“Coming right up.” He fixed her a large slice with whipped cream.
She made a sound of pleasure after the first bite. “I hope it’s not bad manners to think your own food is so delicious, but seriously, that’s what chocolate cake should taste like.”
He cut a piece for himself and joined her at the table. “You’re very talented with sweets.”
She shrugged. “You know what they say, if you find something you enjoy doing, it’s not really work. I love creating all those wonderful things. Not to make it sound all lofty and important, but it kind of feels like art to me.”
“I’d agree. What you do with sugar and eggs and chocolate? Definitely worthy of being admired.”
“Actually, what I like best about it is making people happy. My mom was a baker. She made cakes, never had a shop, just did it out of our house. Until she got sick.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Cancer.” She told him about her dad and how’d he left and remarried, and how she’d told him off at the wedding.
Stanhill scowled. “Sounds like the right bastard deserved it. Good for you.”
“It wasn’t my finest hour, but he did sort of deserve it. He really let us down.” She poked at the cake with her fork. “Did you have family that you had to leave behind when Hugh made you a rook?”
“My family was all in service at different households. My mum and dad were taken by the plague. My older sister was in France. She was a ladies’ maid and traveling with the family she served.” He stared at his plate. “I saw her once after I was turned. Tried to explain what happened, but she didn’t want anything to do with me.”
He smiled weakly. “That was centuries ago. Water under the bridge, as it were.”
“Is it hard?”
“What’s that, love?”
“Outliving your friends?”
He nodded, then stopped. “It was at first. But since we’ve been here, not so much. That’s why there are so many supernatural folk here. Like kind and all that. Most of ’em tend to have much longer lifespans than your average human. Makes things easier.”
“That’s good.”
“It is.”
She pushed her plate away. “I’m going out to the garden. Enjoy the last bit of sun while I can. Do you have any idea where Captain is? I thought I might take him out there with me.”
“Last I saw he was headed into the living room. I put his new cat bed in there.”
She stared at Stanhill. “You bought him a cat bed?”
“Three, actually. There’s one in the library and one in Hugh’s sitting room.”
She laughed. “I’m glad you like him so much. Makes me feel good.”
“He’s a sweet creature.”
With a smile, she wandered into the living room and found Captain curled up in his new bed, which looked to be burgundy velvet with gold trim. “Fit for a prince,” she muttered.
She scooped him up and sniffed his toasty head, all warm from sleep. “Let’s go get some fresh air, Cappy.”
Sunlight and gentle breezes spilled through the garden. Flowers were in fragrant bloom, and the soft buzz of insects sounded like a chorus. To her amped-up senses, it was a wonderland. She put Captain down to roam. He immediately began stalking something in the tall, feathery grasses that bordered a small pond in the back.
She sat on the steps that led down to a serpentine section of pavers. Her last glimpse of the sun. Sure, she’d see it through the windows as long as she was safely tucked in the shadows, but this was the last time she’d feel it on her face. The last time she’d sit beneath its rays and soak up its warmth.
A price to pay, but not such a large one that it changed her mind. Life with Hugh offered so much more.
Orange and coral streaked the sky, and little by little the light disappeared. Captain had settled into a patch of flowers, wide awake as he watched a bug crawl through the dirt. The door opened behind her.
She didn’t have to look to know it was Hugh. She turned and smiled. “I knew it was you without even looking. I realize the odds were low that it was anyone else, but it was like…I could sense you.”
He nodded. “It’s the bond between us forming. It will strengthen even more tomorrow.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
He sat beside her, closed his eyes and inhaled. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“How was your day as a rook?”
“Sadly, I slept most of it. Then I spent the rest of it eating.”
He laughed. “Sounds about right.” He dug into his pocket, pulled out a little blue velvet box and held it out to her. “I have something for you.”
She took it. “What is it?”
“You’d already know if you’d opened it.” He kissed her temple. “It’s the magic I promised you.”
She snapped the lid back and gasped. “Oh, it’s magic all right. Oh my.”
“Does that mean you like it?”
“It’s stunning. And outrageous in the best possible way. This can’t be my…is this my engagement ring?”
He nodded, took the ring from the box and shifted to face her, putting one knee on the ground. “Delaney James, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
She clapped a hand over her mouth. This was so real she couldn’t breathe. Tears filled her eyes, blurring the diamonds and sapphires into one big glittering mass. “Yes,” she managed. “Yes.”
“Don’t cry, sweetheart.” He slipped the ring on her finger.
“You crazy, ridiculous man. It’s so big and sparkly, and that diamond is enormous. Enormous. It’s too much. No, it’s not. Actually, it’s perfect, but I feel a little guilty liking a ring that’s this over-the-top so much. It must have cost a freaking fortune. I love it. I love you. Thank you. Holy rock candy, it’s enormous.”
“I love the way you ramble when you’re nervous.” He laughed as she stared at her hand. “I’m very happy you like it.”
“Who wouldn’t like this? You weren’t kidding about spoiling me.”
