Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow smiled at Darla as she watched the master leave his room. "He wasn't so bad. I liked him."

Darla laughed, shaking her head, "Honey, only you would spend hours talking to one of the most feared vampire masters in the world and like him."

"He wasn't what I expected," Willow admitted with a sheepish grin. "I don't really know what I expected, but that wasn't it. He was nice."

"He liked you," Darla said, still smiling at her mate. "I knew he would."

"I guess that's good," Willow said, smiling back. She had spent several hours with her lover's sire, answering so many questions that her head was still spinning. He had finally stopped questioning her after she had run out of things to say. He had sat back, his yellow tinted eyes on her as he had told her to ask her questions. She had been rather proud of herself, coming up with several things she was curious about. Strangely, he had given her truthful answers. He had been completely honest, telling her things that would have shocked and surprised the old Willow. The new Willow took it all in stride, knowing that it was the past. While she didn't approve, she also didn't judge.

"It's very good," Darla said, strangely pleased that her Father approved of her mate. She would have been with Willow regardless of his opinion of the redhead, but his obvious affection for the girl just made her life a bit easier. "He's gone to collect the family."

Willow frowned, asking, "The family?"

Darla nodded, her statement becoming more serious, "Tonight, you shall be introduced."

"Introduced to what?" Willow asked, clearly confused.

Darla smiled, moving to sit beside her lover. "Poor Willow. Has no idea just what she's gotten herself into by getting involved with me."

Willow felt Darla take her hand, her body responding to the familiar touch, "Explain it to me."

"You're my mate, hon. In my world, that's big stuff," Darla said, smiling slightly. "I've chosen you to be mine forever. We've bonded already, my scent protects you from others of my kind and from my realm, but you've not been introduced. Tonight, my father, the Master, will give us his blessing. With that, all will know you as his daughter, my mate. You will, in many ways, be one of us," Darla explained. "It's forever, Willow. Our blood, our hearts, your soul and my demon, it's forever."

Willow gulped, looking at their clasped hands, "Somehow hearing you say forever makes it seem so real."

"It is real," Darla said, moving her hand up to stroke Willow's cheek. "Eternity for us is a fact. It is OUR future."

"So, the master will give us his blessing. What does that mean? How is it different than the bonding?"

"It is more a formality than a difference," Darla said. "It's hard to explain to a human. Trust me when I say that after Father shows his affection in front of them, you will be protected forever by my family."

"And that's a good thing," Willow said, looking at her lover and smiling softly.

"A very good thing," Darla said with a laugh as she brushed her lips against Willow's. "They'll love you though. Even without him telling them too."

"He's not going to force them!" Willow cried out, hating that idea.

Darla smiled as she shook her head, "Lover, he approves of you. To them, that is him telling them to agree."

"I don't understand," Willow said with a sigh.

"You don't need to," Darla said. "One day, after you've left the mortal world, it will all make sense. Until then, just know that you're mine and that my family accepts you."

"I love you," Willow whispered, meeting Darla's mouth in a gentle yet passionate kiss.

Darla pulled back after several minutes, laughing softly as she looked down and saw her hand laying on Willow's breast, "I think we'd better stop or we might not make the introduction."

"You're right," Willow said with a pretty blush.

"Come on, baby. I've got a childe to wake up and then a family for you to meet," Darla said, standing and taking Willow's hand.