Chapter Six
Chapter Six
A melia’s fingers were trembling as she clutched the edge of the mahogany desk. Dimitri’s confession resounding in her head, a din of disbelief and fear.
“I’m a vampire,” he had said, his voice low and resonant, eyes haunted by centuries-old secrets. She had backed away from him that night, unable to reconcile the man she loved with the monster he revealed himself to be.
Now, she was in Lancaster House, her family’s estate and a grand, stately manor. Her family was away on vacation, blissfully unaware of the turmoil that gripped her heart. The Georgian-style mansion loomed around her, a display of generations of wealth and refinement. Pale limestone walls, shrouded with ivy, glimmered under the morning sun. The gardens outside were methodically manicured, boasting vibrant flowerbeds and a tranquil fountain at the center of a circular courtyard.
Inside, the air was swollen with silence. Amelia’s debutante bedroom was a safe refuge of pastel hues and delicate furnishings. The canopy bed, draped in soft blush curtains, stood at the room’s center, surrounded by vintage-inspired decor. Floral wallpaper and shelves crammed with porcelain dolls and framed photographs. A vanity table, cluttered with perfume bottles and pearl necklaces, reflected her refined tastes.
“Amelia, we’re here!” Charlotte’s voice rang out from the grand foyer, breaking the stillness.
“Upstairs,” Amelia called back, trying to steady her shaking hands.
The burden of Dimitri’s secret pressed down heavily on her chest. Could she really keep this from them? Could she live with such a dark secret?
Moments later, Charlotte and Elle appeared at her door, their faces lined with concern.
“Sweetie, what happened?” Charlotte asked, her blue stare scanning Amelia’s face for answers. She stepped forward, enveloping Amelia in a warm hug.
“Yeah, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Elle moved closer.
If only it were as simple as that—just a ghost. But no, it was far more complicated and sinister.
“Just…a fight with Dimitri,” Amelia lied. “It got intense.”
The words tasted bitter on her tongue. Lying to them felt like a betrayal, yet the truth was too perilous to share.
“Intense how?” Charlotte’s brow furrowed. She wasn’t buying it.
Obviously she wasn’t—Charlotte knew her too well. Amelia’s thoughts sped through the events of last night: Dimitri’s haunted eyes, his confession of centuries-old pain. How could she ever explain that?
“Words were exchanged, tempers flared,” Amelia replied, avoiding eye contact.
She couldn’t tell them the truth; it was too surreal, too dangerous. And they would never believe her that Dimitri was a vampire. The very idea seemed absurd even in her own mind, yet the evidence was obvious.
Charlotte frowned, crossing her arms over her fashionable dress. “Sounds more serious than just a fight. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Her concern was genuine but also probing—a double-edged sword that cut through Amelia’s defenses.
“She’ll be fine. Right, Amelia?” Elle placed a pacifying hand on Amelia’s shoulder. The tenderness of Elle’s touch was grounding but fleeting.
“Yeah, I just need some time.” Amelia forced a smile, though her insides churned with the heaviness of her secret. Time—what an elusive concept when every moment felt like borrowed breath under Dimitri’s dark shadow.
“Well, we’re here for you,” Charlotte said, her expression softening. “No matter what.”
“Thanks, both of you,” Amelia said, feeling a rush of gratitude. In spite of everything, their friendship was a lifeline.
Yet even lifelines could fray under the consequences of veiled truths and life dangers. How long could she keep up this charade before it all came crashing down?
“How about some tea?” Elle suggested, already heading toward the kitchen downstairs. “Or something stronger?”
“Tea is fine,” Amelia replied.
Elle left the bedroom and Amelia could hear her hurrying downstairs.
“Amelia,” Charlotte’s voice dropped, becoming more serious. “Is there something you’re not telling us? You know you can trust us, right?”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just…complicated,” Amelia said quickly, but her heartbeat quickened.
Charlotte sighed, sitting down on the edge of Amelia’s bed. “Love always is, but you’ll get through this, darling. It’s not your first heartbreak, nor your last.”
Elle returned with a tray of tea, setting it down on the vanity. “Cream? Sugar?”
“You two are the best,” Amelia said, her voice cracking.
“Of course we are,” Elle said with a wink, handing Amelia a steaming cup. “Now spill it. What’s really going on?”
Amelia took a sip, letting the warmth seep through her before setting the cup down. She couldn’t tell them about Dimitri’s true nature—how could she? It was too surreal, too terrifying. But the pain in her chest wouldn’t let up.
