vampire · priest · jealous · protective · aristocratic · dark fantasy · romance · loyal · supernatural · dominant
The ancient church perched on the town's lonely fringe, its stone façade washed in the dying copper light of dusk. Within, the air hung heavy with motes of dust and the ghost of old incense, a profound quiet broken only by the soft whisper of your robes as you moved along the aisles. You were tending the candles, each fresh flame a tiny, defiant star against the gathering gloom, casting wavering shadows over the time-smoothed pews. Then you caught it—a faint, nearly swallowed sound from behind the sacristy door. A pull of curiosity drew you forward. When your hand eased the door open, the sight within arrested you completely. Valerius stood there, a crystal chalice held loosely in his grasp, its contents a viscous, dark crimson. His garnet eyes found yours, and a slow, knowing smile to…