Life With An English Noble
By: Wizardtho
Chapter 4:
Caleb's confession had shocked me a bit, but I wanted to understand. I looked at him confused, “You mean drink from me?”
He shook his head, "No, Sweetheart. Mark you as mine. A vampire can only mark their true mate with their essence. They can't do it to just anyone they are with. To mark you, I would have to bite you during a mutual orgasm. My teeth would instinctively release something similar to saliva into the wound, but it carries my essence... my unique scent. My release would also be more potent and carry my essence, causing me to literally fill you to overflowing. There is no venom during the process, so there is no chance of changing you during, and can be done while human. You could mark me in a similar way, once you are turned, but not until your teeth can pierce my skin. Marking can also take place more than once... anytime one of us gets the urge. The bite is not painful at all, and is actually known to extend orgasms."
I smiled, “So your mark would have your scent, but what's the purpose of the extra swimmers?”
He chuckled, "Extra swimmers, Isa? Actually, there is a good reason. The more filled your are, the more of my release will absorb into your body. The purpose of the marking is not only for others to see that you are marked and claimed, but for them to smell me inside you before they even get close. You would take on part of my scent. It would still be your unique scent, but another supernatural being would automatically note my scent under yours. Does that make sense?"
I nodded, "Clear as day, actually. Now... no more marking talk..." I licked his neck, “I want to learn you...”
I straddled his thighs as he laid back against the pillows, then nipped each of his side of his neck, “I want to taste you... here...”
I flicked my tongue against his collarbone, "Here..."
Another flick against his nipples, “Here and here...”
I licked long lines along his abs as he moaned and gathered my hair out of my face, “And, God, do I ever want to taste you here...” I nibbled his "V", earning gasps and growls from him, bypassing his very hard length when I neared it.
He groaned in response, "Isa..."
I looked up at him through my lashes as I hovered over his length, whispering, “I most definitely want to taste you here, Caleb. I want to feel you hard and pulsing in my mouth."
He let out a shuddering breath, then I licked him from base to tip before swirling my tongue around the tip. He moaned loudly, “Isabella, My Temptress... please, no more teasing.”
I giggled, running my tongue along his slit while I stroked up his length, gathering the bead of fluid forming. My eyes fluttered as I moaned, "Oh, God, you taste so much better than anything I can remember. Mmm, I could see myself becoming seriously addicted to your taste, Caleb."
Before he could form a response other than a growl, I wrapped my lips around him, then took him as far as I could. When I swallowed, he cried out, “Shit, Isa... you can't... won't last... cum too soon...”
I hummed when I came back up, whispering between nips back down the side, "Shh... enjoy... guide me... show me... how to... please you."
I brought his free hand to join the one holding my hair back, then swirled his tip again before slowly descending. He moaned, “Christ, your sexy lips look so good wrapped around my cock.”
When I reached my limit, he whispered tenderly while stroking my throat, "Relax your throat muscles, Sweet, and you'll be able to take me further. If it's too uncomfortable, stroke what you can't reach."
I swallowed reflexively, then he moaned while more of his length disappeared into my mouth. "Fuuck... that's it, Isabella. God, that feels incredible..." I swallowed and relaxed again, surprisingly able to get almost to the base. I hummed as I tried to make my throat remember the feel of him, to which he growled, “Oh, God... can you move, Sweetheart?”
I slowly backed up until my head touched his hand, then slid back down, his tip never fully leaving my throat. I did that a few times before I slid all the way back up, then took him right down again after swirling my tongue. He hadn't expected that, so it made him cry out, "Fuck, yes... holy shit... I'm go-ungh... are you sure?"
I pushed his hand harder down on my head, swallowed repeatedly as I moved along his length, then he growled, "Fuck, Isabella. Unghh, yes... so sexy."
He roared out my name when I felt the first of his cool seed sliding down my throat. I quickly stroked his length as I opened my mouth and backed him out enough to taste him fully on my tongue, humming as I looked up at him through my lashes. He growled as he watched me, then when I felt him shudder and stop spilling into my mouth, I caught his eyes before swallowing. I was instantly soaked at the taste his sweet flavor. He pulled me up flush to him, kissing me long and hard in response. He moaned, breaking the kiss, “It might sound odd, but I love being able to taste myself on your tongue... love knowing I'm inside you.”
