“Will he come after you?” I asked, referring to Samuel.
“He shouldn’t.”
“He better not.”
“No, he better not.” I heard the smile in Draven’s voice as he spoke.
Draven and Athan had a long talk while I was at work, and it seems that the revelation that Athan is bi and once loved Draven is now water under the bridge. Though, could one ever truly get over someone they once loved? Maybe if they only thought they loved them. I think Athan will once he finds his true love.
If he ever does.
It took my mother several days to grasp the fact that I was a pregnant vampire, who was dating a much older vampire. I also moved in with Draven because of the sun issue and him having blackout curtains that were programmed to go up and down when the sun rose and set. If you had asked me at Thanksgiving where I saw myself in four months, I would never have told you the story that had taken place since Christmas.
Not ever.
Draven and I sat on the back deck, sipping glasses of blood and watching the water glisten under the moonlight. I smiled to myself as I envisioned Selene looking down on us, and then I silently cheered to her. I honestly believed that I wouldn’t have had the courage to muster the strength to end Renzo.
“Ready?” Draven asked.
“Where are we going?”
He grinned. “It is date night.”
I laughed, throwing back my head. “Every night is date night.”
“I’m not talking about sex, sweets.”
“Then what are talking about?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then let’s go.” Draven stood and held out his hand.
“Are you going to tell me now?” I asked as he drove north.
“Nope.”
We drove some more.
“Now?”
“Nope.”
A few hours later, Draven took the exit for Fairbanks. “We’re going to see the Northern Lights?”
“Maybe.”
I smiled as I looked out the window at the dark sky. When Draven stopped the car, I realized we were at the same viewpoint as we were the first time we saw Aurora together.
We weren’t there for more than a minute before the lights finally lit up the sky and the green waves started. As I gazed up, I didn’t realize that Draven had dropped to a knee beside me until he said my name.
“Calla,” I looked down on him to see that he was holding up a huge diamond ring. My eyes widened, and I covered my mouth in shock. “The first time we came here, I knew I was in love with you. I might not have admitted it, but I knew at the time that I wished we had forever. Now that we do, I was wondering if you’d spend it with me? Will you marry me?”
I didn’t hesitate before I flung myself into his arms.
“Yes!”
EPILOGUE
Eight Months Later
The snow was falling as we left our house for the graveyard. My daughter, Luna, was in the backseat playing on her iPad, and Calla, my wife, was in the passenger’s side.
A lot had changed in eight months.
Calla and I married in Seattle one starry night in May in Martin’s backyard. She wasn’t able to hide the fact she was pregnant, so we made sure everyone knew.
“You’re not eating?” I heard Valencia ask Calla.
We were at Martin’s having dinner before the big night. Of course, the food was for the mortals. Martin’s three girls were all having sleepovers for the night since his house was overtaken by Calla’s family.
Calla shrugged. “Not hungry.”
I smiled warmly at Calla sitting next to me and squeezed her knee under the table.
“As your maid of honor, I’m forcing you to eat so you’re not—”
Calla abruptly dashed off—fast. Morning sickness for a vampire was different from a human since the only thing Calla could throw up was blood. Plus our mornings were at nighttime.
I rushed after her, but heard Al ask, “How did they both run that fast?”
“Sweets, you okay?”
“Same as every morning,” Calla replied as she hung her head over the toilet.
I knew the answer to my next question because it was the same response every morning. “Can I get you anything?”
“No.”
I heard footsteps coming. “We need to tell them.”
“Calla,” Valencia called and then peered into the bathroom. “Are you—is that blood?”
I turned to see her blue eyes wide. “Val—”
“It’s fine, Valencia.” Calla stood and moved to the sink to rinse out her mouth.
“How is all of this fine? You’re barfing blood,” Valencia shouted.
“I’ll do whatever you want to do,” I stated before I left the bathroom. I went back to the dining room and sat back down.
“Everything okay?” Marcy asked.
“Yeah,” I replied, and my gaze met Shauna’s. I have to say that Shauna was taking the fact that her daughter was a pregnant vampire pretty well. It was what she had wanted for Calla her whole life. Not the vampire part, but the part where her daughter was loved by someone. She smiled at me slightly to indicate she understood what was happening.
Calla and Valencia returned a few moments later. “I’m just going to say it,” Valencia started. “Calla was throwing up blood in the bathroom, and her doctor fiancé is acting like he doesn’t care.”
“You were throwing up blood?” Betha asked.
Calla’s dark gaze met mine. Fuck, I missed her green eyes. “It’s up to you,” I replied out loud to her silent question of if we should tell them.
“Tell us what?” Al asked.
“Everyone finish eating, and then we have something to tell you,” Calla replied and picked up her fork, only to push the spaghetti around on her plate.
Valencia pushed her plate away from her. “After seeing you barf blood, I’m good.”
“So dramatic,” Calla mumbled.
