Midnight and Roses
folder
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,391
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
BtVS AU/AR › Slash - Male/Male › Angel(us)/Spike(William)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
40
Views:
5,391
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Ancient Rituals
Summary: As Angel’s body is being prepared for the Rite of Claiming, can Spike
find the courage and strength needed to sustain him through the coming days?
Warning: Character death, angst.
Disclaimer: Characters depicted herein from BtvsAtS are not mine
and I make no money. Other characters are of my own creation and
may not be used without my permission.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found at: http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 37
Laureano and Gabriel walked slowly on either side of Spike, supporting his frail frame as they made their way toward the private suites set aside by the Watchers. The rooms had been blessed by mystics from the Aurelian court and preselected minions were already attending to Angel’s body, preparing it for the Rite of Claiming.
The blond vampire was still physically weak and in mourning for his beloved human, and that had worried Laureano. Already, he and Gabriel had opened their wrists for Spike as much as they could, hoping that he would be strong enough to claim Angel as his childe.
In a private moment with the prince, Spike had knelt before Laureano and bared his throat, asking for his blessing to sire Angel. Laureano had not hesitated to give his permission, and although it was protocol for him to drink from Spike, then offer his wrist, he did so reluctantly, considering the blond vampire’s fragile state.
All the anxiety surrounding Angel’s sire had vanished after the familial exchange. A grateful Spike rejoiced in the knowledge that Laureano had heard the song of the blood already thrumming through his veins, calling to Spike to possess and claim Angel as his childe and mate.
The two vampires worked diligently to prepare and instruct Spike in the age-old rituals. After he had memorized the ancient words that would summon his childe’s demon, all would be blessed by the mystics before they were escorted to the suites prepared for Angel’s claiming.
~ * ~
Two of Laureano’s most trusted and devoted warriors guarded the entrance to the rooms located in an obscure wing of the mansion. They immediately bowed their heads in respect and fell to their knees when the trio arrived.
All were reverently ushered into the large, open rooms where Angel’s body was being gently attended to. Multiple candles of all shapes and sizes illuminated everything in a soft, soothing glow and radiated off the large, copper tub where Angel had been washed with sweet-smelling soaps.
Off in its own alcove, a huge bed was the center of attention, surrounded by an assortment of fragrant flower bouquets, some in vases and some on pedestals. Fresh, ruby-red rose petals were strewn over the floor and on the bed where Angel’s pale form lay.
Four of Laureano’s most trusted servants, two on each side, worked over the big man, anointing him with perfumed oils while two robed mystics stood at the foot of the bed and chanted over them.
Spike gasped and his knees buckled when his eyes fell on Angel’s pale, lifeless form, and if not for Laureano and Gabriel on either side of him, he would have surely collapsed. Salty tears welled up in the blond vampire’s bloodshot eyes yet again, just as he thought he could cry no more.
It was unbearable for Spike to see Angel and not be able to feel the link with his beloved. The silence made him feel so empty... so... dead... inside. He had never known how to love passionately, to be vulnerable, until Angel had shown him that he was worthy of love and of being loved in return. Even then, it was only through Angel’s undying devotion that Spike was truly able to love him back.
The blond vampire keened softly as he fought the irresistible urge to run to Angel and throw himself on his body, ready to wait for death with his lover wrapped in his arms. The two mystics approached quietly, shaking Spike from his fugue.
"Your Highness," the older shaman bowed deeply before Laureano. "Before three nights pass, the demon will arise without sire. If unclaimed by a champion, he will be without purpose and will be allowed to die. Does he have a defender?"
Spike inhaled sharply and pulled himself up to his full height, motioning to Laureano and Gabriel that he wished to stand proud and unassisted. He was never so sure of anything in his entire life... or unlife. Angel was his... would always be his... his childe and mate for all time.
"I am his champion," Spike said in a clear, unwavering voice.
Laureano closed his eyes in relief and breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Ancient Ones. Gabriel gave Spike and Laureano a shy smile of approval. The two vampires opened their wrists to Spike for the last time and the small vampire accepted their gift graciously. He lovingly kissed the wounds before he drank, then laved them closed after a few small sips from each.
Humans, demons and minions present in the suite had slowly quieted to watch the beginning of the ritual that would send Spike on his way to becoming Angel’s sire. They waited patiently for the vampires to complete their bond and for Laureano to speak.
"Angel is a noble and brave warrior, deserving of a place of honor at William’s side and in the House of Aurelius," Laureano said in a voice that all could hear, then bowed to the mystic.
"Prince Laureano, leader of the clan Aurelius, do you bless this union?" the elder priest asked the emerald-eyed vampire.
"I do," Laureano said in a strong voice that resonated throughout the large rooms.
"Then, let it be so," the priest intoned solemnly as he sprinkled blessed water over Spike’s bowed head.
Laureano turned to Spike. He lovingly took Spike’s face in his hands and kissed him tenderly on the lips, smiling his approval. He stepped back and took Spike’s hand in his, then pressed it gently into Gabriel’s smaller palm.
"May the Ancient Ones bless and protect you, William and give you courage for your journey as you claim your beloved."
