Sometime late morning the Consort rolled onto the Master, waking him with a series of kisses and some very deliberate friction. For a good amount of time Spike appeared to be asleep, (or strictly speaking … dead) but Xander had the secret weapon and tickled the High Master around the ribs then swallowed the already interested shaft to the back of his throat as his mate arched off the bed with the tickling.
“Oh bloody hell!! Not fair…” But Spike kept arching, this time from pleasure and released into his consort’s mouth with a relieved yell, enjoyed being licked clean, then flipped them. He reciprocated for a time with his mouth before positioning cleft over Xander’s unsatisfied hardness and forcing it inside himself with a single push. He rode his consort for barely a minute before the brunette arched and released with yell.
Spike collapsed onto his partner, and they both lay chest to chest for a time, Xander still inside him, soft and comfortable. But there was much to be done.
Giles, Willow and Buffy had risen early for breakfast followed by a morning ride, so it was Anton alone who greeted them in the study. Despite the interim ablutions of the ruling couple, he smelt their early morning activities and had even felt a small jolt through their link earlier, as ever the connection strengthened by the previous evening’s pre meeting sharing of blood.
Xander’s day was spent focused on the construction projects currently underway in Brussels and Mains. They also had a tender that had been accepted for the ‘New National Library’ in Prague. A prestigious project, it was one that required working with a brilliant though petulant and rather overly emotional architect. Xander was the ‘only one’ he would talk to. Xander acquiesced - each of their projects presented its own challenges. Managers, primary contractors and subcontractors were all part of it. The nice part for Xander was the very real support from the demon society. As the High Master’s Consort his network was extensive and influential, and the advice… generally, very, very good.
Jim and Sandy had been due to visit this month though thankfully had had to delay their sojourn for two months due to their daughter graduating. Jim was delighted with the ‘European arm’ and had already begun speaking of expanding that market to the far north and the Mediterranean. The delay was a welcome respite in one sense as Xander knew his absence from Switzerland might well be a given if he were to act as true Consort to Spike.
Spike and Anton had been working on their own ventures for the day. All had responsibilities that precluded a restful afternoon. As seven pm approached, they all looked up as Gregor knocked quietly on the door and entered the study.
“Master Anton, Masters William and Alexander, your guests are currently at drinks and enquired as to your intentions.”
Anton dry washed his face, pushed his chair back and took an unnecessary breath. “My dear Gregor, tell them we will attend presently.”
The dark vampire gave a polite bow and exited to deliver the message.
“You alright Sire?”
“Oh William, sometimes I do like a quiet evening alone without… forgive me. There is no intent to imply your company is onerous. Indeed I would be happy to forgo dinner and stay here to work through as it were. Or simply venture outside for a brandy and cigar then retire… Alas I fear we must ‘play nice’, as my darling would put it.”
“Not my forte Sire, though I’m pretty sure the Consort can hold his own.”
Xander blushed and the other two grinned.
The three finished up, exchanged a little blood then went upstairs to change from workday cloths ready to joined their guests some thirty minutes later.
Anton met them on the way down the stairs. They all wore designer jeans with assorted long sleeved knits to compliment their coloring. Spike with cream, Xander a dark burgundy and Anton with a sea green that was quite extraordinary and seemed to change color in different light. Xander had opted for a burgundy eye-patch and both he and the master had their matching ruby/diamond earrings in place. Anton wore his signatory enormous pearl hanging from a thick gold loop.
Entering the room together the three were quite a picture, and again Giles and Willow were struck by the changes in their two old friends.
Giles noted the hand in hand status of Anton and Spike, his consort Xander simply touching gently. The old watcher was further intrigued. The background of the Immortal was far from clear and the Slayer had been surprisingly mute regards his origins. His relationship with Spike, the ruler of the Vampiric Clans of Europe, was clearly that of Sire, yet he was neither Aurelian nor vampiric… although perhaps the latter was worthy of question.
True to his nature and testimonial to his survival, Spike noted the watcher’s sustained glance at his hold on his Sire. He listened for the heart beat to accelerate and sniffed the air… The slight arousal was information to be filed for later, the questions he knew, would not wait the duration of the meal.
Anton as ever was the perfect host, glasses were filled, palates satisfied and the conversation easy. Xander spoke excitedly of the building projects their company was now engaged in and deferred often to Anton’s extensive network, though the Immortal inevitably gave the credit back, claiming all the work on tenders etc was Xander’s and their growing reputation was utterly his doing. Spike simply (and very publicly) held his partner’s hand and looked on with obvious pride.
They spoke amicably of Buffy and Willow’s shopping hopes and their ride around the property; of the intentions to restore another of Anton’s properties in Venice and finally Giles’ Watchers' headquarters.
Giles finally broached the question, “Spike I simply must ask… You referred to Anton as your Sire… also indicating him as Xander’s Sire.”
Spike shrugged, “Took us on didn’t ‘e.” Giles still looked puzzled.
“Look… Vampire royalty? Rules of succession an’ all that rot. The ol’ pouf got ‘imself dusted.”
The about-to-be-retired watcher did not miss the look of pain on Spike’s face at this mention, despite the harsh words.
“I am sorry Spike… and what you, what all of your group did back then, was quite extraordinary.”
Spike all but whispered, “Doesn’t bring em back though does it” as his partner grabbed his hand and squeezed supportively.
“So me, the pauper prince needed a benefactor as it were according to Law… needed a vampiric sponsor since I’m all ‘soul having’ of late. Anton here happened to offer that… well an’ a bit more than. The upshot is that …” To Giles’ amazement Spike slid instantly into his natural accent, always the preference of his surrogate Sire, and continued in the gentler tones of the upper echelons of English society, “He has taken me, us on. He respects my past and has vested interests in our… Alexander and my future. And I would have you realize that our future is numerous human lifetimes, as both my Sire and I have exchanged blood with my darling mate, my consort, many times. Many, many times in the past months.”
Giles’ eyes went wide and Willow who was listening also, could not understand the implications, so simply asked, “So that means what? Um…. He’s not a vampire.”
Buffy added to the conversation, “Feels like one.”
“What? But he’s not, Buffy!… He’s all warm and breath having… and without the teeth and um … Xander??”
“Just a little bit ‘human plus’ oh wiccan friend ‘o mine… Master’s Consort … kind of comes with the territory… links me to Spike’s life force and he to mine. Side effects? cooler clothes, longevity and giving the Bufster here the wiggins when I come into the room.” Xander grinned and noted the mood lighten considerably.
The dinner ended pleasantly enough, though they had spent but a few minutes discussing the plans for St Petersburg. They did revise their plans a little however, deciding that Spike and Xander should travel to Russia for the first two weeks to do the initial work with Minna. A show of the court’s support would be vital to reassure the northern clans as slayers and watchers began to arrive.
Back in their suite and despite a most satisfying post dinner shag, Spike lay wide awake and worried. If their plan failed thousands would die.