by Tyra
WARNING: <this means you!>
I usually write NN fiction--If you only like NN being together and neither
character with anybody else, I would suggest that you do NOT read this. You
will not like it. Nick is also pretty dark in this as well.
ADULT Warning:
I would rate this story NC-17, for sexual conent., m/f, btw. Please, do not
read if this offends you.
To Heather-Anne -- for her birthday. Thank you for being my friend and for making my fiction better. You have taught me more about grammar and sentence structure than I ever learned in school. I love you, my friend.
Thanks to my betas, H-A and Lea, who put up with me trying out different things, and who together make my work better. All mistakes are theirs, I'm not taking responsibility for anything today <I'm just kidding, the mistakes are mine...sigh>.
I don't own them and I'm not making anything off of this Pleasure Choices
Tyra
1999
The tears slid down Natalie's face as she watched from the street corner
across from the Raven. It was just before dawn, and Nick was spending the
day at the bar with Janette for the second time that week. She knew he was
seeking solace with Janette--a replacement for the love he thought they lost
at Azure a month ago. Why couldn't he have the courage, why didn't he just
bring her across?
She walked to her car and climbed behind the wheel. She locked the door
and let her head fall onto the steering wheel as her sobs grew louder and
louder. It had been years since she had cried like this, but the pain she
felt was so raw and fresh, she could not hold them back.
Nick had been hers and she his, but then LaCroix had interfered. She
finally remembered his name the other night. Slowly, the evening had
returned to her. The hurtful words Nick had said echoed through her mind.
She knew in her head that he was only trying to protect her, but her heart
felt differently. She felt used and unloved. Nick had barely seen her in
the past month, choosing to avoid contact with her over dealing with the
situation. Natalie sighed audibly as her tears slowed. "I shouldn't be so
surprised," she said to herself, "he's had almost 800 years of practice at
running."
Natalie put her key into the ignition and started to drive. The anger
built in her. How dare Nick turn his back on her so quickly? "He certainly
didn't waste any time finding another lover, now did he?"
"He just leaves me out in the cold, tries to take away my memories of
him kissing me and of his empty promises! Just who does he think he is?
Shouldn't I have some say in all this? It is my life, damnit!"
Natalie slid her car into its space at her apartment building. She
quickly made her way to her apartment and to the comfort that Sydney would
offer her. She opened the door, and her faithful feline companion raced
toward her outstretched arms. Natalie sat on her sofa, stroking Sydney's
fur, while she replayed the events of Valentine's night in her head. Her
eyes grew wide with her realization. She knew this LaCroix--or more
accurately, she knew his voice.
Natalie kissed Sydney on top of the head and dropped him to the floor.
She started up her computer, then opened her connection to the internet. An
hour later she had the information she needed. His name was Lucien LaCroix,
and he was indeed, as she had suspected, a radio host for CERK in Toronto.
She turned off her computer and headed to bed. A plan was forming in her
head. She did NOT like being dismissed by Nick, and she certainly did NOT
like others being in charge of her future.
Natalie called in sick to work the next day. She rationalized her 'sick
day' to herself by saying it was for her sick heart. She ordered her
favorite Chinese takeout for dinner, and feasted on the last of the Godiva
chocolates Nick had bought her. Finally, she showered, put on her best
perfume, applied her evening makeup and slipped into her favorite dress. It
was a black, strapless dress she had bought just a month ago in the hopes of
wearing it for Nick. Now, she would wear it for another.
As she reached behind her to zip her dress, she looked into the mirror.
She liked the image that stared back at her. It was of a woman who was
beautiful and determined. And determined she was--maybe completely insane,
but definitely determined.
She threw a few items into her purse and headed for the door.
She turned her radio to his show as she approached the CERK broadcast
building. Her timing was perfect--he was doing his closing monologue for the
night. Natalie parked her car and quickly made her way into the building.
She rode the elevator to the floor with the CERK offices and broadcast booth.
