I stopped moving. Feeling frozen in place, my eyes land on him squarely as I struggled to take a breath. "Would that not be a step beyond marriage? Would that not bind us in more permanent ways?” It dawned on me then that I was probably wrong seeing his reaction to my new arch nemesis. “Oh… Mika. You’re not bound to her, so, it wouldn’t be like that, would it?”
His fingers brushed my cheek as he moved a lock of my hair behind my ear. “The act of siring you would carry a small binding weight behind it, but it does not equal love. My love for you is its own thing. Siring enhances the connection between a vampire and the person they change. I did not love Mika.”
“Oh.” I rolled my lips between my lips.
A small grin played on his lips. “I did not love Mika romantically, so our bond was strengthened by my love for her as a friend. But I love you.”
“Ohhh…” I giggled.
“Yes.” He nodded, as if confirming that he knew what I was thinking. Which, honestly, wasn’t a stretch to conclude. I was realizing that if he did turn me, it would make his love for me stronger.
I changed the topic slightly, “But once turned, I cannot become a mother.” I wasn’t sure which way I felt on the topic, but the question pushed its way out of my mouth before I could stop it.
His hand roamed over my tummy. “That is correct.”
“And you want me to, no?” I was stunned by this question more than what I’d previously said.
The same shock flashed across his face for a split second before he returned to his usual expression, leaning in and brushing his lips against my ear. “I want many things.”
"You, sir," I touched the tip of his nose. "Are the most skilled at avoiding questions I have ever met. Do you know that? But I did ask a question."
He sighed and leaned in, burying his face in my neck, breathing me in. His hands slid up my sides. Then, I his fangs grazed against the soft flesh just under my ear.
"Kane! Answer me!" I heard an urgency in my voice, half reacting to the exquisite feel of him so close.
He pulled back enough to see my face. "I'm sorry what was the question?" He looked amused.
I pouted. Bottom lip out and all.
Kane let out a breath and kissed the tip of my nose. “I want many things, little one. But over the years, I have never considered finding someone I would be so scared of losing yet so intent on keeping close to me, no matter how dangerous that is. And yes. A part of me is pleased at the idea that we could have children. That you would mother my children. That we could be a family. I gave up on that longing many years ago. Yet sometimes, I find myself lost in thought, dreaming of such a day with you. So, while the answer to the question you mean to ask is yes. A part of me wants that with you. The answer to the more broad question is… I want many things… with you. And while intoxicating, I can not help but know full well that it puts both of us in danger if we are not careful… and even if we are.”
"It looks like we found the one thing that scares the shit out of you." I played with a few strands of his hair.
He tilted his head. “Oh?”
“Mhmm…” I grinned. “Me.”
His fingers slid down my cheek to my shoulder. Holding me in his hands, he examined the contours of my face. Almost absentmindedly, he spoke, “If I believed in such things, I would almost say I have seen a glimpse of our future. I have seen how happy we would be if we let ourselves have this.”
“If not for the prophecy,” I added.
He shook his head as if trying to expell some trance. “Little one, as I have said, I do not believe in such things.”
“Then what do you believe in?” I asked.
“I believe that you are my queen, and we will be happy.” There was no hesitation in his response. Only certainty.
My heart ached for him. I could see the battle raging in his mind. He wanted to believe his own words, but he felt what I felt… something was looming over us. And while I wondered if he knew what those dangers could be, I was illequipped to have a clue since I was not from his world.
I breathed deeply, lacing my fingers with his. “What dangers?”
“Hmmm?” He was lost in thought again.
“Dangers.” I kissed the palm of his hand. “You said something about dangers. Am I in more danger then when I got here? Am I putting you in danger?”
He doesn’t respond right away. Not with words anyways. For a moment, his eyes searched mine as he measured his words to what he thought my reaction will be. I can see it in the way his expression changes back and forth. The tip of his finger trailed from the part in my hair, around my face along my hairline to my jawline. A dark cloud crossed his eyes before he pulled his shoulders back, pulling me closer into him.
Kissing my forehead, his lips stayed against my skin as he spoke. “No matter the danger, I will protect you, my little one… my queen.”
Of course, I had so much I wanted to say, but in that moment, it wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about what I needed or wanted. I became so completely aware of him and his love for me… his desire to keep me safe and keep me his, my words disolved before they
