Tempting Destiny

by Sela Croft

  I tried to focus. I was vaguely aware of others nearby, of motion and voices. But I only saw Draven. He was with me; he was talking to me. My lips moved but no sound came out.

  “I understand, my love…it’s difficult to speak.” Draven kissed my cheek. “There is only one thing I need for you to say…”

  I stared at him, praying that I could speak as he needed me to.

  “You will die within minutes from the deadly venom,” Draven said. “I can save you…I must.” He hesitated. “But there is only one way.”

  My mind reeled. Whatever way was offered, I must take it. I hadn’t let death take my love from me before, and I wouldn’t now.

  “Vampires are immune to the hydra’s poison,” Draven said. “You must drink my blood to recover.” He paused. “But you’ll have to drink enough to defeat the grip death has on you. Drinking such a volume of blood will…turn you into a vampire.”

  I was stunned. I’d no longer be human, would be changed forevermore. Yet there was no opportunity to deliberate. Any hesitation would cost my life, and I couldn’t chance that. I could be with Draven again. There was a way…and I had to take it.

  “I wish there was another choice,” Draven said. “But I won’t force you. There are but seconds left to decide.” He looked into my eyes, and I felt so protected, so safe. “Mirela…my only love…are you willing?”

  It took every ounce of strength I could muster. I gazed into Draven’s glowing eyes. I loved him with all my heart, vampire though he was. I was willing to be the same. “Yes.”

  Draven’s blue eyes darkened, then his fangs extended. He bit into his wrist, so I could drink his vampire blood. Only love for him filled my heart. All fear had vanished like quicksilver. I gave myself over to his care and trusted him completely.

  CHAPTER 29 – DRAVEN

  I cradled Mirela in my lap. I’d barely found her in time. Since I’d reconnected, I’d been able to watch her, but the images had been intermittent. The rainforest was Dark Fighter domain, where the supernatural lurked and preyed on the unsuspecting. It was not a place for humans, and the evil vibrations had interfered with my ability to see my love.

  My comrades and I had mercilessly raced our horses to get to Mirela, striving to avoid ultimate disaster. While riding, I’d watched when I could, to keep going the right direction. There had been no time to waste wandering the forest looking for her.

  Mirela had been in peril every second that she’d been in the forest. It had been vital to run straight to her, so I’d kept my focus. The moments I’d lost sight of her had been brief, not enough to throw me off course. I’d witnessed her suffering, which spurred me on.

  Then it had all happened so fast. My group had approached the rainforest and spotted the waterfall. Since Mirela had made it to the edge of the region, it had been unnecessary to travel into the dense trees to find her. That would have greatly slowed our progress.

  My hope was to locate Mirela easily, then scoop her onto my horse and be off. Yet my vision of her situation had turned into a horror story. The hydra was feared by humans with good reason. Its poison had no antidote. It preyed on birds, rodents, small mammals, and humans.

  The main head of the monster was immune to even the sharpest sword or other weapons. But the seven-headed snake was vulnerable to one thing. My comrades and I descended upon the hydra, full speed ahead. Its main head was the first target.

  When we raised our hands, bolts of energy crackled through the air and severed the serpent’s large head. One of us might not have been able to achieve that, but as a unit, our vampire energy was too much for the creature.

  The instant the head was off, Quin seared the stump, so it wouldn’t grow back. The other heads were easier, so my comrades saw to them while I rushed to Mirela. I saw the teeth marks on her neck that confirmed what I had witnessed.

  The hydra had bitten Mirela a split second before it lost its head. My love was human, and vulnerable to the venom. Without help, she would die within minutes. If I’d been delayed for any reason, I’d have been too late.

  But Mirela had a chance. She could live, but only if her veins were filled with my vampire blood. I’d feared that she might refuse. Having seen Lumea, she was familiar with my kingdom. I couldn’t have blamed her if she’d chosen mortal death.

