King's worry (Marina)

[Ghost]

Dameon's eyes darkened as he thought of the events that had transpired in the last couple of days. First he had met that man in the Petrified Forest and then that same man had tried to "rescue" his wife. So to say that he was on edge was an understatement. He didn't like it when people messed with his family. He didn't like it one little bit. So he had had some of his followers look into this guy...not that there was much to find other than that he was an air dragon and a member of the Brigade, which meant that he was one heck of a fighter. Dameon frowned. As he well knew, any fighter worth their salt wouldn't give up a mission after one or two tries, meaning that he'd have to up his guard on Marina. A part of him hated to do it. He knew how much she hated being cooped up and being under the sleep spell. But it was for her own protection. Dragons were dangerous and unpredictable. If it had been a vampire that was after her, he wouldn't be quite as concerned as he could take care of a lesser vampire quite easily.

Dameon mentally shook off his thoughts. He couldn't be dwelling on what he would do if it was a vampire. He was facing a dragon. He needed to focus on that. Well, that and talk to Marina and see where her head was at. He had to make sure that his power over her wasn't weakening or that her angel side was growing stronger. If she ever decided I was too much of a monster and ever left me.... the vampire thought. No! He would not let that happen! All right, Dameon. Just think he told himself. Then, footsteps broke his reverie and he turned towards the sound.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

She could sense his worry throughout the castle if not the thoughts themselves. With all that had happened the last few days it was not surprising that he would fret. Her heels clicked on the floor loudly enough so as not to cause his instincts to flare up and she smiled softly at him, "What's troubling you, My Lord?" she said softly as she looked up at him, he towered over her by a full six inches and even though it wasn't much the power that radiated off of him made him seem ten feet tall.

Her white gown swished as she moved, the silk shimmering in the light as the halter gown showed off her form to its best advantage. She would rather have been wearing jeans and a sweater but with vampires having central heat and air such things were not necessary. Besides, Dameon liked gowns. He may not want her wearing them around just anyone but he did like how they looked. Plus what sane woman would run in shoes like these? It was all very well planned. A fact she had learned early on. As long as she dressed like she wasn't going anywhere he was fine. The minute she put on tennis shoes he was going through her shoe collection and ditching everything practical even if he had to take the shoes off her feet at the time.

"You don't have to worry. I wouldn't wear this outside. I'd freeze to death." she quipped dryly. She couldn't help but smirk. The idea of her sneaking outside in this outfit was ludicrous. "Why does that stranger trouble you? I've never seen anyone like him but he can't be that powerful can he?" She'd never seen a dragon in her life. She'd barely gotten to Yalanze before Dameon had found her. Well before Dragons had arrived. She'd just never been exposed to them before.

[Ghost]

Dameon's reverie was broken by the sound of clicking heels. Marina, he thought to himself. He turned in the direction of the sound and watched as she approached, his eyes on the dress. If he had breath, it would've been taken away. She looked simply smashing. He shook his head at her comment.
"That was not what I was thinking at all, Mari. You look simply smashing," he told her. The gown she had chosen suited her nicely and fitted her just as well.

At her question, he went to take her hand in a surprising gentle manner. "I would never want to lose you. I know you hate it here---hate me but I would be a wreck without you. I do not think I would be able to function if I lost you," he told her. And it was true. Though he was just mainly keeping her around for her powers and offspring, a small part of him did care about her and wanted her to be happy. "Please promise me that you will be careful Mari. He is a dragon and very powerful," he added, hoping that she would listen to him just this once.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

"I'm glad you approve, My Lord." she said with a soft smile for him and a deep curtsy. she looked up at him from under her lashes and a blush colored her features. He knew he was handsome and used it to good effect.

