32. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

C asimir guided Rowan from the plush confines of their carriage, her laughter cascading through the air. Every step she took filled her with excitement, a mix of nerves and exhilaration buzzing beneath her skin. She couldn’t see anything beyond the smooth silk blindfold over her eyes, but she could feel the sun’s warmth on her cheeks and smell the violet-scented breeze.

“Careful, now.” His touch lingered on her waist. “Almost there, darling.”

The anticipation had been building ever since they’d left Marcus’s castle. The carriage ride had been smooth, yet Rowan’s stomach fluttered with untamed butterflies, each one yearning for the surprise that awaited her.

“Where are we?” She squeezed his hand tighter, fighting the urge to rip off the blindfold.

“Always so impatient.” Casimir’s voice held a teasing edge as he unfurled the fabric from her eyes. “Your curiosity will soon be satisfied.”

Light flooded her vision, and for a moment, she blinked against the brilliance of the sun. As her surroundings came into focus, Rowan gasped.

A grand mansion towered before them, its presence dominating the countryside. The exterior was a masterpiece of elaborate stonework and soaring windows that caught the sunlight in a dazzling display. Ivy climbed the stone walls, and northern blue violets decorated each window box and balcony, bringing back fond memories of their time at Cora’s cottage.

“You’re rich?” The words tumbled out of Rowan’s mouth .

“Rich in years, and now in love,” he said, his tone laced with amusement.

“Oh, come on.” She playfully batted his arm.

“Let’s just say I’ve had ample time to cultivate my resources.” The edges of his mouth lifted as he extended his hand toward her. “Come. Let’s explore our new home.”

“I think you mean your new home,” she corrected, still reeling from the surreal turn her life had taken.

“Ours,” he asserted, with gentle firmness. “I’ve wandered through lifetimes of solitude, accumulated wealth that kings would envy, but none of it mattered until you. Every stone, every pane of glass, every aspect of it is for you.” His gaze never wavered, and she could see the truth reflected in his eyes—a dark pool where she could drown her insecurities. “A lifetime may not be enough, but we shall start with an eternity within these walls.”

“For me?” A surge of emotion welled up inside her at the magnitude of what they were about to embark on together.

“Yes, for you. Only for you.”

Without a second thought, she threw herself into his arms. Casimir held her tight against him, steadying her in his embrace. His lips brushed over hers and set every nerve ending in her body ablaze. Then he deepened the kiss. His mouth pressed against hers with an intensity that spoke of centuries of longing.

Their fiery kiss slowly faded to glowing embers as Casimir gently pulled away, his eyes still blazing with a passion that matched her own. He lowered himself onto one knee before her.

“Rowan, in over two hundred years, not once did I dare to dream that I could find someone who would look beyond the darkness inside me. You see me—not just the vampire, but the man.”

He reached into the folds of his tunic and produced a ring. The band gleamed with ancient gold, crowned by an emerald that matched the color of Rowan’s eyes perfectly, as if the stone had been plucked from her very essence.

Casimir gazed up at her, his expression vulnerable. “Will you marry me and accept this ring as a symbol of my love?”

Rowan stared at the ring, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape. The weight of his question hung in the air, seeping into the very foundation of the grand mansion that towered over them. She couldn’t explain it, but something about this moment felt like fate.

“Yes!” she squealed .

Casimir’s face broke into an unrestrained grin as he took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit, much like the two of them. It was a promise of their shared future together, of love that had blossomed from an unlikely friendship to an undeniable bond.

Casimir rose, taking her into his arms, and they kissed once again. “Shall we?” He gestured toward the mansion.

“Lead on.”

“Tradition dictates that I carry my bride over the threshold.”

“We’re not married yet, but who am I to argue?” Rowan wrapped her arms around his neck, her laughter mingling with his as he effortlessly hoisted her into his arms.

He carried her across the mansion’s entrance, the heavy wooden door swinging shut behind them with a resonant thud. The grandeur of the entryway immediately enveloped them, the high ceilings arching gracefully overhead as if to cradle the sunlight that streamed through the tall windows.

“Welcome home, my love.”

“Home.” She savored the word, the concept, the reality. Home with Casimir—dark, dangerous, immortal Casimir. It was more than she dared to hope for, and yet here they stood, ready to build a life together.

“Quite spacious for just the two of us, don’t you think?” She raised an eyebrow playfully.

Casimir’s response was a knowing smirk, a mysterious glint in his eyes that suggested he had another surprise up his sleeve. “You could say I like to plan for . . . possibilities.”

“Is that what we’re calling empty rooms these days?” She took another step further inside, her curious gaze taking everything in.

He followed behind her. “I thought, perhaps, you’d like to give it your touch. To make it ours.”

Rowan turned to face him, struck by the tenderness in his voice. “Really?”

“Every room. Every single corner.” He reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. “This home will come alive with your laughter, your spirit. It’s yours to shape as you see fit—decorations, staff, everything.”

Her heart swelled, the gesture striking a chord within her. Here was the sanctuary she’d always yearned for, a safe and loving home offered to her by a man who’d known centuries of solitude and darkness. It stirred a deep sense of connection between them that bonded their souls even more firmly together .

