up in his room on the four post canopy bed, the only light came from a small oil lamp on his end table. This room was larger than the others he'd slept in for the last 100 times he turned twenty. Today, January 28th 1669 was the day of his vampiric birth, or his dark birth as he called it. He was in the basement on account of there being no windows to let in the light of the sun, "Which by the way doesn't kill us, for those of you reading this." He took a quil and parchment from the desk, near his bed and started to write. "Merry meet to thee, and blessed be ye by the gods of ole' and new! this is my story readers beware." Then rubbed his face and smiled as he looked into the distance, ahhh yes it was close to sunset, the sun won't burn my eyes and that beautiful scent that carried me back here from the new world is so strong in this place, I can feel her heart beat as if it where my own. he thought to himself as he sat there in the elaborate high back chair. He heard a russeling from beneath his bed and with his vampire speed ran and dove beneath it coming up with just the thing he needed his break of fast, a large gopher rat, which he began petting for a brief moment whispering thanks to Gaia the great mother for her gift and thanking the rat for the life it was about to give, before quickly and painlessly snapping it's neck and, partaking in the much needed nourishment of blood. He made his way up the stairs and out of the basement where his faithful servant had drew him a bath in the rather large clawfoot tub in the center of the lavish bathroom atop the stairs of the first floor and neatly laid his towel and clothes, a pair of stocking and his finest shoes. The now old man, Robert came in shortly after Asher dis-robed and entered the steaming waters that filled the tub. Rob made quick work of bathing Asher, combing his hair and drying him, dressing him and shaving him, before going to the first floor back to his family to tell the cook, his wife Maria, the Lord was ready for his Break of fast. All the while Rob worked, his son watched him learning how to take the place of his father, Glen cleared his throat as Asher neatly pulled his long hair back and tied it with a royal purple ribbon, before he spoke. "Lord Asher may I ask the why thou dis not have a looking glass in thus room to make daily preparations easier?" Glen asked with a shaking voice, Asher turned on his heels and gave the young boy, well younger then himself, a smile placing his hand on his shoulder, "Well my young friend it is time ye knew what ye mother and father know and what ye fathers father and mother knew of me, I am dead, but living, ye father was well into his eighteenth year before he asked me the same, ye see on meh twentieth year on thus glorious very plot of land, a fair lass caught meh eyes, her hair as red as the flames ye mother cooks over and eyes as green as the countryside, little did I know she was cursed with the night curse until she had beded me and sank her fangs into meh flesh, meh father had her burnt because of her inflicting his only born child with it. I am a night walker, a vamyre, meh dear boy to put it simple, I understand if ye hate me. Ye father did too at first, but I promised him a good life and vowed to never take a human life." Glen looked at him a bit taken back but nodded and smiled. "Aye meh Lord and that has been true. Ye are a man of thine word, so the fables be true then ye kind dis not have a reflection because of thine infliction?" He pressed further, Asher nodded in response before saying, "Aye boy, ye be a quick study, hath not any fear I shall learn ye all that I know and find ye a good wife, in years to come, but let us make haste before ye mother flogs us both for being late for the break of our fast." both of them laughed and made way to the dining hall. After the meal the sun was low enough Asher could make his journey into town to follow the scent that had brought him home after fifty years abroad in the new lands. He gave thanks to Maria and Rob nodded to Glen and was off on his horse into town. (Essie's POV) It was mid day when she woke in her room still filled with things of her adolescence, her doll house that she had no time for, porcelain dolls that hadn't been touch in years, sat collecting dust. Her violin in the chair and a multitude of books in neat piles all about the room. At eleven she was already well read, her father had taught her this skill as he was a tradesman and the girls of the village were not allowed in school, her mother taught her sewing lessons, cooking lessons, riding, violin, and singing through the day. She had been sick through Yuletide that year with a bad cough and high fever, but she pulled through. "By the Moon, it's mid day, mother said to be ready at dawn for lessons!" she thought to herself as she sprang out of bed, running across the room and violently pulled the bell cord to alert her hand maid she was ready to dress. Shortly after Lily, a woman of her mid-twenties, Essie's hand