His lips devoured mine again, with passion, longing… pure desire. When the kiss ended, he pecked my lips softly a few times. I whispered, “Shower, then it's time for the human to eat and sleep... the latter preferably in your arms.”
He smiled, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, “Would you happen to want assistance with the first item on your agenda?”
I nodded, smiling sweetly, "Of course, Caleb. I'd love for you to join me. Maybe a bath instead? So I can lay wrapped in your arms?"
He nodded, so I led him into the bathroom, then I set two towels on the towel warmer. He sat at the edge of the tub while I got the water going, then watched me with a small smile as I pulled out a washcloth to wash my face in the sink.
Once all traces of my light makeup were gone, I walked back over to straddle his lap. I traced his face gently with my fingertips; his eyes fluttered closed as he sighed in content, a small smile playing at his lips. I was slightly surprised that the scruff on his face was extremely soft, but continued my explorations. My thumb brushed across his bottom lip, which his tongue flicked against before he whispered, "This doesn't seem real. All the times I imagined telling you of our bond... of how much I wanted you... I never imagined you would be so willing to have me, or that you wanted me too. I knew of the lust, of course, but this... this is so much more than I hoped for, Isa."
When he opened his beautiful golden eyes, I could literally see the colors swirling in the depths. I placed a small kiss to his lips, then whispered, "Bathe with me. Tell me about the real you. I want to know everything." He nodded, then slid us around to lower us into the tub.
The water was just high enough, so I leaned back to turn off the faucets before laying flush against his chest. With one hand on his shoulder, I slid the other up into the hair at the nape of his neck and scratched lightly. A new sound I've never heard came vibrating out of his chest, causing my head to automatically lay against it. My hand stopped moving as I relaxed with the sound, but then the sound stopped. I whined softly, "Why did you stop? That was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard."
He chuckled softly, "You made me purr, Sweetheart. That's what that sound was. It's another mates-only thing. Certain things that you may do to me will make me purr. It's almost like an instinct to laugh when you're tickled, except when you make me purr, it's in pleasure. When you're scared, hurt, or upset, my instinct to hold you and calm you will include purring for you, too. You'll have the same instincts once you're turned. You've probably never heard the others purr to their mates because there was no need, or because it's something intimate that happens between mates. They are quite a bit more private than most vampires. I have a feeling that sooner or later, I will purr for you in front of another vampire... not because you'll need me to, but to sate my need to let whoever it is, know without a doubt, that we are mates."
I nodded, "I understand. I haven't loved him in a very long time, but I've always felt like I wouldn't have closure until I said to him, face-to-face, what his actions put in motion. I have this need to prove that he didn't fully break me... that I came out the other side of that hell a stronger person. Does that make sense?"
He lifted my chin for me to look at him, then kissed my lips lightly before confirming, "I knew as soon as I saw those paintings, Isa, that you needed closure. It's in every brush stroke, every color you chose. I only ask that you give us the time to settle in as mates before we go to visit them."
I looked at him wide-eyed, "You'd do that? You'd find them... go with me to have closure?"
He chuckled softly while cupping my cheeks, "I would. I would do anything to see you happy.”
He became serious as he said, “It's been torture the last few years, not being able to do anything about the sadness in your eyes. My nature -my every instinct- is to keep you safe and happy, by any means, Isa. That's part of being mated. The pull, the tingle, the purr, and all the other mating things... they don't make you love me or me you. They are guides to show you, but you and I choose whether we want to be intimately involved. If we fall in love, it's because of us, not the mating. I need you to know that."
I shook my head, whispering, "I didn't need you to say it, though, because I think I've loved you for a while now. Our talks over coffee, while not exactly deep, have let me get to know you at least a little bit. I just don't know the vampire side of you, yet."
He smiled, whispering against my lips, "I love you, too, Isabella. For the last 3 years I've been head over heels in love with you." He wove his fingers into my hair at the same time I wove mine into his, then we poured all of our feelings into the most loving, most intimate kiss.
