"I love you, Solomon," he said feebly as blood distilled from his mouth. He lie blood-soaked and half dead in a pool of crimson. In his lover's arms he found solace as he awaited for death to take him. For a moment, as his heart ceased beating and his immortality died, a beam spread across his lips. He smiled, feebly wrapping his arms around his lover.

"I love you too...Carl," Solomon cried...

One Year Earlier

For many years the Vampire Empire remained in power. Fierce creatures they were consider, pure Chiroptera, as they used such bats to gain the human's loyalty. Many decades had passed since all the vampires awoke from their cold, dreamless slumber and avenged themselves; taking land, lives, and even humanity. The war between vampires and mortals had ended in less than a while, the vampire's victory gave them full power over the mortals. Granting them whatever they wished.

These were no regular vampires, for they could withstand sunlight. Their weaknesses were unknown to the mortals they commanded.

Whenever a vampire wanted something from a human they would get it. Whenever a vampire wanted blood the mortals would have to supply. Whatever a vampire wanted the desired thing was to be provided by the humans. Carl, the prince of all vampires; who lived in a beautiful stone castle with gardens, giant stone walls, and statues surrounding it. On the inside, beautiful halls, rooms, gothica windows, statues, and much more were kept. He was said to be the most feared of all the vampires, as a prince, he received everything he wanted from both humans and vampires; wealth, food, pleasure, even women...

He was said to be the most passionate of the vampires when it came to women. Never had he seen a human woman, only his vampire concubines and mother. Nonetheless, the day it came for him to choose his bride he decided that he would like a mortal bride, something no vampire royal was ever allowed to acquire. It was believed impure to mate with a human, nonetheless, turn one with no vampire blood-lines.

However, as not only a prince but also as the most feared vampire, he got what he wanted. Seven very attractive and intelligent women were brought in later, each having a skill to be tested. They all were tested on their skills; such as reading, writing, singing, art, theater and so on down the line. Two stood up in triumph; Diva and Saya.

"Looks like it will be hard to choose son. Both are very smart and beautiful," Carl's father said. Carl examined the two girls, Diva didn't seem to be intimidated by him. Saya, on the other hand, held her katana with trembling hands. He cupped Saya's chin and pulled her face near hers.

"So, you have a great swordsmanship I see? My servant boy, Solomon, told me he has seen you fend off vampires and was beaten for it," Carl said derisively. Saya's brown eyes trembled as she let out a soft yes.

"Then let me see, fight me," Carl said. Carl stepped away from Saya and removed his gloves, one of his hands was not human looking. It was somewhat of a demonic hand with the tips of some red spikes sticking through it. Saya gasped, trying step away but was pushed toward Carl by one of the guards. Reluctantly, Saya unsheathed her sword and threw the sheathe to the ground. Diva picked it up and began to laugh childishly.

"Saya nee-sama is gonna die!" Diva giggled.

"Ahh, let's dance!" Carl yelled, he charged toward Saya, attempting to strike her but Saya motioned her blade swiftly. Carl's hand had been cut off. He fell to the ground and began to laugh at the sight of his own blood touching the ground. Saya stood still, panting and trembling, she dropped her sword and tried to run but was caught by the guards. Carl grabbed his severed hand, let it heal itself back onto his wrist and stood up as he picked up Saya's sword.

"I want that girl," he said, pointing Saya's sword at her. His blood dripped from the blade, candlelight glistening on the crimson nectar that caressed the blade. He then turned his gaze to Diva and examined her for a moment. Diva had a beautiful voice, perhaps, she would serve him as the royal singer one day, of course he would have to think of it first.

"Take Diva out of here, but, keep her alive. I like her voice," Carl order. The guards escorted Diva out. Carl walked up to Saya, examining her body with his eyes. He cupped her chin and looked into her eyes.

"Well, you're certainly a pretty one aren't you?" he teased, he stroked her cheek and smirked. His breath flowed over her face, he smelled of blood. Tears came to Saya's eyes, she tried to suppress them but couldn't. Carl chuckled as he wiped her tears away with his demonic thumb. Her tears felt wonderful as they flowed over his skin.

"Take her to my concubines' chambers, have them give her some evening attire and then send her to my chambers. I'll be expecting her later tonight," Carl said. Saya suddenly collapsed onto the ground as he said that; trying to beg him to free her but could not. She was then taken out of the room by the guards.

"Are you certain you want this one?" his mother asked.

"Yes. Now, what is for dinner?" Carl asked. He was ravenous for blood, but he would save Saya's for last.

"I'll have Solomon bring us some blood-wine if that is what you wish." his father answered.

"Solomon, who supplied this blood? It is delicious," Carl's mother asked as she finished off her first glass. She set it back on the table as Solomon poured her another glass.

"From a small infant child in the village. After all, Carl says he likes young blood," Solomon said. He looked at Carl, who was currently enjoying his second glass, for he was ravenous for blood. Solomon admired the way Carl smiled as he drank, he rarely saw him smile. After all, it was Carl who had turned him into a vampire and he always felt drawn to his creator. It was not long ago;

He lie ill and half-dead on the ground. How long had he been lying there? He did not know but all he knew was that death was taking its time to afflict him. His skin boiled, his head and chest ached, his sight blurry, and he was so exhausted. He wished the birds would just come peck him to death. Suddenly, a dark shadow blocked out the sun.