Although she was overjoyed, a part of her couldn’t help but feel sorrow for Lyra and the children she’d had to leave behind. The contrast between her new life and their meager existence at the orphanage—paltry meals, barren rooms, rickety cots—was stark and discomforting. She quickly averted her eyes from Casimir’s piercing stare, attempting to suppress the sudden wash of guilt that threatened to overshadow their happiness.

Casimir, seemingly attuned to her every emotion, asked gently, “What is it?” His dark eyes searched hers in a way that made her feel seen like no one else ever had.

“Nothing.” She forced a smile onto her lips. “Thank you, Casimir. For this, for always believing in me, and for helping me to love and accept myself.”

“It has been my honor and privilege.”

She clung to him, feeling the solid wall of his chest against her forehead. The promise of a home filled with love—a dream she’d tucked away in the darkest corners of her mind—was now a reality. As she stood wrapped in the arms of the man she loved, the weight of her past fears was replaced by the certainty that she had found her place in the universe.

“We’ll fill it with a lifetime of happy memories,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Let’s make it truly our own.”

“Nothing would make me happier. But what if we could make it last beyond just one lifetime?”

A crease formed between Rowan’s brows. “I thought I made it clear that I don’t want to be turned.”

He shook his head vigorously. “No. No, my love. I didn’t mean that at all. I understand and respect your choice.”

“Then, I’m confused. What exactly are you saying?”

A wide smile crept over his face, causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle. “Remember when Marcus and Tariq took me away for ‘vampire business’ after the battle?”

Rowan arched an eyebrow. “Who’s Tariq? Please just tell me what you’re trying to say. I can’t handle all this suspense.”

Casimir chuckled. His eyes held an impish sparkle. “Tariq is second in command of the Vampire Council. An ally of sorts.”

“Of sorts?”

He shrugged. “They didn’t just summon me to discuss the aftermath of the battle. They recognized and praised my role in helping to defeat the Reaper. And so, they honored me by making me a member of the Council.” Seeing her shocked expression, he quickly added, “It doesn’t change anything between us. It only strengthens our position.”

Rowan gazed at him as she considered his news. She could sense his apprehension and gave him a reassuring nod. “I think that’s wonderful.” She was genuinely happy for him, despite her initial shock. His position on the Council would mean more allies and protection; it was a positive change for the both of them.

Casimir’s relief was palpable as he pulled her into a warm embrace, whispering his gratitude into her hair. But then his face grew serious again. “They also shared something with me, something I didn’t know was possible.”

Rowan’s curiosity flared brighter than ever. “Well? Spit it out already.”

Casimir laughed again. “According to Tariq,” he began slowly, “master vampire blood can cease aging indefinitely in powerful magic wielders. Even from your brief interaction, he could sense the immense power radiating from you. He believed it was important for us to know that consuming small amounts of my blood periodically would sustain this effect for eternity. Without you ever having to be turned.”

Stunned silence filled the room. Rowan blinked at him—once, twice—as she processed the magnitude of what he’d just shared. “You mean . . . I won’t age, and I won’t have to turn?” She could hardly believe it.

His eyes lit up with hope. “That’s correct.”

“But how? And for the love of the goddess, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Casimir squeezed her hands, bringing them up to press a gentle kiss onto her knuckles. “I wanted to find the right time. To know that I wasn’t pressuring you into a decision.” His voice became soft, tender. “Although it won’t turn you into a vampire, it remains a significant commitment. One I wanted you to make freely.”

Rowan felt dizzy as she looked into Casimir’s eyes. Could she choose this, choose him, for eternity? The idea of losing her humanity and changing from the person she’d finally begun to love and accept frightened her. But this felt different. Like the answer to a wish she hadn’t dared to speak.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into his chest. The room was silent, and it felt like the world was holding its breath along with them, waiting for her answer.

After a few seconds, Rowan lifted her head and met Casimir’s gaze. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but they were not of fear or sadness; instead, they held pure, unadulterated joy.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I want us to be together forever.”

Relief washed over his face. “Are you sure? ”

“Yes, I’m sure.” Her answer held no doubt, no uncertainty. Only happiness and love.

“You have no idea how much this means to me.” Casimir’s voice came out low and filled with emotion, a rare occurrence for the usually stoic vampire. “You had my heart from the moment we met. Your bravery, your intelligence, your fierce loyalty, your internal beauty. The thought of eternity once felt like a curse, but now, with you by my side, it seems like a gift.” He lowered his head until their lips were only inches apart. “Thank you.” He sealed his words with a kiss.

After a moment, he gently pulled away, leaving Rowan breathless and slightly disoriented. His hands, firm on her waist, kept her steady. Without a word, his arms slipped underneath her thighs and back.

“Ca-Casimir!” she yelped as he hoisted her off the ground.

“Brace yourself.” He cradled her close and began ascending the grand staircase with supernatural speed. The room whipped past them in a dizzying whirl of colors.

