Eternal Flame

by Valerie Twombly

  “Yes, I have things to share as well.”

  He frowned. “Like what?”

  She kissed him. “I learned things from Lowan that might prove useful.”

  He picked up a strand of her hair and brought it to his nose. “You are a wise woman. We can talk later after I ravish you.” He pressed his lips against hers, sending heat to her core.

  “Marcus!”

  Cassie moaned. She recognized the voice that called from the other side of the door. Lucan. So much for being ravished.

  “Wait here while I kill him.”

  “You will do no such thing. We can pick up where we left off later.”

  He brushed another kiss on her lips. “I cannot deny you anything. He’s lucky. You have saved him a serious ass whipping.” Marcus grabbed the blanket, wrapped it around his waist and headed for the door.

  When he was gone, his warmth went with him, leaving her chilled. She placed her feet on the floor and grabbed her clothes. Might as well see what’s for breakfast. After slipping her clothes on, she exited the bedroom to find Lucan and Marcus conversing in hushed tones.

  “Come here, love,” he said holding his hand out to her. When she took it, he pulled her next to him and placed his arm around her waist. “You are a part of us now. It is your right to know what is going on.” He kissed the top of her head. “Aidyn has called a meeting. We will go back to Vandeldor as soon as you’re ready.”

  “I’m ready, let’s get this done.”

  “I’ll throw on some clothes then we can leave.” Marcus stepped from the room and returned minutes later dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt.

  Lucan opened a gateway, and the three stepped through. He had opened it directly to the king’s home. Everyone waited. Aidyn, Seth, Garin and Gwen all sat around a fire in the great room. Aidyn approached.

  “I’m glad to see you are in much better shape.” He slapped Marcus on the back. “And you, little one. I am most happy to have you back.” He kissed her cheek.

  Marcus bowed his head. “My lord, I owe you a great debt for looking after Cassie in my absence.” He looked around the room. “I owe all of you.”

  “It was our honor and pleasure. We are just happy to have you back.” Aidyn motioned. “Come join us.”

  Marcus and Cassie moved to the couch and settled in. He opened a bottle of water and handed it to her. “Go ahead, sweetheart, tell everyone what you’ve learned.”

  She took a sip. “Lowan is Eliza’s son with Drayos. He told me that my blood placed on some amulet…oh what did he call it?” She wrung her hands.

  Marcus took her hand. “Take your time.”

  “Tobor…yes, that’s it. Anyway, somehow my blood and the amulet would open a gateway for him to leave his realm and come here.” She looked at Marcus. “He intends to make us follow him or kill the human race. He is responsible for the war with the dragons.”

  “It’s worse than I feared,” Aidyn said.

  “He was going to force me to mate with him.” She touched her belly. “Said our daughter would one day kill her father.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Will I ever be safe from him?”

  Marcus pulled her close. “You’re safe, he can’t leave his realm, and neither Eliza nor Odage would dare show their faces here.” He brushed her cheek. “I’d like you to go with Gwen back to Daniel’s home while we talk. She can get you something to eat.”

  “Okay.”

  * * * *

  Cassie sat happily stuffing a cheeseburger and fries in her mouth. The sharp flavors ran across her tongue like it was gourmet food. She looked over at Gwen who watched her eat.

  “Thanks for going and getting me lunch.”

  Gwen waved a hand in the air. “Think nothing of it, anything to help my niece grow.” Gwen picked up a baby magazine and started flipping through it. “You do realize, of course, that this child will be spoiled rotten? I mean, she will be the first child born in almost two hundred years. And not just by me, mind you, but the men are already talking about the gifts they will bestow upon her. It’s actually rather funny to hear them talk about it.”

  Cassie swallowed a fry then grinned. “I have no doubt that this little girl—” She reached down and patted her stomach. “—will have several vampires wrapped around her little finger. Her father being her biggest fan.” It warmed her to think about all the love this child would receive. She knew if anything ever happened to her or Marcus, their daughter would be well taken care of—that she was sure of.

