for the sake of further diplomatic relations

Esther held a glass of champagne to her cheeks, trying to cool the blush. When she was a child she could remember playing on a rope swing, twisting it around and then spinning until she felt ill with dizziness. Right now that was exactly how she was feeling.

‘What should I do?’ She thought. ‘It’s obvious exactly what Ion wants, but I can’t I’m a nun… wait a moment, I’m not a nun anymore.’ The thought was delicious in its possibilities. ‘No, I can’t think like that.’ She resolved.

‘That was a one time occasion, and it was in extreme circumstances or I never would have done anything like that. And besides it wasn’t even real sex.’ To a certain extent it was true, but a small voice pointed out that she would have been glad to continue at the time, that if Ion had pushed harder she would have given in willingly to him. She remembered his cool hand holding hers as they danced, and before she could edit her thoughts she remembered where else those cool hands had been, how in the dungeon they had inched up slowly until they reached the globe of her breast, before kneeding them, casing her to want more of his touch.

Esther bit her lip, an all too familiar tingling was spreading from her never regions, and she could feel that her cotton knickers were growing damp. Her legs trembled a little as she remembered how Ion's cool tongue snaked between her parted petals. She could practically feel it again. She rubbed her thighs together hoping to relive some of the friction only to make it worse, it was as useless as scratching an insect bite. ‘But you know how to relive this itch.’ Her traitorous mind pointed out.

‘Your majesty are you alright, you look a little feverish?’

Esther opened her eyes in startled embarrassment. ‘Oh, I , I’m fine thank you Vanessa, I think I just need to sit down for a moment.’

‘As you will my lady.’

Vanessa Walsh found her brother talking to two very pretty young human girls. She blinked twice, the easy interaction at court between humans and Methuselah only seemed to be growing more and more intimate now that Esther had become queen. Vanessa had a grudging respect for the red haired Queen. The young woman never showed anything more than respect for the Methuselah, and honestly wanted nothing more than for her people to become truly united, and the part of the Methuselah in Albion technology to be recognized. Vanessa had wondered why that young human had such strong feelings on the issue.

Now she thought she understood why the young queen was so keen for humans and Methuselah to get on. The truth had struck her watching the young queen dncing with the blond male. Young Esther was in love with the Duchesses of Medolva’s grandson and heir Ion, a Vampire. And unless the mutual hatred of the races could be overcome it was a relationship doomed to failure.

‘Vanessa?’ Virgil finally decided to notice her presence.

‘Would those girls look upon you so if they knew what you were?’

Her brother looked away longingly. ‘One day they might. If our Queen has her way.’

‘It looks like our Queen is already ahead of you in that desire.’

‘Ah, the Earl of Memphis. It would perhaps be a good match.’

‘The Humans of Albion would never accept it.’

Her brother shrugged. ‘You worry too much, I don’t believe that our Queen has thought of marriage as of yet. She was a nun until recently.’


(Later that evening)

Ion sat on the balcony of his room swinging his leg. His chin resting on his knuckle.

‘If you have something to say then say it, they die so quickly, so there is no guarantee that you will ever meet again.’

Time had never really meant much to Ion, his lifespan so long it was pointless to calculate, pointless to count the days. But since he had fallen for Esther time now suddenly had horrendous meaning. Both in the too short joyful periods of time spent with Esther. And also in the times he would have to spend a part from her. Time he would never get back, because of her short lifespan. He didn’t want to waste a minuet. If he had his way he would have carted her upstairs as soon as she had danced with him. But he had only been allowed to join this diplomatic mission on the condition that he behaved himself. Apparently the Duchess of Kiev had warned his grandmother of his attraction to the young queen.

He looked up at the sky; stars twinkled overhead in a sky of deepest blue. The same color of Esther’s eyes when she stood in the shade. ‘I see the endless sky reflected in your eyes and you are my universe.’ He murmured before standing and then in one graceful movement jumped from his balcony in to the shadows.

Esther was sat at her vanity, her desk lamp the only source of light in the huge room. Carefully she brushed her hair, letting the gentle tugging sooth her. Trying to avoid thinking of the open balcony window behind her. ‘I have to talk to him at least.’ She reasoned, ‘It’s not like I’m laying naked in my bed waiting for him.’