“Fine,” she relented. “It’s more than just a fight. I found out something…about him. Something huge.”
“Like what?” Charlotte leaned in, her expression curious.
“Something that changes everything,” Amelia whispered. “I don’t think I can be with him now.”
“Amelia, you’ve been through worse,” Elle said. “Remember when that jerk Ethan cheated on you during that gala? You handled that like a boss.”
“Yeah, but this is different,” Amelia said, and then the tears she had been holding back spilled over, running down her cheeks.
“Hey, hey,” Charlotte soothed, yanking Amelia into a hug. “We’re here. You’ll figure this out.”
Amelia sobbed. “Maybe it’s better if I just walk away.”
“Do you love him?” Charlotte asked softly.
“More than anything,” Amelia admitted, her heart aching with the confession.
The admission felt like shards of glass in her throat. Could love really be enough to bridge the chasm between their worlds? She had been taught that love was a fairy tale, a story spun from silk and dreams. But this—this was raw, terrifying, and real. It wasn’t the kind of love that came with guarantees or happy endings.
“Then isn’t it worth fighting for? Real love doesn’t come around often,” Elle said.
“Elle’s right,” Charlotte agreed. “You owe it to yourself—and to him—to at least try and work things out.”
Amelia sniffled. “How? He’s not who I thought he was…” Because he wasn’t human, but a fucking vampire.
The revelation had shattered her reality into jagged pieces she couldn’t quite fit back together. She had always imagined monsters lurking in the shadows, but never in the eyes of someone she loved. It was easier to think of him as a paradox wrapped in centuries of sorrow rather than confront the truth of his existence. Could she accept that darkness as part of him?
“Does he love you?” Charlotte pressed.
“I don’t know. Maybe,” Amelia replied.
The uncertainty gnawed at her insides like a relentless parasite. Love wasn’t supposed to be ambiguous—it was supposed to be clear, surrendering, pure. But with Dimitri, everything was encased in obscurity and ancient pain. The vulnerability she saw in his expression sometimes made her believe there was hope, but doubt lingered like a specter.
“Then talk to him,” Elle encouraged. “If there’s even a chance you two can make it work, you have to take it.”
Amelia closed her eyes, recalling the feel of Dimitri’s lips on hers, the way his touch set her skin on fire. The nights wrapped in his arms, feeling safe despite his dark secret. Could she really let all of that go?
She had never felt so alive as when she was with him; every moment imbued with heat, lust, and passion. Yet, the same fervor that ignited her also threatened to consume her entirely. Was she willing to risk everything for a love that might lead to her own destruction?
This wasn’t just about fighting for love—it was about confronting her own fears and accepting Dimitri for who he truly was.
“All right,” she finally said, opening her eyes. “I’ll talk to him.”
“That’s my girl,” Charlotte said, smiling through her own tears.
“Go get your man,” Elle cheered, squeezing Amelia’s hand.
Charlotte and Elle wrapped her in a group hug. And for the first time since Dimitri’s revelation, Amelia felt a glimmer of strength returning.
At sundown, Amelia steeled herself as she marched toward Shadowfield Manor. The dying sun hurled an eerie glow over the ivy-clad stonework, and shadows slithered along the winding pathways of the garden. Her heart was palpitating in her chest, and each step firmed up her resolve.
She hesitated at the imposing front door, and felt a sudden tightness in her chest. This was it—the moment that would define everything. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, the hinges groaning.
“Amelia,” Dimitri greeted her from the top of the sweeping staircase, his tone colored with surprise and something deeper—hope?
“Can we talk?” she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.
“Of course, lyubimaya.” He descended the stairs gracefully, his dark blue eyes never leaving hers.
They walked silently through the corridors, the light creating ghostly shapes on the walls. She could almost feel the presence of the manor’s past inhabitants, their past lives carried by the drafty halls. They reached his bedroom, then stepped inside.
“Why are you here?” He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze searching hers.
Amelia’s heart was thundering. She had spent countless hours wrestling with the shadows of doubt. But those shadows seemed to recede into the corners of the room, leaving only the clarity of her feelings for Dimitri. She had been taught to fear what she didn’t understand, but love had a way of making the unknown seem less daunting.
“I’ve made a decision. I can’t ignore what you are, but I also can’t ignore how I feel about you. And I want to be with you.”
His stare heated with a passionate force that evoked a tender pulse of longing in her heart. Could she truly bear to shoulder some of that burden? The thought was as terrifying as it was exhilarating.
“Amelia, do you realize what you’re saying?” His intonation was low and intimate.
