Happily Never After (closed to JessicaHouse)

[TurtleDove]

“The usual?”

Evangeline fought to keep her carefully composed expression of Casual friendliness as Daniels deep tenor embraced her. Like her, he kept his tone casual, polite, businesslike. His gaze, however, revealed all too well the depth of his love for her.

He was very handsome, classically so. Tall, lean, and muscular, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that made her melt from within.

Her cheeks flushed a lovely rose as warmth washed over her, flooded with love and excitement. Swallowing the hard lump in her throat, she replied, “Yes, please.”

Setting her basket on the wooden counter, Evangeline dug into her coin pouch, and placed three large coins on the scratched and faded surface as Daniel moved to the back of the shop to pick up her order: two roasts, a pound of cubed beef, and two pounds of ground chuck.

Daniel returned shortly, her meat, as always impeccably wrapped in parchment paper and piled neatly. This time, also, like many before, there was a small piece of rolled up parchment tucked neatly beneath the twine. Her heart raced with anticipation as she imagined opening it when she left the shop.

“Pleasure doing business with you, miss.” Daniel said, gazing intently at her, his large, strong grip briefly encompassing Evangeline’s small, delicate hands, causing her pulse to race.

“The pleasure was all mine,” Evangeline briefly granting him her illuminating smile before picking up her basket and exiting the shop, leaving her heart behind with Daniel as she went. Soon, she thought as she began her journey home, soon.

When she felt it was safe and away from prying eyes, Evangeline opened the small slip of paper. It was not a long message at all. In fact, it was only one word long, but it was enough to shake her to the core and make her spirits soar.

Tonight...

.....................

Evangeline waited anxiously her bedroom window as she awaited Daniel’s arrival. Everything- it wasn’t much- that she would be bringing with her was stored neatly in a corner of the shed. She had slowly started packing weeks ago- her finest dresses and boots, what little jewelry she had inherited from her mother, silver pieces that could be melted or traded in for money- all of it fit neatly in two large trunks which right about now, Daniel should be loading into the wagon.

The day had passed excruciatingly slowly after she had gotten her note. She tried to read, but was too excited to focus. Instead, she primped and reprimped until she could find now flaws in her appearance and all that was left was to wait.

“Psst! Evie!”

Evangeline’s heart soared at the familiar sound of Daniel’s voice. This was it- it was truly happening. She saw his arms reach through her open window to help her out, and she stepped up and over the windowsill with the utmost confidence in him. Immediately he wrapped his arms around her and she melted into his warm muscular embrace.

Being much taller than Evangeline, Daniel had to bend slightly forward to kiss her, his love unbridled and fervent in the secrecy of the nights shadows. He allowed only one beautiful, enticing moment before straightening himself up and beckoning her forward, leading her by the hand.

It was a ten minute walk from the main house to the gates at the edge of the estate where he had the wagon packed and waiting.

The moments spent walking to their destination were silent but filled with unspoken love and anticipation, made prevalent by her gently pressing against his side, their fingertips intermingling their rushed, excited breathing. Evangeline could feel her whole body burning with love and excitement... and then suddenly nothing.

With a sudden jolt and gasp of surprise, Daniel was ripped from her arms and was thrown somewhere off in the distance. The shadows of the night, which had just earlier cocooned them with warmth and safety, suddenly left her cold and wracked with fear.

She did not hear Daniel utter a word, there were no thuds in the near suggesting he had simply lost his footing and fallen over, no reassuring words from her love. She knew her fate already. He had come for her and there was no escaping. There would be no one to come to her rescue- the other villagers, her father even, would not fight for her. As far as she knew Daniel was already dead, for merely even trying to whisk away, just for being associated with her.

Fearful and helpless, Evangeline did the only thing she could- threw her beautiful head back, her long golden curls cascading down her back and howled at what she had lost and what was yet to come...

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Alexander Vance's thralls had long since infiltrated that little peasant town, and when he closed his eyes Lord Vance had watched through their eyes.

No silver coins being melted down into crosses.

