Page 132 of Treasured

All will become clear in time, Gabri cawed. His wings flapped, stirring the air. Rising gracefully, he dropped his head in our direction before disappearing into the night.

Alone once more, Sebastian and I stood in stunned silence. Could we never have one normal day? One moment in time when strange things didn’t happen?

Apparently not.

“That was… interesting,” Sebastian eventually said.

That was one way to describe it. I twisted in his arms. “Did you plan this when you brought me here?”

His eyes widened, and he shook his head. “No. I’d hoped a Nightwing would come, but I never thought…” He dragged a hand down his face. “They’ve never spoken to me.”

No, I was the only one these things happened to. I was the strange one in this relationship, not Sebastian. The one with tears of blood. The one who walked in the sun. The one who heard voices in the Void. And now, the one who conversed with beautiful, mystical creatures.

Life as a vampire was certainly not tedious.

Your Darkness is My Darkness

SEBASTIAN

After the Nightwing’s arrival and subsequent conversation with Luna, the real reason I’d brought her here seemed slightly anti-climactic. Nevertheless, I would continue with my plans.

Taking Luna’s hand, I gently drew her towards a fallen log. I brushed off the snow, sending it tumbling to the ground. The log was flat enough. Black and green moss covered the top, and it faced the frozen waterfall. I gestured for Luna to take a seat. She did, clearly waiting for me to take the spot beside her. Instead, I kissed her softly and kneeled in front of her. Releasing my wings, they fanned out behind me, hiding the rest of the clearing.

Her brows came together. She frowned, the most adorable, quizzical look coming over her face. “What are you doing, Sebastian?”

Gods, I loved the way my name sounded on her lips. The way she said it was like I was the one who made the moon rise and hung the stars in the night sky. When she spoke, it made me feel like I was her entire world.

It was all the confirmation that I needed. This was the right decision.

Remaining on the ground, I pressed my lips against her knuckles. Then I said, “I love you.”

That confused look remained, even as she returned the sentiment. “That doesn’t explain what you’re doing.”

This wife of mine.

I turned her wrist gently. Kissing the inside of her palm, right above the Binding Mark, I ran my fangs over her flesh. She shivered, and desire flooded through the bond. Her response delighted me.

Inching up the fabric of her sleeve with my free hand, I kissed a trail up her arm. Every soft moan that escaped her, every gasp, caused my muscles to tighten further. Eventually, I switched to her other arm, repeating my ministrations on that side.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmured, kissing the inside of her elbow.

She giggled. “That tickles.”

I shushed her. “Truly stunning, inside and out.”

I let her sleeve fall, returning my attention to her hands. Those beautiful, scientific hands. My ring sat on her finger, a marker of our union. It wasn’t enough, though. We’d been forced into our marriage, but now, we had something more.

“Sebastian,” she said breathlessly. “What are you doing?”

“You’re my entire life, Luna.” Taking her hands in mine, I held them tightly. Her beautiful obsidian gaze met mine. I could stare into those eyes forever, losing myself in her. “Do you remember the first time we met?”

“You came to my father’s keep on our wedding day.”

I nodded. “I had no idea then that you’d change everything.” She sucked in a breath, but I continued, “Darling, you are more than just the Sunwalker to me. From the first day I met you, you have been a shining light in my life. You were the spring coming after a long winter. You infused newness, sunshine, and hope into what had become a very dark, numb existence.”

She whispered my name again, her eyes wide. “What are you saying?”

I quieted her with a kiss. It was a rather effective method, after all, and a pleasant one at that. “That first night, when you stood trembling before me, your face hidden beneath that veil, I had no idea our marriage was the beginning of the rest of my life.” I ran my thumb over the edge of her Binding Mark. “But now I know.”