Immortal Stranger

Diary Entry #14

DIARY ENTRY #14

DANNY'S P.O.V.

"So do what you want, but keep me out of it!" Tia yelled as she stormed out of the room. I stared at her, my mouth open in shock. Why was she so riled up?

"That's quite a fighter you got there," The King said, with a twinkle in his eye. I just sighed, still not sure what I should do about her. Ever since I told her I didn't believe her about Willow she has been really touchy with me. I just wish she would trust me. I love her too much to doubt her anymore.

"I really am sorry," I said. I mentally cringed, wondering when the day came when I had to apologize for my future wife. Or not, according to Tia, she didn't want to get married. Ouch.

"It's fine. I can definitely understand the enormous pressure that is on Tia. To just think that less than two weeks ago she didn't even know Vampires existed! And now she has to get married, be Turned, and inherit a Kingdom!" exclaimed the King. He looked a little mad himself and I couldn't help but sigh in relief that it was the King taking control in this situation. If it was the Queen, she would have been banished for life.

"Well, there is another way that Tia wouldn't have to be Queen," My Aunt said. I glared at her in shock. This didn't sound good.

"Yes, well now that you have brought it up we have to tell her," The King retorted, glaring at his wife. The Wife barely flinched, just flicked her hair over her shoulders and beckoned for the King to continue.

"You have been Challenged," The Queen said excitedly and I couldn't help but feel liquid dread seep through my veins. Challenged? Our throne hasn't been Challenged for ages. I wonder who the commoners are that think they can beat me and Tia.

"By who?" I sighed. Might as well get it over with so I can go and comfort Tia.

"By a certain Sam and Willow," The King chuckled. I felt my heart turn lead at their names.

"But you can't! They are evil! They will destroy the throne! Sam kidnapped Tia and tried to Turn her and then Willow and Sam tried to kill her in a hospital!" I shouted, anger burning my lungs. Surely the Royal Couple hadn't accepted the Challenge!

"I'm sorry but it is too late. Tomorrow at nine is the meeting for the Rules and the Challenge. Be there or your absence will be taken as a forfeit." The King recited as he glanced at his wife excitedly. I stared at them in disbelief; They thought this was a game! My Tia had almost been killed twice and they still thought of this as a game!

"Excuse me," I said curtly and fled the dining room. I ran up the stairs and pounded on Tia's door.

"Tia, honey, can you open the door?" I asked gently. All I heard was a huge sob and then I realized something. She was scared of me.

I backed up and rammed open the door, sending splinters flying everywhere. I rushed into the room, glancing wildly around for my baby. I saw her dive under her covers and I felt a rush of anger. I was a monster for making my own fiancee scared of me!

I rushed forward and started to try to soothe Tia. I just wanted to make sure she was alright and find a nice way to break it to her about Sam and Willow.

But I guess I didn't do that right because a second later she exploded on me, saying I was selfish and all this other stuff. And the worst part was, it was true. I had been a terrible boyfriend; no wonder Tia didn't want to get married to me.

"Can you ever forgive me?" I finished as I stared into her eyes. She had the most beautiful orbs of light I had ever seen. Anytime I looked into them I melted and this time was no exception.

I saw hesitation flit across Tia's face but it was quickly replaced by certainty. She slowly reached her head up and placed her lips on mine. Instantly my lips responded and I couldn't help but think just how much I loved her.

She then pulled away and I just then realized how guilty she felt. I tried my best to reconcile and ease the blow when it came to telling her about the Challengers, but nothing prepared me for her reaction.

"It's okay Danny. As long as we are together," Tia purred and kissed me once more. I was more than confused at the way she was handling it. When I found out I nearly punched someone! But here she was, kissing me?

I was brought back into reality when she pulled away; again. I felt my heartbeat quicken as I already missed her soft lips and her gentle touch.

"Danny, can I ask you something?" Tia whispered as she gently stroked my hair. I nodded, too immersed in her actions to speak. Oh how I loved her. "If Sam and Willow did take over, would they be able to control me?"

"No. You are a human so they wouldn't be able to touch you. Me, well, they could probably have me executed since I am a Vampire," I answered as my thumb softly caressed her ear. I felt her shiver and soon felt her lips back on mine.

"Danny," She murmured to my lips after she pulled away. I grunted back in response and then I felt her eyes on mine. I lifted my head and was instantly pulled into her deep gaze. "Danny, if Sam and Willow did take over, would you become a human for me?"

I stared, unable to comprehend. I mean, becoming a human when you were a Vampire was possible, but sticking a silver rod through my heart sounded extremely painful. But this was Tia, my girl, my love, asking me.

"Yes Tia. I would do anything for you," I answered softly and kissed her forehead. She sighed gently and before we could kiss again there was a loud knock on our door.

"The King and Queen send their apologies but they request you sleep in separate rooms," The carrier shouted through the door. I instantly bristled at their hostility.

"Why?" Tia asked quietly. I wrapped her up in a hug and I realized that despite the King and Queen's warning, I wanted to stay here forever. I wasn't going to do anything, just hold her until we were old and gray.

"Oh, sweetheart, they want to separate us so we don't talk strategy. It really is a dirty move because they know Sam and Willow will," I sighed as I felt the injustice in all this. It almost felt as if the Royal Couple had something against them.

"Can't you stay?" Tia asked again, this time pleading. My whole fibre wanted to stay, cuddling this girl until the morning, but I knew that if the King and Queen found out I had stayed, they would have me disqualified.

"I'm sorry Tia, I can't" I said miserably. "If the Royal Couple found out they could have us disqualified. But I will meet you here at eight so we can go down for breakfast and hear the Rules and the Challenge okay?" Tia nodded, equally upset, and I couldn't help but stroke back her hair.

"Danny, if we don't win, can we become human?" asked Tia quietly.

"Yes," I said with certain. I would never leave Tia; not again, not ever. Tia smiled for one of the first time this day and I leaned down to give her a parting kiss.

Five minutes later I was in my own bed, thinking about Tia and tomorrow. I couldn't let the competition get between Tia and I. I wouldn't let it happen. She was my everything and if the time came I would chose her. I would. Right?