As she was stepping off the elevator, he exited the CERK offices.
They stood facing each other. Their eyes locked onto one another's,
neither wanting to give an inch. The elevator door struck Natalie in the
side, and her gaze was broken. She stepped back into the elevator and held
the door for LaCroix. "Shall we ride down together? I would like to talk to
you about a few things."
"You do? Most interesting." LaCroix stepped inside the elevator, and
Natalie released the door. As the door shut, LaCroix stood inches away from
Natalie's face, forcing her back against the elevator wall. "What is it you
would like to discuss with me, my dear, Dr. Lambert?" His hand stroked the
side of her face, and Natalie flinched at his touch.
"Valetine's at Azure."
"You have regained your memory?"
"Yes."
"What a pity. Then you remember all those nasty things Nicholas said
about using you."
"You and I both know Nick was not speaking the truth."
"Do we, now?" LaCroix let his fingers slide down Natalie's jawbone to
her neck and down her bare shoulders. "Why are you here, Natalie?"
"I want to make the decisions about my life--" Natalie was cut off by
the opening of the elevator doors. LaCroix slipped his arm around her waist,
guiding her out of the elevator and to the outside.
"I suggest we continue this conversation some place a little more
private." LaCroix looked around and then took to the air with Natalie in his
arms.
*****
Natalie held onto LaCroix with a death grip. Flying in his arms was
exhilarating and, yet, terrifying at the same time. If he should release
her, she would drop to her death. When they arrived at LaCroix's quarters,
she was out of breath.
"I gather Nicholas has never taken you flying?"
"No. That was wonderful. Thank you, but could you warn me next time?"
"If there is a next time." LaCroix held the door open for Natalie, and
she entered his house in front of him.
It wasn't exactly as she expected. It was dark and Victorian in nature,
but it also had a lighter touch--Janette, she assumed.
"Welcome to my home, Natalie. May I offer you a drink? I think I have
a bottle of regular wine available."
"I--I--I guess that would be fine."
"I shall return presently. Please, make yourself at home." LaCroix
disappeared into what Natalie assumed was the kitchen. She walked around the
room, taking in everything. She marveled at the little momentous that were
scattered about. She now knew where Nick got his tendency for being a
packrat. There was one small picture of LaCroix and Nick clowning around
together, circa the 1940s. She smiled as she placed the picture back on the
mantel.
"That was one of the few good times Nicholas and I have shared this
century," LaCroix said as he handed Natalie a glass of wine.
"You both looked happy."
"We were. It was before Nicholas withdrew into one of his depressions."
"One of his depressions?"
"Yes. Through the centuries Nicholas has gone in out of manic and
depression states. You would have noticed, I'm sure, given a few more years."
Natalie's eyes grew wide with understanding. "That's why you keep him--"
"One of the reasons, yes. But, we are not here to talk about Nicholas.
We are here to talk about you." LaCroix walked toward the leather sofa
opposite the fireplace and indicated the seat next to him.
Natalie sat down and looked into LaCroix's eyes. "Who was Fleur?"
Natalie inquired. She saw the flash of pain in LaCroix's eyes, but in a
second it was gone--his emotions firmly in his control again.
"We are here to talk about YOU, not me."
"I believe she IS why I find myself in my present predicament."
"No, not Fleur, but Nicholas."
"Yes, but it was because of Fleur. I know you fought over her."
LaCroix's eyes bored into Natalie's. He had no intention of telling
this mere mortal of his sacred love for his Fleur.
Natalie reached out her hand and laid it to rest on LaCroix's arm.
"Sometimes it helps to talk. I would like to understand."
LaCroix sighed. "Very well. I will tell you about Fleur, but you will
then have to tell me why you are here."
"Deal." Natalie settled back into her corner of the sofa, her empty
wine glass in her hand.
LaCroix filled her glass with wine and refreshed his own. "It was right
after Nicholas was brought across. We went to his ancestral home so that he
could bid his good-byes to his mother and his sister, Fleur."
