"A Dangerous Affair"
January 5, 2001
By: Raq - Umali
Umalific@hotmail.com


Chapter 4 – Secrets Told.

Serena's eyes slowly opened to the sweet fragrant smell of roses and 
burning wax.  A blur at first then blinking a few times she was 
welcomed with the view of the magnificient but darkened room.  Quickly 
she sat up trying to recognize her surroundings.  Unfamiliar to her was 
a room quite large to what her sight or to what her strained eyes could 
see.  Glowing from every part, were candles brightly shining to a soft 
light. Strewn through out, the candles encasted shadows dancing merrily 
mimicking a ryhmatic dance. Red roses accented the room and dozens 
filled large vases that were greatly scattered throughout.  Her eyes 
roamed to one area after another feeling a bit frightened by the 
unknown and unrecognized room.  Heavy and thick red velvet curtins fell 
from the high ceilings above covering were would be windows.  Serena's 
eyes caressed the bed that held her light figure.  The bed was 
gigantically large, one that would fit high royalty.  Black velvet 
coverlet designed the mattress, red silk ribbons trimmed the outer 
layers.  Light furniture was placed about but mainly sitting chairs and 
dressers.  Rapid flames grew angry as the fire in the pit burned.. and 
still the room held cold.  There was a strange distinct feeling making 
the soft whisp of Serena's hair stand in fright.  It was indeed chilly. 

'Where am I' she though and again her mind strained to what had happen 
before she woke inside the mysterious room.  'Vampires…..DARIEN!…'.  
Serena's features paled at the thought of vampires. Immediately Serena 
threw the covers to check her body.  Still, Serena held her regal 
clothing well and still she was in tact.  The grim thought occurred and 
quickly she brought her hands to touch her neck.  She held her breath 
as she imaginaly scanned the base of her skin.  Smooth, no indentations 
marked her neck nor any visible ones on her chest.  Hearing countless 
times of many women dieing with punctures on their chest only gave her 
the more willing manor to inspect the top of her breast.  Relieved but 
frightened she gripped the soft black velvet comforter tightly.  
Wrapping to the comforts of her shoulders as she felt the penetrating 
coldness strike her exposed areas.  Looking around once more, her eyes 
focused on the candles then to the roses and settled on the fire.  
Though the feeling was eerie, she couldn't help but also sense the 
feeling of surrealistic romance hovering above.

Serena's mind thought imaginatively, 'what if Darien did not make it' 
and she was captured by those sleezy vampires.  Confining her within 
the room saving her for dinner or they're next feasting.  The thought 
eluded her and scared her even more.  Minutes passed, thought to Serena 
it might have just been hours, she made up her mind that she was not 
going to sit and wait for her capturers to return.  Removing the 
covers, Serena slid her way down to the side of the bed.  Standing on 
her own, her feet ached to the block of ice that she stood on.  
Determined to find a way out, Serena grabbed the nearest candelabra and 
walk straight on.  Trying the first wall that came into contact with 
her fingers.  She used the bearings to feel her way around.  Unable to 
feel any knobs or wooden doors she turned thus surprising her already 
stricken features.  She let out a loud gasp as she sees a form sitting 
on a chair.  The figure didn't move nor did it say a word.  Quietly 
Serena crept closer to view the stranger.  With the soft glow of the 
candle and a small step on, her view was clarified.  Sitting on a large 
chair with his up most and regal structure was Darien.  His eyes closed 
to a peaceful sleep.  His hand held the armrest of his chair and his 
manly demure was never denied.  Serena stared at the handsome man whom 
she loved dearly and wondered how he could sleep so stiffly at the 
confines of an uncomfortable chair.  Smiling she approached his figure 
happily and smiled brighter at the thought of even in his sleep, he was 
as handsome as ever.

