Butterflies

        Alyssa sat patiently waiting on the park bench where Justin told her exactly how he felt for the first time. Admiring the different colors of leaves all around she was truly content with her decision to meet up Justin today. It wasn't very hard to convince her parents to let her go out considering that she was held up in her room for weeks. A yellow leaf fell onto lap of the short sleeve purple and white striped maxi dress. Lightly she brushed off watching it fall to the hem tugging her wool cardigan closer to her. This would be the first time Justin would be seeing her in a dress, so she chose the one she loved the most. It was comfortable and versatile for whatever they were going to do. Especially with black leggings underneath. The clock tower chimed to one o' clock. He said to be here at one. Where is he? She sighed silently. There was a slight sound of wind chimes behind her that weren't there before. Glancing around her eyes found a beautiful yellow and orange butterfly wind chime hanging from a tree branch. 

        "It's for you," Justin said, "Go to it."

        Her heart skipped a beat and for a moment she considered not going at all. Gathering all of her courage she walked to the wind chime. Alyssa stood in awe as realized that to her left and right were trees connected by orange ribbons making a path leading through the trees. 

        "Don't just stand there. I'll be waiting on the other side for you."

        This is like something from a fairy tale, she thought to herself as she walked carefully through the fallen leaves. It wasn't long before she saw him leaning against his car on the side of the road. Still, being careful, she made her way past the last of the trees stopping only to check on her dress. "That was so cool!" She exclaimed walking up to the car.

        Justin laughed, "Thank you."

        Alyssa couldn't help it but to smile whenever she heard him laugh. "But you should probably move all the…" her voice trailed off when she turned to find her magical path was gone. "Wow, that was, when did you?"

        He chuckled.  “When you were fiddling with your dress, come on."

        "Where are we going?" Just to make sure, he really did gather everything, she glanced quickly in the back seat and found the ribbon and wind chime laying there.

        "Didn't believe me?"

        "No, no, no. It's not that. I was just, you know, stretching my neck."

        Justin’s robust laugh filled the car.

        She cleared her throat and asked again, "So, where are we going?"

        "Don't worry. We will be completely alone."

        Completely alone, she repeated silently placing a hand over her racing heart.

        They drove for quite a while before turning down a barely noticeable road.

        "Uh, Justin wasn't that a private property sign we just passed?" Alyssa asked nervously.

        "Yes, it was."

        "Really, that's all you're going to say?" she promptly asked.

        "It's alright. It's my property." He said pulling up to a large gate.

        "It's gated!" She gasped

        "It keeps out those that need to stay out. The others I can handle." he said after entering the passcode.

        "The others. You mean other vampires?" Alyssa asked reluctantly.

        Justin met her eyes with his. "I would never let any one of them get close to you."

        Alyssa took a deep breath. "So, you live with a bunch of vampires?"

        "No. Only Aviva,"

        Alyssa nearly jumped out of her skin. She had forgotten all about Aviva.  “Aviva! How can we have a secret friendship if you take me here? She's going to freak out!"

        "Aviva isn't a threat to you. She isn't in town this weekend."

        "I think I would have felt better if you had left it as she isn't a threat," Alyssa muttered looking at the floor.

        Justin touched her cheek. “She isn't,” he guaranteed. "We're here."

        Alyssa left the car, gawking at the stone castle before her. "This really is like a fairy tale." she whispered walking up the cobble stone steps and through the double doors in absolute awe as she saw the marble floors, grand ceilings and chandelier right above the foyer, which you had to walk past the entryway and up a few stairs to actually reach. The large winding oak staircase seemed to swallow both of hers in size, she noted as they walked through large columns into the great room. It's a ballroom! I can't believe I'm in a ballroom! Jenny is going to totally die! She silently squeaked in excitement.

        "Wait right here. I need to grab some things then be right back."

        Alyssa took a deep breath admiring golden drapes which covered wall length windows matched the gold leaf design throughout the room. There was something she would never forgive herself is she never did it. After a peek around the corner to see if Justin was coming back yet, she opened her arms and spun around in big circles while looking at the pictures painted on the ceiling bordered by gold trimming. Completely unaware that Justin had already returned she twirled around giggling.

        Justin watched quietly, wanting to dash over and join her. Instead he walked back out and was sure to make loud steps when walking in for the second time.

        Alyssa stood still the moment she heard him coming. "A picnic basket we’re going on a picnic?"

        "Come on." 

        Together they walked through the double French doors onto the stone terrace which overlooked the large landscaped garden.

        "This must be absolutely astonishing in the spring!" Alyssa exclaimed walking down the steps into the garden pausing to admire the water fountain.

        She looks so at home here, he thought as they walked pass shrubs to towards the blanket, he had already laid out across the small field under a red oak tree.

        “Justin, what is this?" She asked kneeling on the blue blanket.

