C9: A Sleep Monster

Paris's POV:

"Master Paris and Master Richardo, it's time for you to wake for the day," I heard a maid say from the bed, leaning over us as she gently pulled the covers back. "You're to have breakfast with Master Laurence and the rest of your party." I sat up slowly and glanced around before looking towards Richard. I kissed him on the head and purred.

"Good morning," I purred to him. He didn't stir as I kissed him, his eyes staying shut peacefully as his chest was faintly moving with his small breaths. She frowned as she looked to him then went to shake him awake, reaching out for him. I smacked her hand away quickly. "We can leave him here to sleep. He's probably overworked from the journey and needs his sleep. When you're ready to join us Richard, we will be eating breakfast. I love you." I kissed his lips and moved to get out of bed. She looked Richard over before she looked towards me.

"We have clothes set up for the two of you already in your closet. Would you like a bath first before I dress you?" She asked me as she moved the blankets back up around Richard's chest.

"A bath would be wonderful," I told her and glanced the room over before heading to the attached bathroom. She followed behind me then before she got a fluffy white towel out and sat it on a table. She went and started to pump warm water for me before she turned around and walked up. Her fingers started to swiftly undress me as she hummed softly. I watched her and smirked a little as I watched her neck. She pulled my shirt off me then pushed my pants down before she led me over to the tub and helped me in it.

"What would you like to wear today? Something comfortable or something more... fancier?" She asked me, kneeling at the side of the tub as she grabbed a cloth to clean me.

"It doesn't matter to me. Pick something that you think would make me hot... but I do have a fight class with Dante... So, I'll need to move in it." She raised an eyebrow then nodded.

"Is it for your lover?" She asked me and giggled, looking up into my eyes.

"Of course," I purred out. She smiled hugely then.

"I'll make you look gorgeous," she told me sweetly then. "He won't be able to resist you." She went back to cleaning me then and giggled.

"Great, that would be perfect." I closed my eyes and laid my head back. I suddenly caught a whiff of rose scented soap as she put the cloth back on me and hummed under her breath. After about thirty minutes of her getting me smelling better, she pulled away and rinsed my body off then pulled me out of the tub. She wrapped a towel around me and started to dry my body off with a huge smile on her face.

"Alright, stay here. I'll pick out an outfit for you~!" She bounced off then into another room on the side. I walked out to Richard and crawled into bed with him, getting over him.

"Richard," I purred out and kissed his neck. I felt his chest slowly breathing, but the rest of his body was still like a statue, his face not seeming to register I was even over him- much less kissing his neck. I couldn't feel his stone pulsing in his chest as I laid over him, quiet. "Richard?" I asked and frowned. He can't be that unconscious... can he? I grabbed his shoulders and shook him a little. "Wake up and tell me bye before I go." His head rolled backwards as I shook him, limp in my arms as his eyes stayed closed with a peaceful look on his face. I growled lightly and bit down into his neck. His blood was sweet to the taste as it flowed into my mouth, but he didn't flinch or move from my bite. I pulled back from him and eyed his body over. "Richard?" I asked and sniffled. "You're supposed to be my general."

"I thought I told you not to move," I heard the maid giggle as she came out then she frowned. "What's wrong?"

"He's not waking up," I told her. She walked over slowly and looked at him before she frowned and sat my clothes down on the end table by the bed.

"Would you like me to fetch my young master? He might know something about this.... Is he normally a heavy sleeper?" She asked me, looking his body over.

"I never seen him like this," I told her. Maybe Laurence knows something. I crawled off Richard and looked towards the clothes. "Get me dressed so I can go ask Laurence myself." She nodded before she started to dress me in a pretty blue princely outfit with a white button up shirt underneath the jacket. She pulled away when she finished then looked at Richard before she looked at me.

"Right this way," she whispered then shot another worried glance towards Richard before she walked to the door. "He's in the morning room with the rest of your party by now."

"Hopefully this isn't too serious," I whispered. I don't know how Richard could be so unconscious. He didn't bite a poison apple.... She shook her head and took me down a few halls before she got the door for me, taking me in to a room full of morning light. A small red dragon was rolling around in a bowl of honey milk with delighted squeals in front of Laurence as Timothy was standing nearby, watching as everyone drank from wine glasses full of warm blood. Two sat out in front of empty chairs right by Laurence that were meant for me and Richard. Dante looked towards me and smirked.

