Kiss of the Sun

by Racheal Pierce

  His anger mixed with his fear. Rosalind could not go through an awakening on her own. He did not want her to rise outside in the open without an explanation. He knew Rosalind, knew her imagination. The things she would accuse him of. Her trust in him was precarious at best.

  He refused to allow her to wake to those thoughts. Wake with the knowledge that exposure to the sun for newly changed vampires would be deadly.

  "How long will you stay out here unprotected?” Niko stood at a respectful distance from his King.

  Darius paused to look to the elder. He snorted in amusement when Niko did not stand down from his glare. “Rosalind will not awaken out here alone."

  "I will stay and protect her. After all, it is once again my duty."

  "How will you protect her when the sun kills you?"

  Niko spoke, careful to keep his thoughts behind his walls, away from the prying ways of the Links. “My King, there are many feats that I do not advertise."

  "How long?” Darius asked coldly.

  "The sun no longer has a dangerous effect on me.” His gaze never left Darius. He knew revealing his ability to the King would be interpreted as a challenge to the throne. But, to protect Rosalind, their Queen, Niko would do what he was trained for.

  Protect his Queen with his very life.

  "I could take that as a challenge, elder."

  "Hopefully you will not. With age comes tolerance, Darius. I am quite old,” he informed softly.

  Darius released the breath he had been holding. “Tell me,” he demanded. No King worthy of his throne made requests.

  Niko was aware of that as well. “Simon and Veronica were young when they made me.” He would not give an exact answer. Written languages had not been formed quite yet.

  Darius sat at Rosalind's side. The sun would rise any minute. If only he knew when she would awaken. “Please, baby. Let this be right.” He held her uninjured hand, needing the contact with her, to be able to feel the moment life soars back into her body.

  He sat, never taking his eyes off of her. Time went by. Minutes, hours. He didn't know, didn't care. The sun began to rise, covering her body in its rays. Nothing happened. Not in the beginning. Not after the first hour. Darius was close to his limit. He knew if he did not go to cover soon the sun would burn his skin.

  But he could not leave her. Not when she needed him most.

  "If you die I may as well thrust my knife through her heart, Darius.” Niko spoke coldly from his place behind Darius.

  Darius let the threat go without retaliation. Niko only spoke the truth.

  Darius bent over her body and kissed her dry lips. “Rosalind,” he whispered. He stood to his full height and flinched in sudden pain.

  "Go!” Niko screamed at him.

  The moment the shield closed Rosalind's body stretched taut, as if she was being pulled in every direction at once. Her scream rent the air.

  Darius slammed himself against the unbreakable shield. His powers were too weak to work against it. “Rosalind!” he roared.

  "Darius, you must calm yourself,” Mason spoke from behind the King.

  "Calm!” Cracks tore through the walls around him. “She is out there screaming in pain.” Darius grabbed fistfuls of his own hair. He couldn't think beyond Rosalind and what was happening to her.

  "What's done is done. Now you must go forward."

  "Go forward?” he asked incredulous. “With what, Mason?"

  "Her training. Her acceptance of the sun."

  "Don't you know?"

  "Know what?"

  "If Rosalind survives the transition she is going to starve to death,” he whispered.

  For the first time in Darius’ life Simon looked afraid. “What?"

  "In the scroll the traitor gave me it says: Blood with be given but will not sustain her. For only the power of..."

  "Of what!"

  "That's it. The scroll was damaged."

  "Veronica.” Mason ran to his only love, and pulled her into his arms before she fell. She clung to his neck. Sobbing.

  Darius looked on in shock. What was happening in his world? The two people he counted on most were in distress. “Mason, what is going on?” Darius worried that there was something much bigger happening in their lives.

  "Do something, Mason. This wasn't ... Mason?” Darius shouted at his mentor.

  Mason held onto his Chosen and looked at the shield. He flinched when Rosalind's body slammed into the bed.

  He looked at Darius. Sadness in his features. “It is in your hands now, Darius. I'm sorry."

  Darius watched, stupefied, at the two simply vanished from his sight.

