The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-two: Blood of my blood

"Tell me about this place."

I stared at Lucian as we laid under an oak tree, his chest was bare and so was mine. We had been making love eversince we got trapped. I couldn't help it, every touch or a simple brush of hands ignited l**t within me.

"I call it the beyond. Because there is an endless path leading nowhere. We could walk all day and still not reach an end. The only way in was the stone wall where the passage appeared."

"How did you manage to live here at all?"

I looked around, there had been other tress around with fruits ready for picking. Was this all he had all these awful years? I hoped not.

"There is no hunger or thirst here Krista, simply loneliness..."

"Poor darling..."

I kissed his lips lightly meant only to soothe him down, Lucian wanted more though. I soon found myself on my back as he pushed me down straddling my body the kiss still on going as if we shared our breath's and he did not want to let go.

"Lucian..." I gasped.

He was already moving downwards leaving kisses from my neck to my chest. Haven't we just did this before? 

"Lucian, perhaps we need a breather?"

"Do you?"

"Not really..." I smiled at him.

Lucian did not need further coaxing he dipped his head back to mine and made love to me again.

We lay spent and sated after awhile, his body laid on top of me.

"Don't move yet.." 

"I'm heavy Krista."

I wrapped my legs around his hips, "It's fine...tell me more about the beyond, how were you able to find me?"

He buried his mouth on my hair, "I am not so sure how. I just woke up one day being able to roam free from the barrier, I felt a strong surge of energy from you. You were about nine at that time, very young and innocent."

That was the time Dad discovered Claus' journal and we studied about Lucian.

"I believe I have grown feelings for you eversince that time."

"You did?" I croaked.

"Yes. It took me years before I admitting it to myself but I am sure now..."

"I think I did, too.." I stared at his blue orbs, "Eversince I pictured you in my head, imagining how you looked like, I have imagined how it would feel to be with you. To touch you, talk to you and know you better." I cupped his face, he planted a soft on my hand.

"I was afraid to approach you Krista, so I visited you in your dreams. I was afraid to show myself just yet, you were still a child and I wasn't powerful enough to break free from here."

"You might've scared me back then," I giggled, "But even before I've seen your face I looked forward to every night, hoping you'd come to me. How is it possible Lucian? You and I lived apart, separated by time and...magic. Why did you chose me?"

Lucian cupped my face tenderly, "I would tell you if I knew, love. I am no wizard, until now I am still grasping how my governess was actually a witch."

Right. It was Emma's fault. She played all of us. Lucian thought I would be able to free him but instead I ended up trapped here as well.

"Perhaps, we can be happy knowing that we have each other now..."

He had a point, we've longed for each other for the past nine years. He had been waiting far longer than that, I can't be still be thinking of an escape, can I? I don't think I could bear to leave him alone again. 

"I may need time to accept all this Lucian, everything happened so fast. Emma gave us no choice, I had to leave my life behind to be here. I'm just not ready yet.."

"Of course love.. I've managed nine years, what's another nine more?"

I laughed, "It may not take that long." That's right, because just by having him at arms length seemed enough for me.

Outside world

"Tell me how to break the curse Emma."

Tristane held the necklace in his fist, the jewelry shook slightly.

"You don't know what you're asking Tristane. Give me back my necklace and I'll let you live."

"You gave me the Pentacle, I can't be harmed now."

Emma snorted, "I could crush your head right now if I want to."

"I doubt that," he took a step forward, "you've used a lot of magic already. That will take a heavy toll on your body. And without your collier you'd be powerless."

Her face contorted, ah, he was right then. This is her power source.

"I used dark magic to imprison Lucian, to undo it you need another dark spell to counter it's effects. No way you can do it Tristane."

"I'd take my chances. How do I perform this spell?"

"Do you think I'm an i***t? I won't give it to you just like that." Her eyes levelled his, "Plus, you need a blood sacrifice."

Damn. He should've known.

"How much?"

Emma was stunned, "What?!"

"I said how much blood does it need?"

"You're crazy for even considering it. She's not worth it."

"Answer the question Emma. Or say goodbye to your precious collier."

She was silent for a moment, will she attack? She's obviously drained of magic for now.

"I should've just tossed you in there with them. You're nothing like my descendants. You're weak! You let your emotions rule your head. You don't deserve my magic."

"I am nothing like you, I do not want to have endless life time just to spend it all alone. I will follow my heart because I want to be loved. That is what makes my humanity complete. I have not surrendered my soul to the devil yet, but I may now if you don't tell me what I want."

"You think you can judge me? You would be nothing if I did not do what I had to do. You ungrateful lout!"

Tristane stalked her, in three quick steps he reached her.

"You have no idea how I hated the mere idea of you. To think that my father thought you were a wonderful person makes me sick! He used to tell us stories how you loved your family..that you cared for them. But I know better now, you are just one evil witch."

Her eyes watered, is that how her family saw her? A loving and caring woman? They never knew what she did before she met them. She had been a greedy woman, a jealous lover who wanted a married man, a hungry witch who sacrificed her own child to preserve her youth. She did not deserved to be remembered like that.

"He said that?" Her voice came short and tiny.

"As much as I hate to say this but those were my father's words."

"And he...he inherited my gift, too?"

Tristane nodded, "It skipped grandpa but he got it, then passed it down to me."

Emma bowed her head, she could see herself on this man. A healthy spirit filled with youth and enthusiasm. She used to be like that, her emotions ruled her once, she fought for love and pledged to rather die than not be loved back. But what had she done? She sold herself to the devil and abandoned her family when they needed her the most.

Is it too late to redeem herself? If so, what would happen? She ruined her relationship with Krista, Patrick will have no memory of this place but they could start again. Would that make her happy? To steal a man who had so much to lose?

She let out a heavy sigh. Decision was made.

"You will need moonlight, candles and salt. To open the barrier you just a few drops of blood..."

Tristane stiffened, is she finally giving him the answer?

"What blood can I use?" He looked around, surely he can haunt some animals around here. But moonlight is a problem, the day just broke.

"Will a deer suffice?"

Emma shook her head.

"A rabbit? A raccoon? Or what about and eagle? That'll be hard to catch but I'll try."

Another shake. Perhaps he can use his own?

"We need human blood do we?"

"Ye..s." Her voice was cracking now.

"Alright. I can cut into my wrist, should be enough."

"No...you can't."

"I don't think we can find us a willing donor."

"Nothing else will work. It has to be mine."

"What?!"