--ROSE--

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young maiden, who wanted to change her devilish ways, she would scour the land for attractive men and then use them to satisfy her needs. Then one day this maiden received a visit from a friend, a mr. Hogpog. He told her of a young man who she might consider handsome. Intrigued, the young maiden agreed to send a message to the man. An evil glint in the womanís eye betrayed her, she would not change her ways without help.

After a few months of correspondence, our young maiden grew tired of waiting to meet this man. She had so often fantasized about him, that she could hardly handle the lust she felt. Just like every other man, she had to have this one and soon; before she fell out of love with him. In her next message she asked him to make haste and travel over land and sea to the comfort of her arms.

The young man, our hero, received the letter and was filled with an unimaginable amount of joy. Here was someone he could love, who may perhaps love him as well. That very moment he gathered a few things and jumped into the saddle of his steed, then rode off into the horizon.

In the far reaches of the empire, lives the Prince. Disowned by his father, the Prince lives in the rocky terrain of Sangreal. A land plagued by dragons and wild beasts who rape the land of all itís beauty; no one believes it is possible that the prince could live there. It is simply a rumor that circulates as an explanation for the enormous black tower centered in there, but like all rumors there is an inkling of truth. Only one person knows the reason why his sole heir to the throne can never be acknowledged as who he rightfully is. The King doing the only thing he thought possible, banished his son to the far reaches of the continent. To save everyoneís life, for who knew what kind of beast his son would turn out to be.

The Prince lived a simple life, much like the life of a cat. He ate, the beasts of the land were his toys and nourishment. He slept, he loved to sleep because in his dreams he could be anyone, anywhere, doing anything he wanted; because in his dreams he could be free. The Prince was a sad, miserable being, his only companion was a dragon named Marcel.

This particular morning, was a spring morning. The first spring morning of the year, even in Sangreal signs of spring had sprung, but what caught the Princeís attention were the birds who sang to each other. The Prince didnít know it then, but he yearned to love. He expressed this yearning to Marcel. The dragon understood it, he told the Prince that he needed a mate, a female to mate with.

The Prince wasnít always isolated, he remembered women and now he knew he must have one. The Prince had reached his 19th spring, it had been three years since he had been transformed, a long time to go without sex. Will you please go and fetch me a beautiful woman? He begged of Marcel. The dragon bowed low to the ground and pushed off, scarring the earth with talon shaped gouges.

Our previously mentioned young maiden was out for a walk by the stream, it was the first real day of spring, for her as well. All traces of winter were gone, this excited our maiden for she rushed to the stream without breaking fast. This stream lay close to her home in the woods, it was not very large, but a well hidden sanctuary for her. The maiden lifted up her skirts exposing her creamy white skin, and dipped her foot into the flowing water. Just the right temperature and current. Without a glance or a thought to modesty, the maiden shed her outer garments, leaving only a thin slip clinging to her supple body. In a flurry of movement she rushed into the river and dove into itís depths. She surfaced with a sigh of content, and lay floating on the surface, dozing.

Marcel spotted the maiden floating in the river, seemingly naked. He thought this was the perfect specimen, though he admitted to himself he knew nothing about the attractiveness of a human. With a dragon like shrug he dove down and extending a claw scooped up the maiden carefully. She shrieked and writhed in fear, and when they extended into the clouds, she fainted.

When our maiden opened her eyes, she tried to make out the dark shape hovering over her. She squinted in an attempt to clear her blurring, unfocused vision. With another blink she could make out the face of a gorgeous man. He lifted her off the floor, the maidenís wet long blonde hair clinging to her back. Forget about her hair because this man, he was surely not a man; men donít look this good. He had midnight black hair that was tied back and yet couldnít be contained. Wisps of hair blew in the breeze as the maiden was carried into the tower. His eyes were such a light blue they came dangerously close to white, and right now they were focused on her. This dear maiden was so shocked by his intense gaze she felt near mesmerized. She would have been inquiring as to her where abouts, but now all she wanted was to feel the skin of his cheek. Slowly she raised her hand up and traced his perfect features with her fingertips, laying them to rest on his pretty pink lips. The prince smiled coyly, and the maiden gasped. This gorgeous man, he has fangs!