  Both women picked up their heads when a presence entered the room. Marcus stepped toward Cassie and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad to see you’re eating. Do you need more?”

  She swiped a napkin across her lips and leaned back in her chair. “No, I’m full but give me an hour or so.” She certainly had an appetite. If she kept eating like this, she would soon be so big she’d be unable to move. Already she was starting to show, her clothes too tight. Gwen had also been kind enough to bring her back something to wear along with her lunch. She hoped Marcus might take her shopping later.

  “Did Daniel’s father, Dr. Johnson stop by to see you?” Marcus took a seat next to her and pulled her hand into his.

  “Yes, he said our daughter is growing normally.”

  Marcus reached out and touched her belly. He closed his eyes, and warmth spread over her body. The same white light that she’d seen him cast on Jill when he healed her, now shimmered over Cassie’s belly. She looked over at Gwen.

  “What’s he doing?” Her voice low so as not to disturb him.

  “He is merging with his daughter. It is the gift of a healer. He can stroke her and talk to her and make sure she is alright.”

  She looked at Marcus whose silver eyes sparkled. “When you become one of us, you will be able to touch her as well.”

  Gwen cleared her throat. “I have some things I need to take care of. If you two will excuse me?” She was gone before they could even answer.

  “Cassie, I’m sure Dr. Johnson told you about the gestation period for our children?”

  Oh he had, and that’s what frightened her. “Yes, he said they grow much faster than mortal children.” Which explained her already expanding waistline. “Rather than nine months, they are born in five.” She struggled to hold back her tears. If he didn’t want to bond with her then she would have to go to Aidyn. How long should she wait?

  “Sweetheart.” He bent one knee, still holding her hand. “Will you become my wife? Will you bond with me in the tradition of my people?”

  She looked at him, tears spilling. She noticed he held his breath, waiting for an answer. “Yes, yes, I will.”

  He kissed her hand. “You realize what is involved? We will belong to each other for eternity.”

  She had been schooled already in what the ceremony entailed. She would not lie—it scared her. “I can do anything as long as you’re by my side.”

  He smiled, his eyes softening to a light gray. “I will always be by your side.” He reached into his pocket then fisted his hand. “While I’m down here…” He opened his hand to reveal a beautiful pear-shaped diamond. “Will you marry me in the tradition of your people?”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my god, I never expected this.”

  “I know how important this is to you, and if you want a big wedding then you shall have it.”

  “Yes, I will also marry you.” Tears fell like a waterfall as he slipped the diamond onto her left ring finger. “Oh Marcus, it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” A single pear-shaped diamond, set in white gold. The band started at the widest part of the pear and circled around. At the narrow end, another band circled and was encrusted with diamonds.

  “It pales compared to you.” He pulled her down onto the floor with him and kissed her, his tongue sliding between her lips, making love to her. She groaned and pressed into his erection, her core boiling with the contact.

  “Oh…Oh Christ, get a room, would ya?”

  They both stopped
to find Daniel standing over them, looking like he was ready to vomit.

  “I’m going to kill him,” Marcus whispered.

  Cassie patted him on the chest. “No, you’re not.”

  He let out a long breath. “As you wish.” Then he glared at Daniel. “Count yourself lucky.”

  Daniel lifted his shoulders. “Whatever, dude.” Then he looked at Cassie. “He’s all talk. He’s really just an oversized teddy bear."

  “I am no teddy bear,” Marcus growled as he reached for the boy’s leg. Daniel managed to make a quick escape, but that didn’t stop Marcus from yelling after him, “I’ll bleed you dry, boy!”

  She slapped him on the shoulder. “Oh stop it, you really are a big teddy bear.”

  He grinned. “That may be, but I do have a reputation to uphold. Now, back to you becoming my wife. We must perform the bonding ceremony before the marriage. It will ensure your safety. I don’t want to wait, would tomorrow be too soon?”

  “Tomorrow is perfect.”

