He crossed the room in swift strides and enveloped me in his arms. “There is no need to be nervous, my heart.” Hisbreath was warm against my ear. “We can wait for another time, plan a big event, get married in a church, and invite Vail and others from town to join us in our union. I could wait for eternity if you wanted, as long as I get to call you my wife by the end of it.”
“As much as I would like Vail to be here, I would prefer it to be just you and me. And I have never wanted to get married anyway, let alone in a church.”
“If that is what you wish.” He kissed my forehead, and I breathed in his warm scent. “What else is on your mind?”
“My mother and father,” I took a steadying breath. “I never thought I would marry, and now that I am, I cannot imagine doing it without them.”
Draven’s fingers traced my necklace. “Then we shall wed beneath the moon and stars, so that they may look down upon us and witness our union,” he said.
I looked at him, and I kissed his lips; they were soft against mine.
“Thank you.”
“You and me, against the canvas of eternity.” His lips curved into a tender smile.
The word “eternity” sparked a troubling thought in my mind. What if Draven grew weary of me? I pulled back slightly, my eyes searching Draven’s face.
“I have a question.”
His fingers continued to trace circles along my collarbone. “Anything.”
I took a deep breath. “Will you still love me when I am old? When my hair turns grey, and my face is lined with wrinkles?”
Draven’s smile softened as he cupped my face in his hands. “Rosalia, my love for you knows no bounds. It transcends the confines of beauty, reaching deep into the very core of who you are.” He brushed a stray lock of hair from myface, his touch feather-light against my skin. “As the years pass, my love for you will only deepen, and it will be my greatest honour to watch you grow old by my side.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and a mixture of relief and gratitude flooded my soul. Draven’s unwavering devotion shattered my fears.
“I love you, Draven, with all that I am.”
“And I you, my heart,” he murmured against my skin.
That night, under the moon’s light, we exchanged vows and became husband and wife. We stood hand in hand on the balcony, surrounded by the gentle night breeze, and pledged our love to one another.
With only the moon and stars as witnesses, we exchanged rings and sealed our promises with a tender kiss. My heart was overflowing with love and happiness, and in that moment, I knew that we were meant to be together now and always.
After the ceremony, we retreated inside, fingers intertwined as we made our way to what was now our shared bedroom. Anticipation filled the air, igniting a spark of excitement within me. Though I had shared nights with Draven before, this time felt different, more profound. It was as if with each step, we were not only entering a room but embarking on a journey to unite our souls.
In the softly lit chamber, we undressed each other with deliberate slowness, savouring the sensation of skin against skin. Each touch, each kiss, ignited a fire within me, fueling the flames of want that burned between us.
Entwined in each other’s arms, our bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace, and we surrendered to the moment. In the hushed stillness of the night, we became one, losing ourselves in the sweet surrender of passion and desire.
TWENTY-SEVEN
January 15, 2010
The bass thumped through the club as we stepped inside; the rhythm pulsed through me like a heartbeat. Vail had mentioned that this place was a favourite among the local Vampires, and I could see why. What surprised me most was how well it hid in plain sight; a Vampire sanctuary tucked among humans who still dismissed the old legends. In my youth, Blood Hunters had been a constant presence in our lives, but now we had become nothing more than fables.
Caught in the pulsating rhythm, Vail and I moved through the sea of bodies with a fluid grace, making our way to the bar situated at the heart of the dance floor.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I asked Vail. She seemed tense, her eyes scanning our surroundings.
“We’re here for information. Not for fun, Rosie,” she replied.
“Please,” I urged, batting my eyelashes. “I haven’t been to a Vampire bar in so long. I’ll drive home later, and you can just relax.”
With a reluctant nod, Vail agreed, and I ordered us two drinks.
The bartender handed us two blood bags, and I paid before handing one to Vail. “Bottoms up,” I said, raising thebag to her before taking a long sip of my own, draining it in one go.