"His sister...." Natalie whispered.
"His sister." LaCroix continued to tell Natalie the essentials of his
and Fleur's meeting and their parting at Nick's insistence.
"So, you see, in exchange for her life, Nicholas offered me the life of
a future mortal that he loved."
"And I am that mortal."
"Yes. It would appear that is true." The silence grew between them,
making them each a little uncomfortable. It was LaCroix who spoke first.
"May I inquire, Natalie, as to why you are wearing such a formal dress?"
LaCroix's eyes drifted down and back up Natalie's body. She shivered at the
look of desire she saw briefly on his face.
Natalie breathed in deeply. She might as well get on with it, she
thought. "Actually, it is the reason for my coming to speak with you."
"It is. How surprising. I'm not the best of fashion critics, but I do
think it looks quite lovely on you. Too often you hide your best assets from
those who would appreciate them." Both LaCroix's eyes and fingers trailed
down to Natalie's exposed cleavage.
Natalie closed her eyes at his touch. Did he have to be so damn
enchanting? Natalie thought. "I'm glad you approve." Natalie moved
slightly, causing LaCroix's hand to slip, his fingers lightly touching her
hardening nipple as his hand fell to rest on the sofa.
"Natalie, why don't we get to the real reason you are here."
"I don't know why I'm here." Silent tears started to flow from
Natalie's eyes. "I--I thought I wanted you to bring me across so I could be
with Nick."
"And now what do you want, Natalie?"
"I think I better go..."
LaCroix placed his hands on either side of Natalie, blocking her from
leaving the sofa. "Why did you change your mind, my dear?" LaCroix's lips
were inches from her own. His eyes called to her.
Natalie shook her head slightly, breaking the hold LaCroix had on her.
"I changed my mind because of how you spoke of Fleur."
LaCroix retreated back to his side of the sofa. "Continue."
"If Nick truly loved me, he would've left here or brought me across.
What he did instead was run straight to another's arms."
"Janette's?"
"Yes."
"Natalie, they have been lovers for almost 800 years, a century of which
they spent exclusively with one another."
Natalie sat in stunned silence. Now she understood. Nick withdrew to
what he found comfortable, to what was safe. But he still did not have the
courage to either leave her or bring her across.
"Thank you for the wine, LaCroix."
"Lucien."
"Lucien." Natalie looked in to the ancient vampires eyes, and for a
brief moment thought, she saw a very human look of kindness.
"If we leave now, I will be able to escort you home and return here
before daylight is upon us."
"Yes, that would be nice of you." Natalie stood and straightened her
dress.
"I think I have an old wrap in the other room. I will retrieve it. You
might be chilled on the way home."
In a flash LaCroix returned with a black, sable mink wrap. He draped it
over Natalie's shoulders, his cool fingers lingering on her bare skin. "It
looks lovely on you, my dear Doctor. Now, I believe it is time to get you
home."
"This is lovely, Lucien."
"If you like it, you may keep it." LaCroix opened the door and the pair
stepped out into the cold night air.
"I couldn't poss--" Natalie's protests were drowned out by the sound of
the wind as they took flight.
LaCroix landed in the parking lot next to Natalie's apartment house.
"May I see you to your door?"
"Thank you." Natalie and LaCroix walked in pleasant silence to her
door. Natalie inserted her key and opened the door. "Lucien, thank you
again, but I can't keep the..." Natalie turned around, noticing she was
speaking to only air. LaCroix was already gone.
She smiled to herself and closed the door.
His eyes were red with anger. What was his father doing with his
Natalie?! He had come by to check on her when he found out she had called in
sick to work. He was still in shock over what he saw. Why, was the only
question he wanted answered. The dawn drove him from the shadows and into
the air toward his home.
