The park was quiet, with a few evening couples taking a stroll. Others took their time, sitting on benches to watch as the stars appeared in the sky. Caleb guided a wary Charlotte, feeling her hand twitch in his as she resisted the urge to hiss. It was the most normal either of them had felt in a long time. He led her to a tree, the branches heavy with green leaves and adorned with fairy lights. Beneath was a large blanket with an assortment of foods. He glimpsed a spark in her eyes. Charlotte had improved. Her mood swings were less intense, and he swore he caught her smiling as the children played. She knelt, eyes drifting over the food. Pangs of guilt stopped her as she reached for the sweet treats.
Caleb wanted her to feel reassured, to end the cycle of blame. Neither of them could have realised Daciana was born a vampire. The failure to address the issues around food meant their daughter could never enjoy a feast. Charlotte looked again at the delights. She wondered if Daciana would love a man like Caleb. He enjoyed cooking for humans and vampires alike. Daciana may never know the joy of a romantic evening.
Charlotte lost her appetite, faking a smile at the jealous people passing them. It seemed wrong to gorge when she had failed their children. Caleb pulled her close, seeing the storm brewing in her eyes. The failure to nurture one child did not mean they were terrible parents. Nothing could change what they did not know. Time travel was not a thing in their world, at least not yet. Until then, Daciana would adapt and accept her fate. Casimir assured them this, at least.
She relaxed into his arms, allowing the comfort of his embrace to soothe. What happened to Daciana was beyond their control; she knew that. Somewhere in her subconscious, she had to understand. Yet, nothing changed on the surface. It could take several lifetimes for Daciana to forgive them. Charlotte did not want to wait to find peace and forgiveness.
Her body grew restless in Caleb’s arms. Charlotte suppressed a giggle as her stomach rumbled with the smell of food. The delights he had brought and the humans were reminding her how little she ate. He reached for a macaron, hoping she would not move from him. The sweet treat trailed across her lips, pressing the bottom down. As Charlotte attempted to bite, Caleb surprised her with a kiss. Tender lips caressed hers. The crumbled sugar sweetened the moment.
They froze, both catching a scent they desired. Caleb broke the kiss; his quick reflexes snatched the young man. There was no time to struggle. Charlotte stroked his face, putting him into a trance. Rather than casting the spell to love her, she watched the man turn to Caleb. Her face brightened, something Caleb missed. His fingers tussled through the man’s hair. Caleb inhaled the aroma of his skin. The man’s musky smell mixed with the mandarin and sandalwood of his cologne. There were notes of vanilla and geranium. He was beautiful, with thick blonde hair and firm muscles. Caleb let a low growl escape as his lips drifted over the exposed neck. The man reached around Caleb squeezing his butt and pressing them together. Regaining his composure, Caleb grabbed Charlotte, pulling her into the embrace. The man pressed between them aroused and dripping blood as the two made him their feast.
By the Grace of Sim Gods 