My Vampire and I Vol 3: Blood Resurrection (5 page)

“He said he couldn’t keep anything down,” I replied, straight-faced. “But I’ll take some up to the room, just in case he changes his mind.” I went outside as the landlord happily prepared the broth. The air was warmer, with a slight breeze that brought the smell of blossoms to my senses.
How beautiful the world is
, I thought. Far from the confines of the monastery, I could almost forget the misery I had endured for all those years. Being with Marcus had brought me a strength and optimism I had not known I possessed. His tender compassion, so at odds with the men who had raised me, had given me hope that indeed there were gentler people in the world who would not abuse me for their own satisfaction.

* * * *

When I returned to the room, he was still asleep. Eventually, I would learn that on days when the sun is high, vampires sleep the sleep of near death. The vitality and vibrancy that is theirs when awake and alert slows to a murmur, making them vulnerable and susceptible to danger. Although I was not fully aware of that at the time, I nevertheless felt it my duty to sit by his bed and watch over him until he awoke.

Perhaps it was the near darkness in the room or perhaps as the day wore on I felt the need to rest, but at one point, I gave a mighty yawn and decided I would slip between the sheets and lie with Marcus. I stripped and quietly climbed into bed. In the soft glow of the candlelight, I could see the cascade of dark curly hair that framed his noble face. I reached to touch it, curling my fingers in its softness. Then growing bolder, I traced the curve of his jaw Blood Resurrection

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and cheekbone with my fingertips. He murmured and turned on his side, facing me. I put my arm around him, and he moved closer. I kissed his

mouth, remembering how he had shown me, brushing his lips gently with mine. He stirred, his eyes fluttered open, and I felt him smile, his mouth still on mine.

“Bernard,” he whispered, moving closer, giving into the temptation my young, warm body presented to him. I pressed myself to his nakedness, thrilling to the feel of his silken skin covering the hard-muscled flesh. His arms enfolded me, holding me close, his lips moving from my mouth to my throat, to my chest where he teased each nipple, nipping lightly at the nubs and causing me to writhe with a sensual pleasure beneath him. He lifted his head and smiled into my eyes, before capturing my lips again, his tongue sliding smoothly over mine, filling my mouth with his sweet breath.

My arms tightened about him, and I felt the ripple of his muscles under his skin as he moved over me, caressing my body with his, bringing a fire to my loins. Our kiss deepened, and my mind was numb with desire. Everything I had ever dreamed of had been manifested in this one man. I wanted to love him forever, to be with him, to be like him—in all ways.

From my mouth tumbled words of love and devotion. He stilled them with his lips, holding me within the haven of his arms, letting me know, without words, that what we shared was special to him also. I will never forget the emotions Marcus instilled in me. No matter that he was perhaps the most beautiful man I had ever seen—even to this day, I have not seen his equal. However, beauty can oft times be a veneer, a disguise for what lies beneath, and when that which is hidden from sight is discovered, it can be unsettling, perhaps even dangerous.

But with Marcus, his beauty also lay within him. This may be a surprise given the reputation vampires have for killing and mutilation. Yes, he could be a formidable enemy, possessing the strength of ten mortal men as he did. His supernatural powers exceeded even his strength. He could move at lightning speed, disappear in the blink of an eye, know exactly what you were thinking—or were about to think—and could erase from your memory all thoughts of himself, if need be. Marcus, in all the time I spent with him, never abused those powers—except when he felt he, or someone dear to him, was in danger. Then he was a frightening force to reckon with—a beautiful but terrifying angel of death.

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All these things I would come to know in due course, but then, lying in his arms, snuggling into the shelter of his flesh, those thoughts were as distant as the stars from my mind. Never, I thought, never will I find anyone to compare…and so it was, for many, many years to come.
* * * *

 

Later that afternoon, as he saw the sky once more darken with heavy clouds, he told me we should prepare to leave. In all of this time, I had never asked him our destination.
Just where are we headed?
I wondered.

 

“I have a modest chateau in the hills above Toulon,” he said, answering my unspoken question. “I was on my way there when I took shelter from the storm at the monastery.”