When Caleb and I were settled again, he asked, “What would you like to know first, Sweetheart?”
I was leaning back against his chest, and he was gliding his fingers along my curves softly. I smiled, "Where are you originally from, and how old were you when you were turned? How long have you been a vampire?"
He chuckled, “Alright, but first will you tell me something?”
I chuckled, “Of course.”
He thought for a minute, then said, “What's the craziest thing you've ever wanted to do, but never had the nerve to?”
I laughed, "That's easy. I've always wanted a tattoo on my back... one that takes up most of it. I've never been able to find the right one, and I'm kind of scared it'll hurt like a bitch. Plus, I’m definitely not a fan of needles."
He laughed wryly, “Oh, Isa... you haven't seen my back, yet, have you?” I shook my head, then turned in his arms to look at him. He just smiled, telling me to take a look.
He scooted forward in the tub, so I moved to sit behind him. When I settled, I couldn’t help but gasp at what I saw. It was beautiful, taking up from about 3 inches below the base of his neck to almost his hips in size. It was a striking double-headed phoenix sitting atop an old-style crested shield, with the four sections of the shield each holding a symbol. Top left was a unicorn, top right was a phoenix, bottom left was a lion, and bottom right was a dragon. Each one was poised for attack, stunning in their fierce stances. In the center of the shield was a smaller shield that was half shaded in a diagonal direction, and all down the sides of the large shield, the dual-headed phoenix's wings flowed like a waterfall. The last bit of the tattoo was an old English style writing of the name 'Wakefeld'.
It was so captivating, causing me to whisper in awe, "Caleb... this is stunning. It's... my God, it's beautiful, but I don't understand. I didn't think you could get tattoos."
As I started tracing the wings of the large phoenix, he said, "It's my family crest... tattooed before my change, Sweetheart. Mmm, that feels amazing."
I kissed the base of his neck in acknowledgment, then continued to trace his tattoo. He said softly, ghosting his fingers along the inside of my calves, "I was born in the spring of the year 1266 to the Lady Elizabeth and Lord Thomas Wakefeld in England. Each territory had its own Ladies and Lords, our territory being one of the wealthiest and largest. Times and traditions were much different then than they are now. By the age of six I was training to take my father's place in the house, should anything happen to him. I was the first born… his heir… therefore, the one who would take his place. They had four other successful births by the time of my 13th year, giving me three sisters as well as a brother. My mother never conceived again after my brother was born. By my 16th year, both my father and mother had taken ill. Sadly, I was lorded upon their deaths a year later."
His fingers ghosted up along my knees to my inner thighs as he continued, "By that time, two of my sisters we old enough to have been betrothed to other lords, ensuring them to strong and prominent houses, while my brother was in training to take my place when the time came. I hadn't taken a wife, so I had no heir of my own to take my place. Plus, I didn't want to take the risk of something happening to our territory if I should die. The governess of our house took to caring for and training up my one remaining sister, who wedded a neighboring Lord with excellent moral values the eve before my change. It was the Fall of the year 1292; I was in my 26th year. There were still many guests roaming the grounds, the celebration lasting long into the evening. On my nightly check of the property, I came upon a beautiful female. I didn't recognise her from any of the current guests' houses, so I went to ask which house she belonged to. Before I knew what was happening, she had bitten me. She kept apologising, saying that she was just lonely, in desperate need of a companion. Aryanna was my maker, and she took good care of me. We were never intimate -more like best friends- but I was very saddened by her death in the summer of the year 1365."
He shook his head to clear the sadness from his thoughts, then continued as his fingers fluttered up the backs of my thighs, "I traveled to many places, for just as many years, before I heard of the sale of my family's manor. I bought it quickly, before any of the land was taken separately. I traveled the U.S. for quite a few years in the 1800's, but always found myself drawn back to my family home. I finally decided to settle in the states in 1923. Since then I've visited my family home many times, along with my other homes, but never stayed more than 3 months at any of them in one stretch. I've met and befriended many vampires in my time on Earth, Carlisle being one of them. That was why I was so surprised by the paintings. I've never known him to be so reckless or uncaring. It'll be interesting to see what he uses for explanations to his actions. Either way, I settled in Jacksonville just a year before you did, taking the Professor position. My time is up there now, and fortunately so is yours."