No foolish peasants sharpening their broom handles into points.

No priests blessing bucket after bucket of water.

And no garlic gardens in sight.

Good signs, all. The peasants hadn't gotten into their heads some delusion that they could topple their long-standing protector and lord. Perhaps they had finally learned what it took to live in peace, or perhaps they were merely afraid of the vampire in the castle overlooking their little home.



As the years went by, the thralls started speaking words of a possible threat to the peace of the town. Word spread throughout the village of a girl budding into adulthood. It was said that on the day she became a woman, she would be the most beautiful in all the land, one princes would kill for. Both worried about this threat to peace and intrigued by the stories of her beauty, Lord Vance directed his thralls to keep an eye on this young woman.

"Evangeline."

That was her name.

But Lord Vance had taken to affectionately calling her Evie, even before they met.

The thralls learned all they could about what Evie for their master. What she liked, what she wanted to do with her life, who she loved, and whose proposals she had turned down. As it turned out, nigh every young men, some of the older men, and even a few young women were desperately in love with Evangeline. But Evie only loved one man, the butcher's son. A peasant boy named Daniel. A worthless boy who'd never held dying men in his arms as they breathed their last breaths. A child who'd never taken life to defend his home, nor worried that his enemies might come in his sleep to take his. Why should this one, callow young man have the most beautiful woman in the land? Lord Vance knew that if he was asking such questions, the other villagers certainly would be too.

Lord Vance thought back to times long ago, before his father had died. Before the darkness had taken his soul. When he married the most beautiful woman in the land, and her other suitors hounded him day and night, trying to strike him down as their unworthy adversary. Lord Vance had long fought to keep his beloved wife from becoming a widow. But one day, those bastards came for him, and dear Bianca...

Lord Vance could not bear the thought of another situation like that. By then, Evie would be so attached to the boy, regardless of his poor qualities, that his death would shatter her completely. Or worse, Evie herself would die trying to defend that insignificant boy, and the greatest beauty God had placed in Lord Vance's little county would be gone forever. He'd have to wait another 200 years at least to see anything so beautiful again.

No.

It would not happen. For the sake of his people. For the sake of the butcher's boy. For the sake of Evie. And for the sake of beauty itself, Lord Vance would take the young woman that night.

He had intended to take her from her bedroom. To slip in through the window, scoop her up in his arms, and carry her away in a cloud of mist. Unfortunately, that was the same night the boy decided to make his move.

Worthless boy!

Sacrificial lamb!

Lord Vance swooped in and shoved Daniel aside as he took Evangeline in his arms as his own. His new mistress. That would teach these vultures not to believe in love. Keep them away from the heartbreak it could bring.

In a cloud of mist, carried on the swiftest of winds, Lord Vance carried Evangeline back to his castle. The towers came into view as they soared through the air, toward one of the tower windows.

[TurtleDove]

Time seem to slow down and speed up All at once. Everything Next happened in a blur. Evies heart raced painfully, suddenly lethargic. All the previous energy she had exhibited with Daniel only a mere few moments ago rapidly depleting as the anxiety set in.

What ever would become of her?But deep in her heart, she already knew. And her, sweet, beloved Daniel.

Quite suddenly weightlessness overtook her as she was swept off her feet, and just in time too as she grew faint and collapsed in. Vance’s Arms, her many skirts  billowing in the cool mist that surrounded them.

When she finally came to, she was in the in the strong embrace of a man, cradled to his chest and she sighed Daniels name. Surely, she had dozed off in the carriage and had a nightmare.

But something felt off. His warmth, which she could often feel even through the thickest layers of clothing, was very much subdued. And the absence of the sweet scent of meat that came with working in a butchers shop, despite his meticulous grooming efforts.

Evie opened her eyes with a start- she would have surely floundered had Vance not been holding her so securely. When she finally found her voice, it was soft, yet heavy with sadness and acceptance. ”What have you done with Daniel?”