  Bring her in, Niko!

  Niko ran to Rosalind's side, frantic to keep her from hurting herself. “Roz?” He bent to pick her up. When his hands made contact with her skin he hissed in pain. Pulling away from her, he looked at his hands. “What the hell?” he muttered in amazement. His skin was red and hot, blisters already forming as if he had touched the very surface of the sun. “Okay. No touching,” he ordered himself. “I can work with that."

  You better.

  Niko stepped away from Rosalind. Cautious not to provoke her, he used wind to lift her from the bed. No reaction. He stepped backwards slowly until his back encountered the hard shield. In seconds it was open and they were inside.

  Darius ran to her side. Niko still held her immobile in the air. “Don't touch..."

  His warning came too late. The moment Darius touched her he was thrown to the floor.

  "I don't think that was the warning you were going for was it, Niko?"

  "Just don't touch her. She is breathing on her own. I saw her eyes moving when I was burned. Right now I am taking this as a good sign.” Niko kept his pace slow through the mansion as he spoke. “We need to get her to her bedroom before she regained consciousness."

  When her body made contact with the bed she curled into a comfortable ball, her usual sleeping position. “Mmm,” she grumbled into the pillow.

  Darius fell to the floor in relief. He stared at her, drinking in her features. Niko was right, she was breathing on her own. She didn't lie like a corpse awaiting burial like the past three days. She looked exhausted.

  "Get your fill now, my King. When the sun sets everyone will awaken."

  Darius climbed to his feet. His body already fought the rejuvenating sleep. He stumbled to the door. “Take care of her, Niko."

  Niko watched as Darius left his Chosen's room. Her windows reflected the bright sunlight that had driven Darius out. He leaned against the far wall, keeping Rosalind and the only entrance to her sanctuary in his sights.

  He squeezed his eyes shut in defiance.. He might be able to take the sun's rays, but he still felt the painful effects from the act. He had not revealed that to Darius, though. Rosalind's life was his to protect. Pain or no pain, he would fulfill his duty.

  You have a long journey ahead, vampire.

  Niko froze. That voice. He was stunned. It had been days since her disappearance from his side. Madeira? He spoke hesitantly, afraid she was only his imaginings.

  Niko.

  He could hear her tears. Where are you, Deira?

  Close by.

  You must go. There are things I can't explain. You aren't safe here.

  I know, Niko. Just know that if it is needed your Queen has warriors.

  I don't understand.

  You will in time, Niko. I promise.

  Madeira!

  I won't be gone forever.

  You have no idea how long forever may last, he argued.

  He could hear her soft laugh. No worries, vampire. We are not through, you and I.

  Be safe, Deira.

  Niko, about your Queen?

  Don't, Madeira. What you see isn't always what transpires.

  I just thought you should know she is awake.

  Niko looked at Rosalind. His mouth fell open in shock. There she sat, her back against the wall. There was not a mark on her body. No scratches, no scuffs. Even he
r hair was back to its healthy blonde shine. “Rosalind,” he moved away from the wall toward his friend, his Queen.

  She lifted a shaky hand, stopping him with her force of will. “Don't, Niko.” She looked straight at him. Her eyes glowed red with hunger.

  "It will be okay, Rosalind,” he comforted.

  "No,” she spoke as she climbed gracefully from the bed. With each step she took his feet moved him away from her. She moved to the window and laid her palm against the cold glass. It shattered instantly.

  "What are you doing?"

  Rosalind looked to Niko in confusion. “What is happening to me? I am not supposed to be here, like this.” She waved to the sun.

  "Do you remember anything that has happened to you?” He moved his legs quietly testing her strength. Without blood her powers were weak.

  Rosalind tried to think. But only a black wall came to mind. “Something is blocking my memories.” She shook the dizziness from her eyes.

  Niko stepped closer. Her powers were wavering. If only he could help her. Stop the pain from overwhelming her mind. “Rosalind?"

  She swiftly turned to him, inches away from his body. Grabbing Niko by the throat, she threw him to the floor. She crouched over his still body, keeping his every movement in her gaze.