  * * * *

  Cassie was both overjoyed and anxious about the upcoming ceremony. Aware of what would take place, but being told about it and living it were two different things entirely.

  Marcus had gone off to shower while she tapped her nails on the kitchen table, waiting for her sister Jill to answer the phone. One good thing about being back in New York, cell reception.

  “Cassie? Everything alright?”

  “Yes, I’m calling with some good news.”

  “You found Marcus?”

  “Yes…and he has asked me to marry him.” She braced herself for what she knew would come next.

  “What? Ohmigod! When?”

  “Well…”

  “Where? Oh we are going to have to go shopping and…”

  She rolled her eyes, waiting for her sister’s tirade to end so she could get a word in edge wise. “Yes, of course, we will shop. I’m not sure when or where yet. Those details haven’t been worked out.” She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell Jill yet that tonight she would actually become a guardian. She’d surprise her later.

  “I’m so happy for you. Finally, you’ll have what you’ve always dreamed of.”

  “Thanks, sis. I have to run, but I’ll call soon, and we’ll make arrangements for you to come visit.”

  “Okay. Oh hey, send me a picture of that ring. I can’t wait to see it.”

  She laughed. “I will, love you. Talk to you later.” She hit the end button on her phone then set it on the table. Picking up a baby magazine, she started flipping through it, looking at all the cute furniture. She and Marcus were going to have fun fixing up the baby’s room. She rubbed her belly and smiled. If things moved along as they should, soon she would experience her daughter’s first kick.

  She looked across the room. Aidyn, Seth, and Gwen sat playing a video game. She smiled. They were like three small children trying to outdo each other.

  Through the window, she saw Lucan pass by, he and Garin were outside checking the grounds. She should be safe but still felt vulnerable.

  Marcus entered the room, giving her the comfort she had missed. She stood and moved in his direction, but horror crossed his face as he and the others ran toward her. Sharp pain shot into her back, and she tried to suck in air before she hit the floor.

  “Cassie!” Marcus yelled.

  “Marcus belongs to me,” Eliza screamed.

  “Grab her.” Aidyn commanded.

  Liquid warmth flowed down her spine, and a haze grew over her eyes. Why was Marcus crying? Everyone looked at her with horror on their faces. Blackness covered her in a blanket.

  * * * *

  “No,” Marcus screamed.

  “You can’t have her if she’s dead. How does it feel to have the one you love taken from you?” Eliza’s face lit with joy. She had shoved the dagger deep into Cassie’s back. “Now you will watch her die, and your babe will go with her.”

  Marcus reached for Cassie’s limp body and gently cradled her in his lap. He would heal her then take immense joy in slowly killing Eliza. That was if Aidyn or the others didn’t get her first.

  “Stay with me, sweetheart.” Her eyes looked into his. They were so dull, the life draining from them.

  “S-so cold.”

  “I know, baby, it’ll be better soon. I promise.” He pulled the knife from her back. He hated to hurt her, but it had to be done. His palm covered the bleeding wound, and he closed his eyes. He searched for his power. What the fuck? He tried again, nothing. Cassie gasped for breath, her lips blue.

  Eliza laughed. “Your power’s not working, I’ve blocked you. You’re as weak as a human now.”

  “Where the fuck is she?” someone yelled. “Eliza is cloaked somehow.”

  Cassie’s life was fading, and he could do nothing to save her. He was a failure, again. “Eliza, let me save her, and I’ll go with you.”

  She laughed. “I think I’d rather watch you suffer.”

  “You fucking bitch.” Aidyn yelled out. “Where are you?” A burst of energy raged across the room, glass shattered.

  Marcus concentrated, whatever Aidyn had done worked. His power burst from his soul to his fingertips just as his love took her last breath.

  “No. No. No!” The pain too much, he couldn’t live without her. His soul fragmented, and the darkness spread. His fangs extended, claws grew from his fingertips. Evil spread through his blood, no longer a guardian.

