Forever (The Forever series Book One) (17 page)

“A disaster?” I offer up.

“I was going to say intense, but yeah, I’ll take disaster
and run with it.”

I focus on Cole. “You okay?” I ask.

“Just dandy. I have a 2759-year-old Vampire, who enjoys
ripping people’s heads off, pissed at me,” he retorts.

“Oh baby,” I say, moving to him. “I know this didn’t go very
well, but he did accept you. That’s a win…. sort of.” I shrug.

“That was acceptance?” he asks incredulously, “I would hate
to see what rejection is like.” At my look, he gulps and makes a slashing
motion at his neck in question.

“What did you talk about outside?” Devon asks.

“I told him that I didn’t need his permission to either
marry you or turn you,” I say, speaking to Cole.

“And?” Devon presses, “something freaked you out.”

I glare at him to shut it but answer, “It doesn’t matter.”

“So how much does he hate me?” Cole asks.

I smile gently at him, “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just being
territorial and possessive. Unfortunately that comes tenfold when it’s CK.”

“Yeah when it’s Constantine and
you
,” Devon chips in.
“More like jealousy, I say.”

I glare at him again and he holds his hands up. “Liv, sweetie,
I’ve known other sires with their charges, apart from me and you. Territorial
and possessive on occasion, yes. Never jealous. And take it from me, he is one
hundred percent a jealous bastard. I’ve watched you two back and forth for over
five hundred years. If he can’t have you, then no one can.”

“Devon!” I admonish, “watch it. You have no idea what you
are saying. He had me, for a long time and on several different occasions and
even though each time it got screwed up somehow or another, if he wanted me
before all this, all he had to do was ask,” my British accent very pronounced
in my indignation.

Cole is watching us warily and I realize my words were not
perhaps the most subtle.

“Should I be worried?” he asks coldly.

“No, definitely not,” I assure him.

He looks slightly mollified and says, “Thank fuck for that.
He is not someone I want mad at me. I quite like my head, not ripped off.”

“Mm, me too,” I say and pull him close for a kiss on said
head and trying desperately to forget about CK’s warning.

I am lounging against Cole in the bathtub, my back to his
front, fiddling with my ring that I have now firmly on my finger. No way am I
giving CK another chance to take it off me.

“I think Devon might be right, you know,” Cole says slyly.

I turn my head over my shoulder to look at him. “About
what?”

“Constantine.”

“What about him?” I ask, perplexed.

“That he’s jealous. That kiss goodbye earlier, was less
marking his territory and more making his claim.”

Having just taken a sip of champagne, I end up spitting it
out into the bath water as I snort in amusement. “He’s not jealous. He doesn’t
even know the meaning of the word. Trust me on that,” I say dryly. “The kiss
was just something to annoy you, forget about it.” Although I am not completely
sure about that myself now.

“I think you’re wrong. Clearly Devon does too,” he responds
matter-of-factly.

Getting a bit irritated now, I sit forward and turn around
to face him, “You two are both wrong,” I state clearly. “And don’t side with
Devon. It’s creepy,” I add.

He smiles that half smile, “Okay, I’ll drop it as you seem
to be in denial,” he says smartly, to which I splash him in the face. He
sputters, laughing at me.

“Creepy?” he asks. “I thought you’d be pleased we are
getting along.”

I smile now, mollified by his humor. “Yes, creepy,” I
repeat. “Don’t get me wrong, of course I am pleased you are getting along, but
it’s just weird to see. It was really strange for me to see him flank you,” I
add, frowning.

“Flank me?” he asks puzzled.

Lost in the earlier memory, I drag my attention back to
Cole. “When he sensed the threat to you he rose and stood in front of you, just
to your left, his strongest side. He flanked you, to protect you,” I explain.
“It was a rare sight to say the least.”

Cole looks mildly surprised. “Oh. I guess I didn’t realize
that’s what he was doing. He must like me,” he adds with a small smile.

I return his smile. “Consider yourself honored. He’s very
self-serving and doesn’t like to share.”

“Share?” Cole asks coldly after a beat.

Oh crap, I didn’t think before I spoke.

“My attention, Cole. He can be just as territorial and
possessive as CK. Worse if he’s trying to protect me. That’s why I am so
surprised by his actions today,” I add, trying to draw the conversation away
from my slip.

“I’ll take your word for it,” he shrugs. “This isn’t going
to be as easy as all that, is it?” he asks sadly.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not just going to be a case of you turning me and we
live happily ever after. There are all these complications, complexities and
politics. Things I know nothing of,” he sounds angry now.