"After we enjoy a breakfast, we're going to go trai-" He started, but Victor frowned beside him.

"Where's Richardo? Aren't you two normally inseparable?" He asked quickly.

"Laurence, Richard won't wake up." I gave him a concerned look. "He's not dead... just asleep. I tried to wake him."

"Oh, that's right," Laurence said and chuckled. "I forgot that was today otherwise I wouldn't have asked to waste a glass of blood. Paris you'll have to drink his as well to not waste it. Sit down." Laurence pointed to the empty chairs. I frowned.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked.

"He's just asleep," Laurence said calmly and shrugged. "He's going to be sleeping for a few days."

"A few days?" Dante asked and frowned, looking towards him. "I'm supposed to train him, and you didn't say anything about it to me. Why a few days? A night's rest should have done it for him."

"It's his power. He's like a sleeping beauty. He can sleep for centuries if he wanted to."

"That's lame," Dante muttered. "So, he decided he wanted to sleep for a few days to avoid training? That lazy bum!" He took a sip of his blood then and looked pissed.

"He can't help it. He doesn't know how long it's been." Laurence chuckled. "He'll wake up in a few days. This is a great opportunity for you three to explore together while I entertain my fiancé. Val~ Want to explore with me later? We can go animal watching."

"Really?" Val asked and giggled. "That sounds fun."

"So... I'm babysitting the French Poodle while his mate sleeps in?" Dante asked and frowned, looking me over.

"Can I help train?" Victor asked Dante sweetly.

"I expected you to," Dante muttered to him.

"Great! I get to help~ This is going to be so much fun." He looked towards me in excitement.

"I'm not a poodle. Stop calling me that," I growled out at Dante. I sat down in an empty chair and grabbed the glass of blood. I took a sip from it and glared Dante down.

"Oh? Did I offend you?" Dante asked me and frowned. "I'm sorry. My mate isn't sleeping on the job."

"It's not Richardo's fault," Victor purred out to Dante. "Stop being so upset. It means that you can focus on getting Paris's head where it needs to be and off his mate while they're training. It'll be easier with only one at first."

"Apologize to me," I told Dante and rubbed the side of my glass. Dante frowned as he looked at me.

"Apologize to you?" He asked me and looked me over. Victor busted out laughing then.

"You heard me," I hissed. "I'm not going to be your friend if you don't stop calling me a poodle. Apologize." He frowned and then sighed.

"Fine, I apologize for calling you a poodle, but your mate better wake-up soon. We're not going to win a war with a sleeping beauty," he told me and frowned. "Did you try true love's kiss? I heard that works."

"I kissed him," I admitted and blushed. I can't believe I got him to apologize to me. I should have tried that a long time ago. "He's sleeping. It's no good." He sighed then and tapped the side of his glass.

"We're just going to have to get you ahead of him then. We're not going to sit around and wait for him. Every second is life or death for you and him... and I think you want to live...." He looked me over. "Your arms are puny. We'll work on your muscles first before training you to fight. You're not landing a solid punch with muscles like that." I heard the dragon purring in the bowl before he jumped out, soaking wet with milk. He raced across the table then in excitement before he cackled and almost ran into Richard's glass of blood, just stopping short of it. He paused as he looked at it then sniffed the side before, he stood up on his tiny hind legs and held onto the rim to keep from falling over onto his side. He started to lean his head into the glass then curiously to see what it was. I took the glass from him quickly and downed it before I downed mine just as quick. I smirked as I watched the dragon's reaction. He fell backwards then huffed as he landed on his back then rolled over and looked towards me before he puffed smoke my way. He reared up and growled, upset with me as he looked at the glasses then went for my hands. I snatched him up into my hands and looked him over before I growled back at him playfully. His eyes widened, and he looked at me in shock, a small yelp escaping him before he sniffed my hands curiously and then nuzzled his head against me. He gave me a cute look and curled his body into my hands, purring loudly as he backed down.