  Much to my relief, Mirela had agreed. She was willing to become a vampire, so she could live—and we could be together. My fangs extended then I bit hard into my vein. I placed my wrist against her parted lips, and she began to suck.

  Mirela’s eyes closed as she drank the life-giving blood. For a few more minutes, my love was human, but that would end. I was riddled with guilt.

  It was my fault. To satisfy my lust to see her, I’d put Mirela’s life in peril. She was an innocent and should not have been pulled into the darkness. Yet it was too late for regrets. The fates had brought her to my arms, once again, and I was grateful for that.

  Mirela’s condition was evidence of her struggle to get to me. Her dress was in tatters, her hair matted, and her skin flushed. Yet she hadn’t looked more beautiful to me. She was a lovely maiden, and would remain so in my eyes—even as a vampire.

  My love was goodhearted, sweet-natured, and clever. She would have to be quite clever, as she’d escaped Silvain. That was to her credit, and I couldn’t wait to hear the story. The dark enemy had lost two prized captives in the span of weeks. He would be furious indeed.

  Mirela was limp against my arm, weak from the poison. She was a human destined to die, were it not for my offer of immortality. She would recover and live a long vampire life. But was it worth it? I’d taken the experience of living from her.

  As a human, Mirela could enjoy life in a way I’d long forgotten. She could feel pleasures that seemed foreign to me now. The birds, the trees, the sky, as well as all those she loved would appear differently to her. She would no longer be one of their kind.

  I would give it all back if I could. Would she hate me for what I’d done? She might, and I’d have no defense against it. My heart wrenched at the thought of losing her love.

  I couldn’t deny my nature; I’d been born of evil. Yet Mirela had seen beyond that and had found a way to love me. That love might be ruined. I’d given in to my desire for her, appeared in her realm. That selfish act had resulted in her losing the life she’d known.

  Mirela drank from my wrist and nestled against me. My adoration for her had no limits. She was strong and brave to have ventured into this godforsaken forest. That she’d survived was no thanks to me. Only now was I able to offer protection.

  I gazed at her flawless skin, her graceful neck, and her slender form. My eyes returned to the vein pulsing at her throat. The scent of her aroused my baser instincts. I craved her and wished to drink her blood as she drank mine.

  I wouldn’t have that chance while she was human. It was a delicacy that I wouldn’t partake of. Soon Mirela would be as much vampire as I. Her blood would be as sweet to me, but not sustaining in the way human blood was.

  I didn’t know how the change would affect Mirela. It was impossible to predict how she would react to becoming a vampire. Would she retain any human characteristics? I hadn’t often created vampires, having left that to others.

  But I’d witnessed a variety of reactions to the change. Power could go to one’s head, and immortality might permit one to feel like a god. Those issues were woven into the fabric of my kingdom, and were reasons for much of the upheaval.

  Seeing Mirela so close to death had been a knife to my soul. She’d been on the brink, nearly beyond my reach. The knowledge that I’d almost lost her horrified me. How could I have let that happen? Why did I let it go that far?

  I vowed to change, to be better. Mirela would be stronger in her new state but wouldn’t be immune to all dangers. I would ensure that she was safe, and I swore not to repeat my earlier mistakes.

  Mirela drank, her thirst insatiable. Her mouth was suctioned to my wrist as she took gulps of my blood. I would be
weak and need to feed—but it was a small price for saving her life. Her cheeks were no longer flushed and her body no longer limp.

  In my arms, Mirela transformed. Each taste of blood drew her closer to the vampire state. I sensed her strength and felt her power. She was restored with each gulp, revitalized and made healthy as my blood filled her veins.

  I’d been so engrossed in the process, and in my musings, that I hadn’t given thought to my comrades or the army faction nearby. They’d moved off to give Mirela privacy and to avoid distracting me from her. Having taken care of the imminent danger, they remained on guard to ensure our safety.

  Mirela’s eyes opened, and I gazed into their emerald-green depths. She was no longer human. Her eyes had a preternatural glow and her skin was pale, suited to the darkness. She was very much alive.

