Charles [Short Story]

Chapter 5

I woke up to find myself alone. I sat up slowly feeling the stiffness in my muscles. It was cold. So cold. There was no fire and the windows were open. Why is it so cold.

"Charles?" I called out with a dry mouth. I didn’t hear he reply so I slowly got out of bed, taking my robe from the sofa I put it on and made my way door stairs. Once I got down and turned the corner towards the kitchen I could hear voices.

"The master will never recover from this." one women said.

"Shhh, we must not talk about this here. We don’t want to cause him more pain." the other replied.

I turned the corner to see them standing with their backs to me in front of a large table.

"What happened to Charles?" I asked, both of the women turned in shock holding their hand over their hearts. "Where is Charles?"

"Oh my dear." one women said before sprinting though the door yelling.

"Sweet girl, come sit. It is cold please come sit." the other women said as she ushered me towards the fireplace. I sat there for what felt like a long time. Than I heard footsteps running down the hallways and the door bursting open. Charles was standing there. His eyes were blood shot and swollen, he was shaking. He just stood there staring at me. I took the blanket off of my lap, standing up slowly. I walked towards him with one hand stretched out towards him.

"Charles?" I whispered softly. I was still a few feet from him when he dashed over to me. Wrapping his arms around me and squeezing. I could feel the wetness of his tears rubbing off on my cheek.

"You were dead." he said pulling away looking into my eyes. "How?"

"I was what?" I said with fear coating my words. "Charles what are you talking about?"

"Stay here, I will fetch the doctor." he said letting go of me walking towards the door. Before exiting he turned to look at me and said "I love you Stella."

Than he was gone. I turned to find Lilly standing there trembling.

"Lilly." I said walking towards her "What is going on Lilly?"

"Mistress, you were dead. You have been laying in your bed for the last 5 days with no life." she said as tears started falling down her face. "We opened the windows to keep your body cold because the Master would not let us take you for burial."

I took her hands in mine, she looked down and ran her fingers over mine.

"I can feel your warmth." she said before placing her ear over my heart. "And I can hear your heart. How is this possible."

" I don’t even understand what happened Lilly." I said looking down. Soon she pulled me in for a hug.

"Mistress we missed you. The Master has been inconsolable." she said with a very sad look.

Before I was able to reply to Lilly, the door swung open and Charles came rushing in, grabbing me in his arms he carried me to the chair. He sat me down carefully and beckoned the man with him over.

"This is Dr. Francis.  He is going to take a look at you." Charles said before standing next to me.

"Hello Mistress." Francis said with a smile. He took my hand placing two fingers on the underside of my wrist, he looked at his pocket watch. He let me go and smiled. "Your blood pressure sounds strong and healthy." than he took his stethoscope out placing it on my back and my chest listening to my heart. "Your heart is strong. Mistress may I look at your wounds?" he said before pointing to my chest.

"Yes." I said as I untied my robe and moved my shirt out of the way.

"Master Charles. When did you say she was attacked?" the Dr. asked looking confused.

"A week and 2 days ago. Why do you ask Dr." Charles said looking concerned.

"Well, Sir. She has no wounds nor scars. I can not see any sign of trauma." the Dr. said as he put my shirt back down.

"Than it worked?" he asked with surprise  looking at the Doctor who was shaking his head up and down with just as much surprise. "But she wasn’t breathing 5 days ago Doctor."

"What worked?" I ask confused.

Charles moved between my legs and kneed down so we were looking into each others eyes.

"I gave you some of my blood Stella, I didn’t want to turn you but I couldn’t lose you." he looked down in shame. "But I feared losing you more than anything I could live with you hating me for turning you as long as you lived, so I gave you my blood."

I didn’t say anything. I wanted to cry, I wanted to hug him. So many thoughts and emotions flying through my head. My heart was racing and I started sweating. Charles broke my thoughts when he said "You hate me don’t you?" as he started pulling his hands away. I grabbed hold of them tighter. Looking at him waiting for him to look at me.

When he finally looked up I said "No, I could never hate you." I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed. I leaned back just enough so I could place a soft kiss to his lips. I pulled back to look at him and he was smiling with tears running down his cheeks.

"You’re an amazing women Stella." he said.

"Is there anything to eat? I am sorry for asking, I am just so hungry." I said with a giggle.

The maids jumped up and ran off to tell Peter the good news and to make something to eat.

"Of course love." Charles said with a smile, he scooped me up into his arms. "Thank you Doctor. I hope you have a pleasant evening."

Charles carried me through to the kitchen up to the breakfast bar and sat me down on a stool, he sat In the one next to me leaning over giving me a kiss before he turned to watch Peter work.

