Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I don't own True Blood.

I wanted to move my True Blood fanfiction from fanfiction.net to AO3 finally :) I hope you like it.

I swear this GIF from The Interview explains Godric and Sarah's entire relationship 😂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iF7lkXKHlA

.Goëtia. | Peter Gundry |

SARAH

Dirt-stained fingers delved further into the warm earth, as cicadas and crickets provided a rhythmic backdrop. Fireflies danced through the humid air of a Louisiana night. Pale brown eyes were fixed on the ground before her kneeling form, disregarding the late hour.

Sarah withdrew her hands from the soil and wiped her brow with her dirty arm, disregarding the dirt that now adorned her, following excavating a substantial hole within the glass greenhouse that provided her shelter. She turned her body to the right to retrieve the sunflower seeds and red, raw meat positioned next to her.

The young woman delicately inserted the multiple seeds into the soil, like a lover's touch, before positioning the raw meat over them. The witch smiled and cracked the final chicken egg, warmed by a Louisiana spring night, over the seeds and meat before dropping the shells into the hole, producing the ultimate fertilizer for nature.

Sarah delicately hid the sunflower seeds under fresh soil, clenched her dirt-stained hands firmly, and lowered her head, murmuring to her patron god, Dionysus, for a prosperous harvest. After Sarah concluded her prayer, she ran her soiled fingers through her long, wavy hair.

Standing, she gracefully arranged her long hair over her left shoulder to shield her neck from the oppressive heat of the tropical atmosphere and the burden of her thick hair, exhaling a sigh from her parched lips. The witch pivoted to face the unstable wooden table positioned beside the grapevine-adorned glass greenhouse, which contained an assortment of small bottles filled with herbs and liquids.

She positioned herself beside her apothecary, illuminated by the golden fairy lights that glimmered above her from the rafters where they were suspended.

Sarah took a deep breath, extending her pale arms above and relishing a prolonged, gratifying stretch. Her shoulder adjusted perfectly, eliciting a sharp intake of breath that mingled pleasure with discomfort.

She wrinkled her nose at her odor as dirt and perspiration clung to her body; the witch shrugged, intending to wash later. There was no reason to not enjoy nature and the gifts that Dionysus bestowed upon his children.

Her lips tightened as she recalled the soul magic she had performed a few nights before. She prayed Dionysus would reveal her partner. However, the only response to her magick was an absence of sound.

The fault did not lie with the god of madness, of course; she suspected it had something to do with her tendency to complicate even the simplest of spells.

"C'est la vie."

She sighed while picking up a little clay pot she made to hold mugwort for lucid dreaming.

The Cajun witch always considered herself an artist, shaping and crafting from the earth. She lived in a modest manner inside the swamps and dense woodlands on the periphery of Houma, earning income from her inventions and magic.

The inhabitants remained superstitious despite being in a city abundant with tourist attractions, beignets, daiquiris, and tales of dubious Louisiana cryptids, such as the formidable Rougarou, which her Nemae (Ne-maw) would invoke to instill discipline.

Oh, how she missed her grandparents. The only ones who placed their trust and confidence in her.

Transporting the clay pot through the greenhouse's opened door, along the pebbled pathway that guided her to her back porch, which served as the primary entrance to her warm, inviting stilt home, given that the front yard was essentially a swamp populated by alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles.

The Cajun witch approached her favored live oak, draped in Spanish moss and adorned with protective charms against misfortune and malevolent energy. The clay pot slipped from her trembling hands, shattering on the walkway with a loud crash as she beheld a shadowy figure illuminated by the moon's bright glow.

It had only now dawned on Sarah that the cicadas had halted their song. The surroundings were silent, well aware of the predator situated only feet away, with even the wind abstaining from producing any sound. Only a splash from an animal leaping into the water nearby made noise.

Rougarou!

The Cajun witch promptly dismissed the frivolous notion of the urban legend from her thoughts and blinked, only to see the figure disappear. The fine hairs on her neck and arms bristled. Sarah sensed eyes on her, monitoring her movements.

She was being hunted! Oh shit! Dionysus, grant me strength.

In that critical moment, she made the most logical decision: she ran. Her pulse raced in synchrony with the sound of her footsteps on the gravel walk as she sprinted towards her sanctuary. Ran towards the sliding door that provided access to her residence. The sliding door positioned just above sixteen steps...son of a b—

A scream escaped her throat as a hand seized the back of her shirt collar, while another hand gripped her upper arm firmly. Given how roughly her assailant handled her, she would undoubtedly have bruises after this.

Sarah was spun around so swiftly that nausea surged in her throat; she staggered in the iron grasp of her captor until the world ceased its rotation, only to confront dilated pupils with a thin band of mercury blue and pointed ivory fangs stained with blood.

The witch sensed the impending scream rise within her throat, only to be silenced by bloodied lips, a cool tongue meeting hers with urgency, as if driven by an insatiable desire to consume her entirely. She felt a sense of apprehension as the vampire pressed his cool, naked body entirely against hers.

He withdrew from her swollen lips only when tears built in her eyes. Perplexed mercury-blue spheres observed her cascading tears before emitting a hissing sound that conveyed displeasure and worry.

He embraced her, sliding his hands over her back in a gesture of solace, murmuring incomprehensible things. His voice, accented, was smooth and velvety as he spoke the unfamiliar tongue.

Amidst the witch's tear-filled gaze, a peculiar tattoo became discernible along his collarbone. She remained taut against the body of the vampire as he sniffed her, a low purr resonating from deep within him.

What the hells!

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

SARAH

Sarah emerged from the washroom, her hair still damp and clad in fresh clothes. Her body was still trembling from her narrow escape from the vampire.

She pondered whether he had departed as she moved down the dim hallway, peeking her head around the corner into her dark kitchen to glance at the sliding glass doors that led to her yard, a peculiar emotion surging within her, tightening around her heart and pulling her closer to her porch.

In the absence of the luminous moon, she would not have noticed the pale figure huddled on the other side of the glass. With him facing away from her, she could follow the long, swaying tattoo that extended from his neck down the curve of his muscular back with her gaze, offering a perfect view of his porcelain butt as well.

The witch felt a rush of heat, irritation coursing through her as she spotted the vampire perched like a gargoyle on her porch. She edged closer, stealthily positioning herself in front of the glass door.

Brown eyes saw an irregularity on his right shoulder, its form distorted. She extended her hand to activate the porch light, only to recall that it was broken.

Now I need the damn light.

Sarah became immobilized as the vampire pivoted, still crouching, and fixed his glinting, impossibly black eyes onto her, with dried blood still adorning his pale skin. "You need to leave."

He has more tattoos.

He smiled, revealing blunt and charmingly crooked teeth, before lifting his hand to his ear and presenting her with the most innocent expression conceivable for a vampire.

Sarah unlocked the glass door and slid it open with intensity. "Do not toy with me, vampire! I am fully aware of your heightened senses."

Her courage abandoned her as the vampire rose to his feet, towering just two inches above her. The ground was level from the porch to the house, and she tried to avoid glancing at the bounty between his legs.

"Scents of sunshine and apricots,"

His fangs emerged with a sharp click, prompting her to flinch. "Sex as well." Dark eyes descended before focusing on the front of her cotton shorts. Sarah's jaw fell slack, her cheeks flushing a vivid crimson.

She stuttered and glanced down before snapping her wide eyes back up, prompting a dark chuckle from him. "I am Godric," he declared, fully aware of where her gaze had lingered. "May I inquire your name, little one?"

"Sarah," she exhaled involuntarily before regaining her composure. "Now leave!"

"Not without you, my Sarah. My little mate." A deep sigh emanated from his slightly parted lips.

Mate...MATE!

Sarah growled, flinging her hands up dramatically.

"How dare you! First, you assault me, attempt to murder me! —And then you have the audacity to toy with me! What a liar you are! When morning breaks, fling yourself into the sun!"

With a forceful motion, she slammed the glass sliding door shut and pivoted to march away, muttering curses at the vampire under her breath, only to halt abruptly at the sound of a collision and the shattering of glass. Sarah turned, her vision tinted crimson, fixating on the shattered sliding door.

The humid air of Louisiana enveloped her as black eyes fixed on her with intense fury, Godric returning his arms to his sides. "I would never harm you!" He hissed, his body as rigid as stone.

"You ignorant slut!" She cried, disregarding his response, and unraveling the final vestige of her composure at the sight of the now meaningless frame that lay between them. Only her labored breaths echoed in the silence before the vampire erupted into laughter at her taunt.

"Throughout my long existence, I've been referred to by several titles, dear girl. But never that,"

Still amused, he directed his intense gaze back to her. "Your golden bronze eyes and lashing tongue are as cruel as the sun, I yearn for them fully."

She turned and marched away, disregarding his purr and the peculiar, intoxicating sexual tension escalating between them. With each step she took away from him, a deep ache settled in her body, and her mouth was left with a bitter taste of ash. What was happening to her?

"Sarah! What happened to your door?"

The witch's brown eyes abruptly opened, dispelling her drowsiness as she discovered herself on the couch, ensconced in a thin blanket. A woman with forest green eyes and straight, copper hair stood in her kitchen, gazing at her while indicating the shattered glass on the floor.

Memories flooded her from the previous night, mercury eyes...no, dark eyes. White ivory fangs. An attractive, lethal young man. No... vampire, she sat up. " Rowen!" She inhaled sharply, terrified for her best friend's safety. Sarah stood, allowing the blanket to fall to the floor just as the other witch enveloped her in an embrace.

"What's the matter, Sa?"

The daylight permeated the house, prompting her to exhale in relief. "Did you have a nightmare?" Rowan inquired as Sarah shooed her away. "No!...no, last night. A vampire attacked me."

I fell asleep! No way!

"What—did it hurt you?"

"In addition to physically attacking me and leaving bruises, no. I managed to get away using my magick."

Sarah playfully wiggled her fingers in Rowen's astonished face before rolling up the sleeve of her shirt. Delicate hands grasped her arm. "That looks bad."

"Is it?"

Brown eyes followed green to observe her arm, where a yellow and black bruised handprint had imprinted on her skin.

"Damn vampire," Rowen spat, her emerald eyes narrowing with intensity. "So, what did you do to attract him?"

"Oh, you're blaming the victim now?" Sarah pulled her arm back sharply before striding into the kitchen. "Certainly not!" Rowen trailed a few steps behind as Sarah retrieved a cup from one of the numerous kitchen cabinets.

"Vampires are not attracted to witches, Sa. Our scents are too spicy to tempt them."

Sarah activated her coffee pot and turned around. "He appeared to appreciate my scent just fine, even after I blasted him with my magick."

The witch glanced at her cell phone on the counter, discovering it lifeless. She plugged it into the charger beside the roasting coffee and then turned to her friend, who looked back at her as if she had sprouted a second head.

Leaning against the island counter, Rowen said, "You certainly did something to catch his attention. Come now, share all that you have been up to."

Sarah sighed as she retrieved the cream and honey from her refrigerator. "I'm not sure what you are expecting me to say—I've planted seeds for the spring and summer, acquired more raw crystals online, experimented with my tarot cards, and ate junk food,"

Sarah poured her coffee, then opened the mason jar and dipped a teaspoon into the chilled honey. "I attempted the soul spell from the grimoire you lent me from your coven, which I must clarify, I will not be joining!"

"What in hell were you thinking, Sa?" Rowan let out a piercing scream, startling the Cajun witch, who was pouring heavy cream into her cup.

"Calm down, jeez..." Sarah let out a sharp hiss as the small carton slipped from her grasp, tumbling to the kitchen floor. With a displeased expression directed at the other witch, she reached for the paper towels on the island and bent down to tidy up the mess.

"Did you even think of the repercussions from that spell?"

"It was the most straightforward spell I had ever encountered. I didn't even have to try."

Sarah responded while rising to her feet, grasping the empty carton and soiled paper towels in her hands.

"I'm taking the grimoire—did you believe nothing could go wrong? What would have occurred if you inadvertently caused the death of your soulmate or if they were already dead? What if you extracted your soul from your body or deteriorated due to the absence of your soulmate, who had yet to exist?"

Washing her hands after throwing the trash away in the bin, she laughed at Rowen's panic.

"Rowan, nothing happened. I'm fine."

"You've never shown interest in anyone, regardless. You haven't had a boyfriend in the seven years that we've known one another, and I cannot even get you to attend a single full moon gathering with my coven! You're a loner and—"

"Alright! Damn, Rowen! Maybe I just enjoy the thought of being in love. I don't know. Shit."

Sarah snapped, stirring honey into her coffee. Help me Dionysus from the pains of a know-it-all friend.

Rowen exhaled deeply, gazing at the counter. Her brows knitted together before her green eyes gazed back at Sarah. "Do you think—" Rowan paused, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Don't say it."

"Sa..."

"Absolutely not." She took a sip of her coffee before shaking her head in denial.

Not without you, my Sarah. My little mate.

As she mentally conjured the sound of his smooth accented voice, the dark-haired witch placed her coffee cup onto the counter before she pressed her fingers to the sides of her forehead, attempting to alleviate the throbbing pain of the impending headache and the sharp discomfort in her chest.

"I intended to invite you to the meeting this evening," Rowan's airy voice spoke gently. "But it appears you have bigger problems."

Sarah turned to meet Rowen's gaze, and the green-eyed witch smiled nervously before clapping her hands together.

"You could always drown yourself in garlic. Although they may not be harmed, they detest the smell."

Sarah's nose wrinkled in revulsion. "I would prefer to leap from the old state capitol building."

Rowan emitted a fractured laugh. "Wishing you the best in that old, rickety elevator."

Sarah shuddered at the thought of that tall building and the faulty elevator situated in Baton Rouge.

"Before I leave, I can repair the glass for you," Rowan murmured to the Cajun witch. "I'll need that book back, too."

Sarah exhaled and nodded, walking around the corner, down the shadowed hallway, and into her room. She picked up the book of shadows and returned to her kitchen, her brown eyes observing as the glass seamlessly reformed, Rowan, gesturing with her hand and whispering incantations softly. With her door restored to its original state, she smiled gratefully at Rowen, who grabbed the book and kissed her.

"Rowen," Sarah called as her friend slid the door open. "You shouldn't attend the meeting tonight," Confusion manifested on her friend's fair face as she turned to regard Sarah. "He could use you as bait to draw me out of the house. He'll know your scent if he returns."

Rowan's face lost color, but she smiled to conceal her fear and nodded in understanding.

"Wishing you the best, Sa. We can meet at the gym later, and you can share all the details about your vampire."

Damn it, he's not my vampire!

She gave a playful wink and gracefully skipped out the door. Sarah rested her back against her kitchen counter. She could not merely presume he was her soulmate, her destined partner, as Rowen did; she required evidence. The witch propelled herself away from the counter and proceeded directly to her room.

I'll damn sure find out.

Chapter Text

SARAH

Brambles tugged at her bare legs as she staggered through the dense forest, a curse escaping her lips. Sarah swore again, freeing her lightly bleeding leg from the shrub and continuing along the spell's glowing golden thread.

Energy vibrated in the air, sending subtle currents of electricity coursing over her damp skin. She raised her arm to wipe the perspiration from her forehead and exhaled heavily, her heart aching as she stood before the disturbed earth resembling a grave.

Brown eyes traced the golden thread descending into the ground as comprehension seized her. The witch let out a laugh, her hand grasping the string and tugging at it in defiance. Yet it remained steadfast, connected to the vampire buried beneath the earth, shielded from the sun's rays.

He's mine.

Sarah shook her head as she crouched beside his resting place. She caressed the side of her head with her fingers. Even though Godric was her soulmate, it did not imply she would rush into his embrace.

Rowen was correct in her assumption, however...

The Cajun chuckled softly while perched on the balls of her heels.

I desire a love akin to that of Dionysus and Ariadne. I want to be seen...

Eyes directed skyward towards the sun, condemning it as it descended. The night was approaching, and the connection spell had already left her feeling weary. Sarah closed her eyes and let the magic dissipate; it flickered and extinguished, fading into nothingness.

Rising to her feet, she turned and proceeded back to the sanctuary of her home before night ascended.

I need a drink.

Long after the golden sun had descended and night awakened with nocturnal life, Sarah was already halfway through a bottle of her sacred wine.

She hummed, retracting her lips from the bottle as the sugary liquid cascaded down her chin. She chuckled softly, wiping it away with her hand while leaning partially against the frame of her open sliding doors, seated in her dimly lit kitchen. The Louisiana heat flooded the cool interior.

"You've reached your limit."

Her soulmate's mellifluous voice emanated from beyond the barrier he could not breach. She recoiled and yelped, collapsing onto her side in the dim kitchen, before raising her wine glass and laughing at the minor fright.

"I didn't hear you approach. You're sneaky." The witch mumbled, her voice a melodic hum as her gaze danced erratically, swaying under the influence of the potent wine.

"What's the occasion for your celebration?"

His voice enveloped her, inducing a pleasurable shiver. Sarah repositioned herself, leaning against the frame, nearly within his grasp.

"I'm commemorating my affection for Dionysus and his bestowal of my exceedingly irksome soulmate." She responded curtly before turning to observe the vampire seated on her porch with his legs folded beneath him.

"Do you accept me then?"

She disregarded his question, examining his clean features; there was no trace of blood. His short hair appeared damp, and she felt a strong desire to run her fingers through it. Her gaze moved down his neck, taking in the tribal necklace tattoo, and continued over his bare chest and stomach.

She mentally scolded herself as she noticed the gray cargo pants he wore, finding his belly button undeniably cute.

"Where did you find clothes?" She inquired, clearly irritated that he was concealed, to begin with. Godric wore a smirk. "In a yard, suspended from a line."

"You stole laundry."

Sarah took another sip of wine, diverting her gaze from him to the shadows of her dark kitchen.

"Did you also utilize their water hose to wash away the innocent lives that were likely lost?"

Fury surged within her at the sound of his sinister laugh. "I took advantage of the ocean, I dislike swamps."

She twisted her head, her brown eyes glaring at him. "I don't want you! I never asked for you." That was a lie. She asked for someone.

Her throat constricted involuntarily, and a headache began to manifest in response to her aggression towards her counterpart.

Does he smell like the ocean, I wonder? Her conscience sighed with betrayal.

"Despite knowing we are fated, you continue to be difficult," he stood. "If a game is what you seek, my love, then who am I to decline?"

Sarah recoiled at his ominous tone before succumbing to the oppressive heat outside, exhaling sharply as she removed her t-shirt, revealing a black spaghetti strap top beneath.

"It's exceedingly hot."

"I've hurt you."

The witch glanced at her soulmate with perplexity, observing his dark eyes fixated on her bruised arm as she tossed her shirt towards the living room.

She dismissed it, stating, "It's not a big deal."

"I'll heal you," his voice beckoned, captivating her body and mind to comply. "Come to me, Sarah. Let us put an end to this petty feud."

Brown eyes observed Godric lift his arm, the limb extending to offer his palm, and in reaction, she hurled the nearly empty wine bottle at him, irritated by his effortless dodge as it flew past his head and into the shadowy yard below.

"I detected your scent upon my awakening tonight; I could perceive the aroma of your blood from the path you traversed to approach me. You found me but then you left," Godric spoke as he settled down, crossing his legs beneath him once more. "The scent of the woman who visited during the day lingers in the air."

"If you lay a finger on her, I will end you!" Sarah made a promise, utilizing the wall for support as she stood.

Dark eyes stayed fixed on her, "Surrender, little one, and I will spare your friend."

"Never."

