@KatherinWinter@WildRoseMarisol
Guilt stung her like a wasp, so much so that she flinched. "I'm..." she said and paused. He didn't seem the type to take apologies well. Her friends had told her before that she always apologized too much, mostly for things that were not her fault.
Her hands were still shaking and she felt cold. The adrenline was wearing off, leaving her with the nasty after effects. She just wanted somewhere she could be alone, to break down and cry.
Her arms hugged herself, trying to keep it back until she could be alone.
The door opened to find a younger man, around 30 or so, standing on the landing in the traditional uniform of a butler. "Master Zsadist. You are the first to return. I have your preferred meal prepared," he stated before his attention went to the female vampire. "We do not normally have guests. If you will follow me Mistress I shall take you to a room."
As she moved to follow the Doggen, she paused as she passed the Brother. "My name is Marisol," she said quietly before continuing inside.
"I am the head Doggen of the household Mistress. My name is Noah. What may I do for you?" the Doggen asked, leading her to a room up the stairs and looking at her expectantly.
"Oh no, really there is noth-" she stared but stopped once she noticed the Doggen's downcast face. Doggen were happiest serving their masters or guests. It was a sense of fullfilment that they savored in their lives. "If you could bring me some clothing? And some tea?"
Noah's face immediately lit up in happiness. "Right away Mistress. What kind of tea? Would you care for honey or lemon? Milk? Sugar?"
Marisol shook her head. "If you have Hibiscus tea, I enjoy that."
"Right away Mistress," he said before hurrying off with almost a skip in his step.
Mari opened the door to the guest room and faintly noted how nicely it was decorated. A queen sized bed with sheets she figured were the finest cotten. She liked cotten over silk. Silk felt too cold to the touch.
The walls were a calming light blue. There was a bathroom adjacent with a large shower and tub. Mari stood in front of the door, gazing about like a child having lost it's mother. Now that she was alone her shaking became more pronounced. Her body was preparing to break down, release the pent up energy left over from the near death experience it had endured. She made it to the rug beside the bed before going to her knees. Curling into a ball, pulling her knees up to her chin, she sat beside the bed and let herself go. Tears flowed freely and she muffled her sobs as best as she could.
It wasn't long before there was a soft knock at the door. "Mistress?" Noah's voice questioned. "May I enter?"
Mari wiped at her face and stood on shaking legs. The worst of her cry was over, but there were still some tears hanging on. Opening the door, she tried to give the Doggen a watery smile. "Thank you Noah," she said, cursing the tremor in her voice.
The Doggen, not used to crying females in a house full of Brothers, looked highly uncomfortable. "Here is clothing for you Mistress. I am afraid we have no female clothing at the moment, but these should not be missed until we can procur some for you. My apologies. Also your tea is prepared," he offered her a tray with a cup and a teapot, both delicate china. "I took the liberty of adding a few shortbread cookies to the tray in case you were hungry."
"Thank you Noah," she said again, taking the tray and clothing. "I appreciate your service."
He looked at her like she had given him the moon. "The pleasure is my own Mistress. The phone by the bed is connected to the rest of the house. Dial 162 to reach myself in case you need anything else."
After he left she placed the tray and clothing on the bed. The clothing included a impressively large black shirt that fell to her mid thighs. The scent on it told her it belonged to the male who had brought her here. She closed her eyes, reluctant to wear it without his permission, but trusted the Doggen of the house to know his Master.
While her tea cooled she took a quick shower before slipping on the shirt. There were no undergarments, making her highly uncomfortable.
The red tangy tea was perfectly made. Sipping it took some of the chill off of her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rhage
He liked her name. It was cute and energetic, like her.
The horse was a complication. He supposed it would have to stay in the garage until a suitable stable could be erected. He rubbed the back of his neck in thought. "It's fine. Our Doggen will be delighted to have someone else to fuss over. He has a hard time with me and my Brothers cuz we don't like being waited on. Break the poor guy's heart every time we tell him no. And as for my Brothers..." he paused a moment before looking at her seriously. "You stay away from Zsadist. In fact, do not leave my sight unless you are with a Doggen. Vischous is an arrogant smart ass but he won't harm you. Zsadist is not evil he's just... unpredictable sometimes. They won't care that you're there because I want you there," he added, surprised at how much he meant that last sentence. He really did want her there. He wanted to take care of her, keep her safe and fed and...
He shook his head sharply, pounding the flat of his hand against his temple. "I really need some food," he said as his stomach set up a protest. "And if I know Noah he's going to have a feast waiting for me," he said, smiling at the thought of food. "I'm too weak to materialize us there so we're going to have to walk. Or you can ride and follow me," he said, nodding to the horse.
It was a long way to the mansion by walking. Rhage felt pain with every step. It was not more than he could handle, it was just tiring and annoying at this point. His stomach growled again, sounding like a beast itself. He was aware that Juniper could see the tattoo along his naked spine, could feel her eyes on it.
"Yeah that's me," he said to answer the unspoken question. "Half-Dragon, Half-Tiger, all bad attitude. I'm really sorry you had to see that. Normally the only ones who see me that way are my Brothers so they're used to it. I'm really glad I didn't hurt you in my... Beast form," he said, not really knowing what else to call it.
When they finally reached the mansion Noah, having no doubt been alerted by the motion sensors, was already standing in the door way.
"Master Rhage, welcome home. And we have guests. How lovely," he said sincerely, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of caring for their needs. "You usual meal is waiting in the dining room. I shall tend to this noble beast and then fetch food for the new Mistress."
"Naw it's fine," Rhage said, "She can eat with- wait what? New Mistress?"
Noah nodded, clearly delighted. "Master Zsadist returned home not long ago with a Mistress in tow."
"Good God," Rhage said, rubbing his face. "Was she in one piece?"
"Oh yes, quite lovely I might add. She is in the guest room beside Master Zsadist's room," Noah said before stepping forward to Juniper. "I am Noah. Please call upon me Mistress for anything you might desire. It is my privilege to serve you."
Rhage took her forearm gently, well as gently as was possible for him, and led her inside the large mansion. The dining room table was covered with food. Tacos, pot roast, mashed potatoes, chicken, spaghetti, fettucine alfredo, grilled shrimp, baked potatoes, steak, steamed and roasted vegetables, rolls... it went on and on.
Rhage grinned like a kid in a candy store. "Noah I fucking love you!" he shouted before grabbing a plate and diving in. He had just filled his large plate to the rim when he froze and looked at Juniper. He sat his plate down and handed her an empty one. "Get whatever you wish," he said. "I'm not going to eat until you are ready."
It was the manners he had nearly forgotten he had, allowing the female to eat first. She would receive the best choices of everything. And for some reason, he didn't mind that at all. In fact, it made him feel really really good.
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