Words of Wisdom, Hands of Mischief

I don't know whether it was an hour or three, but I notice immediately when I hear footsteps in the garden. I don't want to completely give away my hiding spot, so I quietly climb back down and take a seat on the bench under the tree. Finally, I see Dante through the fronds, and our eyes meet. He doesn't break eye contact with me as he walks closer, and offers his hand.

I take it in silence, and we return to the main room, thankfully empty. On the way, I realize I'm absolutely starving, and scrounge around in the kitchen for some food - more fruit, some bread and cheese, and some cured meat. I pile it onto a tray and carry it back out into the main room.

Dante's lounging on the sofa, his arm draped over the back. "Come," he says, indicating the spot next to him. I silently take a seat, but once I set down my tray before me, he pulls me closer.

"If you don't want to be miserable, it would be best for you not to argue with Lucien," he says. "I'm sure you know that."

"I don't care," I say stubbornly. "I'm not going to let him think the wrong things about me." Dante doesn't respond. "I know you think as much too," I continue. "But it's different than insisting on it."

He just sighs and shrugs. "If you insist on making your time here that much more difficult, I'm not going to stop you."

I turn to look at him. "You don't think I can change his mind?"

He watches me back. "Perhaps. But without getting hurt in the process? I don't think so."

"Hmm." I turn back to my food. "Well-" I pause a moment.

"Hmm?"

"I'm not afraid of pain."

Dante doesn't say anything back, and just lets me finish my food in silence.

Getting something into my stomach does improve my mood, though, and I lean back with a satisfied sigh when I finish.

"Shall we?" asks Dante, standing and holding out his hand. "I believe it's time for my dinner, as well." He gives me an indulgent smile.

But once we're in his room, he moves behind me and grips my shoulders a little more tightly than usual. "Forgive me," he murmurs into my ear. "Normally I would suggest we relax with a game first, but I really can't wait any longer." Not even a second after he finishes speaking does he bite.

I don't even have to worry about my legs giving out; he scoops me up and settles into his chair. He slips one hand under my knees, and pulls me closer so that my knees are drawn to my chest. I feel tiny on his lap. I'm a little confused, but I don't pay it any mind until I hear a soft click from my ankles.

"Hey!" I reach for his hand and try to snatch the key away, but he restrains my wrist and digs in deeper. "I haven't done anything!" I complain. He just chuckles as he tucks the key away again.

After what feels like ages, he finally finishes. He stands, lays me on the bed and then immediately starts undressing. I turn my face away in a hurry. "Please tell me you're going to wear something to bed."

Dante chuckles. "Not generally, no. But I will tonight. Lucien told me about how stiff you were in the bath, and I'd rather not have a statue in my bed all night."

I sigh with relief, then remember what I'm wearing. Unlike my simple thrall dress, this maid getup is not going to be comfortable to sleep in. "Um, Dante?" 

He looks over. "Hmm?"

"Can you unlock me so I can go get my dress? I'll be right back."

"You just need something to sleep in, right?" he asks. "Just use this." He tosses me a thin white undergarment. "It's massive," I say doubtfully. It's obviously one of his, and besides being abnormally tall, his shoulders are broad as well. There's no way I can feel comfortable wearing this.

"You haven't had a chance to wash that dress anyway," he replies. Ahh, I had completely forgotten.

I sigh in resignation. "Alright, just a moment." I slide to the edge of the bed, intending to hop my way into a different room in the mini suite to change. But when I stand, I wobble slightly, and Dante just scoops me up with one arm.

"You're not getting anywhere that way, he says, annoyed. 

"I have good balance," I argue.

"Right after a feeding?"

"Ah. I suppose that's true." He deposits me on a chair and I quickly change into the undergarment. It's almost big enough that I can wrap the securing strings around my waist instead of just tying them together, but it doesn't quite reach. Still, I'm loathe to call for help. I've just started considering using the maid apron when Dante returns. 

"What's wrong? Surely you can put on a simple zhong yi."

"It's not that," I reply. "I'm just trying to secure the opening."

"Hmm." But instead of just bringing me a sash, he picks me up yet again.

"You wouldn't have to do this if you would just unlock me," I huff.

Dante just shrugs in response. "It's not really a problem. I like being in control," he adds with a little grin.

"Yeah, I could tell that much," I grumble, and he sets me on the floor while he looks for a suitable sash in his wardrobe.

The sash he chooses is a lovely smooth silk. I reach out to feel it with awe. It slips through my hands like water. "It's beautiful," I breathe. But when I try to take it, he holds it away from me.

"Let me. You'll tie it wrong."

That makes sense. That fabric seems like it would crinkle terribly if you weren't careful. "But then why did you choose it?"

His answer is simple. "It's soft." That's fair, I suppose.

He spends what feels like far too long just to tie a knot wrapping it around me, but it does feel secure when he's done.

Before I even have the chance to hobble back to the bed, he wraps his arms around me and climbs in.

"Are you really sure that you don't mind having to carry me everywhere?" I ask doubtfully.

He chuckles as he pulls me closer. "You really don't understand, do you? I prefer it this way. If it were only me, I would have never unlocked you in the first place." Then he sighs. "It's too bad your wrists are free, though…"

I really don't like his tone. It sounds less like wishing and more like planning. "I've already got half my locks back on," I grumble. "Don't make it worse."

I can hear the smile in his voice as he responds. "No promises."

I'm kept awake a little while by thoughts of how I'm going to survive the next day, but sleep finally claims me.

I wake up slowly, to the pleasant feeling of something stroking my side. It's gentle, and slow. But as I come back to reality, I realize it's on my bare skin. I jerk away, but Dante's strong arms pull me back in. As I thought, the undergarment is totally open, and I try to pull the panels back together. But Dante's arms are still wrapped around my bare stomach. Thank god I kept my bra on.

"Dante-" I begin, but lose my voice when he starts stroking my stomach instead.

"What's the matter?" he murmurs. "You didn't mind before."

"I wasn't awake before!" I cry, struggling to break free. I should have known that he chose that slippery sash for a reason.

"Play nice and I'll unlock your ankles."

Not good enough. I keep struggling, even though his arms are like iron bars. I hate how unfairly strong vampires are.

"If you don't, I won't unlock your ankles ever again." His voice is calm, but I know he's not bluffing.

Though resentful, I finally hold still. "Fine, but if your hands wander, I'll burn every part of you that's touching me."

"I wouldn't expect any less," he chuckles.

Despite myself, his hands are soothing. He's not moving them suggestively at all, just petting my back like I were a cat. Maybe he has a pet at home he misses, I think wryly. And I find myself drifting back into sleep...