Only a secondís self consciousness flashes across the Princeís face, but only a narrator would have been able to detect it. The Prince had reached the top of the stairs and entered his bedroom, the whole castle of stone was drafty and our maiden was shivering wet. As he lay her down, the Prince took notice of the hard nipples so easily seen though the gauzy material of the maidenís slip.

The Prince hovered over the maidenís shivering form, desire coursing through his veins. He was so much bigger than her, and when the maiden tried to push him away, she felt his firm chest. The maiden looked up into the Princeís eyes and her stomach flipped at the intimate gaze he bore into her. The Prince lowered himself onto the maiden, and lay over her trembling with anticipation. His lips hovered over her mouth and she breathed in his masculine scent, she licked her lips trying to quench her thirst. Her mouth had gotten as dry as a desert and all she wanted was for him to aid her, bring her moisture. The Prince lowered his mouth down to hers, and gently kissed her on the corner of her mouth, his lips rested there for a second. This simple act brought such desire to the maiden that she felt a pulsing, hungering need grow between her legs. She wanted to rub against him, but she felt a fear of the unknown in him. This went far from the norm for her, a vampire in a black tower could be just the right conquest for her. Except that at the moment she felt as though she was the one being dominated. He licked her luscious lips and grasped onto them with his teeth, she let out a whimper as small droplets of her crimson blood ran down. Involuntarily she rocked her hips against him, her need growing beyond control. The maiden grasped the princes shirt and made a move to take it off. He growled and pinned her arms above her head, then kneeling over her removed his shirt. His pale body as smooth as porcelain and built with all the excellence a man could achieve. She moved her hands in awe slowly up his chest, feeling the cool skin which reminded her of marble. He was her marble sculpture, and looking up into his face to find him with a cocky smirk, angered her. Staring challengingly into his eyes she clawed her hand down his chest.

The Prince surprised, angered, but admittedly turned on beyond belief, pushed the maiden off the bed. She landed with a thump and shrieked with surprise; standing she glared at the vampire. Her glare slowly turned to desire as she examined him kneeling on the bed, pants low around his hips, defined torso, those chilling blue eyes. Slowly stepping back she came in contact with a wall, she leaned against it with hands splayed on either side of her. The Prince watched her, wondering what she was all about, as she moved her hair to the side the Prince locked onto her lovely neck. The vampire glanced at her seductive eyes which held his own and she smiled and let laughter out a little. Stalking towards her the vampire trapped her body against his own and nuzzled her neck. The maiden desperately let out a tiny helpless cry and clawed his back. The dark prince moved away from her long enough to use a sharp nail to rip open her slip. Naked in front of him, the maiden found herself trembling with this new surrender she felt for the vampire. She was lifted into his arms and wrapped her legs tightly to his hips, she kissed him with much hunger. He brought her to the bed and threw her onto it, shedding his pants while the maiden quickly glanced down at his cock. She decided that it looked pretty big, and she turned her head away before he could catch her looking. She had discovered that they unknowingly had issued a challenge to each other, try to resist the others advances. The maiden spread her legs and waited for the vampire to enter her, he settled himself over her. Looking into her eyes he rocked into her slowly finding the entrance and slowly imbedding himself deep within. The maiden moaned deep and arched her back, closing her eyes in pleasure. Their love making was exerting and rough, each attempting domination over the other. The maiden crying out as she never had before and the prince finally spent himself into her. He lay for a while on her as she lovingly stroked his back, regretfully he pulled out of her and put on a robe hanging over a chair. Now that it was over, the maiden felt at a loss, I guess thatís normal after such a grand adventure, but it was not over. Her sweat began to chill and she grew very cold, she got into his bed using his covers to protect and warm her.