"I don't hate you, Dameon. I just want to visit heaven to visit my home realm. I need to recharge my energies." she admitted softly as she went to touch his cheek, "I need to see what my tasks are and to visit my own people." she admitted to him as she looked into his eyes, "You would not lose me. I love you and we have Katia. I wouldn't just abandon my responsibilities. And Katia needs to know her other heritage. She needs to understand." She pleaded with him, leaning in lightly against him, "Please?" she asked softly.

"I'll be careful. I had a full retinue of guards I just needed the fresh air." she said wistfully to him, thinking on what she had gone out for. "It gets lonely being the only person like myself here. I want to talk to people, Dameon." Having Katia had made her more docile, she didn't want to upend the girl's life needlessly but she longed to literally stretch her wings. To feel the wind in her hair.

[Ghost]

Dameon inhaled sharply as Marina told him that she didn't hate him. Thank you! Thank you! he thought to himself, though he wasn't sure just who he was saying it to. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that she didn't hate him. He then mentally shook himself and forced himself to listen to Marina who was still talking. He frowned when she mentioned going back to Heaven to recharge and to take care of her duties there. She did have a point. He didn't know much about angels but he knew that they could only survive on Earth so long without recharging. But if she went back to Heaven, she'd find out Logan was there. What if she decided to take Katia away and stay up there with both of them, leaving him alone? No! I can't let that happen! I won't allow her to abandon me, he furiously thought. But on the other hand, Marina was right again: Katia needed to know both sides of her lineage, especially if he wanted her to take over for him some day.

She continued on, saying that she had been safe with the guards around and had just longed for the fresh air. Dameon's eyes clouded as Marina confessed that she was lonely and that she wanted to talk to people.
"You would just do what you needed to do and then come back?" he asked.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

"Yes, Dameon. I have a life here. I wouldn't be gone forever. Just long enough to reconnect, recharge and get my orders. I'd let Katia know what her heritage was then come right back. she pleaded as she looked him in the eyes, "She needs to know what she is. What it means." she added.

They had an opulent lifestyle but Katia needed to see the other side of who she was. She wasn't just a female copy of Dameon, "It will help calm her down I think. Knowing what she is. Knowing what I am." she added as she tried to persuade him into giving her the freedom she needed so much, "Just trust me. We can't keep the world out forever, Dameon. She held her breath and waited, praying he heeded her words if not for her sake then her daughters.

[Ghost]

Dameon nodded as Marina confirmed that she'd just do what she needed to which included recharging her energies, getting her orders, and letting Katia know about her heritage, adding that she needed to know what she was and what it meant. It's true. She needs to know her full heritage. I can't be selfish with our daughter, he thought to himself. After all, what if some being from Heaven who didn't approve of Marina's life with him took it into their head to destroy them all? Katia wouldn't know how to protect herself and no daughter of his was going to be killed because of his negligence. Besides, if there was another attack on the castle, this way Marina and Katia would be safe.
"you are absolutely right, my dear. She needs to know her heritage and you need to recharge. I have been much too hard on you both. I apologize," he stated.

Marina then went on saying that she thought that knowing about her heritage might help to calm Katia down and that they couldn't keep the world out forever.
"I do not know if that will work, but I am willing to try anything at this juncture," he replied. "And you are right of course. Sooner or later, the world will come to this castle. Go. You and Katia have my blessing," he told her, reaching out for her hand. If she allowed it, he would kiss her hand gently to let her know of his sincerity.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

She moved closer to him, "I forgive you." she said softly as she went to lay her head on his shoulder. Her dress swished with her movement and she closed her eyes. Her hair gleamed in the light as she rested against him.

"Thank you, My Lord." she said as kissed her hand, taking the moment to hug him close if he allowed it, "Thank you." If permitted she would stand on tiptoe and kiss him in gratitude, "I will speak to Katia with your permission." she said as she curtsied gently.

Thank heavens he's letting me do this. Katia needs to know what she is and we need to know what she can do before it is too late and she does something we cannot undo. She looked up at her husband and smiled with relief, relaxing with the weight off her shoulders as she tried to figure out the best way to go about her task. Her mind may be thinking on other things but she kept herself alert should he need something. Wool gathering tended to make him brood and she didn't want him changing his mind in a fit of pique.

