DANIEL 

One year, the families decided to play secret Santa to avoid the stress of buying gifts for everyone. Especially since all the children were at the age where nothing pleased them. Daniel drew Blake's name and he told his mother he didn't have a gift ready in time, so she sent a maid into town to buy something.

She came back with a basketball and on Christmas, Blake did a decent job pretending he liked it. Daniel had lied to everyone, but his old bodyguard Samson, who took him into town and helped Daniel pick out the perfect gift.

Well after all the gift giving and after most of the family were in a comatose state from gorging on cookies, hot chocolate, and other treats. The parents were watching White Christmas while Link and Damien were asleep on the couch.

Daniel snuck away.

His gift was technically wrapped, but he didn't know how to make all the edges nice and smooth. The gold paper shined and was sprinkled with glitter. Not his first choice, but it was all the paper left. He hoped the big gold bow in the middle made up for his lack of skills.

After breakfast, Blake disappeared into the library. All Daniel had to do was walk through the large ornate glass and white woodened doors... but he couldn't. They were locked only in Daniel's mind.

"Your highness," Adrian said, jolting Daniel out of his anxiety induced pacing. Adrian was the same as always, dressed in the same simple gray suit with the same quirked brow and same elegantly quaffed hair and brown all-knowing eyes as always. The man was nothing but consistent. His hands behind his back, he leaned slightly. "Are you looking for Blake?"

"Um..." Daniel swallowed nervously. "Maybe."

"Is that present for him?"

"Uh, yes."

With a smile, Adrian nodded. "Thought so. Get in there already."

"Thank you," Daniel mumbled and hurried into the library. He caught Blake standing on his tip toes on top of a step ladder. Blake's skinny legs wobbled and Daniel sighed, dropping his present and was there just in time to catch Blake before he hit the floor and the whole family had to spend the rest of Christmas in the emergency room.

Underneath his mop of curls, Blake went wide-eyed and tomato red. "Wh-what? Danny?" He searched Daniel's face like he couldn't believe he was even there. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing in here? Everyone's watching a movie."

"I asked you first a-and you can let me go."

Daniel hadn't realized his arm were still around Blake. Blake hadn't even touched the floor yet. Flustered, Daniel quickly let him down and Blake stumbled to catch his footing. "Sorry," Daniel mumbled, quickly avoiding Blake's eyes by looking for the gift. He snatched it from the ground and hid it behind his back.

"If you have to know," Blake said, not trying to hide his irritation. "I was just looking for a book I was reading yesterday. I left my bookmark in it. Typically," Blake was still talking and as every second dragged on, the more Daniel's anxiety was getting worked up. "I dog ear books, but I feel like this castle is old enough for the kind of ghosts that would get really mad if I did that so—"

"Blake, it's fine. Whatever. I just wanted to give you this." Daniel held out the present just to rip the band-aid off, but Blake stared at it like it would bite.

"What's this?"

"What do you think it is?"

"But you already gave me my gift."

"Well," Daniel shook the present, gesturing Blake to just take it already. "This is the real one."

Hesitantly, Blake accepted the gift. He held it tight in both hands and glanced at Daniel again. "Um, can I open it?"

"I'm not going to do it."

Blake nodded and carefully opened the gift as if he planned to save the wrapping. His smile spread, revealing a small notebook bounded by blue dyed leather and an ink pen. Blake slid his finger over the corner, where his name was engraved in silver. He looked back up at Daniel in wonder and Daniel rubbed the back of his neck, heat trickling up his face.

Daniel felt the need to explain himself. "Last time you were here you were scribbling away and I didn't know if you were doodling or writing, so there's no lines..." Blake glanced inside at the clean parchment paper. "And um, I don't know your favorite color, so I just got blue."

"I like blue." Blake smiled. He held the notebook close to his chest. "I can't believe you noticed..." Even though he stopped there, Daniel could hear the subtext. He meant to say, "I can't believe you noticed me."

"Of course I did," Daniel whispered. "I notice everything about you." A beat of silence passed between them as they stared and struggled to talk. At his sides, Daniel's hands twitched. His instincts told him to hold Blake's hand or give him a hug, but that was too much to even imagine. Eventually, Daniel landed on, "Merry Christmas, Blake."