Standing in front of the chair, Serena kneeled.  Not even the cold 
blocks could destract her for the love she had for Darien.  She was 
completely relieved that he was alive and together they were again.  
She touched his hand softly to awaken his figure.  Cold to the touch 
his skin was of also like ice.  Instinctively Serena walked back to the 
large bed and pulled the covers dragging it with her as she found her 
way back to her love.  On impulse Serena softly crawled on Darien's lap 
and snuggled within the blanket and his statuett figure.  Still Darien 
didn't wake.  Serena pouted and playfully took some of her fallen hair 
and caressed his face.  Though it took some time, his tired eyes opened 
and for a brief moment she saw red then his steel blue.  Shaking the 
red vision away she smiled lovingly.  Darien lifted his head and stared 
at her warmingly.  Once his eyes held to her features he smiled.  
Serena's heart was beating as he looked at her with what she felt was 
love.  His hands began to move under the blanket that covered them.  
One molded itself to her back, holding her and leaning her closer to 
him.  The other made its way to her face, caressing her features once 
again.  Serena brought her hand up to lay on top of his and together 
they were at utter loss.
"Serena……." He whispered "How I've missed you"
"Oh Darien….. I've missed you as well" cried Serena as she began to 
spill tears of happiness.
"MISS ME!" he kindly laughed "then why are you crying" he said as he 
wiped the tears away.
"I'm just happy to have you again" she whispered as she now touched his 
own features with her soft hands.
Darien stared at the woman on his lap and indeed he knew the need to 
protect her, to cherish her and to be with her was of love.  His heart 
might not be beating nor his body living but he knew that his need for 
Serena was sentimentally real.  Serena leaned on Darien and molded her 
body within his arms and sighed.
"Baby, what happened to those men?" she asked quietly.  Darien was now 
brought back to reality.  'Those men' he thought 'Rubeus and Redding 
should have burned to their deaths by now' he though resoundingly as he 
knew from his body that is was morning. Then attention was brought back 
to the figure.  'The truth' his mind repeated as he sighed in his ever 
first defeat.
"Serena love, I need to talk to you about something" he said as he 
lifted her feather weight figure.
"Yes.." she said as she caressed his neck massagingly.  Darien made his 
way by the fire, carefully setteling her down on the luxurious rug he 
sat next to her and together they sat.  He watched her for a few moment 
as she waited for his voice.  She was absolutely beautiful in his eyes 
and nothing could ever compare to her.  Even in his thousand year life 
form did he ever feel so much affections for a mere mortal even so with 
beauty like hers.  He touched her features one last time, not knowing 
how she will react once he confesses his true identity.
"Darien is everything alright?" she asked a little more timidly.  
Darien smiled lightly and spoke.
"Baby, remember when we had gotten into and argument because of a 
secret that I had…" he started to say until Serena interrupted 
silencing him with her fingers above his lips.
"Darien, I……. I shouldn't have pursued to any admittance nor force you 
to plan your future with me." She thought almost painfully.  "I 
shouldn't of assumed anything when you are unsure.  But…. I do know 
that I am in complete utter lost without you…and If having you only in 
the evenings then the evenings I shall take.  Baby…I don't need to know 
your secret…it is of yours and I will force myself to feel content with 
knowing the fact that you'll just stay with me.  The secret wouldn't 
even be an issue anymore.. because I  know when the times comes and 
your comfortable enough you will tell me and share with me your all" 
Serena started to tear, though still having the thought of another 
woman in Darien's life pained her, she was souly true to herself.  She 
didn't care for his secret anymore, all she wanted was for him to stay.  
Darien looked at her with deepest admiration, he was at a total loss.  
Even hearing what he's heard from her very lips, he still held on to 
his honor and telling her the truth.  Darien took one of her hands and 
kissed it lovingly then as if this was their last evening, he kissed 
her at full force.  Their minds swirled to and endless typhoon of 
desires and passions.  Deepening each kiss and each touch, Darien was 
unable to stand his own desires violently withdrew and sighed….
"Serena… weather I would like too or not I have to be honest with you 
as you have always been honest with me" he breathed raggedly.  Serena 
felt her desire still burning but Darien's actions was meant to be 
taken serious.
"Baby, tell me…" she stated huskily as she caressed his hand softly 
giving him confidence. "Darien you know you can tell me anything". 
Darien nodded in agreement
"Serena" he began as he thought for a moment 'how the hell do you tell 
your woman that she's been seeing a dam vampire and more than that but 
the Prince of Darkness himself'.
"Yes" said Serena as she interrupted his thoughts "honey you can tell 
me your little secret?" She smiled.  Darien had no other choice but to 
lay everything out.
"Serena baby it's more than a little secret" he said as he paused 
"sweetheart, there is no other way for me to tell you this but…. My 
secret is something more than being little or to be taken lightly.  And 
I am afraid once I tell you the whole truth you will not look at me the 
same" he started.
"You know that would never happen"
"No, Serena I know you will…so please…. Let me say with what I need to 
