Accidentally Married to…a Vampire?(Accidentally Yours #2)(58)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

In all his years, Viktor had never behaved in such a sentimental manner. It was odd, to say the least, but perhaps he was simply overwhelmed with joy. Or maybe…“You’re going to look for her, aren’t you?” Niccolo asked.

Viktor had dreamed of a blond woman every night for the last five-hundred years. On several occasions, Niccolo had prodded Viktor to look for her. There was a reason for everything, and there had to be a reason this strange woman haunted Viktor’s slumber.

There was a long pause before he answered. “I haven’t decided yet. I have other demons to put to bed first.”

“Buon. Be safe, Viktor. If you need anything, call.”

“Goodbye, Niccolo. Forgive me.”

The signal dropped.

Forgive him? For leaving? Viktor’s sense of loyalty knew no boundaries.

***

Niccolo hadn’t had much time to think about what he would do when he finally saw Helena; there was so much to say. Should he start with how sorry he was for not giving her his heart from the first moment they’d met? Or, perhaps, ask her forgiveness for being so selfish and thinking only of his freedom and the prophecy? What about his insanely stupid move to let her go with Andrus so she could be free from him?

No, he would start with saying how much he loved her. He’d quickly sifted back to the penthouse in New York to get the ring—the real one—he’d had made for her months earlier. The one he’d first given her was a fake. What an idiot he’d been. He’d thought to limit her means until her transformation in case she tried to run. Without money, she wouldn’t have gotten far—or so he thought. What he’d ended up doing was just putting her in more danger by pushing her into the arms of Andrus. Now he would make everything right. The three carat stone had been in his family for generations before it had come to him. It was the one item he’d kept from his mortal life. Now he would give it to the woman who made his existence mean something.

He sifted to the posh hotel suite—their safe house for this mission. It had rich green carpets and drapes, a spacious living room with a big screen television, a full bar, and several large bedrooms. He glanced around the room, but the place appeared empty. Where had everyone gone?

There was a note on the table from Sentin. Thought you might need some privacy. Went fishing.

Niccolo knew that meant they were half way to Bacalar, Mexico by now. Niccolo recently acquired a villa on the lake just for them after his return from hibernation. He liked the idea of giving the men a place that was warm and peaceful where they could fish at night—merely for sport, of course. But there was also something about the area where Cimil’s cenote stood that called to him. Perhaps because it was the very place that his fate had taken a turn towards his beloved Helena.

With Niccolo’s sensitive hearing, he realized that Helena was in the shower. He thought about joining her, but she might not be ready to forgive him yet. He sat on the couch and waited anxiously; he paced and sat again, returning to a pace while he practiced his forgiveness speech.

Finally, the water shut off and he heard the bathroom door creak open. The scent of Helena, shampoo, and soap filled the air.

“Is someone there?” Helena called out from the bedroom.

Here goes. “We are alone, mio cuore,” he responded from the living room.

Helena quickly appeared in the doorway wearing nothing but a plush white towel. Her large blue eyes immediately widened when she saw Niccolo. She had a bandage on her wrist and he could see splotchy, deep black bruises running up her arm. She must have fought Andrus. She also looked thinner and pale, like she hadn’t eaten or slept in days. Had Andrus chained her up or hurt her? Niccolo pushed away his thoughts of taking Andrus’ head for mistreating her. Andrus is dead by now, or soon will be. I need to be content with that.

He slowly stood, but did not approach. He needed to look at her, soak her in.

Despite the apparent fatigue, she was more glorious and beautiful than he’d remembered. Her plump lips, her full br**sts, her curvy hips…she was almost too beautiful. His heart wanted to jump from his chest and weep with contentment. Helena was everything to him. How could he have been so foolish to think he could let her go?

He would find a way to keep her human and safe from his world. Even if we only have hours or days left together.

But what was she thinking and feeling? Did she hate him for all that he’d done to her? He reached out with his mind to sample her emotions. Anger. Pain. Fear. And…love.

A wave of relief washed over him. She still loved him.

“Helena, I know you have no reason to forgive me, but I hope you will.” While there is still time for us.

Helena fidgeted with a corner of the towel near her bare knee, exposing her upper-thigh. Niccolo balled his fists to keep from pouncing. He wanted to take her to bed more than he’d ever wanted anything in his entire existence.

“I heard the good news about your freedom,” she said in a quiet tone. “Congratulations. I guess the prophecy wasn’t right after all.”

Niccolo winced. So she knew about the prophecy. “Cimil?” he guessed.

Helena nodded. “She paid me a visit while I was with Andrus.”

“What did she say?”

Helena looked down at her feet. “Nothing coherent, really.”

Niccolo felt relieved. He was not going to tell Helena how the likely outcome of his story was ending up in the queen’s dungeon—ninety-nine point, nine, nine, nine percent, according to Cimil—which he would do everything in his power to prevent since Helena would feel his pain too.

No. Death would be the answer. This way, Helena would be free from their bond.

But before I go…

“Cimil was right. You are my one true love.” Niccolo continued to hold back. He needed Helena with every cell in his body, but he wanted the choice to be hers. He listened carefully to her heart. It was pounding furiously in unison with his own.

“Niccolo, I want you to know something.” She stepped from the bedroom doorway towards him. Drops of water slid down her shoulders from her damp hair. “I know you pushed me to Andrus because you thought you were trying to protect me.”

“You’re not angry with me?”

She was angry at someone. He could feel the emotion radiating from her. Andrus was the likely answer.

Helena shook her head and took another step. “Not any more. I’m just grateful to see you again. I love you.”

Niccolo could no longer refrain from touching her. He closed the remaining gap between them and pulled Helena into his arms. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with so much affection, he thought he would die from joy.