Dark eyes narrowed in the moonlight, his lips tightened, yet his fangs remained sheathed. She recoiled from the door as Godric crashed against the barrier.

"Either way, you will submit. If this means destroying everything around you, so be it. You will abandon the security of your home, Sarah."

The ominous promise enveloped her, and the witch blinked to discover the vampire absent from her porch.

Did he leave?

Her eyes swept across the yard in search of the vampire once more; he stood before the glass greenhouse, his back turned to her.

What the hell is he doing?

The glass fragmented and the metal screeched as she observed the vampire tear the door from its hinges.

"Stop breaking my shit!"

She cried out to her soulmate as he unleashed devastation upon her greenhouse. He was throwing a fit like a child. She raised her hands in exasperation as the fairy lights extinguished and the foundation crumbled. Everything was gone! Buried beneath the rubble. Every ounce of her dedication, every dollar she meticulously saved to construct the greenhouse.

Her apothecary was gone!  Nononononono!

Sarah squatted, pressing her face into the palms of her hands, her long hair shielding her from the world. The sound of footsteps ascending the stairs prompted her to lift her head. Godric, showing no effort to be discreet, expelled metal from his mouth, allowing it to drop onto the porch.

"The more you fight me, the worse it'll be." A purr emanated from his lips.

The witch rose to her feet, stating, "Proceed as you wish; I don't care."

Sarah observed and listened throughout the night as the sound of her car was crushed like a soda can before the vampire proceeded to dismantle the shed deeper within the trees that contained all of her tools, clay, and paint.

And as she teetered on the edge of despair, ready to flee into the night to stop him, overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, Godric was suddenly there, in front of her, waiting for her to take the impulsive step of leaving the security of her home behind. His arms reached out to her with the sinister allure of a desperate, seductive embrace, yet she firmly shook her head and retreated, eliciting a guttural snarl from him.

The witch experienced a surge of anger accompanied by a numbing sensation; one certainty remained: she despised him.

Chapter Text

SARAH

"Greetings of the morning!"

Rowen's piercing voice assaulted her eardrums. Sarah grimaced in discomfort, distancing her cell phone from her ear.

"How was your vampire experience last night?"

Sarah sat up in her warm bed, bringing the cell phone closer but not entirely against her ear, while pushing aside her pile of blankets. "Godric?" She inquired, allowing the blankets to cascade off her legs and partially onto the floor.

"Godric. He has an old name. Have you two reconciled? Did he sweep you into his arms, or did you sweep him into yours? I bet the sex was amazing," Rowen sang, her enthusiasm crossing the line.

"Be quiet, Rowen, and pay attention; you cannot definitively claim he's my soulmate."

"Ah ah ah, Sarah. It's impolite to deceive your closest friend. If my understanding of you is accurate, likely, you've already confirmed this, and had he not been your soulmate, I would have already heard from you."

As the sound of her friend's cackling filled her ear, the witch let out a groan and stood up. "So, how was he? I've heard that bedding a vampire has its perks, praise Aphrodite."

"We did not have sex," Sarah hissed, striding through her hallway and into her bathroom. "He ruined everything! My greenhouse! My car! My shed and all my ongoing projects. I'm going to have a mountain of bills I cannot pay."

Sarah vented her frustrations while walking back and forth in the small white bathroom. "I'm so sorry, that blows," The voice of Rowen sighed. "What are you planning to do?"

"First, I'll take a hot shower and brush my teeth. After, I plan to call my insurance to explore what options they have for me."

"They'll not cover a vampire wreaking havoc on your possessions, Sa."

"That's why I have to lie, Rowen. I'll figure it out." Sarah brushed her fingers through her tangled hair while standing in front of the sink.

"I'll come get you in an hour so we can go grab coffee with Natalie."

"That sounds like a plan." Sarah relented.

"Ciao."

As Rowen arrived in her driveway, Sarah was securing her home and ending her conversation with the insurance company. "Sweet Goddess!" Rowen's voice rang out as she leaped from her vehicle, leaving the car door ajar.

Sarah turned and walked down the steps while her friend stared in disbelief at the remnants of her vehicle, then shifted focus to the greenhouse and shed. "I'm fucking ruined." Sarah declared, halting in front of Rowen.

"What did they say?"

"I lied and told them I was with you last night and that I came home to this," Sarah said, gesturing toward the devastation. "They're coming out tomorrow morning. I just hope they believe me."

Rowen nodded in comprehension as they entered the air-conditioned car, escaping the warmth of the afternoon sun. "Natalie's waiting for us at the whistle stop."

The ground trembled as the train passed behind them, adjacent to the small parking lot of the Whistle Stop. The aroma of coffee permeated the air as the witches ascended the stairs and passed through the open doors.

Eyes swept across the dim room, landing on baristas and customers before finally resting on the head of platinum blond hair belonging to a young woman in the corner, engrossed in her laptop.

"Natalie." Rowen approached the woman, who regarded them with dark gray eyes over the laptop. Rowen skipped over, full of enthusiasm, and gave the woman an awkward hug from her seated position.

"Hey guys."

Natalie acknowledged as her gray eyes returned to her laptop screen. Rowen scoffed before taking a seat across from the technophile, who was still typing away.

"It feels like it is been forever since we last spent time together, and yet here you are, just focused on your computer."

Sarah positioned herself beside Rowen, opposite Natalie, as the girl with grey eyes regarded Rowen with an impassive expression. "I have a deep appreciation for technology, hippie."

Sarah smiled at the minor disagreement that arose among her friends. Natalie differed greatly from her and Rowen. She was indifferent to the sun and nature; her hobbies and interests revolved around technology and the Christian faith, stemming from her upbringing in a Christian family that harbored intense animosity towards her and Rowen.

"Sarah met her soulmate!" The enthusiastic squeal snapped Sarah back to reality, prompting her to glare at Rowan, who remained oblivious to the attention directed at her.

"Soulmate? Do you honestly believe that?" Natalie scoffed at the idea, "There's no such thing."

"How can one have faith in Yahweh yet dismiss the concepts of soulmates and magic?"

Rowen inquired of the blonde woman, who had finally shut her laptop, redirecting her focus to the witches seated before her.

"Only God possesses magical powers, Rowen. I don't care what you practice or who you worship, but this talk about magic needs to come to an end!"

"I can prove it!" Rowen spoke, prompting the Christian girl to wave her hands back and forth in refusal.

"No, I would rather you didn't!"

"Why are you panicking if you don't believe in magic?"
Sarah inquired of Natalie as a barista approached them; the cajun witch turned to face the employee.

"May I have an iced latte with cream and honey?"

"Sure. What can I get for you two?" The barista inquired with a touch of Southern charm, but her words fell on deaf ears as the two friends continued to glare at each other.

I didn't come here for a petty fight.

Once the tension faded, the three walked and chatted along the sidewalks of Houma, each with their to-go cups of coffee in hand.

"A vampire!" Natalie turned to stare at the witches, her free hand instinctively grasping the strap of her bag to prevent her laptop from tumbling to the ground.

"That's bad! Sarah, you're in dange—"

"He's her soulmate!" Rowen interrupted, prompting an eye roll of disbelief from Natalie, "Soulmates don't exist!"

Sarah glanced at the time on her phone, tuning out the squabbling of the women. 7:21 PM.

"I need to get home, It'll be dark soon." Her gaze shifted back to her friends; Rowen raised her eyebrows in a teasing manner, while Natalie grew pale, glancing at the Cajun witch with a sense of unease.

"You'll be safer with me," Natalie stated, "You can come over, my parents—"

"Hate me." Sarah completed Natalie's sentence, "I'll be fine. I would prefer if you both kept your distance from me...until he leaves."

As soon as Sarah entered her house, the sound of Rowen pulling away in her car, the cajun witch moved in the direction of her room, placing the empty cup on her kitchen island as she passed.

Slipping her boots off and falling on her bed, she pulled her covers over herself and buried deep within her mattress. Her mind floated to the discussion she had with Rowen in the car.

"You think he'll show up tonight?

"Godric shows up every night. He's persistent, I'll give him that."

"You called him Godric, how sweet."

"That's his name, don't tease me. He's an ass."

"Oh Sa, you could control him if you wanted."

"No, I cannot. The bastard's a vampire, he's stronger than me."

"That's not what I meant...you are his mate and you hold all the power even if you don't realize it yet...I think I'm going to try the spell. I want what you have."

"Oh, you want a cocky bitch who destroys everything around him because he doesn't get his way."

"No, I want love. Sarah, the more you fight against the bond, the more it will hurt. Did you read the side effects of the soulspell?"

"What side effects?"

"It was in the small print..."

"That was tiny cursive! I couldn't read that shit; it was all jumbled together!"

"If you don't complete the bond, you'll both get sick!"

The witch softly hummed beneath her covers, dismissing Rowen's caution. Despite the ache deep inside her heart, she felt fine. She retrieved her cell phone from her jean pocket, realizing she had forgotten to plug it into the charger, and checked the time. 8:32 PM

The night had arrived, and the witch endeavored to soothe the rapid thumping of her heart while she absorbed the stillness enveloping her. She turned, setting her phone down on the bedside table as soft footsteps echoed outside her bedroom windows, on the porch that encircled the front of her home, overlooking the swamp. Sarah turned to gaze at her windows obscured by black curtains and blinds designed to block the intense sunlight.

The witch adored the sun; however, she disliked its blinding rays in the mornings. A tapping sound against her window drew her attention, and she clenched her teeth behind her lips as his muffled voice resonated through the thin walls.

"You are upset; I apologize...Come to me, please, and I'll replace what I destroyed."

Sarah shut her eyes tightly and pulled the blankets over her head, seeking to shut him out completely. Despite his desperate pleas and heartfelt apologies, she turned a deaf ear to him, succumbing to a restless slumber.

Chapter Text

SARAH

Days flew by while nights dragged on, her deceptions seemingly effective against the insurance company, which assured they would reach out soon. Sarah sought solace in her crystals and tarot cards while predominantly secluding herself in her room, avoiding her soulmate.

The excruciating pain from the bond awakened her that night, eliciting an involuntary scream as she writhed in agony on her bed, which was met by a corresponding scream from outside, instilling a profound fear within her heart. Godric!

She tumbled off her mattress, collapsing onto the floor as internal pain surged through her. A spectral hand constricted her heart, making respiration painful. She was unable to breathe.

With her limited strength, the witch ascended to her feet on unsteady legs, faltering twice as she traversed the archway of her room into the dim hallway. Upon reaching her living room, she leaned against the seldom-used front door and unlocked it.

She hastily yanked it open and stepped onto the wooden porch overlooking the dark swamp. Sarah turned and swiftly identified the vampire, positioned in a fetal posture on his side further along the walkway, adjacent to her bedroom windows, with his back toward her.

Sarah faltered as she approached Godric, kneeling upon reaching him and placing her palm against his tattooed bicep. The witch exhaled as the pain diminished, then collapsed against his trembling form.

Frustration elicited tears in her eyes and caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach due to her proximity to her soulmate. She leaned forward, observing his fair features. Frustration engulfed her at the sight of his closed eyes and bloodied tears. The witch extended her hand to grasp his dark hair, forcibly pulling his head into a clearer position, eliciting a grunt from his annoyingly flawless mouth, before she ran her fingers through the soft strands with regret.

"Looks like we're stuck together." She murmured as mercury-like eyes emerged from beneath pale eyelids. A gentle laugh escaped his breathless lips as he leaned into her caress. "I never requested a vampire to be my soulmate," she hissed. "However, I suppose you'll do."

She petted him gently one last time before withdrawing. As the witch endeavored to rise and depart, she was forcibly pulled back into strong arms, the trembling vampire burying his face in the hollow of her neck. Sarah swallowed, a wave of fear washing over her as a hand reached to tangle in her dark mane. "Don't."

A soft hiss echoed beside her pulse. She exerted pressure on his shoulders, "I need to sleep! The pain's gone, get off me!"

"...and if it returns?" He posed a dark question as he began to sniff her.

"Come with me."

He extricated himself from her embrace, permitting her to rise, before he followed her movements with greater elegance. She entwined her fingers with his, urging him to walk alongside her. "Godric, you're welcome in my home."

The barrier collapsed, permitting the vampire entry into her residence. She shut the door with one hand before guiding him through her house and into her bedroom.

Sarah released his hand, seizing a heavy blanket and proceeding to obscure her windows further to prevent any sunlight from penetrating, all the while disregarding his gaze upon her.

Once the witch was pleased with her creation, she glanced at her soulmate, who remained by the archway leading into the hallway.

"Turn off the light," Sarah commanded, disregarding the amusement evident in his raised eyebrows. As darkness enveloped the room with the flick of the switch, she nestled back into her cozy bed, inviting, "Come lay down."

She reprimanded the vampire in the darkness, eliciting a chuckle from him before the bed dipped under his weight. He pressed against her, as she anticipated, and then wrapped his arms around her, his nose buried in her hair.

She expressed her gratitude to Dionysus that the vampire wore cargo pants before sliding one of her legs between his and resting against the cool, bare skin of his chest. Sarah held her breath as his fingers traced down her body, then smoothly glided back up and slipped beneath her shirt. She seized his arm and pulled his hand from beneath her shirt; he froze.

"Either keep your hands above my clothing or get out!"

The vampire stiffened before becoming slack against her, a fractured purr emanating from within him.

He's purring!

She pressed the side of her face against his chest, sighed, and closed her eyes, listening to the purr that rumbled through him and against her.

He smells nice.

Brown eyes fluttered open to reveal a shadowy room. For a brief moment, confusion lingered until she recalled the events of the previous night. Sarah adjusted her position to observe the vampire, coiled in a fetal posture, likely due to the apprehension of the sunlight just beyond the draped windows. If she so desired, she could end him now.

Don't hurt him!

The voice of her conscience cried out, her heart heavy with the thought. No...she could not survive without him; the connection would consume her. She carefully examined his silhouette as thoroughly as she was able in the dimly lit room. Godric remained motionless, akin to death. He didn't even breathe while resting.

He resembles a corpse!

A shiver coursed through her as she turned to wriggle free from his embrace. When his arms refused to move, fear gripped her throat. I'm stuck!

She twisted repeatedly after pulling her leg from between his and forcefully pushing against his chest.

What the fuck!

Sarah exhaled sharply, surrendering for a moment before mustering the strength to attempt once more. With a fierce push against his chest, she froze with surprise as a growl erupted from his throat, primal and intense. He quickly positioned himself above her, settling his weight into her lap, strong fingers curling around her wrists, holding her in place. A cry erupted from her mouth as fangs pierced her shirt, embedding themselves deeply into the flesh of her shoulder.

She was released immediately, the vampire looking down at her as a blend of realization and guilt flickered across his drowsy expression.

"What's the matter with you?" Sarah shouted, clutching her bleeding shoulder, climbing from under him before quickly rising to her feet, seizing her phone, and frantically tearing the charger away.

She pivoted to exit the dim room, halting as he positioned himself before her with his hands raised and fangs bared. "I failed to recognize you, Sarah—I sincerely apologize—" Godric stammered, anxiety contorting his handsome features.

"I don't care!" She cut him off, slipping beneath his arms and marching to the bathroom, forcefully shutting the door behind her.

As she turned on the light, she withdrew her blood-stained hand to examine the bite that her damned soulmate inflicted her with.

"Son of a bitch."

A wave of guilt washed over her regarding her handling of the situation. Being in his presence was causing her to act with unwarranted harshness. Although Godric sabotaged their relationship before it could fully develop, she still sensed his desperation subtly through their bond. The spell was effectively binding them together without them tying the knot, and time was working against them.

His emotions were beginning to surface, subtle yet undeniably present.

He could be as uncomfortable as you with this bond. Sarah braced herself as she applied the clean rag to her bleeding wound. She would open the door and express her regrets for her harshness towards him once the bleeding ceased.

She was completely to blame for this. If she had not attempted the spell, they would both still be free to make their own choices. Like her, he was a victim. Caught in a connection neither of them desired or anticipated. Well, he never asked for it. Puppets compelled to dance for the puppeteer. Godric did not intend to bite her; the witch was aware of that. She startled him awake, yet he restrained himself and allowed her to leave. The witch would resolve this before she became something unrecognizable.

He's not the monster—you are.

Chapter Text

SARAH

Sarah opened the bathroom door; the clock read 6:57 PM. She had slept all day. The witch let out a heavy sigh, filled with disappointment. Her sleeping habits were completely erratic. Clutching a clean, damp cloth firmly, she entered her room and activated the light. Her soulmate remained still, gazing at her with deep, expressive eyes.

She inhaled deeply, her confidence surging as she halted before him. The witch grasped his chin, tilting his head downward slightly, his astonished mercury eyes locking with hers.

She lifted the clean cloth and wiped away the dried tears that lingered on his face from the previous night when the agony of the bond nearly shattered them both. "I'm sorry." Sarah spoke quickly: "I'll find a way to fix this."

"Fix what?" He inquired softly. Her human ears scarcely heard his inquiry.

She shook her head, emitting a soft tsk as she wiped the blood from his face. A hand gently grasped her wrist as she attempted to withdraw. "Stay."

It was a gentle request, a persistent inquiry, and the witch pressed her lips together before once more shaking her head. "I can't; I have human responsibilities."

"Oh." With a gentle response, Godric loosened his hold, permitting her to escape the room, the bloodied cloth clutched in her hand. She traversed the dim corridor, entered the sunlit living room, proceeded to the kitchen, and directed herself towards the medicine cabinet. Sarah swiftly opened it, extracting a cotton swab and an empty vial.

The witch clenched the vial between her teeth while she vigorously swabbed the bloody rag with a cotton applicator, extracting as much blood as possible from the fabric. Feeling a sense of contentment, the Cajun woman skipped to the open door of her utility room, guiding the rag toward her open washing machine.

She threw it, scoring as it dropped into the machine. Sarah pulled the vial out from between her teeth with her free fingers, flipping it around, inspecting to make sure she would ingest no blood, then pulling off the cork with her blunt teeth. A sharp pop echoed as she carefully inserted the cotton swab into the glass vial. Sarah resealed it and relocated it to the freezer, concealing it behind frozen fruit on the door shelves to evade detection by the vampire's nose.

One ingredient down. She required several additional items and needed to reclaim the Book of Shadows, as the witch could not successfully perform the spell without it. Her memory was merely 'human.' She retrieved her phone from her bra, as her cotton shorts lacked pockets, to check the text message from Rowen.

'There's a Wiccan gathering taking place tomorrow evening if you would like to join...'

The message was sent last night.

The gathering was taking place tonight; this was her sole opportunity to reclaim...steal the book. Guilt lingered in the recesses of her mind before Sarah resolutely dismissed it. She had to take this step; it was her sole opportunity to liberate both Godric and herself from this imposed connection.

'I'll go with you.'

She swiftly messaged Rowen, all the while hoping for a quick reply. Today, fortune appeared to smile upon her as her brown eyes swiftly absorbed the prompt response from her friend.

'Really! I'll be there in an hour! So you and Godric good?'

'We're good. I'll eat and take a quick shower before you get here.'

'Ok!'  Heart Emoji

Sarah almost threw her phone across the island counter in eagerness for the heist before racing down the hallway to fetch clean clothes for her shower. Upon entering her room, she discovered her vampire perched on the edge of the bed, the illumination accentuating his fair features, as his mercury eyes scrutinized her tattered childhood diary.

The one adorned with pink hearts and dried flowers taped to the pages.

Sarah turned three shades of red before marching toward him, "Absolutely not!"

