Alexandra Ivy - My Lord Vampire

Pacing uneasily toward the window she cleared her throat. “It will soon be morning.”

“We have a few hours yet,” he murmured.

She turned to discover him regarding her with a watchful gaze.

“A few hours for what?” The words burst out before she could halt them.

He slowly smiled as he held out his hand. “Come, Simone.”

Gathering her courage Simone moved toward him, even allowing him to lead her to the large bed so that they could perch upon the edge of the mattress.

Uncertain what was to come next she was startled when he made no motion to touch her beyond stroking a hand softly over her hair.

“What is it, Gideon?” she demanded, wondering if she was supposed to do something.

“You have told me that you love me.”

“Yes.”

His fingers moved to touch her cheek. “Already we share much of each other. You can sense when I am near and what I am feeling.”

Her eyes widened in shock at his words. “How did you know?”

“You are just as deeply branded within me.”

She gave a slow shake of her head. She had barely allowed herself to acknowledge just how aware she was of Gideon. Not only the sense when he was near, but the unmistakable realization that his emotions were irrevocably enwrapped with her own.

“It is so strange. I have never experienced this before.”

He smiled at her wondering tone. “It is a gift known only to vampires.”

“But I am not a vampire,” she ridiculously retorted.

“No, but you wear a powerful artifact of my people. It has already altered you in many ways.”

Simone’s hand instinctively rose to touch the golden amulet. It was true that she had noted the subtle changes in herself. Her heightened senses and even being able to see more clearly in the dark. It was not precisely frightening, but, to actually consider that she was being altered ...

“Good heavens,” she breathed.

“Do not fear,” he gently comforted, those distracting fingers continuing to send pleasurable tingles through her body. “It will not harm you.”

“No, I suppose not.”

He paused before he tilted her chin upward so that she was forced to meet his searching gaze. “Simone?”

“Yes?”

“Do you trust me?” he demanded.

She blinked at the odd question. “You know that I do.”

“Enough to place your future in my hands?”

The very air seemed to thicken with tension as she studied his pale features. Was it possible that he did not intend to leave her? That he would remain in London with her?

It was what she desired more than anything in the world, but she was frightened to allow her hopes to be raised.

“Are ... are you asking me to wed you, Gideon?” she asked in cautious tones.

He frowned, as if he were startled by her question. “Of course I intend to wed you,” he retorted, seemingly unaware that he had just made her dearest dream come true. “But what I ask of you is to join your very soul with my own.”

Simone attempted to think through the cloud of joy that filled her thoughts.

He wanted to marry her.

Her.

Sally Jenkins.

Not Lady Gilbert. Not the “Wicked Temptress.”

But the insignificant daughter of a governess.

It did not seem possible.

But even as she grew dizzy from shocked delight, she realized he was awaiting her response.

What had he said?

Join their souls?

She gave a faint frown as she attempted to consider what he might possibly mean.

“Is that possible?”

“Yes, but it would mean that we are truly a part of one another.” He gently cupped her face in his hands, his dark eyes boring deep into her own. “Our thoughts, our emotions, the very beat of our hearts. We would be bonded for all eternity.”

She carefully considered his words, knowing that this was far more important to Gideon than any marriage ceremony.

The thought of being so closely connected with the man she loved did not frighten her. She very much desired to be one with him. But something in his words made her hesitate.

For all that she had accepted who he was, she could not forget that they were very different. As a vampire he was immortal. What would happen to him when she eventually died?

“Gideon, I do not have an eternity,” she reminded him sadly.

His hands tightened upon her face. “Who is to say? With the Medallion anything is possible.”

She gave a reluctant laugh at his familiar words. “You are very fond of telling me that.”

“Because it is the truth.” His expression softened with a longing that tugged at her heart. “Simone, I wish to have you as my true mate. Will you?”

She could have denied him nothing at that moment. All the love and need she had tried to deny for so long flooded through her as she gave a nod of her head.

“What must I do?”

“Nothing but trust me,” he said in low tones.

She met his gaze squarely. “I do.”

Moving slowly, as if afraid that he might startle her into flight, Gideon lowered his hands so that he could sweep her long curls over her shoulders. Then just as slowly he lowered his head, angling it so that he could approach the bare skin of her neck.

Just for a moment Simone instinctively tensed, unsure what was about to happen. The satin blackness of his hair brushed her chin, the scent of spices filling her senses. Of their own accord her hands raised to grasp his shoulders.

She felt the warm brush of his breath upon her skin, then shockingly the sharp points of his fangs.

Panic threatened to rise as there was the faintest prick upon her neck, but before she could give in to fear a warm rush of sensation relaxed her taut muscles.

There was no pain, just the sense of being enfolded in a comforting embrace. Her head tilted backward, allowing him to gently taste of her blood.

It lasted only a moment before he offered a lingering kiss and pulled away.

He did not speak, however, and holding her bemused gaze he lifted his hand and turning it over he bit the inner skin of his wrist. Blood instantly welled and he lifted it to softly place it against her lips.

Startled, Simone instinctively dipped out her tongue to taste of the wetness staining her lips.

She was not certain what she had expected, but it was not the sudden shock of emotions that tumbled through her. Her head spun as she squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to steady herself against the onslaught.

For long moments she struggled to calm herself. She was dazed and not at all certain she could bear the shimmering sensations that threatened to consume her.

Then slowly the torrent began to subside and she was able to concentrate upon the changes within her.

There was the awareness of Gideon, of course. But it was no longer the vague knowledge that he was near. He was clearly nestled within her mind, as well as the sharp sense of concern that held him tightly gripped as he watched her. More than anything, however, she felt the steady, undeniable beauty of his love.

A smile of wonder curved her lips. “Oh.”

“Simone, are you ... well?” he husked, his hands tightly gripping her own.

“I am ... whole,” she said, still marveling at the knowledge that they were truly bound together. “I did not realize how lonely I have been all my life. Now I am complete.”

“My sweet.” He reached down to delicately touch his lips to her own. “We will be wed according to human custom. I have already procurred a special license.”

“You ... you will not return to the Veil?” she forced herself to ask the question that refused to be dismissed no matter how irrational. Her father had loved her, but he had abandoned her. She could not bear it again.

He easily knew how important his answer was to her. “Perhaps for the occasional visit, but my place now is with you.”