  I helped her to sit up, although it wasn’t needed. Mirela looked at me, then rose from the ground. She took a couple of tentative steps, as if trying out her new body. She appeared a bit uncertain of her state.

  Mirela stared into my eyes. “Am I…a vampire now?”

  I stood before her. “Yes, my love. You have been transformed. How do you feel?”

  “Normal…only better,” Mirela said. “I was very sick from the poison, but as soon as I began drinking your blood, that went away. I feel strong now.”

  “You’ll need to adapt and learn about your vampire skills,” I said. “But for now, it’s best to take time to acclimate to the new state.”

  The others looked on as Mirela spun around, looking up at the sky and over at the lake. She was as stunning as she had been as a human—only more so. Her body was firm and strong, her gaze intent. When she spoke, there was power in her voice.

  But Mirela was still a woman, albeit a supernatural one. I took her hand then strolled beside the lake. My comrades had cleaned up the mess, so the waterfall had been restored to a blue-and-white vision.

  “I wish we’d had more time to talk,” I said, “before your transformation.”

  Mirela lifted my hand then kissed my fingertips. “We are together. That’s what matters.” She looked up at me. “What more could we have said? I would have died if you hadn’t saved me. There was no other choice.”

  It did wonders for my spirits to see that Mirela didn’t hate me after all. “Do you resent being forced into this?”

  Mirela smiled. “That’s where you’re wrong. I wasn’t forced. I searched for you, remember?”

  “You will have to tell me that story. But I was informed that you were abducted from the human realm.” I paused. “That’s hardly something you chose.”

  “I had to cross into this kingdom,” Mirela said. “There was no other way. I angered powerful enemies, began to learn too much. I was a threat that couldn’t be tolerated.”

  “I see.” I squeezed her hand. “You don’t think it’s just that Silvain saw a use for you, that he intended to bribe me or worse?”

  “You’re probably right,” Mirela said. “I didn’t stay in his castle long enough to find out.”

  “That’s where he kept you?”

  “Yes…you didn’t know?”

  I found a flat rock and motioned for Mirela to sit beside me. “There is much I don’t know. But there will be plenty of time for you to tell me.”

  “I’m glad of that, as I’ve waited so long to be with you again. I admit that there were times when I didn’t think I ever would.” She touched my jaw. “And now that I’m here, it seems like we haven’t been apart—as though you were always with me.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  Mirela laughed. “Of course it’s good. Don’t you know anything?”

  “I know one thing…you were always in my heart.” Then I hesitated. “I must tell you something.”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “Now that you’ve drunk my blood…you must stay here with me.” I watched Mirela’s expression to see how she took the news. “You cannot go back to your realm, as you might have hoped. You will have to remain in Lumea.”

  Mirela wrinkled her brow. “But I must visit. My mother will be distraught that I’m missing. Surely I’ll be able to go see her, and my friend Lana, too.”

  “That can be arranged,” I said. “But you can’t stay indefinitely. It won’t be feasible to live aboveground for more than a few weeks at a time.”

  “I have a question for you, though.” Mirela’s tone had changed, and she seemed annoyed.

  “What is it?”

  “Why didn’t you appear in my dreams? I waited so long and did all that I could. But you failed to show up, and I demand to know why.”

  “Trust me, I wanted to,” I said. “And I would have. But I was locked away in one of Silvain’s prisons. I was able to enter one of your dreams, as you might recall?”

  Mirela nodded.

  “But my jailers would have none of it. I was…otherwise occupied during my stay.”

  “Were you mistreated?”

  I took Mirela’s hand. “Shall we change the subject? You’ve just gone through quite an ordeal. You don’t need to hear about mine.”

  “For now, I’ll accept that. But I want to hear it all.” Mirela’s green eyes glowed. “I refuse to be shielded from the truth. I demand to hear about it, and from now on, you mustn’t keep things from me.”

  That was going to be a challenging task. “It’s in my nature to protect you.”