I stare at him for a moment. “No it’s not easy in the
beginning. But I will teach you. That’s why it’s so important for a sire to
stay by their charge in the first years and vice versa. To teach, mentor, help
make the transition easier.”

“Will you prepare me? Before, on what to expect?” he asks,
almost afraid.

“Oh my love,” I place my hands on his face. “Of course I
will. I wasn’t planning on just doing it. There are things you need to know
about how you will feel, after. I had to learn quickly and the hard way. I
won’t put you through that.”

He looks at me, those beautiful smoky blue eyes gazing at me
curiously now. “Will it hurt? Will I know I am dying?”

“Dying? No baby, you won’t be dying. You’ll be transforming.
The loss of your blood is for you to shed away from your mortal coil and to
ascend to a higher being. And no it doesn’t hurt. It just feels like you are
falling asleep.”

At least that’s what I’ve been told. Having been passed out
cold myself when CK turned me, I couldn’t say for sure but I leave that part
out.

“How long will it take?” he asks. “The process.”

“The act itself takes a few minutes, the transition can take
up to three days depending on the age and strength of the sire, and if it is
performed correctly.”

Cole raises his eyebrows, “Correctly?”

“On Holy ground, with a healthy being.”

“Healthy as in not bleeding to death from a fatal wound?” he
asks wryly and I nod. “Exactly.”

“Will I wake up and go on a killing rampage?” he jokes, but
there is a seriousness behind it.

I smile, “Not likely. The older and stronger the sire, the
more controlled you will be when you wake. I adjusted straight away, as CK was
over 1700 years old and an Initial to boot. I come from the strongest bloodline
and with a thousand years under my belt, you will be just fine.”

Ever competitive, he asks, “How long did it take Devon?”

“He was ravenous for about two weeks, but I was younger then
and… different. It will take you less time to control the cravings,” I reassure
him.

“Different? What does that mean?”

Hm, well I suppose he needs to know.

“Erm, I encouraged him to kill to feed. I wasn’t always the
restrained creature I am now.” I shrug. “I told you that we eventually had to
evolve, but it wasn’t always the case.”

He blanches at my words but seems to accept them. He clears
his throat, “I see.” There is silence as he processes, then, “Will I get a
ring? Like yours and Devon’s?” he asks suddenly, choosing to bypass the killing
spree I sent Devon on.

Quite relieved not to have to explain the behavior of young
me, I chuckle at his worry. “Yes my love.” He looks relieved.

“How exactly are they made?”

“I will explain it to you, but can we get out of the bath
first? I’m going all pruney,” I pout.

He laughs, “Of course my love. I could do with another
drink.”

“Get one for me too, please,” he nods.

I step out of the tub and reach for a towel. Wrapping it
around me I head into the bedroom. Glancing at the clock it says 5:30 PM, two
hours until dinner.

Shedding my towel for a long satin robe, I grab my
Blackberry and head into the sitting room.

Cole is at the bar, towel slung low over his hips. My breath
catches as I admire him unnoticed. But then my phone buzzes in my hand and the
spell is broken, as Cole turns around and sees me. He smiles and walks over to
hand me my wine. I smile my thanks and check my phone. My heart thuds as I see
a message from CK. I open it, not quite knowing what to expect:

“I don’t like him xoxo.”

I snicker at his words, and Cole raises an eyebrow in
question.

I message back: “You don’t like anybody! Xoxo.”

I take a sip of wine as a message comes back:

“Not true! I like you xoxo.”

“P.S.: And Nico.
J
”

I grin like a fool knowing we are okay as another message
pops up:

“P.P.S.: Will be back tomorrow by lunch, we have much to
discuss.
Ti amo mi amore
xoxo.”

I message back: “I like you too
J
.  I’m glad, see you tomorrow
mi amore
. Xoxo.”

He sends back the Blackberry kissey-face smiley and I relax.
He must have taken my words about not making this a Holy union seriously and he
sees that everything will remain as it should be.

“Constantine?” Cole asks.

I nod, “Everything is fine. He’ll be back tomorrow around
lunchtime. I hope it will be calmer then.” I sigh.

He folds me into his arms. “Me too. I love you.”

“I love you.”

“So the rings?” he reminds me.

“Ah, yes.” I lead him out to the terrace and we sit. I
explain about the Faerie Silver. “Faerie Silver?” Cole’s outburst interrupts
me.

I nod, “Yes. Vampires aren’t the only supernatural creatures
walking around, you know.” His eyes widen in surprise. “But that’s a story for
another time,” I say, resuming my tale.

“So Constantine gave you a ring. Is his a ring?” he asks
when I finish.