[Ghost]

Dameon let out an unneeded breath as he told her that she forgave him.
"Thank you, my love," he murmured. He had needed to hear that. He wasn't sure why but he had been feeling guilty lately for his original plans regarding her and her husband. He had been intending to kill her husband himself, but zombies had beaten him to it. While it had all worked out to his liking, it seemed like recently, the memories of his original plan were coming back to haunt him.

She thanked him and he allowed her to draw into a hug.
"You are welcome, my love. Go, speak with her. I will not bother you unless absolutely necessary," he assured, leaning forward, intending to give her a small kiss on the lips. Then, he released her and he watched her go off. Yes, he was still worried about her changing her mind, but she had given him her word and she had never broken her word to him before. Therefore, he would give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, she didn't ask him for much and while he didn't want her to have full access to her powers, he didn't want her to die either. And from what it smelled like, she was almost reaching that point, and if that were to happen, he would never forgive himself.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

Nuzzling her cheek with his own she smiled softly, the side effect of Dameon not permitting her much contact with others was that now that she cared about him, he got half of her affection, the other half went to her daughter. "You look handsome today." she murmured.

She'd held off saying anything because she didn't want it to seem like she was saying it to get on his good side to get what she wanted. Now that she had gotten it she could say it and he wouldn't doubt her sincerity. Her heartbeat alone told that tale. He knew she was telling the truth.

Kissing him warmly she pressed a small stone into his hand, "When I leave if I take too long for whatever reason and do not return on the day I say I will, use this to summon me. I intend to come back, but if something happens to detain me I don't want you thinking I am trying to run away. I know you trust me but know that I love you enough to ease your mind. I can't control what others may do but this should help reassure you in case any dragons get any bright ideas. Though I do not know of any such creatures. Having never seen them." She said honestly as she looked at him with confusion.

She didn't want to leave him just yet, he was worried and she wanted to ease his mind, all she could do was hold him and offer reassurance. Words were meaningless and she knew it. She wasn't so naive that she didn't think something could go wrong.

[Ghost]

Dameon smiled as Marina nuzzled his cheek. He loved it when she got affectionate as it showed him that she didn't completely resent him for keeping her here.
"Thank you," he whispered in response to her compliment. He always tried to look his best and it showed especially today with his white silk shirt covered by a black duster, black jeans, and black boots that were laced all the way up.

She gave him a warm kiss as she placed a small stone in his hand. He looked at her in confusion and then nodded in understanding as she explained that he could use the stone to summon her if she didn't return at the time she was supposed to as she had every intention of coming back and didn't want him to think she was running away if she was detained and that she loved him enough to ease his mind in case any dragons tried anything, looking confused adding that she had never seen any.
"You may have seen dragons and not realized it," he stated. "They have the ability to appear human," he continued. "And thank you, my love. This eases my mind greatly. If you require my assistance, come to me," he told her seriously. He didn't want her to feel as if she had to fight any battles on her own. Then, he held her, not wanting to let her go. But he had to. She had to get strong again and she couldn't leave if he had his arms around her. "You best be going. Be safe," he told her.

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

She nodded appreciatively at him as she looked at him once more, she still remembered when she caught her first glimpse of him. She'd been frightened of him and didn't know what to do at first. He was the first vampire she'd ever seen. She sighed softly, although not unhappily as she cleared her thoughts from the past and went to focus on the here and now.

She felt herself tiring, her body had been feeling odd for the last few weeks and she didn't know what was going on. She exhaled and looked up at him, the world getting a bit dizzy as she felt her balance shift. She clutched at his arm to keep from stumbling as he spoke, "I'm feeling dizzy, my lord. Let me sit a moment." she whispered softly as she looked at him and bit her lip as a wave of nausea washed over her and she moaned. Taking a breath she tried to focus on what he said.

