The Vampire's True Love Trials

by Kristen Painter

  “Really?” Tessa grabbed the bowl holding the slips of paper. “So if I were to open the rest of these, I wouldn’t find more impossible tests?”

  “Tessa, the challenges your father and I created are no different than the ones any berserker would have to face,” Magna said. “Or in Gunther’s case, did face.”

  “Let’s just be clear about this. If Sebastian attempts this, he could die. And probably will. But if he doesn’t attempt this task, that means he fails and I have to marry Gunther, so I might as well be dead. Or Sebastian could just quit and save his life, but that doesn’t end with us being together either. No matter what the decision is, we’re torn apart.” Fury snapped in Tessa’s gaze. “But so long as you two get what you want.”

  “That’s not what we want, Tessa.” Magna sighed. “But promises have been made, and Sebastian did choose to undergo this trial.”

  “He chose? Not hardly. It was thrust upon him since Gunther had already completed it.”

  Den’s lip curled. “If you hadn’t kept this relationship from us, we might have prevented that. But you did, and we acted without that knowledge to guide us.”

  Tessa held her hands up. “I never thought I would once again wish not to have been born valkyrie, but today, I do.”

  She turned into Sebastian’s arms, pressing herself against him. “I’m so sorry. I’ve done this to us. To you.”

  He stroked her hair and kissed her head. “It’s going to be all right. We’ll figure something out.”

  She lifted her head. “What?”

  “I don’t know. But we will.” He held on to her, but shifted his attention to her parents. “I understand the parameters of the challenge. I will do my best to secure the rose. Or die trying.”

  Den shook his head. “Are all vampires so dramatic?”

  Sebastian narrowed his gaze. “Life without Tessa as my wife wouldn’t be worth living. If you find that truth to be dramatic, then perhaps we share a different definition of love.”

  Den’s mouth opened, but he said nothing as Sebastian took Tessa’s hand and led her out. She clung to him all the way back to their hotel, silent except for a few angry noises and muted sobs.

  He got her into their suite, made her a cup of hot tea and sat down beside her on the sofa. He put the tea on the coffee table in front of her. “Drink that. You’ll feel better.”

  She glanced at the tea, then him. “I love you, but tea isn’t going to fix this. Unless you make a vat of it and pour it over my parents. That might make me feel better.”

  He sighed. “I know you’re angry at them, but—”

  “They’ve put us in a corner.” She twisted toward him. “Our options are you dead or you alive and me married to another man. I don’t want either one of those.”

  He put his hand on her leg. “Neither do I. But I think we can come up with a solution.”

  “How? How on earth are you going to stroll into that cemetery with the sun shining overhead and come out alive without the use of your amulet?”

  He sat back. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  She put her head in her hands. “Oh, Sebastian. What are we going to do?”

  “Run away together?”

  She peeked at him through her fingers. “As tempting as that sounds, you know the powers that be would consider that grounds for taking my sword away from me. Which means they will hunt me until they find me. I don’t want us to spend the rest of our very long lives running from them.”

  “I refuse to put you in a situation where the result is the removal of your sword. Not after what you told me. No, we have to find a solution that gives us all peace.” He tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling and tried to think through every possible scenario. The cemetery wouldn’t offer enough shade for him to make his way to the crypt and back. An overcast day might help him escape with minor burns, but they’d had nothing but wretchedly clear skies since they’d been here. Trying to shade himself with an umbrella was just foolish.

  Tessa gasped suddenly.

  He picked his head up to look at her. “What is it, darling?”

  Her eyes were bright. “What if we worked together?”

  “In what way?”

  “I’ll get the bloom and bring it to you, then you deliver it to my parents. That’s not you using magic. It’s just you…delegating. In fact, we’ll do it together, but you’ll just be the one to give it to them. And you can safely accompany me since you’ll never have to remove your amulet. Right?”

