by Brooklyn Ann
Bethany supposed she should feel ruined, but instead she felt fulfilled. Even more importantly, she felt hope.
Chapter Twenty-two
Justus grinned as he and Bethany left Halfax Hall far more enrichened than when they’d arrived. They now carried two packs. One filled with clothes, and another with books, a cooking pot, spoon, fork and other useful items as well as enough food for Bethany to last a week. He’d even found a bedroll so Bethany would no longer have to lay on a hard surface. But more importantly, they left with the culmination of their love.
He frowned. Well, not quite. They still needed to be wed. Hell, they still needed to find sanctuary and a home to call their own. Even more pressing was the need to find shelter for the day. Justus wished they could have spent one more night at Halfax Hall, but it would be too dangerous as well as more difficult to ensure the servants only retained the vaguest of memories of their visit.
Running was slightly more difficult with the extra baggage, but Justus managed, stronger from feeding from the Halfax servants. He slowed as he glimpsed firelight in the distance and heard exotic music.
It was a Roma encampment. That took care of food for him at least.
But just as he began to head in that direction, a voice echoed from a nearby tree. “Not so fast, Rogue.”
Justus froze as a vampire with the dark hair and eyes of the Roma people dropped from the tree to stand before him.
He backed away, holding Bethany tight. “Please, let us pass. I do not wish to make trouble.”
The vampire cocked his head to the side, “And where are you going with this sweet morsel?”
Though something in the vampire’s eyes compelled honesty, Justus only answered partially. “Somewhere where we can be wed and become citizens.” He did not mention his destination.
The vampire chuckled. “An ambitious journey, to reclaim legitimacy, though I can see why that is a necessity.” His gaze flicked to Bethany. “And do you know the sort of man you’re eloping with?”
Bethany remained silent and Justus praised her for her courage and wisdom in refusing to answer a trick question.
The vampire chuckled. “I can see that you do.” He met Justus’s eyes. “Quite illegal, but I understand that you have no choice unless you wish for her to become a rogue too.”
Justus nodded curtly. “Who are you and what do you want?”
“I’m Luca of the Roma.” He bowed with mock flourish. “And a rogue as well.”
Justus relaxed slightly. That meant he would not be arrested at least, though there was still danger. Many rogues were prone to attack others. “I’m Justus, of nowhere. And this is Bethany. You did not answer my second question.”
“At first I wanted to ensure my tribe’s safety and satisfy my curiosity, which is still not sated.” Luca said. “I presume you wished to feed on one of my camp?”
“Yes, but as those people are clearly protected, I shall seek my meal elsewhere.” Justus turned to take them in the opposite direction.
“Wait,” Luca said. “What do you have to trade?”
Justus shook his head. “Very little, I’m afraid.”
“I disagree.” Luca smiled. “Aside from the two packs you carry, you must have a marvelous story, to be so far from Rochester and taking an escaped lunatic to Cornwall so you can wed her.”
“How did you—”
Luca laughed. “There is only one rogue vampire with hair of that shade, and only one place someone of your sort could hope to find haven. As for the beauty? The sketch in the newspapers favors her greatly. They do love a sensational story.”
Unease swirled in Justus’s gut at the fact that so much of his situation had been deduced, even if Luca seemed jovial. He blinked at him in disbelief. “Are you offering me the right to feed in exchange for my story?”
The Roma vampire nodded. “I’ll offer you shelter as well, but only for one day. This camp is not large enough to support more than one vampire for long.”
Not knowing where the next village was, Justus could only bow his head with cautious gratitude. “I thank you for the kindness.”
Luca chuckled. “And I thank you for the diversion you provide. There is one thing, though. My people will not look kindly upon an unwed couple out and about unchaperoned. We are a decent people, contrary to what the Gadjos say.”
Justus sighed. “With me being a rogue, and her a fugitive, we can hardly secure a special license and find a vicar.”
The vampire regarded them with sympathy. “I understand. However, you can be married tonight in the Roma way. It won’t be recognized under English law, but it would make you more welcome among my people, and at least be something until you are settled.”
Justus frowned. “Why are you helping us anyway?”
“Rogues should help each other out once in awhile.” Luca clapped him on the shoulder. “Besides, I do love circumventing the law. Both human and vampire.”
Heart in his throat, Justus looked down at Bethany. He’d understand if she refused, yet it would sting.
Her lips curved in a smile reminiscent of the dawn. “A gypsy wedding? My mother would faint.”
Luca frowned. “We prefer to be called Roma.”
She looked down, abashed. “My apologies. A Roma wedding.”
“Is that a yes?” Justus asked tentatively as he set her on her feet.
She nodded. “Who knows when we shall have another opportunity? It is a pity that I do not have a gown.”
Luca shrugged. “The women of the camp may be able to help. Follow me.”
While still on guard, Justus and Bethany allowed the vampire to escort them to the Roma encampment, where they were greeted with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Luca explained to them that Justus had kidnapped Bethany to wed her, and before Justus could argue, the people broke out into smiles and cheers. He’d forgotten that bride kidnapping was a custom among these folk. Luca continued, but this time he spoke in Romani, so Justus couldn’t discern what he’d said. Whatever it was seemed to put the people further at ease.