say before any courage I have leaves this damed body of mine"… Serena 
waited as Darien looked at her intensely. Darien sighed one last time 
and proceeded "You were wrong to assume that there is another woman, 
for there hasn't and never shall be another one to replace you" he said 
lovingly as she smiled "Sweetheart, you do not know how badly I have 
wanted to propose to you many many months ago.  I have wanted to make 
you mine since the evening we first met….." he smiled largely to 
Serena's overwhelmingly large smile. "You do not know how bad I would 
like to be the one that would make you happy at any given moment in 
time.  One that would gladly spend eternity with you as my wife and I 
as your husband….. and even not knowing how badly I would love to give 
you my strength and courage to bare our many children"
"many" she said as she couldn't help adding her little wit into the 
conversation.  Darien's face smiled and nodded his head in disagreement 
of her outburst.  "okay I'm sorry…go on…".  Serena at the moment felt 
her own soul being touched from every angle.  This man that professed 
himself loved her and as much as she loved him.
"Serena……I would be the luckiest being on this earth if it were 
possible….. But…..My secret goes beyond any right mind and over ones 
nightmares"  Serena stayed quiet and confused.  'Nightmare, how did we 
go from children to nightmare?'.  Serena asked herself.   
"Honey there is a reason why I only see you in the evenings" he paused 
as he looked down slightly not wanting to see her eyes once she hears 
his reason "Serena…….Vampires can not survive the sun's rays".
Serena wasn't sure if she was hearing right 'vampire did he just say 
vampires can not survive the sun's rays?' she asked herself. 
 "Darien…." She asked as he looked at her  "did I just hear you say 
'VAMPIRES'" she asked and shocked as he nodded.  Her head ached and it 
was not true, their had to be a reason for this. "YOUR SICK…….." said 
Serena as she looked on to Darien's features "Just tell me that you 
don't want me…not some made up sick joke like this" she babbled.. 
Darien's eyes fell down and he looked at the fire that raved intensely.  
Serena went endless about how he should have just told her the truth 
and that he didn't love her rather than pull her hopes up then be 
dropped to an empty nothing.
"Serena, I'm telling you the truth" he whispered.. "I…"
"Liar…." She said as she began to cry… "Darien…don't do this to me……you 
shouldn't have said all those things if you didn't mean them".  Darien 
was saddened by the crying girl, she didn't believe him, of course she 
didn't.  She has heard all that vampires do, sucking one dry and all 
the gory and sick details.  What was he to do…
"Just tell me you don't love me…" whispered Serena as she bowed her 
head crying.
"SERENA……LOOK AT ME!… " said the masculine voice demandingly. Serena 
felt betrayed and with who, the one man she had given her love too.  .  
Serena's eyes was angered, her fist bawled and is she had strength she 
probably would of clobbered his lying ass.  This was too much for her, 
after what's all been said and done, she's had enough! 
"STOP LYING!" she said as she lifted her eyes.  Eyes a large as her 
heart stopped within an instant.  Serena's bones clattered and her 
faced turned to the whitest of color.  Her voice caught between the 
lines of fright and voicelessness.  Forward locking her eyes, she saw 
not blue but fiery RED staring back at her.  Face being the palest as 
ghost, his cheeks was deepened and horrificly defined.  The base of his 
neck throbbed with small veins and his breathing heavy but yet still.  
The horror of it all did not come to surpass as Darien stared at her 
but only deepened her intimidated features as she focused on his lips.  
The color of the bloodiest red distinguished itself from the rest of 
his face and panic came to power as she sees his very large and very 
sharp incisors.
"OH…..MY GOD!" whispered Serena in firght as she moved back in panic.  
Darien watched her as she moved away to the sight of his true identity.  
It deeply pained him to see her so frightened of him and even more so 
knowing that he will never have her again.
"I'm sorry that you had to see me like this" whispered Darien as he 
down casted his animal like features back to his subhuman form.  "But 
you did not believe me" he said as he looked away.  Serena still held 
in fright, this was surely something she didn't expect him to do.  But 
still she was frightened and scared.  She said nothing as he stood, her 
figure just stayed still and not once did she even dared to move.  
Darien walked towards the door and sighed as he stopped for a brief 
second.
"Someone will be here to take you home" he said as he began to open the 
door.  Serena watched as Darien stood with his back towards her.  She 
didn't know what to say she didn't know what to do for just like he 
said this was beyond anyone's nightmare.  But she did even though how 
scared she was, wanted to run up to him and hug him. But she couldn't, 
her knees felt as if they were broken.
"Da..rien…." she whispered as he stopped his movements waited for her 
last words. Upon hearing nothing he exhaled.
"Good Bye….Se…re…na" he said softly not wanting to look back.  Darien 
closed the door and in an instant leaned on it to support his hard 
body.  His eyes saddened and his features were grim. 
"I love you Serena" he said at his usual tone but with a little pain.  
Darien walked away leaving his love behind.
"I love you too Darien" whispered Serena as she leaned on the door that 
Darien just walked through having heard his confession.


End… of Chapter 4 …. Stay tune for chapter 5……………..

umalific@hotmail.com