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

*****

The unconscious knight murmured softly in his 'slumber'. Before Orlando could stop himself, he smiled and stroke the older man's cheek. He had tried to keep his focus on the danger they faced, tried to ignore the stirring of his wayward heart, but it was to no avail.

For so many lonely nights, the young Prince had dreamed of Sir Viggo. Though it had been years since his last fantasy, the reality of having the knight in his arms brought his long-buried affections back to the forefront. He knew he was pledged to Karl now; and he loved the Vampire Hunter very dearly. Yet, he could not deny that he cared for his knight still, that he would be content if he could hold Sir Viggo and never let go.

The beast let out a blood-chilling snigger. "Your knight is rather dashing, is he not?"

Orlando looked up to find the monster's lust-ridden gaze upon the man in his arms. Before he could debate the wisdom of his words, he growled, "You will not hurt him."

The vampire smiled, an expression that was both smug and menacing. "I do not think you are in a position to give me commands, Princeling."

"Perhaps not, but you will not touch Sir Viggo nonetheless." Resolve and calmness radiated from the young Prince as he locked gazes with his captor. He was prepared to do whatever it took to protect his brave knight.

"Such brave words, little one."

Suddenly, the vampire vanished before Orlando's eyes. A breeze sent shivers down his spine as he waited for the monster to reappear. Soft breath caressed his neck as an icy hand lifted his chin; the beast was now beside him.

"I am hungry, Princeling." Silken lips brushed Orlando's skin, sending waves of raw fear down his every nerve.

"Do you still wish to protect your knight, Princeling?" An open-mouth kiss placed upon the youth's slender neck followed by a teasing lick.

Orlando felt as if his heart would soon explode. He closed his eyes against the tears of fright. He had made his choice; he would not let fear overrule him. He took a deep breath and gulped. Slowly, shakily, he nodded.

Orlando waited for the sting of the monster's fangs. When it did not come, he opened his eyes to find the vampire sitting opposite him once more. There was a strange light in the beast's eyes; it made the monster looked forlorn and almost ‘human'.

"You love him?" a whisper so soft that it was nearly lost in the wind.

There was no mistaking the sadness in the soft velvet voice. Orlando did not know what to make out of the sudden change in the vampire. Perhaps it was another trick; he knew how his captor loved playing with his prey. But his heart told him otherwise; that things were not what they seemed. Being one to always trust his heart, he decided to offer the vampire a truthful answer. "I have loved Sir Viggo all my life; I do not think I know how to stop even if I try."

The vampire seemed taken back by his honest answer. Orlando took that as a good sign and pressed his advantage. In a gentle lilting whisper, he prompted, "You know love, don't you?"

For a split second, Orlando saw his captor's ice blue orbs glistened with unshed tears before the vampire hid them behind closed lids. He knew then that his heart was right; his captor was no heartless beast.

Before Orlando could ask more, stormy sapphire eyes opened to hold him captive. "Love? I am a vampire, Princeling. Rejection, pain and revenge are all I will ever know."

Orlando struggled against the invisible force that held him motionless and mute. Now he finally understood; the vampire did not want him or Sir Viggo; it wanted Karl. Everything was just a trap to lure his beloved Vampire Hunter in. He would die before letting himself be used in a scheme to hurt his lover. His efforts were rewarded with a choked sob. "No…"

"For someone who has just admitted loving the brave knight, you certainly seem to care quite a lot about a half-breed Vampire Hunter."

The scorn in the vampire's voice gave Orlando the will to overcome the spell that held him silent. "I will die before I let you harm Karl."

The beast smirked. "Now that's interesting. Don't tell me... you love the Vampire Hunter too."

Orlando merely glared at the vampire without replying. The vampire chuckled maliciously. "Well, there's only one of you, little one. You can't save them both."

"Will you spare Karl if I give myself to you?" Orlando knew how the vampire would answer. He also knew the reply would likely be a lie. But his heart demanded that he did all he could to keep his lover safe; to offer his life in exchange for the vampire forgoing its vengeance was the best he could do.

"So you will let your knight die?"

"Sir Viggo and I are mortal. Whether by your hand or by the passage of time, we will die. But Karl is different. Death is not his destiny; and I will not let it claim him, not when I can stop it." Every word was spoken from the bottom of Orlando's heart. He had said his piece; all that was left to do was await his fate.

The young Prince closed his eyes. He had always known that death would separate Karl and him one day. That was why he had loved the Vampire Hunter with all the passion he possessed; he wanted to give his beloved enough happy memories to last an eternity. He just did not know the day of their parting would be so soon. He could only hope his death would not cause his beloved too much grief. The noble Vampire Hunter deserved to be happy.

When death did not come swiftly, the young Prince began to worry that the vampire meant to kill Sir Viggo first. He knew he had failed his knight by choosing Karl; his shame was already more than he could bear without seeing the consequences of his failure.

Orlando opened his eyes to find the vampire staring at him with veiled eyes. For a long time, a tense silence hung heavily in the air until the vampire sneered. "I will not kill you or your knight yet, Princeling. I am a generous vampire; I will give you a few days to reconsider your decision."

When Orlando made no response, his captor added with a venomous smile, "Besides, it will be a shame to kill you now, without Karl here to see you die."

So it was that the stage was set for the final confrontation that would decide the fates of four hearts entrenched in love.

*****

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