I had been tracing his tattoo the whole time he spoke, captivated by the tale of his life. With a quick calculation, I said softly, “You were 26 when turned... and you've lived, between human and vampire years, a total of 745 years?”
He chuckled, "Yes, Sweetheart. I am in my 745th year on Earth."
I kissed the double heads of the phoenix, then scooted around to straddle his lap. He smiled as I said, "The things you must have seen as the times changed... not only the wars and death, but the good things, too. When did you start to hunt animals?"
He smiled widely, “Did Carlisle ever tell you of his time in Volterra?”
I thought for a second, then said, "Oh, the castle... Italy, the brothers. Yes, he told me some, but it was because I had been admiring the painting in his study. It was of Carlisle standing with the three brothers. He said their names were Aro, Marcus, and... shoot, I can't remember the last one. It was weird... started with a C, I think... he had almost white-blonde hair."
Caleb chuckled, "Yes, Sweet. That would be Caius. I happened to be on one of my visits to Italy while Carlisle was staying at the castle. I always let the brothers know when I'm in their territory, out of courtesy. I was intrigued by Carlisle's strange gold eyes, and as we walked through the castle gardens, he told me his story. The next time I felt the need to feed, I took Carlisle up on the offer to hunt his way. It took some getting used to, along with retraining to be near the scent of human blood, but I was doing well with the change in diet by the time I left Italy. I was happy for the change, because by the time I met Carlisle, I had to take my prey from behind. I couldn't stand the fear in their eyes, or their screams for help that would never come. As soon as my teeth found purchase, I would have to snap their necks to not prolong the suffering."
I nodded, noting the dark shadows in his eyes. I cupped his cheeks as I whispered, "That's all over, now. Carlisle showed you a different way, and you clung to it. The way you feed now is no different than a human hunter killing an animal for the meat. My wolves feed while in their wolf form... it's no different for them to take down a deer to feed on the raw flesh and meat, than it is for you to down one to feed on the blood." He smiled softly, kissed me tenderly, then held me quietly.
Caleb's confession had shocked me a bit, but I wanted to understand. I looked at him confused, “You mean drink from me?”
He shook his head, "No, Sweetheart. Mark you as mine. A vampire can only mark their true mate with their essence. They can't do it to just anyone they are with. To mark you, I would have to bite you during a mutual orgasm. My teeth would instinctively release something similar to saliva into the wound, but it carries my essence... my unique scent. My release would also be more potent and carry my essence, causing me to literally fill you to overflowing. There is no venom during the process, so there is no chance of changing you during, and can be done while human. You could mark me in a similar way, once you are turned, but not until your teeth can pierce my skin. Marking can also take place more than once... anytime one of us gets the urge. The bite is not painful at all, and is actually known to extend orgasms."
I smiled, “So your mark would have your scent, but what's the purpose of the extra swimmers?”
He chuckled, "Extra swimmers, Isa? Actually, there is a good reason. The more filled your are, the more of my release will absorb into your body. The purpose of the marking is not only for others to see that you are marked and claimed, but for them to smell me inside you before they even get close. You would take on part of my scent. It would still be your unique scent, but another supernatural being would automatically note my scent under yours. Does that make sense?"
I nodded, "Clear as day, actually. Now... no more marking talk..." I licked his neck, “I want to learn you...”
I straddled his thighs as he laid back against the pillows, then nipped each of his side of his neck, “I want to taste you... here...”
I flicked my tongue against his collarbone, "Here..."
Another flick against his nipples, “Here and here...”
I licked long lines along his abs as he moaned and gathered my hair out of my face, “And, God, do I ever want to taste you here...” I nibbled his "V", earning gasps and growls from him, bypassing his very hard length when I neared it.
He groaned in response, "Isa..."
I looked up at him through my lashes as I hovered over his length, whispering, “I most definitely want to taste you here, Caleb. I want to feel you hard and pulsing in my mouth."
He let out a shuddering breath, then I licked him from base to tip before swirling my tongue around the tip. He moaned loudly, “Isabella, My Temptress... please, no more teasing.”