"Merry Christmas, Danny."

"There you guys are!" Link shouted, barreling into the room with Damien, who hooked his arm around Link's neck and tried bringing him down. They wrestled with each other a few seconds as Link grunted. "What's that?"

"What?" Damien looked up, loosening his grip on his brother.

Their eyes landed on Blake's gift. His eyes sparkling, Blake lifted it like it was a prize he just won. "Danny got me this!"

"Wow!" Link teased. "Two gifts? I guess we know who's Danny's favorite now!"

Damien glared at them. "Why are you giving it to him here? Alone?"

"Yeah, Danny, why you gotta be so intimate? Were you hoping to get a gift back?" Link made kissy faces at them and Blake's face went from pink to bright red, burying them in the hole deeper. Daniel practically jumped away from Blake.

"A-as if!" Daniel snorted. "He was just crying about his other gift, so I thought I'd give him something to shut him up."

"Crybaby Blake strikes again! Nice going. I'm gonna start crying whenever I want something too. Waahhh I want a Lamborghini."

Damien grumbled, "But why alone?"

Gawking, Blake stomped his foot and shoved the gift back into Daniel's arms. He glared at him and snapped, "Why are you always like this?"

He ducked his head to hide his tears and ran out of the room, shoulder checking Link on the way out. He nearly ran right over Adrian, who was able to dodge out of the way in time. His eyebrows almost flying off his head, Adrian glanced at Blake down the hall and then back at the boys. Sighing, he walked up to Daniel with an opened hand.

He didn't have to say anything.  

Slumping, Daniel gave him Blake's gift. Adrian just shook his head and left Daniel with the other Winslow boys. Sometimes it was what people didn't say that hurt the worst.

#

Struggling, Daniel couldn't tell if he was having a nightmare or if he was dying and his whole life was flashing before his eyes. Daniel didn't know it at the time, but that was their last Christmas together and that would be the last thing Blake would say to Daniel until they met again years later and engaged.

Despite himself, Daniel swallowed and his face twisted at the pain, the jagged deep ruts scraping down his throat. Every breath, every gulp stung worse than the last. Painful enough to make his eyes water. He took a few deep breaths, the pain at least reminded him that he was alive and he could still fight.

"He could fit through there," someone said, their voice familiar the way Daniel could recognize a voice actor. If he had to guess to earn his freedom, Daniel would've said Nicholas Bellerose... but that was impossible. Nicholas continued, backtracking a bit. "He'll uh just have to bend the bars."

"If he has the strength to bend those bars, why wouldn't he just walk through the door?" Henry, of all people, asked. Their voices were still fresh inside his head.

"See, this is why I love you. For your mind."

"Mm hm," Henry hummed just to be agreeable. His voice was closer. Softer. "He doesn't look good, Nick."

"He's fine! Considering how long it's been since he fed, he should be much worse off. Bellerose men are tough. He gets it from me."

"I don't know if that's comforting or not."

"No..." Some of the joy from Nicholas's voice dimmed. He spoke as if he wouldn't mind if Henry hadn't heard him at all. "I guess you wouldn't know a lot about vampires."

Daniel peeled his eyes open, finding Henry crouching in front of him with no presence to him. No warmth. No heartbeat. Just a smile. "Hello."

Daniel blinked away the tears, his misery sitting like a fist inside his throat. "Am I dead?"

"You're still alive, Daniel," Henry whispered with a small smile, dressed from 500 years ago and unfortunately, adorned in red. He was so bright inside this prison, his hair somehow golden and his blue eyes bright. 

"What day is it?" Daniel asked.

Spinning around, Nicholas stood tall in leathers and boots, and Daniel blinked hard just to make sure he was real. "It's your wedding day!"

"Congrats," Henry said.

"I'm hallucinating, aren't I?" Daniel asked Henry. He couldn't stop staring at him and he couldn't explain the feeling of wanting to protect Henry, the burning desire to push him out of this prison cell. He wanted Henry to escape more than himself.