“Most definitely, Dimitri. I’m saying that I accept who you are, vampire or not. I love you, and I don’t want to lose you because of fear.”
She had rehearsed what she would say over and over, each time feeling more certain yet more terrified. What if love wasn’t enough? What if her acceptance wasn’t what he needed? But standing here now, facing him, she knew she couldn’t turn back.
Dimitri stood and crossed the room in a heartbeat, his hands cupping her face gently. The tenderness in his touch was almost unbearable. She had always imagined love would be grandiose declarations and sweeping gestures, but this—this quiet intimacy—was far more profound. It was as if he were trying to memorize every contour of her face, afraid that she might vanish like a wisp of smoke.
“You are braver than anyone I’ve ever known,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead. “Thank you for accepting me.”
Bravery had never felt like a trait she possessed; it was something she admired in others from afar. Yet here she stood, on the precipice of an unknown future with a man who defied all logic and reason.
“Just promise me one thing, my love. Promise me honesty. No more secrets.”
The plea hung in the air between them like a fragile thread that could snap at any moment. Secrets had a way of festering beneath the surface, poisoning even the most steadfast hearts.
“I promise, lyubimaya. No more secrets.” Dimitri straightened, his expression pained yet understanding. “I won’t pretend that this path will be easy, Amelia. There will be challenges, sacrifices...and dangers.”
Even though fear was coursing through her veins, a surge of willpower ignited within her.
Taking a deep breath, she met Dimitri’s gaze. “I choose to stay,” she declared softly, surprising even herself with the clarity of her decision. Taking a shaky breath, Amelia reached out and gently lifted Dimitri’s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. “I may not fully understand everything about you, but I know one thing for certain—I can’t abandon you in your time of need. Not after everything we’ve shared.”
Dimitri’s eyes widened, a glimmer of hope shining within them. His expression softened.
“I choose to stay, Dimitri. Not because it’s easy or safe, but because I believe there’s more to you than just your nature. And I want to be there for you as you face your demons.”
The atmosphere shifted, thickening with a spicy passion that neither could ignore. Dimitri’s stare blazed with heat as he grabbed her into a fiery kiss, their tongues hungrily moving in sync. Amelia’s body responded instantly, heat pooling in her core as his touch awoke every nerve in her body.
“God, I want you,” Dimitri growled, scooping her up effortlessly. He carried her to the bed with a sense of urgency, laying her down with a tenderness that belied his strength.
“Then take me,” she whispered, her voice husky with need.
He stripped off her clothes slowly, reverently, his gaze drinking in every inch of her exposed skin. Each touch made her body warm and weak, making her ache for more. Dimitri’s own clothes followed quickly, revealing his hard erection. Amelia’s breath hitched as she took him in, causing a buzz of anticipation under her skin.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.
“Don’t stop,” she urged, her nails digging into his back, urging him on.
“Never,” he promised, his lips capturing hers in a fierce, possessive kiss.
Dimitri positioned himself above her, nudging her legs apart. In one swift thrust, he buried himself inside her, filling her completely. Amelia cried out at the sudden intrusion, her inner walls clenching around his length. He began to move, slowly at first, then gaining speed and intensity with each stroke.
Amelia met his pace, rolling her hips to take him deeper. Moans spilled from her lips as he pounded into her, relentless and demanding. She clutched at his shoulders, nails biting into his skin, urging him on as her pleasure mounted.
Dimitri’s muscular arms encircled her, pulling her close as they moved in perfect harmony. Every kiss, every touch, every thrust drove them higher, the world outside vanishing until there was only the two of them, lost in their own universe of pleasure.
“Amelia,” he groaned, his hands causing fiery paths over her curves. “You are everything.”
“More,” she gasped, needing him closer, deeper.
With a growl, Dimitri complied, his movements becoming more urgent, more forceful. Amelia’s moans saturated the room, mingling with his guttural sounds of pleasure.
Dimitri’s eyes glowed crimson, his fangs extending as he neared his release. He drove into her harder, faster, chasing their climax with single-minded focus. Amelia’s back arched, her body tensing as her orgasm crashed over her in waves. She screamed his name, lost in ecstasy, as he followed moments later with a roar.
They collapsed in a tangle of limbs, breathless and sated. Amelia’s head rested on his chest, his heart thundering in her ear. She traced lazy circles on his skin.
“I love you,” Dimitri whispered, his arms tightening around her. “More than I ever thought I could love again.”
Amelia’s heart swelled. “And I love you, Dimitri Volkov. Vampire or not, you are my heart, my home.”
