“I don’t need that to know you love me. I just need you,” I confessed.
He pulled my back to his chest and rested his cheek to the top of my head. “And you shall have me for forever. And I want everyone else to know that you’re mine.” His lips softly brushed my ear, sending chills down my spine.
“Will you marry me?” he asked softly.
“Of course,” I breathed.
He slid the ring down my finger and gently pressed his lips against my hand. The sparks were different now, more intense as everything we had been through had brought us closer. And for the first time in my life, I finally felt secure in his guarantee to love me forever—not because of the ring, but I just knew we were bonded forever. My life had a purpose, and my soul had a mate.
“I love you more than everything,” he whispered.
“And I love you.”
Forever was beginning to sound like a reality. I had always imagined myself as one of those girls in the fiction novels where they meet a sensual, beautiful man that seems to be different from the others. They eventually find out they are not human, but some immortal creature, whether it be a vampire, werewolf or warlock. They revolve their entire world around these creatures and yearn to become like them—but imagining it is different than experiencing it.
Not that anyone really expects to experience it—at least I never did. But here I was, resting my head against the body of a sensual, beautiful immortal creature where my world had been wrapped in to his. However, I did not yearn for immortality. They may say his pain cursed my soul, but the real curse would be eternal life.
I couldn’t imagine loving anyone other than Andrew, but I was truly frightened by his world—at least by what I had seen so far. Even with the reassurance that I would never have to take a human life, it was far too intimidating for me.
I sighed heavily as I lay my head against his chest, wondering what tomorrow or the next day would bring. It was nice and safe inside his arms, but I realized that Abrielle and his other siblings were still out there. Sooner or later his parents would discover his defect from the plan, sending more tragedy our way. Hopefully by then, his siblings would unite in order to stop the plan from happening. My mother’s true death could not be forgotten, but risking my life to free her soul would have to wait.
Several questions remained, but there were two at the forefront of my thoughts now as I gazed down at the exquisite ring that sat upon my finger. I wondered if we would ever really have the chance to marry, and if we did, would I be human or immortal…
About the Author
Samantha Shakespeare has always had an interest in history and decided to continue her education. She graduated college in 2008 and began working on Discern in 2009. She was born in Tennessee and spent the first nineteen years of her life there before relocating to Missouri, where she lives with her husband and young son.
Discern (Discern Saga, Book #1) Page 40