( I love Vance already, and most importantly, your writing style:) ))

[JessicaHouse]

((Thank you. It's hard to write a character who's this much of a mix of good and evil, but it's quite a bit of fun.))

Lord Vance landed on the balcony of one of the tallest towers of his castle. The door swung open for them, and he carried Evie inside, gently setting her feet down on the marble floor. The mist around them dissipated, and he straightened his back, towering over her. He was taller than any man from her village, and his shoulders were broader. The effects of being born noble, being well-fed while he grew up, and of being a vampire. Raven-black hair fell in wavy locks over his shoulders, and the beard encircling his mouth made his stern expression all the more intimidating.



"That worthless boy has been cast aside, nothing more," said Lord Vance, his voice deep and rich as the darkest chocolate. There was a smooth quality to his tone, like suede or fine wine. "I suspect the boy will live, though he will be confused. If he truly loves you as he claims, then he will find a way to rescue you. Even one such as I can do little to combat a force such as true love."

Lord Vance reached out and held both of Evie's shoulders, his strong hands weighing down on them. A gesture which would surely make her feel small, and emphasize how much stronger he was. She'd need to be afraid of him if he was to keep her from doing something foolish, like trying to fight.

"But, until that rescue happens, you belong to me. Any luxury or joy that you have is something I can give or take away at will." Lord Vance's hands lowered to the front of her dress, just over her chest, and ripped it in two, leaving her naked. Though her body was exposed to him, Lord Vance's eyes never left hers. He did not allow himself to gawk or ogle her body, for that was not why he removed her clothes. "You will be granted new clothes when you have pleased me. Until then, you live like this. Do you understand?"

[TurtleDove]

Alas, Evie looked up at her captor and was immediately faced with a barrage of conflicting emotions. He was very handsome, in a dark, rugged way with long waves of ebony hair, perfectly coiffed beard and alabaster skin.

Evie let out an audible gasp as he straightened up, his impeccable posture making him look taller and even more impenetrable. He was easily the tallest “man” she had ever seen, hulking and muscular yet somehow slim, with broad shoulders. Her head was barely level with his chest, with him standing a little over a foot taller than her.

That worthless boy has been cast aside, nothing more...”

Evie’s heart skipped a beat. Daniel was alive she was almost sure of it. Vance had all but confirmed it with his haughty remark. He would come for her. And they would be together again as they had dreamed.

They would run away, marry and start a life elsewhere. They would have a quaint little home on a farm that they would fill with beautiful babies and the sound of laughter. It could still be there’s if she played her cards right.

Evie shuddered as his cupped her shoulders with his large menacing hands. They easily encompassed her small frame and weighed down on her diminutive figure. It was not affectionate, he was asserting dominance and she felt as if her stomach had plunged into a bucket of ice.

She had been very lucky to have been given a father that was kind. Until that very moment, she had never known unkindness- typically her good looks won the affections of those around her, and her sweet charm made them love her.

"But, until that rescue happens, you belong to me. Any luxury or joy that you have is something I can give or take away at will."

She stood frozen by Vance’s impenetrable gaze as he towered over her, his hands moving in one graceful fluid motion from her shoulders to the expanse of exposed creamy slimy of her bosom and then to her neckline. She felt vulnerable there in that moment, impeccably small and helpless, and at the same time A strange heat and sense of embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed a deep rose- she had never been touched like this.

Her and Daniel had kissed in secret, held hands, and lain in each other’s arms many times before, having-despot the entire region being excommunicated by the church for Lord Vance’s unholy ways- still harbored an deep respect for the sanctity of love and marriage. The few moments of passion between them she had felt safe and loved.

This was different. She was exposed- fragile and very much at the mercy of Lord Vance. She knew very well that he could do whatever he wanted and what he could take. Fighting it would be futile...to not fight would feel like a betrayal to Daniel, her morals, and  most importantly god.

And then suddenly she gasped, her eyes widening fearfully as he grasp the fabric at her chest and- with the ease of breaking a small twig- ripped her entire gown straight down the middle, leaving her completely naked and vulnerable.

