The thought brought a smile to my face, my fangs flashing. I couldn’t help but feel joy that my handsome vampire seemed to be settling into the town beautifully. The grump that I had first met had revealed himself to be so much more than just a scowling face. While he was still gruff and kept his emotionsguarded, he was smiling more and more often, opening himself up. Making connections. Laying down roots.
I tried not to get my hopes up too high, but for the first time in ages, I felt happy. Truly happy. In a way that lightened the weight in my bones and made my spirit soar. I was quicker to laugh these days than I was to lash out.
Of course, I still lashed out when it was necessary, but that would never change.
Redd and I sat side by side in my shop–I was arranging a small shelf of trinkets while he was working on some sort of wooden sculpture.
“So, when do you think you’re leaving again? To go back to Sunhaven?” I asked Redd, bracing myself for the answer.
He glanced at me sidelong, his eyebrows raised. He set down the wood he had been working with and brushed his hands off on his trousers.
“Fiella, sweets, it would take an entire army to pull me away from you. I am never leaving your side. Ever again.” His eyes bored into mine. “Nothing in this realm could keep me away from you.”
The words made butterflies take off in my stomach.
“Come on now,” I shoved at him to try to make light of the situation. “You don’t have to make any promises you can’t keep. I’m a big girl, I can take it.”
He caught my hand and clutched it in both of his own, rubbing his thumbs along my knuckles.
“I wouldn’t lie to you, Fiella. Especially not about this. You mean everything to me. More than I can describe. I want you in my life permanently.” His eyes seared into mine, his words caressing my soul.
“Wow, you really know how to sweet talk a lady.”
He chuckled but squeezed my hand. “Come on, Fiella.”
More seriously, I added, “You know, I guess you can start calling me Fi. I think you’ve earned it by now.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Oh, wow, okay. I didn’t think I’d get to this moment. Let me try it out.” He cleared his throat. “Fi, my sweet vampire, I love you. With the entirety of my being. I can hardly remember the man I was before I met you. You have ensnared me, changed me, and forever altered my soul. Would you do me the honor of being my mate? Because I am yours, truly, entirely, completely.”
My heart was beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings. Joy fizzled in my brain, popping like bubbles. I didn’t expectthat. I never thought I would have a mate. Someone who I would tie my life to. Someone who I would weave into my very being.
Mate bonds weren’t always forged between romantic couples, but when they were, they were eternal. The bond could be woven by a powerful witch, which would form a tie between the two souls. Forever.
The thought brought nothing but happiness. No hesitation. No trepidation. No fear.
“My dear Redd, nothing would make me happier,” I answered solemnly. “Yes, a million times yes. I love you, with all that I am and all that I ever will be.”
We moved at the same time, clutching each other and pressing our lips together. The kiss was filled with passion, longing, and endless amounts of love. I couldn’t pull him close enough, I itched to get closer.
Redd broke the kiss to tuck my head under his chin, hugging me so tightly that I could scarcely breathe. My ear was pressed to his throat, and his racing heartbeat under his skin soothed me. Easing my worries, smoothing my jagged nerves.
After long minutes, I finally spoke. “How are we going to do this?” I asked.
“Well, I’d like to stay here. In Moonvale, preferably.”
“Great choice.”
“With you, ideally.”
“Naturally.”
“You and I. Living together. In the same cottage.”
“Of course.”
He pulled back to examine my face. “You’re not even arguing a little bit. Who are you and what have you done with my Fiella?” he joked.
I rolled my eyes. “I’d love to live with you. In my cottage, of course. Nowhere else would be acceptable.”
