“It makes me really happy to hear you say that. Try to work on forming a bond of your own with him, my love. We are all going to be around each other for eternity now. It will be easier. On you and on him.”
He looks surprised as my words sink in. Eternity, together. “Yes, I never thought of it that way. I still have so much to learn about what ‘forever’ really means. And I don’t blame him for wanting to be with you,” he adds seriously.
“I will teach you, my love. I promise you; all of this will get easier. You are still brand new.” I smile gently. I’m sure with this prophecy crap; things are just going to get even harder. “You are adapting better than I could have ever hoped for or imagined. I’m so proud of you,” I add.
He beams at my praise.
“And you don’t ever have to worry about me not being here for you or with you. I love you. Completely. You are mine in every way,” I say and kiss him passionately, trying to reassure him with actions as well as words.
He pulls away and says to me, “Yes, I’m yours. Completely, in every way. I will follow you to Hell and back if it means being with you, being your husband, lover, and friend. I will be your everything, my sire. My loyalty knows no bounds. I love you. Forever.”
Startled by this passionate speech, I open my mouth to respond, but a sharp sting on my shoulder forces me to say “Ow!” as I grab the area in question.
Looking alarmed, Cole asks, “Are you okay?”
The pain is searing now. I grunt in response as Devon rushes to my side, sensing my pain.
“Everything okay?” he asks, concerned.
“No. I don’t know. My shoulder…” They both turn me around to look. Pulling my shirt down my shoulder they both draw a breath.
“What, what is it?” I ask.
“Err, that diamond marking is glowing like it’s on fire and it’s getting bigger,” Devon says quietly, considering we are still in a very public place.
“Bigger? How much bigger?” I demand worriedly.
He peers at it and says, “An inch or so?”
Cole says, “Liv, it’s actually on fire now. Are you okay?”
“Humph, I’ll live. I think we need to get back to the suite, just in case all of me sets on fire,” I half joke, much to the un-amusement of my two boys.
My phone buzzes suddenly in my hand. Without looking at it, I hand it to Devon to answer, while Cole takes my elbow and leads me back the way we came.
“Yep?” Devon answers. “She’s fine. We’re going back to the suite now.” Pause. “Oh, you are? We’ll see you in a minute then. No, she’s fine, we’ll explain when we get there.” He hangs up. “Constantine,” he says, pocketing my phone gingerly in my back pocket. “He’s in the suite already.”
I nod.
“How did he know you were hurting?” Cole asks.
I glance up at him. “A sire can feel the pain of their charges if the bond is well established and strong enough. Well, no, more sense than feel,” I amend.
“Oh, wow. Okay, that’s intense. Hey, would you sense it if I punched Devon in the face?” he asks, unable to stop the snicker.
I giggle at the humor, not to mention Devon’s face. “Yes, I would know he’s hurting.”
“Humph, assuming you actually hurt me, newbie,” Devon retorts good-naturedly.
Cole laughs and so do I, although mine is short-lived as another searing pain shoots across my back. I double over to catch my breath as Cole grabs me. Luckily, we are at the elevator now. Devon impatiently stabs at the button.
At Cole’s concerned look, I say, “I’m fine, really. It’s not that bad.”
Unconvinced, he ushers me into the elevator when it arrives, followed closely by Devon.
Reaching the top floor, we hastily exit. Devon pushes open the suite door, where we are greeted by a handful of people. CK is looking overly concerned, as usual, Nico, Gregor, Eloise, and two men I don’t recognize, but judging by the size of them I’d say they belonged to Nico.
CK is at my side instantly. “Aefre, what the fuck was that?” he asks earnestly.