“But how?” Marcus asks, his composure slipping for once. “Everything I felt seemed so intense, so immediate.”
“Because it was real,” Gran says simply. “Sometimes the heart knows what the mind takes time to accept.”
The revelation hits me like a thunderbolt. Every moment, every shared thought, every flutter of emotion – none of it was forced or magical. It was just us, recognizing something in each other that our rational minds couldn’t immediately grasp.
My head spins as I process Gran’s words. All this time, I’ve been fighting my feelings, convinced they were forced upon us by some ridiculous curse. But there was no curse. No blood match. Just…us.
I look at Marcus, really look at him, and feel that familiar pull. His eyes meet mine, and I can sense his own revelation washing over him.
“Everything I feel for you,” he says softly, “every moment, every thought – it’s all real. It always was.”
“I was so afraid,” I admit, my voice hardly audible. “I kept thinking the blood match was making me feel things, making me want…” I trail off, overwhelmed by the intensity of emotion flowing between us.
“And now?” His question hangs in the air between us.
“Now I know what it is. Real. Us.” The truth of it settles into my bones, warm and certain. Until something occurs to me. “But Marcus, you’re immortal. I’m not. How can we—?”
“Actually,” Gran interrupts, “that’s not entirely accurate. The bond you share – this pure love – it changes things. Your magic has already begun adapting, hasn’t it? Haven’t you noticed?”
She’s right. Since that night in the gallery, my powers have felt different. Stronger. More permanent somehow.
“We Blackwoods are a different lot, darling.” Gran winks at me. “You’ll find out.” I blink at her for a moment.
Just how old is Gran, really?
Marcus takes my hand, and our connection flares brighter than ever. “I don’t care about immortality or power,” he says. “I only care about you. About us. Whatever time we have – whether it’s decades or centuries – I want to spend it with you. And if it’s not forever, we’ll just have to make every moment count.”
Suddenly, I feel the absolute truth of his words. There’s nothing compelling him, no curse driving his actions. Just love – simple, and overwhelming in its intensity.
“My God, I love you too,” I whisper, finally allowing myself to embrace what I’ve been fighting all along.
Through my happy daze, I hear footsteps approaching. Soren and Darick appear at the garden entrance, stopping short at the scene before them.
“Well, well.” Darick’s face breaks into a rare smile. “It’s about time.”
“Did she finally say yes?” Soren asks, his arm sliding around Mia’s waist as she moves to greet him.
“I’m still waiting,” Marcus says, his fingers intertwining with mine. “Will you marry me, Kara?”
“Yes!” I blurt. “Yes, of course, yes!” The words are babbling out now as if a dam has burst.
Mom’s dashing away tears. “We need champagne! And those little fairy cakes Kara loves.”
“On it!” Rowan bounces up, dragging Darick toward the house. “Come help me, ex-vampire.”
“As my witch commands,” he says dryly but follows willingly.
Dad conjures fairy lights that float around us like stars while Gran adds her own touch – tiny butterflies that shimmer and dance through the air. The garden transforms into something wondrous, reflecting the joy I feel bubbling up inside me.
Marcus pulls me close, and I feel his complete contentment. No curse drove us together; no magic forced these feelings. It’s real. Wonderfully, incredibly real.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I murmur against his chest.
“Believe it,” he whispers back, pressing a kiss to my temple.
Looking around at my family – Mia and Soren sharing secret smiles, Rowan and Darick returning with bottles and glasses, Mom and Dad holding hands like teenagers, Gran beaming at us all – I feel a profound sense of rightness settle over me.
This is exactly where we’re meant to be. All of us.