  He thought it might be cheating. And that such a work-around had a very high risk of coming back to bite them. But he also couldn’t imagine not taking any chance available to keep his beloved Tessa safe and at his side. “It would allow me to say honestly that I did not use my magic to retrieve the rose. My honor would remain intact, though perhaps only technically.”

  “So what do you think, then?”

  If it came to it, he would take full responsibility for the deception. Honor be damned. He smiled at her. “I think we have a cemetery to visit.”

  Joy was not an emotion Tessa had ever equated with the dead, but that was all she felt as she and Sebastian walked among the monuments and crypts of the Père Lachaise Cemetery. It was lovely in a peculiar, Gothic way. Even more so because they were alone. This early in the morning, the cemetery wasn’t open yet. They’d jumped the wall just before sunrise. And at this hour, the quiet was disturbed only by the rustling of leaves that hadn’t yet fallen and the gravel crunching underfoot since they’d veered off the main cobblestone paths.

  She hooked her arm through Sebastian’s. “It’s kind of beautiful here.”

  He nodded. “It is. Somber. But beautiful. And very much a place of love.”

  She glanced at him. “How do you mean?”

  “Look at the monuments people have erected in memory of their loved ones so that they won’t be forgotten. It’s staggering how much care and thought went into some of them.” His fingers trailed over the bronze door of one crypt, its surface embossed with an almost life-size guardian angel keeping watch over the family interred within.

  She smiled. “That’s such a nice way to look at all this. Although I have to say, I think Paris is making you more romantic than usual.”

  He gave her a sly look. “Are you saying I’m not normally romantic?”

  “You are, but there’s something about this city that really brings out the vampire in you. I mean that as a compliment.”

  “Then I’ll take it that way.” He shrugged. “We could come back here for our honeymoon if you like.”

  She laughed softly. “No, I think I’ve had all the Paris I can handle for a while. It’s a beautiful city, but that private island you were talking about to my father sounds like a dream come true.” She squeezed his arm with hers, happy to touch him. Happy that he would be hers forever in a very short while. “Just you and me and paradise.”

  His smile was tight, but understanding. “That’s exactly right. Absolute bliss.”

  “Hang on.” She stopped them in front of one of the small green and white lane markers and checked the map on her phone. “The crypt should be just up ahead.”

  She tucked her phone away, and they walked on until she spotted it. “Here we are.”

  He went up and tried the door. It swung open without a sound. He glanced back at her. “I guess this is a popular spot.”

  “Must be.” She joined him, and they went inside. It was cool and a little damp and smelled musty, but not overpoweringly so. Shelves on both sides held caskets, easily visible because the mausoleum had a glass and iron roof that let light in. Particularly, a center shaft that highlighted a tall but compact rosebush climbing an obelisk-shaped trellis set into a large square urn of dirt in the middle of the space.

  Black roses tinged with red edges bloomed all over the plant.

  She hugged her arms around herself. “Roses in October? It’s possible but not indoors like this, I wouldn’t think. And I’ve never seen roses with that co
lor. That much is definitely magic.”

  “I’d say so too.”

  “You think Dracula’s father is really buried here?”

  “Could be. Someone with magic is, judging by those blooms.” He looked at her. “You ready to do this?”

  She nodded. Once they cut the flower, they had to go straight back to her parents’ hotel to ensure they made it while the bloom still thrived. She pulled a half-full water bottle and scissors from her tote bag. She snipped the nearest bloom with as much stem as she could manage, then opened the bottle and stuck the rose in. “There. If that doesn’t keep it alive, I don’t know what else to do.”

  “And you’re sure you’ll be able to keep it upright in your bag?”

  “I’ll hold it while it’s in there if I have to.” She settled the bottle into her tote and put her hand on it for safekeeping. “All right. Let’s go deliver this to my parents and get on with our lives.”

  Sebastian took possession of the rose in the elevator. He held on to it as he knocked on the door of Den and Magna’s suite, all the while hoping he hadn’t missed anything. No fine print that would undo his and Tessa’s finagling to make this happen.