I leaned in and rubbed my cheek against his head before placing him back down on the table. He looked up at me then gave me a playful look as he growled then pounced at the glasses, knocking them over before he raced back across the table and then unfurled his wings, beating them slightly before he pounced back inside his bowl of milk and rolled around in it with a delighted squeal. Laurence shook his head before picking him up and sat him down by the bowl. He tapped him on the nose before he dipped a finger into the milk and brought it back to the dragon's mouth. The dragon looked towards Laurence's finger then sniffed it before he licked the milk off it and got closer with a hungry look. Laurence scooted the bowl to his dragon and pointed to the milk. The dragon looked down at it before he put his front paws on the rim of it and leaned down, trying to suck the milk up but ended up licking at it with a hungry growl. Laurence smirked as he watched him.

"Good boy." He rubbed his head to reward him. His dragon quickly leaned into Laurence's hand and purred loudly, loving the attention. Victor laughed and watched with fascination before he started to jot something down in a journal, he had in front of him, watching the dragon with curiosity. I glanced towards Victor curiously. He has a journal too. I chuckled and got to my feet.

"Dante, let's go start my training. I don't want to waste time." He looked at me then nodded.

"Let's go then," he told me then looked at Reuben beside him. "Reuben, you can either stay with Laura, or you can come train with us," he purred, giving him a soft smile as he reached over and yanked Victor to his feet, making him yelp.

"I think I'll stay with Laura. We could go see the horses, Laura. Since Val and Laurence will be doing things together," Reuben suggested. Val gave him an uneasy look.

"If you kill Laura from losing control of your hunger... I'll kill you." Val sharpened her fangs and gave him a threatening look.

"He's not going to kill Laura. He has too much respect for life," Dante said and shrugged it off before he started to pull Victor towards the door then grabbed my arm, pulling me with. "Come on. Timmy over there said that there is a room set up for your training," he told me calmly. I nodded and followed him.

"So, I have to do some pushups or something?" I asked. Weightlifting?

"Oh yes... pushups... squats... lifts... pull ups... sit ups... running... the basics," he told me and shrugged. "After that's over, we'll move on to trying you on weapons and see which one you're a natural with. Know anything about swords?"

"I like knives~" Victor purred out and laughed.

"My parents didn't want me touching weapons until my father decided I was old enough to begin training to be a king." I blushed and looked down at my feet. "I think he's waited too long."

"You're how old and you haven't touched a weapon?" He asked and frowned at me. "Oh no... you're going to be so very lucky if you don't get killed the first battle."

"I think I can manage," I told him and frowned. "Don't doubt me. I don't doubt myself. We should go at it right now. I could take you on. You choose the weapons." He raised an eyebrow at me then looked me over.

"Are you serious? Then I'll pick swords," he told me and frowned. Victor's eyes widened.

"Dante, no," he said quickly.

"No, he thinks he's better than me, so I'll put him in his place," Dante told Victor and looked me over. "He'll soon realize that he needs training first."

"It's just a friendly and fun match," I told Victor. "No harm done. I want to show him what I'm made of." Victor frowned at me and then looked at Dante, grabbing his arm.

"Dante, don't do it," he hissed lightly. Dante shrugged him off then before he started to walk ahead of us.

"Victor, stay out of it," he said then took us into a large room with padding out and racks of weapons and light armor for training. He walked over to the swords then grabbed two of them before he tossed one to me. I dodged the sword, letting it hit the ground before I picked it up. He watched me then smirked before he swung the sword in his hand then brought the blade up in front of him, inspecting it before he pointed it towards me. "Come at me," he told me and smirked. I frowned and brought my sword up before eyeing him over. Okay. This is my first fight. I should be discovering his weak spots. I began to circle him slowly, keeping the sword pointed at him as I kept my distance. He watched me calmly and smirked at me, his eyes following me before he disappeared from my sight, and I was suddenly kicked into the floor by his foot. He laughed then and I felt the sword point against the back of my neck. "Dead," he hummed out. I groaned and rolled my eyes. He used his teleportation power.... Well I suppose in battle I will be facing vampires more superior with powers like this. I turned over quickly and kicked him between his legs.