"No." Henry shook his head as Nicholas took a turn around the cell. He was searching for something, sticking his head clean through the bars, his head shimmering and translucent as it went back and forth through. "Blake sent us to help you get out."

"But how when..." Daniel's eyes glanced up at Nicholas. "If he sent you," Daniel started to ask, unable to stomach the real question. "Is Blake, okay?" He tried instead.

"He's being strong," Henry said, a non-answer, but Daniel would take it.

"We're useless like this," Nicholas declared, waving his hand back and forth through the bars. "We need some reinforcements."

Daniel frowned. "I thought you were the reinforcements."

"Details." Nicholas jogged up to Henry, taking his hand. "Follow me, I have an idea. Don't worry, future me! We'll be right back!"

With that, first Nicholas disappeared and then Henry like water spinning around the drain. Daniel was back alone, by himself and he stared at the room in wonder. Was that even real? Did it even happen? Daniel struggled with his chains again, the metal biting into his flesh. Even if he was exhausted, he still moved, still tried to fight. He had to because Blake obviously knew the truth now because Blake was fighting too.

And Daniel would do anything to see him again.

#

BLAKE

On the morning of his wedding, Blake wanted to scream. His family was all getting dressed and ready together, running to grab their final touches.

"You have to start getting ready!" Emma, Blake's mother insisted.

"Yeah," Link laughed. "Or are you planning to get married in your pajamas?"

"I'm going to get more coffee," Blake grumbled and walked out of his room. He started for the stairs when he turned the corner and heard Michael raising his voice.

"I know something is wrong, sir," he insisted and Blake peeked around to find Edward, dressed in Daniel's body, crossing his arms and glaring out the window. Michael's fists were clenched at his side as he tried to appeal to Daniel, but Edward was like talking to a wall. "Blake has looked sick ever since the Gala and you've been acting strange too. If something is wrong, you can lean on me and I'll try to help. Are you two still fighting?"

"Michael," Edward said. "Don't you think these questions are too familiar for an assistant?" He turned and hearing the words in Daniel's voice broke Blake's heart. "You've gotten too close and I'm tired of the lack of professionalism."

Michael was taken back. His powdered white face flushed an unfamiliar red as he stared at the prince, totally gobsmacked. "Sir, I apologize. I just thought..."

"No, I don't believe you were. What a thoughtless thing to say to a Prince and soon a king. Would you speak this way to my father?"

Michael's face twisted, his brows narrowing. "Maybe I would if he was acting like an ass."

"Then, you have no business in this job. Consider today your last. If I were you, I'd consider finding a new coven as well."

"Yes, sir." Michael bowed, keeping his head down until Edward disappeared around the next corner. Even then, Michael didn't move. His shoulders trembled and Blake couldn't hold himself back. He ran to Michael. Keeping his voice low, Blake insisted frantically. From here, Blake was sure Edward would be able to sense him, so he didn't have a lot of time. "Michael, don't listen to him."

"I have to, Blake. He's my prince."

"No, no, please..." Closing his eyes, Blake clutched Michael's shoulders. "Stay. Stay until after the ceremony and I'll be able to explain what just happened. I promise that's not what Danny really wants."

Michael shook his head. "But he's right. I've gotten too close. I think I preferred it before he went and changed and then changed me. Before you came here, I would've never..."

"I mean it, Michael I'll have everything fixed before the end of today."

Michael peered at him. "Something is wrong."

"Yes, but I can't say why. Just don't trust anything Danny says and be cautious."

"I want to help."

Blake brought the vampire into a hug, which felt a lot like wrapping his hands around a copper statue. "You'll know when I need you. Just... promise me you won't go."

Michael held him back. "I won't."

Blake heard Edward's footsteps first. He appeared in the next instance, ripping Blake out of Michael's arms. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just congratulating his highness," Michael said, his voice totally even. Blake admired his ability to seem totally unperturbed. "And I thought I'd give him some advice. Remember to just keep breathing. You'll get through it."

"Thank you, Michael," Blake whispered.

"Yes, well my advice is that for your wedding, you actually have to get ready." Edward's hand tightened around Blake's already bruised arm. "I'll escort you back."

