Vampire’s Lullaby: Epilogue, A Night Together (part 4)

Annabelle was getting tired, but she didn’t want the evening to end just yet. She and Charlotte didn’t get to see each other as often anymore since they had started their rebellion, and they had spent the evening catching up with each other.

Annabelle could admit that it sounded quite scary when Charlotte talked about fighting the leaders of the night folk packs, or about how she was challenged almost every night as she protected and won territory, intent on ending this war. Even with her allies helping out a lot, it sounded quite intense.

"You seem tired, my love," Charlotte said quietly, reaching out to brush cool fingertips over Annabelle’s cheek. They were sitting on the bed together, legs pressed against each other as they talked.

Annabelle smiled, head leaning against the head of her bed. "I don’t want you to go just yet."

"I have stayed until you slept deeply and longer still plenty of times before," Charlotte reminded her quietly, hand falling down to take the one Annabelle had resting on her drawn-up knees. "I will stay now, too. We can talk more another night; go to bed, my love."

"Only if you come with me," Annabelle found herself saying. Charlotte looked briefly surprised, then delighted, before she got up and pulled Annabelle to her feet as well.

They slipped beneath the covers, and it took a moment of wriggling and rearranging limbs before Annabelle came to rest with her head on Charlotte’s chest. It was different from leaning on a human; there was no heartbeat, no warmth seeping through clothes. Not even an inhale unless Charlotte was speaking.

But she enjoyed it nonetheless, her arm resting across Charlotte’s middle, feeling her strength beneath her hand, and one knee thrown over Charlotte’s long legs.

A gentle hand ran through her hair, applying just the right kind of pressure to her scalp and neck to ease away the stress of the day. Annabelle closed her eyes and allowed herself to go limp, pressed against her lover’s side.

"Rest well; nothing bad will find us tonight," Charlotte said quietly, kissing Annabelle’s forehead. "If you want, I will wake you before I go."

"Please do," she murmured, and a calm, gentle quiet settled over the room. Charlotte kept petting her hair and massaging her head down to her neck and shoulders, and Annabelle felt like she was melting into every touch.

"You should come meet my family," she mumbled into Charlotte’s soft silk blouse. "I know they’ll like you."

The vampire made a low humming sound. "How about we start with your hunter brother and go from there?"

Annabelle murmured a wordless agreement, feeling the heavy, relaxing embrace of sleep rise slowly to envelop her. Just as she slipped away towards the realm of dreams, Charlotte began to sing a quiet, lovely lullaby.

When Annabelle found herself waking up, it was to Charlotte still in bed with her.

"Morning," Annabelle said, her voice croaky with sleep, and Charlotte smiled down at her, warm and loving.

"You sound cute like this," she said, and Annabelle huffed in amusement, too comfortable to move yet. It was still dark outside, and she knew she’d have to get ready for work soon, that Charlotte had to leave soon, but for now she just wanted to stay like this a little longer.

Charlotte’s hand cupped her cheek, and she glanced up sleepily, feeling lips brush against her forehead. Charlotte pressed slow, soft kisses against her temple and cheek and one onto the tip of her nose. When Annabelle smiled, she tipped her head up with gentle fingers and pressed a kiss against that smile as well, tasting the shape of it.

They kissed for a long moment, enjoying each other’s presence, the gentle touches of their hands, and their bodies pressed close together, one warm, one cool.

"I have to go," Charlotte whispered at last, pulling away to brush their noses together. "I can feel the sun rising."

"Come back soon," Annabelle said softly, and Charlotte hummed in agreement.

"I will. If all goes well, I might even get to see you again tonight." Then she grinned, fanged and vicious. "Once I take over this city, I will make you my Night Queen."

Annabelle couldn’t help but grin back, hope and love bright in her chest. They were getting closer and closer to that day, to a day of unity and the beginning of peace. Not much was left until that final act. "I look forward to it."