  Den opened the door. His gaze went to the flower, and his brows shot up. “You did it.”

  “Did you expect me not to?”

  Den didn’t answer except to say, “Come in.”

  Sebastian let Tessa go ahead of him, then followed.

  Magna came out from the bedroom. “Back so soon?”

  “I am eager to be done,” Sebastian said. He lifted the rose. “For you.”

  She took it, but her eyes slanted at Den. “Have you inspected this?”

  He waved a hand. “It’s the real thing.”

  Sebastian grabbed Tessa’s hand and squeezed, unable to contain his happiness. “So that’s it, then. I’ve passed and Tessa and I are free to marry.”

  Den pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat. Both of you.” He walked past them and took the chair opposite the coffee table. Magna deposited the rose into a glass of water, carried it over to the table, then sat next to her husband in the other chair.

  Sebastian and Tessa did as asked, staying close to each other. He met her father’s gaze. “Do you want to discuss wedding plans? Because it’s a little early for that yet. I’m sure Tessa will—”

  “Did you use your magic, vampire?”

  Sebastian had been ready for this. “No.”

  Den frowned. “Then how did you get that rose? How did you survive the sun?”

  A little sigh slipped from Tessa’s lips. “I got the rose. You didn’t say he couldn’t have help.”

  Den’s mouth twitched oddly. “Then that’s not the vampire bringing the rose to us, is it? That’s you doing it.”

  She lifted her chin. “It’s him delegating.”

  Sebastian put his hand on her knee. “Any wrongdoing is my own. It was my idea. Tessa merely went along with what I suggested.”

  Den smiled thinly. “I know my daughter better than that, vampire. It was her idea, wasn’t it?”

  Sebastian frowned. “Yes. But how else did you expect it to happen? No vampire alive can withstand the sun without magic to aid him. The task you set forth was impossible.”

  Magna stared at her hands while Den nodded. He cleared his throat before answering. “It was. And technically, you failed.”

  Tessa came half out of her seat. “I will not marry that—”

  Den lifted his hand. “Let me finish.”

  She sat down, clearly angry but willing to listen.

  Den smiled. “You did well. Both of you. Neither of you is willing to let the other suffer, and so you banded together to find a way to accomplish the impossible. Even if that meant breaking the rules. You technically failed the challenge. But technicality isn’t what the challenge was about. It was about seeing how much you two mean to each other and what lengths you’re willing to go to to protect each other.”

  Tessa leaned forward. “Are you saying…”

  Magna finally looked up, smiling. “You won. You did it. Together. The way it was meant to be done.”

  Den stood and stuck his hand out. “Welcome to the family, vampire.”

  A little dumbstruck, Sebastian stood and shook the man’s hand. “That was quite the test.”

  Den shrugged. “When you have a daughter, come talk to me.”

  Two days later, Sebastian and Tessa walked into Room 210 at Nocturne Falls General Hospital. Hugh met them at the door, his voice slightly above a whisper. “Good of you to cut your trip short.”

  Sebastian squeezed his brother’s shoulder and answered in the same low tones. “Wasn’t even a question. We came as soon as we could.”

  Delaney waved at them from the bed. “Come meet your nephew, Sebastian. You too, Tessa.”

  Tessa hugged the teddy bear they’d brought back from Paris. She went to the bedside and glanced down at the beautiful creature cradled in Delaney’s arms, and her heart clenched with love. His little eyes were closed, and tiny dark lashes rested on pink cheeks. “He’s absolutely perfect.”

  Delaney beamed down at him. “Yes, he is. I’d let you hold him, but he’s sleeping.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Tessa said. She put the bear on the small table that held more stuffed animals and several large flower arrangements. “I’ll get my chance.”

  Sebastian joined Tessa as Hugh came around to the other side of the bed. “What’s his name?”

  “George Charles Ellingham,” Hugh answered.

  Sebastian nodded. “After our grandfather and father. Very nice. Handsome lad. Well done, you two.”

