“Again, you heard what she said.”
Warin takes a step closer. The old porch creaking with each step. He grabs my waist, since I have Gus in my arms. It’s probably the most vulnerable I’ve seen him as he looks down and back up at me.
“My love started for you the moment you walked into my bar. I know you don’t remember that night, but I made a vow to protect you every day since then. I hold true to that vow, but it’s more than that now. I not only love you because fate destined us together, but because of who you are.” He steps even closer, Gus squished between us.
“I never thought I would see the sun again, but you are the brightest thing I could have ever asked for in my life. You are beautiful, brilliant, funny, and don’t put up with my shit. I love you for you, Ember, and I don’t care what forever looks like, aslong as it’s with you. I promise to protect you, care for you, and put you first,” he says as he cups my chin.
My eyes are watery as I lick my lips.
“I’m not sure how we got here, but I’ll admit that I was starting to have feelings for you well before we shared blood. I just didn’t want to admit them to myself. No one has made me feel more confident than you do. I know that your past is complicated, and the future might be too. But there’s no one else I want to walk this life with other than you. I love you for your faults and for your charms. You’re persistent, generous, and thoughtful. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed I’d have a fairytale romance and while it might not be conventional, it’s more than I could ever dream of. I love you, War,” I say.
He leans forward, Gus protesting between our arms as Warin kisses me.
I feel it then; the magic surrounding us as Sarephine chants. It’s not in English and I wonder how she was imbued with this magic, but it doesn’t matter.
Our lips don’t part as the magic washes over us, connecting us forever. It’s like a tether wrapping around my heart and latching on to Warin’s. Our life lines become one, my soul forever tied to Warin’s immortal life span.
Every nerve ending in my body cools a few degrees, and when we finally part from our kiss, I can see it in Warin’s eyes.
He rubs his chest like he feels it too.
“Give this to the vampire and tell them to get the fuck off my property,” Sarephine says, handing a vial to Gus.
My familiar’s hands are shaking and I wonder if the magic has somehow trickled to him as he hands the vial to Warin.
Warin doesn’t look at the other witch, and barely looks down at what he’s doing as he fills the glass with his blood, his eyes never breaking away from mine.
“Tell them as long as the vampire lives she lives, she’s frozen in time, blah blah blah. Oh, and Augustus? Whenever he gets staked and they both die, you belong to me,” the witch says, cackling.
Gus’s eyes go wide, and he clings on to me for dear life.
Warin shoves his blood into Sarephine’s hand, and grips my waist, as he leads us off the precarious porch and back toward the vehicle.
None of us speak until we get in the car.
“I told you she was fucking insane,”Gus says, and Warin immediately turns into the backseat to stare at Gus.
“You heard him?” I question and Warin looks back at me with a sigh.
“I suppose we’re all connected now,” he says, placing his hand in mine.
“Don’t forget about me,”a female voice says and my eyes go wide.
“Just me, you, a raccoon, and a bat,” Warin says deadpan and I laugh.
Gus however doesn’t find it too funny as he grumbles in the backseat with his road snacks.
“My life is quite literally in your hands,” I say, and he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles. I haven’t let everything tonight sink in yet. I guess I won’t age anymore?
“Finally, a real reason worth living,” he says, placing my hand back in my lap.
Maybe it’s not the fairytale where we ride a horse-drawn carriage into the sunset. I think I was always meant to ride off into the darkness in a bullet proof SUV, anyway.
Epilogue
My witch is a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding or anniversary. The details are a little hazy, all I know is my witch looks delicious.
Her friend, Violet, who is getting married is a little less complicated than Iris, who unfortunately brought her Slayer to the wedding.
