Birthright

Chapter 8

Dawn shot to her feet, stance next to Spike protective and he turned, losing what little color he had. She was here too? Were they all here? Come to drag him back to Sunnyhell and away from here. No. It would not happen again. He would not give this up, not for anyone. Expression disappearing completely, voice no longer even slightly welcoming,” Well, well, the prodigal slayer returns.”

Buffy looked up and blinked in surprise. God, he looked so good...and so angry. She felt herself quiver inside. This was not the same man she’d taken advantage of in Sunnydale. This was a man being true to himself. She could see it. This...this was truly Spike. The brash, striking leader she’d fallen instantly in love with outside of the Bronze.

Then she blinked again. What the hell was that? In love?

Dawn glanced at Spike out of the corner of her eye. His muscles were wired tight with tension. He’d fought to be here and she knew he’d fight to stay. And she had every intention of supporting him,” Buffy came along for the ride.” His eyes shot to her’s, hurt in them,” Just us.”

He nodded,” ‘Course...an accident...well, let’s have a place set up for our unexpected guest.”

Buffy really kind of expected to have some room made for her at the head table. So she was more than put out when a tight faced Ariana made her room along with a couple of Dukes and Duchesses. Second only to commoners but the little elf’s message was clear. She quietly sulked through the dinner, unable to hear what was going on at Spike’s table. But she was happy to note that Dawn seemed to be steadily working on him until he was relaxed and smiling once more. God she’d missed him.

Had he been curious about her at all? It had been months and months. Surely he wasn’t planning on staying. I mean, royal ego trip aside, Sunnydale was his home. Right?

*

Spike sipped the brandy, looking out into the night and quietly waiting. He was not disillusioned in the slightest into thinking there would not be a confrontation. If nothing else pride would be on the line. He’d sent all the kids to the nursery, Dawn volunteering to follow. He could hear them distantly, playing a game of hide and seek.

But he refocused when he heard heels clicking lightly on the stone of the balcony,” I’d offer you a drink but I’d doubt you’d like it.”

Buffy paused for a moment, feeling her heart pick up. His voice could do evil things to her libido and today was no exception. But she forced herself not to just throw herself at him and attack him into sex,” Probably a good idea.”

He nodded distantly, just as affected by her presence. But he’d learned to restrain himself with the time they’d been apart. Now, if she gave him a naked lap dance...and he wasn’t helping himself by thinking like that either. Buffy nibbled on her lip, struggling to find an excuse to keep him talking,” I hear you’re supposed to get crowned in a couple of days.”

His eyes shifted to look at her before narrowing,” Why don’t you just say what you’re trying to get around to saying.”

God, he could still see right through her,” Fine. When are you gonna stop jerking me around and come back home. I mean, you’re really milking this for all it’s worth...and then some.”

His head cocked a little,” I am home.”

She snorted,” Spike...you can’t really expect me to believe you’d rather be here than in Sunnydale trying to get into my pants.”

Expression cold,” Been in your pants, Goldilocks...but I’ve never been in your
heart.”

Her arms crossed over her chest,” You will never be there.”

“ And that’s why this is home.”

He swallowed the last of the brandy and stormed towards the castle,” Spike...”

He threw the glass, letting it hit the stone wall and it felt good. He was seething on the inside, and it had nothing to do with a demon,” You used me...great. Punching bag once more. But no more. I’m tired of being stepped on by the women I love. Cecily. Dru. You. The whole lot of you can go to hell.” He swung around to face her,” I’m doing this for me. They respect me here. I can save my mother’s people here. And quite frankly the only part of you I’ve gotten...I can get with any whore.”

Her slap echoed across the stone and she winced at the sound. Ariana started forward, sword drawn and Spike held up a hand. The Guard paused and Spike looked at her with fathomless eyes. Holding up two fingers, he slowly moved them and pinched her arm. She flinched in slight pain and he didn’t. And her eyes slowly widened in understanding,” I’m a free man, Slayer, and you could never handle that. Because somewhere in your mind you’d always question if I were evil or not...if I were feeding or not. I’m just a worthless vampire to you and after you die, I’ll have nothing because while you will age and wither, I won’t. We’re better off without each other...”

He turned away, eyes gazing distantly into the night. Swallowing hard, prepared to at least say something, throw him a sliver of hope,” You were never just a vampire...to me.”

Shaking his head with a hollow laugh,” Nope, I was never anything to you. You whored me, big deal. Get over it. Find someone else... maybe even someone living. And leave me alone.” He stormed back inside, away from her. Not caring if she was crying, which she probably was but not from a broken heart. She’d lost her favorite toy and couldn’t play kick the Spike any more.

Buffy felt her whole world tilt in that moment. He’d rejected her. Her. Him. Could he really have changed so much in such a little amount of time? Where was the gentle vampire she remembered,” He grew up. He had to. After all, you can’t be a ruler and still be led around by your anatomy.” She didn’t even have to look to see it was the elf talking,” And the sad fact is you’re not even close. People are not play things.”

Scrubbing at her cheek furiously,” He’s not a person!”

“ Then why are you sad? What do you care?”

“ I don’t.”

Ariana smirked,” Good. Then I can send you back with no regrets.”

Standing tall, pulling herself together and burying her heart,” I’ll just get Dawn-“

She found herself frozen, her body refusing to acknowledge her commands,” She chooses to stay here. You choose to leave. If at some point young Dawn changes her mind she’ll be more than welcome to return.”

Fury flashing in her eyes,” You can’t keep her.”

Ariana opened her mouth but Dawn stepped up,” They aren’t keeping me, Buffy. I’m choosing to stay here.”

“ Dawn...”

“ You don’t need me, watching you go out every night and just waiting to get
killed. At least here I’ve got someone to look after me.”

“ I take care of you Dawn.”

“ Because you have to. Spike’s always done it because he wanted to. Pre and post your death. Besides, one less mouth to feed...one less worry.” The key shrugged and went back inside, ignoring her sister’s pleas.

Buffy shook in anger,” I’ll be back.”

Ariana smiled,” I don’t think so. You see Dawn wants to be here so I would never allow her to be taken. You do not want to be here so I’m simply sending you home. It’s a pity, really.”

Through gritted teeth,” What is?”

“ He will be crowned in two days. Within a week he must be wed, as it is our law. You see, there must be an heir to carry on.” Eyes flashing with a power and knowledge,” Now I fear you shall never meet your daughter.”