"An angel?" Solomon asked feebly. The dark shadow had wings, suddenly he realized that those were no angel wings, but bat wings.

"No, I am not an angel," Carl answered. He smirked as he saw Solomon endeavor to crawl away from him with no success.

"There is no need to run," Carl said. He knelt down next to Solomon set a hand on his shoulder, he leaned into his ear.

"I have a proposal for you. My guards tell me that you kill vampires swiftly, and have not been caught until now. You've been poisoned and will die in only a matter of hours; this is your punishment. But, I might have some use for you," Carl said.

"You-you want me to serve you?" Solomon asked hoarsely. Feebly, he lifted his head and looked at the vampire prince, unable to get a lucid view of his face. Carl stood up and smirked.

"Yes, as an assassin and as a servent boy. It is your choice, to live or die," Carl said mockingly. Solomon had no response for a several long moments. Carl began to turn around and amble away, only to be brought to halt by Solomon's pleas.

"Yes, I'll serve you. Just end the pain..." he implored. Carl took out a dagger he had hidden beneath his vest and sliced his demonic hand open. He knelt before Solomon's weak form, realizing he was even too weak to open his mouth wide enough to drink the blood. Thus, there was only one option. Carl took his blood into his mouth and placed his mouth on Solomon's. Solomon suddenly blushed, he had never been kissed before, it was a good thing that Carl's eyes had closed.

Solomon swallowed the blood, screaming as even worse pain began. But, he did not fall to the ground and convulse with pain, but wrapped his arms around Carl's shoulders and chest; screaming and writhing. For pain had never been so delivering.

"Well, go ahead Solomon. Have a glass of it your self," Carl said as he sat up and walked out of the dining room.

Saya was not used to being around so many vampires; sure, there were some in her village but she had never seen so many. Saya was taken to a chamber where several vampire women rested on silken beds; their chamber was large. Individual closets, bathrooms, beds, tables, and much more. Saya had never seen such an elegant and adorned lady's room. The guards pushed her in and shut the door; the vampire women looked at her and smirked, their fangs bared.

"So, you're the girl that Carl is christening tonight?" one said evilly. She stood up and smiled at Saya, she wore a beautiful silk dress adorned with beads and other attire jewelry. Though, she looked somewhat jealous of Saya and intimidating.

"I have some clothes and stuff you can keep, one of the concubines was killed by Solomon for infidelity," she said in a threatening tone. She grabbed Saya's hand and led her to a closet filled with silken gowns, shoes, and precious jewelry. The vampire who had led her to the closet grabbed a chemise from one of the drawers in the large closest and threw it at Saya. Saya caught it and looked at it, trying not to cry.

"This is your very own personal closet, the dresses are about you size," she mocked evilly. Saya dropped the dress and wiped her face, her eyes began to tear. The vampire female giggled at her pity and then picked the chemise up.

"Oh come now, you're wearing peasant clothes. You're the bride of a vampire prince now, you must look suitable," she said. She tried to pull Saya's peasant dress off but was not successful.

"What is wrong? You should be happy-no-grateful that Carl chose you! He saved you from the thing you called a life," she mocked.

"Vampires killed my family, leaving me and my sister impoverished! You know what they did to my sister?! They made her drink our parent's blood and now she is mentally unstable! And they beat me and made me watch my sister and parents suffer! Why would I want this?" Saya cried. If only she had her sword, she could kill the vampires in this place and run away with her sister. She could be free from this torment. The vampire slapped her across the face, making her cheek red.

"You humans are truly pathetic, while we are trying to be fair you fight us. Now get dressed, I'll have Hana escort you to Carl's chambers. Maybe some more humane company will stop your pathetic weeping. And you better wear something suitable for tonight, or I will kill your sister," she threatened and then left Saya. Finally, all alone, Saya collapsed to her knees and cried her heart out; wiping her nose and drying her tears on the chemise the vampire told her to wear. She looked at how wrinkled and stained it was, she hid it beneath a dresser in the closet.

Reluctantly, she chose another gown. The one she chose was a little taut around her torso, but loose on her legs and went down to her ankles. It showed off her shoulders, neck, arms, and some of her cleavage. She envied it so but it was the only suitable evening gown she could find. She hesitantly removed her peasant dress and slipped the dress on. She looked in the mirror, the gown was a silvery-bluish color that accentuated her attractiveness. She hated it so...To be desired by a demon such as a vampire.

She walked out of the closet, the other female vampires look at her with resent. The one who had slapped her walked up to her and studied her dress.

"Not short but it will do. But, your hair," she scolded. Saya had left her hair up in a sloppy bun. The vampire threw her a green jade comb and hoarse-hair brush.

"Comb the rat's nest out of your hair," she said. Saya reluctantly undid her bun, her hair falling in curls against her back and over her shoulders. She ran the comb throw her tresses and then the brush over her tresses, trying to suppress her sadness. She hated the fact that she had bathed earlier today before she was forced to come to the Vampire Palace.