The clock besides her marked the time. She rubbed her temple, the fumes of champagne still hung about her mind. She looked at the clocks guilt face, two thirty. ‘What if he doesn’t come?’

The thought caught her off guard, and suddenly she was up and pacing the room. She had left her window unlocked, but she hadn’t opened it, not wanting to let in the cool night breeze. Perhaps he thought that she didn’t want him to see her then. With a few quick steps she crossed to room to swing wide the glass doors on to her private balcony.

Just as she burst through the doors in a swirl of blue and sliver taftiter, Ion dropped from the roof top above. Esther let out a squeak of surprise quickly stifled thanks to Ion’s per natural speed. ‘Shush, or you will raise an alarm!’

Quickly he ushered her inside, and reclosed the doors, pulling the curtains across. Esther stood her hands over her pounding heart watching him. Ion had taken off his formal black coat and now was just in a soft white undershirt, his black leggings and those adorable boots. Esther thought that if he wore a sword at his hip them he would look like one of the romantic heroes from the trashy romance novels. Esther blinked twice, ‘a romance, me, oh god, I’m in the middle of a romance!’

‘You let me in.’ Ion stated, drawing closer, his eyes seemed to be gleaming red.

‘Yes, well, I thought we could talk sir.’ Esther stuttered.

He smiled, ‘You don’t have to call me Sir. And since you opened the window, and I presume you read what was in the note I sent you, you weren’t just expecting talk tonight. If you wanted to talk you could have done so downstairs.’

Esther hadn’t noticed to mesmerized by the movement of the blond man’s lips but she had been backing up as he advanced towards her, and now her back was pressed up against the wall.

Ion had noticed her rabbit in a head lights gaze and thought it quite suited her. He also noticed that all her attention was upon his lips. Her Prussian blue eyes, that now captured the glow of the lamp flicked up to his for a moment as her face flushed and plump lips parted. And Ion never one to turn down such an open invitation, met her lips with his own.

Oh this was a million times better than last time! Not distracted by his blood lust he could take in every nuance of the kiss, how her lips were soft and firm as peach flesh. How when her tongue slid against his hesitantly it felt like satin, and how when she let out a soft moan it vibrated against his lips.

The dizziness that Esther had been experiencing now crashed down upon her. Her mind was reeling and she actually felt a little faint the kiss was so heady. When Ion drew away for breath she collapsed forwards on to him clutching at his shirt desperately. ‘Esther what do you want?’ Ion asked his voice husky with newly kindled lust.

The young woman looked up at the young man, in the lamp light he was a golden god with eyes that burned, even as his hands were as cool marble upon her bare arms. Oh unfair! The young woman thought.

Ion smoothed his hands down her arms waiting for an answer. His head tilted to the side. Esther could hold out no more, she was burning all over with this ungodly lust, but she would gladly go to hell for it. ‘I want you Ion, I want you.’

Ion’s smile was radiant, and he captured her mouth again in a ruthless kiss. Ion had never been happier, the woman who haunted was now in his arms, she was to be his first, and he was her first. Tonight he was determined to make memorable for both of them.

As they kissed, Ion traced his hands back up the young woman’s smooth arms, he kneeded her shoulders, and stroked her neck, causing her to whimper and moan in to his mouth with each new sensation. The short hairs at the back of her neck were especially sensitive he noted. His one hand came to rest over her one breast; he smirked as he felt her heart rate increase under his palm like a bird taking flight as he drew her closer.

With a seductive languidness, Ion began to kiss down her neck. He reveled in the sweet sent her body heat rose to him. Wanting to taste her he ran his tongue from her cavical to her ear, casing her to grip his shirt almost desperately. So engrossed was Ion in kissing and generally exploring the creamy expanse of Esther’s naked shoulders and neck that he didn’t notice that Esther had began to un button his shirt until her fingers tickled his belly. Her warm fingers pulling his shirt from the waist band of his breaches was enough to make him tremble in anticipation. Almost violently he shrugged out of the shirt and kissed the young woman’s swollen red lips once again, burying his hand in her unruly red hair.

‘I would like to please you first.’ Ion warned her gently, and nipped at her nose.