“And it’s only the beginning.” He sat beside her. “The ring was made by a fae jeweler and has been imbued with all sorts of protection spells.”
She looked at the ring with fresh eyes. It didn’t feel like it had any magic in it, but maybe she was still too human to tell. “So this is going to get me through the transition?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
He sounded confident. Mostly. She lifted her chin, wanting to give him some of her own certainty. Because she believed. How could the universe not want them to be together? They were perfect for each other. “Well, then. I’m ready when you are.”
Hugh had vowed never to attempt the turning again, and yet here he was, about to do just that. Delaney lay on his bed, her smile eager. Her ring sparkling with the magic Willa had crafted into it.
Enough magic that he’d felt it when he’d first touched the ring. That alone should have quelled the last of his reservations, but it wasn’t until he saw the look of determination on Delaney’s face that he finally stopped questioning whether or not they should continue.
“Everything okay?”
He nodded. “I was just thinking.”
“You’re going to give me the speech about how I can still back out of this, aren’t you? Because while being a rook is pretty cool, I want to be your equal.” She winked at him. “Also, your baby mama, but that’s for later.”
“You are a strange and wonderful creature, Delaney.” He took her hand. “I wasn’t going to try to talk you out of the final step.”
“Then what was the serious look on your face about?”
“I was thinking that I have no more reservations. It’s clear now that Juliette’s body betrayed her. Her inability to survive the change had nothing to do with me. You’ve taken to it exceedingly well. On her second day, Juliette was pale and weak and barely rose from her bed. You, however, have a glow about you. The change has somehow made you ev
en more beautiful.”
Delaney smiled shyly. “I was pretty surprised by that myself.”
“My only concern is how many men I’m going to have to scare off once your turning is complete.”
She laughed. “Now you’re just being silly.”
“Trust me.” He kissed her knuckles. “And now, with the added protection of the magic in the ring, my fear is gone.”
She pulled him down to her. “Then do it. Bite me and let’s get this new life started.”
His fangs pierced his gums, his desire for that new life just as strong. “As you wish.”
In minutes, he’d completed the final step, and as the wounds on his wrist healed, he kissed her lips. “Sleep well, my love.”
She smiled, her lids heavy already with the drowsiness brought on by the turning. “See you on the other side, baby.”
Baby. She’d never called him that before. No one had, that he could recall. The word was sweet and silly and caused a fierce surge of protectiveness to rise up in him.
He stayed at her side as she drifted off. Watched as the color drained from her and she went ashen. As startling as that was, he knew it was part of the process. Both his brothers and Juliette had done the same.
In four or five hours, the turning would be complete. He pulled a chair near the bed and settled in, his only desire now to be at her side and be the first face she saw upon waking in her new life.
At the second hour, Stanhill stuck his head in. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Brandy? Blood?”
“Brandy. I fed at Sebastian’s.”
Stanhill returned with the drink. He refilled it on the third hour. Hugh drank, reveling in the thoughts of the things he would show Delaney, how he would spoil her with experiences and find new joy in life through her eyes.
At the fourth hour, Hugh’s anticipation lived on his skin. The tiniest sound brought him to full alert. He searched her face and body for signs of life, but she still lay like the dead. No pulse. No breath. All part of the turning. He knew that. But knowing didn’t help.
Captain sauntered in and sat by Hugh’s chair. Hugh scratched the animal’s head until he left again.
Hour five came and went, bringing nothing but a return of the fear Hugh thought behind him. He paced the room. Stopped twice to check that her ring hadn’t somehow slipped off.
Finally, he sat beside her and clutched her hand. Her cold, lifeless hand.
Stanhill hovered at the door. “Every turning is different.”
Hugh said nothing. This turning seemed very much like the last one he’d been a part of.
Hour six dawned, and the sun’s imminent rise announced itself with the delicate irritation of his skin. It was nothing compared to the ache in his soul. He couldn’t bring himself to think the truth of what had happened, to give place to the reality that his beloved was gone, but it shadowed his thoughts, lingering like a specter at the edge of his mind.
Another half an hour, and there was no way to deny what had happened.
Again.
He went numb with pain as his reason to live slipped away.
Finally, at hour seven, he stood.
Stanhill was at his side. How long the rook had been there, Hugh had no idea. “She’ll come around, you’ll see.”
Hugh had no words. No hope. No desire to endure this pain again. He bent and kissed his sweet Delaney one last time. “Goodbye, my angel. I am so sorry.”
Then he turned and walked downstairs, vaguely aware of Stanhill’s footsteps behind him, but the man didn’t speak until Hugh reached the French doors.
“What do you mean to do, your lordship?”
Hugh stopped, his hand on the lever handle. “She’s gone.”
“I know.” Stanhill’s voice broke. “I am so very sorry.”
“So am I.” He turned the lever and stepped outside.
The sun had not yet broken the tree line, but when it did, the end would be painful but quick. He closed his eyes and pictured Delaney so that he could meet his end with her as his last thought.
Stanhill gasped.
A hand grabbed Hugh’s arm and pulled him toward the house.