"Praise be to the Ancient Ones," Spike smiled at Laureano through wet lashes, his voice catching in his throat.
He turned to Gabriel as a tear escaped down his sculpted cheek and nodded as he gently squeezed his hand. The small vampire bowed in respect to Laureano, then led Spike over to the copper tub where he would be washed in preparation for the claiming.
Spike sat in the oil sweetened water listening to the two mystics chanting while Gabriel gently scrubbed him. The air surrounding them was crackling with power and magicks and Spike could feel everything... feel everyone... both demon and human as he allowed Gabriel to wash him.
The small group of humans that Spike had dared to get close to in Sunnydale gave off the most distress. He could feel Giles’ sadness and guilt, Gunn’s denial at all he had seen. Marilyn and Wesley were surrounded by excitement and concern, while vampires and demons thrummed in anticipation of the first formal Aurelian claiming in decades.
As Spike was helped from the tub, his eyes sought out the mortals that were huddled together in a corner for support. He met each pair of eyes with his own, lingering briefly on every last one, sending out comfort and thanks.
All nodded at the gesture and smiled in gratitude at Spike’s acknowledgment. Gabriel gently dried Spike with a large, soft cloth, then draped a light, red velvet robe over his shoulders before he led him over to where Angel lay on the rose-covered bed.
The mystics approached the blond vampire and bowed in respect. The older priest looked at Spike and intoned solemnly from an aged parchment.
"Do you, High Master William of Aurelius lay claim to the mortal here known as Angel of Sunnydale, who is without sire?"
Spike’s undead heart swelled with love for Angel and a small shiver of anticipation ran down his spine.
"I, High Master William of Aurelius do hereby lay claim to the one known as Angel to be my childer. Let me be led by the ways set down by the Ancient Ones before me so that they may welcome him into their arms as my blood."
"Then, so shall it be," the shaman intoned as he bowed to Spike.
"Esto perpetua in perpetuum."*
Spike turned to Gabriel and looked at him with gratitude before he gently kissed him on the lips.
"May the Ancient Ones touch your soul and guide you safely as you become one with the body and soul of your loved one," Gabriel said softly to Spike.
A large goblet of blood mixed with mead, to sustain Spike through the ordeal ahead, was offered and gratefully accepted.
Gabriel removed Spike’s robe before the blond vampire lay his naked body down on the flower laden bed and tenderly took Angel’s pale form into his arms. He lovingly brushed a few strands of wayward hair away from his beloved’s eyes before he placed a kiss on the cold, purple lips.
"Angel? Love? Can you hear me?"
~ tbc ~
*Let it be forever, forever.
find the courage and strength needed to sustain him through the coming days?
Warning: Character death, angst.
Disclaimer: Characters depicted herein from BtvsAtS are not mine
and I make no money. Other characters are of my own creation and
may not be used without my permission.
Feedback is always welcomed.
Previous chapters can be found at: http://www.livejournal.com/users/kindredspirit75
MIDNIGHT AND ROSES - CHAPTER 37
Laureano and Gabriel walked slowly on either side of Spike, supporting his frail frame as they made their way toward the private suites set aside by the Watchers. The rooms had been blessed by mystics from the Aurelian court and preselected minions were already attending to Angel’s body, preparing it for the Rite of Claiming.
The blond vampire was still physically weak and in mourning for his beloved human, and that had worried Laureano. Already, he and Gabriel had opened their wrists for Spike as much as they could, hoping that he would be strong enough to claim Angel as his childe.
In a private moment with the prince, Spike had knelt before Laureano and bared his throat, asking for his blessing to sire Angel. Laureano had not hesitated to give his permission, and although it was protocol for him to drink from Spike, then offer his wrist, he did so reluctantly, considering the blond vampire’s fragile state.
All the anxiety surrounding Angel’s sire had vanished after the familial exchange. A grateful Spike rejoiced in the knowledge that Laureano had heard the song of the blood already thrumming through his veins, calling to Spike to possess and claim Angel as his childe and mate.
The two vampires worked diligently to prepare and instruct Spike in the age-old rituals. After he had memorized the ancient words that would summon his childe’s demon, all would be blessed by the mystics before they were escorted to the suites prepared for Angel’s claiming.
~ * ~
Two of Laureano’s most trusted and devoted warriors guarded the entrance to the rooms located in an obscure wing of the mansion. They immediately bowed their heads in respect and fell to their knees when the trio arrived.
All were reverently ushered into the large, open rooms where Angel’s body was being gently attended to. Multiple candles of all shapes and sizes illuminated everything in a soft, soothing glow and radiated off the large, copper tub where Angel had been washed with sweet-smelling soaps.
Off in its own alcove, a huge bed was the center of attention, surrounded by an assortment of fragrant flower bouquets, some in vases and some on pedestals. Fresh, ruby-red rose petals were strewn over the floor and on the bed where Angel’s pale form lay.
Four of Laureano’s most trusted servants, two on each side, worked over the big man, anointing him with perfumed oils while two robed mystics stood at the foot of the bed and chanted over them.
