Posted: September 2004
Title: Dark Hearts
Author: Estella Greenleaf

*****

"The earth shook as the engines of the ship roared. The young Prince, safely wrapped in his brave knight's arms, shielded his eyes from the billowing smoke. With all his heart, he prayed for the ship to lift off safely, to carry the Hunter and his vampire lover to a place where they could live happily ever after.

Years of disrepair had left the engine weak; the ship shuddered, but unable to soar. Flames spluttered from its stern. Stormy gray eyes flickered with concern; fingers clenched, the brave knight muttered under his breath, "Come on! Come on!"

The Prince's hand found his beloved's; together, they poured every ounce of their will into wishing the ship to take flight. Perhaps, there were indeed miracles for those who believed. The engine let out a thunderous howl as the ship launched into the night's sky, bearing the immortal lovers to their final destination.

The brave knight guided his Prince to his mount. Together, they began their journey home. They did not know what the future held; but one thing was certain: they would always have each other until death did them apart."

Plumb tiny fingers gripped wizened digits. The excited voice of a child asked, "Papa, do you think Karl and David made it to the Glass City?"

"Of course they did. Love always finds a way," replied the white-haired knight, smiling fondly at the young girl upon the bed as he petted her unruly dark curls.

The little girl smiled, coco orbs shining with romantic dreams. "That is wonderful. They deserve to be happy. Papa, will you tell me the story of the King and the Sorcerer again."

"No, he will not," a melodic voice commented from the door. "It is your bed time."

"But sire..."

"No buts, little one. I will not have you falling asleep at your lessons tomorrow morn." The King strode gracefully into the chamber, stopping beside the bed to offer his daughter a kiss upon the forehead. "Goodnight, sweet angel."

"Goodnight, sire. Goodnight, papa" was the sweet reply as the girl yawned and closed her eyes.

The elderly knight rose from the armchair at the Princess' bedside. A loving hand crept onto his back, a graying head nuzzled his cheek. For a moment, he stood still, basking in the glory of love. "I have missed you today, my sweet Orlando," Viggo breathed softly into his beloved's ear.

"As I have missed you, Viggo," whispered the King as he trembled in pleasure. Long years had past; yet, his lover's touch never failed to affect him so. "Thank you for putting Illeana to bed."

Viggo smiled as he led his beloved down the corridor to their chamber. "It was my pleasure. You know how I adore our daughter."

"Yes, she truly is a miracle. I can never thank Dr. McKellan enough for gifting her to us."

The King led his knight onto the balcony, as was their custom since their return from Castle Wenham twenty-eight years past. Upon a downy divan, they laid comfortably in each other's embrace, gazing up at the distant stars.

In the past, this was a ritual conducted in silence, but tonight, Orlando could not help but ask. "Do you really think there is a Glass City; that they are up there, smiling down upon us?"

Viggo kissed his beloved soft curls and answered, "Does it really matter?"

Orlando sighed and nodded. He knew his lover was right. Be it in life or in death, as long as Karl and David were together, in love's embrace, they would always be where they belonged.

*****

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