Valor:<br/><br/>Drunk men were so easily conned. He probably could have asked for anything after manhandling Valolie and got what he wanted. With bitter disappointment he wondered if he would have been able to step in for Jalice if he had asked. Of course his father would have wanted him to reclaim his spot as crown prince and he still didn't have any interest in that position. But would he have dealt with it for Ariella? It was a hard question to answer and Valor wasn't even sure if he could do it himself.<br/><br/>The next morning he was standing in the corridor outside of Jalice's and Ariella's bedroom when his younger brother stepped out of it. Jalice eyed him nervously. After all he had gouged him pretty badly the day before and there was nobody there to protect him from his brother's wrath.<br/><br/>"Valor if you're here about-"<br/><br/>"Shut up," Valor said, his voice unintentionally cold. When Jalice winced and looked away from him looking more like a scared rabbit than a vampire Valor sighed. He walked over and pulled his younger brother into a hug. Jalice was stiff at first before he hugged Valor back tightly. "I'm not mad at you...I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to come out that way. It's just stress."<br/><br/>Jalice nodded, face buried in his brother's shoulder for a minute before he stepped back. "I know..I know. You seemed angry yesterday too when you left the wedding. I surmise father has been getting on your back as usual."<br/><br/>Valor shrugged, "no more than usual. But I think our relations are improving. Anyway I am not here to discuss father with you. Well, I guess that's not entirely true. But...the thing is our father believes that Ariella should have a guard while you're away. I befriended the princess more or less while I was at the castle and figured I would be a familiar and friendly face. That being said I would like your blessing before I do such a thing."<br/><br/>Jalice regarded him intently and then laughed. "You always did have a soft spot for humans didn't you, brother?" He nibbled his lip. "I don't think she likes me much. The sex we had last night wasn't very thrilling."<br/><br/>Valor bit his tongue. "Mmm...well, I...I don't really want to talk about that. But you have to understand she must be under a lot of stress. Forced to come to live here among vampires and marry a scrawny boy she knows nothing about."<br/><br/>"I am NOT scrawny!" Jalice pouted. Of course he was about 5 inches shorter than Valor. "And I know she's under a lot of stress as well. It's fine if you protect her. I trust you more than anyone else in the world, Valor. Anyway I'd better go find Rosalie."<br/><br/>Valor nodded and watched Jalice run down the corridor. Soon his brother was gone and he slipped into the bedroom. The room was dark which was probably more for Ariella's sake than Jalice's. He could smell her familiar lovely scent from in front of the door and he drank it in for a moment. He could hear he blood pulsing peacefully in her veins as she slept.<br/><br/>He knew he shouldn't do what he was about to do but he didn't care. The vampire slid into the bed next to her from behind and pressed his hips against her buttocks. He nuzzled his face into the top of her head. It wasn't long before she woke up. He blinked when she jerked away from him. But it was obvious she must have thought he was Jalice.<br/><br/>"I'm here for you," he said softly. he would have told her they knew he was in the bedroom but he didn't have a chance to. Of course they wouldn't have known he was in bed with her though. Suddenly her lips were against his and it was like the agony of the last 24 hours disappeared. Valor kissed her back passionately and moved to lay  over top of her with his crotch pressed firmly against her own.<br/><br/>Valor broke the kiss and peered down into her eyes. "Jalice is going to be gone for a few days and I received the okay to keep you safe. So...I'm going to keep you safe. And happy. If you will have me of course."<br/><br/>Jalice:<br/><br/>Jalice wasn't sure what to think about Valor and his apparent interest in the princess. He knew his brother was promiscuous but it never dawned on him that he had been having sex with her in the weeks leading up to the princess's arrival. He didn't know much about human virginity either. But his brother had seemed angry after he kissed her. And he volunteered to protect her while he was away. But he also meant what he said. He trusted Valor. He didn't think his brother would do anything wrong.<br/><br/>Now he on the other hand. He had several days to be alone with Rosalie. They would sleep in the same rooms before each meeting with a lord. And that was exciting. Of course he hadn't seen Rosalie since the wedding had happened so he couldn't be sure that she would be thrilled to see him.<br/><br/>It didn't take too long for him to reach the deserted corridor where Rosalie was already waiting for him. He grinned and hurried over. He had left his pack in the hall the night before. He ignored it for now as he closed the distance between he and Rosalie. He pulled her into a tight hug. She didn't feel overly warm to the touch. She was nice and cool. Just like he was. Her scent was familiar.<br/><br/>He loved her black locks and deep brown eyes. She was the embodiment of perfection as far as he was concerned with her petite figure and fiery attitude. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.<br/><br/>"I'm-"<br/><br/>"Ahem."<br/><br/>Jalice jumped and spun around. Standing there was Kera in her weird clothes. Jalice hadn't seen her in a long time and she looked uncomfortable. Jalice assumed it was because of what she had seen. He pulled back from Rosalie.<br/><br/>"We were....er, just saying hi," Jalice assured her.<br/><br/>He had always made fun of Kera but the truth was her eyes scared him. Kera's gaze always seemed piercing like she was looking into the very essence of your existence. His father even said Kera was one of the few beings he was frightened of. And if his father, turned by Dracula himself, was frightened of her then he knew he should be afraid as well.<br/><br/>"Just saying hi," Kera repeated.<br/><br/>"Just saying hi my ass!" Angry Kera said stomping her foot causing the whole corridor to rattle violently. Few people could do that.<br/><br/>Kera sighed, "relax, Kera. It's none of our business. And who invited you anyway?"<br/><br/>Angry Kera glared at Kera. "Anywhere you go I go. Simple as that. And clearly I need to protect you from this vagabond...this charlatan...this....this..."<br/><br/>Crying Kera suddenly appeared and hugged Angry Kera. "Stop it. Just...let it go. You're hurting Kera's feelings."<br/><br/>This was another reason Jalice felt uncomfortable around her. Everything could seem normal about Kera and then suddenly there were three of them.<br/><br/>"Why...are you here?" Jalice asked.<br/><br/>"We're coming with you!" Angry Kera said, smirking. "Your father requested it. And don't think I won't give you a knuckle sandwich if you misbehave!"