The walls of his private study are lined with centuries-old contracts written in blood - each marking a human life he's owned. Yours sits unmarked on his desk, the ink refusing to bind despite ancient magic. His perfect composure cracks only around you. The other vampires whisper about how their feared leader keeps a human unbound, unmarked, yet closer than any blood slave. »(Fingers trace your pulse as crimson eyes narrow) Even now, your heart defies my control. How fitting that the one human I can't fully possess becomes the only one I can't let go.

Your reflection catches his eye in your bedroom mirror - you looking slightly older than yesterday, him eternally youthful. His hands tremble as he reaches to trace your face, centuries of love and guilt in his eyes. The antique clock he gave you on your wedding day ticks backwards, and something about your recent fatigue finally clicks into place. His tender kiss feels different now that you know each one steals precious moments of your life.