“I’m full as well. Thank you for the lovely dinner,” Shauna said to Marcy.
Everyone started to stand. “Not a problem. Just leave your plates, and I’ll clean up,” Marcy said.
“Since I already know what Calla is going to tell you all, I’ll do the dishes,” Shauna stated.
It was Marcy’s turn to object. “I can’t let you—”
“How about we leave it all here, and after we break the news, we all help?” I suggested. Everyone agreed and finally moved to the living room.
“All right,” Calla started. “Everyone take a seat.”
“You’re making me nervous.” Betha laughed.
“I’m more nervous,” Calla replied as she stepped closer to me.
I pulled her to my side and kissed the top of her head. “I can do it,” I offered.
She looked up at me. “I got it. Just be prepared if anyone faints.”
We both chuckled.
“I’ve got V if she faints,” Athan said to Calla and me telepathically.
Calla nodded. “Great-Grandma Gael got pregnant by a vampire named Renzo which means that we,” she motioned between herself, Al and Betha, “all have vampire venom in our veins. Renzo, in 1928, turned Draven and Athan into vampires and a few weeks ago, I almost died. Draven saved me by turning me, and The Mother of Vampires gifted us the ability to have a pure vampire baby.” Calla turned and flattened her sweater over her belly—a sweater in May—to show her growing belly.
The room was silent, and then Valencia started to laugh. “Good one. I almost believed it for a second there.”
“I’m not joking,” Calla stated. “Think about it, V. Think about you and Athan …”
Calla trailed off, and the moment it clicked in Valencia’s head, her eyes widened, and she looked at Athan, who stood
next to her.
“You’re a vampire?” she asked, looking up at him.
He nodded. “Yep.”
“We’re vampires?” Al asked.
Calla shook her head. “No, you and Betha just have vampire traits.”
“And Dad?” Betha asked.
“He had all of the traits,” Shauna stated. “He was fast, strong, and had the reflexes like a cat.”
“Can you turn us too?” Al asked.
“No,” Calla stated.
“You’re a vampire!” Valencia shouted at Athan. “Don’t you think that’s something you should tell someone you’re sleeping with?” She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move. “And you!” She spun around to face Calla. “You didn’t think to tell me that you almost died?”
The next night, Calla and I married in Martin’s backyard. Valencia was still shooting daggers at Athan, but it seemed that she had forgiven Calla. Martin married us, and everything on my end was perfect. Calla was perfect, and that was all that mattered.
“Are you going to carry me over the threshold?” Calla asked after the limo we’d rented dropped us off at the hotel.
“You bet I am.”
Athan had already checked into the hotel for us and given me the key to the room. Without further hesitation, I bent and swung Calla into my arms. Her poofy white dress went into her face, and she laughed.
“I can’t wait to get this thing off.”
I walked into the hotel and headed straight for the elevators. “I can’t wait to take it off of you.” I pressed the call button for the lift, and the doors opened. With Calla in my arms, I stepped inside and pressed the correct floor number.
“You wanna try for eight tonight?” Calla smirked and looked up at me.
“Reading my mind?” I teased. In the last few months since her turning, we had been steadily increasing the number because our sex life was electric—even if she was pregnant. At first, I was worried I would hurt the baby, but it was a pure vampire, and I assumed it would be stronger than both of us.
“Nope, but we’ve come a long way since one.”
“Yeah, sweets, we have.” I opened the door to our room and gave my wife what she wanted.
Luna grew inside Calla at a rapid rate, and Calla gave birth to her after only six months pregnant. I’d ended up keeping the ultrasound machine (after making a donation to the doctor’s office so they could replace it), and I delivered Luna into the world in a room we set up for Calla to give birth.
Looking at Luna now, in the backseat, you’d think we had her two years ago. She was already a toddler. I didn’t know when she’d stop growing because I’d never encountered one of her kind before, but I was certain she would look like an adult in a few years.
I took Calla’s hand in mine as I drove. “Are you okay, sweets?”
“Can’t believe it’s been a year already.”
“Yeah.” It had been a year since I pulled the plug on Miles. If he had gone with Donovan to Chicago, I wasn’t sure if I would have ever met Calla. Though, a part of me knew that our paths would have crossed at some point given we are soulmates.
“Do I have a present too?” Luna asked for the backseat, taking me out of my thoughts.
Calla turned to face her. “No, baby. You already opened all of your presents on Christmas.”
“Why are we doing it now then?”
Calla’s gaze flicked to mine, and I returned my attention back to the road just as I was pulling into the cemetery. “Because my daddy didn’t get to open his last year, so we’re doing it now.”
“But he’s dead.”
“He is,” Calla agreed, “but Grandma wants to do it, and that means we have to do it.”
“Fine.” Luna rolled her eyes. I wasn’t sure if I wanted her aging to speed up or slow down because I never wanted her to truly grow up.