“Yes, once I accepted it and he placed it on my thumb, where
his is, it will only ever be able to protect me. They can be crafted to be
anything though, a bracelet, necklace. Anything as long as it touches the
skin.”

“What happens if you take it off?”

“If I am standing in the sun, I will burst into a big pile
of ash,” I say matter-of-factly. And he blanches.

“Oh.” A look of horror then crosses his face, “I nearly took
yours off, that day at lunch. Jesus, Liv, I could have killed you!”

I burst out laughing at his horror, “Do you think it would
be that easy to take it from me if I didn’t want you to?” I smirk arrogantly.

He looks slightly relieved and says, “No, I don’t suppose it
would be.”

I lean over to kiss him quickly and then take a deep glug of
wine. All this talking is making me thirsty. “After I turned Devon, I acquired
two. One for him and the other is sitting in a sealed box in my safe room at
home and will be yours.

“So not all Vampires have them?”

I shake my head. “No. Many try but fail to acquire them.
Only the top three of the tier are even allowed to try.

“That’s kind of elitist, isn’t it?”

“That’s one way to look at it, I suppose. We prefer to think
of it as ensuring the strong remain strong.”

At this point Devon strolls in unannounced and says, “Ah the
story of the Faerie Silver. A bunch of elitist BS.”

“Thank you!” Cole exclaims. “That’s just what I said.” Devon
grins at him, as I stare at the two of them.

“Creepy!” I sing to myself as I go back inside for more
wine.

“What’s up with her?” Devon flops into my vacated seat.

I don’t hear the reply as I suddenly realize what time it
is. Story time took longer than I thought. Better get dressed for dinner. I
turn back towards the terrace. Cole and Devon are laughing about something and
I take a minute to watch them together. I realize that soon we will be a family,
the three of us. It chokes me up and catches me by surprise how much I want
that for us. Devon senses my eyes on him and asks, “What’s up Kitten?”

I shake my head, “Nothing. I’m going to get ready for
dinner.” And I head to the bedroom feeling content.

A little while later we start to get ready for going out. I
have chosen a tiny black skirt, which swirls when I turn, the highest black
Louboutins with red toes and a black corset, handmade in Paris.

Cole grins at me as he watches me dress. Simple enough for
him to throw on his gear. Not so much for me. I bend over, naked and I hear him
catch his breath. Smiling to myself I open the drawer that contains my
underwear. Yes, sometimes it has to be done, especially in the instance of
short, swirling skirts. Turning with my chosen panties in hand, I see Cole’s
face drop slightly in disappointment. I grin at him, “Don’t look too sad, my
love.” His face lightens up as I show him the crotchless knickers. I hand them
to him. “Put them on me,” I demand. His eyes darken and he does as I ask. I
step delicately into them and he slowly pushes them up my legs, his hands
leaving trails of heat in their wake. His fingers lightly brush between my
thighs as he finishes his task and pleasure zooms straight there. We jump apart
at the loud knock on the door.

“Come in,” I call.

As Devon steps into the room his Vampire senses go on full
alert at the sexual energy charging around the room. Hesitating, he takes a
deep breath to regain his composure. “You rang?” he asks sardonically.

“I did, help me?” I pick up the corset and understanding
crosses his face. The corset is handmade from black satin, whalebones in place,
with hundreds of Swarovski crystals sewn across the front and back. It’s an
exact replica of the 18
^th
century with the ties at the back.
Impossible to dress oneself, it requires a second set of hands. Devon being
familiar with 18
^th
century corsetry is skilled at lacing and always
helps me with mine. He takes it from me while I nip into the bathroom to put on
my skirt. This is going to be naked enough without me standing there in just my
crotchless knickers.

Exiting the bathroom, I stand in front of the mirror, and
doff my robe. Cole’s eyes widen in shock and then something else… anger? That I
am standing there with my tits on show in front of Devon. I catch his eye in
the mirror and shrug apologetically. “Devon is skilled at lacing. Unless you
want to have a go?” I ask him with a soft smile. Narrowing his eyes at me he
huffs out a breath and shakes his head. “Okay, then. Devon?”

Devon steps up behind me and places the corset in front of
me, pulling it close to my skin. I position my breasts where they should be and
release them as Devon pulls it tighter to me. I hold it in place as he grabs
the laces on either end and pulls the sides together at the back. His fingers
just skimming my skin, I see his eyes darken in the mirror. Pulling tight on
the top hooks he slowly starts to crisscross the laces into the hooks, pulling
tight, deliberately making this look sexy as hell. I flex my shoulders in
protest and he softly murmurs, “Be still,” and carries on with his work.