"Mistress, I am so pleased you are well and with us, it has been quite lonely here without you to cook for." Peter said with a big smile.

"I am happy to be back Peter, it smells wonderful in here. What are you making?" I said.

"Ah! Yes Mistress, I am making you some beef stew and fresh bread. If that is okay?" he said with a hopeful smile.

"Oh yes Peter that sounds delicious!" I said with excitement.

As we sat and watched Peter cook we talked about the past, the future and so many other things and we laughed. It was a lovely evening.

"Thank you for supper Peter it was amazing." I said with a smile as Charles and I made our way out of the kitchen up to our room. We just made it upstairs and were getting ready for a bath when Paul came running into the room.

"Sir, its urgent." he said breathlessly.

"What is going Paul?" Charles asked with a growl. I pulled a towel over my body and went into the closet to grab some clothing.

"Sir, the vampire who broke into the keep the other night, he was the only soon to Clan McKellen. His father is down in the study waiting for you and the Mistress." Paul said with a worried look. I looked at Charles face. His eyes went dark and his breathing became heavy.

"Stella, are you dressed?" He looked at me as a nodded pulling my shirt down into place. "Good, the man we are meeting is a cruel man who has wanted war with me for years. Please stay close to myself and Paul. Do you understand?" I didn’t say anything I just nodded. This was very serious. Charles took my hand and led me down the hall to the study. Paul stayed close behind us. Out of the corner of my eye I saw four more men join us. We walked into the study and there was a very tall brutish looking man standing with hands behind his back looking out of the window. He turned around slowly so we could see his face. He looked tired, weathered and scary. There was a large scare that ran across the left side of his face.

"Charles. It is nice to see you again." he said.

"I wish I could say the same Shamus." Charles said. "Why are you here?" he asked, walking into the room more. I followed him and stayed behind him, Paul was standing to the left of me and the other four men stood at the exits. The whole situation made me very uncomfortable.

"I want to know why my son was delivered home without a head and where you put it." Shamus spat out at Charles.

"Well, I killed him. He broke into my home and attacked my women. As for his head I cant be sure where it is now. I had my men throw it over the cliff into the ocean." Charles said with a slight smile.

"I was hoping you'd say that Charles. Men." Shamus said as the four men started moving towards Charles. I felt arms wrap around my waist as they pulled me away.

 I started to struggle but Paul whispered "Mistress, be still. There is a panic room behind this bookshelf. Go in and do not come out until Charles or myself tell you to. Please."

I saw Paul push a little button on the inside of the bookcase and it swung open, I went inside and Paul reached in pushing an auto lock button. The door closed with large metal bars sliding into place. I looked around trying to find anything, there was a panel on the back wall. I pushed a button it brought up screens flip open. They turned on and it was showing the study, kitchen, dinning room and our bedroom, along with a red room. My eyes left that screen focusing on the study. I could see Charles throwing the men who betrayed him out windows. Paul was shoving a dagger into another ones chest. They looked frightening, black eyes and their fangs showing. I found another button that made the speakers come on and another that activated a microphone. I saw Charles stand up with his back towards Shamus. I looked to see Shamus pulling a gold dagger out of his belt getting ready pounce on my sweet Charles, I pushed the button for the microphone and yelled.

"Charles!! BEHIND YOU!" Charles spun around redirecting the dagger into Shamus's heart. I could see the surprise on the old mans face as he turned to dust that fell around Charles feet.

Charles tuned to look at Paul "Take that one to the cells, I want to question him later."

"Yes Sir." Paul said pulling the man up and starting out of the study door.

"Paul." Charles said looking up. "Thank you for being loyal. Thank you for saving her."

"Of course Sir. You and the Mistress are good to me, and your my family." he said with a half smile.

Charles stood looking down for a moment before walking over to the panic room door.

He knocked lightly before looking into the camera with a smile "Love, can you come out?" he said "It's safe now."

