Darius held the scroll in his hands. He looked at it with hatred, wanting desperately to burn it in his hands. This priceless piece of paper was going to keep him from his woman's side. But he knew, there were many things to be found before her awakening. “I'll take the passage to Niko. He will be going back on duty. My Queen will be protected."
Nine
By the time Darius raised himself to the ageless elder's private underground entrance it was in shambles. Books were shredded, videos broken beyond repair. There were shelves imbedded in the walls. “Niko?” Darius followed the sounds of crashing.
"Niko?” Darius turned a corner and stopped in shock. His friend was on his knees, head bent in defeat. His short, spiky black hair was soaked in sweat. “Niko!” This time Darius used the authority of a king to get the vampire's attention.
Niko stumbled shakily to his feet. He turned to his King. For the first time in their lives he kept his gaze down in shame. “My King. I have failed you. Your mate, my friend."
"Rosalind still lives, Niko."
Niko fell to his knees in relief. “You were able to get to her in time?"
"No, Niko. I had to change her."
"Was it her choice?"
"In the end it wouldn't have mattered, but yes, it was her choice."
Niko nodded. No vampire would ever allow his mortal Chosen to die. No true Chosen Mate would allow his own death. It would bring intolerable pain to his or her vampire mate.
Darius walked further into the wrecked room. As he passed every broken shelf, ripped book, and torn video righted itself to its unmarred form.
"What it is to be King.” Niko shook his head.
"It has its perks."
Niko followed his King down into the brightly lit tunnels below the heart of Vampire City. It was Darius’ way to use his idol time. When a vampire lived as long as Darius had during the Long Sleep, with no other of his king to talk with, he found a hobby. Darius’ hobby had been a complete underground system for his city.
Roman met them at the door to Darius’ home entrance. He looked as exhausted as a vampire could get. His dark purple shirt wrinkled beyond help, untucked from his ripped jeans. “Darius,” he leaned against the wall.
"What happened to you?” Niko asked.
"Bethany tried to Link with Rosalind."
"But she isn't trained. She may have the power but without control she could burn herself out."
"It is no use anyway. I already tried. We may not be able to help Rosalind until she awakens.” Roman followed them into the house. “It seems the traitor may have been right."
"What traitor?"
"He doesn't know about the so called legend?"
"I wanted to make sure there was going to be privacy before we talked."
Niko pulled out his personal palm scope. It contained his phone, computer with world access, personal storage and the ultimate historic library: Niko's personal tweak to the network that only he could use. “What legend?"
"A vampire able to walk under the sun."
Niko played with the keys on his scope. “You'll have to be more specific. Vampire legend has a variety of sun-walkers."
Roman held the scroll in his hands. “The traitor gave us this. It is the actual story in written form."
"Paper!” Niko looked at the scroll in worship.
Darius rolled his eyes. “Just read it, Niko."
They walked in companionable silence as Niko reverently unrolled the scroll to read its contents. To actually have real paper in his hands, he smiled to himself. He had books, which were filled with paper. But no one, absolutely no one, touched the delicate material.
Especially since Darius just put it all back together for him.
Niko's steps faltered to a stop when he read the four verses. “Not Rosalind.” He whispered. “Not the child I watched grow to womanhood. Helped to teach use her special talents.” He looked to Darius. “She is a woman who had no ill will against anyone. Mortal, vampire or other.” He reached out mentally for Rosalind, hoping to find some remnant of her still here. He could feel her but there was only darkness where there should be light. Laughter. Love. “She is not there,” he whispered.
"Yes she is, Niko. But if that,” Darius eyed the scroll, “is more than just ink on paper, we will know nothing for three days."
"When she is to receive the kiss of the sun."
The last verse haunted their minds as they worked their way silently to Rosalind's room. Blood will flow but will not sustain her for only the power of ... They knew when Rosalind awoke—if she awoke—she would need to feed immediately. She would be weak and hungry, defenseless. But if the scroll was right, no matter how much blood she drank she would starve. Until they were able to find the ‘power’ that would sustain her, Rosalind would die.
With every thought the three men had they all agreed with one thing: if Rosalind died Darius would follow her.
* * * *
Roman and Niko stopped in respect at the entrance to Rosalind's room. They ignored his hesitation to enter. They knew once Darius went through the doors he would not leave Rosalind's side until she awakened. Maybe not even then. If she did not awaken as the scroll prophesized, he would never walk away from her.
"Niko.” He turned to his friend.
"Yes, Darius?"
"I want every vampire who knows about this legend here in four days."
"Yes, my King."
"If they want to see the sun so badly I will give it to them all.” When Niko left he turned to Roman, “Roman, I want you to care for your Chosen.” When Roman began to protest Darius held up his hand for silence. “You just mated, my friend. This is what Rosalind would want. You know that."
Darius left his friend to wait for his Chosen. He walked quietly into the sitting room of his Queen's suite. They had moved her while he was with Niko. He looked around the spacious room. It was cluttered as always with her collection of animal figurines. Holograms of ancient maps lined her walls, milled with stills of her and Bethany walking along his rooftop. Stills of the two of them through the years. Just a glance at Rosalind's wall and a vampire saw twenty years of history.