Immediately, she sank into a deep squat, clutching the tattered remains of her dress to her chest in a desperate and fruitless attempt to cover herself. It was beyond useless- her lithe, flawless creamy skin was completely displayed, an she shivered in the chilly breeze, made colder by the high altitude of the tower.

“Please, m’lord!” She begged tearfully, gazing up at him beaeechingly, crossing her arms over her supple chest. “I will give you no trouble... but, please. I have not known a man!”

((So sorry for the late reply. My toddlers have been raising hell for the past two days. Hopefully the length will make up for it. This is getting goo. It’s like a darker beauty and the beast with a twist on their personalities :) ))

[JessicaHouse]

((That's perfectly understandable. The timing made me wonder if I'd gone too far by having him strip her naked like that. Glad to learn that's not too far. Anyway, hope things go better with the kids.))

"Never? A woman of your beauty has never been with a man?" Lord Vance wasn't sure if he should believe what she said, laugh at this strange truth, or be all the more excited at the prospect that he might be the one to take her virginity. Deep down, in that moment, he wanted to scoop her up in his arms again, take her to his bed, and forcefully take her womanhood, but he still had some small grasp of the soul he'd once had. He was a monster, but not a demon.

"And you shall only be with a man when you choose," he said. "I swear that I shall never take your body against your will, but if you freely give it to me I will be pleased, and I reward those who please me."

Lord Vance ushered her inside, closing the tower's door. From within his coat he produced a match, and with it he lit the candles on the bedside table and windowsill. It was now that Evie could see that this room was a bedroom, set aside in the tallest tower. "This will be your room, until such time that you choose to share mine. Understand, you can share my room without joining me in my bed, and you can join me in my bed without letting me take your virginity. These luxuries I grant to you because you did not fight me."

Lord Vance glided across the room and ran his fingers along a wooden wardrobe. "There are clothes in here, but it is locked. Only I have the key." He gently groomed his own beard with his fingers, patting down any stray hairs. "Evie, it looks like the night's wind has made a mess of your hair. I wish to untangle it before you go to bed for the night." He walked over to the bedside table and opened a drawer, producing a hairbrush. "Will you indulge me?"

It was a request, not a demand. He'd made enough demands of her, and made it clear that he was the one in control in their situation. Even so, he found that often people he wished to exert authority over usually cooperated better when he gave them some level of autonomy. Besides, brushing her hair was something gentle, and he had no intention of forcing her to allow him to be gentle with her.

[TurtleDove]

”Never? A woman of your beauty has never been with a man?"

“Never,” she replied, for the first time since their meeting her tone firm. Of course many men had ogled her in the streets and begged for the privilege. Even Daniel had pressed her to give in to her carnal urges. She had remained strong in her convictions, however.

“I always fancied myself to be married before I gave myself away.” It sounded foolish even to Evie, given the passion of her relationship with her secret fiancée, her looks, and the heather squeezed nature most of the townsfolk possessed. While still very common to wait for knowledge elsewhere in the world her small region saw no need in most cases to wait for marriage for sex.

“I know it sounds foolish...” she said bashfully, suddenly very embarrassed.

And you shall choose...

“Truly?” Evie’s sweet voice teemed with surprise and happiness.She could not help but feel a suddenly overwhelming sense of gratitude and respect and she rewarded him with a rare genuine smile. It lit her entire face and lent to her beauty.

“My lord, that means more to me than I could ever express.” She said sweetly, thinking maybe this would not be too bad at all.

“I do hope you understand, “ grasping his large hands in her small bits like ones. Her feature was tentative but one of kindness and familiarity. “But I do wish to remain a virgin for tonight.”

It wasn’t a promise to anything. There was no timeline. It was a maybe. For now she needed to mourn the loss of her life and love, for nothing would ever be the same despite the grandeur of her new surroundings.

It was now she finally allowed herself to get a good luck at her surroundings. It was a beautiful room in itself although a tad dusty most likely due to the vacancy it had endured. It had been quite a long time since someone from the village had been brought her- she had known in her heart of hearts it were only a matter of time before he came for her.

