Chapter Text
Aine shivered, her eyes glued to what was taking place before her eyes. A sight like no others; something no mere human should witness. But here she was, on a balcony, looking down on the masquerade taking place in a ballroom so magnificent, she could only stand in awe. So many details, so many decorations, gold shimmering under the light of the hundreds ? Thousands ? candles that lit the palace; the velvet hanging around carefully absorbing the sounds, plunging the scene in a muffled mood, adding to the sophistication, leaving Aine wondering if she might be in a dream.
The hushed sound of music was reaching Aine’s ears, despite the distance. She could see the musicians playing below her, next to the crowd of dancers moving in unison, as if it was a carefully crafted show … Which could be possible, considering where she was.
Aine recognized the music, as she leaned to hear it a bit better. It was the “Danse Macabre” of … Camille Saint-Saëns ? It was one of the songs Debussy really enjoyed, if she remembered correctly. Her heart clenched when she thought of her friend, and any prospect of enjoying the evening faded, leaving only her determination to accomplish what she must tonight, to help her friends, to find a way to turn them into humans.
When she cast a new glance to the crowd, disgust twisted her guts. She no longer saw wealthy, anonymous people dancing in a baroque fashion - no. They were bloodthirsty creatures, malevolent, liars, and killers. Vampires. How could she forget, as a vampire huntress, even if they dressed so exquisitely and hosted such a grandiose event ? She was among enemies, and her goal was to somehow get one of the older, more powerful of them all - a King, an Emperor even - to reveal what he knew about reversing the transformation as a vampire. For Debussy … and for Cu.
The Irish girl clenched her fist so hard, her nails left little marks in her skin, the pain helping her to stay concentrated, to not get swept in the dream-like, fantastic reception. Her blue-haired partner, the one who always had her back, who went with her to find her family’s hereditary predator, the priest …. and the one who got turned as a vampire as a result. The guilt she felt about that crushed her heart, and she could feel tears coming, but with deep breaths, she was able to regain control of herself. She would not let him down; and for that … she needed to face a monster among the monsters, a being who saw the rise and fall of countless empires. The first Roman Emperor …. Romulus Quirinus.
As she finally regained her composure, she flinched, jolted by surprise by a breath on the nape of her neck. A faint fragrance enveloped her, as she felt the presence of someone by her side, a deep voice chuckling next to her. Aine’s purple eyes turned to the man behind her, and she had to steel her mind once again. Romulus was just here, as if he appeared from nowhere, a pleasant smile on his features, his red eyes appraising her. He seemed pleased with her outfit - a velvet, corseted dress with a rather low cut neckline, revealing too much of her bosom for Aine’s taste. The deep, crimson color enhanced the paleness of her skin, drawing the attention to her neck and shoulders as the dress worked as a frame. At least Aine was somehow relieved that Romulus provided a necklace, a tight choker in the same material of the dress, with a sparkling jewel in the same color as her eyes, to cover her neck - a quite important place when one was surrounded by vampires.
His arm naturally found its way around her waist, as he lowered his head towards hers. His gaze was focused on the flowing movement of people on the dance floor, observing how the event was going. After all… He was the one hosting it. His breath was inches from her, as he squeezed a bit tighter, a rumble of satisfaction coming out of him as he turned his attention back to her.
“What do you think of this grand evening, miss Aine ? You look …” his eyes bore into hers after appraising her one last time “divine, I’d say.” His slight smile was barely revealing his fangs.
He knew what she was. She knew he was toying with her, for some reason. He pretended that Kirei was also a thorn in his side that he wanted to remove, hence why he was helping her. But recently … The Roman had tried to get to know her, asking to meet her more often, physically being so close to her that she could sense his perfume. He was scheming something, she could be certain, besides his attempt at hiding it behind reasons such as Aine being an “interesting person”, “catching his interest” or other nonsense about her being a beauty. She had crossed too many times the path of vampires, male and female alike, to know that Romulus, with his age, has seen plenty of beauties and met plenty of geniuses. His compliments meant nothing to Aine, as she knew better than to believe empty lies. Which led her to ponder what could he possibly see in her, what advantages could he gain from messing with a bland, common human. Still, saying that his attentions and words weren’t making her blush sometimes would be a lie. She was trying so hard to deny it, to deny whatever attraction could grow between them for the sake of her friendship with Cu, but tonight, she’ll have to use that to her advantage. The thought made her shiver, which did not escape Romulus’ attention who couldn’t let the occasion pass to press Aine to his side.