maiden, ran into the room with a rich in colur, purple silk dress, stockings and shoes in hand quickly putting Essie's corset, petticoat and silk dress adorned with lace on her, brushing her hair and then tightly pulling her mess of chocolate brown curls into a pony tail that cascaded down her back with a black satin ribbon, Essie was quick to grab her violin and bow as Lilly tossed her an apple that she ate on her way to the library where she was sure her very unhappy mother was awaiting to scold her good. " Essence Aurora Dawn Ol'William, has thou been asleep all thus time?!" her mother asked in a unwavered, even angelic, tone. A soft smile on her lips as she looked her daughter in the eyes. "Yes ma'am Mama, I am sorry for I was battling a dragon again before I slept I know thou said that a young lass shouldn't be reading much less into the wee hours of the night." Essie said with a frown, her eyes never quit meeting her mother's. Abigail smiled and lifted her daughters chin with another gentle smile and softly kissed her forehead, "Come, no lessons today then let us eat and have merriment then!" Her mother said to Essie's surprise! She knew her mother was only this happy when her father was home. She giggled wildly with a wide smile over come with joy, just as her father came up behind her and wrapped her in a hug, the three of them laughing. Abigail, Essie's mother, was a mid height woman with long curly red hair, slender waist, mid bust, teal blue eyes, an oval face and lush thick lips like Essie's, where as Essie, herself, had green eyes, a pointed nose, freckles, oval face with a squared chin like her father's, and a set of full cheeks all her own, she, herself, was much curvier and had what the doctor called fine birthing hips, her bust was already much larger than her own mothers, she was taller than her mother already too, as her father, Henry William Ol'William was a tall man with broad shoulders, dark hair, brown eyes, squared jaw thin lips and arms as big as Essie's well meated thighs. Essie was like her mother and early to blossom, she had been having her monthly for a whole calander year now, and was linked to the lunar cycles. Henry made the decision that it was to beautiful of a day for such fine Irish roses, as he often called the pair of lass', to not be paraded around in town for the day. It was warmer today then it had been this time last year, so they got in their carriage and rode into town for lunch at the inn, then her father took the lass' shopping in the market for new dresses and glittering jewels to adorn themselves with. Essie was having so much fun with her mother and father, she could hardly wait for her mother to tell her father the news of her wee baron of a brother or sister that she was carrying and had been since her father left for travel after yuletide was over. Essie, in fact was so excited about her mama's news for papa, she, herself, almost let it slip at lunch, just as her mother told her father, the sun went down and the street lamps were lit. Essnece was so over joyed she nearly cried, the three were so happy, that's when it happened, both her happiest of miracle days and her worst nightmare all at once. A handsome figure made his way over to them on a dark stallion and tipped his hat as the families stable hand of rode up from their very own stables, he looked filled with fright, the poor lad, he did. "Meh Lord, meh Lady the stores ye business meh Lord someone set it ablaze!" He shouted as the handsome man jumped down from his horse to introduce himself. He over heard the stable lad and tipped his hat to my father and mother his eyes never left my own, I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I smiled even under the crushing weight of the news my papa's shop was up in flames, this man made me feel safe and at the same time whole for the first time in my life. My papa ran to get the carriage and shoved me and my mama in before the mystery man could speak. Once at the halfway mark home, my mama and papa asked the stable boy to take me the rest of the way home and the carriage to leave them the single horse. It was in the wee hours of the morning, when I heard papa's voice calling frantically for the cook to get the stable lad to fetch the towns doctor and mama's hand maiden to come aide him with mama. That's when Lily came in my room and wouldn't let me go out, to mama and papa, I was so over come with fear that I wept against Lily as I spoke, "Lily what in bloody hell is going on whats wrong with papa where's mama." At my own panic, Lily, herself, started to cry though she tried to put on a brave face for me "Oh my sweet lil lass ye mother is with ye father she...she got hurt in the fire. from what I gather they thought it was out and they went in to see if anything could be saved, that's when a smoldering beam from the rafters fell on ye mother isn't waken lil one the stable lad went for the doctor." It was later that afternoon when the doctor told me and my papa my wee baron brother my mama