His mercury-colored eyes glinted as he stood, elevating the book above his head, a charmingly crooked grin revealing his blunt teeth while she leaped to seize the book.

"Give it back!" Sarah shouted, her unoccupied hand clutching his bare shoulder for stability as she persisted in leaping like a rabbit. He laughed heartily while his other arm encircled her waist, drawing her completely against him. She recoiled, surrendering as his gaze deepened with...desire?

The witch lifted her hands, "Very well," Sarah conceded; ultimately, it would be inconsequential if he read it, as they would soon be free from one another.

She pivoted, navigating around her bed, extending her hand to open the wooden drawer, retrieving denim shorts and a plain black t-shirt before accessing another drawer to obtain a clean bra and underwear, while the witch suppressed her laughter at the unfolding scheme.

The Cajun was likely bewildering her soulmate, and that was just fine. She was insane anyway.

She turned, clutching her clean clothes in her hands, to find her vampire still standing in the same spot, holding her diary high above his head, unmoving. The witch would perceive him as suspended in time were it not for his blink. Sarah covered her mouth, stifling her laughter, as she stumbled forward, exhilarated by the prospect of freedom. It had nothing to do with his adorable appearance!

The woman entered the bathroom, shutting the door without looking back. She bent down and turned the shower knob, the old pipes hissing as the water flowed. Sarah removed her shirt as the water warmed, then turned and screamed.

"Whatthefuck! Get! Out!"

She hissed at the vampire, who was mere inches from her. "Where are you going, little mate?" His eyes were shrouded in suspicion. Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, relieved that her bra remained in place.

"This isn't an appropriate moment to talk. Can I take a shower first?"

Godric's gaze descended her form before returning to her face. "After, we will talk."

She shooed him out, having no intention of talking to him at all. The witch would have to make a break for it, it looked like she wasn't eating after this.

After her prolonged shower, teeth brushing, deodorant application, and the styling of her long hair into a tight ponytail, the witch unlocked the bathroom door and swung it open to reveal Godric positioned across the hall, sheltered within the sanctuary of her room, shielded from the harsh sunlight, reclining in her computer chair beside her desk, nonchalantly attired in her oversized black sleeveless hoodie, originally designed for a male physique. The cargo pants required washing, marked by dirt stains like his bare feet. She would need to wash her bedsheets too.

I need to buy him clothes...

Mercury orbs shifted to look at her, his nostrils flaring and the tip of his crimson tongue brushing against his bottom lip, She blushed and nodded involuntarily, proceeding slowly in an attempt to deceive him, before abruptly turning and hastily retreating down the corridor with a resounding nope.

A crash emanated from her room as she arrived in the safety of the living room, the sunlight shielding the witch from her irate mate. "Sarah!" A roar echoed from the shadowy hallway, as brown eyes locked onto the dark, orb-like tunnels that glared at her from the door of the bedroom.

"I'll see you when night arrives, yea." She inserted her sock-clad feet, grateful for the clean pair left on the top of the dryer, into her boots.

"Be good, baby."

Sarah teased as Rowen hit the car horn from outside to attract the Cajun woman's attention. Godric's dark, angry eyes narrowed as she blew him a flirtatious kiss before skipping around the corner towards the kitchen, all the while internally screaming.

I'm so dead!

Chapter Text

SARAH

The Cajun woman swept the obstinate, shorter strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail away from her forehead, the humid air causing her hair to frizz and curl as she entered the vacant Wiccan church situated on the same property as the gathering, having also evaded the coven members, and Rowen.

Sarah anticipated having sufficient time to obtain the book before her absence was noted. Her stomach growled with hunger pains, which she compelled herself to disregard as her brown eyes surveyed the altar and pews before her.

She pivoted in the opposite direction, nearly exclaiming with delight at the array of bookshelves along the rear wall, filled with various colors and sizes of Wiccan literature. Sarah turned, softly shutting the door behind her before nearly skipping over to the nearest bookshelf. With eyes fixed, meticulously scanning the tomes and slender paperback volumes. Inhaling deeply to avoid an exaggerated response to the moon's ascent.

...why did she believe it was a good idea to provoke the damn vampire?

"Booooook! Come home or make thyself known!" She recited the quote from Hocus Pocus, a burst of laughter erupting from her before the witch leaned forward, shaking her head at her foolishness.

I love that movie!

This would require too much time, and she was quickly running out of it. Undoubtedly, Rowen would commence her search for her shortly. Determination illuminated her gaze as her fingers twitched before she elevated her right hand, gesturing towards the numerous shelves.

"Veni." The woman commanded in Latin, as magical energy coalesced around her, causing the dark shelves and books to tremble in reaction. Visually conjuring the book in her mind while nausea enveloped her. I should have eaten! Sarah observed as the heavy, brown book descended gracefully from the highest shelf, hovering gently into her outstretched hands.

She relinquished her hold on the magick energy, feeling faint from exertion on an empty stomach. She would need to consume food before attempting any further magick. The witch clutched the ancient tome to her chest, encircling it with her arms as acid surged in her throat.

Don't puke. Don't puke.

She recited silently, remaining motionless as the sickness subsided.

"Having fun, baby?"

Godric's malevolent hiss inquired from behind her. The witch trembled with trepidation and a hint of pleasure as his voice enveloped her, a warm liquid accumulating involuntarily within her abdomen. Damn bond!

She turned slowly to face her soulmate, extra saliva gathering in her closed mouth at the sight of him leaning against the church wall, next to the open door that led into the humid night.

Curse his sneaky vampire feet.

Fortunately, the hoodie and cargo pants remained on his figure. Sarah didn't need her mate flaunting himself in front of the coven or her best friend.

He belongs to you...

Sarah forcefully pushed away the strange voice that echoed from the deep recesses of her mind. Not for long!

The sleeveless, heavy fabric accentuated his muscular arms and tattoos, while the black hood obscured his face, dark eyes, and his lips formed a frown. Godric leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, appearing nonchalant. In reality, he was tense. Seething rage coursed through the delicate thread of their soulbond from him.

How remarkable was his sense of smell that he could track her here, miles away? How much did he see? Was he witness to her use of magick? Sarah hoped he didn't see shit as the dark-haired vampire uncrossed his arms and stepped away from the wall. "I respect your wild and untamed nature, little mate." He approached her, his dark eyes obscured, observing and pursuing her. Sarah retreated as he approached her confidently. The witch's back collided with a bookshelf as the vampire trapped the human with his physique. "However, I grow weary of your incessant testing!"

Godric growled, encroaching upon her, his clothed torso pressing against her arms and the book she grasped. Suddenly, he bent slightly and lifted her by the back of her bare knees; the witch squealed as he pressed his groin against hers, securing her legs in a firm grip at his hips.

By the gods.

Sarah's heart raced as she sensed his arousal pressing against her core, their clothing serving as the sole barrier between them. The situation was rapidly escalating. Her self-control was rapidly deteriorating as the aroma of rich spices and something more sinister permeated her nostrils. Of course, he would smell delicious. The soulbond ignited with intensity, firmly urging them to unite at last.

Brown eyes dilated in reaction; freeing one arm from their embrace, the witch grasped the back of his hooded head, forcing his lips to collide with hers in a clash of blunt teeth.

Screw it. We're adults having a good time. It's fine. She desired to take him fiercely and instinctively on the floor of the church. Desired to wrap her hands firmly around his throat and ride him like a fucking pony.

Sacred...

Her conscience murmured in the profound recesses of her mind. The church stood on hallowed grounds. What they were doing was inappropriate; she was violating numerous regulations. His fangs extended, pulling her back into reality as one lightly sliced the tip of her tongue, filling her mouth with the taste of rustic blood pooling from a small cut. Sarah emitted a sharp hiss against him, and in reaction to the blood, he let out a low groan.

His lips grew increasingly insistent against hers, savoring her blood with his tongue as if he were famished. Then Godric was grinding, pressing tightly against her, as the witch clawed at his clothed back with her free hand, tearing her swollen lips from his to inhale the much-needed oxygen into her lungs.

The vampire persisted, showing no signs of yielding; Godric grazed the edge of his white ivory fangs along her throat, emitting guttural sounds. A soft moan escaped her lips, involuntarily, as a sudden thrust of his hips against her snug shorts created a friction that brought her tantalizingly close to the edge.

"Godric, wait..."

A growl emanated against the warm skin of her neck.

"I've waited for two millennia; I am weary, my little mate."

A curse escaped her lips as sharp fangs pierced the side of her throat, the witch arching forward and writhing in his tight grip, pressed against the wooden bookshelf by his body. The shelves and books pressed uncomfortably against her back.

Two thousand—TWO THOUSAND!

Godric abstained from consuming her blood. He restrained her with his fangs as if they were feral beasts. Her vision ignited with anger at his audacity, as she pushed the book away, allowing it to fall to the floor, neglected, before her hands firmly gripped his back.

With his fangs holding her in place, the woman slanted her head as best she could and pressed forward against the vampire, giving it her all. The witch parted her lips, her blunt teeth exposed as she plunged them forcefully into the cool skin of Godric's external jugular vein in a fierce act of retaliation.

Her orgasm surged unexpectedly as she pierced the vampire's skin with her teeth, his moans and grunts a symphony to her ears, Godric's body tensing exquisitely before he surrendered and reclined against her, now languidly feeding from her neck. Sarah's toes curled in ecstasy within her boots as the flavor of Godric's blood overwhelmed her senses.

Addiction. That was his flavor. A spicy addiction that would be extremely difficult to overcome. She compelled herself to withdraw, jerking her head back, disturbed as the flavor of him lingered on her teeth. Godric released her, giving her neck one last swipe with his tongue.

Brown eyes observed the bite mark she had bestowed upon him heal within seconds, before warm, molten, mercury-colored eyes came into her view, satisfaction evident on his appealing features.

So, the vampire believes he's won.

His tongue, still tasting her blood, lingered on his lips as his gaze descended, ultimately resting on her legs entwined around him. The witch observed in slow motion as the hue of mercury was once more engulfed by the abyssal black of his pupils, his nostrils flaring as he fixed his gaze directly on the front of her shorts.

Sarah experienced profound internal devastation when the realization struck her unexpectedly. He could smell her. He could smell her climax.

Dionysus, end me now.

The scoundrel was truthful from the very beginning, remarking on how she exuded the scent of desire. Sarah believed he was attempting to lower her defenses to rip out her throat.

The witch flushed with irritation and humiliation before withdrawing her hands from his body, where she had been clutching the hoodie to strike his chest. "Stop that!"

Godric laughed. "You're mine." Still enveloped in his embrace, her brown eyes shifted to look down at the book resting on the church floor. The witch was not merely going to attempt to manipulate him; she was determined to succeed. "Please grab the book and bring me home, Godric. Let's ditch this party."

Sarah understood that her return would not be met with open arms after stealing the book and defiling the sacred church; guilt washed over her for betraying Rowen. She glanced back at her mate, who regarded her with suspicion, likely pondering her next move.

"I'm starving to death."

Changing the topic, the witch hoped he would bite. He did. The vampire seemingly failed to comprehend the phrase, as he gasped in horror, his eyes widening in terror. Godric murmured in a foreign tongue, drawing her away from the bookcase and holding her against him as if she were a doll in a child's embrace.

The gentle palms of his hands gliding over her back, notes of anxiety escaping from his lips.

"Oh, for the love of Dionysus! I'm not dying, I'm hungry!"

Chapter Text

SARAH

Perched on the island counter in her illuminated kitchen, her gaze drifting through tiny shimmering specks of dust, toward the sliced apples and bananas arranged in a deep blue bowl on the pristine white surface before her. Her brow furrowed in confusion, while nerves danced beneath her skin. The woman brought a banana slice to her lips while her other hand curled and unfurled her fingers in astonishment, experiencing a surge of energy igniting her body.

The kitchen lights appeared more luminous as brown eyes gazed upward. Her ears detected the fluttering of moth wings as the solitary insect circled the luminous bulb, colliding with the heated glass. "Sarah."

A whisper from her soulmate, who stood beside her, combined with the aroma of spice, pine, and musk emanating from his skin, elicited a dreamy sigh from her lips before she placed the banana in her mouth, chewing audibly, indifferent as her glazed brown eyes fixed upon him. The iris of his inquisitive eyes contained deep gray, blue, and silver flecks, resembling stardust adrift in the vastness of space. Sarah examined his features while he scrutinized her in return. A tranquil serenity enveloping them in the gentle illumination of the kitchen.

"You're so beautiful."

She proclaimed to Godric after consuming more fruit. The witch anticipated an arrogant smirk in response to the compliment, but instead, sadness engulfed his stardust eyes, contorting his porcelain features.

"This is my blood speaking. You would not say these things if you weren't drunk off me."

Drunk off him?

"What do you mean?" Sarah inquired, her cheeks reddening at his reply, while simultaneously filling her mouth with additional fruit.

"The minimal quantity you consumed has augmented your senses beyond those of an ordinary human; you're now physically more formidable, possess heightened sensory perception, and will dream of me. I can feel you, my Sarah. I can feel your flighty emotions without our faint soulbond—through my blood."

Fear and fury consumed her. That bas—no, she was to blame.  She. Bit. Him! She accepted his blood without a moment's hesitation, completely absorbed in the intensity of their connection.

Sarah relaxed, the tension of anger fading, the vampire easing from his position beside her. "Regardless of your belief, I find you incredibly attractive, Godric."

A lopsided smile was directed at her as he leaned against the island, his arms crossed beneath him, "Naturally, little mate."

She rolled her eyes at his vanity, moaning as she stuffed more food into her mouth.

"This is insufficient," Sarah remarked, gazing at the empty bowl.

She turned her gaze to her vampire, placing her hand on his shoulder as she leaned closer. His mercury-colored eyes followed her touch before shifting to her playful expression, prompting one of his dark eyebrows to arch in response.

"Godric, do me a favor." She purred, disregarding the soft hiss that slipped from his slightly parted lips, "Could you please go to the refrigerator and fetch the white bag on the second shelf?"

She withdrew as he stood tall, the vampire glided around the counter, his dark eyes fixed on her with suspicion, before he pivoted, effortlessly opening the box and reaching inside to retrieve the bag.

Did he think she was up to something?

The witch gazed hungrily at his back and rear until he turned, clutching the paper bag, as Godric approached her, the refrigerator door shutting behind him. He abruptly positioned himself on the counter, facing her, with one leg tucked beneath him, Godric's knee pressing against her thigh, while the other leg dangled over the edge of the island. Sarah seized the bag from his loose grip, disregarding his mercury-colored eyes as she yanked it open and extracted the pristine, wrapped gyro from the paper.

A repulsed hiss from Godric startled the witch, who was innocently unwrapping the sandwich to take a bite, and she directed a questioning gaze toward the vampire.

"It is rotting!" His face, which had been turned away, quickly snapped back toward her as he leaned his chest forward against her shoulder, reaching for the food, likely intending to fling it through the closed kitchen window.

"Hey!"

She shouted, recoiling from his outstretched hands while inhaling the aroma of the gyro in her possession.

It smells fine.

"It's fine. It's still good." The witch had encountered the scent of things decaying in the past, and her food was certainly not among them! The chill of the refrigerator had slowed the process of decomposition, the gyro was only two days old. Additionally, it was uncertain how many preservatives had been added to the ingredients but they were there, slowing decomposition easily.

His hands were gripping her, restraining her by the front of her neck to prevent her from taking a bite of her gyro. "Will you fucking stop!"

"It could harm you. Stick to fruit and organic meat, little mate. That is no good."

It was only fast food!

A whimper escaped her lips as the gyro was wrenched from her grasp, her vampire companion throwing it into the trash can with a swift motion. Sarah remained motionless, her mind grappling with his actions.

What. The. Fuck.

Her bottom lip quivered with annoyance as the vampire drew her close and threaded his fingers through her ponytail. "You're an asshole."

Godric's purr was the sole response, his nose and lips gliding down the curve of her neck, his fingers weaving into dark strands of hair. Then the vampire tensed against her, his breathing and movement coming to a halt. Sarah turned her head as the sound of tires crunching over gravel drew her attention. Car lights swept across her small kitchen window and then illuminated the glass sliding door. The motion ceased, and the engine's noise was silenced. She attuned her enhanced hearing to the sound of the door opening, followed by its soft closure a moment later.

Outside, footsteps echoed softly, accompanied by a low whistling that seeped through the walls. They were approaching her back door directly. Sarah slipped out of her vampire's embrace and gracefully leaped off the counter, making her way quickly to the backdoor. A thud resonated behind her, with Godric now upright like a marble statue in a museum.

Was it Rowen?

She forcefully pulled the sliding door open as footsteps ascended the final porch step. Her improved eyesight enabled her to pierce through the darkness, as rainclouds had engulfed the moon and stars, with a thunderstorm rapidly approaching. Scott's face appeared before her, his infuriating grin looking down at her as if they were long-time acquaintances.

This man had quite the audacity, appearing at her residence after his actions towards Natalie. He had betrayed her trust and inflicted mental torment, leaving her shattered. It took a long time for Rowen and Sarah to reassemble their friend, having to use a spell without Natalie's knowledge. He ended his relationship with the sweet girl and departed the city. So, what was the reason for his return? Sarah could guess. He had spent months attempting to get inside Rowen's and her pants. And if he was here, standing before her, it would only imply that he had no success with her friend.

"I encountered Rowen," he remarked nonchalantly, inserting his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "She was quite concerned about where you had disappeared to."

You mean you stalked her. Bet she cursed you out.

"Well, I'm fine." Sarah crossed her arms, while Godric approached along the kitchen wall, remaining out of the man's sight. "You can fuck off now, Scott. I'm not in the mood."

The deep browns of his eyes grew steely. "You're really made of ice, bitch."

He moved closer, his gaze fixed on the entrance to her home. Sarah felt a chill of fear as she instinctively stepped back, only to collide with a solid chest that emitted a low, menacing growl.

"What the fuck!" Scott shouted, but she disregarded him, slightly tilting her head to view sharp fangs and the dark abyss of her soulmate's eyes fixed on the human male. Sarah faced Scott while pressing her back against Godric's growling chest, lowering her arms to grasp his tense forearms.

The vampire trembled against her, a frequent occurrence she observed, prompting her to tighten her grip to prevent him from decapitating the obnoxious man standing tense before her.

"You're a fangbanger?" The human gestured dismissively, "I expected better from you, Sa!"

A torrent of rage surged within her as she relinquished Godric and advanced furiously.

"What the hell, you insolent prick! Never call me that again! Who do you think you are? Do not treat me as if we're friends. You hurt her! I can't stand your bitch ass!"

With her mouth popping off like a sailor, Granddaddy would surely be proud. The witch pressed her palms against the man's chest, astonishment was evident on both their faces as Sarah did not merely push him, she threw him. Scott's body fell over, tumbling down the stairs and landing on his face with a pained groan. The woman instinctively turned her hands toward herself, startled and unnerved.

"Go, human, and do not come back, or I will kill you."

The ominous command of Godric resonated beside her as Scott struggled to his feet before sprinting towards his vehicle. Sarah faced Godric's dark eyes as the gravel was propelled by Scott's rapid descent down her driveway. His cool fingers gently grasped hers. "Sarah, I am sorry for the pain he caused you."

She shook her head, fuck that guy. Observing Godric on the dimly lit porch, her expression contorted into a profound frown. "You're taking a bath."

Wrestling the vampire into the bathtub was no simple task. Sarah was compelled to undress him since he refused, flushing at the sight of exposed skin before submerging him into the warm bathwater. She turned sharply, her face a mix of anger and embarrassment, and left the bathroom, gripping the dirty clothes tightly.

