Chapter Seventeen
The Passing of the Reigns
The next day Buffy and Angelus woke up late in the afternoon they made love leisurely, taking the time to explore each others body’s and learn every curve and sensitive spot. They shared their thoughts and feelings. The feed each other food and drink, and then they made love again.
It was the pattern for the whole day. They would make love, nap, wake up and make love again. It was all so unhurried and lazy that Buffy was in total heaven. She had never experienced such bliss and happiness and many times throughout the course of the day her emotions would overwhelm her and she would cry. Angelus would just hold her tight whispering words of love and comfort, telling her of his love and passion, declaring that he would never let her go.
At eight o’clock they got up and dressed and made their way to the Master’s. Buffy was nervous because she didn’t know what was going to happen. But Angelus reassured her that everything would be all right as long as they were together.
***
It was nine thirty when they finally got there. They walked in to see Oz and Willow sitting side by side and holding hands.
“So nice of you to join us children.” Said the Master as he snickered, he could easily imagine what had delayed them.
“Now that you are all here, let’s begin. Giles?”
Giles stepped forward “I am not exactly sure where to start there is much to tell.”
He walked over to Buffy “Buffy I must begin by being honest with you and tell you that you were right when you questioned me about the prophecy, there was more than had previously been revealed.”
She smirked “I knew it.”
Angelus smiled at her.
“Yes well the prophecy was always quite clear that the Chosen One would come from a far off place, that she would be honest and strong, compassionate and brave, full of endless unconditional love and passion. It is these qualities that when joined with the qualities of the Champion that would produce the Destroyer.”
“It is written that the pull that they would feel for each other would be so strong that they would not be able to resist. Blinded by their love and need for another they would mate before the feast took place and that The Chosen One would conceive.”
“Wait a minute you mean to tell me that you two knew that and still had him whipped?” She was outraged and stood up ready to show her displeasure. Angelus gently took her by the arm pulling her back down beside him.
“Buffy rules were still broken and the punishment had to be, I do not arbor bad feelings for it so neither should you.” She was going to repute that but he silenced her with a kiss.
Giles cleared his throat “Yes…um…Angelus is correct Buffy. We have lived these many years with order by following the rules; we could not stop now just because we knew it would happen.”
“Alright…I guess.” She was clearly disgruntled.
Giles smiled at her and continued, “Now as I was saying, when the child is finally conceived the leaders of the Vampires and Humans would no longer be needed. The creation of this child would begin a new race of hybrid people that would require a leader of the same qualities to rule them. That is the reason why the Master looks the way he does, he is slowly dying.”
Everyone gasped at this news.
The Master quickly hushed them, “We have long waited this day and I look forward to it. My time is over here, my body grows tired and when the child is born I will pass on to the other world.”
“You said we.” Willow interjected.
“Yes well I too am dying but my process will be slower. I was immortal you see, I have been with the Master for centuries and now since the conception has taken place, I am now mortal and will dye like any other mortal man.”
Buffy looked at him and felt sad that one day she will lose him. But then her thoughts were stopped by something that he had said.
“Wait a minute you said when conception takes place that you’re no longer needed and that you’re slowly dying, how can that be I’m not preg…” Angelus shuffled nervously in his seat and Buffy turned to look at him.
He had a very guilty look on his face and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. She turned and looked at the Master and Giles a tear in her eye “I’m…pregnant?”
The Master smiled kindly at her “Yes child you are as I am sure Angelus could tell you.”
She stood up and looked to her mate “You knew and didn’t tell me?” she yelled at him.
He looked a little ashamed, “I was going to tell you I just wanted to be sure before I did.”
“I’m pregnant?” she asked now with tears running down her face and a hitch in her voice.
He smiled at her and stood up gently taking her in his arms. “You’re pregnant.”
“I’m going to have a baby?” She just couldn’t believe it.
He nodded, “Yes we’re going to have a baby.”
She squealed with delight and jumped up into his arms. He swung her around laughing and crying with her.
Everyone in the room delighted in the open show of affection the two had for each other.
“This is wonderful news Buffy, congratulations!” Willow said.
Angelus let her go after they shared a long hot kiss and Buffy ran over to Willow hugging her tightly. “Oh Willow if it wasn’t for you I would have nothing. Thank you so much.” She hugged her tightly.
“Need...to...breath…”
Buffy blushed and released her “I’m sorry I’m just so excited.”
They shared a smile and Oz walked over to Angelus “Congratulations.” They shook hands and slapped each other on the back.
“Children, there is more that we must tell you.” Giles said.
They all sat back down and waited to hear the rest.
“Buffy there is one other thing that we didn’t tell you, which in fact Willow does not even know. The spell that she used to bring you through the portal was a special spell. It was created to bring you through to our dimension unharmed but slightly altered.”
“Ah?”
“Buffy you are immortal. You cannot die. You will live until the day your Mate no longer lives. You two are irrevocably tied to each other.”
Angelus frowned. Where he loved the idea that she would always be with him, he didn’t know how she would react to living forever.
But Buffy just turned to him and brought his hand to her mouth she kissed him and gifted him with a warm smile “Forever and always.” He blew out a breath that he hadn’t released he was holding and just smiled back at her.
“Angelus you being The Champion will now take your rightful place in the Master’s steed to rule. With Buffy by your side you will rule the land with strength and compassion. You are bound to the land until the day that your first child is old enough to rule on his own. At that time you are free to do as you wish, you may stay and help your children or you may go, it’s your decision.”
Angelus nodded, sounded good to him.
Giles turned to Oz and Willow “Oz you will be Angelus’ second in command with Willow beside you as your mate for eternity you shall help rule the land with a strong and compassionate hand.”
They smiled at each other.
“Now that is all taken care of, we must celebrate!” Giles excitedly said and they all agreed.
The Master rose “Yes I believe there two joining ceremonies that must be performed this evening.”
“Yes quite right.” Giles said.