by T. S. Ryder
"I can see that you're still frightened," Angelus said, trying to be gentle. "We can talk about this later. Freya deserves the pain she gets, and I hope I can help you understand why. I'll see you at supper."
Rosa disappeared back under the blankets. Repressing a sigh, Angelus left the room. He would give her some time and then try to explain his reasons. She was human, though, and despite the atrocities he had seen humans commit, her morals were fundamentally different from his. Maybe it was just because of the centuries between them. Humans these days were generally less violent than those in the days of yore.
He returned to his office and called Lucilia to join him. She looked grave when she entered, though Angelus ignored it, pacing from one end of the room to the other, deep in his own thoughts about Freya and Rosa.
"I want you to bring one of the children from Freya's… 'experiments' to Rosa's room. I don't want any talk about what Freya did to the child, just some interactions. She heard Freya's punishment and is horrified about it… I need to get her to understand, or else—"
"Uncle, you have bigger problems than whether your human girlfriend likes you or not."
Angelus turned on Lucilia. "Excuse me?"
"She'll come around. You just need to give her a little time to adjust to the differences between Vampires and humans."
"I will not be spoken to—"
Lucilia's eyes narrowed. "If she survives."
"What?" he snarled.
"I'm not threatening her," Lucilia replied. "But she is being threatened. I was sorting through the normal death threats that you receive and I found some directed towards Rosa. Somehow, the humans know that you have her here, Uncle. There was more than one letter declaring that they are going to kill her and the child. Some go into quite gruesome detail about it."
Angelus' vision tinged red, but he forced himself to stay calm. He always took threats seriously but never believed that they could actually hurt him. After all, he was a King, and he had more security than even the President of the United States. It wasn't as though the humans that hated him could just waltz into the palace and cut off his head. Even their silver bullets wouldn't kill him, though they did slow his natural healing abilities.
Yet, threats against Rosa were an entirely different matter. She was so fragile, so human. All it would take to end her was a knife. Less, even. She could be killed by a man's bare hands. He couldn’t just tell her that her life was in danger. She would be even more terrified than she already was, and that wasn't good for the baby.
"Contact the human authorities. We will have to work with them on this." Angelus considered for a moment. "Tell Morgan to double security around the palace and have the sniffers take a look at the letters. I want those people threatening my Rosa to be hunted down. They will not get away with this."
Lucilia nodded, bowed, and backed out of the room. Angelus moved to the window, struggling to keep himself under control. If he let his anger get the best of him, he would end up in bloodlust. If that happened, what he had done to Freya would seem merciful as opposed to what he would do to anyone who threatened Rosa and his child.
Chapter Five - Rosa
He was just like that. Charming and friendly one moment, harsh and cruel the next.
Rosa submerged herself in the lukewarm bathwater filling the old copper tub. Odd that a place with so much luxury would still have one of these old things, but then it did add to the charm of her apartment. Everything had an ancient grace to it, albeit usually with a modern twist. It was just like Angelus: fashionable, unique, very much his own style.
She shivered at how easily he had dismissed her concerns when she asked him about what she had heard. The woman now had spikes sticking through her body in the courtyard. From her room, Rosa had a perfect view of it. The woman was a Vampire. She was still alive even though she had been literally nailed in place. She hadn't screamed, but Rosa couldn't bear to bring herself out of her room to face Angelus again.
Over the time she had been with him, her initial fear had dissipated to just awe and maybe–just maybe–even a little bit of love. But after this…
Rosa fought back a wave of nausea that had nothing to do with her morning sickness. When her stepfather first started dating her mother, it was all promises and chocolates. Then there were the snide comments about her mother’s weight, about the way other men looked at her, about her friends. By the time Rosa realized that their relationship had turned abusive, her mother was already a shadow of who she used to be. She was timid, afraid of the man she loved and blaming herself for every blow that landed.
It was yet another reason why Rosa ran after her mother died. She didn't know what her stepfather would do if he found her now–if he would lock her up for threatening to reveal the truth of what happened to her mother or just establish himself as having custody over her and all of her possessions. Regardless, she was determined to never allow him any sort of power over her.
Yes, Angelus was sweet and kind and tender, always telling her how smart and pretty she was. But would she recognize it if he changed? If he could be so ruthless to that female Vampire in the courtyard, what would he do to her, a human who was just a contract to him?
Rosa got out of the tub. There was only one thing to do. She couldn't wait around to see if Angelus would end up being like her stepfather. No, she had to leave. She had to make sure she wasn't blinded by love if he did.
***
She didn't tell him when she left. She took only the clothes and books she had brought with her to the palace and the credit card linked to the account that held the first payment for her year of being his mistress. No doubt he would take it away when she broke the contract, but going back to the women's shelter wasn't an option at the moment. A hotel was the next best thing.
Angelus followed her to the hotel the same night that she left. He had called her to tell her he was coming, and she had been tempted to hide somewhere else until he gave up, but instead decided to hash this out. Maybe there was a chance that he could explain and she could believe him...