was carrying and mama were lost. My world fell apart. I screamed and cried there was so much I still needed to learn from her, my beautiful mama, I'd never hear her laugh or sing or scold me again, not to mention she would never hold my head in her lap and brush my hair again nor would I met my wee little baron brother. And I would most likely never see darling papa smile again, him and mama, well they completed each other like milk and honey cakes fresh from the oven. One year after mama's passing my papa had remarried to a lass named Martha Maria St. Rosá a kind Sapnish lass who's husband had been lost to the seas, she had two wee ones, of her own, both boys, ages five and seven. She didn't make papa smile like mama did but she loved him. I could tell she doesn't speak like we do but papa knows Spanish and soon after their union she was with child and I was no longer my papa's little princess, he could not bare to look at me for I looked more like mama with every passing day. I knew it hurt him to see me so for the most part I stayed to myself rehearsing the pieces of music mama taught me or outside in the countryside when it was warm with mamas horse, Gail, a white mare papa got her the year I turned nine. I taught my new brothers our tounge and my stepmother, Martha, taught me to cook some more and how to mend clothes, as a trade off I taught her English too which we spoke most of the time. By the time I turned fifteen my papa wouldn't look at me at all anymore we spoke in letters and he told me in the last one he wrote me that it was time to find a husband and start my own life, i was of age to wed. He said that he was a Lord so I, myself would marry a Lord too. That year in spring we held a ball for my birthday so all the unmarried Lord's in the neighboring towns and villages could attend and papa could marry me off. It was my sixteenth birthday and I was a vision to behold, Martha had found mama's wedding gown and asked papa if I could wear it and he agreed. that's when I saw the man again the one from my last day with mama. He didn't look any older and I noticed that he didn't eat the food nor drink much of the mead, but no matter his smile made me dizzy. It also seemed no matter where I was his eyes never left me. My gown was really heavy it was ivory coloured silk with off shoulder sleeves that were long and came to a point at my middle finger it had royal purple eyelet lace over it and crystal beads and a train, it also had a high collar and because mama was small in the waist then, my corset was so tight it made it hard to breath and my bust felt like it was in my throat but I looked so good in it. It made me miss mama so much papa smiled when he saw me in it. and that in itself was the best gift I had gotten in a long time. (Asher's POV) it was March 18th, 1675, a week earlier I had received a formal invitation to a coming of age ball for one Lady Essence Aurora Dawn Ol'William, daughter of Lord Henry William Ol'William and the late Lady Abigail Elizabeth O'Reilly Ol'William, stepdaughter of Lady Martha Maria St. Rosá Ol'William, which I know to be the one, the one whom scent brought me home from the new world. I didn't get her name the first day I laid my eyes on her but I could tell she wasn't of age yet so I stayed away but tonight, I would see her again and hopefully I would come to feel as at home as I'd felt the first day I saw her. I was up early eager to get ready in my brand new formal wear I, myself, had tailored for this night, the other older Lord's that were widowed would be bringing there of age daughters too, in hopes that they could marry them off, so I had invited Glen my now butler to attend. My poor old friend Robert died last year and Maria, gods rest her soul, was soon to follow. So since then I had hired a cook and his wife to clean they came during the day and did their work while Glen over saw them. I'd given them the day off today so Glen and I were dressed in the finest, he wore my older more dated formal wear. As soon as the great star, our sun, kiss the surface of Gaia, we got in the carriage and rode to the Ol'William manner. We were the first to arrive, it wasn't until everyone was there that the bonnie Irish lass of the hour made an appearance and she was, indeed, the most Bonnie lass there and that fateful fine eve. The ribbon in my hair matched her dress. I couldn't take my eyes off her, she was just stunning, she absolutely took damned near every male there's breath away, by The Nine was she ever breathtaking. Her cheeks were still just as full as I remembered, her lips were all the more full, as was her womanly figure, again she was and is still breathtaking. I knew it was customary for the father to take the lass from the bottom of the staircase but I couldn't help myself this time she was mine and only mine she made my soul come alive, she made me feel whole, it was here I found her again just in a new body it was my darling Angelina that my father took from me, burning her alive. She was my soul