While Carrie was touring the Chateau Versailles with Tristan, Alucard lay in his coffin, safe from the morning light. He reflected back on last evening, the most magical night of his hundreds of years. The pleasure it gave him to see the Versailles Gardens through Carrie`s eyes.
At first, he was fascinated by his nervousness. This was something new to him. Would Carrie find him attractive? That would be too much to ask. She knew him only as vampire, a bloodthirsty heathen. What could she find in him that would not repulse her?
And yet, as he shared the Gardens with her, he found her animated, smiling! After he presented her with the Sun King`s guidebook, and she touched his arm, the ache within him blossomed into something else. Something he no longer had words to describe.
What is it that the poets are always reaching for? How do you describe this feeling? It is not want, nor need, though this is part of it. Nor is it lust, nor need of possession. It is something more!
Alucard pondered, what is it for me? It feels like an opening up, a need to give pleasure. The moment when Carrie touched his arm caused such bliss! To see her smile, and know I contributed to it. Perhaps the need to give pleasure is closest!
In the truest sense, he felt the need to please her, to make her happy. Only through her happiness could he feel fulfilled. Perhaps that is love.
V