"Just take your damned bath!" Shouting over her shoulder, she departed, leaving her smirking, amused mate in bubbles and steaming water. The witch entered her utility room, letting his clothes drop to the floor before she hurried down the hallway to her room, seeking something—anything!—to cover him, so he would not have to roam her home naked. She could not resist him—not after tasting him.

With a swift motion, she flung open her dresser drawers, her hands rummaging through piles of folded clothes. Oh, she certainly had clothes to fit him. Loose-fitting shirts and some roomy sweatpants for her relaxed days. Grasping her black faded sweatpants and an old gray t-shirt, she pivoted, using her leg to close the low drawer before hurrying back to the bathroom. Sarah halted at the threshold of the open doorway, her gaze fixed in horror on the vampire, who remained seated in the same position. "What are you doing?"

"I require assistance."

"You're two thousand years old; you possess the knowledge to bathe yourself."

He tilted his head innocently at her and merely blinked.

Dionysus, give me patience.

Sarah expressed her frustration through laughter before discarding the clothes beside the sink and striding towards her mate. She pivoted and positioned herself on the rim of the tub, stating, "Turn around."

Godric offered a lopsided grin before turning away from her to face the wall, drawing his legs to his chest. The witch extended her hand towards the bottle of body wash and the loofah, pausing at the sight of a red, inflamed mark on his right shoulder. Her throat tightened with emotion as she reached out, running her fingers along the raised edges. HE3

Godric tensed beneath her before a soft sigh escaped his lips, his body unwinding amidst the bubbles and warm water.

He's branded like cattle! Who the fuck did this? I'll kill them! I'll rip their intestines through their throat and strangle them! I'll—

"Before I was made vampire, I was a slave." His voice was devoid of any emotion, cold and unyielding like steel. It was evident that he was reluctant to discuss it. Sarah gradually retracted her fingers from the brand, gliding them along the intricately designed tattoo that extended down his spine. "This?" she inquired, her inquisitive mind dominating her thoughts.

"A sea serpent." His gentle response prompted Sarah to glide her fingers along his right arm until she reached the tattoo, "It is a prayer."

"What does it say."

"I can no longer recall."

Sarah's brows knitted in response to the sorrow emanating from him. She leaned in, her inquisitive fingers now on his left arm, tracing the irregular tattoo.

"This is water, right?"

His mercury-hued eyes shifted to observe his arm before locking onto hers. "Yes."

"My astrological sign is a water element, which may explain my profound attraction to the ocean." She exclaimed, her hand gliding over the necklace tattoo situated beneath his collarbone.

"Protection." His breath, marked by an accent, gently caressed her face. With eyes like stardust gazing upward at her, Sarah leaned against him, her nose brushing softly against his before she pressed her lips gently to his. An intense longing seized her heart as she affectionately kissed him. Before the situation escalated, the witch withdrew, reassembling herself and addressing with an authoritative tone.

"I will wash your hair, but you're on your own afterward."

He let out a chuckle, nodding his head as he turned to face the wall once more. Sarah immersed her hands in the warm water, cupping it and pouring it over his head. She then ran her fingers through his soft, damp hair before retrieving the shampoo beside her.

Once the witch's hands returned to his head, her fingers kneaded the shampoo into the vampire's scalp, secretly reveling in the purr elicited from his chest by her touch.

She compelled the bond between them, and guilt soon followed. His feelings for her were not genuine. Her stomach churned in self-revulsion; he had been a slave in life, and now he was a slave once more. The bond! The church! Oh god, she raped him! Sarah instinctively retracted her fingers from his hair and rose from the edge of the tub. The vampire pivoted, his legs disappearing beneath the bubbles, his pale hand now positioned on the rim of the tub.

"What's wrong, little mate?"

"When you're finished, the clothes I found for you are by the sink." The witch spoke in a mechanical tone before abruptly turning and escaping the bathroom, soap still clinging to her hands.

...Dionysus, I beg your forgiveness, what have I done? Am I destined to suffer in Hades? I can't do this...I have to break the bond now!

As she entered her kitchen, her brown eyes were drawn to the neglected tome, resting on the edge of the island. Upon the arrival of sunrise and Godric's retreat to rest, she would commence. The preparation of the items and ingredients would require hours, leaving the witch no time for rest. Fueled by unwavering resolve, she was prepared to harness all her magick to free him from this spell, even at the cost of her own life.

Everything will be fine.

Chapter Text

GODRIC

His small mate was the most exasperating being he had encountered in centuries. Godric felt an overwhelming urge to seize her and shake her, to glamour her into accepting him and the connection they shared.

The vampire longed to immerse himself completely in her warm heat when they were united as one. His gums throbbed, and his fangs endeavored to stay concealed as the vampire inhaled deeply, her aroma enveloping him. His cock between his legs stirred and he gripped it tightly in response.

Sarah exhibited a strong will, often displaying stubbornness and a self-centered nature. She had a dominant personality and a tendency towards sadism. He could feel it. Godric's fangs withdrew as he tilted his head back, the vampire indulging in the fantasy of her moans and her warm body enveloping him. His thoughts wandered to the intense heat between her legs, and he let out a groan.

He let out a muffled shout a short while later, his climax shaking his ancient mind, his fangs sinking deep into his bottom lip, the taste of his blood flooding his mouth. The guilt and determination emanating from her provoked him to hiss in irritation as he withdrew his hand from himself. Godric extended his hand to remove the plug, permitting the water to flow out of the tub and down the drain.

A shower may be more effective.

The vampire rose and turned the handle, drawing the curtain closed as frigid water cascaded on him. Godric grabbed the loofah and soap, swiftly washing himself.

She was up to something.

Turning the water off, he pushed the curtain open and stepped out, grabbing the towel that smelled like her and bringing it to his nose, Godric sniffed it before drying himself off. The vampire quickly donned the clothes she had set out for him, his bare feet guiding him back to the kitchen where she was listening to an unfamiliar female voice speak.

"Roy has cameras inside the church, Sa. He knows what you and your vampire did, and you stole the book back! Why do you need it, what are you planning?"

Godric rounded the corner and entered the kitchen, where his mate stood behind the island, grinding herbs in a marble mortar. Kitchen spices and herbs were arranged in small vials around her, and a tome lay open beside her peculiar mobile phone, from where a woman's voice emanated.

His mate's hair cascaded down, dark and lengthy, resting upon her shoulders and extending to the small of her back. Her straight nose crinkled adorably, while light freckles adorned her nose and high cheekbones, illuminated by the kitchen light, evoking in him a profound desire to possess. Mate.

"I only intend to thank my God with an offering; I have no other plans."

Godric advanced, startling his fated; he disregarded her faint gasp as his mercury-hued eyes fixated on the open page of the ancient tome.

A simple offering for the chosen deity.
Ingredients—
White sage.
Ginger.
V—

Godric snarled in frustration, diverting his gaze from the page to glare at his mate. The book provided him with no answers. His mate's unimpressed gaze, characterized by sunset hues, met his before she resumed her vigorous crushing of the ingredients.

"Hiiiiii, Godric."

A woman's laughter echoed from the other end of the line. "Greetings." He reciprocated.

"Sa told me so much about you!"

"Has she now?" He purred, raising an eyebrow at his blushing mate as she reached to grasp her phone in her hand.

"Look at the time, Rowen. I have to go."

"Wait! I'm coming over! I'll bring you a daiquiri!"

"No that—"

Sarah was disregarded as the call concluded. "Damn." A curse escaped her as she tossed her phone onto the counter and leaned forward, her face in her hands. Godric pressed his chest against her back, nuzzling his face into the back of her neck and growling when he was shoved away. "Your hair is soaking wet!"

Sarah hissed before darting around the island. Godric's pupils expanded as she ran from him, aiming to reach the utility room across from where he stood. He leaped over the counter, skillfully avoiding the hanging lights, as he pursued her intending to bring her to the ground and rub himself against her.

As the vampire approached her, Sarah swiftly turned and tossed a clean towel over his head. Godric became immobile as her hands massaged the towel through his damp hair, absorbing as much moisture as possible. A soft purr escaped him without thought, his body unwinding and his mind becoming fluid as she leaned against him, guiding the towel over and down the back of his head to absorb any lingering water on the back of his neck.

The towel was removed, and her body turned to throw it onto the floor of the small room.

"What is a daiquiri?" Godric inquired, his hands firmly clasping her waist, drawing her closer to him. "It's a slushie made with frozen alcohol." Sarah stuttered as he nuzzled his cheek against hers, transferring more of his scent onto her.

The ancient vampire schemed. Godric possessed little understanding of human food or beverages, unlike his son, Eric. Eric, Nora. Guilt consumed his thoughts for neglecting his son and daughter. However, it would be resolved once his little mate completely submitted to him.

However, the vampire comprehended the effects of alcohol on the human body when consumed in excess. He desired to intoxicate her with this daiquiri, and once she was relaxed and yielding against him, he would offer her more of his blood, as much as he could provide. His blood, which already coursed through her veins, was not enough! When they mated, he wanted her to be so very drunk of him. When he fucked her. He would have to dispose of her friend first.

His fangs' release prompted the dark-haired beauty to flinch as her delicate hands pressed against his face. Using her hands to cover his pointed fangs. Unintentionally brushing against the sensitive teeth with her skin, eliciting a pleasurable roll of his eyes.

"Hey, hey. Don't bite me!"

Godric licked the palm of her hand pressed against his mouth, prompting her to squeak in surprise and withdraw, her body leaning away from him. He chuckled in delight, revealing his prominent fangs as he pressed his arousal against her, drawing her closer with his arms. Embarrassment emanated from her as she squirmed against his steadfast hold.

Godric acknowledged to himself that his feelings for her were purely obsessive. The emotions he felt for her were not love. He yearned to love this little witch with every fiber of his being, and one day, the vampire was certain he would. They would have forever to figure it out once he turned her. Despite her warmth and humanity, Sarah's mortality just wouldn't do.

One hour later, Godric stood beside Sarah on the dim porch of her residence as a young woman with striking forest green eyes and lengthy copper hair ascended the steps, promptly delivering a large styrofoam cup with a straw protruding from the transparent lid to his mate.

The exhilaration caused his body to tremble as she promptly positioned the straw between her flawless lips and took a sip of the daiquiri.

"I believed you would enjoy a white Russian and chocolate."

Rowen's light voice resonated as keen green eyes focused on his figure a few feet away. "So, you're the one soul bonded to my Sarah."

Her Sarah...No. Sarah was his; she was meant for him! The ancient vampire defensively displayed his blunt teeth at the witch, who regarded him with amusement, resembling a scientist observing an experiment.

His mate's pale amber-brown eyes shifted towards him as she withdrew her lips from the straw, casting another unimpressed glare before turning back to Rowen to envelop her in a tight embrace while elevating her daiquiri.

"I'm sorry, Rowen, for taking the book and disrespecting the church."

The other witch embraced his soulmate tightly. "You've made enemies with them, Sa."

So, if they wanted to be enemies with his fated, they would also be enemies with him. The vampire smirked; he would demolish the buildings brick by brick, rip off their limbs, and set fire to the dangerous knowledge that his little mate had no business studying.

He disapproved of her studying witchcraft; he believed it would not endure once they ultimately completed the mating bond. Godric would need to instruct her to pursue different interests and abandon witchcraft entirely. Eliminating her powers would be simple once he transformed her into a vampire; after all, a vampire witch didn't exist.

He would need to tread carefully with her for the time being.

"Have I become your enemy, dear Rowen?" Godric held his breath as his mate quivered in the embrace of her friend.

"No, I will be at your side first forever." Godric crossed his arms over his chest, letting out a sigh of relief, grateful he didn't have to take Rowen's life and was content to witness her unwavering loyalty to his fated.

"The book, Sa?"

He blinked as his mate withdrew from the embrace and turned to look at him. To his utter horror, a strange guttural language he did not understand erupted from her lips, her sunset eyes shifting back to the other witch while simultaneously pointing in his general direction. Rowen's mouth dropped open in the process.

They engaged in a heated argument, their hands gesturing animatedly as they exchanged words. Godric advanced, his arms descending to his sides. They were arguing about him. He was aware of this when they repeatedly looked back at him. The sunset eyes and forest eyes appeared to blend seamlessly as the vampire retreated into his thoughts.

Sarah continued to manipulate him as if he were an ignorant child, withholding information from him, knowledge to which he was entitled as her partner. She was intended to stand beside him, not to guide him like a dog on a leash. Godric snarled animalistically prompting the two women to cease their intense discussion and withdraw from each other.

"So, you've decided?" Rowen softly whispered as she removed a necklace from around her neck, extending it toward Sarah. "Then, my darling, take this for defense against the approaching storm."

He observed his little mate seize the exquisite obsidian stone, radiating rich shades of blue, encased in a leather cord, before adorning it around her neck and draping her thick mane of wavy hair over her right shoulder.

"Thank you, Rowen."

Her forest green eyes glanced at him one final time, sorrow evident in the depths of her irises, before she turned and descended the steps. "I wish you both the best of luck. Tell me how it goes, Sarah."

Rowen waved her hand over her shoulder before jogging across the dark yard. A flash of lightning cut across the sky, illuminating the pale face of his little mate as she twisted on her heel to face him.

The aroma of impending rain drew the vampire's gaze skyward as Rowen's vehicle engine rumbled to life. Sarah exhaled and walked through the open glass door of her residence, while Godric trailed behind, securing and locking it as torrents of rain cascaded across the yard, battering the roof.

"Best of luck with what?" He insisted, following Sarah as she leisurely entered her room. His eyes observed her as she set the styrofoam cup down on the small table next to her bed, a sense of disappointment washing over him, his plans for the night disintegrating before him. He suppressed the emotion, allowing irritation to replace it.

"It's nothing, the sun is about to rise. You must sleep."

"So you can do what?"

"Nothing."

A lie. He snarled before lifting and throwing her onto the bed, eliciting a squeak as her body rebounded against the mattress. "I do not think so, little mate. If I sleep, so will you, next to me!"

The vampire found himself perplexed as Sarah merely shrugged and nodded, removing her boots and allowing them to drop to the floor while tugging at her shorts. "Of course, will you turn off the light?"

Godric blinked as she hurled her jean shorts against the closet door before inserting her hands into her shirt and tugging at her bra. "Will you merely observe as I remove myself from uncomfortable things, or will you join me?"

Godric switched off the bedroom light, enveloping them in darkness as a sigh of relief escaped his mate, followed by the witch hurling her bra against the wall. He climbed beside her, disappointed that she was still dressed in her shirt and underwear. The vampire shifted onto his side, enveloping her in his embrace, his fingers gliding over her breasts through the delicate fabric of her shirt. He formed an unyielding barrier with his arms, a smirk playing on his lips as he nestled against the back of her neck while she nestled under the blankets beside him.

No, she wasn't going anywhere without his explicit permission.

Long after the sun had risen, Godric struggled to resist the temptation to rest while his little mate stayed alert beside him. The bleeds started hours ago, yet he disregarded the blood accumulating on the pillowcase and the back of his mate's shirt as they remained in silence. Ultimately, Sarah relaxed against him, slumber drawing her into her dreams. Godric tightened his grip, pressed his nose into the middle of her shoulder blades, burrowing his face deeply into her shirt and soaking up only her scent, before ceasing his breath and falling into the easy state of unconsciousness.

Chapter Text

SARAH

A lethargic groan emanated from Sarah as her body adjusted against Godric's motionless figure, pressing her face into the cool fabric of his shirt, her mind sharpening as she inhaled against witch stirred in her mate's firm embrace as memories of the previous night flooded back, a wave of panic crashing over her.

I fell asleep, shit!

Sarah contorted her body against the dormant vampire; she was ensnared once more. With her hands pressed firmly against his shirt-covered chest, the witch pushed with all of her strength, feeling the pressure of his arms digging into her back as he held her captive in his iron grip.

A scream escaped her throat involuntarily as the covers were torn away, with Godric transforming into a snarling, spitting embodiment of rage beside her. In an instant, he was atop her, pinning her down with his cold body. The witch shut her eyes tightly, and held her breath, anticipating the bite of his lethal fangs once again.

As nothing transpired, Sarah gradually lifted her eyelids, squinting at the vampire looming over her. She froze at the sight of his unnaturally lit, dark eyes fixed upon her, his ivory fangs visible between his slightly parted lips. He purred and grinned at the frozen woman before descending along her body, causing the witch to shiver as his cool palms traversed her stomach and waist, ultimately slipping his fingers into the fabric at the top of her panties, producing a ripping sound that resonated through the dark bedroom alongside her startled gasp.

Before the woman could comprehend the situation, Godric had already positioned himself between her legs. Sarah felt a rush of heat, summoning the bravery to turn away from the vampire as his nose pressed intimately against her core.

"Godric." Sarah sighed, yielding as the vampire exhaled against her, soft growls emanating from him just before his fingers separated the folds of her most private area. Then Godric was consuming her, his fangs grazing against her, his cool tongue and fingers working in harmony.

Sarah awoke abruptly, breathing heavily, her panties drenched with longing for him, nestled between her closed thighs. Evaluating her circumstances, the witch discovered herself entwined with Godric, her nails embedded in his side, while her other hand had presumably slipped beneath his neck to grasp at his shoulder blades. Godric grunted in response, his firm arousal pressing against her abdomen.

Please don't breathe. Dammit, don't breathe Godric.

Sarah gradually relinquished her clawed grip on him, holding her breath until he calmed. His heavy, slanted eyes revealed only bewildered, drowsy black orbs before his pale eyelids obscured them, as the sun coaxed him back into slumber for the day. The vampire's fangs were free from the confines of his gums, the sharp, white daggers evident behind his full, parted lips.

She breathed a sigh of relief; her wiggling against the vampire had caused him to slightly loosen his grip on her. Sarah pursed her lips, a significant part of her wanted to abandon restraint and climb him to complete what her vivid dream had begun, but the guilt she felt for doing this to him overshadowed the desire throbbing between her legs. Brown eyes noted the dried blood that had dripped from his ears and accumulated in the fabric of his shirt. Sarah raised her head to examine the blood-soaked pillowcase and sheets beneath her, noting the crimson stains. She groaned, realizing her mattress was undoubtedly stained as well.

Sarah slowly lay back down before sliding her body down the bed, pushing the covers out of the way and off herself and the vampire, using her arms to weasel out of his embrace. Adrenaline causing her heart to race in the back of her throat, the witch paused her movements a few times, mentally praying he would not wake up. Finally reaching the end of the bed, she let her body drop into a crouch, peeking over the edge to eye him before silently fist-pumping the air.

The woman rose gradually, pivoting to slip away unnoticed. She certainly required a cold shower; thank Dionysus for the clean clothes still in the dryer.

After promptly addressing her basic needs, driven by the anxiety of Godric intruding upon her privacy, Sarah leaned against the island counter, consuming a Nutella sandwich while perusing the pages of the book of shadows with her gaze. Her cell phone was charging behind her, next to the coffee pot, having died a few hours earlier due to her neglect. The witch needed to act swiftly due to the diminishing daylight. Soon, Godric would awaken, and that simply would not be acceptable.

She gazed at the page before her, humming with a mouthful of food. Undoubtedly, it would be the most intricate spell globally; it was nearly five in the afternoon, and if Sarah started now, she would be unable to cease.