Spike gasped and his knees buckled when his eyes fell on Angel’s pale, lifeless form, and if not for Laureano and Gabriel on either side of him, he would have surely collapsed. Salty tears welled up in the blond vampire’s bloodshot eyes yet again, just as he thought he could cry no more.
It was unbearable for Spike to see Angel and not be able to feel the link with his beloved. The silence made him feel so empty... so... dead... inside. He had never known how to love passionately, to be vulnerable, until Angel had shown him that he was worthy of love and of being loved in return. Even then, it was only through Angel’s undying devotion that Spike was truly able to love him back.
The blond vampire keened softly as he fought the irresistible urge to run to Angel and throw himself on his body, ready to wait for death with his lover wrapped in his arms. The two mystics approached quietly, shaking Spike from his fugue.
"Your Highness," the older shaman bowed deeply before Laureano. "Before three nights pass, the demon will arise without sire. If unclaimed by a champion, he will be without purpose and will be allowed to die. Does he have a defender?"
Spike inhaled sharply and pulled himself up to his full height, motioning to Laureano and Gabriel that he wished to stand proud and unassisted. He was never so sure of anything in his entire life... or unlife. Angel was his... would always be his... his childe and mate for all time.
"I am his champion," Spike said in a clear, unwavering voice.
Laureano closed his eyes in relief and breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Ancient Ones. Gabriel gave Spike and Laureano a shy smile of approval. The two vampires opened their wrists to Spike for the last time and the small vampire accepted their gift graciously. He lovingly kissed the wounds before he drank, then laved them closed after a few small sips from each.
Humans, demons and minions present in the suite had slowly quieted to watch the beginning of the ritual that would send Spike on his way to becoming Angel’s sire. They waited patiently for the vampires to complete their bond and for Laureano to speak.
"Angel is a noble and brave warrior, deserving of a place of honor at William’s side and in the House of Aurelius," Laureano said in a voice that all could hear, then bowed to the mystic.
"Prince Laureano, leader of the clan Aurelius, do you bless this union?" the elder priest asked the emerald-eyed vampire.
"I do," Laureano said in a strong voice that resonated throughout the large rooms.
"Then, let it be so," the priest intoned solemnly as he sprinkled blessed water over Spike’s bowed head.
Laureano turned to Spike. He lovingly took Spike’s face in his hands and kissed him tenderly on the lips, smiling his approval. He stepped back and took Spike’s hand in his, then pressed it gently into Gabriel’s smaller palm.
"May the Ancient Ones bless and protect you, William and give you courage for your journey as you claim your beloved."
"Praise be to the Ancient Ones," Spike smiled at Laureano through wet lashes, his voice catching in his throat.
He turned to Gabriel as a tear escaped down his sculpted cheek and nodded as he gently squeezed his hand. The small vampire bowed in respect to Laureano, then led Spike over to the copper tub where he would be washed in preparation for the claiming.
Spike sat in the oil sweetened water listening to the two mystics chanting while Gabriel gently scrubbed him. The air surrounding them was crackling with power and magicks and Spike could feel everything... feel everyone... both demon and human as he allowed Gabriel to wash him.
The small group of humans that Spike had dared to get close to in Sunnydale gave off the most distress. He could feel Giles’ sadness and guilt, Gunn’s denial at all he had seen. Marilyn and Wesley were surrounded by excitement and concern, while vampires and demons thrummed in anticipation of the first formal Aurelian claiming in decades.
As Spike was helped from the tub, his eyes sought out the mortals that were huddled together in a corner for support. He met each pair of eyes with his own, lingering briefly on every last one, sending out comfort and thanks.
All nodded at the gesture and smiled in gratitude at Spike’s acknowledgment. Gabriel gently dried Spike with a large, soft cloth, then draped a light, red velvet robe over his shoulders before he led him over to where Angel lay on the rose-covered bed.
The mystics approached the blond vampire and bowed in respect. The older priest looked at Spike and intoned solemnly from an aged parchment.
"Do you, High Master William of Aurelius lay claim to the mortal here known as Angel of Sunnydale, who is without sire?"
Spike’s undead heart swelled with love for Angel and a small shiver of anticipation ran down his spine.
"I, High Master William of Aurelius do hereby lay claim to the one known as Angel to be my childer. Let me be led by the ways set down by the Ancient Ones before me so that they may welcome him into their arms as my blood."
"Then, so shall it be," the shaman intoned as he bowed to Spike.
"Esto perpetua in perpetuum."*
Spike turned to Gabriel and looked at him with gratitude before he gently kissed him on the lips.
"May the Ancient Ones touch your soul and guide you safely as you become one with the body and soul of your loved one," Gabriel said softly to Spike.
A large goblet of blood mixed with mead, to sustain Spike through the ordeal ahead, was offered and gratefully accepted.
Gabriel removed Spike’s robe before the blond vampire lay his naked body down on the flower laden bed and tenderly took Angel’s pale form into his arms. He lovingly brushed a few strands of wayward hair away from his beloved’s eyes before he placed a kiss on the cold, purple lips.
"Angel? Love? Can you hear me?"
~ tbc ~
*Let it be forever, forever.