What if that's the case with Azrael? That dude's got more issues than a newsstand. And all these vamps who have fallen off the wagon and embraced their inner darkness are just a bunch of lovelorn, mate-deprived saps.
Seraphina is silent for a long moment, her gaze distant and thoughtful. "I... I had no idea," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "Are you absolutely certain that the mate bond and the Soul-Tie are the same?"
I reach out and take her hand, my grip firm and reassuring, my eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that cuts through the haze of alcohol. "I'm a thousand percent sure, Seraphina. And with both you and Lucian untethered, you're vulnerable, exposed. You're like two bright, shining beacons in the darkness, just waiting for something to come along and snuff you out." I pause, letting the weight of my wordssink in, watching as understanding dawns on Seraphina's face. "Calypso is packing the last piece of the Soul Stone…"
Seraphina takes a deep, shuddering breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I... I don't know," she admits, her voice small and uncertain. "I need... I need time to think and to process all of this. It's just... it's so much, Dani. It's so overwhelming."
I nod, my heart aching for my conflicted guardian angel. "I get it, Sera. Believe me, I do. When Rhyland first told me about the mate bond, about the intensity of the connection between us, I was scared shitless. I didn't know if I was ready for that commitment—that all-consuming love."
I squeeze her hand, my voice gentle but firm. "But you know what? I took a chance. I took a leap of faith. And it was the best damn decision I ever made. Because being with Rhyland and tied to him in every way possible, it's like coming home, like finding a piece of myself I never knew was missing."
Seraphina's smile is small, a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. "You make it sound so beautiful, Dani. So... so right."
I grin, my eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, it is, girl. It really is. And you know what else? The sex is mind-blowing. Like, toe-curling, earth-shattering, 'oh my god, I think I just saw the face of God' kind of good."
Seraphina blushes, her cheeks turning a delightful shade of pink. "Dani!" she admonishes, her voice scandalized but slightly intrigued.
I laugh, the sound bright and joyful in the cozy little room. "What? If you take a chance on love, you might as well go all in. And trust me, with a vampire? You'll be going all in—all night long."
The way she's blushing and squirming at my scandalous talk has me wondering if Seraphina's love life is as pure as freshly fallen snow. Not that it's any of my business, but I'm starting to think her halo might double as a chastity belt.
Seraphina shakes her head, a reluctant grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"
I shrug, my grin turning sly and wicked. "Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it. And from what I've seen of Lucian? He's definitely got it. And he wants nothing more than to give it to you in every way possible."
Seraphina's blush deepens, but there's a spark of something in her eyes, a hint of curiosity, longing, and desire. "I... I'll think about it," she murmurs, her voice softbut filled with a new kind of determination. "I'll think about everything you've said, Dani. And I will... talk to Lucian. I will try to understand this—"
I let out a whoop of joy, throwing my arms around her in a fierce, drunken hug. "That's my girl! Oh, Sera, you won't regret this. I promise you, whatever happens, it will be one hell of a ride." I gasp, my hands flying to cover my mouth, "Oh my god, we would be sisters-in-law."
We start giggling and hugging like a couple of lovesick fools, all giddy and goofy with the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Suddenly, Seraphina's expression turns serious. Her eyes widen, and she becomes curious, "Will he have to bite me?"
I pause for a moment, weighing my words carefully. "I'm not going to lie to you, Sera," my voice gentle but firm. "Yes, he will have to bite you. It's part of the whole 'vampire mating' thing, a way for him to mark you as his, to claim you in the most primal, intimate way possible."
Seraphina's eyes widen even further, a hint of fear flickering behind the curiosity. "And... and what does it feel like?" her voice barely above a whisper. "Does it... does it hurt?"
I can't help but smile at that, a wicked, knowing grin spreading across my face. "Oh, honey," I purr, with mischief. "Trust me when I say this—once he bites you for the first time, you'll be begging for more. It's not just about the pain, about the sharp sting of his fangs sinking into your flesh. It's about the pleasure, the rush of endorphins and adrenaline and pure ecstasy that comes with it."
Seraphina's cheeks flush a deep, rosy pink, her eyes glazing over slightly as she tries to imagine it. "Really?" she breathes, her voice trembling with a heady mix of nerves and anticipation. "It's that much of a... a—"
"Turn on?" I finish for her, my grin turning sly and knowing. "Yes. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not just about the physical pleasure, although that's definitely a big part of it. It's about the connection, the bond that forms between you when he tastes your blood—when he takes a part of you into himself like that."
I lean forward, my expression serious, my eyes locked onto hers. "But Seraphina, I need you to understand something. This isn't just a one-time thing, a fun little kink to spice up your sex life. When a vampire bites their mate, it's a claiming, a marking. It's their way of saying, 'You're mine, now and forever.' It's a bond that can never be broken, not by time or distance or even death itself."
Seraphina swallows hard, her eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But there is none to be found, only the steady, unwavering certainty from firsthand experience.
Seraphina's breath catches in her throat, her pupils dilating with a hunger that has nothing to do with food. "That... that sounds..."
"Incredible?" I supply, my grin turning wicked once more. "Oh, believe me, it is."
I sit back, my expression softening into something more tender, more understanding. "But hey, I know it's a lot to take in and wrap your head around. Lucian will understand and will wait for you as long as it takes. Because at the end of the day, Sera? He wants you, all of you, in whatever way you want to give yourself to him."
Seraphina nods slowly, her expression thoughtful as she mulls over my words. "I... I think I need some time," she admits, her voice soft but filled with a new resolve. "But… I also think I want to try."
I take her hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "And you will, Sera. In your own time, at your own pace. And when you do? It's going to be magical."
Seraphina smiles, "Thank you, Dani. For being such a good friend. I've always watched after you and watched you grow into the beautiful, confident woman you are today, and I couldn't be happier to have you as my friend."
