A/N: I'd like to apoligise for not posting a chapter yesterday.
I didn't know it was a holiday here, and my family kind of dragged me away and I couldn't post anything LOL.
Anyhow here is the chapter.
Good reading!
[Blood Diary Entry]
"Do as you wish then… But pay attention, this is important."
She nodded subtly but didn't really look me in the eyes.
I shrugged and turned to Mom, who by now looked like she was going to blow a fuse at any given moment.
"I take it you are curious—maybe even wary—of the nature of that vow, and the connection I share with Rebekah now?"
Mother nodded, and Rebekah gave me a little headbutt to show she was also curious.
"It's an ancient ritual of Higher Vampires, the words have been changed again and again, some having a weaker effect and some having stronger ones," I explained, and had Mother's full attention. "It is used to establish a bond between two entities, and the ensuing relationship between parties has little to do with the vow wording itself."
"But then how do you explain her shift in attitude towards you?" Mom nodded her head, indicating the woman who had grabbed me firmly on her lap, "and don't tell me that it is unrelated, she did an almost 180°-degree shift."
Rebekah finally looked up, only to shoot a venomous and protective look at my mother.
I patted her head to calm her down, and she buried her face in me again.
Of all things, I never really expected Rebekah to act his way. Though I understand some reason behind this behavior, it is also so dissonant to the image I have of her in my head that it is almost funny.
"The vow I used is one of Sol'Vahr's personal creations; the wording is immensely powerful, binding the two of us by fate. It is further empowered by the simple fact that it was spoken in a very old tongue, one that was only spoken by two beings—who were obscenely powerful by the way—and that gives weight to the tongue."
"Who were these two beings?"
"Sol'Vahr and his brother."
"What about the other Higher Vampires? And you keep mentioning this brother of his, what is his deal?"
"The others use a different language, derived from his, but still different. And I'll tell you about his brother some other day."
Mother nodded, waiting for me to continue my explanation.
"The vow makes it so that we will always meet again if separated, no matter what. But it also makes it easier for us to perceive and understand one another. It can also help us locate the other vow taker. But what you see in Rebekah is simply the reflection of her being more comfortable around me, nothing else."
Mother nodded in understanding; I also got a faint hum from the one holding me.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah…" I responded a bit hesitantly.
Mother raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
I sighed yet again.
"This particular vow doesn't dictate how our relationship evolves; it is solely up to us."
Before I could continue, Mother interrupted me. "But?"
"But if it goes to a more… Uhm… Romantic direction, it kind of develops on its own."
Mother's eyes narrowed dangerously, while Rebekah's heart started to beat furiously.
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah, it's something I have no control over."
"You are child Darian; I won't stand for it."
This time, it was I who got annoyed, my eyes narrowed and glowed a fierce red.
"Mom, you raised me, and you did so splendidly…" Her body tensed up, fearing where I would take my sentence. "I love you dearly, and I will never let even a hair on your head get harmed again. This I promise. But the price I paid to save you meant that I will now make my decisions, and I will always appreciate your guidance and support. But I will not be second-guessed by anyone. Not even you." Her eyes showed traces of hurt, and it made my heart ache in turn. I softened my voice. "But what you worry about won't happen, Mother."
Mother eased up and snapped back to attention, tilting her head curiously.
But what caught my attention was Rebekah's reaction; she flinched and hiccupped, a sound so vulnerable and so low only I could hear it.
I ran my finger through her soft hair.
"As Mother said, I am a child at the moment. Even if we take ancient standards, I am much too young for anything." Rebekah showed signs of avid hearing; meanwhile, Mom seemed to sigh in relief. "A big sign of it is that at the moment, my brain can't even process the concept of lust, nor could my body react to it. While I can understand and process love, I wouldn't feel comfortable diving into the sexual part of a relationship—in any shape or form—until my body develops."
Mother nodded her head proudly, and Rebekah didn't react.
"With that said, there is also something else that holds me back in this instance." The two seemed to be curious now, probably guessing the second reason. "It's you, Rebekah, you are the second problem…"
Mother frowned, not liking the way I put my words together. I smiled inwardly at that; her problems weren't with Rebekah, but with my bodily state. I can't help but think I may have the best mom there is.
Rebekah lifted her head, tears in her eyes, a hurt expression. She tried to push me off her lap, probably wanting to flee and drown the hurt in whatever way she could.
Despite her efforts, I was the one who didn't let go this time. I held her down with one hand and caressed her cheek with the other. She started to squirm, her hurt expression slowly shifting to anger.
Before the situation could escalate, I spoke again. "You didn't let me finish, Miss Mikaelson." Hearing the formal way I called her, her anger and hurt flared up, but she stopped trying to push me away.
"What I meant to say is that there is also a problem on your side, Rebekah, and before you solve it, a romantic relationship is impossible."
She paused, studying me. "What do you mean?"
"I know of Chicago, Rebekah…" Her eyes widened, her breath caught.
Mother by the side had question marks popping up all around her, not understanding our conversation.
"H-How?! I-"
"How is not important… The important part is that I am a possessive being. In the same way, I will never let any man approach my mother; I will not stand for the woman I am with to have someone else in her heart." Rebekah lowered her head deep in thought.
Her shoulders trembled… then slowly eased.
Mother raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously. "The way you say that can pass the wrong impression, little Darian~" Her voice dragged in a playful, flirtatious tone.
I cringed inwardly. "Mother, please don't do that again… You know I didn't mean it that way."
She laughed and winked at me, making me wince again. "I know, and you don't have to worry about that. I don't really have an interest in that; there was a reason I was able to be your mother after all.
"Anyways… That is, Rebekah, if you want it, you'll have to get your stuff in order. But until then, I promise you I will never leave you behind." I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead to reassure her.
She sighed in relief and nodded.
I clapped my hands to get their attention back.
"Enough of this melodramatic talk. We have a ghost to hunt!"