I giggled, running my tongue along his slit while I stroked up his length, gathering the bead of fluid forming. My eyes fluttered as I moaned, "Oh, God, you taste so much better than anything I can remember. Mmm, I could see myself becoming seriously addicted to your taste, Caleb."
Before he could form a response other than a growl, I wrapped my lips around him, then took him as far as I could. When I swallowed, he cried out, “Shit, Isa... you can't... won't last... cum too soon...”
I hummed when I came back up, whispering between nips back down the side, "Shh... enjoy... guide me... show me... how to... please you."
I brought his free hand to join the one holding my hair back, then swirled his tip again before slowly descending. He moaned, “Christ, your sexy lips look so good wrapped around my cock.”
When I reached my limit, he whispered tenderly while stroking my throat, "Relax your throat muscles, Sweet, and you'll be able to take me further. If it's too uncomfortable, stroke what you can't reach."
I swallowed reflexively, then he moaned while more of his length disappeared into my mouth. "Fuuck... that's it, Isabella. God, that feels incredible..." I swallowed and relaxed again, surprisingly able to get almost to the base. I hummed as I tried to make my throat remember the feel of him, to which he growled, “Oh, God... can you move, Sweetheart?”
I slowly backed up until my head touched his hand, then slid back down, his tip never fully leaving my throat. I did that a few times before I slid all the way back up, then took him right down again after swirling my tongue. He hadn't expected that, so it made him cry out, "Fuck, yes... holy shit... I'm go-ungh... are you sure?"
I pushed his hand harder down on my head, swallowed repeatedly as I moved along his length, then he growled, "Fuck, Isabella. Unghh, yes... so sexy."
He roared out my name when I felt the first of his cool seed sliding down my throat. I quickly stroked his length as I opened my mouth and backed him out enough to taste him fully on my tongue, humming as I looked up at him through my lashes. He growled as he watched me, then when I felt him shudder and stop spilling into my mouth, I caught his eyes before swallowing. I was instantly soaked at the taste his sweet flavor. He pulled me up flush to him, kissing me long and hard in response. He moaned, breaking the kiss, “It might sound odd, but I love being able to taste myself on your tongue... love knowing I'm inside you.”
His lips devoured mine again, with passion, longing… pure desire. When the kiss ended, he pecked my lips softly a few times. I whispered, “Shower, then it's time for the human to eat and sleep... the latter preferably in your arms.”
He smiled, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, “Would you happen to want assistance with the first item on your agenda?”
I nodded, smiling sweetly, "Of course, Caleb. I'd love for you to join me. Maybe a bath instead? So I can lay wrapped in your arms?"
He nodded, so I led him into the bathroom, then I set two towels on the towel warmer. He sat at the edge of the tub while I got the water going, then watched me with a small smile as I pulled out a washcloth to wash my face in the sink.
Once all traces of my light makeup were gone, I walked back over to straddle his lap. I traced his face gently with my fingertips; his eyes fluttered closed as he sighed in content, a small smile playing at his lips. I was slightly surprised that the scruff on his face was extremely soft, but continued my explorations. My thumb brushed across his bottom lip, which his tongue flicked against before he whispered, "This doesn't seem real. All the times I imagined telling you of our bond... of how much I wanted you... I never imagined you would be so willing to have me, or that you wanted me too. I knew of the lust, of course, but this... this is so much more than I hoped for, Isa."
When he opened his beautiful golden eyes, I could literally see the colors swirling in the depths. I placed a small kiss to his lips, then whispered, "Bathe with me. Tell me about the real you. I want to know everything." He nodded, then slid us around to lower us into the tub.
The water was just high enough, so I leaned back to turn off the faucets before laying flush against his chest. With one hand on his shoulder, I slid the other up into the hair at the nape of his neck and scratched lightly. A new sound I've never heard came vibrating out of his chest, causing my head to automatically lay against it. My hand stopped moving as I relaxed with the sound, but then the sound stopped. I whined softly, "Why did you stop? That was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard."
