Posted: June 2004
Title: The Dark Heart
Author: Estella Greenleaf

*****

Orlando grinned as he stopped to catch his breath. He raised his face towards the sun, savoring the warmth of the golden rays upon his smooth olive skin. Freedom, his at last, and it felt so absolutely fabulous!

The young Prince had been trying to sneak out of the castle for months now, ever since he had recovered enough from his grave illness to move about. While his near-death experience had made his protective father even more stringent on granting him freedom, it taught Orlando that life was short and precious. He would do all he could to live to the fullest and enjoy every moment. He refused to spend the rest of it couped up in the castle, surrounded by guards.

But thanks to the efforts of the ever-vigilant Sir Viggo, all of Orlando's previous 'escape plans' had failed. Until today, the knight had not moved an inch from the young Prince's side. When Orlando was younger, when he had this hopeless crush on the handsome older man, having Viggo with him all the time would have been his dream come true. But he had gotten over his infatuation a few years back when he realized the older man wasn't even the slightest bit interested. Now, being in the same space as the frigid knight just reminded him of his foolish, unrequited affections, which of course, was hardly 'enjoyable'. He'd much rather frolick in the sun with nature's beauty as company.

In a distance, Orlando could hear the babbling of a small brook. Thirsty from his mad dash away from his home, he decided to search for the stream. The grassy landscape soon gave way to dense shrubberies, but no amount of undergrowth could turn the curious young Prince from his destination. Today was a day of grand adventures; he wouldn't let a little hardship turn him back.

When Orlando reached his destination, he was surprised he wasn't alone. Face turned away from him, a chestnut-haired figure stood naked in the waist high water. Never before had the young Prince seen such pale radiant skin; it would have been flawless if not for the battle scars upon the stranger's back. Immediately, he knew the identity of the mysterious stranger - a legendary half-vampire, the Vampire Hunter Karl.

Orlando knew he should flee before the half-vampire noticed him. By all accounts, the Hunter was a very dangerous individual. It was a prevalent belief that Karl had a secret agenda; that the half-vampire was evil at heart. But the young Prince couldn't bring himself to fear the Hunter. He just couldn't believe someone who had dedicated his entire immortal life to protecting mankind from the creatures of the night would physically harm him.

Instead of doing what common sense dictated, Orlando allowed his heart to rule. He had heard so many stories about the legendary Hunter's great deeds. He would really like to know what Karl was truly like. "Hello there," he called out amicably as he stepped out of his hiding place in the bushes.

The Hunter turned, his face a mask of utter shock. Despite the _expression, Orlando swore he had never seen anyone as intense or handsome before, other than Viggo. After reminding himself that the knight wasn't his to care for, he turned his full attention back to Karl.

"I'm just here for a drink of water. I'm not here to spy on you, honest." Orlando could only hope the man wasn't too offended by his intrusion. Maybe he should have waited until Karl finished his bath before making his presence known.

"Don't you know what I am? Aren't you frightened?" asked the handsome Hunter in a smooth deep baritone, a frown etching deeply into his brow.

Orlando found himself hanging on the half-vampire's every word; he wondered how the sensual voice would sound if it were to murmur sweet words into his ear. Instinctively, he licked his lips before shaking his head. "No. Should I be?"

Orlando surprised himself with his brazen seductive tone. Other than his fantasies of Viggo when he was younger, he had never had any experience with intimacy before. He didn't know what had came over him.

Karl too looked stunned for a second before his _expression softened. Then came the affectionate smile that stole Orlando's heart. Without regard for his clothing, the young Prince closed the distance between them and joined the Hunter in the water. Returning Karl's smile with a full grin of his own, he reached out and touched the half-vampire's cheek. Emboldened by the small moan escaping from the Hunter's lips, Orlando leaned in closer for a soft, wondering kiss.

Karl remained impassive for a moment longer, as if trying to convince himself this was not a dream. Orlando pulled away slightly, just enough to lock gazes with his soon-to-be lover, letting the man see the extent of his passion. Without warning, he found himself consumed in a soul-searing kiss; the Hunter had claimed his mouth hungrily, like a man long deprieved of another's loving touch. Orlando responded in kind, giving his lover everything, pouring all his feelings into the kiss to warm the Hunter's cold lonely soul.

They clung to each other, long after the need for breath forced their fiery kiss to end. The skies darkened as dusk approached. But neither made an effort to move. Time had ceased to matter; in each other's arms, they had found where they belonged.

*****

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