“If you’re cold, I could always have someone bring you a coat, my dear... You just have to ask” His tone was smooth, and she could feel his eyes boring into her. Aine tensed up when she felt him almost glued to her, and couldn’t force herself to meet his eyes. Her mouth was dry because of the anxiety creeping on her, causing her to keep quiet, unsure if her voice would be steady.
Another chuckle, and he retreated, letting her catch a breath of relief, chuckling about her visible nervosity.
“Don’t worry, I won’t eat you tonight~” he said with a teasing tone. Aine couldn’t control herself and shot him an icy glare, not really amused by this, making his smile grow. He loved how she tried to keep herself calm and collected while sensing her rage brewing inside her, the defiance he saw shining in those amethyst eyes despite her silence. He enjoyed every minute of her inner turmoil, and pushing her into situations where he could witness every reaction he could get out of her was his guilty pleasure.
“The reception is indeed magnificent, your Excellency.” How should one address a Roman Emperor from thousands of years ago ?! She always had trouble with this. Romulus scolded her, grabbing her chin to force her to face him.
“I told you to call me by my name. You shall have no use of this title, for you are not my subject.”
His crimson eyes met hers, finally. He took his time to enjoy it, appreciating the delicate, subtle beauty of the Irish huntress. Truly, she was one of a kind gem. But Aine wouldn’t let him do as he pleased, despite her initial goal to seduce him so he could spill his knowledge… She just wasn’t like that. She was not built to be all smiley and friendly, she was pragmatic and straight to the point, without sugar coating things.
And what she had failed to realize was that it was exactly what Romulus liked in her. No fake submission, no smooth talking with him, no feeding him lies. He knew she had something to ask him, as he kept himself informed about her whereabouts and already knew about her feisty friend's condition. But he wanted for her to accept to bare herself to him, to be vulnerable enough to ask openly about it… For now, he reveled in seeing her squirm under his touch, under his eyes.
“I’ll try to keep that in mind … Romulus” she said reluctantly, without breaking their eye contact, trying to decipher his expression.
He sighed and she flinched, a spark of worry and suspicion in her eyes. Truly, it was way too fun for the blue-haired man to see her on such high alert for just a sigh. He couldn't resist her; teasing the hell out of the poor Irish huntress has been the cure to the boredom he was feeling since centuries.
His arm went to her back and she almost yelped when he yanked her forward, pressing her against his chest, bowing his head until their foreheads were almost touching, his breath caressing her lips while he arbored a wry smirk.
“Don’t you have something to ask me, my dear ? Something about, hmm, a transformation reversal perhaps ?”
Gods, he thought to himself. He would get hard just by seeing the anger and the outrage glinting in her eyes, the way she pressed her lips to try to not show her indignation and shame at being discovered so quickly, the wrath he could feel when she understood that he had been toying with her from the very beginning, pushing her to try and entice him so she could ask her questions, dressing her in his colors, almost marking her as his just for his selfish enjoyment, ridiculizing herself.
She tried to push herself out of his embrace but he only held onto her tighter, one arm in her back and the other catching hers.
“Dearest Aine, don’t strain yourself that way, you know how useless it is. How about a bargain ?”
His smile was all but honest. Something was wrong. Even if Romulus did help her look for Kirei, and that he indeed provided true information, she knew it was because their goals aligned. But now ? She smelled something fishy.
But the annoying emperor didn’t let her think about it too much, grazing the skin of her shoulder ever so slightly with his fangs, getting her attention back on him.
“Why should I bargain with someone who trapped me so effortlessly tonight ?"
"My dear, it was not a trap, I promise that I have no intention to hurt you. Besides, I’m still offering the information you’re looking for, right ? I won't ask much of you... When have I not kept my word with you ?”
She clenched her teeth, turning her head. He WAS technically speaking the truth but … It just felt so wrong.
“ What could I possibly offer you ? You have more riches than I’ll ever own in ten lifetimes, you could get anything you want with a single word …”
And then she saw his eyes. The way he looked at her, with a burning sensation, with a greed so profound she knew it was not about something material. Her blood ran cold as realization dawned upon her.