*****
Natalie awoke with a start. Her body was covered with a light sweat, and she
was hugging the mink wrap to her body. Slowly, her dream returned to her,
and her eyes grew wide with fear. Tonight she dreamed of making-love, of
being brought across, but not by Nick--by LaCroix.
Her scent still lingered on his sofa. He slept with his head where she
had just so recently sat. His dreams, though fleeting, were of her drinking
his blood--LaCroix woke startled, covered in bloodsweat. Quickly he headed
to the showers and to his bed.
Nick had polished off the last of the human blood he had at his loft,
and still his hunger was insatiable. His Natalie had been with LaCroix. And
she was dressed... He just couldn't believe what his eyes saw. He reached
for a bottle of cow's blood, and retched at the foul taste.
Natalie threw the covers off her body and headed for the shower. If she
was going to have insomnia, the least it could be was a productive one. She
would have a backlog of work at the lab; might as well get started early, she
thought. As the cool water sprayed on Natalie's body, she thought back to
LaCroix's cool touch on her skin. She shivered as she recalled the fleeting
touch he had made to her nipple.
Natalie was startled when she realized where her own hand had traveled.
Enough is enough, she decided, and quickly exited the shower.
A short while later, Natalie had found her way to LaCroix's house. She
hadn't been quite sure of the address, but after retrieving her car from the
CERK building, it didn't take her long to establish its approximate
whereabouts.
Natalie breathed deeply before knocking on the door. She stood there
for several minutes, and there was no answer. She tried the door knob, and
it opened, admitting her.
LaCroix's eyes flew open when he heard a heartbeat enter his house. He
flew toward the door, pining the perpetrator against it.
Natalie gasped with surprise.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of a return visit, Dr. Lambert?"
Natalie's breathing continued to be staggered as she enjoyed the
pressure of LaCroix's body pressed against hers. "I wanted to see you..."
Natalie's words were cut off by LaCroix covering her mouth with his.
Natalie eagerly returned LaCroix's kisses. He pinned her hands above
her head to the door. Their eyes locked as their kiss broke. A smile danced
across Natalie's lips as LaCroix opened her coat, exposing her naked body to
his view.
"Dr. Lambert...."
"Natalie," she whispered as his cold tongue made swirls on her neck and
bare shoulders. Slowly he worked his way to her erect nipples, first teasing
them with his tongue, then biting them gently with his fangs.
"Lucien," Natalie moaned as she felt his fangs puncture her delicate
skin. Her life and her desires filled his body. Her past, her pain was a
part of him. He searched her memories, surprised at what he found. The
tears swelled to his eyes. He quickly returned his attentions to her mouth,
kissing her soundly.
LaCroix slowly pulled away from Natalie. His emotions were in a
turmoil, and he was not used to the feeling of being out of control. He
slowly released Natalie's hands from above her head and placed them by her
sides. "Perhaps we should discuss things, Natalie."
Natalie was still sorting the images she had seen of LaCroix's past from
their bloodlink, but the one thing she did see--and clearly--was the abuse.
The horrible, devastating abuse... "Lucien..." she whispered, as her hand
caressed his cheek. They looked into one another's eyes, each knowing that
the other understood the pain of an imperfect childhood. "I'm done talking,
Lucien."
He had seen it in her blood--she wanted him. Against all her reason and
better judgment, he was what she wanted. "Natalie, do you know what you are
asking?"
Natalie looked LaCroix directly in the eye and said, "Yes. I'm saying I
want to be with you."
"That much is clear in your blood," LaCroix whispered back to her, "but
why, Natalie?"
"Because you are you, with all your imperfections."
"You can't turn--"
Natalie stopped LaCroix's protest with her mouth. She pushed her tongue
past his lips and intentionally sliced it against his extended fang. "Has it
been so long you have forgotten how?" she whispered.
LaCroix growled under his breath as he pushed Natalie back up against
the door. He nipped his way down her neck to her breast, then down her
stomach. He left a trail of blood from the tiny puncture wounds in his wake.