WARNING: Could have negative side effects.
Depression. Mood Swings. Anxiety. Insanity

Sarah consumed the last of her meal at the caution boldly inscribed at the bottom of the page. That did NOT sound pleasant. She glanced back at the top of the page once more.

Reversing a Soulspell
Ingredients:
Garlic
Black pepper
Orange Lily petals: (Separate the souls with animosity.)
Spanish Moss
Black Sage
Yellow Rose Petals: (Break Up.)
Frankincense
Important: Caster's Blood
Important: Soulmates Blood
Mix into a cauldron, positioned on the western side of the pentagram.
Rose Quartz for your heart
Black Onyx for Negativity
Aquamarine for letting go
Place crystals along the north and south of the pentagram
Create a doll of straw and moss
Stuff a lock of hair of the caster and their soulmate into the chest.
Wrap the red string around the doll to bind.
Place the doll into an open bowl of fresh water, then place any crystal of your choice on top.
Making it look as though the doll is drowning. Place the doll/bowl on the east side of the pentagram.

Words of the spell:

ℑ, ( ℭ𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯'𝔰 𝔫𝔞𝔪𝔢/ 𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱&𝔩𝔞𝔰𝔱) 𝔠𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔥 𝔬𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔠𝔨, 𝔯𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔣𝔲𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔴𝔫 ( 𝔖𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔬𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔞𝔤𝔢.)
ℑ 𝔟𝔢𝔰𝔢𝔢𝔠𝔥 𝔱𝔬 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔭𝔞𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫 𝔡𝔢𝔦𝔱𝔶, ( 𝔑𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔡𝔢𝔦𝔱𝔶.)
ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔥 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔫.
ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔥 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔢𝔢𝔭 𝔟𝔩𝔲𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔢𝔞.
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔷𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔫𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔥.
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔫𝔡𝔶 𝔴𝔢𝔰𝔱.
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔖𝔢𝔞𝔟𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔷𝔢 𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔱.
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔦𝔠𝔞𝔩 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔥.
𝔅𝔶 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔠𝔨, 𝔪𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔱𝔥 𝔟𝔢.
𝔗𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔟𝔬𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔰𝔲𝔫𝔡'𝔯!
𝔑𝔞𝔶, 𝔫𝔬 𝔩𝔬𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔱𝔥'𝔯 𝔡𝔬𝔱𝔥 ℑ 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔭𝔢𝔡.
𝔅𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔪𝔶 𝔩𝔦𝔭𝔰, 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔲𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔫𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔪𝔶 𝔤𝔬𝔡/𝔤𝔬𝔡𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔰."

Sarah forcefully closed the book in frustration, concealing her face with her hands. This incantation was perilous and ominous, capable of inflicting significant harm on both parties if executed improperly. The situation posed significant risks for both individuals involved. Depression, anxiety, mood swings, and even insanity. Indeed, the last thing Sarah required was an unhinged Godric wreaking havoc everywhere while she was also in a state of disarray. There must have been something less perilous in the cursed book.

But there wasn't...

Her fingers glided over the cover of the Grimoire. This was her sole opportunity to liberate them both. She found herself becoming increasingly fond of the vampire...if she delayed any further, she would struggle to release him. Determined, the witch set to work.

Dionysus, protect us.

As the sun descended, Sarah traversed the dense swamps and woods, clutching a small cauldron to her chest. She reached into her back pocket, retrieved her fully charged cellphone, and tapped the screen, illuminating the time. 7:34 PM.

As daylight waned, the witch hurried into the dirt-laden clearing, encircled by swamps. She bent down to position the cauldron on the ground, then removed the strap of her heavy bag from her shoulder and set it beside the ingredient-laden cauldron. The witch opened the bag and retrieved two mason jars containing black salt.

Sarah pivoted, removing the lid from one container and swiftly inscribing the pentagram. The star was harsh and uneven with her hurried movements, and when she ran out of salt, she carelessly dropped the jars, turning around to retrieve more black salt from her bag.

Upon completion of the pentagram, Sarah positioned herself at the center of the star, with the items meticulously arranged, and raised the protective shield with trembling hands, the influx of magic expelling a rush of air from her lungs. The dim, glowing yellow barrier enveloped her as the sun descended beneath the horizon.

"I, Seraphina Evangeline Leblanc, call upon my magic, rightfully mine in my own twenty-two years of summer." Brown eyes observed the towering trees sway in reaction, the wind intensifying and lamenting beyond the confines of the pentagram.

With her hands raised outward and above her head, she proclaimed, "I beseech to my deity, Dionysus! I calleth to the nature of the green,"

The trunks of the trees groaned with deep sounds, causing the branches to tremble with their leaves. "I calleth to the deep blue."

Lightning flashed above her head, illuminating the darkening sky. "The freezing north, the windy west, the sea breeze east, the tropical south!"

"Sarah!"

She recoiled at the wrath in Godric's voice as raindrops struck her arms. "By my magick, maketh be!"

The barrier trembled under a powerful impact, as brown eyes lifted to meet black, slanted orbs that glared through the yellow, simmering shield at her.

"Stop this, foolish girl. You test my patience!" He insisted, his accent pronounced.

No, I can't. We're both screwed if I stop.

"Tear the soulbond asunder," Her heart shattered at his flinch, pupil-blown eyes wide with astonishment and profound anguish. "Nay. No longer doth I yearn to be trapped."

Godric was seething with rage, his fists pounding against the barrier that divided them. Sarah recoiled from the ferocity of his rage, her brown eyes widening as the shield fractured beneath his two thousand years of strength. The vampire disappeared from her sight as she scanned her surroundings frantically while the vampire assaulted the shield from multiple angles. The barrier shook and cracked.

Shtshitshit!

"Blessed be from my lips, that shall utter the sacred name of Dionysus!"

She completed her task, the ingredients in the cauldron igniting as flames surged higher from a surge of dark magic. The deep bowl containing the straw doll trembled as the water bubbled, his hair, which she had cut from his sleeping head along with her own, submerged within the straw's body.

Excruciating pain coursed through her body as Sarah collapsed onto the muddy ground, screaming in agony. In the corner of her peripheral vision, Godric abruptly halted, colliding with the barrier, and tumbled to his side, screaming alongside her.

They both contorted against the muddy earth as the shield ultimately fractured like glass before disintegrating, brown eyes gazing upward at the ominous sky as rain struck her face. The sky fractured above her as the world disintegrated around her. The screams ceased, yet the pain continued to jolt her body as his tormented mercury eyes encountered her distorted vision.

"Stay. Stay with me, stupid girl."

Soft words resonated from his lips before she slipped from his hold and descended into the abyss below.

Chapter Text

SARAH

The collision with the hard, cold ground elicited a gasp from Sarah, followed by wheezing due to the tremors reverberating through her bones beneath the agony of her muscles resonated with anguish from the inability to sever the soulbond. Oh, Dionysus, was she deranged, had she succumbed to insanity?

Sarah gradually transitioned to her knees, her gaze absorbing the surrounding black void, while the witch observed the solid black beneath her as well. Indeed, she was unhinged, ensnared within the recesses of her psyche. Sarah emitted a nervous laugh at her situation before probing the thread of the soulbond. The soft murmur of Godric echoed in response, and guilt tightened its hold on her. The woman inflicted so much pain on him, and for what? Now he was likely lost in the madness, just as she was.

Please don't be running around killing everything.  I'm such a fucking idiot!

The previously unsettling silence in the surrounding void now resonated from afar. Sarah exhaled sharply as she surveyed the shadows encircling her. Oh God, if she were ensnared in her mind, her fears would consume her! Sarah stood unsteadily as the hum reverberated through the void, encroaching upon her like drums. She oriented herself toward the source she presumed was emitting it, concentrating on a diminutive, golden, flickering light advancing toward her. The woman's eyes expanded as it approached. She stepped back as the Fee Folay halted before her.

Oh, damndamndamn!

Undoubtedly, one of her apprehensions would be the children's tales of the Cajun Fairy. It soared over her shoulder, and Sarah spun around to maintain a vigilant watch on it, as it glided through the emptiness, it twisted, bobbing up and down in a playful manner towards her.

Oh-no. Nononono, huuuuuu, NO!

The witch could already perceive Nemae's voice at the forefront of her mind, issuing a warning.

"Do not act foolishly, girl, by pursuing mischievous spirits into the murky swamps. It will result in your demise."

"What choice do I have, Nemae?"

Sarah whispered, her eyes darting around the emptiness; anything was preferable to this place. She advanced, and it spun with enthusiasm, emitting small flames from its circular form before the diminutive floating fires dissipated into the abyss.

Yea, you little shit. Are you excited to lead me to my doom?

The Cajun wisp guided her further into the abyss; the witch discerned nothing within the shadows, yet the hissing whispers emanating from the void profoundly unsettled her. She abruptly halted as it accelerated and surged through the void, disappearing in the process.

"Wait, what?"

Okay, this was it. It had brought her to her demise; Sarah stood poised, anticipating a sudden attack, perhaps from the Rougarou or the Grunch. As nothing transpired, the witch approached, observing the void's wall rippling like obsidian water. She trembled slightly before extending her hand and gliding her fingers over the gentle waves. With a prayer on her breath, the witch plunged her hand into the dark water, moving forward before her courage could wane.

The wind lashed around her violently, and it took her a moment to comprehend that she was plummeting into a verdant underbrush below. Sarah exhaled sharply, cursing as sunlight filtered through dense foliage. She inhaled deeply, allowing her heart rate to normalize before sitting up, the pain signaling her exhaustion with the situation.

A brief shout captured her attention, prompting Sarah to shriek in response before directing her astonished gaze toward a small child. Emerging from behind a majestic tree, its roots sprawling from the earth, she gradually stood upright, extending her palms in a gesture of surrender. "I'm not going to hurt you."

There was a little boy, so tiny, likely no more than six years old. They stood, gazing at one another in the dense forest, as the remnants of Godric's blood in her system enabled her to catch the faint scent of the ocean not far from where she was positioned. The elusive Cajun Fairy was absent from view. Brown eyes shifted back to the small child as he emerged from behind the tree, his unkempt hair styled in braids. No? Short dreadlocks, tanned skin, and tiny little fur? hide pants.

Awww! Sarah just about swooned; her motherly instincts were on the rise. Sarah wanted a baby. No, she wanted babies, as many as she would be able to have...

"Where are your parents?"

Sarah inquired, halting as he recoiled before directing his mercury-blue eyes towards her.

"Godric!"

The child before her was Godric!

Her heart pounded against her ribcage, adrenaline surged, and the sounds of nature faded as he observed her with innocent curiosity; then he approached, his small bare feet crunching on the fallen leaves.

"Par ater pe deiwo? Pe stir-bnanom?"

Godric inquired as he approached her, his height scarcely surpassing her knees. His small hand made contact with her leggings, adorned with gold flowers and silver vines, traversing the black fabric. His eyes exhibited curiosity and excitement, his head tilted upward towards her, and Godric smiled, revealing a solitary absent front tooth.

Dionysus, help me!

Yelling from a woman in the distance caught her and Godric's attention, a rugged man, tall, broad, and holding a deadly-looking, curved weapon at his side appeared from the treeline beside the screaming woman, who at that moment was making furious arm motions. Tribal tattoos similar to her vampire soulmate covered his skin, where he was not covered with animal hide and armor. Static filled her ears as the small hand of Godric curled around two of her fingers, the child yelling back at the woman.

The man's deep voice rang out, " Godric,-niws pe cailleach!"

Sarah looked down at the child as he released her hand as if it had burned him. He retreated from her until he considered the distance secure, then turned and dashed into the woman's embrace. She swiftly concealed Godric, whose apprehensive mercury eyes gazed back at Sarah, before the man surged forward, emitting a battle cry. A curse escaped her lips as additional men emerged. Four warriors followed him, appearing as menacing as vipers advancing directly towards her.

Sarah spun around in alarm and inadvertently glided down a slight incline, her laughter echoing with excitement at her achievement, before dashing across the rugged ground. The ocean stretched out in the distance, and the sea breeze caressed her face as she ran, the sound of footfalls growing closer behind her.

I can't outrun them!

As she navigated a rocky bend, a cliff overlooking the sea came into view, accompanied by a massive rock formation. Her heart pounded in her chest as deep voices echoed behind her in an unfamiliar language, and she halted just in time, teetering on the edge of the cliff above the vast ocean below. Twisting her body, the witch discovered herself ensnared along the edge, as they encircled her, advancing gradually. A man with dark blond hair and tattoos retrieved a menacing arrow from his quiver, smoothly positioning it before aiming his bow directly at her.

Shitshitshit!

Sarah let out a curse before pivoting and launching herself over the edge, the deadly arrow slicing through the air just inches from her head. "Ahhh, you missed, bitch!"

The woman plunged into the, fortunately, deep blue waters, the men's shouts rendered inaudible as water inundated her ears.

This is not going well...

Music for this part: Audiomachine: The Dance of Death

Sarah's head emerged from the water, panic gripping her stomach as the night sky loomed above. I was underwater for a moment! She exhibited erratic behavior, contorting in the water, the cliff no longer obscuring her view. Her acute vision discerned lights along the beach, and Sarah expelled salty seawater from her mouth before swimming toward the shore.

As the woman pulled herself onto the sandy beach, with no towering mountains in sight, only dark trees and a faint light emanating from a small village to her left along the coastline, she began to cough, shivering from the cold breeze against her damp skin.

"Ahhh!"

She recoiled at the excruciating scream in the distance before rising unsteadily to her feet and turning her body to confront the village. Horror contorted her features at the carnage, which she had previously overlooked; the lights were not lights. The fire blazed, the flames consuming the peculiar houses. The noise of a wooden roof collapsing resonated as brown eyes surveyed dismembered human remains, blood staining the sand.

Nausea twisted in her stomach as the witch leaned forward, covering her mouth with her hand. Someone approached her; without her mate's blood, she would not have detected the impending footsteps.

Sarah gazed upward and exhaled in relief; beside the flickering flames stood a bloodied Godric. Without hesitation, Sarah ran toward him.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Her vampire offered her a warm, benevolent smile, his menacing bloody fangs bright in the firelight, as he extended his arms to welcome her into an embrace. Sarah came to an abrupt stop as a searing pain ignited in the skin of her collarbone. She hissed, pulling the thread of the obsidian necklace from her shirt, which emanated a fierce red light before returning to a cool black with a shimmering blue hue.

" —protect you from the incoming storm."

Sarah envisioned Rowen's airy voice as her brows knitted together. This was merely a basic charm designed to shield her from malicious assaults by those intent on causing her significant harm. Her breath caught as her brown eyes returned to the vampire before her. Godric lowered his bloodstained arms, his eyes hardened like a shark's, and his mouth lost the kind smile that once adorned his face.

A prolonged hiss, reminiscent of an alligator, escaped his lips. Sarah scrutinized him more intently; His chest was bare, revealing dark ink, and the only clothing he wore consisted of pants made of animal hide, boots adorned with animal fur, a dark woven bracelet around his left wrist, and a necklace with a pendent shaped into Thor's hammer, Mjölnir. The lines of his face were encircled by disheveled, bloodstained hair styled into tight dreadlocks that gradually became untangled and uneven over time.

Godric presented a terrifying visage, ominous, lethal, and wrathful. His features appeared more severe and seemed almost stonelike. This was not her Godric. No, her Godric purred and lavished her with affection. This Godric was consumed by insanity and a thirst for blood.

Sarah shrieked and collapsed back as he lunged at her with a ferocious blur. The obsidian stone emitted a red hiss, causing a silver barrier to repel the vampire. Godric was thrust backward into the sand, his agile feet pivoting partially sideways. Sarah rose to her feet, trembling from the near brush with death as she confronted him. The only sounds were the ocean waves crashing against the shore and the fire consuming the buildings.

"Godric!" Her urgent invocation of his name transformed his expression into one of astonishment and confusion. Suddenly, an unseen force seized her shirt from behind, pulling her back against the shore, while her soulmate's unrestrained laughter echoed as he approached her.

I'm dead! I'm DEAD!

The witch let out a whimper of terror, her heart racing as his cold black eyes bore into her, emerging ominously in her sight. The sand was shifting under her, enveloping her; she was descending. The vampire's smile dissipated before he snarled and lunged for her once more. Sarah struggled against the gritty sand as the beach enveloped her. The wind howled around her as she plummeted once more, into the dark abyss!

What the fuck is happening?

Chapter Text

SARAH

Brown eyes opened as the Cajun fairy circled the pale ceiling above her. The witch groaned and rose to her feet, standing unsteadily in a long, dimly lit hallway with deep red walls. Obscure doors along the elongated corridor, leading to staircases and a dim passageway. Sarah suppressed the vivid recollection of Godric's attempt to murder her and the sensation of being submerged in the sand as she surveyed her environment.

Sarah observed the wisp drift down the hallway before proceeding at her own pace. It disappeared through the ceiling above the stairway. The woman pursed her lips and ascended the steps, which led to double doors. Without hesitation, she pushed them open and stepped outside. The morning light was frigid and disquieting as Sarah ascended to the elevated rooftop.

"Goodbye Godric."

An unknown woman spoke up, her back to the witch. She wore a small dress that resembled a picnic tablecloth and white flats. Her brown eyes gazed further along the roof, horror engulfing her at the sight of Godric's figure before the ascending dawn, his back turned to her. His tattoos betrayed his identity as smoke emanated from him, arms outstretched as he willingly stood in the sunlight. Subsequently, a blue flame ignited at the center of his back, swiftly traversing his pale skin within seconds. The fire intensified, with tiny sparks resembling shimmering blue dust ascending from him.

"Godric!"

Sarah screamed as the flames consumed him; moments later, he vanished, a sigh and gust of wind dispersing what remained of her soul. Falling to her knees and scraping her nails violently against the cement, the witch wept as the soulbond with Godric fractured and disintegrated, an overwhelming sorrow permeating her being, rendering her entirely affected. White noise engulfed her ears, and her vision became obscured as tears cascaded down her cheeks, pooling on the frigid ground.

I'm sorry! Give him back. Give him back!

A hand rested on her back, and a voice with a country accent spoke to her gently. "Oh, did you know him? I'm sorry, honey."

"Who are you?"

Sarah inquired through tears, her brown eyes meeting the azure gaze of the blonde woman above her.

"I'm Sookie Stackhouse." The southern woman spoke softly as she gently rubbed her palm across Sarah's back, offering comfort.

"Why would he do that?"

A whisper broke through her sobs, she couldn't make the tears stop.

"Ohhh, Honey. Godric was tired, he was so tired. He wanted redemption for everything he did. You know, he saved me from being raped, he was a good man."
Sookie spoke, her hand moving beneath her eyes to wipe away her tears, unaware of the brown eyes that were darkening with hatred. Sarah rose to her feet with aggression.

"Did you save him?"

An unremarkable woman, Sookie—with an unremarkable name—retreated a few feet from the witch, stating, "He didn't want to be saved. Eric tried to talk him out of it."

Who the fuck was Eric? No, at this moment, that didn't matter.

Sarah advanced, her magic surging beneath her skin and energizing the surrounding atmosphere. A force pressed against her consciousness, attempting to penetrate the fissures of the barrier, as Sookie, the woman with furrowed blond eyebrows, confronted her with intense focus. "You didn't even try?"

"No, I didn't, Godric made up his mind!"

The sky darkened as Sarah's magic intensified. The brown eyes met the blue eyes of the woman. "I invoke a curse upon you, Sookie Stackhouse. I curse you with a half-love. You will go through your miserable existence, never allowed to be with the one you love most of all."