He chuckled softly, "You made me purr, Sweetheart. That's what that sound was. It's another mates-only thing. Certain things that you may do to me will make me purr. It's almost like an instinct to laugh when you're tickled, except when you make me purr, it's in pleasure. When you're scared, hurt, or upset, my instinct to hold you and calm you will include purring for you, too. You'll have the same instincts once you're turned. You've probably never heard the others purr to their mates because there was no need, or because it's something intimate that happens between mates. They are quite a bit more private than most vampires. I have a feeling that sooner or later, I will purr for you in front of another vampire... not because you'll need me to, but to sate my need to let whoever it is, know without a doubt, that we are mates."
I nodded, "I understand. I haven't loved him in a very long time, but I've always felt like I wouldn't have closure until I said to him, face-to-face, what his actions put in motion. I have this need to prove that he didn't fully break me... that I came out the other side of that hell a stronger person. Does that make sense?"
He lifted my chin for me to look at him, then kissed my lips lightly before confirming, "I knew as soon as I saw those paintings, Isa, that you needed closure. It's in every brush stroke, every color you chose. I only ask that you give us the time to settle in as mates before we go to visit them."
I looked at him wide-eyed, "You'd do that? You'd find them... go with me to have closure?"
He chuckled softly while cupping my cheeks, "I would. I would do anything to see you happy.”
He became serious as he said, “It's been torture the last few years, not being able to do anything about the sadness in your eyes. My nature -my every instinct- is to keep you safe and happy, by any means, Isa. That's part of being mated. The pull, the tingle, the purr, and all the other mating things... they don't make you love me or me you. They are guides to show you, but you and I choose whether we want to be intimately involved. If we fall in love, it's because of us, not the mating. I need you to know that."
I shook my head, whispering, "I didn't need you to say it, though, because I think I've loved you for a while now. Our talks over coffee, while not exactly deep, have let me get to know you at least a little bit. I just don't know the vampire side of you, yet."
He smiled, whispering against my lips, "I love you, too, Isabella. For the last 3 years I've been head over heels in love with you." He wove his fingers into my hair at the same time I wove mine into his, then we poured all of our feelings into the most loving, most intimate kiss.
When Caleb and I were settled again, he asked, “What would you like to know first, Sweetheart?”
I was leaning back against his chest, and he was gliding his fingers along my curves softly. I smiled, "Where are you originally from, and how old were you when you were turned? How long have you been a vampire?"
He chuckled, “Alright, but first will you tell me something?”
I chuckled, “Of course.”
He thought for a minute, then said, “What's the craziest thing you've ever wanted to do, but never had the nerve to?”
I laughed, "That's easy. I've always wanted a tattoo on my back... one that takes up most of it. I've never been able to find the right one, and I'm kind of scared it'll hurt like a bitch. Plus, I’m definitely not a fan of needles."
He laughed wryly, “Oh, Isa... you haven't seen my back, yet, have you?” I shook my head, then turned in his arms to look at him. He just smiled, telling me to take a look.
He scooted forward in the tub, so I moved to sit behind him. When I settled, I couldn’t help but gasp at what I saw. It was beautiful, taking up from about 3 inches below the base of his neck to almost his hips in size. It was a striking double-headed phoenix sitting atop an old-style crested shield, with the four sections of the shield each holding a symbol. Top left was a unicorn, top right was a phoenix, bottom left was a lion, and bottom right was a dragon. Each one was poised for attack, stunning in their fierce stances. In the center of the shield was a smaller shield that was half shaded in a diagonal direction, and all down the sides of the large shield, the dual-headed phoenix's wings flowed like a waterfall. The last bit of the tattoo was an old English style writing of the name 'Wakefeld'.
It was so captivating, causing me to whisper in awe, "Caleb... this is stunning. It's... my God, it's beautiful, but I don't understand. I didn't think you could get tattoos."
As I started tracing the wings of the large phoenix, he said, "It's my family crest... tattooed before my change, Sweetheart. Mmm, that feels amazing."