"Better, but, you'll be killed before the week is out," the vampire threatened as she grimaced at Saya.

"HANA!" she yelled. The vampire female whom she had called came immediately. She looked a little less cruel than the other vampire females.

"Take the pathetic human to Carl's chamber," she ordered. Hana nodded her head and took Saya's hand gently and led Saya from the horrible chamber she had visited. She shut the door and told the guards that she would take Saya to Carl's chambers, she wanted to speak with her. Carl's chambers wasn't far from the concubines' chamber, it was down the hall. Hana escorted her inside Carl's chambers and sat her down on the bed.

"What is wrong child?" Hana asked. Saya did not answer, she remained silent. She was helpless now, she had no way to defend herself. The door opened, his majesty stepped in.

"Hana, what are you doing here? Leave us," Carl said. Hana looked at Carl and then back at Saya.

"Do not be afraid, the prince is a gentle and sweet lover. He will not hurt you," she solaced and then left. Carl shut the door, making sure it was shut and locked properly to assure no interruptions. He then turned to Saya, the candlelight touched his face, he smiled softly and for a moment he almost looked sympathetic. He ambled toward Saya, who quickly stood up from the bed and fled his path to a corner of the room.

"Please, just let me go..." she whispered.

"You know, I have never met anyone who could physically damage me. Not even Solomon," he complimented as he removed his gloves, revealing the hand that had frightened Saya before. Sadness swelled in Saya's throat, she wanted to cry so bad but she knew she couldn't. Any sign of weakness would give her powerlessness away. Carl was only now a few inches from her body in a few seconds, he smirked as he set his demonic hand on her shoulder, Saya was shaking. He bared his fangs, his eyes glowing crimson.

"How would you like to stay this beautiful for all eternity?" he asked evilly. He fiercely grasped her neck, he leaned forward to whisper something in her ear.

"Such beauty, I could drink it in for decades,"he whispered. He pushed her head back a little further, attempting to gain further access to Saya's neck.

"NO!" Saya cried as she pushed him aside. She tried to run but Carl grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. He rested his hands on her back and the back of her head. Saya's arms folded upward and against his chest. She could feel no movement in his chest...Nothing.

"You-you have no heartbeat...You don't even breathe..." she said fearfully. Carl stroked her hair.

"Then maybe, I should have something that will bring me back to life," he whispered passionately. His lips pressed against Saya's forehead, Saya gasped. She had never felt a vampire's lips, only their feared hands. Their flesh was cold and undead...Carl's flesh was just the same. He gently pushed her onto the bed and crawled onto her as she tried to get up. But, she resisted and refused to lie down all the way, she she sat up, supported by the forearms and parted legs. Carl once again cupped her chin.

"You're so warm Saya," he said. his cold breath running over her heated cheek. His kissed her left temple, his lips moving downward along her jaw lining. Saya was paralyzed in fear. As his lips came to her neck he opened his mouth and bit down hungrily, for a moment before pulling away.

"But, you aren't the one I want," he sighed as he stood up.

"I let you live because you can distract my parents from my current predicament," he told her. Saya sat there in soft, shivering and somewhat forgiving of this being who, just moments ago, attempted to kill her and or rape her. There were tears not only running down her face, but his also.

"Saya," he turned to her and set a hand on her face.

"I am not sexually attracted to you, nor emotionally, or in any other way. I ask for a human bride because my parents would disapprove and this would shadow the predicament I am in," he told her.

"I-I am a pawn?" she asked.

"In a way yes, but, if you do this for me than I can let you go back to your village. I need an heir, Saya, I do not believe you wish to lie with me, and thus, I will not force you. You see, I am in love with my loyal servant. His name is Solomon, we constructed a plan that I would chose a human bride. My mother will send him to assassinate you in the endeavor to keep the bloodline pure. Solomon will pretend to destroy you, I will leave my kingdom in grief. Solomon, as my blood servant and also by law, will follow. Saya, I need you to pretend to be my bride. Please," he took her hands, tears in his eyes.

"I fell in love with him from afar. I watched him day after day and night after night. I met him in secret, we fell in love and I made him mine by giving him my blood. But, I had already lain with my concubines. Thus, once I was experienced enough I was to lie with my bride and produce heirs. In ancient traditions, which I truly envy, I am to mate with a female vampire. But, I love Solomon and by law he, nor I, cannot consummate our love, homosexuality is forbidden. Thus, I need you help me," he almost begged.

"O-only if I can go home, i-if my family is left alone. I will help you then," she promised.

"Thank you," he bowed gratefully before he left.

"What does she say?" Solomon asked as he emerged from the shadows in the garden. Carl embraced his lover and kissed him, his lover returning the favor.

"She has agreed, all she asks in return is that her family be spared and safe. By law, the vampires are to protect the family of my bride, human or vampire," he kissed his lover again.

"It is such a beautiful night," Solomon gazed up at the moon, holding his prince in his arms. Carl cuddled a little closer into his arms.

"We must wait, my love. I must go now," Carl walked away lovingly into the shadows of their secret.