“Where are we going?” Her arms looped around his neck as they ascended the stairs. She felt his laughter rumbling through his chest, the vibrations sparking a tingling sensation that raced across her skin.

“To celebrate.” He kicked open the door to the master bedroom, stepping inside with Rowan still in his arms. “Behold.” He shot her a beaming grin as they paused at the entryway. “The one piece of furniture I ensured was ready for our arrival.”

The spacious bedroom opened up before them, dominated by an ornate bed that seemed to await its owners with regal dignity. Its dark wood pillars were carved with intricate patterns that whispered of ancient times, while the plush bedding invited them into its embrace.

Rowan’s laughter filled the room. “Your priorities are duly noted, my love.”

“I can’t get enough of you. Every second with you is precious.” His hands traced the contours of her body, worshiping her with every caress.

Rowan peered up at him, seeing not a vampire, but the man who held her heart. She reached for him, pulling him down with her onto the bed as their lips met again in a heated kiss, tongues tasting and exploring. His hands tangled in her hair, undoing her braid and letting her tresses cascade around her face. He placed open-mouthed kisses down her neck, his fangs grazing her delicate skin, making her gasp with pleasure.

The rest of the world fell away. The only thing that mattered was the feel of their bodies intertwined. Their clothes were discarded hastily, strewn across the room without care. Casimir’s touch was everywhere, setting her senses aflame. He kissed every inch of her body, from the hollow of her neck to the dip of her navel, paying homage to every curve and contour.

Rowan bucked against him when he touched a particularly sensitive spot, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest as she did so. Her nails dug into his bare back, eliciting a pleasured growl from him.

With a gentle push, she rolled them over until she was straddling him, their positions reversed. It was her turn to explore his body with her hands and mouth. She bent to press her lips along the muscular planes of his chest, her hair falling like a curtain around them. Her slim fingers and mouth circled his erection, moving in a steady rhythm designed to drive him wild.

Casimir looked at her with hooded eyes, his shaft jerking and straining towards her. “Rowan. Please.”

Without warning, he flipped them again so he was hovering above her, looking down at her with eyes filled with raw desire.

Beneath him, she shivered in anticipation, her skin flushed with arousal. He paused between her legs, his cool lips brushing against the warmth of her core. She gasped, arching into him, begging for more. He chuckled as his tongue tasted and explored her.

Rowan hissed through her teeth, trying to remain still. She couldn’t believe the sensations that coursed through her body at his touch. She whimpered and moaned shamelessly as he ravaged her with his tongue and fingers. The room spun around her as she approached climax, riding a near-painful edge. He didn’t relent until she was screaming his name and shuddering uncontrollably beneath him.

“Casimir!” she panted, her body still trembling beneath him with aftershocks.

Casimir rose from her thighs with a wicked grin on his face. “Tell me you want me.”

“I want you.”

“Tell me you’re ready for me,” he begged, his voice husky and low.

“Yes, Casimir. I need you inside of me now.”

He slid his body up hers. Rowan bit her lower lip as he positioned himself, rubbing the tip of his erection against her entrance. He slowly pushed inside, and she let out a small whimper as he gripped her hips to help guide his shaft forward. There was a tiny pinch of pain, but it felt so, so good.

He claimed her mouth with a searing kiss, but held himself still, allowing her to adjust to his size. His face was a mask of concentration as he watched her closely for any signs of discomfort .

She nudged him playfully. “Move. You’re not going to break me.”

He let out a deep groan as he started to move with slow, deliberate strokes. “Gods, Rowan. Every part of you is magical.” He nipped at her collarbone, sucking hard enough to leave a mark.

Rowan dug her nails into his shoulders as fire spread throughout her body, consuming every inch of her. She moaned, her mouth open wide in ecstasy. His hands found hers and intertwined their fingers, holding on tight as he plunged deeper. The pleasure became overwhelming as he filled and stretched her.

Casimir shifted back to stare into her eyes. His gaze held hers captive as he pierced his lower lip with his fang, drawing out a drop of blood. He let out a low growl before pulling her in for a deep, hungry kiss. She gasped as she tasted the rich, metallic flavor of his offering—warm and intoxicating. Her passion grew with the taste of his blood as their mouths devoured each other. She tightened around him as he thrust faster inside of her.

“Bite me,” she pleaded, shivering at the edge of ecstasy once again.

Her words were a challenge laced with desire that he clearly couldn’t resist. Casimir’s fangs found their mark on her neck in a swift decisive strike, drawing blood. She bucked against him and cried out his name like a mantra. Their lovemaking was raw and primal, bringing them to a shared climax that shattered any remaining barriers between them.

As the waves of pleasure slowly ebbed, Rowan gazed deeply into his eyes. In them, she saw a vulnerability that mirrored her own, a depth of emotion that transcended mere physical longing.

“I’ve been searching for this connection all my life, without even realizing it.” With a shaking hand, she reached out to caress his cheek. “And now that I’ve finally found you, I know I’m home.”

As they stared into each other’s eyes, Rowan realized with bone-deep certainty that she belonged to him, and he to her, for all the nights to come.

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