  “And you’d do a better job of it, if you didn’t exclude me.” Mirela lifted her chin. “If I’d known more about your kingdom beforehand, I’d have been better prepared. As it was, I had to cope.”

  I stared at Mirela, accepting her strength and willing to agree to her request. She had my blood and was bonded to me. She deserved to know, even the unpleasantness of my kingdom. After all, it was her realm as well as mine.

  I opened my arms, then Mirela leaned against me with her arms around my waist. When she looked up, she ran her fingers through my hair and placed her palm against my cheek.

  I pressed my lips to hers in a gentle kiss. “I love you,” I said, then I kissed her again.

  “I love you too,” Mirela whispered against my lips.

  For a while, I held her in my arms, filled with joy to have her in my embrace. Whatever was to come, we’d face it together. Destiny had guided us, and we’d found each other at last. Even death hadn’t been able to rip us apart, and the future was ours to create.

  CHAPTER 30 – MIRELA

  Draven wrapped me in his arms, and I melted into his embrace. I’d wanted to be together for so long. Finally, I could touch him, kiss him, and press against him, relishing the safety. Holding him close was all I wanted. It was a relief to know that he’d escaped prison, so was alive and well.

  In a realm filled with the unexpected, Draven was the center of my world. It would take some adjusting to get used the idea that I was no longer human. I’d done the right thing—the only thing I could. The sacrifice of my humanity had brought us together.

  I was convinced that was our destiny. The transformation had been far less traumatic than imagined. As a vampire, I didn’t feel much different on the inside. In my heart, I’d been unchanged, except to love Draven more.

  But physically I had evolved into an immortal form, like a butterfly breaking free of its silky cocoon. It had been a remarkable metamorphosis. And the wondrous process had freed me of vulnerabilities, constraints that I’d become accustomed to.

  My body was flexible yet strong. Mentally, I was sharper, as my senses had been heightened. I couldn’t wait to test the limits of my abilities. My capacity for healing had soared. I wiggled my toes then looked down at my feet, noticing that they were uninjured.

  “What are you looking at?” Draven said.

  “I’m amazed. I’d gone barefoot so long that my feet were raw.” I pointed. “But look…my skin is fully renewed.”

  Draven smiled. “Yes, you’ll get used to the rapid healing, one of the benefits of your new state.”

  It was a
special moment, realizing my potential as a vampire. And that I was with Draven, no longer alone and fending for myself. But I was not as naïve as I might have seemed. It was not lost on me that the kingdom was in the middle of a war. I’d learned enough from Iris to know that there would be more to deal with, before Draven and I could live in peace—if that was even achievable.

  “I’m glad that I have you to guide me.” I took Draven’s hand. “There will be a lot that’s new to me.”

  “As much as I’d like to stay here longer, for you to tell me all that’s happened,” Draven said, “it’s wise to get going. I’m not overly fond of this area.”

  “Yes, we should leave. Whatever beauty captivated me has been overshadowed by the evil that inhabits this place.” I didn’t make a move to go. “But tell me first…how did you find me?”

  “I was determined to save you, but for a while it was very worrisome,” Draven said, then proceeded to tell me of his ability to watch me from a distance.

  “You saw all that happened?”

  “Not nearly all.” Draven rolled a shoulder. “I feared that I’d lost you for good.”

  I frowned. “How so?”

  “There was a barrier, a force field of some kind.”

  I raised my hand. “Yes, there was…protecting Silvain’s castle. But I got free.”

  “I commend you for that,” Draven said, “as that’s the reason I was able to find you again—and not a moment too soon.”

  “There is so much to share, so much to know,” I said. “I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity to do so.”

  “Yes, my love.” Draven stood then reached for my hand. “Shall we?”

  I stood, too, but had a thought. “Can you do it now? Wherever I go, will you be able to see me?”

  Draven shook his head. “That’s doubtful. I haven’t done so with vampires, only humans. Even then, only if I had a unique bond.”

  I smiled. “That’s probably a good thing. I’m not sure I’d want you watching everything I do.”