Marius strode the festive halls. His crimson eyes were bright with contentment as he ran his fingers over silver tinsel garlands strung over the antique baroque furniture. Sparkling chandeliers were hung with delicate ornaments, glinting like stars in the candlelight. The entire castle was decorated with the finest decorations to make every surface glitter with festive glamour.

Heart in his throat, Marius hummed to himself, pulling on belled, lace sleeves of his deep red tunic. It was hidden beneath a soft, thick velvet jacket, just like the ribbon in his long, dark hair. The high imperial collar was adorned with a large cut emerald pinning down an intricate lace ruffle at his throat. His black and pinstriped trousers accentuated his long, thin legs, stuffed into embroidered silver boots.

Stopping to look in a decaying ornate mirror, Marius grinned. While he had no reflection to see his prominent fangs or cheery smile, he admired his choice of outfit, eyeing his high heeled boots with particular pride.

“Master Fairbright!” a small chime-like voice sounded at his ear, a sparkling, dusted fairy landing on his shoulder. She was so tiny, glowing a fiery red, that it was hard to make out her features. If he squinted, he could just make out pale, milky eyes and a grin filled with needle-sharp teeth.

“Lucinda my darling, how goes the tree preparations?” His heart fluttered almost as quickly as the fairy’s wings as if it still had a beat.

She giggled, her laughter like crystal as she squealed with excitement. “Most excellent, master! My sisters are nearly complete. But sir…” She stood on the vampire’s broad shoulder, whispering into his ear. “Your guests are arriving. And among them… is Renwick Tide.”

Marius inhaled a shuddered breath, worrying at his fingers. He brushed his fingertips against the emerald jewel, nodding. His face was hot with the blush, the tips of his pointed ears reddening. “Thank you, Lucinda. I’ll be right down.”

The fairy flitted off of his shoulder, disappearing rapidly around the corner of the hall. With his nerves on edge, Marius reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small box that he held in his trembling hands.