  "Rosalind!” His voice was sharp.

  She smiled looking at his neck. “I told you to stay back.” She leaned in to him, breathed in his scent.

  Niko grabbed her arm to push her away. Her skin blazed searing his flesh in seconds.

  His cry of pain has Rosalind looking up. Her eyes were once again green. Niko knew time was running out. She needed blood, something to keep her insanity at bay.

  "Niko.” She fell to the floor next to him. “Oh, gods! Go, Niko, hurry.” She tried to curl into the wall but he wouldn't let her.

  "Rosalind,” he pleaded. “You need blood."

  "It won't help.” Her voice was tired.

  "For a little while it will."

  "What does it matter?"

  "You have to give us time.” He bit into his own wrist. Thrusting the open wound to her mouth, he ordered, “Drink!"

  "No!” she shouted.

  Niko yanked her hair. Ignoring the pain in his hand, he forced her mouth to his wrist. “Drink now!"

  At the smell of his blood Rosalind lost what little control she had. Latching her hands onto his arm, she tore into his skin with her fangs. Blood gushed into her mouth. She growled her hunger, sucking and swallowing without thought. All she wanted was to fill her body, get strength wherever she could. If killing him could give her that power then so be it.

  "No!” She threw herself from his body. “Niko? Wake up, Niko. Please.” Tears fell freely from her eyes. No, please no, she pleaded in her mind. “Niko,” she whispered in despair.

  "Rosalind,” came a whisper from the floor. Niko turned his head to Rosalind. “I am sorry I failed you."

  "Don't worry.” Her hand went to his face. “Are you okay?"

  He looked at her broken window. The sun was setting. “I will be soon,” he promised her. “Are you feeling more in control?"

  "It won't last. What is going on?"

  "Listen to me, go to Roman. Use the Link. He will give you your memories back."

  "How?"

  Niko pulled himself across the floor until he was supported by the wall. “He can take down the wall blocking your memories. Go before anyone awakens to stop you."

  "I can't leave you like this."

  "Darius will find me. Do you want to take the chance of losing control with him, Rosalind?"

  Rosalind felt stricken at the thought of draining Darius. “Roman will help me?” she questioned Niko. “Go.” Niko watched Rosalind run from the room. Everything was happening as he had foreseen. He looked at his wrist and arm. The bite was slowly healing itself. The burn that was in the shape of his Queen's hand was already gone. It seemed the legend was real after all. Now all he had to do was tell Darius that Rosalind could heal the burns she inflicted.

  He closed his eyes and sought out Roman. He had to be warned. It was up to him now to complete the plan before Darius awakened. She is coming. It was the only warning be could manage before falling into the black void.

  * * * *

  His door hit the wall just as he stood from the now empty bed. Roman watched her wearily. The blood of an elder like Niko should be able to keep her powers strong for a few hours.

  "Roman, I need your help."

  Roman was smart enough not to approach her. “How are you feeling, my Queen?"

  "Please do not call me that, Roman."

  "It is who you are now."

  She tried to ignore his last sentence. Her mind was confused enough without adding that to the list. “I need to know what happened."

  "You can't remember?” This did not surprise him. Having to remember your own death would be traumatic.

  Rosalind's movement stopped. Barely catching herself, she looked at her friend. “Please. There isn't much time.” She clutched her stomach, doubling over in pain.

  Roman flashed to her side, his hands at her head. “Ready?"

  "Hurry!"

  Roman entered Rosalind's mind, sifting through memory after memory until he slammed against a solid wall. “Open your eyes."

  When green met him he smiled his relief. Her eyes would be his back door. The wall was too strong for a frontal attack. It would cause her fragile mind even more pain. “Here they come, Roz.” Roman pushed the wall down and was enveloped in the tide of her freed memories.

  Had it not been for Roman holding her up she would have fallen. Her death. Darius had seen it, but she had ignored all of signs of her impending doom. If only she had listened to him, allowed him to bind her to him as he had wanted.