“Ah, dearest. You’re always so quick to understand what I think … It’s part of what got me under your spell, my dear Aine”
She shivered once again. There was no way they were talking about that, right ? There was no way she could interest him like this. Weren’t Romans more on the gay side of History anyway ?! She looked around her but it was not as if anyone would help her here. And Romulus must have given orders to be left alone with her at all cost.
“No, I don’t. Just tell me plainly what you want, stop with those mind games, we’re both losing our time...”
“Oh, but I’m definitely not”. His smile was at best snarky, at worst, predatory. She tried to take a step back, only to feel her shoulder get nipped, jolting her once again. With a swift movement, he exchanged their places, pushing Aine against a column, caging her against it with his body. She glared, and he could tell that her breathing was more shallow, her heartbeat erratic as fear slowly crept to her. The way her breasts were rising at a quicker pace, the flesh rounder because of the tightness of her corset … Oh, how much he wanted to taste her. His hand found the way to her bodice, slowly untying it while feeling Aine squirming against him, trying to escape, making him grunt at the pleasant sensation.
“Dearest, I swore no harm shall ever come to you, from my hand or any other. Just let me…”
“Let you what, exactly ?! Use me ? Bleed me dry ?!”
Ah, here was her fighting spirit, again. The blaze of her anger, the furnace of her struggle. It was divine nectar for Romulus, to whom no one even dared to stand up to nowadays.
Aine was trying to piece it together, but she just couldn’t accept it. There just was no way she could ever catch the eye of the Emperor in this manner. She had nothing going on for her, something she was usually glad about as it allowed her to blend easily in the mass of people. So why now, why him ? At the same time, she was also fighting another battle, one she tried desperately to hide from Romulus.
Because there was no way for her to admit that Romulus could ever please her. Even so, she couldn’t deny the attraction she was feeling. How his scarlet eyes, his dark, blue hair would haunt some of her dreams, how his voice would make her heart race and her thighs close. How he would sometimes remind her of the person she was the closest to, and the fantasies she had entertained about him in the depth of the night.
Everything in her head was mixing, the intoxicating musk of Romulus all around her, her own body betraying her, enjoying the attention. She tried to grab his arm, to stop him from loosening her bodice, without success. She could sense his other hand creeping under her dress and her resolve slowly crumbling. Finally, a gush of cold air caressed her breasts as her bodice slowly fell lower, free of the constraints, and before she had the time to protest, she felt something hot and humid nibbling on the tip of her breast.
Aine couldn’t help but let a moan escape her. She immediately felt Romulus tense, his hand grabbing the flesh behind her thigh and the other almost clawing at the breast that wasn’t under the assault of his tongue already. She made the mistake of looking down and her whole face flushed under the intensity of his stare, the way he delicately bit her nipple, how he started to fondle the other, making Aine struggle to stay quiet when she knew he wanted nothing more but to hear her wanton sounds.
The Irish could feel a pressure growing in her abdomen when Romulus continued with his ministrations, slowly making all thoughts melt in her head as her brain would only register the more than agreeable sensations he was provoking. She could feel the weight of his hand resting on the plump curve of her ass, tantalizing close to her core but not enough - and somehow, she knew he wouldn’t touch further until he made her beg for it.
And if Aine was honest … she wasn’t sure she would keep her facade very long.
“So what ? You’ll just take what you want and leave me behind a dumpster like an old, used rag ?”
Aine tried to rile him up, to get him angry, anything that could maybe change his mind as a last attempt to bore him.
But if anything, her bitter remark only made his determination stronger. After all, he lived for centuries; a small retort like this one would never be enough to deter him from getting what he lusted after.
As the Irish huntress tried to wiggle free, Romulus let go of her breast, getting up with all his height, towering her. Her breath caught in her throat, her bright purple eyes were entirely focused on him, and he enjoyed every second of it.
“No, I’m supposed to be making you feel good, dearest one”
And at that moment, Aine knew that she lost. She would never be strong enough to face him without succumbing to his charm, despite her best efforts. As her brain was trying its best to think of a comeback, shaking her neurons, all the Irish could focus on was the tone of Emperor’s voice, the glow of his ember-like eyes, the hunger she could perceive in it.