After hugs were exchanged, Calla and her family sat in chairs that were in the shape of a half-moon in front of Miles’s tombstone. A canopy was overhead so they wouldn’t get snowed on, and a wooden platform had been placed down so the presents wouldn’t get wet. I held Luna in my arms as we watched them open each gift.
There was one more present left.
“It’s for you, Mom,” Calla said, handing her the wrapped gift.
Shauna took it, and after reading the label, she said, “It’s from your father.”
Calla nodded, and we watched as Shauna tore open the paper. She opened the box and pulled out a watch. From where I stood, I could read the back when she flipped it over. Inscribed was the sentence: I promise to love you until my last breath.
Little did Miles know that his last breath would be my beginning.
The End.
*Keep reading for a sneak peek of By Invitation Only; an erotic standalone by Kimberly.*
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear Readers,
I hope you’ve enjoyed Burn Falls. Writing a paranormal romance was new to me and I have to admit, I enjoyed it a lot. If you would be so kind to leave a review where you’d purchased this book as well as Goodreads, I would greatly appreciate it. Honest reviews help other readers find my books and your support means the world to me.
Please subscribe to either my blog, newsletter or both to stay up-to-date on all of my releases. You can find the links on my website at www.authorkimberlyknight.com. You can also follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorKKnight.
Until my next book, friends.
XoXo,
Kimberly
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I always start with my husband because he’s the one that has supported me through this journey. So, thank you and thank you for your help with Burn Falls. I appreciate it even though you said plotting makes your head hurt. I love you, you know?
To Andrea M. Long: I know I already dedicated this book to you as a thank you, but I wanted to tell you again. So, thank you for all your help and to help create Draven. When are you coming to visit me?
To my editor, Jennifer Roberts-Hall: I think we’re getting better. We’re like a well-oiled machine. Thank you for your continued help and always having my best interest at heart.
To my alpha betas, Carrie Waltenbaugh, Kristin Jones, Stacy Nickelson and Stephanie Brown: Thank you for trusting me enough to give this new genre for me a chance. I truly couldn’t have done it without all of you being there to help me along the way.
To my betas, Laura Green, Lauren Barrows and Zetoon Zafar: Thank you for making sure the story made sense and again trusting me with this new genre adventure. I appreciate the time it took you and all of your feedback.
To all the bloggers who participated in my cover reveal, release day blitz and review tour, thank you! Without bloggers, I have no idea where I would be. You’ve all taken a chance on me and my books time and time again, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
To Dyana Newton and Brian Byrne: Thank you for answering all the medical questions. I appreciate it.
To Andrea Johnston: Thank you for helping me plot a certain scene and give me the idea for warming lube. ;)
And finally, to my readers: Thank you for believing in me and taking a chance on my books again and again—even this paranormal romance that’s new to me. Without you buying my books and leaving reviews, I wouldn’t still be writing and living my dream.
BOOKS
BY
Club 24 Series – Romantic Suspense
Perfect Together – The Club 24 Series Box Set (Books #1-6)
Halo Series – Contemporary Romance
Saddles & Racks Series – Romantic Suspense
By Invitation Only – Erotic Romance Standalone
Use Me – Romantic Suspense Standalone
Burn Falls – Paranormal Romance Standalone
And more …
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling Author who lives in the mountains near a lake with her loving husband and spoiled cat, Precious. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her favorite reality TV shows, watching the San Francisco Giants win World Series and the San Jose Sharks kick butt. She’s also a two time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter that’s made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans. Now that she lives near a lake, she’s working on her tan and doing more outdoor stuff like watching hot guys waterski. However, the bulk of her time is dedicated to writing and reading romance and erotic fiction.
www.authorkimberlyknight.com
www.facebook.com/AuthorKKnight
twitter.com/Author_KKnight
pinterest.com/authorkknight
Follow her on Instagram: KimBrulee10
By
CHAPTER ONE
“So, this bitch gets in my face and demands I tell her what the fuck I’m doing with her man. Demands! Who the fuck is she, thinking she can demand I tell her shit?”
“And let me guess. You need an attorney now?” I took a sip of my cosmo.
My best friend Lorelei, and I had gone to the bar down the street from our work that we frequented almost every Friday night and sometimes for happy hour during the week. Rick’s was everything you would expect from a bar in Beverly Hills. The food was great, the atmosphere was on point, and the drinks were always perfect and made with the best liquors. But what set Rick’s apart from other bars in the area, and what kept Lorelei and I coming back, was the vodka tasting room.
It wasn’t just a room. It was a walk-in glass freezer designed solely for vodka in its purest form. They gave out faux fur coats to wear in the twenty-eight degree box, and a vodka expert spent around fifteen minutes giving tastings and information regarding the hundred or so different vodkas that were lined along white leathered shelves. It was a neat experience. Lore and I had only done it once, but since it was a glass case, we watched people do it all the time.
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