He dragged Blake back upstairs to his room, where his parents were waiting right outside. Clay raised his arms. "Daniel! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to see each other before the wedding."

Edward laughed, playing the doting son-in-law way too well. "Isn't that a little old school?"

"Witches are nothing if not superstitious." Clay wagged his finger and took Edward to his side. "Come! Let's talk as father and son. There are a few things my father told me that I think you'd like to know."

"Wouldn't this better serve Blake?"

"Oh," Blake chuckled, enjoying the way Edward floundered. "I got an ear full of it this morning. It's your turn now."

Edward scowled at Blake as he disappeared into his room. At the vanity they brought in, Frances jumped up. He looked behind Blake's shoulder, all the hope in the world in his eyes to see someone else, but when Blake closed the door alone, he deflated. He sat back down and played with the many make-up brushes.

On his phone, Link seemed blissfully unaware. "I'm surprised Damien isn't here. I bet Frances fifty bucks he cries first, right Frances?"

"Right," Frances grumbled.

"Who do you think is going to cry first?" Blake asked Frances as he approached.

"Danny."

Blake smiled, thinking on a typical day, if he didn't ruin everything that might've been true. Blake put his hand on Frances's shoulder. "Frances?"

"Hm?"

"You didn't get Danny and I a wedding present, did you?"

Frances dropped the brush and stared up at Blake sheepishly. "No. Honestly, my friend Delphine is coming and I was just gonna add my name to hers or my other friends."

"That's fine. I know what you can get us."

"What?"

Blake leaned down, close to Frances's ear so only he could hear. "I need you to ruin this wedding."

Frances was jolted back, staring up wide eyed and confused at Blake. Blake just smiled and tightened his grip on Frances's shoulder. "Don't trust anything Daniel says. Only trust me."

"I don't..." Frances shook his head.

"Do you want to see Ignacio again?"

Frances straightened his back. His eyes were lit on fire with a burning determination. "More than anything."

"Then, ruin this wedding in a way that only you can." Blake kissed his cheek. "Thank you in advance. Now go."

Nodding, Frances gathered himself up. The light inside of him that had gone dim and dark burst with light, his devilish grin returning to the front of the stage. He rubbed his hands together as the ideas bubbled up inside of him. Blake assumed he'd be leaving, Frances turned and set his sights directly on Blake.

"What?" Blake blinked.

"Well..." Frances approached with his hands up in the grabbing position as he wriggled his fingers at Blake like he was a tiny kitten about to get snatched up from a cardboard box. "We can't have a wedding if one of the grooms are missing."

Without warning, Frances gathered Blake, his suit, and his pair of converses up. Blake felt weightless in Frances's arms as he was whisked away in a blur. Frances tittered around a corner when he heard a few voices. Daniel's parents.

"Not that way," Frances said and was off again.

Blake's stomach was doing summersaults. He closed his eyes, pressing his hand over his mouth to keep his breakfast from spewing out. Suddenly, Blake's body hit something soft and bouncy. He fell back onto his elbows, squinting up at a grinning Frances. "Consider yourself taken hostage, Blake Winslow."

He tossed Blake's tuxedo and shoes on the bed next to him.

"Get pretty just in case you get found," Frances instructed, the most excited he had ever seen the vampire. His eyes sparkling, Frances was giggling as he started backing away. "I'm going to single-handedly drive the royal Sagewick family insane."

Taking his declaration and ideas with him, Frances disappeared. Needing a moment to gather himself, Blake glanced about the room. It wasn't just a guest room. It was Frances's room. Blake knew this by the smell, the 80s glam rocker clothes, and the empty wine glasses with old blood staining the bottom.

Ignacio appeared in front of the door. He stared at it like he could see through it and still find Frances. He said, "I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him."

#

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Here's the 2nd update! I'll be back on time with the next update! I think I'll be switching from Friday updates to Saturday updates. They'll be easier on me. 6 more chapters left!! AH!

Don't forget to let me know what you think about the chapter! The whole gang is here! Lol. Did you ever expect to see Nicholas and Henry interacting with the modern boys? And look at Frances coming in clutch~ I meant it when I said Frances is the true romantic hero of this book. lol.