        "This is a nice way to eat lunch."

        She avoided his eyes. "It feels like a proper date."

        "If you want it to be," He teased joining her. "For secret friends this is just standard procedure. Don't you prefer it to sitting inside the house?"

        Alyssa wasn't entirely sure how to answer that question. She was madly in love with that house, so she changed the subject. "What's in the basket?"

        Justin pulled out an assortment of fruit in a platter along with cheese and bread. Very last was a bottle of sparkling cider with two plastic wine glasses.

        "Wow, this looks so good. With that bottle it really feels like a date date. It's just really romantic."

        "That's just the kind of guy that I am." Justin replied laying on the blanket, popping a grape in his mouth.

        Alyssa couldn't help watch how smoothly he tossed grape after grape in. Until he held one between his lips.  His eyes glistening with amusement assured her dragging her eyes to the platter before her "Can you really eat this stuff without a problem? I mean, I don't know much about vampires."

        "A vampire doesn't have to eat if they don't want to. However, they'll age much quicker if they don't."

        "So you can eat everything?"

        "Yes. Everything. Is there anything else you would like to know?"

        Alyssa raised her brow, "I suppose I have a few questions. How did you become a vampire?"

        Justin poured out the cider before answering that question. "A very long time ago I was walking home drunk and was found by this woman with hair as black as a ravens and eyes to match. She didn't waste any time biting into my neck. I was terrified when she raised her head nicked her finger with her fang and dropped her blood into my mouth. That's all it took. I was instantly healed and much more sober a few minutes later."

        "What ever happened to this woman?"

        "In the midst of a massacre I saw the opportunity to kill her and took it."

        "Massacre? No, no need for details. Did you stay here with her?"

        He frowned. "I was sure to keep her out of this town as much as I could."

        Justin seemed lost in his thoughts his expression hardened. Causing Alyssa to ask, "Were you in love with her?" 

        He scoffed. "No. It was never like that. The same way you and I are connected, it is so much more when you are turned. I was her child, under her complete control. If she had commanded that I leave, only then would I have been able to. It was far too important to gain my freedom."

        "How did you meet Aviva? Is she really your cousin? Was she a vampire when you met?"

        He took a sip before answering. "Aviva and I are not cousins nor were she a vampire when we met."

        "So that means," she paused. So that means he turned her. "Why? You were just complaining about being controlled. Why would you do that to anyone?"

        "The connection is there, it's up to the master how much control they can have. In some situations, it's very much necessary. I wouldn't be able to get certain things accomplished without connecting with humans." He took a deep breath. "I don't want to hold back anything from you. Even though I had killed Edith, my master, didn't mean I stopped killing. It is what I needed to stay alive. A normal human becomes a slave, in a way, when bitten. As I was, in New York, having dinner this girl walked out of the back door of a nightclub. She dropped to the floor in front of me begging that I take her life. The last member of her family her brother had died in the war and she was alone working in the club to make ends meet. I offered her a life without poverty instead of death, to be a ruler over being ruled. It was a simple choice for her to make after that. Aviva has been devoted to me but of her own free will. I gave her many chances to leave but she wouldn't."

        "So, she's like family?"

        "Yes."

        "Which war was that?"

        Justin laughed. "You really want to know?" he answered after the confirmation of her nod. "World War II?"

        "At that point how long had you been a vampire?'

        "That answer you will never know."

        Alyssa tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "Was this your house before you were a vampire?"

        "Yes."

        "How old is this house?"

        "Younger than I am."

        Whoa! The house looked like it was well kept but clearly very old. "How old were you when you died?"

        "My birthday was earlier that week April 2nd. I had turned twenty-two. Before you ask any more questions, I must remind you never to tell anyone where I live, especially the gypsies."

        "I won’t. There is something else. You said that a human after being bitten like you bit me become slaves to you.”

        "Yes, but you aren't an ordinary human. You are a witch."

        Alyssa didn't find it at all surprising that he knew. "How long have you known that?"

        "Since, I took the first drop of blood from your hand."

        Oh-my-gosh that was real! She thought, immediately embarrassed.

        "Your blood taste different. Almost like sucking on a honeycomb then being stung on your tongue by a bee. It's a form of protection and can be very painful."

        "You didn't have any problems with mine."

        Justin leaned in. "That's because I'm in love with you. Also, I've bitten witches in my past. The magic amplifies our abilities permanently. Hunting witches was another thing Edith couldn't live without."

        "So how do I know that's not what you're out to do with me?"

        "SooKyung, if I wanted you dead it would have happened a long time ago."

        Alyssa nervously laughed. "I don't know how to feel about that."

        "Feel loved. Now, I have some questions for you."

        "Me?"

        "Yes, you casually mentioned talking to that gypsy boy yesterday."

        Alyssa couldn't help laughing. "Gypsy boy. His name is Charlie. What about him?"