It was lavishly furnished with a huge bed covered in furs, fluffy pillows, large heavy blankets, and draped with heavy velvet curtains. There was also a plush day bed, oriental carpets covering the stone floor, beautiful paintings depicting many different scenes and white fur rugs splayed before the fireplace. There was a lot of red, gold accents and many candles, lending the room a very seductive, romantic atmosphere.

She couldn’t help but gasp, despite her many efforts to remain humble. It was very beautiful. “Thank you, m’lord, for such an elegant chamber.”

Will you indulge me?"

Evie found herself baffled yet again. Such a kind, simple request. She reached up and touched her tousled hair and removed a stray leaf that had become entangled in her glorious hair. Her favorite thing about herself. She had yet to find someone with lovelier hair than she. It was a great hassle, however as it fell in curls to the bottom of her waist. Typically her governess would brush out all the tangled and help her maintain it as it was too long to do it oneself.

“I suppose...” Evie said softly, tentatively, grabbing a light blanket that been tossed over the sofa and wrapping it around herself before sitting tenderly on the bottom of the bed.

“That would be quite nice... thank you.” She sounded exhausted- after all her day had started the morning before and she had stayed up till the wee hours of the morning in hopes of sneaking away she gathered her long, thick curtain of golden curls and gently tossed it over her exposed back, carrying with it a sweet floral scent...

[JessicaHouse]

Lord Vance sat on the bed behind her and took the brush to her hair, gently working out the knots. As soon as the bristles met resistance, he'd stop, move the brush back up, and back down again, each time getting just a little further. A little closer to untangling her hair.

"While I think it's silly how much mortals protect their virginity, it is something I understand. I was human once too," he said. Secretly, the mere fact that she'd stated she wanted to remain a virgin for tonight filled his heart with lustful hopes, but also a strange tenderness he'd not felt in... longer than he could remember. It was possible that the last time he felt that tenderness was when Bianca was around. Considering the heart-ache that led to, he found he hated it and loved it all at once.

Gently, he brushed out her long curls, his fingers running through her soft hair, enjoying the silky smooth feeling. "Human lives are so short, and yet humans still say they wish to wait. Wait to lose their virginity. Wait to be married. Wait to work a job. Wait for Christmas or whatever other holiday to give gifts. Wait for the right moment to express the love they hold in their hearts. My dear young lady, take it from someone whose life is long since over, you'll do plenty of waiting when you are dead. Now is the time to live."

He sighed, his fingers slipping past her soft curls to gently stroke the flesh of her bare back. His fingertips slid down to the small of her back, then back up to her curls again. "But, at the same time, part of life is also having control over one's self, and if you don't choose such things as how you use your body and when you're not living a life, but life is living you. You are not a beast, not like the animals in the woods out there. Not like me. You have a right to choose to do with your body as you please..."

He brought her hair over to one side, exposing her long, slender neck. "There is only one thing you have no right to deny me... no right at all... your blood belongs to me." For several more moments, he brushed her long hair, all the while his eyes transfixed on the vein in her neck. Finally, he moved in and planted a gentle kiss on the side of her neck, his breath tickling her flesh, just before his needle-like fangs sank into her.

The initial bite was a sharp pain, but immediately afterward he released his venom into her. His venom was like an opiate, first numbing the pain, then filling her with dizzying euphoria, as if she were in an opium den. Not that he expected she'd ever had such an experience before. He held her softly but firmly as he fed, taking just a little more blood than he needed in order to see if she would fight him on this or if she would submit to him in this way. All the while, he kept up the gentle strokes in her hair, hoping to make her feel cherished.

[TurtleDove]

Evie was surprised by the tenderness he displayed in his gestures, in the soft slow up and down motion of the brush Lord Vance’s hand. He was very strong and very much capable of crushing her if not careful, but he was so soft and patient with his motions. It was very sweet.

