My Lord Eternity (Immortal Rogues #2)(46)
Author: Alexandra Ivy

"I intend to remain at her side for an eternity," he vowed in low tones.

His words hung defiantly in the shadowed air, and half expecting an argument, Lucien was caught off guard as Nefri instead reached out to touch both of their heads in a silent blessing.

"Then all will be well," she retorted in soft tones. "Now, we should be away from here. I have brought you a carriage. It awaits outside."

Lucien struggled to his feet, pleased to discover that he could at least stand.

"You will call upon me if there is a need?" he demanded.

Nefri bent her head in agreement. "If there is a need."

He glanced down at the woman who filled his heart with joy. "You will know where to find me."

The great vampire gave a soft chuckle as Jocelyn blushed a fiery red. "Indeed, I do. May peace be with you."

"And love," Lucien murmured.

"And most certainly love," Nefri repeated in benediction.

Fourteen

The dawn had just brushed the sky with a shimmer of pale rose when Lucien silently slipped down the steps from his garret toward the bedchamber directly below his own.

It had been two days since they had fled the castle with Nefri. Two days when both Lucien and Jocelyn had been forced to battle the weariness of both mind and spirit that had haunted them. In near silence they had allowed the fretful Meg to pamper them with warm food and clucking concern. Neither desired to discuss the ghastly nightmare they had endured, instead simply sitting close one to the other and taking comfort in the fact that they were together.

This morning, however, Lucien had awakened with a refreshed sense of purpose. The dull ache had left his body, and his mind was clear and focused.

It was time to grasp the future in his hands.

A future that was entirely wrapped around Jocelyn Kingly.

With flowing steps he slipped toward the closed door and silently pressed it open. A soft glow from the window was banishing the shadows as he crossed the worn floorboards and perched upon the edge of the mattress. For a breathless moment he merely regarded Jocelyn’s soft profile that lay against the pillow.

In sleep the delicate features were relaxed and the long black lashes brushed her cheeks. She appeared young and utterly vulnerable, making his heart skip with tender emotion.

How utterly and deeply he loved this woman. She completed him in a manner that stilled his restless spirit and brought joy to his soul.

Slowly his gaze lowered, halting upon the full rosy lips.

Hot, glorious passion swept through him as he reached out to lightly stroke the sweet softness of that mouth. Surely he had been patient long enough. Was it not, at long last, the time to claim her as his own?

Beneath his touch she stirred, and rolling onto her back, she slowly lifted her lashes to regard him with a bemused gaze.

"Lucien."

"Good morning, my sweet."

With an effort she pulled herself to a seated position, unaware that the thin linen of her nightrail revealed a delectable outline of the lush form beneath. Lucien, on the other hand, was delightfully conscious of the lovely view. It was only with a stern effort that he managed to suppress the urge to toss off his brocade robe and join her beneath the covers.

She was a human, he grimly reminded himself, and bound by human morals. Until she was his wife she would not be able to give herself to him freely. She had endured enough shame in her life without him adding to her burden.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice still thick with sleep.

He smiled as he lowered his hand to catch her fingers in a firm grip.

"I desired to discover if you are as beautiful in the morning as I imagined in my dreams," he lightly teased. "After all, if I am to spend an eternity awakening with you in my arms, I do not wish to be unpleasantly surprised with the knowledge your teeth are false and your mood foul."

The blue eyes abruptly sparkled at his words. It was a welcome change from the shadows that had lingered over the past few days.

"Indeed? And pray who mentioned anything of you spending the night in my bed?" she demanded.

His thumb stroked over her knuckles. "Is that not where your husband belongs?"

She stilled, her breath suddenly rasping in the quiet air. "Husband?"

Lucien regarded her closely, well aware this was the most important moment in his Immortal life.

"You said that you loved me."

"Yes."

"Is it not the custom for humans who care for each other to wed?"

"But… you are not human," she pointed out in weak tones.

Lucien could not prevent his soft chuckle. "Yes, I know. Still, I intend to live as one and I wish to indulge in your rituals."

There was a long, unnerving silence, and Lucien briefly feared that Jocelyn might have reconsidered over the past two days. It could not be easy to accept that he was not a mortal as she. That he was, indeed, a monster from ancient myth.

His fears were not appeased when her beautiful eyes abrupdy filled with tears.

"Oh."

His heart faltered as he leaned toward her with an anxious expression.

"What is it, Jocelyn?"

"I… After the scandal I presumed that I would never wed. After all, what gentleman would ever forgive my ruined reputation?" she at last said in choked tones. "Eventually I convinced myself that I no longer cared. What did I need with an overbearing husband? Or even children who could never take their place in society? I told myself that I was better off on my own."

He gazed deep into her shimmering eyes. "And now? Do you wish to be my wife?"

"Oh, Lucien." She reached up to cup his face in her hands. "With all my heart."

He sucked in a ragged breath, relief surging through him with the heady potency of a fine brandy.

"Then it is settled."

"Yes," she murmured softly.

With exquisite care Lucien lowered his head to gently brush her lips. It was a kiss to seal their fate. A pledge of their future together. Lightly he tasted of her sweetness before reluctantly pulling back to absently toy with a dark curl that lay against her cheek.

"My wife," he murmured softly.

Appearing flushed and utterly desirable, she regarded him with a quizzical smile.

"Lucien."

"Yes, my dear?"

"You said that you wished to indulge in my rituals. Do vampires not wed?"

Lucien paused. There was nothing more he desired than to truly bond with this woman. To share the Immortal Kiss so that they were one. But Jocelyn was mortal. She could not possibly comprehend the sheer intimacy that would come of the sharing of blood.