The Dark Rose

by Ramsey, Valentine

  “I hate jeans,” she said, tugging them on.

  “But you look oh-so-sexy in them.”

  Pulling on a long-sleeved top, Pan threw him a look. He grinned, his arms behind his head as he lazed back.

  She stuffed her dress in her bag. “You’re going to have to feed soon.”

  “I’ll be fine for a couple more days.”

  “Liar.” Pan straddled his waist, knees against his sides.

  He chuckled, running his hands up her arms and pulling her to lie on his chest. “Not even a year into our relationship and you already know me so well.” He rubbed her back.

  “Do you want to drink from me?”

  “And taste divinity? Love to, but you’re still human and we can’t afford not to travel in the sun.”

  Late the next morning they got to wherever, Pan looked around, wherever was. The settlement was very rural, surrounded by dark ominous forest.

  “We’re going to have to hitch a ride,” Dom said, looking around.

  He ended up bargaining with a hay farmer who let them ride in the back of his truck. Dom pulled out a dark brown suede jacket from his pack.

  “Here, you’re shivering.”

  He helped her slip her arms in then wrapped his around her, pulling her into his lap. The ride was bumpy as the road was nothing but dirt. Pan didn’t know how long they rode, and she wouldn’t have cared if it was forever being snuggled in Dom’s arms, but the sky became even gloomier, gray clouds threatening rain.

  Thankfully the man soon stopped and yelled something in Ukrainian.

  “Come on,” Dom said.

  He jumped down and held his arms up to her. Pan took his shoulders and he grabbed her waist, lowering her.

  “Diakuiu,” he said to the man who waved with his hat and drove off.

  Translation: Hell if she knew.

  Pan dropped his hand and grabbed his arm as they walked along the road. Impoverished encampments and shack like structures lined it. Chickens pecked the ground running loose with a few devil-eyed goats.

  “Are you sure he’s here?” Pan asked, wary.

  “Ah, yes.” He didn’t sound very convincing. “But where—no clue. I’m an excellent tracker though.”

  Pan clutched Dom tighter when people began to appear, watching them.

  He mirrored her thoughts. “We’ll have to be careful. In these parts it doesn’t take much gold to make a man’s word sold.”

  After a few minutes walking, Dom stopped, holding his face to the sky. He sniffed.

  “Bear.” He looked towards the forest behind the encampments. “I need to feed.”

  Pan waited on a log while Dom hunted. He said he wouldn’t go far, but Pan could no longer see him. Digging in his pack for the food, she smiled, finding chocolate covered raisins. Her raven feathered dove knew her so well.

  Not much later, he reappeared.

  “Good meal?” Pan asked.

  He smiled. There was a rosy flush in his cheeks. “Not as good as devouring you.” He swooped and kissed her. “Mmm,” he said, licking his lips. “Chocolate.”

  Pan laughed. “Mmm, brown bear.”

  “She actually was. I was shocked considering its smell.”

  They took to the road again and continued their search. It was getting dark, but coming around a bend, pounding electronic metal music met their ears. It was coming from what looked like a humped bunker built into the embankment. There were no windows, but a huge metal door. Smoke rose from the top of the mossy hill from an invisible chimney.

  A growl rumbled low in Dom’s throat. “This definitely reeks of Joshua.”

  “How do you know him?”

  “He married my mother and father.”

  Pan’s brows pulled with doubt. “Won’t he sell us out?”

  “No. He hates vampire politics and even more so he positively loathes my father.”

  “Why?”

  “Joshua loved my mother. He found her first and when Ellis saw her he had to have her and she had to have him. He was, after all, the King and Joshua a mere priest. Turns out mommy dearest and Joshua would have been perfect for each other as she’s a bitch and he’s a bastard.”

  Pan was a little taken back by the resentment with which Dom spoke of his mother.

  “Oh,” was all she said.

  “He’s still very bitter about it. He won’t open for me, but he will for a lost, scared, innocent looking, but secretly evil, little girl.” He looked down at her.

  Pan gulped. “Me?”

  Dom grinned. “Flash those big doe eyes you use to hypnotize.”

  “I do not!”