It reminded her, strangely enough of being a young child, her governess, gently untangling and styling her hair in the most modern and flattering updos. It felt familiar and safe, and she slowly felt her tense muscles ease up and begin to relax.

While I think it's silly how much mortals protect their virginity, it is something I understand. I was human once too...”

Evie listened quietly, soaking in all that he said, taking it in. What he said made sense, when said it the way he did. She could feel herself slowly melting as he kept his soft, slow pace, gently running his fingers through her hair, her eyes beginning to droop.

“How long ago? Please tell me about yourself...” of course there had been the rumors... the wars he had waged and won in honor of their lovely little province, the mysterious, romantic way he would sweep into maidens rooms and whisk them away- dome rewarded with immortality, others- either by way of disappointing him or their own choice- left human to live out the rest of their lives. There was much speculation, however and so much had been embellished over the years.

She found herself longing to know more about her dark, mysterious captor. And talking imparted a sense of familiarity- it made her future seem more bearable, more comfortable.

But, at the same time, part of life is also having control over one's self, and if you don't choose such things as how you use your body and when you're not living a life, but life is living you. You are not a beast, not like the animals in the woods out there. Not like me. You have a right to choose to do with your body as you please..."

He spoke with such an alluring cadence, an intelligence that bespoke of his age- exactly of which she wasn’t entirely sure- much information had been muddled over the centuries.

There is only one thing you have no right to deny me... no right at all... your blood belongs to me."

Evie had become so relaxed that it took a moment for the weight of Lord Vance’s words to sink in.

Her eyes widened in shock and pain as he sank his sharp fangs into the soft flesh of her neck, convulsing before he held her steady. She cried out pitifully as his bite was met with blinding pain and then, suddenly- nothing.

She felt the entire room spin dizzyingly, her vision muddling as an intense sense of euphoria overwhelmed her and she couldn’t find it in her to fight. An intoxication unlike anything a whole bottle of wine or  a few glasses of her fathers oldest finest brandy could incur.

It was like nothing she had experienced ever before. She felt weightless, almost like an out of body experience, her body pressing back against him in her delirium.

“Oh...” she moaned softly, her head spinning delightingly, wrapping and clenching the shits in her small creamy fists.

((Sorry couldnt figure out how to properly end that, hehe))

[JessicaHouse]

((That works for me.))

Once he saw that she wasn't going to fight him, he gently released her, leaving behind a little more venom with medicinal properties to prevent infection and help her to heal faster. Vampires had evolved over the centuries to avoid killing their prey unless they absolutely needed to. He held her softly, making sure she did not collapse, and watching her for any signs that she might lose consciousness.

"Now that you know first-hand the monster I am, do you really wish to know more about me?" he asked. "If you do want to know more, I will tell you, but many would say they don't care how a beast became a beast, all they need to know is that he's soulless now."

Her blood was delicious to him, both savory and sweet. The blood of a virgin, but, more importantly, the blood of a young lady at peace. Some vampires preferred the blood of someone struck with fear, or even with full panic, and thus they would inspire such feelings in their prey. Lord Vance always found that distasteful, and more prone to causing permanent injuries, even death in one's prey. If a vampire was gentle with his prey, he could continue to feed upon her for years, and never have to hunt anyone else again. Some vampires preferred the thrill of the hunt, but Lord Vance was far more practical, preferring to have a steady supply of what he needed at hand.

By the Heavens, she was so beautiful! The way she melted in his arms, her soft skin exposed to his lustful eyes, her red lips begging for the sweetest of kisses.

He returned to brushing her hair, working out the last of the tangles and knots. "You will need to rest after I fed on you like I did. Or, perhaps you should eat first. Tell me your needs, Evie, and I will make sure they are attended to. It will not do for my new, young mistress to grow sick or ill because of what I took from her."

((Sorry it's kind of short, but I didn't want to walk over Evie's responses.))