Tonight, on the eve of Yule…he would ask Renwick Tide to marry him.

~~~

Haunting music filled the dimly lit ballroom. Elegant displays of food were arranged on every table, the large chandeliers draped in gossamer silks of reds, greens, and black. As Marius hurried down the main staircase of the ballroom, he gave a small gasp as he saw the enormous frosted tree that was placed against the main wall. It was alive with thousands of shimmering fairies, branches hung with silver, gold, and bright fruits of red.

It was stunning and luminous…and standing beneath it was Renwick.

As Marius tried to descend the steps and make his way over to the man awaiting him, he was met with applause and cheers from his hundreds of convened guests. Vampires already with champagne in their hands gave him elegant cheers as he nodded to them, a hand over his heart. While he was grateful the guests were enjoying the party, the hard edge of the box dug into his palm. He was reminded of the importance of tonight.

Drowned in the music and splendor, Marius slipped silently through the mingling guests. Shadows cascaded across the room, fracturing the colourful glows of his fairy friends, cheerfully eating along the tree branches. If he had been alive, his heart would be pounding, fit to burst.

He placed a hand on the slender shoulder of Renwick. Marius felt his fangs puncture his bottom lip slightly as he grinned, watching Ren turn to face him. He was like ice and snow. His white hair hung loosely around his shoulders of his silver brocade jacket. While his skin was far paler, and his features gentle and fair, his eyes were the same defining red as Marius’.

“My darling,” Ren said, a smile lighting up his eyes as he took Marius’ hands in his tightly, “The party is stunning as it has been every year. The tree…” his face was bathed in reds and greens as he gazed at the fairy lights, “you have outdone yourself, my love.”

Marius felt filled with pride, his eyes falling for a moment to Ren’s lips, then back to his crimson eyes. “Renwick, I—”

His voice caught as Ren gripped him around his waist, pulling Marius against him. With his other hands, Ren’s long fingers slid up his chest, gliding over the jewel at his throat. “I believe I gave this to you.” He smiled, bending in slowly to press his lips against the jewel. Marius moaned, gripping Ren’s lapel as he panted. He could feel the cold emanating off of the man’s lips.

“Ren,” Marius gasped, biting his lower lip to stifle his arousal, “Let’s go somewhere private.”

Renwick’s deep eyes slowly locked onto Marius’, a smirk on his face. “Somewhere private?” He pulled Marius quickly into an alcove behind the grand tree. He pushed him up against the wall, kissing him with a maddening fierceness. “I can’t wait,” Ren moaned between kisses, “You smell divine.”

Marius’ stomach lurched as he pushed Renwick back slightly, eyes wide. “Ren… You cannot drink my blood.”

Ren seemed almost in a trance, his kisses rough on Marius’ neck as his frigid hands slid under Marius’ tunic. Marius gasped as he felt Ren’s knee part his legs, the man’s body bracing him against the wall in the everchanging glows of the fairies. The music and laughter drowned out their heavy moans, Marius’ fingers threading through Ren’s white hair.

Licking his lips, Ren looked up at Marius. “You are everything that I desire.” His eyelids were heavy, hands clutching at Marius’ skin under his shirt. Ren’s hands moved to the vampire’s face, cupping it gently as he ran his lips over Marius’ jawline. “Do I not smell good to you?”

Marius groaned as he allowed himself to take in the intoxicating scent of the vampire before him. “You know why the rule is there… Should we taste the blood of our own, we will not stop drinking.”

Ren’s fingers traced over the dark veins in Marius’ throat, desire flooding them both as they moved against each other, panting and kissing. They had to stop, had to restrain themselves.

Huffing loudly, Marius felt his sharp fangs digging into his tongue.

Ren’s hands were so rapturously greedy on his body; a tangle of sin and hot moans. Marius let his head fall back against the wall with a gentle thud. “Renwick,” he panted, spreading his legs against his common sense. “Wait.”

Removing his mouth from his lover’s flesh, Renwick gulped, licking his lips. He wrapped his arms around Marius and pulled him tightly into an embrace. He jolted, his brow creasing as his hand went over Marius’ breast pocket. “What is this?” Ren asked.

When there was no protest from Marius, he reached into the vampire’s coat to produce the small black silk box that Marius had kept so well hidden all these many moons.

“Open it,” Marius said, smiling sweetly as he watched Ren snap open the box. Inside it were two small, clear vials, empty and strung onto silver chains. It was vampire tradition; to wear another’s blood was the utmost level of respect and adoration. It was a commitment beyond any bond.

Marius touched Ren’s wrist lightly, looking at the vials and then up at him. “Marry me, Renwick. Make the ultimate vow to me, and me alone.”

There was a moment of cold silence before Renwick closed the box with a heavy clack and dropped it to the floor. “If you want to give yourself to me,” a dark look passed over Renwick’s face, his gaze filled with shadows, “Then trust me…” Ren’s eyes were full of need as he offered his pale and virgin wrist to Marius’ lips, “as I trust you.”

The smell of the vampire’s flesh and blood filled Marius with madness. He trembled as he took Ren’s wrist in his hand, allowing Ren to pull Marius’ own wrist to his lips. Marius shuddered as Ren dragged his tongue along the soft, sensitive skin, pressing deep kisses into the skin.

“What if we can’t stop?” Marius asked, the party disappearing from his reality. It was just them in the light of the magical yule tree.

Ren didn’t answer, instead, he urged, “Together.”

In that moment, against his better judgement, it wasn’t just the want to taste the sweetness of his blood, they had both been consumed with the passion and desire for everything the other had to offer. “Happy Yule, my love,” Marius whispered, drool dripping from his fangs as the fumes of blood and hot skin sent him into a daze.

Ren tangled his fingers into Marius’ long hair as he pushes his wrist to Marius’ lips. “And many great tidings to come.”

In unison, fangs sank into forbidden flesh. Marius felt the skin break, warm, rich fluid filling his mouth as he sucked fervently, droplets spilling to the floor. He moaned, his body as on fire as he was breathless, panting hard.

Beyond any vow or promise, the two vampires drank their fill…each claiming the other in the thickest sweetness they had ever known.