  He laughed. “Do that too.”

  “What?”

  “Pout.”

  Dom stood to the side of the door, downwind. Pan knocked and glanced at him as she waited. As the music shut off he gave her a nod of encouragement. Pan jumped when the metal hatch suddenly snapped open. Narrowed blue eyes peered at her through the dark hole. A word was barked at her.

  Pan gulped and gave him her biggest puppy eyes possible.

  “Pro-proshu,” she stuttered in a small scared voice. Dom had told her it meant “please”. “I’m lost,” she said in English.

  The eyes watched her a moment longer then were abruptly cut off as the hatch snapped closed. Long seconds passed and Pan glanced at Dom.

  “Wait,” he mouthed.

  A moment later, Pan jolted again at the sound of grating metal as the lock was thrown. The door swung open revealing a man nothing like she had imagined.

  He was homely with thin mouse brown hair that was in accordance with her mind’s eye, but he wore leather pants low on his hips that were unbuttoned as if he had just shoved them on. A bulky coat that was blood and chocolate browns with gold sparkle paisley swirls with brown fur adorning the collar displayed his ivory chest that shone almost silver beneath.

  Leaning in the doorway, he smiled a toothy grin. “Do come in my lovely.” He had a charming English accent. “I was just preparing a little feast, perhaps you would—”

  Dom stepped out. “Hello, Joshua.”

  Joshua rolled his eyes heavenward. “Aw, bloody ‘ell. I knew she was too good to be true. What’d you want whelp? Son of the whore, who spread her legs for few and all, spawn of Satan, seed of—”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Dom snapped.

  Joshua crossed his arms, haughty.

  Dom took Pan’s hand. “We wish to be married.”

  Joshua’s eyes flicked to her, curious. “I don’t do that anymore.”

  “Aren’t you the least bit interested in who she is?”

  Joshua shrugged and picked his tooth. “Human. Otherwise yummy.”

  “She’s Pandora Rose.”

  Joshua’s eyes lit up. “The Rose Princess marrying the Gray Prince?” he said in awe.

  “Dominic, you naughty boy, you’ve come to the dark side! Your father would hate it. Your mother would love it. Mm, the complexity of priesthood. Step in, would you.” He said this all very fast.

  Dark and rustic, shadows danced along the walls from lanterns and candles that burned from every surface. Leather bound books crowded every free corner along with dozens of holy statues and relics.

  Behind sheer curtains, lying on her stomach on a round bed with messy black satin sheets was a modelesque blond woman wearing lingerie. She looked up from the neck of a dead man dangling half off the bed as they came into the main domed area where a fire blazed.

  “Another snack?” the woman asked in Russian.

  Pan shifted as the dead man was looking right at her, his eyes glazed with deaths haze. Dom moved her to his side, turning into her protectively. Moving to stocking knees, she shoved the dead man off the bed. He hit the floor with a thud.

  “Because this one’s all dried up,” she said lasciviously, and licked her teeth.

  “Leave,” Joshua said.

  Her eyes flared red. “Like hell.”

  Joshua sighed. Walking to her, his hand darted out, grabbing her neck and drag
ging her up. Snarling, she tried to claw his face with sharp red nails, but Joshua jerked away.

  “Her name may be Angelica,” he said with dry irritation. “But she’s no angel.”

  “Bastard,” she hissed.

  He puckered his lips at her as he dragged her to the door. “Sugarpuss.”

  “Asshole!”

  “Snuckie pie.”

  “Dic—”

  Wrenching the door open, Joshua threw her out and slammed it shut.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Newborn.”

  There was a thud that sounded like she kicked the door, her yells muffled by the thick surface. Joshua rolled his eyes. Striding to the bed, he snatched up a dress. Rushing back to the door, his coat billowing out, he swung it open and threw it in her face.

  She flung it on the ground and flipped him off. “Prick!”

  Joshua touched his heart with a smile and slammed the door in her face. Pan looked up at Dom, translating her question with a single look.

  “I know he’s a pain,” Dom whispered. “But he’s ordain.”

  “So!” Joshua clapped his hands. “Are you two love doves ready to begin?”