The blonde woman screamed as Sarah advanced, her fist delivering a gratifying crunch against the woman's jaw. Sookie then regained her footing and fled the scene, accompanied by the sound of the roof door slamming shut. Sarah's magic diminished as vehicles honked beneath in the vibrant city.

The witch approached the solitary white shirt on the ground, traversing the faded red paint that read Hotel Camilla. She bent down, retrieved it, and inhaled the fragrance of spice and pine associated with her soulmate. She knelt, leaned forward, and buried her face in the soft linen, mourning.

Song for this part of the chapter: Oh! Dionysus by Jessa Campbell  A/N: I love this song! Ahhhhh!

Time seemed to freeze as Sarah lay on the hotel roof, curled on her side, inhaling the lingering scent of her deceased soulmate. It may have been hours or days, and she was indifferent. The witch's body was as numb as her mind, her eyes stinging and her cheeks aching from the never-ending stream of tears.

You destroyed my greenhouse and shed, you totaled my car, and you threatened my friend's life. Your laughter was captivating, and so was your scent. You're a vampire, and I'm a witch; we're natural enemies. Your spirit was electrifying. Everything about you appealed to me. I am curious if you appreciated the rain and ocean, as well as the vast forests concealed by majestic mountains. You possessed an ancient essence, carrying two millennia of wisdom, languages, and cultures that time had obscured from all but yourself. I want you back.  Pleasepleaseplease...

Sarah suppressed a sob, curling deeper into herself and his shirt against the grass. Grass?

"Raise yourself, child. We have so many things to discuss."

Sarah withdrew from the shirt, the glaring sun momentarily obscuring her vision. The witch raised her arm to shield her eyes and winced before her vision settled on a male seated on a large stone slab. Horns adorned his head, curving down into disheveled brown hair, while molten gold eyes regarded her curled form with a gentle, sympathetic expression on his attractive features.

She knelt, clutching Godric's linen shirt to her abdomen. "Dionysus."

He tilted his head with a gentle nod, adorned in Greek-style robes, the vibrant red contrasting with his olive-tanned skin as laughter and music drifted from the distance behind her. Sarah turned her body slightly, absorbing the sight of a vast field of wheat mingling with long grass and flowers that sprawled beneath the ancient stone steps of the hillside on which she sat. Women in white danced with Satyrs beneath the radiant sun, with no clouds visible in the vast blue sky. Sarah faced the God of madness once more. His patient, golden eyes observed her movements.

"Have I died?" She inquired of Dionysus with fear.

"No, little witch. You are not dead, not yet."

"Is this heaven?"

"This will be your paradise when you cross the threshold at the end of your journey, alongside all those who have remained faithful to me."

"You're real." Sarah exhaled towards the deity, clutching Godric's shirt tightly between her fingers. His golden eyes narrowed with amusement as he looked down at the shirt.

"Oh, yes, your soulmate. Your communication has been quite unclear. You sought your soulmate, and I provided him, beautifully packaged, and yet you turned away my gift."

"You sent him? I thought it was just the spell?"

Sarah was paralyzed with terror as the sky dimmed, Dionysus's visage transformed, revealing numerous sharp teeth. So many teeth. In the distance, fearful shouts reached her ears, and then, in an instant, the world brightened again, the mad god's features returning to normal. Sarah reclined, exhaling in relief as the deranged deity rested against the edge of the slab.

"You thought it was you, "A laugh escaped from his full lips, "No, Sarah. It was Apollo that took his life years ago. It was I who gifted it back. I am not only the god of madness and wine, as you well know."

"Of course, forgive my assumption." She lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the blades of grass.

Yea! Piss off Dionysus, like that ever goes well.

"Did I ruin my chance with him by reversing the soulspell?

"You asked for my protection, little witch. So I protected you and him from your stupidity. The spell failed,"

Thank the mad god!... but Godric attacked me?

"Of course he attacked you. You have witnessed your mate during the initial three phases of his existence. Ignorance. Insanity. Regret. With the fourth stage set, I ponder the fate of both of you."

He died... he didn't recognize me through the insanity.

"Indeed, he has been reborn, and no, he would not recognize you at that time, as no bond had yet been established. You were not yet born. As he felt the heat of the sun, you were just a young child, enjoying your time in your grandparents' yard, later that very same day."

Sarah experienced anxiety as Dionysus vocalized her thoughts in response. He regarded her kneeling posture with a smirk, amusement evident on his face.

"Am I insane?"

Melodic laughter emanated from the deity's lips in response to her inquiry, "Perhaps only slightly, my child."

He rose from the slab, the witch rising to her feet as he approached her. Dionysus grasped her free hand, caressing the back of it with his thumb. "You have not made an offering to me in quite some time, Sarah; I anticipate one shortly."

The woman gave a fierce nod and said, "I swear I will."

"There is no need for swearing, child." He gently released her hand and brushed her dark hair away from her face."A word of warning, Sarah. Should he transform you into a vampire, you will forfeit your magical abilities."

"What do I do?"

"Search the ancient tombs in my homeland for immortality; it is concealed from view, and I will guide you. I have grand plans for Godric and you."

"Godric? He's—"

"Mine. I gambled for his soul against Apollo and Hades and won. He is mine and I'll expect offerings from him too."

Dionysus smiled, a glimmer of possessiveness and greed evident for his children. Then he was pulling away and turning back to the slab.

"Go, Sarah, follow the steps through the vast valley and return to our dear Godric. Time is running out for you. Prolong your wait, and you will transform into a vampire."

Sarah turned and faced the steps, a hint of realization dawning on her. "Oh...right, there was a 'cajun fairy' guiding me. Was that you?"

The witch turned to discover the god of madness absent, leaving only the vacant stone slab behind.

...hmmm.

Sarah descended the steps, clutching Godric's shirt firmly. A solitary satyr occupied the bottom steps, his back turned as he manipulated an object in his hands. Small horns adorned his head, nearly obscured by dense blond curls.

She smiled and halted beside him, observing the exquisitely crafted lute in his hands.

"Why are you sitting here by yourself while everyone else is enjoying the dance?"

Startled chocolate brown eyes gazed up at her, the youthful satyr blushing three distinct shades of red. Her amusement prompted laughter before she gestured with her free hand toward him. "I apologize; my name is Sarah; what's yours?"

"I—I'm Lael." He whispered with a stutter while gazing at her palm, "You are injured."

"What?" Sarah turned her palm toward herself, the throbbing pain finally registering as she observed the scratches that had dug deep into her flesh. "Oh, I was unaware..."

The young satyr grasped her wrist, positioning her palm upward, while his other hand glided against hers, a cool salve providing relief to her lacerated skin.

"I'm grateful, Lael." She smiled at him as he withdrew, blushing. The poor dear looked like he would pass out.

Satyrs were gentle creatures, despite what legend had you believe, always picking up on the emotions and pain of others, so attached to the green nature around them, they had a deep love for music and all things beautiful. "Why don't you join them?"

He merely shrugged in reply, his gaze returning to the lute he was sculpting. Sarah acquiesced, bending down to bestow a brief kiss on his cheek in gratitude for the salve, disregarding the slight gasp that escaped his lungs. Leaping from the final step, Sarah turned and waved to Lael, "It was a pleasure meeting you, thank you!"

Amused by Lael's now vividly blushing face, the poor lamb, and his timid wave in return, she proceeded along the path traversing the expansive field, with satyrs and women dashing by her, laughter resonating from their lips.

She accelerated, sprinting towards the distant blue portal, Godric's linen shirt billowing at her side. As a dark-haired woman emerged abruptly in front of her, Sarah attempted to halt but was unsuccessful, colliding with the woman instead.

"By Dionysus! Look both ways before crossing the street!" The Cajun woman rebuked the other devotee of the god of madness as she ascended back onto her feet, while the other woman rose to her feet, her expression one of fury.

"What brings you from the sacred resting place of my God?"

Sarah scoffed, directing her finger at the older woman as she returned Godric's shirt to its resting place at her side. "Pardon you, lady. He is not yours."

"What qualities do you and the other women possess that make you exceptional? "What's your name, sorceress?" The dark-haired woman inquired while brushing off her white robe, small flowers cascading from her hair as she attempted to arrange it.

"Sarah and you?

Don't swear. Don't swear. This is sacred ground.

"Melpomene." The woman responded too swiftly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm not pronouncing that, got something a little more simple?"

"In that case, you can refer to me as Maryann."

"Improved upon, now what's your issue?"

Maryann's expression turned sour as she replied, "He's angry with me after my actions," as she uncrossed her arms, appearing completely defeated.

"What actions did you take to invoke the anger of Dionysus?"

"I only desired to wed him."

Sarah raised her eyebrows in response and quietly chuckled, "Dionysus is already wed to Ariadne. What could he possibly desire from you?"

"He is a deity, and deities have taken consorts!" The woman snapped, her expression transforming into something that was no longer entirely human.

She's a maenad! Well, of course. Maenads were the original followers of Dionysus, with witches emerging later.

"Not Dionysus. He remains devoted to his beloved lady wife of the labyrinth. To him, we are merely children. "You never stood a chance, Maenad."

Sarah chuckled lightly before walking around the woman to resume her path toward her soulmate, "Maybe you should consider seeking his forgiveness with a grand offering rather than complaining."

A contemplative look appeared on Maryann's face before she gave a nod. "I appreciate your words, but I would prefer if you left now. I am not fond of you."

Sarah let out a low chuckle before walking away from the ancient being who remained on the pathway in contemplation.

Almost there. The witch approached the portal, examined its ethereal luminescence, and then backed away before sprinting and leaping into the spectral light.

I'm coming, Godric!

Chapter Text

WARNING FOR CHAPTER— Sexual themes, homicide, blood.

Sweetest Rain

Song by Abilene

SARAH

Sarah's initial awareness was the flavor of Godric, his blood cascading down her throat, with the weight of his head resting upon her, his fatigued sobs reaching her ears as cool fingers massaged the ball of her throat, compelling her to swallow. Blood flowed abundantly, trickling down the side of her mouth and accumulating beneath her neck, intertwining into her thick mane of hair. The woman inhaled deeply, her lungs strained, as her hand instinctively found Godric's head, her fingers gliding through his hair.

Eyes filled with stardust and anguish met her gaze, the vampire retracting his bleeding arm from her mouth, his fingers halting their motion against her throat.

"Stupid girl!"

Godric wept, his hands clutching her shoulders before raising her onto his lap, his body trembling violently against hers as his arms encircled her. Sarah swallowed the residual blood before embracing him, "Godric." Brown eyes scrutinized his blood-stained features, her fingers ascended to cradle his cheeks as he blinked away crimson tears. "Your heart stopped." He wept, resting his forehead against hers.

"You burned in the sun." The witch replied, tears welling in her eyes.

The cool tongue of her mate lapped at her tears before he buried his face into her shoulder, his arms tightening around her, drawing her fully against him.

The storm raged on, torrents of rain crashing down upon them from the wrathful night sky as they remained seated in the muddy, now eroded pentagram.

"Never again, my Sarah, I beg you."

She caressed the drenched fabric of his back, finding solace as his blood coursed through her, illuminating her from within. "I'm sorry."

The witch murmured against his shoulder, inhaling the vampire's scent while attuning herself to the sounds of creatures amidst the raging storm. The blood she previously possessed was insignificant compared to what now flowed through her body.

Oh, Gods. She wanted him. He was alive, willingly pressed against her. The previously faint soulbond had intensified; he was angry yet grateful, and she recognized this duality. Relief emanated from his body in waves. Godric wanted this; he wanted her—and she was a damn fool.

The woman adjusted her position against her vampire until he withdrew from her shoulder, locking eyes with her, his lips firmly sealed. His body stiffened beneath hers. Godric was gearing up for a heated argument.

No. No! Not now; this was not happening now. Sarah chuckled before extending her hand to grasp the back of his neck, drawing him toward her lips with a sigh.

After some persuasion with her lips and tongue, he finally responded, parting his lips, and allowing her to enter. Sarah savored his presence, exhilarated as his cool tongue met with hers, the kiss intensifying. Her fingers penetrated his back, tearing through the gray fabric of his shirt effortlessly. Godric responded passionately, ripping her clothing as he morphed into a more feral form. They undressed each other with fervor, both gasping with delight as bare skin was revealed.

Sarah embedded her nails into his back, eliciting a primal sound from Godric. She pushed back against the trunk of a huge oak, and he followed, keeping his attention as she drew him in and rolled her hips against his.

With every groan that slipped from him, she felt a growing sense of arousal, captivated by the way his muscles tensed beneath her touch. She lured him in, and Godric repositioned himself, slipping his hand between her legs. She was keenly aware of her intense arousal, fully engulfed in a tempest of emotions.

She inhaled sharply, tightened her grip on him, and emitted a tremulous moan as his fingers parted her folds and located her clit. She constricted her thighs around his hand, desiring more of him, longing for him to be buried deeply inside, tangled tightly in her arms, and delirious with need.

His guttural voice wavered, "You're—"

"I need you in me now." With a sense of urgency, Sarah implored him, her hands gently cradling his face.

The mercury hue of his irises were swallowed by black pupils expanding; Godric appeared unhinged. Her body was ignited, contorting toward him. She expected a sinister, egotistical smirk to grace his lips, but his expression instead transformed into one of intensity and desperation. He maneuvered her onto her hands and knees, manipulating her body to face the base of the giant live oak, eliciting a gasp as she grasped the exposed roots of the tree.

"Yes, I will have you."

She hoped he would never stop. The witch generally felt compelled to establish her dominance during intimate moments. However, when it came to Godric, she felt an intense and genuine sensation, captivated by an unexpected warmth blossoming inside her.

"Rough—please."

She writhed against him, causing the vampire to propel her forward. Her beautiful, demented mate pushed her against the bark of the tree, trapping her arms beneath her and Sarah sighed at the brutality.

The witch experienced a magnificent melting sensation, her breath fading away once more. She was overcome with an incomprehensible emotion, and her thoughts were muddled. She desired him to fuck her to the point of breaking her. Her heartbeat quickened with anticipation as she sensed him at her entrance, and as the vampire entered her with a seamless motion, a fresh surge of warmth and energy fell over them.

The tree's bark was rough and coarse, contrasting with the cool, masculine smoothness of his body pressed against her back. The soulbond resonated. The sensation caused her to gasp, obliterating all coherent thoughts from her mind, and they both groaned as he angled to thrust deeper.

The chill of his unnecessary breath brushed gently against her shoulder. She synchronized her movements with his hips, leaning back against him, her body quivering with ecstasy. He settled into a rhythm and began to deliver prolonged, deep thrusts. Every forceful thrust seemed to lift her muddy knees from the earth, causing soft whimpers to emerge from her throat.

Godric was snarling and panting against her ear, and she could feel the lethal tips of his fangs scrape against her sensitive skin. Tremors spread from her abdomen, pleasure enveloping her as he increased his pace.

"I'll never let you go now; you're mine." he hissed a dark laugh ominously into her ear.

Yes, she thought as she arched her back in a delightful haze. This was a wild Godric, and she was writhing in dark ecstasy. As his enigmatic, possessive voice brushed against her ear, she became so much more aroused, demonstrating her obvious derangement.

She never recognized her great fascination for danger and realized with a breathless giggle that Godric was the epitome of danger.

He was exceedingly strong and deeply focused on his objective. Godric's wild temperament excited her.

He bit her, embedding his fangs into her neck, fucking into her with the endurance of an eternal, with the passion and strength of a god. Her walls contracted around him repeatedly as pleasure curled her toes; it was fierce and unyielding, and she reveled in it.

His fingernails dug deeply into her hips; he made love to her with a passion that made light burst behind her eyes, exploring a depth within her that sent waves of pleasure trembling through her.

Her head sagged, and her strained respiration devolved into sighs and gasps as she struggled for breath. The rapid motions of his thrusts suggested that he was reaching completion. The soulbond resonated with a powerful hum. She might beat him to it. Sarah could feel the heat rising in her abdomen, a tight cord ready to snap: pulse hammering, cheeks flushed red.

"My Sarah."

She perceived the coarse, possessive snarl directly by her ear, chilling against her skin. Her head spun from pure lust. Her legs trembled; no one had ever claimed her so aggressively, instinctively, and possessively. This mating ritual between them heightened beyond amazing, approaching unsettling levels. She arched beneath him with a deep groan, causing Godric to tighten his crushing grip and bite her again. Waves of euphoria mixed with the sharp agony of fangs sinking into her skin.

Her orgasm struck unexpectedly, causing everything within her to tighten before it burst forth, tightly constricting around him, waves of pleasure coursing through her repeatedly.

His fangs withdrew.

"Oh, Tu me fais me sentir si bien!" He sounded sweetly breathless and it could have elicited laughter from her had she not been so exquisitely euphoric. "Vilain." She slurred, her mind perfectly fried.

His control slipped away almost instantly after he thrust into her one last time, climaxing with a guttural snarl that was wholly primal before he collapsed heavily on top of her. Sarah could feel him trembling as he wedged her between him and the tree with his weight, restricting her movements.

But let's be honest, her strength would have faltered if she were required to remain on her hands and knees, unaided. Godric had thoroughly satisfied and exhausted her.

The witch breathed heavily, her thoughts consumed by his passion and dominance. She was very into it—no, into him—significantly more than she anticipated. Had anybody else attempted to dominate her, as he just did, she would have violently retaliated. Would have torn a throat out. Godric was the exception; he was perfect.

Sarah took a moment to comprehend why she was struggling to breathe. The vampire was pressing against her with his full weight, nuzzling the back of her neck. The tree offered no flexibility, and her ribs began to ache with a tight sensation.

"You're smooshing me, sweet creature."

"Apologies," he rasped and immediately climbed off of her.

Sarah twisted her long hair over her bare shoulder as the cold wind nipped at her exposed skin. The witch turned to observe Godric, a smile gracing her lips while she took in his satisfied demeanor as he sat with legs crossed under him on the muddy earth before her. He appeared perfectly fucked out. His mercury-hued eyes, deeply lidded, regarded her with a languid, mesmerizing intensity.

He extended his hand towards her. "Come here," he spoke gently.

Sarah approached, somewhat perplexed until he enveloped her in a firm embrace, pulling her into his lap. Godric was delightfully affectionate, causing a flutter in her stomach as his arms constricted around her.

She was instantly enveloped in a protective embrace and nestled against him. Pressed against his chest, she almost forgot where they were. Her eyelids fought to stay open; a feeling of satisfaction and lethargy overwhelmed her despite the dangerous swamps surrounding them.

Godric held her close, resting his chin gently on her head. His voice was considerably softer. "My Sarah."

She leaned towards him, draping her arms possessively over his shoulders.

" —and you're mine."

She meant it. Weeks ago, she might have experienced some worry about having a vampire so possessively wrapped around her, but now, the need for him felt completely instinctual. She favored his proximity, requiring his well-being and attention.

Godric held her even more snugly against him and it was serene; she felt secure in the embrace of his arms. Truly relaxing had been difficult for years, but now it was becoming a little too easy to slip into a soft haze when he held her. They sat in tranquility; the witch stroking his forearm gently before curling her fingers through his. Godric breathed out a content sigh and continued to nuzzle his features against her hair.

The rain persisted, with soft beads pouring over her bare skin as she lay firmly entangled with Godric in the muddy depths of the swamp. Her dark gaze turned to scrutinize the purring vampire. His mercury-hued eyes were shut as he reclined his head on his supporting arm, his elbow embedded in the mud. The soulbond had flared open at their first coupling, the mating finally complete. The two times after that were motivated solely by desire. Mercury's gaze fixed on hers, a mischievous smile blossoming on the vampire's lips.