He lifted her chin, gazing deeply into her eyes. “I will always protect you, Amelia.”
Dimitri’s heated gaze smoldered, a smile of pure joy curving his lips. He claimed her mouth in a red hot kiss.
Amelia shifted closer, her skin tingling from the contact. “Tell me everything,” Amelia whispered against his lips. “About vampires.”
Dimitri’s stare narrowed. He kissed her forehead gently before speaking. “We are primordial beings, bound to the shadows by a potent curse. Our existence is sustained by the crimson essence drawn from humans,” he explained, his hands roaming over her body, drawing heat from deep within her. “It is our lifeblood, an elixir that keeps us eternal.”
The reality of his world lingered in her subconscious like a heavy fog. Could she truly accept this part of him? The idea of blood as sustenance was foreign and unsettling, yet there was something undeniably intoxicating about the way he spoke.
“Do you...do you have to kill people?” she asked.
“Not in a very long time. I take only what I need, leaving my victims unharmed. It’s a delicate balance.”
“Is it painful for them?” Her fingers caressed the hard plains of his muscular chest.
His answer brought a strange feeling of relief, though it didn’t completely ease her worries. The thought of him feeding on others gnawed at her conscience. She wondered if she could ever reconcile this dark necessity with the man she was falling for.
“Not if done right. They feel pleasure, almost euphoria…like you did.”
“What about the myths and legends? Like sunlight. Does it burn vampires to ash?”
“Oh, it certainly does,” Dimitri confirmed, his breath hot against her neck. “The purifying rays of the sun sear our flesh. We must move in darkness, hidden among humans, our identities cloaked.”
The image of Dimitri, a creature of the night, forever relegated to shadows, haunted her. She could almost feel the pain he described, a visceral reaction to his suffering. How many lifetimes had he endured this torment?
“How do you survive? Do you all hide in plain sight?”
“Society’s elite circles provide perfect cover,” he said, his hands sliding down her back, pulling her closer. “However, we are often hunted by clandestine groups seeking to expose and eradicate us—a deadly game of cat and mouse.”
She shuddered at the thought of him being hunted. The idea of such danger lurking around every corner made her heart ache for him.
“Are there more like you?” she asked, her cadence a mere whisper now.
“Many, many others, but no child vampires exist. It is forbidden to turn a child. Each member of our nocturnal race thirsts for human blood alone—an unending hunger that defines our lives.”
Amelia’s stomach churned at the mention of blood. She tried to imagine living with such an insatiable thirst, an endless craving that could never be fully sated. It was a life she couldn’t fathom, yet here she was, drawn inexorably into its dark allure.
“Do you ever wish it were different?” Amelia’s heart ached for him.
“Every day. But meeting you has given me hope.”
“Hope for what?”
“Hope for love, for a future where I am not alone,” he confessed, his eyes searching hers for understanding.
Could she truly be the light he sought? The one to wrench him from centuries of despair?
Love seemed so simple in theory but entangled with shadows and secrets, it became something else entirely.
“You won’t be alone anymore,” Amelia vowed.
“Are you sure?” Dimitri’s expression wavered, vulnerability peeking through. “This life is dangerous, filled with shadows and secrets.” Doubt flashed in the depths of his gaze. His vulnerability was laid bare before her—a sharp variance to the inscrutable facade he usually wore.
She kissed him deeply, sealing her promise with passion. “I want this, Dimitri. I want you.”
“My beloved,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “You are my light in the darkness.”
Their lips met again, the kiss deepening, overflowing with heat and lust. Dimitri’s hands roamed her body, and Amelia moaned into his mouth, lost in the sensation.
Was she ready to embrace this darkness fully? Yes, yes, she was.
“Drink from me,” she urged, baring her neck to him. “Make me yours completely.”
“Are you certain?” Dimitri’s fangs grazed her skin, sending a nice buzz through her.
“Do it.” She gasped, anticipation coursing through her veins.
With a growl, Dimitri sank his fangs into her neck, a sharp sting followed by a rush of euphoria. Amelia moaned in pleasure, her body arching against his. The sensation was intoxicating, a heady sensation of pain and ecstasy. Dimitri lifted his head, his lips stained with her blood. He kissed her fiercely, and her body melted into his. She was stepping into an abyss with no guarantee of safety or happiness—only the certainty of her feelings for him. And as their lips met again in fervent unity, she knew there was no turning back now. He lifted his head and looked down at her with a soft smile.
“Amelia,” he whispered against her lips. “Do you want to be immortal?”