Blood Bound

Chapter 2

*June 17, 1852; 23:15*

Amell had managed to have a decent spread of food set out in the amount of time it took for Liam to get changed into the suit of choice, which was a black one that was from Amell's latest meal. The door to the bedroom sung open and Liam was just standing there in the doorway unsure of how to get back to the dining area, sure he paid attention to where they were walking but the path was a decent length that he was not certain in the path to take back to the dining hall.

"Amell!" Liam called out after taking a right out of the bedroom he was in as he took a left into it. The male in the dining hall furrowed his brows at the call of his name, what did Liam need?

Amell glanced around the table to make sure there was nothing out of place before going to turn on his heel to ascend up to the bedroom Liam was in, the cloak around his shoulders billowing out behind him as he moved fluid motion, "Yes?" He asked his companion with a small cock of his head.

"Where the bloody hell-?" Liam gasped out not having heard Amell come up to the hall. "I- I was- my thought process was to follow your voice back to the dining area." He said with a light chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I suppose I can see the logic in that course of action, however, I can walk with you now."

"How did you know I called for you though?"

There was a moment as Amell debated what to say, "The wind through the castle never sounds as if someone is calling out to me." He decided on, not touching on the amplified hearing he had which allowed him to hear the heart beats of his victims. Liam shrugged willingly believing the answer he received.

"Thank you for the suit, by the way, you did not have to allow me to borrow it. Thank you." Liam added as he tugged lightly on the collar in annoyance, he was not used to wearing outfits as such but he was entertaining the idea of the dress coat that was with suit, he had never had one before, let alone one that looked so vintage.

Amell glanced over as they made their way back to the dining room, "I am not accustomed to the French-American garbs you had adorning your form; in England we favor formal taste." The words were calm contrasting the pounding heart of Liam. "If you wish to wander the streets of England in order to get back to your home, you should be able to look the part of an Englishman, and speak as one." He gently told the male as they entered the dining room once again.

Liam looked at the table before back to Amell, "I thought you said you were unprepared for guests, it looks like you expected three." He commented lightly on the amount of food that now graced the table.

"I always have to be prepared for guests even when I do not expect them, people often come to my castle when they are lost." Amell nodded politely as he gestured for Liam to take a seat at the table. Liam smiled and went to sit down at the far end of the table, not daring to touch the food until Amell sat down and started to take something. After noticing Liam's hesitancy to take something from a platter, Amell sat down with him, "Feed yourself, you are the guest."

Liam bit his lip before carefully taking a piece of mutton, not wanting to make it seem like he was trying to take all the food presented to him, but also wanting to not seem like he wasn't going to accept the hospitality of Amell's offer of food. "Thank you, for feeding me, and allowing me to burrow this suit." He said as he shifted in the chair, out of what appeared to be mild discomfort.

"You are a guest, Liam, I enjoy allowing all my guests to have the same comfort, whether I expected them or not." Amell offered a shy grin to the male who seemed to have little reservations about entering a castle whose owner was unknown at the time. The thought rose a chuckle from the back of Amell's throat.

"What's funny, Mr. Johnson?" The male asked as he watched carefully, alarmed by the laugh. It sounded almost dark, in Liam's opinion, but maybe he was just worried by the kindness and hospitality of Amell.

"Nothing, Liam, only a fleeting thought. Please, help yourself, do not worry about lack of preparation on my end of allowing guests." Amell said and stood up to look at the portrait of his late wife.

"Was she yours?" Liam asked as he stood up to stand by Amell looking at the delicate portrait.

"She was my wife, she grew ill when I was away for work many years ago, she passed without a letter telling me she was ill." He lied, she had grown old and he hadn't, he never once fed on her, he always tried to keep her safe... he thought loving her he would be able to turn her and they could live together, forever. But he was never able to tell her what he was, so while she grew old, he barely fed to grow old with her. She had died in his arms in the night... "She always wanted to protect me from the pain of knowing I was going to loose her, she is the reason I am so open to guests. She would never turn anyone away; she cared too much for the people of this world. She was the sun of my life for many years." He spoke before looking at the male next to him who was staring wide eyed at the painting.

"She sounds wonderful, Amell, I am sure she is smiling down at you now." Liam put his hand on Amell's shoulder as a comforting gesture, "The women we truly love always tend to leave us, huh? Whether by death or by walking out of our lives."

Amell closed his eyes tightly, "She was too pure for this world, I wish I was able to protect her... she deserved more of life than what was given to her." He turned his gaze to the hand rested on his shoulder, something that made the vampire mildly uncomfortable as it felt natural for the hand to be there. "I wish we were able to bare children..." the comment was soft and quiet, barely audible over the gentle wind passing through the castle.

Liam bit his lip in thought as he tried to think of something to respond with, "Maybe the higher power decided the world was not ready for your children together. You two were perfect for each other that the universe would not have handled the mixture of your DNA."

Amell turned to look fully at Liam, mostly confused by the term used, DNA? What was that? "I am going to retire for the evening, I have a busy day tomorrow. I will have breakfast prepared for you when you wake but you will not see me until the evening." He said with a polite nod and turned around to head up to his bed, "Your room is out the main doors, third entry way on the right, up two flights of stairs and fifth door on the left." He said the directions from the dining hall before disappearing before Liam could even thank him for the hospitality once again.