I kissed the base of his neck in acknowledgment, then continued to trace his tattoo. He said softly, ghosting his fingers along the inside of my calves, "I was born in the spring of the year 1266 to the Lady Elizabeth and Lord Thomas Wakefeld in England. Each territory had its own Ladies and Lords, our territory being one of the wealthiest and largest. Times and traditions were much different then than they are now. By the age of six I was training to take my father's place in the house, should anything happen to him. I was the first born… his heir… therefore, the one who would take his place. They had four other successful births by the time of my 13th year, giving me three sisters as well as a brother. My mother never conceived again after my brother was born. By my 16th year, both my father and mother had taken ill. Sadly, I was lorded upon their deaths a year later."
His fingers ghosted up along my knees to my inner thighs as he continued, "By that time, two of my sisters we old enough to have been betrothed to other lords, ensuring them to strong and prominent houses, while my brother was in training to take my place when the time came. I hadn't taken a wife, so I had no heir of my own to take my place. Plus, I didn't want to take the risk of something happening to our territory if I should die. The governess of our house took to caring for and training up my one remaining sister, who wedded a neighboring Lord with excellent moral values the eve before my change. It was the Fall of the year 1292; I was in my 26th year. There were still many guests roaming the grounds, the celebration lasting long into the evening. On my nightly check of the property, I came upon a beautiful female. I didn't recognise her from any of the current guests' houses, so I went to ask which house she belonged to. Before I knew what was happening, she had bitten me. She kept apologising, saying that she was just lonely, in desperate need of a companion. Aryanna was my maker, and she took good care of me. We were never intimate -more like best friends- but I was very saddened by her death in the summer of the year 1365."
He shook his head to clear the sadness from his thoughts, then continued as his fingers fluttered up the backs of my thighs, "I traveled to many places, for just as many years, before I heard of the sale of my family's manor. I bought it quickly, before any of the land was taken separately. I traveled the U.S. for quite a few years in the 1800's, but always found myself drawn back to my family home. I finally decided to settle in the states in 1923. Since then I've visited my family home many times, along with my other homes, but never stayed more than 3 months at any of them in one stretch. I've met and befriended many vampires in my time on Earth, Carlisle being one of them. That was why I was so surprised by the paintings. I've never known him to be so reckless or uncaring. It'll be interesting to see what he uses for explanations to his actions. Either way, I settled in Jacksonville just a year before you did, taking the Professor position. My time is up there now, and fortunately so is yours."
I had been tracing his tattoo the whole time he spoke, captivated by the tale of his life. With a quick calculation, I said softly, “You were 26 when turned... and you've lived, between human and vampire years, a total of 745 years?”
He chuckled, "Yes, Sweetheart. I am in my 745th year on Earth."
I kissed the double heads of the phoenix, then scooted around to straddle his lap. He smiled as I said, "The things you must have seen as the times changed... not only the wars and death, but the good things, too. When did you start to hunt animals?"
He smiled widely, “Did Carlisle ever tell you of his time in Volterra?”
I thought for a second, then said, "Oh, the castle... Italy, the brothers. Yes, he told me some, but it was because I had been admiring the painting in his study. It was of Carlisle standing with the three brothers. He said their names were Aro, Marcus, and... shoot, I can't remember the last one. It was weird... started with a C, I think... he had almost white-blonde hair."
Caleb chuckled, "Yes, Sweet. That would be Caius. I happened to be on one of my visits to Italy while Carlisle was staying at the castle. I always let the brothers know when I'm in their territory, out of courtesy. I was intrigued by Carlisle's strange gold eyes, and as we walked through the castle gardens, he told me his story. The next time I felt the need to feed, I took Carlisle up on the offer to hunt his way. It took some getting used to, along with retraining to be near the scent of human blood, but I was doing well with the change in diet by the time I left Italy. I was happy for the change, because by the time I met Carlisle, I had to take my prey from behind. I couldn't stand the fear in their eyes, or their screams for help that would never come. As soon as my teeth found purchase, I would have to snap their necks to not prolong the suffering."
I nodded, noting the dark shadows in his eyes. I cupped his cheeks as I whispered, "That's all over, now. Carlisle showed you a different way, and you clung to it. The way you feed now is no different than a human hunter killing an animal for the meat. My wolves feed while in their wolf form... it's no different for them to take down a deer to feed on the raw flesh and meat, than it is for you to down one to feed on the blood." He smiled softly, kissed me tenderly, then held me quietly.