Seconds later he ties it off at the bottom with a flourish,
placing his hands on my hips he turns me to face him. With his trademark smirk
in place to hide his desire, he adjusts the top skimming his agile fingers over
the tops of my breasts, now pushed into two luscious mounds by the whalebones.
Trailing his hands down my sides to adjust the bottom, he smiles a sexy,
predatory smile, “You’re done,” he says and steps back. I let out the breath I
didn’t even know I was holding. Shooting a quick glance at Cole, who is staring
at us in disbelief, I quickly step back as well.

“Thank you,” I say a bit too loudly.

“You are welcome,” Devon says that sexy grin still in place.

Turning my attention to Cole who has now adjusted his
features into a more neutral expression, I hold out my arms to the side and
cock my hip, “What do you think?” I ask.

Cole stares at me for a few moments then clears his throat
and steps towards me and says, “You look beautiful.” He pulls me to him in a
deep possessive kiss that makes me smile inwardly. Pulling away he turns to
Devon, “I look forward to undoing your handiwork later,” he says with a forced
smile on his handsome face. Curious though, he asks, “Where did you learn how
to do that with such ease?”

Devon looks taken aback for a microsecond before answering
in his usual offhand manner. “Elizabeth taught me,” he says, catching me off
guard. “She was a good teacher,” he adds softly.

Cole, knowing that he means me, nods swiftly and turns back
to me. “Time to go?” I bob my head.

After dinner Cole is eager to resume his Q & A of
Vampire knowledge. I am eager to share, as he seems so enthusiastic.

“What else?” I ask.

He hesitates and I know something bad is coming. “I need to
know more about this sire and charge relationship. It’s complex, yes?”

I sigh, “Yes. Which do you want to know of first?”

“Charge and sire,” he says.

“Well, my relationship with CK is very, very complicated.
When he first turned me I was naïve and innocent and I was madly in love with
him. He found me at a very vulnerable time in my life and he was everything I
ever wanted. He loved me and took care of me. But things ended badly after a
century of being together. But after many years apart we found each other again
through a major hardship. We were together for centuries, but again it ended
badly and we have been on and off since then. It’s no one’s fault, just
circumstance, but I love him completely as he is my savior. You have to
understand that he will always be a major factor in my life, as I will be with
him. I will not ever be able to turn my back on him. I need him in ways that
you won’t understand until you are one of us.”

He nods grimly. “And sire to charge?”

“Well that is even more complicated in this situation. Devon
is my only living charge. He means everything to me. If you want to be with me
you will have to accept our bond. We will always be together. He’s not going
anywhere,” I say, impassioned, hoping he will understand.

He nods his acceptance albeit reluctantly. I am hoping he
will fully understand this once I have turned him.

“What will I feel for you after you turn me?”

“Baby, you will love me just as you do right now. It will be
more intense. A feeling of need other than want, but you need to be able to
separate the feelings. I need you to be able to recognize that you want me, not
just need me.

“Why did you choose Devon over Constantine?” This
unbelievably insightful question catches me off guard and I frown.

“Is that what you think happened?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes,” he states.

“Hm.” I don’t really know how to answer that. ”Before I
answer that, why don’t you tell me why you think that.”

“It’s obvious. You have only ever mentioned one time when he
wasn’t with you in 506 years and yet you and Constantine seem to have been
apart for most of your thousand years. Did you choose being a sire over being a
charge?”

“Hm, impressive deductions,” I say, a bit annoyed. “But no,
in truth I didn’t. Not by choice. I had to move on and like it or lump it, as
the saying goes.”

“I don’t get that. He loves you. It’s obvious! Why did you
feel you had to leave?” Cole presses with a conviction I could really do
without right now.

“Does it matter?” I ask frustrated. “He betrayed me. Let's
just leave it at that.” I sigh.

“Fine, but in light of that, what’s to say you won’t betray
me?” he asks.

“What? You think I would?”

“I don’t know,” he says, exasperated. “I have no idea!
That’s why I need to ask these questions, Liv,” he says at a loss.

“Okay, me and CK, well… Let's just say he has a hot temper
and the tendency to jump to conclusions and the pride to not back down. And
well, the same can be said of me. If I had stayed and asked at the time what it
meant, I may never have left in 1112. Who knows what would have happened after
that.”

“What did happen?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Yeah, Liv, it does to me. I need to know so I can prevent
the same thing happening to us. Do you understand that?”

I drop my face into my hands and admit, “Yes, I suppose so.”

“So tell me. What happened?"