"Maybe," I told him. He groaned and fell to his knees then glared at me before he was over me in seconds with an angry look, dropping the sword. Victor pulled him off me in an instant and held him back from me. I laughed as I watched him before I took the sword and pointed it at him playfully. "Dead," I teased him. Victor laughed then.

"Well look at that, Dante~ He's going to make an excellent fighter one day, going dirty on his victims just like you~" He said and smirked, letting go of Dante as Dante's eyes narrowed at me. I narrowed my eyes at Dante before laughing and dropped the sword. "Come on, Dante. He's like an unexperienced you in fighting," Victor purred. Dante sighed then laughed a little, looking me over.

"Okay... come here, Paris. Let's get you started on training," he purred then gave me a smile before he pulled me to my feet and began our long day of agonizingly painful exercises.

Timothy walked in as Dante had his foot on my back, making me do one hundred pushups. He paused then took his foot off my back and looked towards Timothy. "What is it? We're busy," he said calmly.

"It's dinner time. I don't think you want to be late for dinner," he told us and then looked at me. "I had a maid bathe your mate and clothe him in fresh, crisp sleepwear. We have managed to feed him as well, so he isn't starving in his sleep."

"That's great," I told him and collapsed on the floor. I placed my cheek on the cold ground and sighed. I'm so glad I can have a break. Dante looked down at me and smirked.

"Did I say stop?" He asked me and gave a small purr.

"No, you didn't, but Laurence would enjoy it if you all came to join him for dinner," Timothy purred out.

"I'm not doing another damn push up," I hissed out. "I'm getting something to eat." I got to my feet and glared Dante down. I dare him to try to stop me. He smirked as he watched me.

"That's it. Keep that attitude, and you're going to have your parents on their knees," he told me and laughed. I blushed and turned around. I crossed my arms and started for Timothy.

"Let's get dinner, I'm starving." He nodded to me before he got the door for me. Victor ran through it first and laughed.

"Great! Dinner sounds amazing," Victor purred out and smiled happily.

"I think you're just a huge kid," I teased Victor.

"I am not," Victor told me, looking over at me then started down the hall. Dante walked out with us and stretched as Timothy moved in front of us, leading us to a grand dining room. He walked to the chair near the top of the table where Laurence was sitting and pulled the chair out on Laurence's right hand side, looking towards me expectantly. A bowl of stew was sitting out for me with a glass of warm blood waiting. There were bowls of bread sitting in the middles of the table between tall candles that lit the table, and in the very middle, there was a beautiful flower arrangement of red roses and small white flowers tied in a blue satin bow. On Laurence's left side, his dragon was sitting on the table, licking at another bowl of milk with a small side of bite size fish chunks. Val and Laura were sitting next to the dragon with Reuben sitting next to where I would be sitting, Dante beside him, and Victor beside him. I sat down and glanced towards Laurence.

"Stew?" I asked him as I looked the bowl over. I grabbed the glass of blood and downed it quickly.

"I thought you would all enjoy something warm after a day of hard work," Timothy said and smirked. "We also had some meat that we needed to cook soon, and we had lots of vegetables waiting to be served to our young master. It has fresh carrots, peas, and some beef in it. Enjoy~ Oh, and the bread is fresh from the oven, and there is plenty of it, so don't shy away from taking some for your dinner." Laurence gave a small frown like he didn't like the idea of the vegetables. Looks like his servants are trying to make him eat healthy and make him grow up to be big and strong.

"Timothy," Laurence gave a warning tone.

"What is it, young master?" Timothy asked and had a playful smirk on his lips. "Do you not like the selection? We have a nice salad waiting to be served after the stew if you'd like to skip the stew." Laurence clenched his jaw tightly then.

"Well aren't we eating healthy tonight," Val said sweetly.

"For dessert, we have some small cakes, and some sugared fruits," Timothy said and looked at Laurence calmly. Laurence gave a interested look then.

"Tea?" Laurence asked.

"We have some herbal teas being prepared for you," he told him and smiled. Laurence gave him a cautious look.

"Herbal?" He asked.

"Healthy, sir," he said and smiled innocently. "We are using honey and sugar as sweeteners." Laurence gave a small annoyed look before taking his glass of blood and took a sip from it.

"I want a sliced lemon in my tea," Laurence told him before looking at the stew. "At least there's carrots," he muttered and started to pick around the peas.