She didn’t even react when his hand went to her neck, carefully opening the lock of her necklace, nor when the choker fell to the ground, the sound muffled by the heavy carpet. Aine was mesmerized, her hand shyly brushing Romulus’ blue locks of hair, unable to break away from their eye contact.
He smirked. His patience had finally paid off.
“You’ll feel so good you’ll only think of me, dear Aine. You have my word that I won’t hurt you in the slightest way ...” His voice hushed as he got closer to her face, his hand grabbing one of her round mound of flesh, his thumb slowly circling on her sensitive nub, eliciting a gasp from the Irish “... unless you ask for it, of course.”
And he took possession of her lips, like a wolf claiming his prey. Down inside, she wished she fought more, that she kept refusing herself to him. But somehow, her body was begging for his touch, to be taken care of. To be embraced like he was doing, taking place between her legs and lifting one, caressing avidly the skin while taking his time to savor their kiss.
He was of course wary of his fangs, careful not to bite her. He’s been on this Earth long enough to learn how to control his vampire instincts - but Aine… She was forcing the worst out of him, and he could feel his control slowly slipping when he heard her moaning so lewdly against his lips when he pinched her nipple, playing with her abused breast again and again. He didn’t understand how, but this one was driving him almost mad with hunger. While Romulus was struggling to restrain himself, to keep their pace slow and smooth, Aine had decided to forsake herself, giving up on the facade and embracing her primal needs, her hands roaming Romulus’ back, feeling him, one hand lost in his hair to keep him from ending the kiss too soon.
He broke free from her nonetheless when her hips rolled slightly against his, his hard-on pulsing at this attention, his breath coming out as short puffs. He rested his head against her collarbone, nudging her neck. Her warmth was enticing him, his skin feeling so soft on his, and he could hear her blood thrumming just next to him. He couldn’t help himself when he opened his mouth, oh so ready to savor her … only to bite without breaking the skin, sucking there, making Aine cry out and her fist clench at the back of his head while he decided to sprinkle her cleavage with love marks. A small hand took place above the one keeping her leg open, and he could feel her tugging, inviting him to go higher, towards her core. When he met her eyes once again, he could see how needy and pitiful she looked, with her cheeks burning red, her glossy eyes and plumped lips from their kiss. There was no way he could refuse such a request. Nibbling at the sensitive skin between her jaw and her ear, he slowly dragged his hand to where she wanted him to lavish her with attention. He felt how damped her undergarment was, and her eagerness pleased him, making his rising member twitch in his pants. Pushing the clothes aside, he gave a few tempting strokes, smothering her wetness across her slit, using the pad of his finger to caress her most sensitive part, relishing in hearing her gasps and pants for him. But Aine decided that tonight, she would let herself be as greedy as she needed to, as she wanted to. She turned her head, pressing her mouth next to Romulus’ ear, and she tried her best, asking with the neediest, lecherous voice.
“Romulus, please … More”
His will vacillated. She really had no care for what she was doing to him, how tight he had to control himself to not ravish her right now, breaking his promise to make her feel good first at all cost. The Roman Emperor slowly exhaled, torturing Aine’s sweet spot one last time before letting his fingers get into her dampness.
“As you wish, dearest one.”
The way she squirmed and the little moans spilling out of her mouth as he moved, searching for the best spot, was riling him up too, at a speed he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Moreover … she was already feeling so tight around the two of his fingers, despite his attempts at loosening her, he could only think of how good she’ll feel around his member. It took all of his will to not take her without any more preparations when he heard her whine and tense around him when he caressed one particular place.
Focusing on this spot, he delighted in hearing her lose herself to the pleasure, the heat between them becoming unbearable, thanks to their heavy outfits - but the Roman couldn’t care less, staring at Aine’s shivering form as if she was a goddess, appreciating each and every movement, how her pale breasts bounced in the dim light, how her hair was slowly messed up as she moved her head against the column, lost in the sensations he was procuring her. He could guess at the tone of her moans that she was getting close - and he decided to add a third finger, making her bite her lips to repress a louder whine. That won’t do at all; and he conquered her mouth once again, trying to drink every sound she would make, lavishing her with his tongue while his fingers pumped in and out of her quicker, making her moan higher and higher until her hands came to grab his shoulder as she wailed, breaking off the kiss, an indecent string of saliva connecting them as she tried to catch a breath, writhing against him, fighting against over-sensitivity when Romulus didn’t stop his motions before she begged him to with pleading, teary eyes.