“I will always be grateful to that storm,” I told him, with complete sincerity.
He smiled, warming my heart. “When we get there, it will be your home also—if you so desire.”
I was speechless for a moment, tears stinging the back of my eyes as I gazed at him.
“Oh, Marcus… You are too generous.”

He chuckled. “You might not think so when you see the state of the place. I have been gone a long time, and the chateau has been closed up with no one to care for it. It will need a great deal of work.”

 

“To which I am no stranger,” I said quickly. “It will be a joy for me to put your home to rights.”

“I hope you are still saying that when we get there!” If the landlord was surprised that we were leaving at such a strange hour, he said nothing but bobbed his head gratefully, accepting the money Marcus passed to him as we left. Orion seemed pleased to be on the road again, whinnying in appreciation as Marcus gave him his head, and we galloped through the moon-laden night.

We reached the wooded hills on the outskirts of Toulon before dawn, and I gaped in awe as we cantered up to the gates of the chateau Marcus had described as ‘modest’. It sat amongst what looked like many acres of land which, although overgrown with wild grass Blood Resurrection

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and trees in need of pruning, were lush and verdant. Marcus dismounted and removed the chains from the gates then led Orion through into the grounds.

 

“As you can see, Bernard,” he said, as he locked the gates behind us, “even in this half-light, it is obvious there is much to be done here.”

“It’s a challenge I will gladly accept,” I assured him, smiling down at his upturned face and thinking again how incredibly fortunate I had been to meet this beautiful man. Surely now, my life could only be filled with happiness. As he walked, holding Orion’s reins, he pointed out the shadowy silhouettes of the mountains that rose behind the chateau, the outline of which I could now make out. I gasped. It was immense, even bigger than I had imagined. Could all this belong to one man—even a man as noble as Marcus?
He smiled up at me, reading my thoughts. “Believe me when I say, this chateau is modest compared with some you will one day visit with me.” Although I believed every word he uttered, my mind could not entertain the idea that anyone’s home could be even more majestic than this—unless it was a castle or a palace—but as I had never seen either one I had nothing with which to compare it. Marcus tethered Orion outside then unlocked the door, ushering me inside the darkened hall. I would later learn that Marcus could see in the dark, but for my sake, he lit some candles, and as they flared into life, I audibly gasped at the splendour they illuminated. The walls of the entry hall where we stood soared on all sides to a domed ceiling far above me, from which hung a chandelier so huge. I wondered how it could remain suspended there on its delicate, finely wrought chains. His hand on my shoulder, he led me forward into the great room ahead of us, and once more, I gaped in wonder at such luxury—finely carved and upholstered furniture set amongst magnificent works of art that lined every wall.

“This you think of as modest?”
“Well, it is my favourite amongst all my homes.”
“You have more than one?” This I could not imagine. Just how wealthy could one man be?
“I’m afraid the kitchen will be bare, Bernard.”
“That’s all right,” I said. “I’m not hungry.”
“But you will be later. When you awaken, take Orion down into town and gather yourself some provisions.”
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“What shall I get for you?”
He smiled. “I require very little. Now, let me show you your room.” My room? I had anticipated sharing his bed. Had he tired of me already?

“Bernard…” He gathered me in his arms. “No, I have not tired of you.” I felt shame creep upon me at his words. I would have to learn to guard my selfish and petty thoughts from him. I could not have him think me unworthy of his friendship.

He kissed my forehead gently. “Do not berate yourself so,” he murmured. “You will share my bed if you wish, but the life I lead will not always be compatible with yours. You must have your own room to come and go as you please, without fear of disturbing me. This will become easier for you to understand as time goes by. Come now…” He took my hand, and together, we climbed the magnificent staircase that curved its way to the upper floors. From the top landing, I could look down into the hall below and see the sparkle of the chandelier’s crystals caught in the glowing candlelight. Marcus opened one of the many doors on the landing and led me inside the bedroom that lay beyond, lighting a candle with the taper he carried. Again, I was surrounded by luxury and elegance.