She was reading her copy of the contract she had signed when he arrived. He brought with him a dozen beefy guards that stood in the corridor, glaring at the other hotel guests.
"Can I come in?" he asked her when she answered the door.
Rosa nodded. Inside the hotel room, Angelus looked out of place. He was dressed too finely, his presence too grand for the modest room. His stance was open and relaxed as he sat on the bed, looking at her.
"Rosa, I want you to come back to the palace with me."
She shook her head.
A surprised looked passed over Angelus' expression. "Is it because of Freya? Look, Rosa, she murdered people and turned children into Vampires against their will. I have tried reasoning with her in the past, but brute force is all she seems to understand."
Of course it was the woman's fault. Rosa could have laughed. Were her supposed crimes even true, or was he just looking for a way to justify himself? Rosa crossed her arms and glared at him. "Do you really believe that?"
"If you want, I will imprison her instead of leaving her in the courtyard."
"Why didn't you just imprison her to begin with? Why nail her to a post? I know you're Roman and they liked their crucifixions, but this is the twenty-first century!"
Angelus' brow furrowed. "I wasn't a Roman. I was a slave."
"You told me. You were a gladiator. But just because you had a violent life then doesn’t mean you have to lead a violent life now."
"My goal is to reduce violence as much as I can. Freya–well, she has attempted to overthrow me many times. She… she has done horrible, horrible things, including forcing humans to worship her as if she were the Norse goddess she's named for. It's Vampires like her that kill and terrorize humans and make it so difficult for humans and Vampires to exist in peace. I just want to find a way to make her listen so that I don't have to kill her."
Rosa swallowed hard. She wanted what he was saying to be true
so badly. But could she really just believe and forgive him so readily? He nailed a woman to a post today–what would tomorrow bring? Looking away, she flipped through a few pages of the contract she had signed.
"This says I can break out of the agreement anytime I wish," she mumbled.
"Yes." Angelus' voice was just a whisper. "You can. But please don't. Please. I haven't enjoyed spending time with anyone like I have with you. It's not just about the sex. It's you. I love the way your eyes light up when we're talking about history and the way you ask so many questions, unashamed of your curiosity."
Rosa clamped her lower lip between her teeth. His eyes were so earnest and sincere, the plea in his voice so raw. How could she not believe him? He reached to touch her face, but she drew back. She had to have more than his love for her to go back to him, didn't she? Michael always said he loved her mother. Maybe he even believed it himself.
Angelus withdrew. "Why are you afraid of me?"
"I… I can't live with casual violence," Rosa whispered. "I just can't."
"I would never hurt you."
"Unless I did something to deserve it, you mean."
Angelus' brow furrowed. He was silent for a long, long time. Eventually, he swallowed hard and hesitantly touched her hand. "What happened, Rosa? What made you so afraid?"
She couldn’t help herself. Tears began pouring down her face, and she blurted out everything about her stepfather. Angelus' eyes widened as she spoke, and when she finished he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Rosa clung to him, a great sense of relief washing over her. She had never told anybody this before. It felt so good to be in his arms…
"Oh, Rosa… There is no excuse for what that man did to your mother. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I would never do the same. There could never be a reason for hurting somebody like that. I'm sorry that what I did reminded you of him. I'm so, so very sorry."
It was exactly what she wanted to hear.
Without thinking, she lifted her face and kissed him fiercely. Angelus' eyes widened further, but at that moment Rosa didn't want to talk anymore. She didn't want to be afraid of her stepfather or what might happen between her and her Vampire King in the future. All she wanted was this moment–this feeling of being safe in his arms. It wouldn't last, she knew, and so she would take advantage of it for as long as she could.
Not breaking the kiss, Rosa grabbed the front of Angelus' shirt, ripping it open. Buttons flew off, peppering her skin. Angelus made a surprised noise, then moaned into her mouth. He grabbed her hips, flipping her onto her back and following her down, attacking her neck and collar with fierce kisses. Heat swirled in Rosa. Her movements took on their own frenzy, tearing at his clothing.
"I want you inside of me," she growled, palming him through his pants. She grinned when she felt the effect she had on him.
"We should talk," Angelus grunted.
"No. Enough talking. I want you inside of me right now."
There was a tearing noise, and the chill air had goosebumps rising on her arms and stomach. Angelus held her hips tightly, keeping her in place, and met her eyes. He let out a pent-up breath as he eased her pants down to her knees.
"Are you sure you want to move this quickly?"
"Yes." Rosa rolled her hips upwards. "Take me now."
"I haven't prepared you yet."
"I don't care."
"I do." Angelus pressed her hips down into the bed and slid down until his breath was on her thighs.
Rosa groaned, both yearning for and dreading what he had planned. She knew he would blind her with pleasure, making her beg for release. When he finally gave her what she wanted, it would feel so good that she would think she was dying. She dug her fingers into his hair, struggling to stay still as he started. It didn't take long before she was tugging at his hair, desperate for him to be inside her.
