Despite his exhaustion from the long trip, Xander woke before Spike. It was late morning. He rose, threw on the thick ankle length dark blue robe and slippers provided by Anton, then carefully slipped between the curtains to access the balcony. He was conscious of not opening them too wide for fear of scorching his nearest and dearest. He smiled a little and had to confess the danger was minimal, as soon as Xander had shifted, his blonde vampire snuggled into the vacated ‘warm spot’ somewhere beneath a mountain of duck down duvets.
They had arrived in darkness, now Xander had a chance to enjoy the view. They were in a hilly region close to the border of France and somewhere outside the village of Dornach apparently.
Xander took a deep breath of the icy air and noted that ears and nose were definitely noticing the difference in temperature. Sacramento was wintery, but this…. It all simply looked like a classic Christmas card picture… the entire vista covered in snow, with occasional perfectly shaped pines pushing their greenery through, and traditional houses and barns dotting the landscape on the lower land for as far as the eye could see. He noticed that he could just make out a few spires of Donarch, and the roof of their huge Goetheanum building that Anton had informed them served a variety of civic purposes – impressive for such a small town.
The position on the balcony revealed that the castle itself was built on the edge of a steeply sloping and rather rocky hillside, though still fertile enough to support vegetation and graze sheep and goats in summer. Obviously they had driven up from the opposite side of the building last night, as there was a road winding its way around the hillside well below. The whole structure appeared to have been built almost exclusively from grayish/brown stone with a hotch-potch of natural rock and manmade buttresses supporting the base. Xander marveled at the masons’ skills and idly wondered who had to carry all the materials up that hill. Anton had spoken of the extensive grounds, Xander had to assume they were on the same side as the entrance hall.
Xander stood for some time, his mind drifting to ponder what might be to come today, tomorrow… for the rest of his time with his Master Vampire. Might it be that the challenges they were about to face would cut that time together short. As if on cue, a gust of icy wind whistled up from below, catching Xander’s robe and causing a reflexive shiver. He took one last look at the sunlit vista, then pushed past the heavy curtains, returning to his now stirring partner and to face the day.
Xander could not help but grin broadly as the untidy pile of bedcovers began to move, complete with snuffling and several animalistic growls, before a very rumpled, half asleep blonde sat up, rubbing his eyes with his fists and yawning a little. The image was adorable, the sheer size of the bed gave him the appearance of a small child, and Xander could not hold back a snigger as he imagined a teddy bear tucked under his boy’s arm.
Before Spike could gather his wits fully, he was bowled over again as Xander launched himself onto the bed, pushed his partner down and kissed him soundly.
Spike gave a surprised yelp, then managed to push his attacker away for a moment, “Oi you git!” [another kiss] “gerrrroofff you’re face… bloody freezin’!” At which point Xander dove under the covers to rub his icy hands and face over his lover’s bed warmed torso.
“Why you!!!!” Spike retaliated, swiftly joining his consort under the covers and delighted to find that Xander was somewhat hampered by the long robe he was wearing. What ensued was a little difficult for either party to work out afterwards, but ended up with Xander tightly wrapped, caterpillar style, in both his attire and the bedlinen with Spike straddling him. Still a little surprised by his success, the vampire unwrapped just enough of his consort’s nether regions to give a good morning welcome of the ‘tongue and nipping’ variety until Xander was incoherent, begging and arching off the bed.
Spike kept his partner on edge as he unwrapped all of his prize. He quickly prepared them both, then threw a large duvet over their combined form and proceeded to give a ‘warm winter welcome to Schweiz’.
They emerged just after, freshly coiffed and dressed for lunch. As they descended the stairs to the dining room, it was impossible for Anton to miss the extra few touches and scent of both men, and smiled to himself with approval. The Master and his Consort would need each other like never before if they were to get through the next few days.
The meal was pleasant, Xander discovering he was ravenously hungry and willing to tackle anything. Traditional French onion soup, a classic spatckcock and a variety of cheese and *fruit*. As Xander collected a second helping off the cheese platter, Spike leaned over and whispered “Gone are the days of Twinkies as a food group ‘ey pet.”