  He made to pinch Pan’s cheek, but Dom slapped his arm away.

  “No touchy,” Dom said, glaring.

  Pan’s face fell as a thought occurred to her.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I don’t have a wedding dress.”

  “Oh—is that really important to you?”

  Pan thought for a moment. “I guess not. I just always imagined I’d be wearing one.”

  Dom stroked her neck. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even consider it.”

  “Don’t get your knickers in a bunch,” Joshua snapped. He still looked put off by Dom slapping him away. “I do theater with the gypsies every week. There are extra costumes in the room down the tunnel.” He waved to it. “Go find something.”

  Pan waited while Dom looked through piles of clothes. He pulled out a white dress shirt with army patches.

  “Aren’t you going to look?”

  Pan shifted, looking down at the floor. She nudged a rouge button with her toe.

  “Not with you in here. You can’t see the bride before the ceremony. It’s bad luck.”

  Dom laughed. “And heaven knows we’ve had enough of that already. Alright my love,

  I’ll leave you to it.” He kissed her neck and went out.

  When the door closed, Pan dug frantically through the clothes. Finding the corner of something winter white, she dug her feet in and yanked it out. Her eyes went wide as she held it up. Satin with a rose print, it had a boat neckline and a lower back V neck. The skirt slightly bubbled and there were two small bows at the waist. Quickly changing, Pan looked at herself in the mottled cloudy mirror. She smiled, smoothing her hands down the dress.

  “It’s perfect.”

  She had to pin the sides with safety pins since it was a couple sizes too big and do a quick hem job to hide a stain so it came just a little above her knees. Otherwise it was positively sweet.

  Brushing her hair out, Pan pinned the small side with the diamond snowflake barrette she had taken. Pulling a lipstick from her pack, she dabbed a little on her lips and cheeks then rubbed it in. Lastly she pinned on the veil with lace ends. It didn’t match the dress, but she didn’t care.

  This is it, Pan thought. She was signing over her soul giving everything she was to be whole.

  Taking a shaking breath, Pan picked up the fake magician daisies and turned towards the door. It was time to begin or else turn back and face her sin.

  + + +

  Waiting for Pan, Dom shifted nervously. Every minute that passed he wondered if she was changing her mind. Fear gripped him and wrung him taut. He let out his breath and rubbed his forehead, banishing that thought. Joshua was eyeing at him curiously.

  “What?” Dom snapped.

  “You do realize you are a vampire, don’t you? We don’t act all—” He fluttered his hand at Dom’s anxious appearance. “And if we do, we sure as hell don’t show it.”

  “Yeah? Take your advice and blow it.”

  “You are your mother’s son. Crude to the very end. There’s still time to run. I could—see to it she got home safely.”

  Dom gave him a savage look and Joshua held up his hands in defense. Dom went back to looking down the hall. He could not wait to be Pan’s prisoner, her servant, her King, all lesser to his Queen. Knees meeting marble, he would rest at her feet, but being his love she would fall to meet. He was caught in loves undertow where he would soon gladly drown.

  “Aren’t you scared?” Joshua asked. “I mean marriage, eck.” He cringed.

  “A verb,” Dom said, not tearing his eyes from the door she was behind. “A verb, a verb, all of them unheard or seem so absurd to describe the urge to see her smile. Oh the urge, the urge, the surge I feel to purge my sins and spill to her the abundance of my love, my evil to my kin. It doesn’t stop, there is no end, no beginning, no how, near, where, here, fear—” Dom rubbed his chest, “I have none. I am fear empty and love full.”

  “‘Tis strange things women make us feel.” Joshua said this more to himself. And it sounded as if it burdened him.

  Dom went ridged as the door squeaked opened and Pan stepped out. By the escape of his breath, his love does attest. She was such a vision, his breastbone and heart had a collision. Beauty had never eradiated such a glorious halo. It was as if she had stolen heavens golden light, it surrounded her so.

  Let the imagined happiness unfold into reality, Dom thought, as she floated through the wanton summer’s air, its vanity so bare to have her flesh grace it.

  Smiling behind her veil, Pan took his side. Joshua began the ceremony.

