The Blood inside you is the Blood inside me

The Blood inside you is the Blood inside me Part 23

Charlotte was attending to Marcus, while wearing the cobalt blue dressing gown Aro had gifted her when she was still human. She stood behind him while he sat on a chair, awaiting her nimble fingers to brush his hair and tie it back for the day. "You have such gorgeous hair, Marcus. Aro does too, but yours is longer and a bit more luxurious, I think." She slowly ran the brush from the top of his head to the ends of his long tresses. She repeated the motion until she thought she heard Marcus actually make a low purring sound. She leaned over his shoulder and kissed his cheek, smiling. "You sound like a giant pussy cat, uncle."

"It's soothing, child." Marcus leaned back into the chair, truly enjoying Charlotte's gentle ministration. One thing he missed in all these centuries since losing Didyme was the feeling of closeness with another person. Not just a mental connection, but physically as well. Being touched and held, let alone the more intimate moments; he did miss all that even if he acted as if he didn't care. Aro and Caius had their mates, and the guards looked upon him as a king, so were not likely to get too friendly with him, out of respect for his position. Since finding Charlotte, who had an unreserved and affectionate nature, he again had some of what he missed. She would sit next to him, curling her body into his while they talked. There was the time she lay beside him, her head on his lap, talking with him about her concerns regarding her impending change. He was always there for her, and always would be. And she gave him some of the affection he so craved. "I haven't had anyone do this for me in centuries," Marcus quietly lamented.

Assuming his mate Didyme was to whom Marcus was referring without saying her name, Charlotte felt a pang of sorrow for her savior. That he should be alone while she was so happy and content with Aro broke Charlotte's heart. "You can ask me anytime, Marcus, at least until you find a proper mate of your own. And don't make that face. Didyme would not be upset at you for finding someone who will love you as much as you would love her. Our kind exist far too long in this world to spend it alone."

"Charlotte, as I have said, I'm fine. There is no need for you to worry about your old uncle Marcus. I cherish our time together."

Charlotte hugged him tightly while she stood behind him. She loved him so much, not just because he had saved her life, but for the kind and gentle man he was. His counsel and advice comforted her time and again. She wished he could find someone who mirrored him, someone who would happily give up her humanity for him as she had done for Aro. There had to be someone out there. "God, but you're a stubborn man. Now let me finish up here so I can go get dressed."

He smiled, saying "Of course, child. I am properly chastised." Charlotte had given him new life, but he could never tell her how much she had done for his old soul.

"Alright then. Now I'm not a professional hair dresser, but I can do braids and ties." She asked Marcus to hand her the thin strip of leather she'd found. Once she had gathered his hair in one hand, she began to braid the leather strip in and around the older vampire's hair. When she was finished, Marcus had a ponytail that hung down his back, the leather braided within his rich brown hair as a band to hold it together. She gave him a hand mirror so he could judge the final work.

"It's perfect, my dear. Thank you. You do have a talent." He set down the mirror. "Are you alright? You seem on edge this morning," Marcus asked in concern.

Charlotte moved from behind Marcus, and sat on his lap. "I'm not feeling anything right now. Maybe that's the reason I'm not being very talkative." She leaned in to hug her friend, her arms around his neck, resting her cheek against his.

Marcus pulled back, thinking of something to draw her thoughts elsewhere. "Have you heard about the impending arrival of four new supplicants who wish to join the Guard?"

Charlotte peered into Marcus's eyes, a slight frown on her face. "No, Aro never mentioned that. He probably didn't want me to pounce on them, demanding to know their gifts. When will they be here?"