  Delaney lifted her head to smile at Hugh. “I couldn’t be happier.”

  “Nor I, my love,” he answered.

  She turned to face them again and suddenly let out a gasp. “Tessa!”

  Tessa jerked back. “What? Did I do something wrong? I don’t know anything about babies.”

  Delaney laughed. “You didn’t do anything wrong except fail to mention that you got engaged. Is that a ring on your finger?”

  Tessa sucked in a relieved breath. “Yes, it’s a ring. We’re officially engaged.”

  Sebastian put his arm around her. “No date set yet, but we’re just happy to have gotten this far.”

  Hugh gave them a curious look. “You make it sound like getting engaged was a struggle.” He grinned at Tessa. “Put up a fight, did you?”

  She smiled gamely and took a breath. “Let’s just say it was more of a…”

  “Trial,” Sebastian offered.

  She nodded. “More of a trial than either of us anticipated. Sebastian met my parents.”

  “Ah,” Hugh said. “The picture becomes clearer.”

  Sebastian leaned in. “Let’s just say having Elenora and Tessa’s father at the wedding might prove interesting.”

  Hugh raised a brow at Tessa. “Is that so?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t even want to think about it. All I want to think about right now is this sweet little baby.” And when she and Sebastian might have one of their own. “But I suppose we should let you get some rest, Delaney.”

  She nodded. “Thanks, but you two must be jet-lagged. I’m so glad you came to see us, though.”

  Sebastian put his arm around Tessa and straightened. “It’s not every day you become an uncle, now is it?”

  Delaney smiled. “We’ll be home tomorrow, and you’re welcome to come over any time you like after we get settled.”

  “We can babysit, too,” Tessa offered.

  Hugh laughed. “Oh, you might be sorry you offered that.”

  “Never,” Tessa said. She gave Delaney a little wave. “See you soon.”

  Delaney wiggled her fingers. “See you soon.”

  Sebastian opened the door for Tessa, and they slipped out into the hall. He took her hand as they walked to the elevator. “How do you—”

  “Do you think—”

  He laughed. “You first.”

  “No, go
ahead.”

  They stopped at the elevator, and he pushed the button before answering. “I was going to ask how you feel about children. It’s not something we’ve ever really discussed.”

  “I would love to have children. But is that…possible for us?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking. Will you be disappointed if it isn’t?”

  “That depends.”

  “On?”

  The doors opened, and they got on. She waited until they closed. Neither of them pressed the button for the lobby, seemingly content to finish this conversation in the privacy of the elevator. “How do you feel about adoption?”

  He was quiet for a long moment. “I never thought I would marry again. Then you came into my life, and everything changed. I never thought I could be this happy. That life could have color and meaning again. If we can’t have children because our physiologies are too different, then we can’t and that’s that. But to have such an amazing life as we do and not share that with a child who might not otherwise have a chance to be loved seems…wrong.”

  Love squeezed her heart again. “Just one?”

  His smile was gentle. “How many would you like?”

  She shrugged. “More than one.”

  He reached out and tapped the button for the lobby. “Takes four to make up a fencing team.”

  She nodded, joy bubbling up inside her. “Okay. That’s a good number.”

  He laughed as the elevator doors opened. “Plus it’ll give us a fighting chance. No pun intended.”

  They walked out together. Twilight crept over the horizon, casting long purple shadows over the cars in the parking lot.

  “A fighting chance? Against what?”

  He took her hand. “Your parents. And my grandmother. We need enough grandchildren to distract them.”

  She chuckled. “You really believe in planning ahead, don’t you?”

  “It’s gotten me this far, hasn’t it?” He stopped in the middle of the parking lot and kissed her, hungry for the woman who was very soon to be his forever. He held her close. She was his everything. He would endeavor to show her that every day for the rest of their lives.

  When he finally broke the kiss, she put her arms around his neck. “It has gotten you quite a ways. And when we get home, it’s going to get you a lot further.” She winked at him. “All the way, actually.”