"No. No! I can't go again, stop!"

Sarah chuckled as he maneuvered her onto her back with his physique. She shielded her face from the rain with his body before looking up at him; Godric was purring and trembling slightly. "Are you cold?" Sarah inquired as she wrapped her arms around him. She was. If they stayed outdoors in the rain any longer, she was certain to catch a cold.

"No, little mate. I am not."

He growled, stooping to run his nose along the side of her muddy face, descending to her neck. "You're shivering?"

The vampire tensed above her, "I've provided you with a significant amount of my blood; this is merely a side effect."

Oh...OH! "Then take it back."

"No."

Sarah pressed against Godric, her frustration mounting as thoughts raced through her mind. He bit her so many times during sex, however, he didn't draw any significant quantity of blood. She extracted an excessive amount from him, leaving him starved. Guilt enveloped her as Godric shook his head.

"Abandon your guilt; it was my decision."

"You're hungry; take the blood back."

"No."

Sarah exerted pressure on his chest until he shifted aside, allowing her to stand, coated in thick muck and traces of his blood that the rain had failed to cleanse.

The witch approached the drenched bag, barefoot, bending down to evaluate her supplies with a hint of irritation. Brown eyes fixated on the book of shadows. It was done! Thoroughly saturated with rainwater. With a curse, Sarah pulled it from her bag, but Godric, standing next to her, quickly seized it from her grasp.

Brown eyes watched in wonder as he forcefully disassembled the book, the binding succumbing easily in his grasp. Her jaw dropped as he ripped the book apart in a fit of frustration before vanishing from the scene.

Brown eyes scanned the surroundings for her vampire until he materialized before her, empty-handed, "Godric." Sarah raised her arms in exasperation, "What. The. Hell?"

Her mate simply shrugged in reply while he adjusted the sweatpants on his hips, "That book was rare! It was old!"

"I am old, darling girl. The book was merely a problem."

Sarah sighed as he drew her closer, "Please do not be upset with me; my intentions are solely for your benefit."
Godric purred against her disheveled hair, enveloping her trembling form in his cool embrace.

"You're shivering." He noted, his fingers gliding along the surface of her arm.

"We should get out of the rain."

She reacted sharply before stepping back to retrieve what remained of her clothing and boots on the ground. It appeared that her panties remained intact amidst the torn garments. She put them on before expressing frustration at the remnants of her leggings and shirt; her boots were torn along the sides, also damaged.

Retrieving her phone from the mud, she discovered it was lifeless, encrusted with mud and rainwater. Sarah clenched her cell phone, hoping that her waterproof case protected it from the elements.

"Is it possible to mend them using magic?"

Her mate inquired from his position behind her.

"Sure, but I have more clothes for us at home. It's not a problem."

Brown eyes searched for the white linen shirt she had transported through the portal, but it was absent.

She pivoted and scrutinized the bag on the ground. In the absence of the book, the leather felt vacant; there was no necessity to retrieve it, as the cleaning process would be quite cumbersome. They would forsake the crystals, which were shattered and impaired, rendered worthless, alongside the cauldron, which had partially melted from the intensity of the flames.

Sarah exhaled softly and glanced at the vampire, who remained motionless in the light rain, the witch felt a sense of unease when he didn't even blink. She pivoted and proceeded toward her residence, disregarding the predatory gaze of Godric as he trailed behind her.

Fire. Intense flames engulfed her home, consuming it rapidly. Her home! All of Sarah's efforts were obliterated, along with the possessions of her deceased grandparents, consumed by roaring flames. A potent odor of gasoline and smoke permeated her nostrils. The light rain did not extinguish the fire as laughing resonated in the distance; a sob left her lips before she turned and pushed herself against the cold, rumbling chest of Godric.

The tires produced a distinct noise on the gravel of her driveway, dislodging small stones as the passengers yelled from the lowered windows, hurling disgusting insults at her and the vampire standing near the tree line.

Fangbanger! Slut! Dead fuck! Leech! Demon!

Scott and his idiotic friends were to blame. The bastard had set fire to her house! He ruined everything!

With darkening eyes and insane twisting features, she confronted the red truck racing down the driveway. Anger provoked her magick to surge, and she raised her free hand, tightly clinching her phone with the other, forcefully. The vehicle veered sideways, the truck bed rising under the force of her chaotic, swirling magic as it skidded across the slick gravel, flipping over and over.

Screams echoed over the blaring radio as the truck finally came to a stop, overturned, its tires still spinning. Sarah glanced at Godric, whose black eyes were fixated, seeming more captivated by the humans ensnared in the overturned truck.

"I took an excessive amount of blood from you," her mate's ravenous gaze shifted towards her, "So take theirs, Godric."

He disappeared from her side in a whirlwind. Sarah pivoted toward the clamor of grinding metal as her fierce mate wrenched the passenger door from the truck, tossing it aside with ease into the foliage before he reached inside.

A screaming, imploring Scott was brought into her line of sight as her mate tore into his flesh with his fangs, disregarding his cries of remorse and agony. Sarah stood with her back to her burning house, observing her mate prey upon the humans, methodically inflicting suffering, and she watched with sadistic delight, teetering on the brink of madness, as the vampire snarled into the night.

The radio played the latest cover of Tennessee Whiskey, accompanied by their cries of agony and fear. It was appropriate in a sinister way.

— as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time"

"I've looked for love in all the same old places
Found the bottom of a bottle's always dry
But when you poured out your heart, I didn't waste it
'Cause there's nothing like your love to get me high"

"You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

Chapter Text

ERIC

Eric Northman sat in his dimly lit office, behind his rich brown mahogany desk, sifting through the towering piles of paperwork. The 1,102 ancient was no longer the sheriff of Shreveport; he had assumed control of the kingdom of Louisiana at the request of the newly established vampire authority. Currently living on the border to the vibrant city of New Orleans in a contemporary mansion nestled deep within the forests, offering solitude and tranquility, valued at approximately thirty-five million. The mansion did not incorporate any Victorian craft, as it simply did not align with his style.

Each room contained dark UV windows, constructed from thick, bulletproof glass to safeguard against potential assaults. The house was secured with maximum protection. Cameras, passcodes, and the directive to secure the house completely, permitting no entry or exit unless specified by him. Eric had never been one to rely on bodyguards for protection, so he dismissed them. The new authority was displeased with his choice, but there was little they could do about it. He commanded both fear and respect globally, alongside his child, Pamala.

Upon establishing New Blood, they became invincible and significantly wealthier, much to his daughter's delight. Eric chuckled and shook his head affectionately at the thought of his wayward progeny. She was absent this evening, and since he released her, he could no longer perceive her whereabouts or her emotions.

Regret surged within him at the thought of his impulsive decision to let Pamela go; she was all he had left. His timeless mind wandered to Willa. Eric had made numerous attempts to connect with his young daughter throughout the years, but she consistently showed no interest in engaging with him. She remained silent. He could not hold her accountable; he had merely changed her to gain access to her father, the governor, who was fortunately deceased and interred.

The Viking was abruptly pulled from his thoughts as a dark caress, unmistakably belonging to one vampire, tugged at his mind, causing the bond to his lost maker to flare open. Eric hissed, his fangs extending in response to the sudden emotions emanating from Godric. Was this deception? Twelve years ago, Godric and the sun met—no, it was not a trick. It is impossible to alter the connection between maker and progeny.

His maker was near; Eric propelled himself from his chair and utilized his speed to reach the front door. He yanked it open and stepped outside, confronting the entity that had haunted his dreams since that fateful dawn on the accursed rooftop. Godric stood before him on the pavement of the gated driveway, enshrouded in mud, blood, and a loose-fitting pair of worn black sweatpants.

A human woman stood directly behind him, almost pressing against his back, covered in mud and dressed only in seamless black underwear, the mud tarnishing the lace, complemented by a leather necklace featuring an obsidian stone, while she held a damaged cellphone. Her lengthy, black hair concealed her bare chest and abdomen, obscuring the majority of her upper body from his sight.

Eric's eyebrows arched dramatically above his ocean-blue eyes as he diverted his attention from the unremarkable female. He hurried forward, suppressing the instinct to bow before his maker, and instead, he pulled Godric away from the woman, lifting him off the ground. His arms enveloped the smaller male as he buried his nose in the hollow of Godric's neck. He disregarded the woman's scent masking the ancient in his arms and concentrated solely on the ominous, dark, seductive aroma of his maker.

Godric encircled Eric's neck with his arms, securing one leg around his progeny's hip for stability, and pressed his nose against the crown of his child. Eric gasped against the cool skin of his maker, a hoarse purr emanating from Godric in reply.

"Eiríkr."

"Guðrekr."

Eric responded, pulling his face away from Godric's shoulder to look at the woman, who observed them with unabashed curiosity on her muddy features. He suppressed the impulse to hiss at her as he reassessed the situation. It would have been quite typical for a younger Godric to bring a blood bag for sustenance and pleasure as he traveled across the land to see Eric. Although Godric had a preference for males, he still found females to be soft and enticing, with a heat between their legs that drew him in.

However, this situation was different; indeed, Godric had lay with her, and Eric could scent that, but his maker had also provided her with a significant quantity of his blood.

Godric honored the blood.

Godric did not bestow his blood upon humans unless he desired them as progeny, which was an uncommon occurrence within itself. No, she was different. He needed to proceed with caution around this woman until he understood her value to Godric.

"Godric, who is this woman?"

Eric inquired in Old Norse as his creator withdrew; he released him, and the smaller vampire gracefully touched down on his nimble feet. Godric smiled before pivoting on his heels and extending his hand to the woman, who approached, gazing up at him with inquisitive eyes.

"She is my mate, Eric. My fated."

Godric promptly responded in the archaic tongue before redirecting his attention to the human female.

"This is Eric, my progeny. My child. Eric, this is Sarah, my mate. My fated."

He spoke with enthusiasm, his accent becoming increasingly pronounced as Eric and Sarah observed one another. "You're very tall."

Her thick Louisiana accent emerged as she tilted her head back; he raised an eyebrow in reply, "You are quite short."

She averted her gaze at his response, directing her attention to his maker with a weary look. "Godric, I'm exhausted; it's been a long night."

Eric directed his gaze towards his creator as Godric embraced her, "I agree, little mate."

Godric's pale blue eyes cast a glance in his direction, signaling a promise to speak before they proceeded past him and entered the mansion. He followed them, shutting and locking the door while his oceanic gaze tracked the muddy footprints leading to the white staircase. Eric followed closely behind Sarah as his maker guided her upstairs, holding her hand and matching her pace.

"To your right, the first door on the left, Guðrekr."

His creator adhered to his instructions, guiding them into Eric's bedroom. The Viking navigated around the couple, entering the open closet in search of clothing for them both. Godric usually preferred to forgo clothes after a shower; the older vampire enjoyed sleeping in the nude.

Eric selected a fresh pair of gray cotton track pants and a sleeveless black fitted top, prepared for any change of mind from his maker. He scrutinized the t-shirts before grabbing an oversized, red Fangtasia shirt. Amused by recollections of the closed bar, Eric emerged from his closet to discover Godric and Sarah already bustling about the immaculate bathroom.

He entered the bathroom, placing his clothes on the counter and nodding at his maker, who had activated the shower. Godric's gaze softened upon Eric before he inclined his neck, silently signaling his son to leave him alone with his mate. Eric smirked, raising his eyebrows at Godric, who subsequently rolled his pale eyes. Eric shut the door as he exited the bathroom, his oceanic eyes casting a glance at his mud-stained attire from embracing his maker. A change of clothes might be necessary; the mud on the floor and stairs also required cleaning.

SARAH

She detached her protective necklace from her neck and placed it, along with her phone, on an unoccupied section of the white, marbled countertop. Sarah turned to face her mate, who was already entering the expansive marble shower, steam obscuring the glass and concealing him from her sight.

The witch removed her panties, discarding them beside Godric's muddy sweatpants on the white floor, before pursuing him and closing the glass door behind her. Pale brown colored eyes shifted to discover Godric positioned beneath the cascading water, the showerhead suspended from the ceiling above.

His head was elevated, his eyes obscured by pale eyelids and dense eyelashes. She experienced a constriction in her heart upon witnessing his beauty, before advancing toward him and placing her hands on his shoulders. The witch inclined towards him, her torso pressing against his as she kissed his adam's apple.

She kissed him repeatedly. The witch glided her hands down his shoulders, across his chest, and along his ribcage, encircling him as his charming laughter escaped his lips while her blunt teeth grazed his throat. In an instant, she was lifted in his arms and pressed against the slick shower wall; Sarah gasped as her head momentarily spun with dizziness before his tongue caressed her lips.

She sifted her fingers through his soft hair, extracting clumps of mud from the delicate strands to discard on the shower floor, while bestowing him with Eskimo kisses. Godric was addiction. Sarah felt a compelling desire to be near him; she was resolute in her quest to comprehend the vampire entirely, captivated by his past—every aspect, even the challenging moments.

"What does 'Par ater pe deiwo. Pe stir-bnanom' mean?"

Sarah whispered, her vampire tensed beside her, his tongue hesitating before retracting into his mouth. Dark pupils contracted, and the slender line of mercury expanded marginally in response to her inquiry. Godric licked his lower lip before speaking, his brows knitted as he observed her.

"The meaning, 'Are you a deity? A star woman?'"

Sarah averted her gaze, prompting Godric to tighten his grip on her thighs, causing her to hiss as his fingers pressed into her flesh with excessive force. Brown eyes glared up into the mercury orbs of her mate.

"How did you come to know that language?"

It was a demand. It was a challenge. Sarah could not help but rise to the occasion. A playful smile emerged on her face, "Come on, baby, you might consider asking politely; sometimes, begging could be effective too."

A subtle snarl slipped from his parted lips, and a deep intensity radiated from him, his features shadowed, his form taking on a more stony quality. Excitement accumulated in her abdomen as he pressed his stiffening length against her.

"I can ask nicely, but you'll be the one to beg, baby."

"Wanna bet." Sarah laughed.

ERIC

The Viking positioned the mop in its designated location as his maker's bathed companion entered the kitchen, her pale, brown eyes surveying the area before settling on him. He shut the door to the compact closet before approaching and leaning against the expansive island counter.

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

It seemed as though she did; he could sense the satisfaction radiating from her, his maker's scent enveloping her like a heavy veil, the aroma of his maker lingering between her legs. Eric compressed his lips as his jeans constricted, his gums throbbing around his concealed fangs. Then she flushed a deep red upon realizing that he had heard them. Eric smirked, eyeing the long Fangtasia shirt that covered her form. The woman was able to move freely despite the absence of underwear beneath the length of the fabric.

"Do you have human food?"

Sarah approached him with a stutter, while Eric leaned forward on the counter, concealing his arousal; instead, he silently gestured toward the refrigerator. The woman regarded him intently before she opened the icebox. Human food was scarce in the residence; the sole provisions available were those brought home by humans, Pamala used for sexual and nutritional acts.

Sarah was not the kind of beauty he typically appreciated, yet she was undeniably striking. Her features appeared to reflect a blend of French, Irish, Spanish, and Italian heritage. The towering vampire observed her retrieve a wrapped burrito from the refrigerator as she glanced through the window, surveying his backyard.

"You have a pool; may I use it?" She inquired with enthusiasm.

"It would be wise to seek Daddy's permission; we certainly want to avoid any risk of drowning."

Sarah cast him a disdainful glance before ascending onto a barstool, her legs swinging rhythmically. She unwrapped the cold burrito, seemingly too famished to bother with the microwave, and sank her blunt teeth into the beans and cheese of the fast food, letting out a satisfied moan as she did so.

Ocean-colored eyes shifted toward the doorway as his maker entered, dressed in the oversized garments he had set aside for him. Eric's shoulders trembled with barely contained laughter at the darkening expression on Godric's face as he gazed lustfully at his maker; it had been far too long.

Godric hissed in revulsion, his wide pale blue eyes fixating on his mate devouring the greasy human food. His nose curled up, and his shoulders tensed. The elder vampire remained unchanged, the scent of human food continuing to disgust him profoundly. It consistently rendered him irritable for hours thereafter.

The Viking observed with intrigue as Godric seized the burrito from Sarah's grasp, retreating a few paces as she directed her enraged gaze at him. "Give it back."

"It is detrimental to your well-being," Godric responded, retreating swiftly, "You require something more nutritious."

"There's nothing else!" Sarah hissed, extending her hand for the food, "Return it!"

Oceanic eyes observed his creator shake his head, "I'll feed you later."

"You'll feed me now!" Sarah exclaimed, "Discard the burrito; I am indifferent, but find food for me, order takeout if you must, you useless man!"

Eric hissed in defense of his creator; no one addressed Godric in such a manner, and no one ever dared to. His maker inhaled sharply in disbelief at her insult, as his fangs extended and his gaze deepened. His features contorted with irritation as he adopted a defensive stance.

"You will not address me in that manner again."

Sarah rose from the barstool and lifted her arms at her sides while shrugging, "I'll speak to you as I please, you are mine!" She hissed her possessive claim to a tense, furious Godric before directing her malevolent gaze toward Eric.

"I assume you have a phone. Uber Eats delivers. I want food and if I don't get any soon, I'll go hunt for it myself."

Eric experienced a blend of astonishment and irritation at her demands; if this was the nature of having a fated mate, he didn't want one.

Eric's eyes widened as Godric discarded the burrito into the trash, then advanced aggressively and seized Sarah by her upper arm, pivoting her to confront him. She promptly laughed before extending her free arm to glide the back of her knuckles along his cheekbone. He exposed his fangs at her, his expression contorted with indignation until she closed in and licked at his full lips and fangs with her tongue.

Eric watched in horrified disbelief as her arm possessively wrapped around his neck, capturing the growling vampire in her hold before she captured his lips with hers, kissing him fervently. The human woman traced her tongue along his chin, and upon reaching his jaw, she bestowed upon him licks and kisses until Godric surrendered to her advances. His jaw slackened and his growls ceased as his pale blue eyes shut, his head inclining towards the kitchen ceiling.

Regardless of Godric's unintentional compliance, Eric observed the most formidable creature he had ever known reveal the vulnerable underside of his jaw to a human girl, as she employed submission to effortlessly dominate him.

Astonishment and irritation surged within Eric; this human had easily bent his maker to her will, wrapping him tightly around her finger.

Godric emerged from the final grave, liberated from his sorrow and regret, yet he was trapped. Death had been ensnared by a tiny, human female.

Chapter Text

ERIC

Impatient ocean spheres observed his shut office door from his position behind a desk cluttered with papers. Godric was back, and he was content and healthy. Eric's creator had shed the waxen appearance, no longer sickly pale, with fragile skin and diminished despondent movements. The Viking's patience waned as the door creaked open, Godric entering and locking eyes with his pale blue gaze.

Eric swiftly maneuvered, employing vampiric speed to draw his maker towards him, elevating the inked ancient from the ground. He advanced, utilizing Godric's back to secure the door, positioning his maker against it and excluding all else. Eric pressed his face firmly against the soft throat of his small maker, emitting a profound hum that quickly transformed into a deep, yearning purr.

GodricGodricGodricGodric

"Praise Odin, it's a miracle!" Eric proclaimed with a muted, fragmented tone as his large hands traversed the other's body, sliding beneath the hem of his maker's loose shirt. Firm arms encircled his neck possessively while the shadowy touch of his maker resonated through their bond.