  He was now a killing machine.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Cassie floated, reaching for the light. Happiness waited for her if she could touch it. Something stopped her. Why couldn’t she reach the light? She tried harder, willing her body to cooperate; instead, she moved backward. Farther away from the warmth she wanted so desperately.

  Her lungs ached, burned. Why did death hurt so much? Maybe she wasn’t going to heaven. Maybe the reason she couldn’t reach the light was because she was being sucked backward, back to hell.

  She took a deep breath as pain seared through her body. Her lashes flew open only to fuse shut again. The whiteness was too much, it burned her retinas. She cried out as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

  “Give it a moment. Your body needs time to adjust.”

  The voice was male but not one she recognized. It soothed and calmed her nerves. “Where am I?”

  “You are in a place of peace. Come, child, let me help you to sit.”

  Strong hands grasped her arms and pulled. “There, now slowly open your eyes.”

  She obeyed, looking through slits and letting the brightness invade her. Once she became accustomed, she opened them farther. Moving her gaze up, she saw where the voice came from.

  The man was more than six feet tall and wore a linen skirt. His skin deeply tanned and well defined. Eyes, the color of a Caribbean sea, stared at her. They were lined in black kohl. His raven hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck. She blinked. He was stunning.

  He smiled. “Hello, Cassandra Jensen. My name is Zarek.”

  She gasped, recognizing the name. “The Zarek?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest, raising one eyebrow. “Is there any other?”

  Her gaze dropped to the ground. “N-no, I guess not. So I am dead then?”

  “Look at me.”

  She raised her eyes to meet his.

  “No, you were dead for a moment, but no longer.”

  She wasn’t sure what that meant. Perhaps in heaven she was alive in another sense. Different than before. Funny…she didn’t feel different. Touching her stomach, she asked, “What about my daughter?”

  Zarek scoffed as if offended. “Really? Do you think I would save you, to let your daughter die?”

  “Um no, I guess not, but how am I supposed to know that?” Stupid, probably should not have said that. “I don’t mean to appear ungrateful, I just…well, it’s…I guess I’m a bit confused is all.”

  His eyes softened. “I can understand your confusion, but you must regain your wits and quick
ly.”

  “Why, what do you mean?” Now that her vision was finally clear, she looked around. “Where is Marcus?”

  “He is why you need your wits. I brought you back from death. Now you must save him from the darkness.”

  She swallowed, and a thousand nails slid down her throat. “What’s happened? Where is he?”

  “He is safe for now, I have him locked up. When you took your last breath, he snapped. The darkness spread, and he can think of nothing but killing.”

  A sob caught in her throat. “How can I help him?”

  “He is dark, you are light. Let him drink from your light.”

  She thought a moment. What the fuck is he talking about? Then realization hit. “I need to feed him. Will he come back to me then?”

  Zarek nodded. “Yes, but he will always struggle with his darkness now. You are his eternal flame, you will center him.” He reached out and took her hand. “You will bond with him and become a guardian. Together, your healing powers will save many lives in the war to come.”

  “But I can’t heal, not like Marcus.”

  Zarek flashed his white fangs. “You will become a healer soon enough. Now, your mate awaits you.”

  “Wait! Why don’t you stop Lowan? You can save my people.”

  “That is what I am doing.”

  Darkness slid over her and wrapped itself around her like a thick blanket. There was no fear this time, she’d grown accustomed to being flashed. There was also the knowledge that she was going to Marcus, and she would repair his shattered soul.

  The cave was dimly lit, a pool of water sent steam rising like ghosts floating through the air. Marcus sat with his back to her, staring into the water.

  “Marcus.”

  His head swung around, damp hair slapping his face. His eyes were no longer like cut steel but more like molten lava. She was not afraid, even though he bared his fangs and hissed. He would not harm her, she believed that.

  “I’ve come to help you.” She took a step closer to him. “Do you know who I am?”

  He cocked his head to the side then smirked. “You’re my next meal. I will kill you then find my way from this hole in the ground. I understand there are more of your kind out there.”