A single tear rolled down my cheek. The pain of his story bled throughout our bond and wrapped around us both.
“He tried to change her right there in the middle of the kitchen, but she was a fearsome woman. Trained at birth as all Bloodstone women are. Trained to be a warrior, a queen. She fought him and … he killed her.”
Holy crap.
And he saw all that? As a twelve-year-old boy?
“Luka, I’m so sorry.”
“So I killed him,” he growled. “With his back turned, I took his head clean off and avenged my beloved mother.”
A somber mood fell over the both of us. I would have absolutely done the same thing. He was so deep in the memory I didn’t dare say anything to pull him out.
“My aunt Morgana took us in. She allowed Nico to change my sister against her will at age eighteen, but she died in the process because he did it wrong. Then Morgana changed me against my will after forcing me to officially sign the betrothal papers with Cassara’s family.” Luka turned to face me. There was a storm in his eyes. They were nearly black, his jaw clenched shut and his chest shaking slightly. “There you have it, Aspen, all of my darkness laid bare for you to see. I understand if you don’t want to sleep next to me every night knowing what I’ve done.”
His head dipped down in shame and I laughed. It caught him off guard and he jerked up to look at me, confused.
“Are you kidding me? I feel better now knowing the story. If anyone kills me, you’re totally going to avenge me. They say a man treats his wife as he treats his mother.” I smiled playfully.
“I absolutely would avenge you.” His voice was dead serious.
Leaning forward, I trailed my fingers down his temple. “Luka, I was awful to you from the first day we met. I said horrible things and treated you like a demon. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a better person than me.”
“Not possible, my love,” he assured me, twisting a lock of my red hair. “But probably a close second.”
Laughter bubbled out of me and he stood, picking me up into his arms as I squealed in delight. “I’m gonna marry this woman!” he shouted into the empty garden, causing more laughter to peal out of me. Looking down at me in his arms, his eyes glowed like the embers of a dying fire. “I love you, Aspen Rose.”
Reaching up, I ran my fingers through his hair. “I love you too.”
As he leaned in to kiss me, I had a single thought: when I got old and died, he would die too because of our feeder bond. Was that wrong? Or was that what he wanted all along when he’d said he wanted to remain human? I should have probably considered the vampire thing longer, at least give it ten seconds of thought, but the mere idea revolted me. To be undead, to cease breathing, to drink blood to sustain life. It wasn’t natural. I couldn’t do it, not even for him.
I pulled away from him and met his gaze. “I’m sorry I can’t—”
“Stop it,” he said. “It was an impossible thing to ask. Besides, I kind of like that we have this limited time together. It makes each day something to cherish.”
I nodded. “Are you still going to be attracted to me when I’m like a fifty-year-old lady?” I scrunched up my face.
Luka grinned. “You’ll be a sexy little cougar, I have no doubt.”
More laughter. I was always laughing with him and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him. However short it might be in vampire years.
“Go on a date with me,” Luka exclaimed. “Tonight.”
“A date?” I raised my eyebrows.
Luka nodded. “Yeah, you know that thing normal people do before they get engaged.”
I chuckled. “Okay. A date.”
Setting me down, we walked hand and hand back to the guest cottage. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Perfect.” I kissed him and slipped inside, completely floating on top of my love cloud. Luka gave me everything I desired in a relationship and more.
Chapter Fourteen
Sage,Demi and Liv all sat around the dining table as my mom made us lunch. My half sis was glued to the TV as usual.
“Her brain is going to explode.” Liv peered through the entry to the dining room out into the living room, where Maple stared at the TV.