I pushed the button and the door swung open, but I was frozen in place. Charles bent over and looked inside with a concerned look. He made his way inside pushing the button so the door swung shut. He sat down next to me before he pulled me onto his lap. His arms snaked around my waist and he pushed his face into my neck. He took a deep breath before placing kissed to my neck, working his way to my lips. He was gentle at first but it become more aggressive, like he was afraid of my slipping away into nothing. It was hungry like he had not eaten in days. I turned myself around placing my knees on either side of his waist. He moved one hand placing it on my hip guiding me back and forth slowly as his other hand worked its way under my shirt to my bare breast. He lightly squeezed moving his fingers to play with my n****e. A small moan left my lips and a growl left his. I moved my hands under his shirt lifting it over his head and throwing it to the side. I kissed the side of his neck, down to his chest and back up to his lips I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth giving it a small nip. I could feel his grip tighten on my hip, and a deep growl escape his lips. This made me smile. I loved that I has the same reaction to him as he did me. He moved me so he was able to take my clothing off along with is pants. I made my way back onto his lap, moving back and forth I could feel his hardness flex agaisnt my wet entrance. I raised my self up and positioned myself over him. I lowered down until he was filling me completely. We let out a deep grown, the way he filled me, stretching me in all the right ways was the best feelings. I started moving slowly at first his hands made their way to my hips gripping tightly as he dipped his head down to take my n****e into his mouth as he started guiding my hips faster and harder. I could feel the heat quicken he moved his hand down between us finding my swollen bud he started making rough circles helping my climax quicken until I throw my head back yelling his name as I letting the pleasure explode through me. I looked into his eyes seeing the dark hunger. I moved my hair always from my neck while moving so he had room. He leaned in kissing the most sensitive spot before sinking his fangs in and pulling deep drinks. He growled as he moved in and out of me roughly, gripping the other side of my neck as he drank for throwing his head back with his release moaning my name. We stayed that way for a long time wrapped around each other.

"I am sorry I brought you to this place Stella. I should have never put you in so much danger." he said without looking into my eyes.

"I don’t want to be anywhere else Charles. Only will you. For however long you want me." I said. It made me sad to think he wouldn’t want me one day. He grabbed my face with both hands making me look into his eyes. I could see love and sadness but not regret.

"I will never let you go Stella. Never." he said with a soft voice. "You are mine. Forever."

"I love you Charles." I said kissing him softly.

"Come my love, let us go take a bath and wash the day away." he said as he gathered our clothing and pushing the button to open the door. He stepped out, holding his hand out for me to take. I took it stepping out of the room.

"Wait, we need to get dressed before leaving this room." I said

He gave me a sly smile picking me up. Before I could blink he sat me down in our washroom. He went to the bath filling it with hot water. He walked over to the cabinet opening it grabbing a basket turning to me saying "Which one would you like this evening my love?" I skipped over to him looking through all the bath bombs he had deciding on a lavender vanilla one. I held it up with an excited look.

"This one! Can we add some of the milk bubble bath as well?" I asked hopeful.

"Of course, anything you'd like princess." he said as he tossed the bath bomb in turning to place the basket back and taking the bubble bath from the same shelf. He added that and offered his hand to me, I took his hand and slipped into the warm bath. It felt so good.  I scooted up so he was able to slid in behind me. Once he was settled I leaned back on his chest letting the days events slip away.

He started washing the front of my body, and the moved me to sit up so he was able to wash  the rest of me and my hair. I let out a satisfied sigh. Than I remembered the red room. I wanted to ask him but  I wasn’t sure how. 'Just ask him Stella' I thought to myself.

"Charles?" I said "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything" he said wrapping his arms around me and pulling me back down to his chest.

"What is in the red room?" I asked, his whole body stiffened and his breath quickened.

"It's um…" he said sitting up straighter "It’s my play room."

"Play room?" I asked confused. "What do you mean Charles?"

"I have a dark side. I haven't showed you because I don’t want to scare you away." he confessed.

"Will you show me?" I asked looking down at our hands.

"If that is what you desire." he said with a stiff uncomfortable voice. I stood and grabbed a towel wrapping it around me and looking at Charles. He did the same. Taking my hand he led me down the hall towards a large black door. He handed me a key and took a step back. I inserted the key unlocking the door, I placed my hand on the knob willing myself to open it 'Just do it you pansy!' I yelled at myself twisting the knob pushing the door open. I saw so many items in there that made no sense to me.. All along the walls were chains, cuffs, ropes. On another wall was whips, skinny black stick looking things, paddles and other odd items. In the middle of the room was a large bed with all black bedding behind that was some kind of wooden table but it wasn’t a table it was smooth and round with little metal links at each end. I took a step back out of the room never blinking. I felt Charles hand pressed against my lower back taking the key from my hand closing the door and locking it again before he turned looking at me.

"We never have to go in there love." he said with a small smile.

"I know you'd like to though, and I want to make you happy." I said

"I appreciate that my little worrier but I am happier with what we do now." he said pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Why don’t we go to bed and watch a movie?"

"I would like that a lot." I said taking his hand as we walked back to the bedroom.

We spent the reminder of our night holding each other and watching romantic comedies until fell asleep in each others arms.