bound, my twinflame, and tonight I would stake my claim and wist her away to be forever eternally mine! I made my way to her as she hit the bottom step I smiled up at her and bowed extending my hand to help her down she curtessed and took it. The music started up and then I spoke to her for the first time. "Merry meet meh Lady my name is Count Asher Glenn GableMoon, may I have this dance meh Lady?" She smiled up at me and nodded "Merry meet to ye Lord Gablemoon I'm Lady Essence Aurora Dawn Ol'William, but please call me Essie if ye please, and yes meh Lord ye may." Her voice was that of a goddess I'm sure I nodded with a smile at her words, "Aye but only if ye call me Asher my darling Essie." She smiled at me and nodded and off we went. We danced for what felt like hours before someone else asked to cut in. Before I said a word, she smiled at the man, then I realized it was her father and nodded to him passing her off. A kind Spanish lass was with him so I know it had to be Lady Mathra, I asked the Lady of the manner if she'd like to dance in her native tounge, as you can guess I can speak multiple languages. She gratuitously accepted. As I danced with her a spell she asked if I knew her step daughter, I replied that we had a very brief encounter when she was the tender age of eleven, Lady Martha smiled with a giggle and in her broken English replied that her stepdaughter told her of that day and had sketches and paintings of me all over her room even called me her mama papa connection. She said that Essie told her that I made her feel alive, whole and at home even if she'd only seen me once she even said that if I wasn't here tonight that her step-daughter said that she thought she'd never marry. Even vowed it so. (Essie's POV) "I must be dreaming, this has to be a beautiful wonderful dream!" I thought to myself as Asher spun me around the ball room. I also noted to myself that his hands were cold to the touch and though we were dancing his heart rate was low, very low. But none of that mattered to me, he was just as beautiful as the day I first saw him in town Square, my last day with mama. He had this way of making my head swim and my heart beat so erratically that I swear it was going to beat plum out of my chest. Yet, my palms did not sweat and I felt calm, at home, for the first time in years. He smelled so nice too, of honey, Jasmine, and red English roses, my favorite. Papa used to send mama English roses to let her know he was coming home in a fortnight. I couldn't take my eyes off him! It was as if his honey brown eyes would pierce my very soul, oh how lost I was in those eyes. He had shoulder length dark hair, which he wear perfectly tied back with a royal purple ribbon that matched my dress, high cheek bones a soft but strong squared jawline, with a slight cleft in his chin, thin but full lips, dazzling white teeth and a dashing smile. He was dressed better than most of the other Lords in attendance, a black tailed coat with stain lapels, a thin black soft velvet bow tie, a white ruffled dress shirt with white ruffles that hung out from the cuffs of his coat, black pants that cut at just below his knees and white dress stockings with black men's dress heels with a gold buckle on the top. I knew my father would be happy if he chose to court me by night fall. As we danced I became quite lost in thought, that was until my papa asked if he could cut in, I wanted to protest, but Asher smiled and handed me off asking Martha to dance with him. Papa brought me back to the task at hand by clearing his throat; "Well my Bonnie lass that one seems to have taken a liken to ye." He said as he spun me around, I grinned and nodded with a giggle "Aye Papa I believe ye are correct, and I have fought mehself lost in him too." My father smelled heavy of the mead we served with dinner and his cheeks were flush as the band ended the song they started a new one and a new face asked if he could dance with me, my father nodded and handed me off to the new dancing partner going to find Martha I am sure whom was still close to us dancing with the one I longed to dance with again. "Ello fairest Madmusle I am Lord Juaq De'Laph of Francis at ye service." He said pulling me a bit closer than I would have liked and placing his hand quite close to the globes of my buttocks, I tried with fault to push us a part some but he was quite strong for a short, fat, old man. He held me so close I could feel his wee prick against my thigh. "Please meh Lord could we not dance so close." I asked him but he only laugh a bit and pulled me in closer "Ah my fairest lady you are young and I know what the young ladies want, it is simple ye want wine money and passion. And I have all of them Me a mora." He said rubbing himself against me as I was about to slap him I heard an animalistic roar and then out of no where poor lord Juaq was hurrled clear across the room "Unhand her ye filthy dog!" I heard his voice boom, "Essence belongs to me, she is MINE!" he shouted as I looked up to see