Esther rubbed her lips against his, ‘I want to please you as well.’

‘All in good time.’

Ion slipped behind the young woman, who watched him from the corner of her eyes. Ion pulled her back flush against him. The woman relaxed in his arms as he began to kiss her neck once again. Looking down Ion watched her constrained cleavage rise and fall with her pants and gasps. His hands roamed the curves of her body, but he soon desired to feel her bare skin.

His fingertips ghosted either side of her spine, and she arched gracefully, throwing her head back to rest upon his shoulder her silky hair tickling his chest and back. He began to un do the multitude of pearl buttons that fasted the gown. His nimble fingers made short work of them.

Esther stepped away from her lover and stood in front of her dresser mirror. Ion followed, seeing what she had in mind. Their eyes met and held in the mirror. Slowly she stepped out of her dress, letting it slide down her body to pool about her feet. Ion was left wide eyed and able to see the whole of her, her back facing him, and her reflection in the mirror. Under the dress Esther had been wearing a white satin and lace corset, and a pair of satin knickers, equally lacy.

‘Like a bride on her wedding night.’ Ion thought.

‘Esther.’

‘Yes.’

Ion moved closer mindful of the dress. ‘Esther, we could wait.’

Esther turned to face him, confused. Why was Ion saying that now? Just what was going through his mind?

Ion tried to explain, ‘We could wait until we are married, we could do what we did last time.’

‘Married!’ Esther exclaimed. ‘You, you want to marry me?’

Ion blushed, and looked shyly away. He then looked at the young woman, barely dressed, and yet he felt naked, now unshrouded by his matusula pride. ‘Yes, I want to take you as my bride Esther, I love you.’

Esther was speechless, she opened her mouth but no words would form. Thoughts rushed through her head, ‘He loves me, I love him, can it be that simple, no we have our countries to consider, marriage, but I’m human, and he’s…. oh ..’

‘You said you loved me.’ Esther finally murmured as if in a daze. She healed out a hand to the young a vampire and stepped out of her dress. He took her hand, but still could not read the expression in her eyes. It was the longest few moments of his life.

Esther led him to the bed, and sat on it, gesturing him to do the same. Blue met red brown. ‘Ion, I love you too.’ Esther finally said, her lips brushed against his. ‘But I don’t want to wait for marriage, with our countries the way they are, it could take to long, like I said I want you, and I want you now.’

Ion was a little surprised when Esther pushed him to lie back against the soft mattress, and then straddled him so brazenly. Leaning down she kissed him, but all too soon he was dominating the kiss again, as his hands sought the ties of her corset, roughly unlacing the satin undergarment as they rebuilt the passion between them.

The young vampire growled when Esther rocked back against him, only to find he was already hard. He could feel her smile against his lips as she began to rub her satin covered mound over his bulge. Ion swore he could feel the heat of her core reach him through the fabric that divided them. He groaned, and his back arched off the bed, all the sensations getting to be too much for him. He needed to take control fast. However before he could act, Esther as resourceful as she was had taken off his bots and breaches. Much to her delight and surprise the blond had no underwear on.

Standing at the end of the bed she cocked an eyebrow. ‘Prepared for this is see.’

Ion let out an uncharacteristically deep laugh and lay back. Esther had never seen anyone so… well naked before. Even in the dungeon when they had touched so intimately they had both been fully clothed give or take, now there was nothing between them. Ion really was a sight to behold, all lithe muscle, under pale skin; he looked like one of the marble statues from the Vatican. But what caught her eye was the young mans proud erection, standing up like a bow from his body. ‘I have never seen a man naked before.’ Esther breathed.

With a dream like expression Esther crawled on to the bed, her corset finally slipping off, freeing her round bouncing globes to the lusty vampires gaze. Reaching out tentatively her hand closed around Ion's throbbing member. The young man groaned, and threw his head back as she began to run her hand up and down, and up and down his shaft, Pausing only to role her hand over its head. Ion suddenly sat up and pulled him in to his lap.

His cold mouth found her already erect nipple and began to flick his tongue over it rapidly. A trick he remembered, Ion impatient now and desperately uncomfortable, he cut through her satiny underwear with his sharp claws. Esther scowled slightly, ‘I liked those.’