  She watched helplessly as Darius found her body broken at the bottom of the cliff. Watched as he barely stopped Roman in time from executing her killers. Every memory, hers and his, filled her mind.

  Her eyes slowly opened. Roman stepped quickly away at the red flames directed at him. “I don't want that kind of power.” Her voice stuttered around her lengthened fangs. Already she was being engulfed by the hunger.

  "Think of what you can do for our people, Rosalind."

  "Before I go crazy and starve, you mean.” She lifted her body from the floor. Rosalind rolled her eyes when Roman stepped cautiously back.

  Her vampire eyes looked him over. “You've been communicating with Niko, haven't you?” her voice purred.

  Roman watched the glow in her eyes. Already her body had used up all of Niko's blood. Power. Their plan to test her limit had worked. Now Darius would know how to keep her alive. For a little while.

  "I can't stay here.” She looked at him for understanding. “In my hunger I almost killed Niko, Roman."

  Roman backed into the doorway, “I am sorry, Rosalind.” He disappeared from the entrance.

  "No!” Before Rosalind reached the exit fire surrounded the door. She fell back to the wall. “You can't leave me here!” she screamed. Rosalind fell to the floor in shock. Her friends, her family had betrayed her. “What is the point of training the power when I am going to die anyway?” She buried her head in her lap and wept into the silent room.

  Eleven

  She lay shivering, but not from the cold. Hunger kept the cramps squeezing her stomach tight. Hunger kept her conscious, kept her mind thinking. Hunger let her sanity fade in and out. “Let me out. Please, let me out,” she whispered shakily. She was so hungry. Rosalind knew only the blood she needed so badly would keep her sane.

  "Darius.” She whispered his name for the first time since waking from her three-day slumber.

  A thick blanket fell over her as strong arms lifted her from the floor, placing her on a soft bed. “Shh, baby. It's okay."

  She curled into his warmth. Her cheek rested against his strong stomach. “Darius, you're here.” She looked at the door. The fire was still burning strong, blocking her only way out. “How did you get in?"r />
  Darius pulled her into his lap. He wanted to see if she was really okay. “How are you feeling?” he clasped her chin in his hand.

  Rosalind pulled away. “Don't touch me!” she panicked, remembering what her touch had done to Niko. “I'll hurt you. I don't want to hurt you, Darius.” Rosalind jumped from the bed, putting distance between her and her love.

  "Baby.” His heart tore when she slammed against the wall, trying to get away from him. “Rozzy, come here."

  "No, Darius. All I ever wanted was you. To be with you.” She held her hand to her stomach as she paced the small room.

  His heart broke for her. For them. “Baby."

  "Now I am a living legend. Some bringer of light. But it isn't that easy,” she laughed hysterically. “I'm going to starve to death because nothing will sustain me. Hell, even Niko's blood couldn't sustain me long and you have to know how old he is.” Her body shook so hard now.

  "Rozzy.” He walked up to her, uncaring of the danger Niko and Roman had warned him of. This was Rosalind. Rosalind would never hurt anyone.

  "I almost killed Niko.” She fought the hunger, but her control was waning.

  Darius saw the red warning enter her eyes. Her fangs had yet to appear. “Rosalind, just give me time."

  Against her will, she moved toward him. “Time to what, King?” She licked her parched lips. “Time to watch me go insane!"

  "No!” he denied hoarsely. “Rozzy, you are alive..."

  "You should have let me die!” She yelled back without thinking. “Oh, gods, Darius."

  He grabbed her arms and pulled her close. Darius ignored the scorching pain in his hands. “Is that what you want?” he asked her quietly.

  "It's too much,” she cried. Wrenching out of his arms, she put space between herself and his blood. Oh, how she wished to stay in the protection of his embrace. “Let me out of here."

  He used his powers against her and gently trapped her against the wall. Without touching her he stood close enough to breathe in her sweet scent. It took willpower not to drop at her feet in gratitude for her life.

  Their noses brushed in welcome. “Tell me, Rosalind. Is death what you want?"