#krolah

She didn't even flinch. Despite being so engrossed, she heard the other vampire come into the library. She paused to speak with him for a moment.

"I'll admit I'm glad I found it," she laughed softly. "Though it was hardly the type of book I felt would be here."

"Oh well, it is newer," he replied, "I bought it a few years ago."

Of course this was his book, Sarah thought. That made sense. Herbert would adore the thought of spoiling a potential lover with a massage. "

I take it you have yet to use the techniques found in it?" She asked.

He shook his head. "Alfred is hesitant but I think he's starting to warm up to the idea."

He smirked playfully at her, nudging her shoulder. "You're planning on treating father dearest, aren't you?"

Sarah laughed again. "Who else? This would be perfect for him!"

That was understatement. The count was so tense. He probably hasn't experienced touch like this in several hundred years. "

Could I use you as a test subject at a later time? You could give me the critique and advice I need."

Oh, she was quite serious in her endeavor, Herbert observed. He admired that. "I believe that can be arranged! It'll help you develop a technique!"

Sarah continued to read for two more nights memorizing passages, making notes in a journal of her own. It would appear being around Alfred had rubbed off on her in some ways. Herbert was more than happy to be a test subject, since he got his own massage out of it. Much of it was trial and error. At times she found herself not using enough pressure because she feared causing pain.

He laid face down, shirtless, on a chaise in the study. A massage worked best with no clothing, the book said.

"A little more." Herbert instructed as her palms glided up his back.

She hesitated. "...Are you sure? I really don't-"

"Very sure! The amount of tension father must be carrying is tremendous! You'll need a little more pressure than that to relieve it!"

With that logic in mind, Sarah pressed down a smidge harder. He nodded in approval.

"Yes! Exactly like that! Excellent job!"

She smiled at his encouragement and praise, continuing to go through the techniques and motions, listening to his instructions and suggestions.

"I think you're ready. I know papa will appreciate this. He needs a reason to relax." Herbert snickered, sitting up.

She laughed softly, hoping that her love would be easy to convince. "You're right about that..."

She found the count in the music room, playing piano. A skill he hadn't used or thought about in a long time. Not until Sarah. It was something she encouraged him to start doing again. She stood outside the door listening to him play for a second, closing her eyes and getting swept up in the melody. It didn't sound like any composer's work she knew. Perhaps it was just something he made up. Either way, she enjoyed it. His playing hadn't sounded as melancholic as of late. His improvised melody sounded almost hopeful tonight, she thought, smiling to herself. Like the dawn after the darkest night. She waited for a pause in his playing to enter.

When he saw her, he gave her a small smile. "Something you need my love?" He rose from the piano stool.

She returned the smile, approaching him to press her palm to his cheek, which he leaned into. "Yes. I need you to go lay down somewhere comfortable and disrobe except for your dress trousers."

The request took Krolock aback so much, it caused him to chuckle. She was up to something but what?

"What have you been plotting this time, Sarah?" He chuckled again at her, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a surprise! You'll feel much better and relaxed afterwards, and that's all I'm going to say!"

Well, he couldn't argue with that logic. Though he wondered about her words.

"Very well. My previous bedchambers will do, before I had to start sleeping in the crypt."

She nodded with another smile. "Lead on, dearest."

And he did.

When they reached his old room, he felt almost a pang of sorrow in his chest. He hadn't set foot here in years. Not since he ceased to be human. Not since the last time he lay with his prior countess, Herbert's mother, and they slept peacefully one last time. The calm before the storm. His reminiscing came to a halt as he felt Sarah begin to remove his cape. He could not deny the vulnerability he felt, baring part of his body to her like this. He masked it well, however.

Her hands continued to help remove his layers, the action softly intimate and loving. If his heart still could beat, it would have fluttered. His upper layer of clothing was laid nearly on a nearby chair. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking to her for further instructions. "

Lay down on your stomach, spread your arms out."

He did as she requested, his head resting on a pillow that he had not felt in centuries. His acute sense of smell picked up on lavender. She had been carrying a small vial of lavender oil on her, opening it to pour some into her palms, rubbing them together to warm it. Krolock was about to inquire about what she was up to once more, but then he felt her hands.

Her palms glided up his back in deliberate strokes, rubbing slowly with some pressure. His question was answered, and he allowed a small, pleased smile to replace his normally stern, stoic expression. His star was so good to him. He had to admit, as much as he spoiled her, she gave him just as much in return. He never expected or asked her for anything but it was always a pleasant surprise when she reciprocated.

"...You're very good at this, Sarah. You've been learning, haven't you?"

She beamed proudly, happy to know her studying had paid off. She would gladly give Herbert credit as well, for assistance.

"I have!" She confirmed gleefully, her thumbs now kneading and circling.

He chuckled. "It shows. And I appreciate this."

He sighed almost blissfully as her hands continued to work. Both of them could feel centuries worth of tension draining away little by little. He found himself amused when she yelped at a popping sound emitting, when she applied some extra pressure on one side of his lower back.

"Are you alright?!"

"Yes," he couldn't help but laugh, "it wasn't painful. That probably needed to happen. Things don't feel as tight in that area."

Curiously, Sarah repeated the actions that led to the popping, now on his lower back, pressing down with the same amount of pressure she used last time. Another loud pop, followed by his grunt.

"Again. Go up." He instructed.

She did, finding more areas like this, not stopping until his back ceased to make noise. Herbert was right as usual, Krolock needed this very much.

"Better?" She asked, rubbing his shoulder blades.

He groaned- a sound which caused her to flush a light pink- burying his face into the pillow.

"Yes. Thank you, dear heart." She smiled softly, running her claws through his long, grey tresses, noting how he leaned into her touch.

"It's my pleasure. I'm more than happy to provide some relief." She pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades, resulting in a lovely tingle down his spine.

"You've done your job exceptionally well." He murmured.

Sarah gave him a firm rub down his arm, now lightly pressing her thumb into his palm, massaging in a circle. She repeated this process with the other hand, before moving back up to his shoulders. Between the soft scent of lavender and her loving touch, Krolock could feel his eyes growing heavy.

He sighed again, his body practically melting into the mattress. She didn't think she'd ever seen him this relaxed. She made a mental note to do this every night for him. It worked wonders.

"Would it be too much trouble to ask to continue?" He asked, his voice soft for a change.

She pressed another kiss to his cheek this time. "I'll continue until you want me to stop or until you fall asleep."