Natalie moaned in ecstasy at every nip.
Natalie threw her head back, gasping for air as LaCroix's tongue parted
her moistened folds. His cool tongue on her engorged clit made her wither
against the door, barely able to remain standing. LaCroix snickered to
himself as he gathered Natalie in his arms and carried her to his bed.
He laid Natalie gently on the bed, covering her body with his
silk-pajamaed skin. She reached for him, pulling his face to hers to be
kissed. As she lost herself in the feel of their tongues rolling together,
one against the other, LaCroix used his pajama bottom tie to secure her hands
to the bed railings. When their kiss ended, Natalie was shocked to find she
couldn't not move.
LaCroix saw a flash of panic in Natalie's eyes, and he reached to untie
her. But before he got there, the panic was gone, replaced by unrequited
lust.
"Now, where was I?" LaCroix smiled wickedly at Natalie. Before she
could reply, he was lapping at her juices again. His tongue danced inside
her, then flicked across her hardened nub. His hands found her breast and
kneaded them, pinching the erect nipples hard between his fingers.
"OOOoooohhh!" Natalie moaned. She bucked against LaCroix's face; her
first orgasm rushed through her body as she felt LaCroix gently bite her,
releasing her blood--her pleasure--into his mouth.
Natalie tried in vain to break free of her restraints. She pulled at
the silk wrapped around her wrists in an effort to get free. LaCroix stood
by the bed just out of her reach, and slowly took off his clothes.
'Please, let me touch you..." Natalie stared at the naked Roman God in
front of her.
"In time, my love, in time."
LaCroix covered Natalie's body with his own, his naked legs parting
hers. The tip of his manhood grazed against Natalie's wetness, causing him
to moan.
Natalie pulled against her silken bonds again, this time managing to
wrestle first one, then the other hand free. Quickly they felt down
LaCroix's body to the prize she so badly wanted to touch and put inside of
her. She grasped his manhood firmly in her hand, and ran it down the length
of her wetness. She held LaCroix's gaze as his eyes turned from blue to
golden as she guided him inside her.
LaCroix kissed Natalie passionately. His movements were slow and
steady. Their bodies molded into one, each rising and falling with the
other. They held each other's hands, their fingers entwined. LaCroix
pressed her hands into the smooth silk sheets with each stroke.
He moved their hands above her head, increasing the quickness and depth
of his strokes. Natalie raised her head and captured his lips with hers.
She suckled on his bottom lip before slipping her tongue inside to caress his
fangs. LaCroix moaned at her ministrations, and drove deeper inside her
sweet core. Natalie captured his tongue in her mouth and sucked with the
same rhythm that he entered and exited her body.
Natalie's hips rose to meet her lover's, their kiss broken. She felt
his tongue trace the outline of her ear. He whispered to her, "I want to
watch you." As the words left his mouth, LaCroix turned onto his back,
bringing Natalie on top of him.
He pushed Natalie gently to a sitting position and pulled her hips
toward his aching groin. Natalie gasped as she felt LaCroix deeper inside of
her. She blushed at her lover's intense stare, her hair falling down to
cover her face.
LaCroix touched Natalie's face, then pushed her back. "Please...I want
to see your passion, not just taste it..." LaCroix whispered. He placed
Natalie's hands on her own breasts, his hands coming to rest on her hips.
Natalie was embarrassed by LaCroix's request--yet, she was aroused. The
total acceptance in his eyes was amazing. She slowly started to move, her
hips grinding into him, as her hands lightly played across her breasts.
LaCroix moaned appreciatively and guided one of Natalie's hands to her
clit. Together their fingers danced in her sensitive folds. Natalie closed
her eyes and threw her head back--never in her life had she felt so free.
Her movements increased, guided by LaCroix's hand on her hip.
He watched her as she shed the last of her inhibitions. She was
beautiful, much more beautiful and sensual than he ever allowed himself to
realize. He brought his hips up to meet hers, his own orgasm building.