"Young master, in order to have dessert, you must eat every bite. Your guests will result in having their desserts in front of you if you don't eat your peas," Timothy told him firmly.

"What?" Laurence asked and frowned. "I don't even get an inch of pleasure from eating peas and they certainly don't help me like blood does. If you want me to eat healthy, offer your blood." Timothy frowned a little then before he walked over to Laurence then looked down into Laurence's stew.

"Your peas still need to be eaten," he told him calmly.

"Fine." Laurence said calmly and smirked. He sharpened his fangs. "You eat them." Timothy's eyes widened slightly then he looked down at Laurence.

"What?" He asked and looked at him in shock.

"If you eat them, I can eventually drink your blood. Eat them and stay strong for me." Laurence picked up his bowl and scooped up some peas before going to feed him. Timothy looked towards the peas then frowned before he looked at Laurence.

"Young master, you need to eat your peas," he told him then crossed his arms. "I'm your butler. I'm not supposed to eat your peas for you. I follow orders to the utmost of my ability for your wellbeing and for the care of you and your castle. My life is dedicated to your care and being your loyal servant." Laurence looked him over before nodding and dropped his bowl into the floor. Timothy didn't flinch before he looked down at it and knelt, starting to clean it up and picked the food up piece by piece and placed it back inside the bowl. Laurence took his glass of blood and started to drink from it calmly. Timothy stood back up then and sat the bowl back down in front of Laurence and smirked slightly.

"Timothy, trash doesn't belong on the table." Laurence looked towards him. Timothy sighed before he snapped his fingers and waved a maid standing off to the side over with his finger. She walked up and looked towards the two for instructions.

"Take the bowl, and lovingly prepare him a new one. We have enough stew left for nice, healthy bowl for our young master," he told her. She nodded then picked the bowl up obediently and scurried off through a door. Laurence finished his glass and crossed his legs. He leaned back in his chair.

"Tell her to pick the peas out when she comes back."

"Laurence," Timothy said calmly. "You need to eat something healthy tonight. I'll spoil you tomorrow night with a dinner with no peas."

"I'll eat some fruit before I go to bed," Laurence told him. Timothy sighed then looked at Laurence, softening his eyes.

"Young master, we worked hard to prepare this dinner for you and your guests. I would hate to have to tell the maids you turned their dinner down," he told him then knelt down beside Laurence's chair, looking up at him. "We're all sworn to look out for your wellbeing, Laurence. Will you please eat your peas?"

"No," Laurence said calmly. "I don't require peas tonight."

"Young master...." Timothy said then frowned. "Then will you drink my blood after I have my dinner for the night? The servants are having the leftovers in the kitchen." Laurence glanced him over before smirking and gave him the glass.

"Fill it up." Laurence licked his lips as he looked him over.

"I said after I have my dinner," he told Laurence. "That way my blood will be healthier for you."

"Then go eat. Don't make me wait," Laurence told him.

"DADDY!" I heard a little boy's voice yelling near the dining room. Timothy tensed then got to his feet before he walked out quickly in the direction of the little boy's voice. I saw the dragon dive into his bowl then cackle before he hid in his empty bowl, peeking over the edge at Laurence as he gave a playful growl as he flattened himself to the bottom of the bowl to hide his body. Laurence laughed and grabbed the bowl, bringing it to him. He looked down at the dragon curiously.

"Laurence," I purred out. "You're quite the troublemaker. You should have eaten your peas."

"You don't tell me what to do, Paris." Laurence glanced my way. The dragon sniffed Laurence's hand before he purred and grabbed it with his claws, starting to nuzzle his head against it then licked Laurence's hand as he slowly crawled out of the bowl and onto Laurence's hand. Laurence placed his dragon on his shoulder and purred towards it.

"Really?" I asked Laurence and glanced towards Dante and Victor. "Laurence thinks he can just not eat peas his servant provided for him for supper and no one can change his mind." Dante shrugged.

"I'm sure old Timothy will get him back in some form or manner. Servants know how to get their way with difficult masters- especially experienced servants," he told me. "Timothy has a kid, and Laurence acts like one. He's going to get Laurence back."