Xander simply grinned, chewed down on the grape he had must popped in his mouth and replied, “Never.”
Anton and Spike both partook in the first part of the meal, but were served with a ‘warm red’ to finish. Spike had wondered if Anton still needed blood given his status but had never been game to ask. The Immortal saw Spike’s eyebrows lift as he recognized the flavor as human.
“Donor blood, little brother, willingly paid for. I need far less than you to live as age always determines but it is still necessary.”
“It must have been hard for you in early times…”
“I’m not sure of that. In our sanitized world now, much goes to waste that was available then and the blood of animals is acceptable in hard times. Until I became a more ‘well known’ let’s say, my unwillingness to kill, unless necessary, made things… difficult at times.” An empathetic look flicked from Spike had Xander realizing this discussion was no longer just about the blood.
“But your influence across the world… especially Europe…?”
Extraordinary pale green eyes met Aegean blue,“…Is not to do with bathing in the blood of others, though some may well deserve it. I spent hundreds of years traveling and studying, watching and learning… the privilege and the curse of the timeless. One begins to see patterns, solutions, opportunities… the wisdom of the ages can be a powerful tool, others will pay for it, in currency, favor or kind.
“The importance is to be… enigmatic. It is as simple as remaining uninfluenced by the agendas of others yet understanding them; strengthening ones own spiritual centre without trying to influence others; refusing to seek power yet able to exert it when needed; living in the times (perceived odd even by some mortals); allowing others forget your age and experience, and misinterpret your youthful appearance; and be willingly to be underestimated by the arrogance or prejudice of others if it gains tactical advantage. But then, I suspect we are together now because we have all used the latter to fine effect.” Anton idly fondled the large pearl earring he regularly wore and turned his attention from his brother vampire to catch Xander’s eye with a fond and knowing look.
Xander felt the gaze like a caress to his very soul. That praise had only ever been afforded him by one other, the blonde vampire in the room. As Spike reached over to squeeze his consort’s hand, reinforcing the Immortal’s words, Xander struggled to pull his emotions back under control.
They were interrupted as Gregor cleared his throat politely, “Excuse me, Master Anton but we have just been informed that the Dowager Alenka and her entourage will be arriving in just under an hour. Ivan is apparently with them. Shall I inform Bothes and Stefano?”
“Thank you Gregor, I think that is wise but only to reassure them that the Dowager gives her word he will behave, so we are confident that there will be no trouble from him for any in attendance. There should be few other surprises.”
“Very good. Is there anything else?”
“No thank you Gregor… we’ll finish up here and prepare.”
Gregor had stood at Spike’s back during the rescue of Xander, the vampire now stared at the immaculately dressed ‘PA’, and tried to reconcile the fierce warrior with corporate Switzerland. Mused that even Anton’s staff were edging on the enigmatic… then suddenly comprehended the content of the message, “Ivan?!!! I thought he would have dusted years ago!? He made Angelus look like a bloody pussy cat, murderous bastard…. Right sack of hammers… Why’s he…?”
“We are all aware of his…. particular tendencies in the past, William… but he dusted a certain Master Vampire’s Grandchilde, Peter in an argument in seventy one, forfeiting his existence. But the Dowager decided instead to take him as Pet, and now simply will not go anywhere without him. We must have her here to gain the approval of the northern clans.”
“Alenka’s? Peter? Damn shame he was a right lad… Still… Ivan… a Pet!... Bloody hell! Daft, aristocratic, old bint!...” The flash of fear in Spike’s eyes gave Xander no doubt that, despite the state of his ‘hammers’, Ivan just may have received his comeuppance.
Anton smiled indulgently then stood and addressed Xander. “I know you understand my role as surrogate Sire in this process, Alexander. And I know that both you and William given particular attention to making the link between you as strongly as you might, in both coupling and blood, but I now must ask that you accept my blood and I yours. I will ask permission first from William and then from you as is custom. You do not have to agree but I feel it will allow you both, and William in particular, to succeed in the challenges.”
Xander turned to Spike who looked as surprised as Consort. If this was to be a formal exchange then… He racked his brains for all the lessons in Vampiric Law Darla had beaten into him. He need not have worried, as Anton took the lead Spike recalled the memorized words.