Their pace quickened, the lovers crushing their bodies together, trying
desperately to become one, to lose the sensation of self, and join in
oneness. LaCroix's hand tangled in Natalie's hair, and pulled her face
toward his. Their kiss was passionate and breathless, and as their climax
washed over them, Natalie pressed her neck to LaCroix's lips.
He struck, her blood spilling into his mouth, filling him with her
passion. Natalie gasped when she felt and saw LaCroix's orgasm through the
bloodlink. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to her neck,
engulfing him with her love and her body. "Yes, my love, yes," she cried as
she felt the question asked through the bloodlink. "Yes..." Natalie
whispered as she drifted from consciousness.
LaCroix sensed the slowing of his lover's heartbeat, and released her.
He gently placed Natalie beside him. He caressed her face lovingly as he
slashed his other wrist. He held the dripping blood to her lips, and
whispered, "Now you can choose, my Natalie." An eternity seemed to pass, yet
still she did not move. A solitary tear slid down LaCroix's face, landing on
Natalie's paling cheek.
Natalie was engulfed by the light--it was so bright it nearly blinded
her, dulling her senses. She felt LaCroix calling her back, as his memories
and feelings raced through her mind. If she was to walk further into the
light, she knew she would find happiness and completeness. The memories
played through her head, and she thought she felt tears flowing from her
eyes. He wanted to be loved--so tired of being alone--his pain... Natalie
ran.
He saw the tears rolling down her face the instant before he felt her
sucking his life into her body. Their eyes met. Her choice was made. He
felt her wishes in their link, and smiled.
*****
The next night:
Aristotle dropped the last of their papers off at LaCroix's house.
"Good luck, my friend. Does Nicholas know yet?"
"No, and I'm not sure how and when Natalie wants to tell him. I am
leaving that up to her."
"YOU are leaving it up to HER?" Aristotle stared at LaCroix in
amazement.
"I would hate to think that I am too old to learn new tricks, Aristotle.
It should be her decision. I will stand behind her choice."
"You have changed, Lucien. The love of a wo--"
"Thank you. I'll contact you after we have gotten settled."
"Then again, maybe you haven't changed too much." Aristotle chuckled as
he opened the door to leave.
LaCroix felt Sydney brush up against his leg. "I am sorry. Aristotle
interrupted your breakfast." He scooped up the cat, and stroked his fur.
Sydney cuddled against his new pet's chest and purred. He liked the way this
human treated his pet--very protective but yet not afraid to show his
passions. Sydney hopped down as LaCroix filled his food dish.
"You two are certainly getting along well." Natalie smiled at her new
father and lover.
"We seem to have reached a mutual agreement."
"I called work. I had to fight for it, but they have given me an
extended leave of absence."
"Good. That gives us some choice in regards to the future. Aristotle
dropped off our tickets and papers."
"I just finished packing. About Nick..."
"Would you like to see him before we leave?"
"I know I should tell him, but right now I'm just so overwhelmed. I
don't know if I can deal with him right now."
"Then we wait." LaCroix pulled Natalie into his arms and kissed her.
"I need to pack up some papers and call the radio station. Our driver should
be here within the hour."
Nick paced through Natalie's apartment. Part of her clothes and Sydney
were gone, and her lap top was missing, as well. He had practically flown
from the morgue when Grace told him that Natalie was taking an extended
leave. He had raced to her apartment, only to find it eerily devoid of her
energy.
The image of LaCroix walking her to her door several nights ago flashed
through his mind. He flew from the apartment, taking to the night sky. He
arrived at his master's home and threw the door open. "WHERE IS SHE,
LACROIX! What have you done to..." Nick stopped in his tracks as he stared
at his beautiful Natalie, her golden eyes blazing at him.
"Oh, God, Natalie....NO!" Nick turned toward LaCroix and snarled, "How
could you?"
"It was her choice, Nicholas."