He finally let her come down, his hand perfectly drenched as Aine was still fully quivering from her orgasm, her legs twitching, biting her lips to just stop moaning.
“You are so beautiful like this… Become mine. Let me please you every day, my dearest”
She didn’t answer, her brain trying to reconnect her brain cells between two waves of pleasure. It’s just been so long since she’s been with anyone, since she let anyone touch her like this. The mounting frustration, the feelings she kept at bay, everything came crashing down with Romulus’ ministrations, leaving the Irish spent and struggling.
But it was only the beginning. Romulus wiped his hand on his expensive jacket before taking it off, the shirt with it, letting both of the garment fall to the floor unceremoniously. What mattered to him was the woman in front of him, and a cold resolve took the place of his previous hunger. He would make her fall for him, no matter what, using her body as a way to corrupt her mind. He wanted to be able to witness such beauty whenever he wanted to; he aspired to make of her a work of art as she would squirm above him, taking him in her, letting him enjoy this view until he grew tired and fucked her senseless. The Emperor would devour her, not as a blood cattle, but as a divine nectar he couldn’t get enough of.
Aine finally set her eyes on him again. Good thing she couldn’t blush more because she definitely would have. Worrying her lower lip, she let her eyes glide, admiring Romulus’ body. He was … well, the physical embodiment of the Roman archetype, after all.
Her vision blurred as she blinked, and for a second, Romulus was replaced with someone else with brighter blue hair. A gentle smile. She could almost hear his voice-
“Aine. Will you allow me to make you feel even better ?”
She blinked again, and the vague image of someone else disappeared, leaving her face to face with the vampire Emperor and his stare. The intensity of it had not decreased at all - if anything, his eyes seemed to be glowing even more, hunger and desire swirling in them. The Irish tried to swallow but her mouth was suddenly dry. Her mind was racing - she already went way too far, she already let him have way too much control over her, what was she THINKING - well nothing, that was the problem. He sensed her inner conflict and smirked, suddenly lifting her so his crotch would align with hers, and he slowly pressed against her.
That was enough to set another fire in her belly, Aine biting her lips when she felt the hardness of Romulus slowly pushing against her. It seemed she wasn’t entirely satisfied yet … even if it frightened her. She just couldn’t deny how much she craved for more, how much her body was ready to be taken by Romulus.
Rocking their bodies together with a slow rhythm, it was as if the Roman was making love to her despite his pants, incredibly tight and frustrating for him. But it’s as he decided at the start - he would make her beg for him. He would break her, then pick the pieces and put her back as he wished. Mouthing hotly against her neck, he waited patiently for the dam of her desire to break, his hands grabbing her behind, sometimes spreading her for him. She knew he was toying with her body, that she should refuse, not let herself go deeper in the depravation with him … But she just couldn’t resist him, the need to feel again this wave of pleasure overcoming her doubts. Hiding her head against the top of his torso, she clutched at his forearms, answering him with a breathless voice.
“Yes. Please, Romulus, I want … I want you to please me more”
She couldn’t see him smile but she didn’t need to. She knew he was showing off that damn smirk, and she also knew that he would make good on his promise, too. The prospect of getting wrecked by him, at his mercy, was terrifying and terribly enticing. Hearing him open his pants, keeping her lift up with one arm -damn those vampires and their inhuman strength !- left her feeling eager and ashamed of herself. She squeezed her legs a bit tighter, crossed in his back around his waist, earning a deep chuckle.
“Don’t worry, everything will come in its own time. No need for being so impatient, dearest~”
And with that, she felt his hot, burning flesh against her own. He finally pushed inside her, making her bite on her lower lip so hard, trying to suppress the moan of ecstasy at the sensation of being finally filled, that she cut through, a drop of blood dribbling down her chin.