“This will be your room, Bernard,” he said, looking at me, his eyes twinkling. “That is, when you tire of my company.”
“That will be never,” I assured him, and he chuckled at my serious expression.
“Well then, when you wish to be alone with your thoughts or your studies.”
“My studies?”
“Of course, you must study. A young man like you must prepare himself for what lies ahead of him.”

I looked at him in amazement. I had never given a thought to my future while inside the monastery walls. There, I had resigned myself to a life of servitude and degradation, but now…

 

“Yes, now Bernard,” he said gently. “Now you may choose the direction in which your destiny lies.”

 

“I think I would like to be a teacher,” I said, with some fervour. “To bring enlightenment to minds that are filled with the superstitious fears inflicted upon them by those who call themselves holy.”

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He nodded. “You have chosen a noble profession, but one that requires a great deal of study. We will have to find a suitable college for you to attend.”

“They would never let the likes of me into a college,” I protested.
“Just leave all that to me,” he said. “Now, I must sleep. There are fresh linens in that chest.”
“I would rather sleep with you, Marcus.”

“Very well, as we are both weary from our travels but, in future, this is to be your room, Bernard. Of course, mine is open to you at all times.” And so it was that I came to live with Marcus in his splendid chateau, and that our friendship and love for one another grew and deepened as the years went by. Some things of vampirism that I still knew nothing of, I learned quickly. I had thought it amazing that Marcus could read others’ thoughts, that he possessed the strength of ten mortal men, and that he could move with a speed and agility the human eye could not keep up with. But that he could fly was a revelation that astounded me. My amazement so amused him that he caught me up in his arms and soared with me higher than the moonlit clouds, all the while laughing with delight at my cries of wonderment. As we swooped and zoomed through the cool night air, I have to admit that once or twice I had to close my eyes tight when we came so close to a treetop or church steeple.

“But why,” I asked when we were once more on solid ground and I had recovered my breath and my wits. “Why when you can fly, do you still use Orion for travelling?”

 

“Because, my dear Bernard, I like it!” He smiled at my blank look. “Think of it, Bernard.

I have lived for hundreds of years and will almost certainly live for hundreds more. What is there for me to hurry to? Yes, I could be in Paris or Rome in much less time than on a horse at full gallop, but why the haste? If I am needed in an emergency, then I make use of that particular ability, otherwise, Orion suits me well.”

* * * *

 

I was enrolled in a fine college in Toulon and, later, fulfilled my ambition to be a teacher. It seemed that no one knew the truth of Marcus, for he was regarded as a boon to the area’s economy, hiring daytime staff to keep the chateau’s many rooms clean and the lush Blood Resurrection

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gardens trimmed and weed free. It was an unspoken agreement between us that I would supervise all the work done and ensure that his room was left to last. Only I had the key to unlock it and only after I was certain that he had risen. All was well until one day, I noticed that several of my students were missing from my class.

“They are sick,” was all I was told, and although I thought it unusual that so many should be taken ill at one time, at that time, I saw no cause for great alarm. But as the days passed, more and more students were missing, and the dreaded word ‘plague’ was whispered in the corridors.

Marcus had been gone for several weeks, and upon his return, he told me that many parts of France and Germany were beset by the terrible disease. All classes were cancelled, all public buildings were closed upon orders from the King and the state, and a blanket of fear descended upon the country. The plague of 1430 was not as severe as the previous epidemic some one hundred years before, but nevertheless, it claimed many thousands of lives—sadly, many of my students among them.

I was twenty-three, fit and healthy, so it came as a terrible shock on the morning that I found myself unable to rise from my bed. I was nauseous, shivering, and covered in sweat. I lay there all day until sunset when Marcus came to my room, his intuition telling him that something was amiss. He summoned a doctor, who immediately diagnosed me as a plague victim and rushed from the chateau as though his arse was on fire. Marcus sat with me day and night, bringing me cold compresses for my fever, warm blankets when I turned icy cold, and fresh water to ease my parched throat.