"I don't act like a kid. If I don't like a specific food, then I shouldn't have to eat it. My main course is blood not peas." He scoffed and glanced away. The dragon started to suck on Laurence's ear hungrily, curling up against his neck. The maid walked back in and sat the bowl back down in front of Laurence before she walked back to the wall to her post, watching us. Laurence looked towards the stew before he pushed it away. "I'm not hungry anymore." The maid frowned as she watched him but kept quiet. The dragon pulled back from Laurence's ear then with a whine before he looked down at the bowl curiously then spread his wings and jumped down into it, making it splash on the table. He purred then started to lick at the broth in the bowl hungrily, closing his wings against his tiny body. Laurence smirked as he watched his dragon. Timothy walked back in then with a glass of blood and sat it down in front of Laurence and sighed.

"Dessert is on its way for everyone.... I hope that tomorrow night... you'll eat your dinner. This was very disappointing, young master," he told him and shook his head at his master before he looked down at the dragon and frowned. "Hey~ what are you doing?" He went to pick him up then, but the dragon growled and nipped at Timothy's fingers to keep him away.

"He's eating. He's still hungry. Let him," Laurence said calmly. I focused on eating my stew, seeing that I forgot about my own food. Laurence looked towards the glass of blood before taking it and took a sip of it. The dragon finished off the broth then sniffed at the meat in the bowl and jumped out of the bowl, licking himself before he came up to Laurence and sniffed at the glass curiously, starting to get on his hind legs shakily as he held onto the rim with his front paws and leaned his head over the glass to sniff in it. Laurence smirked and tilted the glass to let some of the blood barely touch the dragon's mouth. He licked his lips clean before he blinked a few times and then growled, pulling away and sneezed. He made a gagging noise and looked at the glass in disgust. Laurence let out an amused purr before biting down into his wrist and held it out to the dragon playfully. He touched his blood that oozed out before placing it on his mouth. The dragon squirmed and pulled away before he licked it off his lips then paused before he looked at Laurence's wrist and slowly moved closer to it, sniffing it cautiously with a curious look. Laurence watched the dragon in amusement. I frowned as I watched them. If Laurence just gave the dragon blood from his bite.... doesn't that mean something should happen to the dragon? Maybe it doesn't affect other species but humans. The dragon cautiously licked a little of the blood then melted and gave his wrist another lick, nestling up against Laurence's arm with a content look as he licked at the blood dripping.

"Laurence," Val sighed out. "You really shouldn't be feeding him your blood at the table. Where are your manners?" The dragon purred loudly as he nuzzled his head against Laurence's arm and moved his mouth up to Laurence's bite and sucked at it with a happy look, beginning to move his tiny claws and body around Laurence's arm.

"What?" Laurence asked her and pouted. "You don't like the smell of my blood?"

"I do," Reuben said calmly. "It's making me hungrier."

"You have blood in your glass still," Dante told him and smirked. I saw the baby dragon ease off Laurence's bite slowly, getting full. He purred and then puffed out some smoke before he began to crawl up Laurence's arm with a sweet look towards him like he knew that was his mommy. Laurence's wrist healed and he took his glass of blood, finishing it off. He stood up and bowed slightly.

"Goodnight," he told us and started for the door. "I'm going to retire early." Timothy was quick to follow him.

"Young master, what about dessert?" He asked quickly in concern.

"I can have dessert tomorrow," Laurence told him.

"Young master," Timothy mumbled then sighed before he looked at him then scooped him up, starting to carry him out of the room. "Yes, young master... let's get you to bed. You have a long day of entertaining your fiancé tomorrow."

"I can walk on my own," I heard Laurence grumbling as they left the room. I chuckled lightly and finished my stew. Dante smirked a little as he watched them go then finished his stew and looked towards Reuben.

"Reuben, do you want dessert, or would you like to go to bed?" He asked him and leaned back in his seat.

"I want dessert," Reuben told him and gave a smile. "You can go to bed."

"No, I'm staying if you're here," Dante purred, looking towards him. "We didn't see each other since this morning. I want to spend time with you." Reuben nodded and smiled at him.

"Are you two sleeping together yet?" Val asked curiously and giggled.