ìThank you.î The prince spoke gazing down at her. She realized how strange it was that they had never spoken and yet she felt a strong connection with him, his voice was just as sexy as he was, and had all the melody of song.

ìYour welcome.î She replied with all of her usual air. He raised an eyebrow in response, which couldnít help but make her smile. Pretty little woman, disheveled and helpless, which made him smile in return.

ìI am hungry and it is night, I will only be gone shortly, so take some rest. Princess.î He said giving her a delicate kiss. She felt in a daze and watched as he swirled his cloak and was gone.

The maiden did feel sleepy, but she felt hungry as well, which led her out of bed and in search of a candle. She found one on his desk and lit it, illuminating his simple and small room. A bureau on one wall, the desk on the other and across from the door a large canopy bed with a window. She saw her slip on the ground and picked it up disappointingly, she shivered as a draft blew into the room. She opened his bureau and selected a long coat which fell to her knees and was sufficiently warm. Not minding her bare feet the princess walked to the door and opened it. She was met with a stairway of stone leading in a spiral down. She began her long walk, after ten minutes she began to wander if she would ever reach the bottom, and she started to panic. Just then the stairway stopped and she was in front of another door, she turned the handle and opened the door into the night. The terrain, she could tell from the full moon, was very rough and rocky, but she stepped out gingerly none the less. Where she expected to get food even she did not know, but she had a sudden diversion to the tower that she could no longer stand. Coming out of the tower filled her with happiness and she had a pleasant thought to take a walk. She could not discern the land from any landmarks, because there were none but the tower, she set off anyway, thinking that she would not go far.

After a short while; very short, a seeming seven minutes, she turned expecting to see the tower. It suddenly was gone, as if it had never been there, bewildered the maiden retraced her steps, slowly at first and then running frantically. Poor maiden stumbled and as she rose heard the unmistakable sound of a growl, which she discovered belonged to a wolf. A shrill scream tore from her throat and carried on the wind to the Princeís acute ears, miles away. He leapt onto Marcel who was also aware of the danger and made haste to the location. In a minute they found the maiden hurling rocks at the wolf and Marcel swooped down and crushed it in his claws. He landed and the Prince leapt off and clutched the maiden to him, who sobbed heart wrenchingly.

ìI wish you would have listened to me and rested in the castle.î He told her disappointingly.

ìI was hungry.î She chocked out.

ìDid you honestly expect to find food out here?î He took one elegant hand and swept it over the land. The maiden made no reply but to bury her face into his shirt. The Prince turned to Marcel and watched as he ate the wolf, worry not my friend and enjoy your meal we are not far from the tower. The dragon snorted in reply and bent his head to finish the wolf. The Prince picked up the maiden and began walking to the tower.

ìI didnít go far-î The maiden began but was cut off short.

ìNo, but the tower has a spell which allows it to blend into itís background.î

ìAh, then you are at fault for not telling me more!î She was indignant.

ìShh, keep your calm.î He tried to placid her.

ìI am not a child-î

ìNo? Then stop acting like one. You donít want another beast out after us.î He smirked at her reaction of trembling.

They had arrived at the tower and the door swung open for them.

ìWhy?î The maiden gestered to the door. ìHow?î

ìThe tower and I are old friends.î The prince replied simply. The maiden did not know how to respond.

ìMy name is Rose.î She said.

ìWell met Rose. My name is Raziel.î

They reached the top of the tower and he set her down.

ìRaziel?î She inquired breathily, he turned from the door and fixed his icy eyes on her, they caught the moonlight and made her breath catch. She pressed her body into his and slowly kissed him, easing her tongue between his lips and savoring his cool mouth. She pulled back before he could enjoy it too much.

ìThank you for saving my life.î

ìYour welcome.

If you like it let me know and Iíll right more. Cheers.