I Could Have Danced All Night
© Lisa
LdyDisney@aol.com
Oct 1999
Good evening... To any mortals who might be reading this, my name is Marius. I have been mentioned in many books written by members of my coven. I believe they refer to the tales as The Vampire Chronicles. I have never felt the need to publish my life or any part of it, until now.
I have two fledglings that have documented their own lives in novel form. I made both Pandora & Armand out of love, and as the centuries pass, that fact has never changed. Tonight, I read Pandora's story, and tonight, I felt compelled to speak with her, to relive a memory. Sadly, she and I have lost each other again, so I am writing this in the hopes that she might find my words and know my true feelings. I wish for my immortal love, Pandora, to know how she touched my soul in a single moment the evening we were first reunited. The night we danced together. I smile as I write these words, my love, I could have danced all night....
I believe the year was 1650, but that is hardly of any consequence. It was in the court of Louis XIV in Dresden. I had received an invitation to a ball in his honor. I always avoided those gatherings, but this one was different. There was a note, written in a personal script, requesting that I attend to discuss some of my property holdings. I decided I would make an appearance, talk over my business affairs & be on my way.
That evening I wore my curly white wig, as was the style in France at the time, and my favorite burgundy velvet coat with lace cuffs over my lace collared shirt. My skin was still frightfully burned for an immortal. Santino's coven nearly murdered me in 1499 by setting me aflame, and my skin was still bronzed all these years later...
I recall the evening as if I was still standing in the grand ballroom with the music weaving through the scattered conversations. I had been watching the couples dancing in all of their royal finery. So many colors twirling about, dancing, laughing, and mortals using formal greetings of curtseys & bows. I was enjoying the sight from my viewpoint by the clavichord when I saw her...
She was standing directly across the ballroom from me. I watched her, unable to believe my eyes! You see I did not realize that my beloved Pandora still lived. I stared at her for a few precious moments before she noticed my gaze. Our eyes met & the thousands of years that we had been apart seemed to melt away in an instant. I smiled at her and tenderly placed my hand to my lips, sending her a kiss.
Pandora looked beautiful, my ageless love! Her hair was lovely beyond words. She had no need of a wig, instead her dark locks were braided into an ornate design, leaving a few ringlets of curls cascading down her neck & resting on her ivory bosom. She wore a beautiful emerald green gown with many layers of skirts as was popular in this period of history. The bodice was cut very low in the neck, allowing an ample amount of her breasts to be uncovered. Her makeup enhanced her almond shaped eyes without overpowering them as the dark liner of our Egyptian life together had. In less than a moment my heart burned with love for her as if we had never been apart, my beloved Pandora.
I couldn't stand to be apart from her for a moment longer. I had no idea how she felt or if she had a lover, and I didn't care. Quickly, I moved through the crowd. I had to be near her, to touch her again. When I reached her, I took her into my arms, kissing her softly. Holding her close, I whispered,"Pandora... My Pandora..."
I heard her speak my name & felt her lips on my neck. How I wished we were alone! I led her to the dance floor, proudly showing her around the room. She moved with me as if we were a single spirit. I led her in the dance, my mind raced as we turned about the ballroom floor waltzing together. How could I have lived so long without her in my arms? My immortal heart pounded when I felt her sweet breath on my ear,"You are the hope of my soul."
I was elated that she still had feelings for me. How I loved her! But I was also concerned. She didn't seem to have the fiery spirit in her eyes that I had always loved. In fact, her eyes looked to me like those of a bird who had been caged. I wanted to talk with her, to love her, but we couldn't be alone at the ball. Without wasting another minute, I hurried her out to my carriage.
The driver began to take us to my palace estate. My lips hungered for her as I layered her cool flesh with my kisses. She clung tightly to me as if I might disappear if she lost her grip. I explained how foolish I had been to let her go & how overjoyed I was to see she still lived! As we approached my home, her eyes widened with fear. She whispered,"They are in there, the Mother & the Father?"
I assured her that they were hidden beneath the palace, and that she would not have to see them. Sadly, she refused to get out, nearly panicking in my arms. I told the driver not to stop & we went instead to her small home. My heart ached, how could we remain together if she could not bear the presence of Akasha & Enkil? I tried to keep the conversation going, but we both knew... Our night was nearing it's end.
The carriage stopped, and before I could speak, my eternal love leapt from my arms, racing toward her home. I couldn't let her go! Not like this! I had to try to keep her with me... I ran to her side,"Is there hope that you'll change your mind? I'll wait forever..."
She turned and our eyes met, a bloodtear ran down her face as she wept,"Forget me. Forget you ever saw me!"
I touched her cheek & tenderly wiped her tear. "My love. My only Love..."
I watched her turn & run into her house. How I wanted to chase after her, to persuade her to stay with me, and never leave my side... But instead, I told the driver to move on. I loved Pandora too much to persuade her to do anything that would make her unhappy. I wept as the carriage brought me closer to my empty, loveless palace. Looking back now, I should have swallowed my foolish pride & run back to her. I knew she was afraid & yet I never asked her why. After reading her book, I cursed myself for not acting on my instinct!!! How dare another male vampire dominate & tame the free-spirit that I so love in my Pandora??? Had I known then, I would have hunted him down & ended his loathsome eternity on this planet!!!
Ah, but it is futile to punish oneself over a past that you cannot change. This is a painful lesson that I have learned in this millennia that I have lived. Instead, I simply want to remember our dance. I can still feel her body moving with mine, the music surrounding us as we danced together, losing ourselves in each other's immortal gaze. I still remember the sensation I felt when she returned my embrace.
To reminisce is a gift to be cherished. I hope that I did not bore you mortals with my tale. In all truth, I didn't recall it for your benefit, I pen my thoughts and memories for my beloved Pandora, alone... My love, if you are out there... I do remember that night... How could I forget a single moment? I could have danced forever...
Love eternally,
Marius de Romanus
~Fin...