Check Your Reference List, I'm Sure I'm Not On It.

[clementine]

Maddox grinned, tucking at Isis for a little alone time. He knew his children would be safe under the watchful eyes of the other male's. For now, he was going to enjoy himself.

[praiseofblood]

Isis blushed a bit but followed his mate out of their house, wrapping his arm about the male's waist. "Where are we going, Mad?" he asked.

[clementine]

"Hotel." Maddox replied simply. "Sound proof walls and everything. I wanna make you scream in pleasure." He added with a lusty grin.

[praiseofblood]

Isis blushed prettiily before leaning into his mate. "Remember what that led to, tiger."

[clementine]

Maddox chukled, holding his Isis close. "It won't happen again." He replied with assurance as he kissed his mate's cheek. "You're just so pretty though that there's no way I'm gonna hold back." He whispered as they walked into the nice hotel.

[praiseofblood]

"Me pretty? Please." Isis said with a roll of his eyes even as he smiled. He waited while Maddy checked them in, looking at his mate fondly.

[clementine]

"Okay fine." Maddy conceded, twirling the room key. "You're beautiful." He chuckled, kissing Isis as they entered the elevator.

[praiseofblood]

Isis rolled his eyes even as he kissed his mate back. He followed Maddy into their room, smiling at the nice suite. "You do know you didn't have to." he said, looking at his mate, with a smile.

[clementine]

"I always have to, love." He purred, capturing Isis' lips in a deep kiss. "I want to give you everything." He rasped, pressing Isis into the bed.

[praiseofblood]

Isis gasped against his mate's lips before chuckling a bit. "You already have,' he assured.

[clementine]

"I love you." Maddox murmured. "Let me show you how much." And the demon took his mate to bed, loving Isis slowly all over again as if it had been the first time.

[praiseofblood]

Later, Isis was home, surrounded by his babies. "Want Mommy to tell you a story?" he asked, smiling at them, as he lifted Mina up onto his lap.

"Once upon a time, there was a young prince..."

___*___*____*


“My good Prince,” came a voice from somewhere near the bottom of his dining chair. “My good Prince, there is a young peasant man here, begging your ear.”

Prince Dominic de Loncrey sighed as he looked down his perfect, aristocratic nose at the slave that bowed before him. He then turned to look at the storm outside and blinked in confusion, “In this weather? The man must be insane.” He said with a frown as he stood.

“Where is he? Dominic asked the slave.

“In the receiving area of the throne room, your highness,” she said, looking at the male furtively.

With a nod of the Prince’s fire-red head, the woman was dismissed and the Prince headed towards his throne room.

Prince Dominic walked gracefully down the gilded halls of his castle. He and his guards arrived at the throne room, and he ordered the doors be opened to him.

Inside of the throne room lay a pitiful man in rags, soaked through from rain. He looked soggy and dank even with the heavy towel a servant had draped over him.

“What brings you to my doorstep, peasant?” Dominic asked, a small frown marring his beautiful features.

Something was… off about this peasant. He looked at Dominic in the eye, and let his gaze travel entirely too much—in his opinion. The insolence of the dog!

“Must I be inclined to have my guards toss you out of my home and back into the storm? I will not repeat myself.” Dominic said, looking down at the male, his blue eyes steely.

“Dear Prince, I’ve t-traveled long distances to see—to—witness your beauty,” said the filthy peasant with groveling, “and now that I have—I would like nothing more than to a-ask his Highness, if I may…if I may become a slave to his highness. I p-pledge myself to you, and I pray that you look favorably upon me.” The male whimpered.

Dominic rose a russet brow. “What…is it you are asking now? You wish to become a servant in my house?” Dominic asked with some confusion. Why would this man want that?

“T-to his Majesty,” the male said, shaking his head.

Dominic blinked, looking at the male. “No,” he said, “I have no use for you.”

The slave looked up from his position on the floor. “But your Highness, I believe that you do.” He said, giving Dominic a lusty look. Dominic was appalled by this. “Why you insolent dog,” he growled. “Guards,” Dominic called out to his guard.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, beauty,” the peasant said, standing. The peasant looked less like a peasant now, and Dominic could see wisps of magic surrounding him.

Dominic backed up a step. “Wizard…” he said, glaring at the male as his guards moved forward, only to be transformed into suits of armor.

Dominic looked around in horror, before turning back to the wizard and drawing his sword.

“Now now now, love, no need for all that,” the male crooned. “I just want to get better acquainted with you,” he said, stepping forward. The peasant clothes seemed to melt away, and now the man stood before him in a pair of pants made of an unidentifiable material and sturdy boots. He carried a small coin bag, and nothing else.

“You go to hell wizard, and remove yourself from my home, or I will.” Dominic growled; his blade steady as he pointed it at the wizard.

“My, you’ve some fight in you, eh?” the wizard smirked. “I can’t wait to see your claws come out between the sheets.”

Dominic was appalled, and rage swelled in his belly. “How dare you,” he cried, lunging forwards and slashing at the wizard, his sword catching him across the cheek.

“Ah!” The wizard gasped, holding his face. “Alright, little beauty, since you insist on behaving like a beast…become one.”

[clementine]

The story of the beast and his castle was passed down for generations. Well, at least it was passed down to Jeffery's generation. All the village children knew of the haunted castle that sat up high on the hill like some ghostly sentinel. Heck, it was hard to miss. Only the stories they were told by their parents made it seem even scarier.

For a long time Jeffery was afraid of the place, just like his friends. But tonight, tonight was different. He was of age. A man. And as a man, it was his job to discover just what was in the castle. Or at least touch the silver knocker that adorned the massive front doors. His friends had all turned thirteen ages ago and had touched the fable knocker. Now, it was his turn and Jeffery was never one to miss out on opportunities, despite his elder brother's warnings.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Jeffrey hised nervously to his group of friends for about the millionth time. They were currently hiding behind a large hedge that marked the beginning of the castle territory. "I mean, the beast isn't gonna come out and snatch my nose off or somethin'? Is he?"

[praiseofblood]

"Of course not you scary git, now go on, touch it." Said Sven, one of Jeffery's best friends as he and three other boys urged the slight boy towards the knocker.

"Yeah, we all did it," Said Thomas as they crept up to the door.

[clementine]

Jeffrey gulped as he was poked and shoved to the front of the group. They passed the last hedge and then, Jeffrey was alone. His friends were hidden behind him and he was out in the open with nothing between him and the door except the wide lonely walk way.

For a moment, he balked, frozen where he stood. Then, throwing his shoulders back, Jeffery ran from the door, trying not to look at anything else. Panting heavily, his hand slammed onto the silver knocker and he looked behind himself to make sure that his friends were all watching.