The Immortal stood in front of the blonde and too his hand, resting it palm up in his own as if in a dual offering, “William the Bloody, Master Vampire of the Aurelian line, in the place of your true Sire, will you allow me to taste of your Consort and gift him with the blood of an elder of your family, strengthening us all in this time of need.”
Spike looked momentarily at Xander but saw there was only love and trust, and a determination that was so … Xander that Spike hesitated but for a second. “Yes I do Sire. And offer you my blood in gratitude as I so offer it to my Consort on this day.”
Anton then repeated virtually the same act with Xander, “Alexander, Consort to Master Vampire William the Bloody, in the place of the true Sire, will you allow me to taste of your blood and gift you with the blood of an elder of your family, strengthening us all in this time of need.”
Xander found the words of the impromptu ceremony profoundly moving. This really was family and blood, and so much ‘bigger’ than the couple that was ‘Spike and Xander’. He belonged, they belonged, at each other’s sides and now also to a far more complex picture that was only just beginning to emerge. He did not know the correct words, so did his best to remember Spike’s, and adlibbed the rest, “Yes Sire, I give you permission to taste me, and I wish to accept your gift and thank you… and I will offer the same to William the Bloody too.” The last few words, not so much an afterthought as a confused one, were blurted out so quickly that Xander blushed with embarrassment, Anton’s eyes twinkled with mirth and Spike refrained from rolling his.
Anton gently pulled Xander toward him until they were in an intimate embrace. It felt warm and welcoming, and the brunette let out a breath he did not even realize he had been holding.
Spike watched fascinated, he had never considered Anton with vampiric features. Xander’s back was to Spike and he saw the ethereally beautiful change for the first time… not like others of their race but changed nevertheless. The eyes remained green but his face did shift a little, ridges appeared making his visage darker and eyes appearing larger than ever. The fangs were pure white and with incisors bearing more in common with a big cat’s than the jagged edges of virtually all the vampires Spike had seen before. An immortal panther came to mind, and Spike smiled.
Xander felt the familiar sting of the bite, then the pleasant tug as blood was drawn but thankfully did not succumb to the usual (and in this circumstance, rather embarrassing) instant arousal that occurred with Spike. Instead, he felt a sense of calm and strength. Anton withdrew, laved the punctures once, and leaned back a little to open a cut on his neck using a metal thimble fitted with a minute blade. He pressed Xander’s mouth over the wound, stroking the Consort’s his hair as he drank.
The blood did not taste like Spike’s, it had a strange rich, almost smoky flavor to it, like very old Brandy, but with a definite ‘kick’. Again it was nothing like the experience with Spike, and released after three pulls as he felt the wound closing over. Feeling quite dizzy, Xander was grateful for the ongoing embrace.
Spike moved closer, tore open his wrists and shared them between Consort and ‘Sire’. This time Xander all but passed out. The ‘buzz’ Xander always received from Spike’s blood and the charge through the link was now multiplied tenfold. As soon as he released Spike lifted him from Anton’s arms and carried him carefully to a padded dining chair moving his arms onto the table and resting his head on them to recover for a moment.
Anton waited patiently then opened his arms to William inviting an embrace. “Thank you for your gift, now take of me Childe.”
As Spike bit down over the place where the already healed cut had been made, and a quiet hand stroked his hair and held him in place, a tear of deep gratitude rolled across his nose ridges and joined its twin, to drip onto Anton’s jacket, the dot marking family, love and thanks.
William licked the wound once then moved from the hug and looked at the Immortal with emotion filled eyes. “Thank you, Sire.”
Little else was said as Xander and Spike retired to their suite to await the guests. It was suggested that they join the ‘throng’ after most of the visitors had arrived. This suited both of them. Spike insisted that Xander take more of Spike’s blood, now infused with that of the Immortal, and Xander donated some of his back in return. Taking the activity lying down on their bed in the late afternoon and with aught else to do an inevitable the after dinner shag and pre meeting snooze was enjoyed. But neither could help thinking “Calm before the storm”, as they embraced and drifted off
Showered and dressed, Spike fixed his partner’s black eye-patch in place, noting the plain thick gold earring that had replaced the usual ‘matching pair, and tweaked it. Xander just smiled a somewhat nervously, made worse by Spike’s uncharacteristic fussing in the previous fifteen minutes, “Hey!...OK…. Just figured.. you know… thigh high boots and eye patch, and pretty blonde on the arm, figured I may as well go the whole pirate theme. Watch out for the parrot at next year’s party.”