Ion kissed her in apology, and traced his claws up the inside of her thigh. The young woman trembled in his arms, knickers forgotten. Brining his hand to his lips, Ion bit off two of his nails, before using those fingers to rub at the young woman’s center. Esther clutched at his shoulders, her hips began to gyrate of there own accord seeking more contact.

Ion slipped his fingers now slick with her juices deep with in her willing to stroke her lust to a new level. Esther was all around him, her pants and cries, her sent, the sent of her sex, her warmth, , the ferric taste of her mouth, even the young woman’s breasts were pressed against his chest her hard nipples rubbing circles on his chest. Every so often her leg would rub against his rock hard excretion, and if it was possible he felt it grow even harder. He couldn’t take any more of this.

‘Esther can we, I want to…’

‘I know, one minuet.’ Esther withdrew to reach under her bed for a moment, with a flourish she reveled a condom.

‘I thought the Vatican didn’t approve of birth control.’

‘ah but we are in Albion now.’

Ion shrugged, Methuselah found it hard to conceive, but apparently humans were very fertile, so he appreciated the wisdom. Besides it wouldn’t do to have her catch the virus, well not yet that was anyway.

Ion watched with interest as Esther slid the sheath down over his engorged organ. She then resumed her position hovering over him. Lips licked, Esther guided his shaft to her entrance. The heat of her core was heady and inviting, Ion longed simply to burry himself in her, but clutching her close managed to hold himself back. It was sweet slow torture and he wanted every second to count, for every inch that he entered her to be etched permanently on to both of their memories.

And so millimeter by millimeter she sank in to him, allowing her body to stretch to accommodate him. Ion was trembling beneth her, she was so hot, and so tight. Once settled groin to groin, she wriggled a little. Ion broke the kiss to seductively lick his fingers. The act was obscene, and yet completely engrossing. His burning eyes bore in to hers. And so with spit slick fingers he once more reached between them to rub at the centre of her petals.

Her body jolted as he hit an peculiarly sensitive spot, causing her to raise up, her walls clamped on to his shaft, and the no longer a virgin vampire let out a soft groan, a faint trembling passing through all his limbs. ‘God’s Esther.’ He panted as she sank back down.

Esther found that is he slid up and down so that only his tip and two inches of his length were in her, making sure she griped him tight then the warm feelings spreading up her spine intensified by ten found as it rubbed the front of her warm passages walls. As she grew more confident she picked up the pace, and Ion was able to meet her thrust for thrust, bucking up underneath her, with the aid of his vampire strength. There bodies were soon sweat covered and slick, Ion’s hands moved easily over her body, and Esther began to tweak at Ions small shell pink nipples.

It was building and building when with a shudder and a long moan Esther came, biting down on her partner’s lily with shoulder to stifle what would have been an plaice waking cry. Ion flipping the girl over and using her shoulders as leverage pounded in to her for no more than five strokes before he to had a toe curling orgasm that sent his eyes roiling in to the back of his head.

Panting and gasping, they lay together, both listening to the others slowing heart beet, and occasionally trembling as the aftershocks of their second ever orgasms passed through them.

Reluctantly Ion sat up and began to pull on his clothes. Esther sat up blearily. Ion looked at her, her eyes shining, lips red and swollen from kisses, his love bites marked her creams skin, and her red hair was disheveled, but she had never looked more beautiful.

‘Are you going?’ She said softly, her voice horse from her cries.

Ion briskly pulled on his boot. ‘I have to get back to my room before the sun come up.’ He pointed out. ‘It wouldn’t do to have me seen coming from your room now would it.’

‘I suppose not.’

Ion finished dressing and was soon stood ready to go. ‘I was serious when I said I wanted to marry you.’ He said, his back turned.

‘I was serious in saying I will consider it, it all just depends.’

The young vampire sighed, he turned a small sad smile on his face. ‘I understand, our positions it’s complicated, not to mention it’s the biggest taboo.’

Esther sat up a little, ‘will you come tomorrow?’

Her lover bent down and graced her upturned face with a gentle and longing kiss, full of promise. ‘I will.’ And with that he was gone, disappeared in to the shadows, and an exhausted young Queen sunk in to a deep sleep. Consequences could wait until tomorrow.