  “Let me be your conduct now and through the holy pyramid running through my veins of blood ancient righteousness begin to incorporate two in one. Close your hands upon these holy words.”

  She held his eyes as she set her flowers aside. Dom took her hands that were so little in his own and stroked his thumb over her soft skin. Love devouring death do what he dare, nothing could touch them as his ring will rest on the hand of this so fair.

  When it came to the part, Dom dug in his pants pocket and pulled out two rings. She looked at them stunned then beamed up at him.

  He grinned at Pan’s bright expression. “You wouldn’t think me so ill prepared would you?”

  He slipped her ring on. He had searched hard and long, finding none he believed worthy to suit his glorious flower. So he had one custom made. No diamonds or jewels, but an oval moonstone with a rose wrapping the side, the band a crown of thorns.

  Pan took his and slid it on. His band matched hers, a rose and thorns, a combination of their two covens, defiant until the end.

  “You may kiss your bride,” Joshua said.

  Dom lifted her veil, draping it behind her. Taking Pan’s smiling face in his hands he sealed the deal with his lips upon hers.

  + Chapter 38 +

  Death Devouring Love

  Dilapidated and dreary, The Dragon Inn was practically falling down around their heads. They noticed none of this as they raced up stairs to their bed. Reaching their room, Dom struggled to get the key in the lock, Pan refusing to let him tear away from her lips, holding him by the collar.

  The lock clicked and they stumbled into the room. Kicking the door shut, Dom tossed their packs. Breaking from his lips, Pan ripped open his top, sending buttons scattering.

  “Don’t be nervous,” he breathed, stooping to kiss her neck.

  Pan tilted her head back, wrapping her arm around his neck. “Nerves hold no home in my emotions.”

  Unzipping her wedding dress, Dom backed her to the bed.

  Pan clung to Dom, clutching his shoulders, needing the soothing sweet kisses he placed to her face as the feel of his weight rocking between her hips, the pain, the burn, was more than she wished to learn.

  It was achingly beautiful. She felt so cherished and safe in their body’s uni
ted embrace as he murmured reassurances and promises in her ear, running his fingers through her hair splaying it out more over the pillow, kissing her, intensifying the sweet sensations of their union as their bellies brushed together.

  It was this moment as Dom raised his head and their heavy hooded eyes locked that an instinct roared through Pan so deeply that she knew she was his. She knew she had been made for him. Her breath was his, the flush to her skin, the gasps, the drumming beat of her heart, her visions of future, this, her innocence—all belonged to him.

  And in the gleam of his eyes she could see the gift was returned. He was hers.

  Pan ran her hand up his neck and into his hair as she gazed up in fascination at his handsome face where heaven had found its place. Eyes closing, Dom dropped his head to her shoulder and neck, his breath hot as he adorned her flesh with kisses.

  Pan shuddered at the gentle draw of his lips, at the swirl of his tongue. His spine undulating in a slow, tender, gentle rhythm, she gasped as a jolt shot through her, neither pleasant nor painful, but something in between. Another tear leaked from the corner of her eye, running down her temple. Dom pushed her hair back, his soft lips kissing it away.

  “I love you Pan,” he breathed.

  Sedated, content, chest to chest, breath to breath, they lay cocooned in each other’s arms, placing tender little kissed to each other’s faces.

  “Such delicious milky flesh,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I’m surprised I haven’t marred it with my touch.” He trailed his fingers down her ribcage and over her hip. “I feel as if blackness should seep through the tips of my fingers when I touch you.”

  “All that uttered with a gentle breath yet hold no depth.” She placed kisses to his sleep heavy lids.

  Waking hours later, Pan stretched, wondering why she was sore in places she had never been sore in before. Stretching her arms up, she saw her wedding ring and smiled, thinking, Oh.

  She looked at Dom. He lay on his stomach, asleep for the first time she had ever seen.

  Pushing the blanket off, Pan swung her legs over the edge and sat up. There was dried blood on the inside of her thigh. Standing, the floor cold to her feet, she picked up his shirt. Pulling it on, she buttoned the surviving two then went into the bathroom to clean up.