"Natalie would never choose this life."
"Yes, Natalie would, Nick." Natalie walked toward him, her eyes turning
red at the rims. "I would have chosen it for you, for me, for us. I wanted
to be with you, and would've faced the consequences to do so. But you ran,
you ran into the arms of another woman, leaving me to deal with the pain by
myself, BY MYSELF, Nick." Natalie stopped in front of Nick, her eyes boring
holes through his.
"What other woman?"
"Janette. Did you think I didn't know? How naive do you think I am?"
Nick hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry I blocked you out."
"You blocked me out and flung me aside."
Nick caressed Natalie's shoulders with his hands. She shrugged his
touch from her body. "I'm sorry, Natalie." He reached down to kiss her, but
she moved away.
Natalie reached out her hand toward LaCroix. He took it in his as he
came to stand beside her. "You were a coward, Nick. You were so wrapped up
in yourself and your emotions, you forgot about me."
Nick rushed toward Natalie, grabbing her by her shoulders. "I didn't
want to hurt you--I didn't want THIS to happen to you! I didn't want your
soul damned with mine."
"No, Nick, you didn't have the courage to face the implications of
loving me."
"I'll make it up to you. I can do that now..."
"Now that what, Nick? Now that I have been able to choose my own
destiny? You never gave me the choice, Lucien did. He didn't lack the
courage to love me."
"Love..." Nick's words drifted to silence as he looked at LaCroix
holding Natalie's hand in his. He heard Sydney snarl at him from beside his
master.
"I should've listened to Sydney. Lucien and I are leaving town for a
while, Nick. We may or may not be back, but it is a decision we will make
TOGETHER."
LaCroix slipped his arm around Natalie, and brushed his lips against her
temple.
"And Nick, please stop using Janette. She deserve much better, as
well." Natalie turned and walked away from the man she had loved for several
years. The bloodtears streamed down her face as she entered the bedroom and
closed the door behind her.
"Nicholas, I think it is time for you to go."
Nick grabbed LaCroix and tried to throw him across the room, but failed.
"Nicholas, I am much stronger now. Her love, it is like ambrosia, an
ambrosia that is never completely consumed and continues to replenish itself.
I gave you the chance to have that ambrosia, but you rejected it. If I had
known her sweetness, I wouldn't have given you the chance."
"She still loves me, LaCroix."
"Perhaps, but I think she was in love with a man that never existed--a
man that had the courage to live life. You ran from her. She suffered too
much in her mortal life, she didn't need someone that was afraid of loving
her. You played games with her, Nicholas."
"You don't love her, LaCroix."
"I love her more than you ever could, because I see her for what she
truly is--both light and dark. You never wanted to see her dark side, her
passion, her lust."
Rage and depression battled in Nick for control. He fled LaCroix's
home, confusion filling his mind and his soul. He flew rapidly around the
city, coming to rest outside the Raven. A woman bumped into him as he
rounded the corner from the alley where he had landed. They locked eyes and
the woman smiled, whispering her apologies.
Nick could feel the woman's heartbeat quicken. He pulled her back into
the alley with him. His depression washed over him, as his rage was finally
satiated.
Natalie rested her head on LaCroix's shoulder as the driver sped them
toward the airport and their plane to a new life. They had spoken little
since the confrontation with Nick, neither knowing what to say to the other.
Finally, Natalie broke the silence. " I did love him, Lucien, but you
were right. I was in love with a man that didn't exist--he never existed."
LaCroix pulled her closer. "He existed at one time, Natalie. It's just
that the centuries and his mood swings have caused that part of him to recede
from our view."
Natalie nodded her head, falling back into silence. "I'm falling for
y--"
"And I for you." The lovers looked into each other's eyes. A rare
smile appeared on LaCroix's face as Sydney curled up on his lap. He caressed
Natalie's cheek with his fingertips, then kissed her, expressing his growing
love and desire for her the best way he knew how.
The End
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