Tuscany, Italy 1112 - Aefre

I loved being here, in his castle. He had many dwellings
but this one is his real home. He loved it here. He was totally at home here in
Tuscany. As the oldest member of The Council he had the authority to declare
where they met and he chose here. I loved his dominance and authority. It was
very arousing. But then again he just in himself was arousing. I loved him so
much I could die happily in his arms. He had many admirers and I knew at this
point he had many lovers. It hurt me beyond anything I could say but he said it
was of no consequence. A Vampire’s nature was to enjoy everything life had to
offer. To embrace it. I was not so sure. How did I manage to love only him completely
and yet he couldn’t do the same? He said I was his favorite and only I was
allowed to drink from him but I didn’t know. I didn’t think he was being
truthful. I knew what it did to him when I drank from him, who was to say he
didn’t want that feeling from others? He was so much older than me and so much
more experienced and worldly. I felt like a small child next to him, and I knew
that he took Vampire lovers who were older than me and it killed me.

One night he came to me and took me with such abandon,
telling me he loved me and only me. I wanted to believe him. I asked him
hesitantly if he would show his commitment. He readily agreed to my utmost joy.
I asked him if he would give me a ring to show his promise. “Soon,” he said. I
believed him but it never came.

I held on to the hope that one day he would marry me. He
said he turned me so he could love me forever, but I wondered that really
means.

An evening a few months later having expected him in my
bed chamber some time ago, I went off in search of him. The servants said he
was up in the bedrooms on the right wing. My heart dropped as I followed their
instructions and went in search of my love. I felt the now familiar tingle down
the back of my neck as I got close to him and peeked through the door as I
sensed him. I saw him laughing with… Eloise! That bitch. He said he had nothing
to do with her. That he hated her, and yet there he was with her. He was half
naked and glowing.

She was standing behind him and giggled at something he
said. I didn’t yet understand the language they were speaking… her language.
She slipped her robe over her head and bent to whisper in his ear. He inhaled
deeply and relaxed under her touch. She quickly dropped her fangs and leant in
to bite him. He accepted the bite and I turned and ran in horror. I wanted to
desperately believe he wanted only me but it was clear now, he lied. Devastated
I knew I couldn’t stay here any longer. I ran out to the stables and asked for
a horse to be prepared for me. Once ready I leaped on it and headed for the
hills.

Halfway to the next town from the castle I felt myself go
all strange over. I shook my head to clear it and I saw my hair all dark and
curly in my eyes.

Horrified, I stopped the horse and slid down his flanks
noticing I was also taller and my body was completely different.

“So that’s when you knew you could Shift?” Cole interrupts.

I nod, “Yes. I wanted so badly to not be me, all of a
sudden, I just wasn’t me anymore.”

“So you think he betrayed you by accepting a bite from
another woman?”

“He did betray me,” I say vehemently.

“Okay, okay. I get it. And the second time? What happened
then?”

“Do I really have to go through this? It’s not fun for me to
relive these hideous memories.”

“Just run it down for me.”

“Fine, we were together for about two hundred and fifty
years in Renaissance Italy. What a time to be alive,” I say with a smile
remembering the good times. “He had, um, rescued me you could say from a bad
situation and we were together again, and happy. Or so I thought. By this time
I had obviously got over my naiveté and took other lovers as did he but we
spent every night that he was there together. I was so excited and happy that
he seemed to finally be making a commitment to me. Then one day out of the
blue, he disappeared. Left the castle and me in Tuscany and didn’t return. He
left word with the servants that he had left and wasn’t likely to return for
many months. I was devastated. I knew nothing of why he left and true to his
word he didn’t return. After two months I left and headed to England, where I
eventually found Devon.”

“All’s well that ends well, then,” he says with a smile.

“I suppose you could say that now. At the time it was
awful.”

“Do you know now why he left?”

I shake my head. “He mentioned something about Michelangelo
but it didn’t make sense. I just forgot to ask in the aftermath and it’s never
come up again since. Kind of a taboo topic, I guess.”

“Don’t you think you should find out?” he inquires.

“Hm, it’s not really important anymore.”

“Obviously it is to you,” he presses.

I shrug. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore, okay my
love?”

He agrees and shuts his mouth.

“Moral of the story is, we should always be open and honest
and we should be just fine.” I smile sweetly, knowing even then that I am
keeping something huge from him.

“I agree. Is there anything else I should know? You say
immortal but is that really the case?”

“Well sort of. A stake won’t kill an Initial and neither
will beheading or fire. In fact it’s unclear what will kill an Initial but we
know someone did it once. The rest of us are varying degrees of vulnerability.”

“Huh. Having said that though I suppose it would take an
older, stronger Vampire to get the best of you,” he grins at me with pride.