The women hauled Bethany away into one of the caravans to prepare her for the ceremony while Justus joined Luca in his.
“Do they know what you are?” he asked when they were alone, looking at the covered windows.
Luca shook his head. “They know that I am different, but that it is forbidden for me to speak about it. I never stay with one tribe long enough for them to notice that I do not age. Truly, it is a good life for a rogue vampire. The rest of our kind pay no attention to nomadic societies. But other rogues are too blinded by their prejudice to think of it. Perhaps that’s a good thing, since as I’d said, these tribes really could not safely sustain more than one of us. But perhaps you could find a tribe.”
Throughout Justus’s centuries in England, he’d only noticed the Roma in a periphery manner. Embarrassment filled him at his longtime ignorance. When he’d been exiled from Rochester, the thought of joining the Romani never occurred to him. “If I was on my own, I’d consider it, but Bethany will have enough of a challenge learning how to be a vampire when I Change her. I’m reluctant to add learning a new culture to her trials as well. Besides, we both love books and hope to one day have a home full of them.”
Luca grinned. “I understand. That is one of the things I dislike about living among the Roma. We only get new books when we encounter other tribes to trade with. Speaking of trading…” His eyes gleamed with interest. “Tell me your story.”
Justus sighed and did so, trying to speak as quickly as possible. Still, he was shifting with impatience to leave the caravan and make certain Bethany was all right.
Luca shook his head in wonder. “My God, you’re in quite the… what do you Gadjos call it? Sticky wicket.”
“Indeed.”
The rogue vampire patted his shoulder. “I hope you make it to Cornwall safely. I’ll ask the tribal elders to bless you.”
“Thank you.” Doubtless, they needed it.
When they left th
e caravan, Bethany was already waiting, dressed in a long, ruffled lavender skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was braided, tied with matching lavender ribbons. No jewels or other adornments graced her neck or wrists, unlike the other women of the tribe, but the love in her eyes made her beauty outshine them all.
The ceremony was short, with one of the patriarchs of the tribe saying some words in Romani and swinging a brazier of incense over them while they stood with their hands joined. When the people broke out in cheers, Justus took it as confirmation that they were wed.
The men offered him congratulations in both English and Romani, as well as wishes that his bride would be fertile. Justus smiled with a touch of bitterness. She likely was fertile, but he was not. He’d never contemplated children before, but now the fact that he and Bethany never could have them stung slightly. He shook off the melancholy sentiment. He was beyond lucky to have found Bethany and be joined with her at all.
The women unbraided Bethany’s hair and tied a lavender kerchief on her head. Observing the many women with similar kerchiefs and young girls with braids, Justus guessed that must be the symbol of a married woman. The sight of Bethany with one was suddenly appealing, despite his disliking of her covering her golden hair.
They were then treated to a delicious feast and music. Justus sampled all of the dishes with miniscule nibbles that his digestion would allow while Bethany ate with gusto. Justus fed on one of the people in the shadows, carefully erasing the person’s memory with an apology. They then danced to the music, laughing at their clumsiness.
Luca offered them his caravan to spend their wedding night and then day sleep. “There is a cave nearby where I go to be alone.” He smiled at both of them. “I wish you both luck, both in your marriage and on your journey. I will see you at dusk. You may hunt one more time before you leave.”
Then they were alone in the caravan, a soft bed with fresh sheets illuminated in golden light from the lanterns.
“What was it like with the women?” Justus asked, resisting the urge to toss her onto that bed at once. Instead, they both sat upon the down-filled mattress.
Bethany sighed. “They interrogated me for an eternity on my purity, making certain that I was with no other man. Then they asked if you’d offered my parents a bride price.” She chuckled. “They were so perplexed when I explained that things are done the opposite way among the Gadjos. And when they learned we both have no family, they softened, though they were merciless in washing me free of all impurities. I was afraid they’d scrub my skin clean off!” She rubbed her arms, clearly still experiencing discomfort.
Justus laughed. “I thought I’d choke on all the incense they wafted around me, and I was given a thorough cleaning as well. Luca said we could try to find another tribe to live with.” At her horrified look, he continued. “I told him we’d rather have a house and an enormous library.”
Bethany beamed, her relief apparent. “I’m pleased that we are in accord. Now enough about our Roma wedding. We do not have long before dawn.” She reached for him, eyes dilated with passion.
“If I’d known we would have our wedding night so soon,” Justus began with a touch of guilt, but Bethany placed her finger over his lips.
“Do not say something that will hurt me deeply,” she said with an enchanting half smile. “Last night was perfect. And this night will be the same.” Then she withdrew her finger and leaned forward to kiss him.
And it was indeed perfect. Like the most addicting drug, Justus couldn’t get enough of her. He yanked her onto his lap, groaning as his hardness met her softness. His tongue delved between her lips, tasting the mead she’d sipped earlier.
Slowly, he untied her blouse and reached down to caress her firm breasts. Her nipples tightened to hard little peaks beneath his thumbs, and her gasp echoes his own when she leaned forward to kiss his neck, all the while undulating against him in an erotic rhythm.