"No!" Reuben yelled and blushed.

"Like... mating or sleeping in the same bed?" Dante asked and looked over at Val curiously.

"Either," Val purred out in amusement.

"Neither," Reuben told her. "I have my own room." Dante frowned and looked towards Reuben.

"Not tonight," he told him quickly. "I didn't like you not being in my room last night."

"What?" Reuben asked. "That bed was the more comfortable place I've slept in a very long time. I'm staying in it."

"Then I'll move to your bed," Dante told him calmly.

"There isn't any room. I'm not good at sleeping with people. I'll kick you off."

"I'm willing to try sleeping in your bed," Dante purred out, looking him over.

"Not until you marry me," Reuben said stubbornly. He narrowed his eyes at Reuben then.

"Reuben... you're sleeping with me. We're mates. I can't marry you officially until after the war, and I'm not waiting that long for something that might take centuries," he hissed angrily. Reuben gave him a nervous look then.

"Dante," he mumbled. "The carriage was one thing... but a bed is different. It's my only private time and I just got it back." Dante frowned then before he grabbed Reuben's hands and gave one of them a kiss.

"Reuben... we're going to rule my country together.... We're mates. I want to sleep in the same bed with you. I want you to love me, and I want to love you back," he mumbled back to him. "I want for us to be together. I want for you to want for us to be together.... Please don't deny me this." Reuben gave him a frown and looked away from him.

"You're denying me private time," he hissed. "So, no." Dante narrowed his eyes at Reuben then before he let go of his hands and glared Reuben down.

"Then have all the private time you want," he hissed back and got to his feet, starting to walk for the door in anger.

"I will," Reuben grumbled. "You don't need to sleep in my bed right now Dante. So, quit being dramatic and get back here and sit down. You want time with me so stay before we go to bed." Dante frowned before he looked back at Reuben.

"We're supposed to be together, and you're supposed to help me rule my country, Reuben," he hissed. "You're my mate! You're not anybody else's mate! My mark is on you, and your mark is on me!" Reuben frowned and got to his feet before he walked up to Dante and crossed his arms.

"We are together. If you want to sleep with me tonight, then fine. Don't get upset when I hog all the covers." He started out the door, growling under his breath. Dante grabbed his wrist then pulled Reuben back into his arms before he leaned down and kissed Reuben on the lips passionately. Victor sunk down into his seat as he watched them and frowned as he picked up his glass and sipped on it. Reuben pulled back and smacked Dante softly on the cheek. "That's not making it any better." He told him and gave him an annoyed look. He reached down to his boots and pulled out his whip then hit him on the chest. "What is this? Strike two hundred?" Dante gasped and pulled back quickly with wide eyes before he blushed a deep shade of red.

"Reuben," he mumbled and rubbed at his chest.

"Don't kiss me like that," Reuben warned. "You know how I feel about you kissing me to shush me."

"I... I wasn't trying to shush you," Dante whispered then looked Reuben in the eyes. He gave a soft purr before he got on his knees then took Reuben's hands in his. He gave one of them a kiss. "I'm sorry I lost my temper with you, Reuben. Please forgive me for my rudeness.... I'll settle for being near you in the day and wooing you." He smiled up at Reuben then and looked up into his eyes. "We did have a cramped journey coming here. A couple of nights in separate beds won't hurt me... and it'll give you the space you want."

"You were shushing me! You were shushing my anger at you by kissing me," Reuben hissed out and gave him a tsk. "You're not going to just rule over me if we're equals. I'm getting my respect from you that I deserve. It'll be more than a few days." Dante nodded then gave him a sweet look.

"Okay, it'll be more than a few days then... but I do want us to sleep together in a bed soon," he purred to him then gave his hand another kiss. "Reuben... when the war is over... will you marry me? I never asked you, and I should've instead of assuming you would rule with me...." He looked up into Reuben's eyes then and bit his bottom lip, looking a little nervous about asking.

"I don't know. Can we even get married?" Reuben asked and looked him over.

"We will be able to officially after we win the war," he told Reuben and blushed. "Or... we could get married now and then make it official after we win the war...."

"Now would be too soon," Reuben sighed out. "I will later- after the war." He pulled away from him and rubbed his arm. Dante laughed then and got to his feet with a happy smile, sweeping Reuben off his and kissed his neck.