Romulus tensed. Aine heard his breathing stops, the heady scent of fresh blood between them, reaching him. He abruptly pressed her a little higher against the column, doing so that his head was at the same height as hers, looking at her with a feral look. He bottomed out inside her without so much as a warning, making her cry out, while he feverishly licked the blood on her face, coming to take her lips with his own once again, sucking on her bruised lip while starting to thrust with a frenzied pace. Aine couldn’t do much, her mind struggling to react to the lavish attention of Romulus’ lips and tongue and to the pleasure growing inside her body, making her squirm and spasmed, her eyes falling shut under the assault of so many feelings. It was like he was possessed, burying himself so deep inside her, making her see stars while rubbing against all the spots that made her scream. His hands were keeping her body from going too high, helping him hammer her down in a hold so strong she was sure she’d get bruises from it the next morning. But right now, she didn’t care, chasing the ecstasy, his deep grunts and his ragged breathing thrilling her.
On his side, he was barely containing himself from wrecking her. The tightness of her embrace, her warmth, everything was perfect, driving him to take more and more and more of her. The taste of copper of her blood, her sweet scent, it was mixing in his head, making him yearn for more. He could hear, he could feel the pumping of her blood, straining his willpower to not bite her, to dive his teeth in her fair and tender skin, to see it stained with crimson. Her helpless cries and her pleasured moans were pushing him to plunge deeper into her, rutting them forcefully against the column - the thick fabric of the dress protecting Aine’s plump rear of any chaffing.
Aine’s mind began to wander, the heat and excitement getting to her, making her lose control of her thoughts and actions. The pressure growing inside her and the waves of delight igniting her every nerve were preventing her from getting a grasp back on reality. She couldn’t keep her eyes open, either having them closed or barely open, her vision blurry by tears brought by the intensity of their carnal passion. As she felt herself slowly getting more sensitive, as she felt the intensity of the pleasure increasing, she started to think that something was wrong. The heat of Romulus’ body was intoxicating, and his smell was pleasing but … it was lacking something. She liked it, but she wished it was a bit different. Where was the faint scent of the trees, the subtle hints of sea and salt ?
Pushed in an almost delirious state, Aine caught a few strands of hair, looking at them with disbelief. Why were they so dark ? Shouldn’t he have a brighter, clearer shade of blue ? Why were they not attached ? She also liked when they were free, but something felt wrong, something felt so wrong.
She felt despair mixing with ecstasy. Unconsciously, she’s been desperately wishing to have this experience with someone else, someone she truly cared about. Someone who also had blue locks and red eyes… But those were gentle, full of love. Not the cold wish to dominate and break her that she was seeing in Romulus’ eyes. Aine could feel tears rolling freely on her cheeks as she clung to her fantasy. She wanted so miserably to be held by someone else, but the priest made sure it would not happen, and she hated it, and Romulus was there, ready to provide the perfect subject for her delusion, with him and the one she wanted looking so alike while being so fundamentally different.
She didn’t know if she was crying because of the pleasure making her head turn or if she was crying of heartache.
She wished those arms caging her would belong to someone else. She wished that breath caressing her skin was from someone else. She wished so hard …
But in the midst of it all, she felt herself reaching her end, squeezing down on Romulus’, making him growl, and the only thing still inhabiting Aine’s mind was that she wanted him to mark her - she wanted to be his - she wanted him to claim her …
She didn’t even notice she had babbled those foolish wants aloud. But upon hearing this, Romulus couldn’t resist the temptation anymore, and as the both and them were crossing over that edge, he bit down on her neck, making her scream from the pain mixed with her orgasm.
Between the thrill of tasting her blood directly and the way she clamped down on his raging hard-on when he drove his fangs in her skin, he felt himself reach his peak, ready to burst in the depths of her intimacy…
When he heard her. Calling a name. It was too late, he was already shaken by spasms, spilling his seed inside of her, but his blood turned cold nonetheless.
He tried to ignore it. He tried to erase it from his memory. But as he saw her leaving the palace from afar, with haste, the night enveloping her, he could not ignore it any longer. The wrath he contained until then broke loose as he threw the plate with crystal cups on the floor, as a howl tore from his lungs.
She called for that damn Cu. Not him, the one that gave her everything, but that damn human that followed her around like a puppy.
He would curse the Irish boy. He would make sure they would never end together. He promised to himself, he would erase that name from Aine’s memory.