[TurtleDove]

(( would you like to end the night after he tells her and she eats? I’m so excited to see their social dynamic and have her begin to explore his castle. This feels like a dark beauty and the beast with a vampire. Btw, we have a following. 110 views :) ))

Evie swayed drunkenly under Lord Vance’s watchful gaze, her eyes fluttering open and shut rapidly. She felt deeply intoxicated, weak in her stupor, yet strangely warm despite her immense blood-loss. She moaned softly, burying her face in the blankets as she slowly pulled herself together.

”Now that you know first-hand the monster I am, do you really wish to know more about me...

Evie sat up, suddenly famished and exhausted. Her response was earnest, albeit a bit fatigued.

“Well, if I am to be here would it not make things more comfortable if we understood each other?” She spoke with a calmness that shocked her considering what had just transpired.

She lent it to him feeding off of her. She wouldn’t allow herself to acknowledge the fact that it was probably-most definitely- the most erotic experience of her very short life.

“I’d like to know about your human life... your childhood, what lead to you becoming such as thus...” Evie said sincerely, her lovely jewel-like eyes alight with genuine interest.

You will need to rest after I fed on you like I did. Or, perhaps you should eat first. Tell me your needs, Evie, and I will make sure they are attended to...

Evie’s stomachs growled loudly and she shivered, suddenly cold as being drained and the effects of being awake for so long began to take its toll on her. She felt foolish even inquiring but she was just so hungry.

“I don’t suppose you need to eat?”  She chattered, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.

“Please, have I earned clothes?” It was very much a request. She did not want to upset him or any progress they had made to come undone by demanding anything.

[JessicaHouse]

((That sounds like a plan to me. I do love that this is a dark Beauty and the Beast. It makes me want to write a vampire romance novel, a genre I've actually disliked until now. As for the views, are you sure those aren't just me obsessively checking this RP for updates?))

Lord Vance gave Evie's neck a gentle kiss where he had previously bitten her. "You have most certainly earned clothes, my dear lady." He rose from the bed, the shifting weight causing the mattress under her to raise slightly. Across the room he reached the wardrobe, and produced from within a lovely, white sleeping gown with long, billowing sleeves and a hem which would reach down to Evie's ankles. The sleeping gown was modest, and portrayed a sense of innocence.

"For the time being, it would please me if you would wear white," he said, holding the gown out to her. "In the morning, we shall discuss what clothes you may wear during the day. You have earned one night gown and one day dress for now."

Truth be told, there was so little reason to deny her more than that, but Lord Vance found that human beings were too often ungrateful for the gifts given to them if they were given in too great of quantities. There had been another young lady some years ago, like Evie, whom Lord Vance had brought into his castle and showered with gifts, both of what was inside his castle and what he could find outside. She quickly became spoiled, and eventually had Lord Vance following her orders until he remembered who was who and what was what. No more! He would not spoil someone so precious by giving her too much too soon.

Once Evie was dressed in the white night gown ((hope you don't mind, I assumed she'd wear it)) Lord Vance gently took her hand and led her out of the room and into the castle. Candles lit at his approach, and the portraits on the wall swiveled their eyes to watch the two of them.

Lord Vance leaned against one of the walls and spoke into the cracks, "Prepare a meal for my mistress." A cold wind blew through the room and howled in the windows and hallways downstairs.

As they walked, keeping a slow pace in case Evie was still weakened, Lord Vance sighed, "The tale of who I used to be. Well, if you insist upon knowing, then here it is. I was once known as Alexander... Ander to my closest friends. I was the son of the previous Lord Vance, a nobleman sworn to defend this region from the Turks, the Russians, and the Vikings. That is how I grew up, knowing I would one day have to take his place. Back then, I was naive. I believed that good would always triumph over evil, and I believed in Happily Ever Afters. That was why I thought myself worthy to marry the most beautiful woman in the land. Before I'd yet inherited my father's title, I married her... Bianca."

There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he spoke her name again, and he cast his eyes down at the floor.

"Evie... this is not a happy story. A man does not become what I am because something wonderful happened to him, he becomes like this because he cursed God for the suffering he endured. Would you much rather that after you've eaten I take a book from the library and read you something that might bring you more pleasant dreams?"