"Reuby~" He purred happily and chuckled. "You will marry me?" Reuben groaned and tried to get to his feet.

"Yeah, but don't make it so weird. I never wanted to get married. Now I am just because you're wanting it and you're lucky you're my mate." Dante laughed then and pulled back to look at him.

"You're the one who was complaining that we weren't married," he told him and purred. "I'll go to town tomorrow and get you a ring for you to wear to symbolize our engagement."

"A ring?" Reuben asked and blushed. "I'm not wearing a ring like a girl!"

"I'll get you a pure gold one... unless you'd prefer to wear one of my rings I have," he suggested and glanced towards his fingers, eyeing one of the silver ones with a small ruby in it. "It'd be more... special than one I purchase... and everyone would recognize the ring as mine."

"No," Reuben said quickly and shook his head.

"No to one of my rings, or no to a gold ring?" He asked, looking back to Reuben.

"I'm not interested," Reuben said calmly. "You can wear the ring."

"I have many rings," Dante murmured then looked down at Reuben. He leaned in and gave him a soft kiss before he pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "I think I'll take you horseback riding with me soon.... That would be a great time for us to spend together, don't you think?" He purred sweetly.

"Yeah~ I want to ride on a horse with you." Reuben looked excited then. Dante gave a huge smile then.

"How about I take you horseback riding tomorrow then? Paris can train with Victor," he told him and laughed. "We'll go explore nearby on our horses."

"Why can't we come with?" I asked them. I wouldn't mind going exploring.

"Because you have a war to fight," Dante told me and frowned. "You've got to get strong, so that they don't behead you once they get their hands on you. You don't want to be caught, do you?"

"So, I can't go off exploring?" I asked and frowned. That's no fun. I could have had fun. Now I'm stuck training with Victor. I glanced at Victor.

"I wouldn't," Dante told me and shrugged. "It's your stone, your romance, your revolution. If you think you can go explore and waste a day of training, then go ahead. I'll win my end of the war for Reuben."

"Fine. I'll stay and get tough," I grumbled and got to my feet. I want to go check on Richard and try to wake him. "I'm going to go to my love," I mumbled. Dante nodded to me and sighed.

"I hope he wakes for you, Paris. I don't know what I'd do if Reuben refused to wake," he mumbled as I passed him. I nodded and gave a small frown.

"He needs to help me," I whispered. I need his support. I can't do it without him.

"Laurence did say a few days... so if he doesn't wake tonight, maybe tomorrow... or the day after. He'll wake before the revolution begins at least," Dante told me and shook his head. "I wish you luck." I nodded and walked off down the hall. I followed my sent to the room I slept in the night before and walked in. I glanced towards the bed longingly for him. He was laying there, dressed in new comfortable clothes. His breath was still stirring faintly in his chest as he looked a little healthier, having been recently fed. I could smell a honeysuckle scent on him like they had bathed him with a soap made from its scent. I walked up to the bed and crawled in, getting on top of him. I curled up and sniffled.

"Richard," I mumbled. "I need you." I felt his stone pulse tiredly, giving me something this time instead of nothing before it faded back into silence. I whined and rubbed my head against his chest. "Richard." A maid walked out of the bathroom then paused at the sight of me before she frowned.

"Master Paris... would you like a bath while I'm here?" She asked me, eyeing the two of us over. I sniffled and shook my head.

"I don't want one tonight," I told her. I just want him to wake up. She nodded then looked me over.

"Would you like me to dress you for bed? I could try feeding your..." she glanced at Richard then with a frown before she looked at me, "friend again for you."

"No," I told her. I looked towards Richard's face. She nodded then left the room, giving us our privacy as she shut the door behind her. I moved off him and curled up at his side. I brought the covers around us tightly then sniffled. "Richard, wake up soon." I saw a faint smile- barely there- on his face as a small sigh left his body before his breathing went back to the way it was before and the smile disappeared like it hadn't been there in the first place. I leaned in and gave his lips a small kiss. "Goodnight," I mumbled and laid my head down on the pillow. I eyed him over and sighed. My mate is so cool... but so lazy.