        "What is he to you that you would talk to him about me?"

        Alyssa made a face. "Charlie is the only person I could talk to about these things. I couldn't very well come to you. Charlie is a good friend."

        Justin raised an eyebrow. "You should be have cation with gypsies. They tend to be very selfish and secretive people."

        "You say that because you can't stand each other. Besides, they have been nothing but helpful and caring." she said defensively.

        "You can't say I didn't warn you. Here is another one. Who is William?"

        "William! Who told you about him?"

        "Gypsy girl was talking about it with your sister."

        Alyssa’s smile widened. "William is a friend."

        "What am I to you?" he asked suddenly right beside her.

        Her heart began its predictably loud thumping at their closeness. "You're my secret friend."

        "Am I?" he asked brushing her cheek with his lip.

        Alyssa's eyes fluttered close as she felt his breath on her neck.

        "Aren't I more than that to you?" he asked laying his head on her shoulder. "Why do you deny it?"

        Alyssa opened her mouth to speak but the words wouldn't come out. Instead her cheek touched his soft silky hair. It feels nice being with him like this. Almost as though it always was, she thought to herself. Could this vampire be my prince charming? She could feel her heart settling down to its normal rhythm and knew she would be fine speaking. "Justin, are you awake?"

        His only reply was wrapping his arms around her waist sending butterflies soaring through her. "J-Justin-"

        He lifted glowing eyes to hers as he slowly sat up.

        "Your eyes are glowing," she whispered watching them return to normal.

        "If I get excited or hungry it’s my telltale sign" A sly smile touched his lips. "Care to guess which one it is?

        Oh, my goodness! "I think we need to make distance a rule." Alyssa insisted avoiding his stare while scooting over.

        “Why?”

        "Well, because we're friends, just friends." Alyssa had to repeat more for her than him.

        "Friends sit next to each other all the time." He noted scooting closer.

        "Justin!"

        "Don't friends do all kinds of things this close? For instance, tickling each other,"

        She began to shake her head. "Oh no. There’s no tickling." she stated as she hopped up onto her feet.

        "Would you like to know what the best part of being a vampire is?" In the blink of an eye he was gone, leaving Alyssa frantically looking around her. “You can't run away from me," he whispered into her ear from behind grabbing her sides.

        Alyssa let out a scream of laughter wiggling away from him. She refused to be the only one tickled and managed to sneak a hand under his arm. Soon they were both rolling on the floor in laughter. "Who would have thought vampires were ticklish?" Alyssa questioned as they lay side by side on their backs.

        Justin chuckled. "Honestly, I didn't even know if I still was. That was something I've always enjoyed. There's another thing I've always enjoyed."

        "What's that?" Alyssa asked admiring the sunlight shining through the leaves onto her nose.

        He propped himself one arm looking over her. "This," his face suddenly blocked the sun as he brought his lips to softly touch hers. "Giving butterfly kisses are one of the most enjoyable things as a human or vampire." He breathed in her ear before kissing her lips once again.

        Alyssa felt as though she were floating on a cloud and drifting further away from the earth as his lips touched hers again. So this is what it feels like to be kissed. I wonder how it would be if I kissed him back?

        He lifted his head smiling down at her.

        She shyly met his eyes knowing she couldn't possibly say it out loud, "Please, kiss me again." This time when their lips touched, she kissed him back as gently as he kissed her. Pure heaven, she thought wrapping her arms around him. 

        "Maybe we should stop. We are only friends." Justin mumbled against her lips before leaving a trail of kisses from her jaw down the length of her neck.

       Her breathing became short as a whimper escaped her. Every kiss brought waves of heat throughout her body.  Never had she ever felt this kind of pleasure.

        "Should I stop, SooKyung?"  He asks at the very moment his lips possess the same delicate spot of her neck he'd bitten previously. 

          "Justin!" she cried out gripping his hair as a course of electricity filled her body from head to toe. His lips found hers again to cover a moan in a deep kiss. She couldn't think any longer only bathe in the many new feelings she was having until his hand found its way under her skirt to her thigh. It was though cold water was thrown on her brain because her body was not resisting. Whoa! This is escalating and I'm definitely not ready for that, she thought. With hand to his chest she gently pushed, "Justin, let's stop here."  

        Justin's mouth moved back to her neck his hand didn't stop its path but continued up her dress to her stomach. 

        She inhaled sharply at the combination, momentarily forgetting her previous request, pushing hand now pulling at his shirt bringing him closer. 

        Swiftly Justin removed her hand and rolled her onto her side with her back against his chest and head on his arm. His other arm wrapped around her waist holding her tightly to him. "Let's stay like this. I'm not ready to let you go," he whispered into her hair.

        Alyssa didn't say a word. No, couldn't as she became entirely covered in absolute bliss.