Page 38 of Theoden

Ara snorted and chuckled. “My child has questions about what he is. That would not make me angry. However, my child questioning my command or disobeying me… well… that would greatly disappoint me. My child forsaking the gifts I have given him would anger me. That is not the case, I hope.”

“No, no, Father,” I said quickly, shaking my head for emphasis. “I realize my error before in thinking that you had cursed me. I see the gifts that you have given me, Father. I… I…” I turned, trying to find the best way to ask my questions.

“Speak freely, child.”

I turned back to him, licking my lips. “Why did you not give me the choice you gave to my brothers?”

Ara smiled softly and nodded. “Because I knew you were blinded by the lies of the Church. Those were men you had trusted wholeheartedly. Surely, you would not recognize the freedom I was offering you. Your brothers were plucked from situations where their lives hung in the balance. They had all suffered at the hands of humans and I offered them salvation. They did not need convincing.”

Well, I supposed Titus was correct in his assumption. I wouldn’t have chosen to stand with Ara. As a matter of fact, I had chosen death instead and that was why Ara took my choice from me.

“Your other questions?” Ara asked, then he reached over, dipping his hand in the water of my bath.

I gasped when he gripped my cock and slowly began to stroke it. It was hard for me to concentrate on the next question I had wanted to ask.

Ara laughed under his breath and released my cock. He pulled his hand out of the water and shook the drops off. “The sun is rising soon, son. Speak.”

I cleared my throat and found my voice now that I was no longer distracted by the pleasure of my Father’s hand on the most private part of me. “How did vampires come into being?”

Ara cocked an eyebrow. “And you believe you are worthy of such answers?”

“Worthy? No, Father.”

“You are not. Next question,” he said.

“Why me, Father?”

He cocked his head to the side as he gazed down at me thoughtfully. “I had heard of a warrior who had killed several vampires in King Nexus’ territory. A human killing a vampire is quite extraordinary. I sought information about you, which I did gain from your church. That is how I discovered your dragon heritage. I knew then that it was only a matter of time before you were either hunted by the dragons or Nexus. I had to get to you first, and so I began to spread rumors of a vampire King living in the Persian Empire. I knew the Church could not resist an opportunity to send their warrior to destroy me. Humans are dreadfully predictable. They did not deserve you, but I did. And here you are. Now, next question?”

Well, all right, then. That was a lot for me to absorb. The fact that Ara had a spy in the Church who had betrayed us all surprised me, but could I really be angry about that? Had it not been for that spy and the gossiping among vampires, I would still be a slave to the Church. I would have never known the pleasures of the flesh that I was born to partake in.

“No, you would not,” Ara said.

I was getting sort of used to him reading my mind, even though I found it annoying. I decided to not dwell on my lack of mental privacy and continue on with my questions. “Why do we breathe?” I asked.

“Because we instinctually do what we did when we were but lowly humans. If breathing bothers you, feel free to cease doing so whenever you wish.”

“I like breathing, Father. I just wanted to know why we do, but you have told me. It is all mental,” I said, and Ara nodded. “Do you know the other Queens and Kings, Father?”

Ara sighed. “I do. I know them well and when you have earned the privilege of that story, I will tell it. For now, finish bathing and come to bed.” He rose from the stool and left the bath.

I had learned a lot and very little at the same time, but now it gave me something to strive for. I knew I had to earn Ara’s trust. I had all but ruined it when I had rejected him upon waking my first night as a vampire. I would earn his trust and his love.