He found her attractive and was tempted by her. Perhaps the shower meant that he had already resolved to unite flesh with her.
But she couldn't take chances. She had to seduce him, no matter what.
She snapped her fingers, and in an instant, her hair was perfect, her skin was flawless, her clothes were clean, and her preferred fragrance was renewed.
She even dolled up her face with some magical makeup. In particular, she added more blush to her cheeks, some eyeliner, and longer lashes.
The eyelashes were so that she could bite her lip and flutter them at him in the middle of the movie when the two actors had their first kiss.
"They're kissing, Darling," she practiced, her hands clasped over her breasts, batting her eyes cutely. "Do you think we…maybe…"
She burst out into some wild giggles that she fought to restrain. When she calmed down she considered her outfit one last time.
It was cozy, sure. But it wasn't sexy. It wasn't necessarily inviting intimacy. But she could think of an easy way to remedy that.
Vladira slipped out of her panties and reached inside her shirt to unclasp her bra, letting it drop to the floor.
As they snuggled, eventually he would notice her hardened nipples poking through her shirt, or maybe his hand would land on her ass and he'd realize she was naked underneath.
From there, he wouldn't be able to resist.
Alaric walked out of the bathroom wearing a blue sleeveless muscle shirt and a pair of black shorts that were tight enough to hint at the magnitude of his endowment.
"Unholy fuck," Vladira whimpered as she watched him dry his hair in the mirror.
"What was that?" Alaric grunted, trying to find her in the mirror's reflection for a second, but of course she wasn't there.
She nearly laughed at that. "Nothing, Darling," she cooed.
With a leap, she launched herself onto the bed, and Alaric looked back at her to see what she was doing.
The T-Shirt rode up as she got on hands and knees, having belly-flopped onto the mattress.
She was in the process of turning around and sitting normally, facing the TV when she realized that, in the process, she had given Alaric a perfect view of her ass—and probably more.
Good, she thought. The sooner he's aware of what treasures await him the better.
Alaric's eyes seemed to glow with reverence for a fraction of a second, but he quickly turned back to the mirror.
"Are you looking forward to the movie? It'll be interesting to see how this technology works firsthand."
"I'm looking forward to watching it with you," she cooed, rubbing her legs together. She held her arms out expectantly, her hands closing and opening, beckoning him.
"I'm cold, Laric."
She could see his mind at war with itself as she watched his face. She knew what the old Alaric would say.
'No you're not, you're undead. You can't feel the temperature unless you want to.' Or maybe he'd just say, 'If you're cold, you're sitting on a perfectly good blanket.'
But that is not what tonight's Alaric said.
After a few seconds' pause, he turned back, eyed her up and down, swallowed, and said,
"I'll be right there."
———Alaric Pov
Alaric had gone insane. That was the only explanation for what was unfolding. He was sitting on a motel room mattress, watching a
romantic movie about a vampire and a human falling in love—with The Countess.
With Vladira Noctyra, the Princess of Darkness herself.
He could smell her scent in the air beside him. She made no secret of her affection for him, and he was beginning to suspect it was genuine. How should he feel about that?
And what was this treacherous feeling in his own heart—and stomach. His guts writhed and turned over as nerves took him.
He couldn't remember having this level of anxiety since he was a boy, trying to pass his whip proficiency examinations.
Oh, but how he longed for the simplicity of those days. The world was black and white.
Voss good, monsters bad. Voss kill monsters, then ride off into the sunset on their white horses.
He could not afford to mistake the Countess's affection for him for a change of heart.
She had proved time and again, as recently as twenty minutes ago, that she was more than comfortable with a little murder for her
own selfish ends. Well…
Except that her latest killing was for his benefit. In her own, misguided way, she had tried to protect him.
If not protect, then punish those who would dare to draw weapons against him. If that wasn't true love, it was genuine care and concern.
Perhaps…not the healthiest variety of it, but he couldn't fault her that.She was a vampire, after all. This was progress.
And that's how he had to choose to see this scenario. Slowly, he allowed his arm to extend over his head as though he were stretching. He even added a little sound effect. "Ahhh," he said.
"This movie is absurd. The lore is ridiculous."
"I don't know," Vladira sighed, furrowing her brow as her gaze focused on the screen.
"I have to admit, I might be sold on this film. The woman is a little annoying, but I identify with Edward. He just wants to protect her and knows he's a danger to her. If you were any normal man, I would likely feel the same way."
Alaric froze with his arms over his head for an oddly long time. Long enough that Vladira took notice and scowled at him.
"Hurry it up, Darling, I know you're trying to put your arm around me. Don't make me wait."
Alaric smirked at that and lowered his arm, her bratty words somehow relaxing him somewhat.
His arm rested over her shoulders and he couldn't help but notice how warm she felt.
"Your skin isn't as cool as it usually is."
"I just drank blood from living mortals, and the strength of our bond has made my heart begin to circulate my own blood from time to time," she cooed, grinning at him and batting eyelashes that seemed longer than usual.
"Shh. The movie's still on. Snuggle me more."