Bethany was just as eager as he was, fumbling with his shirt until he pulled it over his head and tossed it on the floor. Her hands explored him with unabashed curiosity and he was electrified by her touch.
“God, you feel so good on top of me,” he whispered, rucking up her skirts to feel more of her silken skin.
“No, you feel good.” Her hips arched against his erection and she licked her lips. “Is it possible for us to…” she trailed off with a blush.
“Oh yes,” he whispered, claiming her lips for another lingering kiss. With utmost reluctance, he lifted her off his lap to remove his trousers. When he glanced back up, his breath caught as he saw that Bethany had removed her clothing as well.
His eyes devoured her deliciously curved form, her lush breasts crowned with rosy tips, the hypnotic indent of her belly button, and the triangle of golden curls covering the treasure between her thighs.
Justus knelt before her. “First, there is one thing I must do.”
Reverently, he licked and kissed her labia and clitoris, grasping her hips to steady her when she swayed. Her arousal tasted like the nectar of the gods, her gasps and moans of pleasure a symphony to his ears.
When he’d reduced her to shudders and incoherent moans, he once more sat and lifted her on his lap. Slowly, he guided himself inside her, sucking in a breath as her tight sheath closed around his cock.
The Roma music continued to play outside, lending a primal rhythm to their movements. Bethany undulated against him like an erotic dancer as the beats of the drums set fire to their blood. Their pleasure built like a gathering storm before crashing through them like thunder and lightning. Justus buried his face in the hollow of her throat as his climax reduced him to a quivering mass.
“I love you,” he groaned, unable to say it enough. His adoration for her had become a never ending song in his heart and soul.
When at last they descended back to reality, Justus’s lust had only been slightly slaked. He made love to her twice more, the sunrise barely noted due to the blocked windows. Then he tucked her in his arms, settling the coverlet over them in the surprisingly comfortable bed.
For the first time since they set off on their arduous journey, Justus wasn’t gripped with panic as to what would happen when they made it to Cornwall. Instead, hope and joy permeated his being. Bethany was his wife at long last, and as long as they were together, all would be well.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The following evening, Bethany was stunned when the Roma people gave them gifts blankets, a little more food, salt, and other useful items for their journey. With how the women had questioned her purity and the subtle scorn in their eyes when they referred to her as a Gadji, she’d assumed that all but Kallia, the woman who’d provided her clothes for her wedding and given her a protective talisman, would only provide the bare minimum of hospitality. Not that she blamed them. Aside from the fact that she and Justus were strangers and not of their kind, the tribe had limited possessions as suited for their nomadic lifestyle. She was more than grateful for the wedding, feast, and accommodations. To receive more was a delightful surprise and she hoped that someday she could repay them.
Justus disappeared quickly to feed. As she waited for him, trying to listen to the women’s advice on making a good marriage, that strange, twitchy sense of unrest crawled over her body, making her shiver. She fought back a frown of confusion. She hadn’t felt this so severely since her day alone in the abandoned cottage, and that had been from her nightmares about Morningside. Why was she experiencing this situation now, when she was so happy?
All those unpleasant thoughts vanished when Justus returned. Bethany took a deep breath, trying to suppress those odd shivers as they said their goodbyes and walked away from the Roma with smiles plastered on their faces. Once they were out of view, he lifted her into his arms and ran with his blinding speed.
Bethany’s stomach dipped, but not as often as badly as it used to. She wondered how it would behave when she would be able to run like that. As the miles to Cornwall lessened, she thought more and more about her im
pending transformation into a vampire. Part of her warred with asking Justus if they could find another abandoned cottage to camp in so she could enjoy the sunlight a little longer. The other part wanted to get to Cornwall as soon as possible so their future was resolved and maybe her jitters would abate. Perhaps the Lord Vampire there would allow her to enjoy a day or two walking along the famous seaside cliffs and watch the sun rise over the ocean.
After an eternity of running, Justus slowed to a stop and set her on her feet. “We’ve arrived in Gloucestershire.” A broad smile illuminated his handsome face. “We could be in Cornwall in a matter of days.”
Suddenly, two dark figures tackled Justus, knocking him to the ground. Bethany was seized from behind by a pair of mercilessly strong arms.
As she watched Justus struggle, one of the shadows spoke. “Where’s your writ of passage?”
“If you thought I’d had one, you wouldn’t have tackled me,” Justus grumbled.
The other sniffed in derision. “You’ll have to come with us, Ginger.”
Bethany’s stomach dropped. These must be the vampires of Gloucestershire.
The one holding Bethany turned her around to face his implacable visage. “How much do you know about your traveling companion, girl?”
Girl? She was a woman old enough to be a spinster. Still, she answered as Justus advised. “That he is a kind and honorable traveling companion who is safely escorting me to my relatives in Bath. What of it?”
“I think she’s lying,” one of the vampires restraining Justus said.
“What is this about?” she demanded, playing her role of ignorance to her utmost. “Are you implying that he is some sort of criminal?”
“I’m afraid so,” the vampire holding her said. “You’re lucky we arrived to save you from an unsavory fate.”
“And just who are you?” she asked, challenging them to come up with their own untruth.