the rage on his beautiful face his scent flooding me again. It was Asher he was there protecting me! "But wait wasn't he clear across the room a moment ago talking to father and Martha?" I thought quickly to myself watching the two angily converse. Just as quickly as the thought came, Lord Juaq recovered and shouted back at Asher, whom was just as quick to pulled me against his side. I wrapped my arms around his lean, but muscular, tall frame about his waist line burying my face in his chest. By the Gods I wanted tonight to be over. "I am no dog you uncultured spoiled little swine!" Juaq shouted, as Asher felt me pull him closer and Juaq continued as he spoke Asher held me now as close as possible to himself. "And forgive me if I am wrong Messer, but I was invited here on the pretenses that she was of wedding age with no suiter?" As he spoke I could feel the rage in Asher building causing me to hold him all the tighter to me. (Asher's POV) After only one dance Lord Ol'William was back to claim his wife which I was fine with and I knew that this was a ball for my dearest Essence to find a suitor it would be selfish of me to not let others dance with the bonnie lass too so I walked with the Ol'Williams to the far side of the ball room to have refreshments. As we talked of course about Essie, I felt something was off with her but I tried to hold my tongue and just talk to Lord and Lady Ol'William " Aye Lord Ol'William I do remember seeing ye in the town square that most awful of days. Aye I had just moved back I'd been studying abroad in the new lands of America." I had said with a smile as her father asked what had brought me back here, I was about to answer when I heard her heart start to race I knew something was off but still I talked to her father "Aye well meh Lord I simply missed home, but I was wondering I know ye just met me tonight but may I court ye daughter she is such a bonnie lass and..." I trailed off and my head spun in her direction I roared and leapt over to her, clearing the whole ballroom almost, before I know what had happened I had thrown the wee little Frenchman across the room"s**t I blew my cover! But nevermind that, wee pricked b**turd was trying to force himself on meh Lady!" I thought to myself before yelling at the impotent Frenchman whom was now picking himself off the floor. As he shouted back at me I pulled Essie close to me sensing her distress, I held her close, oh so close, though carefully, so as not to harm her with my strength. Just as I was about to yell back at the foolish French trash, Lord Ol'William stepped in . "Lord Jauq, Lord Asher , gentlemen please calm ye selves, Lord Asher is right meh bonnie wee lass is his, he just asked meh and Lady Martha to court our Essie and we graciously accepted his proposal. For he be the one little Lady Essence wants." With those words he looked to his daughter and she smiled nodding at them both "Aye meh papa Lord Henry William Ol'William speakith thine truth Count Asher Glenn GableMoon be the one I wish to court me." She spoke so formally and with such confidence, it caused quite the stiring in my loins, as if holding her this close was bad enough to have me come undone, the heat from her body and her scent were driving me mad with need for her. I smirked down at her and loosened my grip at her waist a bit, this action caused a slight sadness in her eyes but Lord dumb arse backed off and that made me a bit calmer. shortly after the Lord and Lady of the house had the Lord handsy removed from the party and I got to talk to Essie alone. We soon walked outside in to cool night air I noticed that she was shivering so I took off my coat and offered it to her. "Here my dearest take my coat, you are shivering with cold. I do hope ye aren't in to much distress for the events that just unfold upon us this fine eve." I said trying to convey the gentleness she brought out of me in my eyes and voice, as I placed my coat on her shoulders she smiled and leaned closer to me looking up at me from beneath her long lashes. By the Gods she was beautiful! The way the moonlight shone in those big Irish green doe eyes of hers, the way the soft breeze blew her messy brown curls about her neck and face, her ivory skin shone in the moonlight too. As her heart beat faster I saw the rise and fall of her pulse in the veins of her neck it made me thirsty. "f**k by the gods I forgot to feed before the ball." I thought to myself, but I pushed the burn thrist that caused fire within my throat aside as she stopped us in the moonlit courtyard, I watched as she looked out off the foot hills of the majestic Irish countyside, "I dare say this view be almost as breathtaking as ye are, dearest Essence. " I said turning to face her cupping her face in my hand, ever so tenderly, smiling down at her, as I gently pulled her into me. I felt her rise up against me on her tiptoes pressing her frame deliciously into mine. We were about to kiss when a small voice from behind a bush asked, "Essie what ye doing outside."