Angelus caged her body with his, thrusting inside her with one smooth motion. Rosa's back arched to him and she screamed his name as blood rushed in her ears. She clung to him as he cast her adrift on a stormy sea, eyes locked on one another, bodies tangled and writhing. Rosa pulled him closer, crushing her mouth against his as her core tightened, flaming hotter and hotter until she thought she might burst into flame.
Both their movements were desperate, knowing they only had this moment together… knowing that when it stopped they would have to face a reality that they didn't want to acknowledge.
***
When dawn came, Rosa was utterly spent. Her body was so exhausted that she could hardly keep her eyes open while she and Angelus showered together. She loved the way he held her so tenderly, whispering such beautiful things into her ear. But the night was over, and with it, the fantasy ended. She needed to face facts again.
She could not fully go back to him while his first reaction to a woman's crime was to publicly humiliate her and nail her to a post in the courtyard for everybody to see.
"Will you put Freya in jail instead of… where she is now?" she asked as she dressed.
"If that is what you want. I suppose that if I have her flogged it would have the same effect…"
Rosa turned away. Did she expect him to change just because she told him about her history?
Angelus brushed his fingers against the back of her neck. "I was thinking that when we get back to the palace, we can watch a fascinating documentary on the terra cotta warriors—"
"No."
Angelus was silent for a long moment.
Battling her own anxiety, Rosa turned back to him and raised her chin. "I'm not going back with you."
"Why?" The King's jaw worked. "We just made love all night. How can you—?"
"I told you, I can't live with violence again. If you are flogging others, how long will it take before I do something that you disapprove of and—"
"I would never—"
"Never?" Rosa shook her head. "You see violence as a necessary evil. I just see it as evil. No, I'm not going back with you until you can solve your problems without violence or the threat of it. As of this moment, I am withdrawing from the contract. I will not be your mistress any longer."
Angelus stared at her. "Rosa, it's not safe for you to do this."
She felt her spine stiffen. "You’re threatening me even after everything that I just said?"
"What? No! There are people out there that are threatening you. I only want to protect you."
"That's what my stepfather told my mother." Rosa grabbed her pants and headed out of the bathroom. Her hands trembled with rage. I will not be manipulated into going back to him. "Goodbye, Angelus. We're done."
Chapter Six - Rosa
Tears rolled down Rosa's face as she placed her hand on the spot where her baby was kicking. It had been months since she left Angelus. He insisted that she live in the house that he had built for her and filled it with servants and guards. She wouldn’t have agreed, only he showed her the threatening letters they were receiving, and she was too frightened to try to make it on her own again. Angelus stopped by often, but he never demanded she return, never tried to force or manipulate her–never even asked her to come back to him.
If I asked to come back, would he let me?
If it wasn't for him, she'd be back in that women's shelter, struggling to feed herself while earning her education. If Angelus had been anything like her stepfather, she would be back there already. He wouldn't be taking care of her while asking nothing in return. Now she was too afraid to be accepted back into the palace and his arms, knowing if their places had been reversed she might not give in.
Rosa rolled onto her side, wiping her eyes. The violence of Freya's punishment had terrified her, but the more she learned about that Vampire woman, the more she came to agree with Angelus' actions. She had even told him that. In response, he told her that she was right in that he took to violence too quickly, and he was working on a new legal system with a greater emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
"This is ridiculous,"
Rosa muttered, swinging out of bed. "I can't just lay here crying like a broken-hearted waif."
The baby kicked some more as Rosa crossed the room, to where her cell phone was plugged in. Her morning sickness had eased significantly now that she was in her final trimester–only six weeks left. She was having a girl. Angelus wanted to name her Helena, after his sister.
She hesitated a little before phoning Angelus. She knew she had been stubborn these past months, but she hadn't completely cut him out of her life, and it wasn't like her actions were completely unjustified. Apologizing for being afraid of the violence he meted out as punishment wasn't something she was going to do. Neither would she apologize for leaving. Even if her fears were unfounded, she was putting her health and safety first.
If Mama had done that, then maybe Michael wouldn't have killed her.
It didn't matter that the coroner's report said suicide. Even if–and this was an 'if' Rosa didn't believe in–her mother had actually taken her own life, Michael was responsible for it. The most frustrating and terrifying thing was that he would never be held accountable for it.
She let out a breath, phoning Angelus. He answered at once.
"Rosa, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I…" A lump formed in her throat. "I made a mistake by thinking that you were like my stepfather. I'm sorry for thinking the worst of you."
"I understand why you did," Angelus replied softly. "What else were you supposed to think?"
"Maybe I should have listened to you instead of jumping to conclusions."
"There was a woman nailed to a post outside your window. No, you made the right choice."
Angelus' soothing assurances made her tears start all over again. She rested a hand on her round belly. It was now or never. "Can I come back? I know I broke the contract—"
"I don't need a contract. I want you to come home, Rosa. I love you."
Rosa pressed a hand over her mouth to stop herself from gasping. Love? Nobody had ever loved her before. Not like this, at least. Her heart swelled with joy, but it left her hands cold with fear. What if he was only saying that to get her back? It was ridiculous, she knew. She was already coming back. He didn't have to lie to her about it.