He spun, grief and anger driving him. “Stanhill, do not—”
“Hugh.” Delaney stood before him, eyes luminous with fear. “What are you doing?”
He gaped at her for one long moment. “I thought you were…” He swept her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. “My darling.” He almost choked on the words. “So much time went by, and I thought you hadn’t survived.”
She pulled away, holding his face in her hands. “Well, I did.”
He kissed her, but she pushed at him. “Hugh!”
“What?”
“The sun?”
Stanhill yanked them back inside as the first rays hit the deck. “Is it possible for a rook to die of a heart attack? Because the two of you are going to be the death of me, I bleedin’ swear.”
He shut the door and glared at them.
“Nice to see you too, Stanhill,” Delaney said.
He smiled. “Very happy to see you, miss. Can I get you anything?”
“How about that other steak?”
“You’re going to need more than steak, but I’ll let Hugh handle that while I fix you your second meal.” He headed for the kitchen. Captain jumped off the living room sofa and followed him.
Hugh kissed her soundly as he eased her to her feet. “You scared me to death.”
She kept her arms around his neck and stared adoringly up at him. “Almost literally, apparently.” The adoration changed to scolding. “I can’t believe you were going to walk into the sun like that. What if I hadn’t woken up in time? Or made it down here before you—”
“But you did.” His hands settled at her hips, splaying possessively over her curves. “And technically, it’s called facing the dawn.”
“Sounds like a bad romance novel.” She made a face, showing off her fledgling fangs. “One I don’t ever want to read. I only like happily ever afters.”
He laughed, the ache in his soul replaced by the glorious lightness of Delaney’s presence. “I love you. Let’s go down to the lab and get you fed.” His hands slipped from her waist to cup her backside. “I have plans for you.”
“Really? What kind of plans?”
“The kind you’re going to need a lot of energy for.”
Two days—actually, two nights—later, Delaney stood beside Hugh’s car, about to take her first nervous steps toward Main Street as a vampire. Where she would mingle with humans.
What a weird thought to get used to.
What wasn’t weird anymore was how sharp her senses were. Even at night, colors seemed oddly bright. She’d imagined Hugh having to live in some dark, muted world without his amulet, but the truth was vampire sight wasn’t like that at all.
Things were crisp and clear and she could see for what seemed like miles. Hugh came up beside her and slid his hand into hers and squeezed. She squeezed back, finding strength in the power and size of her fiancé’s hand. Her fiancé. Now there was a thought that never failed to leave her giddy.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
She nodded, but was already second-guessing herself. “What if I forget and my fangs slip down? What if my eyes glow? Maybe I should wear sunglasses.”
He pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips. “First of all, you’ve practiced, and you can control both of those things very well.”
“And second?”
“Second, this is Nocturne Falls. If you forget and let your guard down, people are going to think you’re pretending to be a vampire.”
“Right. I just feel like I’m wearing a big blinking sign that says ‘Hey, I’m a vampire!’ Which wouldn’t be much of a costume, but—” She took a breath. “Did you know the smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which trigger relaxation?”
He put his arm around her waist. “In that case, I know exactly what you need.”
He guided her do
wn Main Street in a familiar direction. “Please tell me we’re going to the Hallowed Bean.”
“We are, but now you’ve ruined the surprise.”
She stuck her hand out and flashed her gorgeous ring. “This is a surprise. A trip to the Hallowed Bean is nice, but doesn’t quite compare.”
“I set a high bar for myself, is that what you’re saying?”
She laughed. “Pretty much. But don’t worry, I don’t expect you to top this.”
He made a strange, throaty chuckle but said nothing else.
They turned onto Black Cat Boulevard and walked toward the Hallowed Bean, but Hugh didn’t cross the street like she’d expected him to. Instead, he stopped them across from the coffee shop and faced her. “Maybe I did set a high bar with that ring, but I’m hoping that you’ll like what I’m about to show you just as much.”
She stared at him curiously. There wasn’t much on this side of the street except an empty storefront with paper over its windows. “What are you up to?”
He grabbed the shop’s door and pulled it open. “Look for yourself.”
Light spilled out. She stuck her head in. The shop was large and empty, its white walls and dark hardwood floors pretty but nondescript. A sofa covered with a drop cloth and a floor lamp were all the furniture it contained. “I still don’t get it.”
He nudged her inside and pulled the door closed. “This was an insurance office, but now it’s all yours, Delaney.”
She began to tremble as the realization of what he was saying came over her. “Do you mean…” Something stuck in her throat.
“Yes. This is your shop to fill with sweets and cookies and cakes and whatever else you want to make.”
Happy tears stung her eyes. A shop of her own. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Stanhill told me what my grandmother promised you and how you turned it down for me. There was no way I could let you give up your dream like that.”
With a soft sob, she hugged him, kissing his face and mouth with delirious abandon. “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He grinned and held her tight. “I want my wife to be happy.”
“I am. More than I ever thought I could be. And not just because of the shop but because of you. I had no idea stealing someone’s identity could be so rewarding.”
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride Page 23