He smiled sadly as he turned his back on the wall. Darius tried to clear his thoughts as he watched Bethany cover Rosalind's prone body with an old quilt. Her movements slow and gentle when she stroked a finger down Rosalind's hair. Darius was swept with intense sadness. Bethany's sadness at what had happened to her friend.
"I should have done something to stop her.” She spoke with regret.
"Someone had to protect the children, Beth."
Bethany could see the acceptance in her King's eyes. “You, Roman or Niko could have kept Rosalind safe and protected the children at the same time.” Tears fell freely down her face. “But I am not strong enough. I couldn't protect my friend, my Queen. Now she may never wake up."
Darius lifted Bethany from the bed. She couldn't hold in her yelp of surprise as he followed her floating body out of the room. When the door opened Roman was there to wrap her in his loving arms. She circled his neck with her arms, her nose rubbing into his neck.
"Bethany. I want you to go see the children you saved and let them remind you of what the right thing is. We all know that no matter who was with Rosalind she would never put those children's lives before her own.” Darius watched enviously as Roman held his woman tightly in his arms as he walked away.
Within seconds Darius was back at Rosalind's side. He sat on the edge of the chair so that his elbow rested on the bed. Darius placed her cold hand between his large palms, wanting to do even this small thing to ease her discomfort. He kissed each finger, nipping the tips with his teeth. He watched her face, praying for some small telltale sign of life, of recognition. Something that would tell him she was still connected to this world.
To him.
She lay motionless. Still as death. Her chest barely rose with each infrequent breath she took. Her dark, beautiful blonde hair framed her slender face. The strands covere
d her arms down to the elbow. She had always had an obsession with the length of her hair. Straight or curly, she never had it longer or shorter than the middle of her back. With a simple shampoo she could have any color she wished but she would only laugh and say, “Why mess with perfection?"
Darius stood from his chair and walked to the window. One entire wall had been broken down to put in this floor-to-ceiling sun shield window. Rosalind had been fifteen when she had told Darius of her request.
When asked why she wanted such a large room, she had said the meadow called to her. She wanted to be able to see it in all its glory anytime she wished. Every smart vampire knew even then Rosalind always got what she wanted.
He turned his back on the high sun. It had been over four thousand years since he had stood unprotected under the sun. It hadn't bothered him to trade the sun for immortality. When he had been a mortal, technology was at its highest. Cars had become obsolete. There were speed cruisers, vehicles that barely grazed the ground. Or, if you liked heights, you could get an air cruiser. A machine able to travel at high speeds to get you from place to place in minutes, or state to state in hours.
The buildings had gone beyond eye level. They disappeared through the smog. A person had been lucky to see the sun in his day, let alone feel it.
Darius lay on the bed, careful not to disturb Rosalind. He leaned over her body, and placed a light kiss to her forehead. “Be at peace, Rosalind. You'll never be defenseless again.
"When you wake up you're going to be so strong. Not just with new powers, but with me. Your friends. Every vampire will protect you with their very lives. I will protect you with my last breath.” A gentle good sleep kiss on her lips and Darius closed his eyes. He knew his rest would rejuvenate his energy so he would be able to stay conscious until her awakening.
* * * *
Darius eyes popped open at the sound of banging on Rosalind's door. He jerked to his feet, angered that anyone would dare disturb them. No one in his right mind would cross him, especially with Rosalind's life hanging in the balance.
"No one is to come near this door!” he thundered.
"I am not just anyone, King. I am the only mortal friend she has.” Will stood toe-to-toe with the King of Vampires. No show of submission in his stance, only a determination to be with his friend.
Darius blocked his movement. “She doesn't love you, Will.” He saw the flinch and the acceptance on the mortal's face.
"I know. You have had her heart since she was seventeen. That doesn't mean I cannot be her friend. I need to know that my friend is going to be okay."
"She hasn't revived yet."
"And she won't for three days. Until the kiss of the sun awakens the Lady of Light."
Darius lifted a brow in amusement. “The Lady of Light?"
"She is now the Queen of Vampires. We can't call her the sun walker. You know that will annoy her."
"I don't care what annoys her as long as she wakes up."
"Calling her Lady instead of my Queen will make her a happy woman. Wait and see, Darius."
"But Lady of Light,” he protested.
"Give me a break. It just popped into my head. Catchy though, because half of the city is already using it."
"When she hears about this I am sending her to you."
"Then send her downstairs, because I am not leaving until I know she is okay."
"Fine, but stay in the living room. You are the only mortal left in the city."
"I will not leave while Rosalind is suffering."
"She isn't yours, Will.” Darius thundered.
"Not for a lack of trying.” Roman spoke coldly.
"For twenty years I watched her cry over you, King.” He spoke with disrespect. “I was the one who held her when you repeatedly hurt her."
"Do you think I don't know that, mortal."
Will's fear for the woman he had tried not to love kept him talking when he knew he should not have. “You sent her away for six years and when you finally decide to bring her home she is almost killed. If this is your idea of loving Rosalind..."