"Indeed, it is. I've missed you, my child." Godric affectionately hissed against the younger's golden crown as powerful legs constricted around Eric's hips. "How is this possible?" The Viking inhaled the dark aroma of the elder while gliding his palms over the cool skin and robust ribcage.

"I am uncertain."

The gentle voice of his creator resonated above him, his throat pressing against Eric's lips. "Promise me you will not leave again." Eric nearly implored, asserting dominance instead, his fingers clutching his maker firmly as an amused snort escaped the ancient's lips in response to Eric's authoritative tone.

Swear!

He forcefully propelled the word through the bond towards Godric, causing the elder to jolt against him. The Viking retracted his head, ensnaring the pale blue orbs with his furious, terror-laden stare.

Pale lips parted as the gaze of his maker softened, "I swear."

Exhaling an unwarranted sigh of relief, Eric leaned in, allowing his forehead to gently collide with Godric's in a display of affection before promptly tilting his head to connect with the cool, parted lips of his creator. He kissed him with an intensity reminiscent of a desperate soul struggling for breath. Channeling all of his affection, rage, and sorrow through the connection with Godric.

His maker remained compliant until he bit down forcefully on the older vampire's lower lip with blunt teeth, the flavor of Godric's blood flooding his mouth, eliciting a groan from the Viking as a deep snarl emerged from Godric. Ocean eyes looked into the darkening pale blue eyes as his maker's fangs extended.

Release me.

Eric complied, stepping back as the smaller vampire landed gracefully on his nimble feet. "Kneel, Eric," he commanded. The Viking trembled briefly before obeying the command, a thrill surging through him as his fangs instinctively retracted in response to the ominous gaze of his maker.

Godric stepped forward, his hand moving to gently trace Eric's features. More than a century has passed since his creator last gazed at him in this way—with sinister desire—before regret and despair reduced him to a shadow of his former self.

"Welcome back, swine."

Eric inhaled deeply, gazing up at his maker with every ounce of affection he could muster. A sinister smile emerged from Godric as he ran his fingers through blond hair, then seized it and forcefully yanked his progeny's head back, his dark eyes surveying the pale neck before him. "I've missed this." Godric hissed before leaning forward and sinking his sharp fangs into his child's throat, eliciting a groan of pleasurable pain from Eric.

"Where's your human?"

"She's resting in your bed." His maker murmured against his exposed shoulder as they sat opposite each other, unclothed and entwined in a tangle of limbs, on the dense dark rug beside the warm fire that crackled and hissed in the hearth.

"Will you remain with me?" Eric inquired softly.

"We will stay. I am considered, by the vampire community, to have been annihilated by the true death, and Sarah has lost her house to humans this evening. I eliminated them, but not before they incinerated her home to ashes."

Godric declared devoid of any remorse in his tone or expression. Eric raised his eyebrow, pleased to observe that his maker had returned to his complete and original form.

"Where are the bodies?"

"Laying where I killed them."

"I'll arrange for a cleaning team to remove the evidence."

Godric's nose wrinkled in confusion, "Why?"

"If other humans find them, it will certainly put pressure on her by the human law," Eric replied, chuckling deeply while Godric furrowed his brow in contemplation.

"They would be unwise to pursue her."

Godric's ominous threat slithered back to him. Eric merely sighed before grasping his maker's hand that lay on his knee, elevating it and rotating the pale wrist to his line of sight to bestow a fanged kiss upon the cool skin.

Ocean-colored eyes lifted, connecting with the deep gaze of his creator. "I wish for the rest of my bloodline to meet her."

Eric was taken aback with astonishment and a hint of sorrow, Pamela...it was merely his firstborn. Willa wanted nothing to do with him, and since Eric had released her, he could no longer feel her emotions or summon her presence. Nora. By Odin, Godric was unaware. He had no idea. He had departed when Nora transitioned from this life, and since Godric had released her a century earlier, he was unable to perceive her completely. The ancient boy before him didn't know!

"Father, Nora…"

Eric had twelve years to grieve the loss of his little sister, but this would shatter Godric. Eyes resembling the ocean, filled with sorrow, gazed into bewildered pale blue. He observed Godric's jaw clench as his pale eyelids fell closed, the vampire's head inclining slightly downward, attuned to the subtle resonance of his daughter's bond with him, seeking the elusive murmur that was Nora.

The blond vampire observed with a sense of despair as fear radiated from his small maker before him. Desperation struck Eric, making him gasp as Godric mentally tugged at the bond connecting them, urgently seeking the weaker link to Nora. Eric acted swiftly; holding his maker's wrist firmly, he drew the tattooed ancient close as a heart-wrenching sob escaped Godric's full lips.

"Eiríkr!" The expansive, pale blue eyes of his maker looked up at him as he embraced him tightly. A sudden pain coursed through the bond, causing Eric to hiss as he raised a hand to tenderly cradle the youthful face of the tattooed ancient. Godric shook his head as blood pooled in the corners of his pale eyes. Next came rage, followed by vengeance. Strong fingers seized Eric's shoulders, "—Who?"

Eric caressed the cool skin of his furious creator, his oceanic eyes softening, "There is no one left to pay for her death." He observed with a profound sense of sorrow as lovely features contorted in frustration and anguish before crimson tears fell. The older vampire stifled a sob, overwhelmed by the anguish of losing his child. He then collapsed against Eric, fracturing and breaking—and in an instant, Godric's world shattered.

SARAH

Nej!

She was in a deep sleep until a piercing cry shattered her peace. Sarah jolted awake, her brown eyes darting around the dark bedroom, fear gripping her throat. The woman sat upright as intense, excruciating pain coursed through her body, accompanied by a severe headache. What was this? This wasn't coming from her.

åh gud, nej!

A tormented, accented voice resonated from deep within her mind, bringing with it additional turmoil.

Godric!

She turned her head; muted, faint cries drifted up from downstairs. Her mate was in pain, in distress. Sarah cursed under her breath, her heart racing as she hurried out of the room. The witch rounded the corner, nearly tumbling down the stairs in her frantic rush. The woman sprinted, her bare feet striking the marble floor and carpets, and without hesitation, she collided with the closed door, her vampire awaiting on the other side.

Sarah made a dramatic entrance, the door splintered under her grasp before tilting and collapsing to the ground before her. Upon stepping on the now fractured door, she gasped at the exposed fangs of Eric, who growled at her while encircling her mate protectively.

Godric's bare back faced her, pressed against the chest of his progeny, as he wept. The witch paid no mind to Eric's growling, nor did she acknowledge their lack of clothing or the way they were entwined in a lover's embrace. She hurriedly approached, resting her hands on her mate's upper back, caressing the brand gently, while she knelt to nestle against him.

"What did you do?" She cried to the snarling blond male, who ceased his growling momentarily to hiss at her with annoyance. Sarah dismissed the vampire with a scoff before redirecting her attention to her soulmate. Her hands glided over his cold, quivering skin as he moved, directing his tormented mercury eyes and blood-streaked face toward her.

"Hon är borta. Borta. Nora är borta, min Sarah."

Godric wept, his youthful face contorted in anguish as he grasped her tightly, strong arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. Eric ceased his hissing and growling, taking a moment to bury his face into Godric's shoulder.

She felt a sense of bewilderment as Godric buried his face in her thick hair, his body trembling against hers. She embraced his shaking form, contemplating a method to alleviate his anguish. For pain—a calming spell that required little effort. The witch gently massaged Godric's shoulders, feeling the energy transform in the cozy room. The woman disregarded the blond vampire, who was tensed against Godric, his anxious oceanic eyes rising to meet hers as her palms emitted a faint white luminescence. "Monus."

Energy surged around them; Eric gasped as his eyes widened, then began to darken. The other vampire bared his fangs at her with unbridled rage, but Sarah disregarded his menacing glare. He appeared to want to kill her. Godric slumped wearily against her as she pressed her palms firmly into the exposed skin of his upper back.

"You're  a fucking witch!"

A deadly hiss emanated from the tall, blond vampire, while Sarah offered him a sinister smirk as Godric succumbed to her embrace, becoming malleable in her grasp. The pain persisted, the heart-wrenching agony still resonating from their connection, yet it was alleviated, gentler...less intense.

Pale brown eyes examined the icy oceanic gaze observing her, his attractive face contorted in fury, Eric's jaw was rigid, his fangs concealed behind a taut mouth. The blond appeared as if he wanted to rip Godric from her grasp, his expression suggesting a desire to rip her apart entirely.

Sarah regarded him thoughtfully, aware that he would not harm her—at least not in the presence of Godric; she needed to proceed with caution.

The witch believed her continued existence was solely due to Godric's presence against her. Her palms glided over her soulmate's skin, the relief spell soothing and tranquilizing him while pale brown eyes remained fixed on the oceanic glare. The two exchanged fierce looks, filled with a wave of newfound anger and disdain, over the grieving body of the ancient vampire.

Chapter Text

searching for you

— Song by Antent, Owsey, and Øneheart

SARAH

Eyelids fluttered open and blinked repeatedly, bringing the witch into consciousness. Wrapped in sheets and blankets, she paused to recall her surroundings. Gazing at a wall in the dark bedroom, Sarah reflected on her recollections as she acknowledged the absence of her mate's cool body curled around her.

The witch sat up in the king-sized bed, rubbing the sleep from her heavy eyelids with her fingers before glancing to the right. Sarah paused, her expression shifting with a fierce glare.

So that's the way he intends to play—

Her darkening eyes scrutinized her mate, who slept in tranquil slumber, his back firmly against Eric's front, while the blond immortal's arm enveloped the elder, conveying a feeling of security and possessiveness. His other arm rested underneath Godric's head, providing support for the ancient's neck.

The unconscious vampires lay before her, their serene expressions evident as they rested on the other side of the bed.

She was capable of both assuming and connecting the dots. Eric likely waited until she and her mate were asleep before extracting Godric from her. Based on the trickle of dried blood near the blond vampire's ear, she inferred that he had waited for a considerable time, as the bleeds indicated.

Sarah scowled; she was possessive and spoiled. As the only child to her parents and the sole grandchild to her grandparents, she was reluctant to share.

In the softly illuminated room, she laughed at her plan before stretching her arms above her head and casting a sly glance at the two immortals.

"Levis." Directing her magic towards the blond vampire, she watched with delight as his heavy arm lifted from her mate's waist, liberating the small vampire from the possessive hold. Without hesitation, Sarah repositioned herself and grasped Godric, sliding one arm around his waist while encircling his ribs with the other, entwining her limbs around his back before drawing him across the bed into a tight embrace effortlessly, all the while thanking the physical strength his ancient blood gifted her.

She reclined on her side, curling around Godric as her magick faded, Eric's arm dropping heavily back onto the bed. With her chin resting on her mate's shoulder, her dark brown eyes peered at Eric with malice.

"Remolior." Hissing softly against her unconscious mate's ear, she focused her magick and intent on Eric, feeling a mix of delirium and amusement as the vampire was forcefully pushed backward and thrown violently out of the bed.

Tightening her grip around a stirring Godric, her body trembled with hearty laughter as an animalistic snarl rose from the floor and reached her ears, the blond vampire forcibly awakened from his deathlike slumber from her vicious assault.

Godric hummed softly and enveloped her laughing form in his arms, while Eric unleashed a torrent of curses as he stood up, his eyes fixed on hers with clear disdain etched across his features.

"Refrain from using your powers on me, enchantress!" The towering vampire growled malevolently, his face contorted as his upper lip curled, exposing his lethal fangs at her.

Pale brown eyes fixed on Eric with intensity until Godric's hand rose and gently grasped the back of her neck, his thumb caressing her skin as his dreamy mercury eyes seamlessly drew her focus.

"Stop provoking my progeny, my Sarah." Godric softly reprimanded her, his full lips nearly brushing against hers as his cool breath wafted into her face. Sarah pursed her lips and blinked at him with feigned innocence, eliciting a lazy laugh from his throat.

"Is that to be her punishment?" Eric's masculine tone rose in pitch, filled with shock as he regarded Godric with an offended expression.

A deep sigh escaped her mate's full lips as mercury eyes rolled with exasperation. "Very well," Godric growled before removing his hand from her neck and reaching to seize her wrist, where it lay against his ribs.

Sarah and Eric gazed in astonished disbelief as the tattooed vampire sat up and assumed a cross-legged position on the bed before delicately striking the back of her hand with his free hand as punishment. Sarah tilted her head back and laughed disbelievingly as Godric relinquished her wrist to grasp her hand, curling fingers around hers and elevating it to bestow a soft kiss upon her knuckles.

"Are you content, Eric?" Godric inquired, a playful growl emanating from his throat as his deep, mercury-colored eyes rose alluringly to meet her gaze with a smirk. His tongue caressed her knuckles, eliciting a blush and driving her to wriggle in place with increasing excitement.

"Yes, Godric."

Eric responded tersely, his tone strained and detached, as her mate released her hand to embrace her waist, pulling her into his lap, causing her cheeks to flush as his mercury eyes deepened, fixating on her while his clear need pressed against her, hard and straining in his shorts.

"My mate requires human necessities, Eric. Instruct your Daymen to gather the required items for her—my love—"

"Food, clothing, footwear, body wash—I need shampoo and conditioner—a toothbrush with toothpaste—mouthwash and dental floss. Feminine hygiene products—regular size. Coffee and tea is good—please."

Sarah inhaled sharply, her mind whirling as Godric caressed her lips with his tongue. Enveloped by his enticing aroma and strong arms, she struggled to form thoughts on her tongue.

"—Godric." A subdued moan emanated from her lips.

"Create a list." The ancient vampire purred before pushing her down into the sheets and enveloping her body with his own.

Unpacking the items from the shopping bags supplied by Eric's daytime employee, Sean, later that night, provoked a fierce smile from Sarah. The blond immortal unmistakably detested her with every ounce of his being, yet he still obeyed Godric's command to care for her.

She arranged toothpaste, a packaged toothbrush, and body wash on the kitchen counter next to the assortment of fruit and fresh meat, then retrieved a paper bag containing a delectable cheeseburger that Sean had discreetly included in the grocery bag.

Sarah swiftly extracted the wrapped cheeseburger from the bag, her anxiety about being discovered prompting her to hastily unwrap it and bite into the greasy fast food with a satisfied moan.

"Did your Dayman provide her with what she required?"

"Yes, Godric," Eric replied with ease, his tone expressing respect and affection.

Feeling anxious upon overhearing Godric's raspy conversation with Eric from the neighboring room. Her anticipation intertwined with sorrow at the mournful sound of her mate. Since discovering his daughter's demise the prior night, life appeared to elude him. A profound sorrow was trapped within his ribcage, and he seemed to be fervently stifling tormented cries.

However, he restrained himself for their benefit; Sarah sensed his strength diminishing and could almost taste his tears on the verge of spilling.

Footsteps neared her position, interrupting her contemplation, and she clutched her cheeseburger tightly.

The graceful form of her soulmate appeared from around the corner, his demeanor tender but tinged with melancholy. As his mercury-colored eyes took in her tense, defensive stance, a look of confusion crossed his features before his gaze fixed on the greasy human food she clutched in her hands.

His nose contorted in revulsion, and his upper lip curled.

"How did you get that—"

"It's mine!" Sarah exclaimed, turning partially away and taking a bite of the cheeseburger in front of her astonished mate.

Once she had chewed and swallowed the bite of food, she glanced over her shoulder, her heart racing as Godric approached her, walking around the kitchen aisle, determination evident in his vexed expression.

"Contego." Sarah hissed, observing with twisted delight when her vampire crashed face-first into the transparent barrier that enveloped her and she expelled a short laugh as he recoiled, then placed his palms against the shimmering, radiant pale shield in awe as it gradually disintegrated.

The witch had already begun to make her escape from the kitchen before the shield completely dissipated.

"No, no, no, kitten." 

She hissed out the nickname before she shrieked as strong arms enveloped her waist, her mate's torso pressing against her back, elevating her off the ground and obstructing her escape.

"What did you call me?" He shouted, his resonant peal of excited laughter echoing beautifully in her ears.

Carelessly discarding the remnants of her cheeseburger and wrapper onto the hard wooden floor of the lounge, she prioritized grasping her mate's forearms that encircled her abdomen.

The witch laughed as she was carried, all the way up the stairs, and into the washroom. She let out a cry as he expertly maneuvered her body, hoisting her over his shoulder and firmly squeezing one of the cheeks of her ass before making his way to the washroom counter.

Sarah was an excited bundle of nerves; her cheeks flushed as he sat her on the counter in front of him. He utilized a washcloth with soap and lukewarm water from the sink to cleanse her mouth, eliminating the odor of fast food, before employing the same washcloth to sanitize her hands.

Once he seemed content, he neatly folded the washcloth and set it on the counter next to her, then stepped closer and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

His sob shattered the tranquility, as the anguish of sadness sprang out and struck him with force. Sarah grasped the shirt on his back tightly with both hands, wrapping her legs around his hips to draw him closer into the embrace.

"Nora."

The utterance of his daughter's name from his quivering lips caused her heart to constrict agonizingly. She could not fathom the loss of a child. The witch was unable to comprehend the kind of grief that Godric remained trapped in, nevertheless, she mourned for him, pressing her features against his cheekbone and inhaling him in deeply.

He held himself accountable. This was the most egregious and unwarranted psychological assault she had ever seen.

Sarah had thought she understood the nature of grief, the feeling of losing someone she loved dearly, but this—no, this was a profound anguish that surged within him, suffocating him, drowning him, and forcing him to choke on unnecessary breaths; it was a form of self-inflicted and mental torture.

It crawled from his ribcage, lacerating his chest as he wept deeply, his body trembling in her grasp.

"Oh, Godric," Sarah whispered, placing kisses upon his cheekbone. "Tell me how to help you."

"You've pulled me from the abyss, restoring my existence with your extraordinary magic—" Godric sobbed deeply, "Restore her to me, my Sarah, please—I'll give the book back, I'll search the world and bring the invocations to you."

Oh no.

"Oh, I can't," Sarah responded, at a loss for words as Godric withdrew, his melancholy, mercury-colored irises pleading as he stood in heartache, weeping blood from the corners of his eyes.

"—Please," a hoarse plea tumbled desperately from full lips as Sarah's expression turned horrified.

"Godric, if I could..." The witch inhaled sharply, her voice faltering as her mate collapsed to his knees on the pristine washroom floor before her. Godric curled inward, lowering his head as he cast his dignity at her feet, begging earnestly.

"Please, my Sarah—I cannot endure this—it hurts."

In her desperation, Sarah scurried off the bathroom counter and fell on her knees next to her mate. The witch reached and grasped his biceps, in an effort, to support him, causing his weight to slump against her and his features to push fiercely into her shoulder.

"—Alright! I'll try, but I need a new altar for Dionysus, and you must join me! You have to accept that you're his and we have to make him offerings."

Godric pulled away from her embrace, his sorrowful face reflecting confusion before a look of resolve took over. He tilted his head contemplatively, and his mercury-colored eyes expanded with hope and agony.

"—anything capable of restoring my daughter to me would entirely possess m—."

She responded by forcefully placing her hand over his lips, silencing him. "—don't do that!"

Sarah briefly gazed into his mercury-colored eyes before withdrawing her hand, gliding her thumb over his lower lip in contemplation.

"Don't ever offer yourself so freely; you never know what might be paying attention."

Sarah murmured, resting her forehead against his while curling one hand around the back of his neck and the other over his left shoulder. "I'll fight to retain you."

Godric's eyes softened, a harmonious amalgamation of anguish and tenderness before a curling smile adorned his lips.

"It's unnecessary; I am yours."