"I'll keep an eye out then. Now that I know what I am seeing it should be alright. I need to retrieve Katia and let her know what is to happen. What her heritage is before I go back. She may or may not wish to come with me." she said as she tried to rise. Using his arm for support if he allowed. She exhaled and smiled so as to reassure him. "Will you return the Duke's sword? It is not my place to do such a thing." she assured him softly even amidst her illness.

[Ghost]

Dameon sared at Marina worriedly as he watched her body change. She exhaled and then grabbed his arm. Much too fast for the human eye to see, Dameon had gone to grab her gently with his other hand in an effort to steady her and his eyes clouded in concern as she confessed to feeling dizzy and needing to sit. Dizzy? That's not good. Have I killed her? he wondered as she let out a moan. Then, his eyes flickered with some confusion as he went to gently guide her to a sitting position. He couldn't be certain, but he had thought he had heard something. But he couldn't have. It was impossible...wasn't it? This cannot be. We cannot procreate but she would never cheat, his thought continued.

He then focused his attention on Marina's words as she assured him that she would keep an eye out and that now she knew what she was seeing, it would be okay and that she needed to get Katia to let her know what was going on and what her heritage.
"I am sure she would love to go with you," Dameon said.

He let out a brief smile at the mention of the Duke's sword.
"Yes, I will return it to him. Though I still say it is unhealthy the way he has gone on and on about it," he replied, his voice playful. Then, "Be careful, Love. I am not sure, but I think I just heard another heartbeat within you."

[Merry Noelle Lovelace]

"I hope so. She's in that rebellious stage." she murmured softly with a gentle smile to him as she hugged him softly.

"Now now. Just because he's compensating doesn't mean you have to be cruel, Love." she chuckled and then she heard his teasing. Her eyes grew wide and she smiled widely, "We're having another baby?" she said excitedly as she hugged him tightly and squealed happily, "Oh how wonderful. Thank you my Love! We're having another baby!" she kissed him warmly and with passion, clearly ecstatic. Any doubts he might have had that this baby wasn't his would be hopefully be assuaged with her obvious belief that he was the father. "I love you so much!" she practically oozed happiness.

[Ghost]

Dameon nodded. It was true. Katia had been acting rebellious as of late, but there was only so much he could do without actually hurting her and he never wanted to do that to their daughter or his wife.
"Well, this could be just what she needs," he assured. After all, she had been cooped up for hours on end for a long time now. Maybe she was just going through the vampiric form of cabin fever. Then he chuckled as Marina chided him, saying that he shouldn't be cruel even though the Duke was overcompensating.
"Ah, so I see we are on the same wave-length when it comes to him and his obsession over his sword," he stated. He had almost expected his wife to scold him further, but he had to admit, it was kind of fun when they could tease other people together.

At his words, he saw his wife's face light up, obviously delighted as she squealed and hugged him, while exclaiming about the fact that they were having another baby. He couldn't stop the grin that graced his features as she went on, thanking him and going on about the news.
"I'm glad that this pleases you," he murmured as she kissed him with a warm passion. He hadn't been sure how she would take the news. What if she had been disgusted at the thought of carrying his child? He would not have been able to bear it. Throwing these thoughts off, he then returned the gesture, putting as much warmth, passion, and love into the kiss as he could, hoping that it would tell her that he knew full well that the baby was hers and his as she told him that she loved him.
"I love you too, Darling," he murmured, as he went to hug her gently. "While you're up there, you get anything you need to take care of the baby, but don't tell anyone unless you absolutely trust them. I---I do not know how this would be viewed and I wouldn't want anything to happen to any of you because of me," he cautioned. And it was true. For all he knew, the angels would see this as an abomination and would try to hurt it---not that Marina would let them anywhere near her child---but it was a concern of his and he hoped that she didn't mind that he had voiced it.