The cart pushed up to Kenneth’s table held a single silver topped stein. The waiter offered Kenneth the stein to which he motioned to set it down on the plate in front of him. The waiter did as he was bidden before taking the cart away.

  The other carts and the table leaders stopped at each table. The leader then handed two of the steins to their chosen seconds; they then took the remaining stein for themselves. The waiter pushing the cart stood by the cart with hands folded in front of them until the table leaders were sat. Kenneth gave a nod. The leaders of each table and their seconds raised their steins in silent tribute to the Head of House Dukart. Kenneth returned the salute with one of his own by simply raising his stein above his head, before drinking deeply of the warm red ichor that filled it.

  Those with steins followed suit. The waiters simultaneously uncovered the bowls that were left on the carts. The billow of steam sent a soft haze around the room. Picking up a fine silver ladle the waiters began filling goblets from the warm red liquid that filled the bowls. They carefully filled each goblet before passing it to a waiting member from each table.

  The warm coppery smell of the richly prepared blood that the House vampires now drank filled the banquet hall and the smell was unmistakable. Kenneth found himself looking over at Nova as her serenity never slid from her features. She observed the scene in front of her without fear, or any reservation.

  Without moving her eyes from the feast and the contented looks of the House members Nova stated plainly and softly, “You are all vampires.”

  Kenneth couldn’t help but smile. “I want you.”

  This caused Nova to look over at her escort, “That’s a reaction I’ve caused in many men throughout the life of this shell. Is your want simply physical?”

  Kenneth hadn’t realized he had spoken aloud. Not that he was ashamed that she had heard it. He did want her and no, his need for her ran deeper than simple physical attraction. In the woman that sat next to him he saw a queen to share his empire with, a mate that he could draw strength and wisdom from, and a true partner and friend to share in the trials of failure and the joys of success from the long years of this immortal life.

  “I want you to be by my side. I want to share with you and teach you all the joys of what being immortal are,” Kenneth said trying to sound calm.

  “Then you would deprive me of all the joys of a mortal life, and the discovery of what happens when we die,” Nova responded completely unimpressed.

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  Kenneth’s eyes darkened as his features hardened. “I could make you, you know. You wouldn’t have a choice if I wished. Or I could kill you.”

  Nova nodded calmly, “If you made the choice for me then you would control my mind and body, my spirit would be locked in this physical prison. But it would also be locked away from you and you would have nothing but a doll to control and play with. It would not be the spirit Nova, only her shell. And as you said, your want is deeper than mere physicality; I know you won’t imprison that which you claim to want so desperately.”

  Kenneth listened to her words and felt all the expected rage and heat of anger slide from his body and mind. He felt…weak, exhausted, like he had taken an unexpected gut punch from Alessandro himself. He could do nothing but look into her deep brown eyes and wonder what kind of alien world this creature came from. He could do nothing, because in the darkest recesses of his mind, he knew she was right. Natalia was weak and he exerted his will over hers whenever the mood suited him. The woman sitting next to him controlled and commanded him without a word. He had to have her.

  The House members finished their feast of blood and the waiters wheeled the carts, goblets and steins away. The House members rose from their seats as the lights around the banquet hall dimmed and music starting playing.

  As was tradition in House banquets, the first song was always a somewhat spirited waltz. The House members stayed on the outskirts of the dance floor as Kenneth stood up trying to recover from his epiphany from a moment before. He gracefully stood, even though his knees and legs were still weak from his exchange with Nova.

  Nevertheless, he stood and offered his hand to Nova, “If you won’t accept a life of immortality, will you accept this dance?”

  Nova smiled graciously and taking the offered hand stood up, “Ken, I never said I wouldn’t accept, nor did I say I would. I said simply that each choice is a door, unfortunately once I pass through either door, the other will be forever closed to me.”

  Kenneth’s heart leapt into his throat. The possibility that this woman might accept him and his offer was something that he wanted more than all of House Dukart. He felt like a boy again when he asked Beatrice out to that spring church dance. She had accepted as well and he was just as happy then as he was now, but just as nervous as he had been all those years ago too. Even as far back as nineteen fifty five wasn’t long enough to erase his more human insecurities.

  The two passed onto the dance floor and he gripped her waist snugly and took her hand in his supernaturally strong one. He led her through the dance. Nova was a beautifully graceful dancer and Kenneth found himself smiling broadly through the dance as Nova’s lips wore a smile of their own. The House members had joined in the dance long ago, but Kenneth only had eyes for Nova. She danced with light feet and a graceful air which made him suspect that she must have been well trained in dance for her to be so comfortable on the crowded floor in her heels and long gown.

  The waltz ended but their dancing didn’t. He and Nova stayed on the dance floor through every new piece of music. Their dancing changed from waltz, to a quick step, to a Bolero; whatever befit the music that was playing. He didn’t yet know what Nova would do or what her ultimate choice would be. For now, he just wanted to be in the moment and for the first time in a long time he was truly happy.