Roman stepped forward. Keeping his King from retaliating. “Mortal you will watch you tongue when speaking to the man who controls you very life."
Will laughed. “He knows if he kills me Rosalind would never forgive him."
"That is the only reason you are still living.” Darius spoke from Rosalind's door. “Go away, Will."
Will looked to his King. Despite their animosity Will had great respect for the man. His power was unchallenged and his rule was just. If it wasn't for one woman they may have been able to be friends once. “I'll be downstairs waiting."
For the next two days and nights Darius left Rosalind's side only long enough to feed. He stayed close to her side, not wanting to miss the slightest movement she may make. Of course, she hasn't moved a muscle since she went under. She just lay on her back her hands clasped over her stomach.
Darius bathed her body the best he could. He wanted to keep her clean until the very moment she woke. Rosalind would have enough to deal with without being miffed about hygiene.
Roman and Niko visited both risings first to spend time with Rosalind, then to inform Darius of their investigation into who else was behind Rosalind's mortal death. Unfortunately, no one else seemed familiar with the myth. Darius warned his people it better stay that way. He did not want to kill more vampires. Rosalind would be upset enough when she was told what he had done to the three.
She was that good of a person, one who never saw death as a punishment. She believed anything could be forgiven in time. It was one of the first things that had drawn him to her. He was a man who killed with swiftness, without regret. He had fought in more wars than he could remember, and caused more deaths than he wanted to think about.
He remembered the day Niko had given Rosalind free reign of the Library's history discs. She had always been a curious woman. After hours of reading the discs she had hunted him down until she cornered him in the old war room.
He had been playing an old card game with Niko and Roman. Poker, and old card game, Simon and Veronica had taught him during the Long Sleep. He had showed it to his two friends through the Link. It was the quickest way to explain something to one another without confusion.
"Rosalind, what is it?” He had seen the tears shining in her young eyes.
She ran instantly to his side, unable to stop the tears from falling. “Darius."
He embraced her instantly. Get out. He didn't have to look to see if they followed his orders. “What is it? Has anyone said anything to you? Hurt you?” He hated to see her upset.
She pulled away so that she could look at him. “I was in the Library reading the history discs. I looked up your name."
Darius flinched. He could just imagine what was written about him. “Rosalind, times were different then. Rougher. To survive in peace..."
"No Darius. That isn't it. It must have been so hard for you. To live in times of war. Having to kill.” She wiped away her tears. “I wish someone had been there for you. To remind you of why you were fighting. You were all alone. Each disc talked of your bravery. Of your prowess on the battlefield. But not once does it speak of you being happy. Of someone there just to be by your side."
"Rosalind,” he whispered her name. Not wanting her to hear the longing in his voice or see the desperation in his eyes. She was too young, too innocent for him.
"Darius, I'm sorry I interrupted your game. I was just so upset at what I was reading."
Darius closed his eyes and opened his mind. He had rarely allowed himself to use his psychic ability. It took too much energy and weakened his blocks from the Links. When he opened his eyes he could feel intense waves of grief coming from Rosalind.
She had always taken it upon herself to suffer for other lives. Their miseries, their hopes and dreams. Right now she was filled with historical accounts of his very memories. “Listen to me, little one. I do not regret my life. The things I did were of necessity. My
past makes me what I am."
"I know. I just wish..."
Darius opened his eyes when he felt Bethany's presence. “Yes, Bethany?"
"Roman wanted me to remind you that since the sun cannot penetrate the shields we need to take Rosalind outside."
Darius’ shoulders shook at her words. What if the myth wasn't true? What if the sun killed her? Could he put her, without protection, under the rays of the sun? “I don't know if I can do that,” he whispered.
Bethany dropped to her knees before her mourning King. “My King. Only you know what is best for your Chosen."
"She would want me to try.” He spoke to himself.
"Rosalind isn't a quitter. Neither are you. Fight it, Darius, so that she may have a chance at life. A chance to be with you. Give her something to fight the coming hardships."
Darius watched in bewilderment as Bethany left the room. She had grown so much overnight, maturing into a confident, smart woman. It only took him five hundred years to see it. She was five centuries and thirty-two years old. For a King he could be so blind.
"He will have many battles of his own soon,” Niko spoke from the doorway.
Most males fight hard when confronted with the possibility of a Chosen. It meant an end to the women, an end to the easy life. It was the start of emotional upheaval, jealousy toward the other males in her life. Anger at her actions. Distrust of her ways. Not to mention the physical pain a Chosen pair, during the Joining, could cause one another.
Darius didn't try to kid himself. He knew there would be more pain and anger between him and Rosalind before it got better. He smiled bitterly, if it got better. He looked at Rosalind. Her blonde hair glowed against her pale skin. The scratches had disappeared. He had carefully reset her broken arm and foot. It tore his heart when she did not flinch in pain during the process. It wasn't a good sign.
"It is time."
Part Two: The Awakening
Ten
Darius paced beside the makeshift bed. His dark hair swept in disarray by anxious fingers. His clothes looked as if he had been sleeping in them for days. His skin tingled with warning, letting him know of the sun's rising.
Kiss of the Sun Page 13