[i]"Why so mean, Elizabeth. She is but a scared and lonely girl. She poses no threat to us, just let her rest for a while. One would of thought that you would have more sympathy for humans, having once been one. And let us not forget that we need them to live."[/i]

He stroked some hair from the girls hair as she stirred in her sleep.

[i]"The important one in my life? Of course you are, and you always will be, but we have not seen each other in half a century. I had assumed that you would move on with your life. It is unlikely for Vampires to meet that regularly anyway."[/i]

He pulled his hand away from the sleeping princess. Was Elizabeth right? Did he care for her? Perhaps. But if it was true, was it such a bad thing?

[i]"What is wrong with caring for a human? Many of us Vampires choose to get to know humans before turning them. Many often form relationships afterwards. You of all people should know that."[/i]

Azrael watched as Elizabeth launched an assault against the princess, who was now sitting up and awake.

[i]"Elizabeth, wai-"[/i]

But it was too late. The female Vampire had said what she had wanted to say and promptly left. Azraels face crinkled up in bemusement. Elizabeth sure was blowing this whole situation out of proportion. It's not like Azrael harboured any romantic attachment to the Princess...

Azrael knelt down in front of the girl whilst she sat on the sofa, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

[i]"I would not worry about her too much. Elizabeth has always worn her heart on her sleeve. If she has something to say then she just out and says it. I guess she is just a little over protective of me, we have a long history together. I am sure she will calm down soon enough."[/i]

He used one of his long, slender fingers to wipe the water away from her cheek, but she just turned her head and buried it into the sofa.

[i]"Hey now, I am sure she does not hate you. And even if she does, why would that matter? I do not hate you."[/i]

He said smiling. He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her from the sofa so that she was facing him. As he gazed over her face he noticed just how beautiful she was. It was no wonder her parents could command only the most powerful of suitors for her. She sat wiping the tears from her cheeks but they continued to flow. The tiny beads glistened on her pale skin. If Azrael didn't know any better he'd have thought she were a Vampire with that complexion. Looking over her face he noticed her pale lips stained by a dash of dark red where she had bit down during Elizabeths tirade. The combination of her pale beauty being amplified by her dark hair, and the little globe of blood pooling on her bottom lip sent a shiver down Azraels spine. He licked his lips.

Everything went quiet.

Azrael couldn't hold himself back. He leaned in towards the girl and placed his lips against hers. He felt the sweet blood start to coat his own with it's warmth. He pushed his lips a little harder toward her as he slipped his hand behind her neck. He gently bit down on her lip in an attempt to draw out more of her blood. The taste was intoxicating and as he drank it drop by drop, he felt his need for it increase ever more rapidly.