Spike ignored the attempt at levity and pulled his partner into a firm hug, as much for his own courage as Xander’s. Upon release however, he gave a customary sniff, lifted his chin and headed for the door, his Big Bad with Consort persona firmly in place. Xander followed with his own slight smirk and thoughts of ‘Ho yeah… we are in the building!
Both attired in their leather as planned, they made a striking impression of solidarity and confidence as they descended the broad marble staircase in step and apparently utterly at ease. All eyes were immediately on the pair. Assessing, measuring, noting, considering, some, no doubt, plotting.
Anton moved to the first landing to greet them, stopping the ‘guests of honor’ not standing on ceremony, but simply leading them into the various groups for introductions, and some reunions as it turned out. Xander noted that despite his Consort feeling a little overwhelmed, Spike was attentive to a fault and made him feel utterly equal in the confusing procession of meet and greets (despite the number of languages that Xander didn’t speak).
Spike’s initial suspicions were confirmed, as many supporters of his claim as there were contenders, yet none able to deny his blood right. He recalled the silly Monty Python tape his Consort had played over and over, years ago when he was tied to a chair in that horrendous musty basement “Crucifixion.. line on the left… one cross each” His executioners given the right chance were certainly all here.
He took Anton’s advice to heart. Listened analytically, assessed on his ‘Sire’s’ advice regarding the ‘leanings’ and agendas, and all the while attempted to be charming, ‘underplayed’ … and protective of his Consort!
Xander was rather shocked at the gathering. Some clans were distinct in their ‘look’ (Masters seemingly only to have turned blondes or males or folks who liked jazz… go figure!?); some went for ‘traditional team look’ (admittedly not so much the corporate team, rather... creepy game face and vampire features); but the groups that stood out for Xander were those like Spike, Anton, Stephano, and [he hated to admit this.. at times] Angel, Drusilla, and Darla… dressed for, and blending with the world of high fashion, high flyers or high society whenever they chose.
Xander politely nodded to a clan covering the Basque region and ‘to the south’. He was desperately trying to remember where on the map that was, but thanked his SoCal heritage for recognizing the odd word or two of Spanish but was still unwilling to ask where exactly. Thankfully Spike engaged the group in a rapid conversation, asking a few key questions then appearing most concerned and offering condolences more than once. Xander nodded and attempted a ‘sincere condolences look’ (apparently with success) yet still had no idea for whom, when or what he was ‘in sympathy’.
He was almost relieved when Anton drew them from the main hall to a slightly quieter alcove near the library where Anton led toward a seated figure obviously surrounded by what appeared to be attendants. Logic told him this had to be the aged Dowager Alenka, and sure enough Anton announced rather formally, “Madam Alenka, may I present William the Bloody and his Consort Alexander.” The group parted to allow the incoming party to meet the ‘lady’ herself.
Xander was completely stunned. In front of them sat, knees neatly to the side, chin high ready for visitors to greet and admire, an extremely attractive voluptuous red head. She was dressed in classic couture of deep satin green gown with beading to make any diva weep. She could have been a movie star, but for the odd fact that there was a collared and restrained snarling vampire kneeling at her feet and she all but wreaked of arrogance and malice.
The luscious husky, ‘come hither’ voice, and calculated smile soon dissuaded Xander of any notion that she might be any less than the danger he felt as they discussed her after lunch. He had anticipated deadly… and manipulative but he was struggling, she was hardly the vision of a wizened elderly alpha bitch of the royal vampire ‘socialites’ he had mentally prepared for.
Spike stepped forward took the hand that was proffered and kissed it politely. “Good evening Madam Alenka. My Consort and I are most honored that you have graced us with your presence.”