Chapter 6—Vandria
I KNEEL ON THE BLANKET , adjusting the candle so its glow spreads across our little corner of the bookstore’s back room. My entire body still hums with the adrenaline from the scavenger hunt. Declan’s mood seems equally charged. He sits nearby, back pressed to a stack of crates, those broad shoulders looking too tense for comfort. The locked door behind us remains silent. No new attempts from Grizelda or the festival’s magic to barge in.
My pulse beats in my ears. The hush feels heavier than any illusions we encountered tonight. A swirl of leftover energy sparks between us whenever our eyes meet. He fiddles with the hem of his jacket, gaze shifting over me, the blanket, and the dim corners. A flicker of longing crosses his features, but he clamps it down, forging a stony look.
I adjust my braid, letting it drape over one shoulder as I move closer. He keeps one hand on his knee, the other trailing across the floor, as though he’s not sure where to put it. My ribs tighten.
“Maybe we should talk.” I set the candle on a wooden crate so the light falls softly on his face.
He draws in a measured breath. “About what?”
His voice is steady, though a subtle tremor runs beneath it. The tension in his jaw suggests he isn’t comfortable opening up. There’s a raw vulnerability swirling in the air.
I inch closer, resting on my knees. “About the military?” My fingertips hover near his arm, not quite touching. “Or maybe about how you ended up a florist?”
He huffs, gaze drifting to the stacked books behind me. “You must think it’s ridiculous.”
I settle back, letting the blanket cover my ankles. “No. People find peace in the strangest places.”
He takes a shaky breath, gaze darting to mine. “Peace. That’s funny. My old buddies used to laugh when they found out. They said men in our line of work do not become florists. Yet I stuck with it because... I don’t know. It felt calm. Grounded. I learned I liked experimenting with color palettes and blooms. My grandmother says I have the right touch.”
A warmth spreads in my chest. “You sound proud of it.”
He lifts a shoulder. “I guess I am. Didn’t expect to be proud, but yeah. I put together arrangements for weddings, births, and anniversaries. People rely on me to help them celebrate. It’s different from my old life of...not so celebratory things.”
I watch him carefully. A flicker of pride mingles with the torment in his eyes. “It’s a purpose. You’re good at what you do.”
He finally glances up, mouth curving at the corners. “Thanks. Maybe that’s what I needed. A new mission. A reason to keep going.”
I graze his forearm, a light brush that sends a spark through my veins. “That’s not silly at all.”
His gaze lingers on the candle’s flame, revealing a faint quake in his hand. “The problem is, I can’t switch off certain instincts. Sometimes I look around and see only threats. The day I arrived here, I checked for exit strategies every two minutes. That’s how I ended up tying a lantern to a fence.”
A quiet laugh escapes me, though it’s laced with sympathy. “The entire town saw or later heard about your attempt.”
He closes his eyes, exhaling. “Perfect.”
I rest my hand over his. “They don’t think less of you for it. They’re just entertained. Evershift Haven loves a spectacle.”
He drags a fingertip across the blanket, nodding. “I’m starting to see that.” His gaze turns more solemn. “I might have judged them...and you...too harshly.”
I press my lips together. “People here can be overwhelming. They keep pushing fate and romance and illusions. Hard to breathe under that pressure, especially if you never believed in magic to begin with.”
He studies my face. His expression softens. “It’s not just the town that’s overwhelming.”
My heart pounds. I dip my chin, uncertain if I want to face the words forming between us. “What do you mean?”
He shifts, leaning forward to rest his arms on his thighs. “You. This connection. It’s unsettling how fast it’s happening. My brain keeps screaming that it’s illusions or the festival’s matchmaking. Something about you isn’t easy to ignore.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “It’s not illusions. I’m not that powerful.”
He looks unconvinced. “You’re a vampire. Magical is your middle name.”
“Vampires in this town are just another species with certain...traits, but I can’t conjure illusions like that. I can’t force you to feel anything.” My voice quavers. “I wouldn’t even if I could.”
He looks down at our joined hands, and a corner of his mouth twitches. “I know. Sorry.” I’m not used to feeling so out of control.”
A swirl of tenderness wraps around my chest. “I get that. I keep my guard up because it’s easier than letting people in. Mortals come and go so quickly. I’d rather not break my heart every time.”
He lifts his eyes. “So, you push them away.”
I nod, gaze drifting to the half-burned candle. “That’s safer. Or it was, until you waltzed in with your van and your scowl.”
A faint laugh escapes him. “I scowl less when I’m not trapped by magical roads.”
We share a smile. The hush returns, though it’s no longer tense. Something softer has taken its place. I sense the spool of tension unraveling in the flicker of candlelight, opening a path we’ve both skirted around.
I shift onto my knees, bracing a hand on his shoulder. “Declan?”
He lifts his head. “Yeah?”
Words stick in my throat. My pulse thrums, but I can’t break eye contact. “I... Sorry if I teased you too hard. That day you arrived, I saw how flustered you were. I thought messing with you was fun. Didn’t think it would matter. Then we started talking, and you...matter more than I expected.”
His jaw tightens. He sets both hands on my waist. The heat of his palms seeps through my clothes, stoking a low ache in my belly. “I should hate this place. I should hate everything about being stranded, but I don’t. Not anymore.”
My lips part. The tension in his voice and softness in his eyes collides in a wave of longing. We hover like that, locked in each other’s gaze. A swirl of leftover festival magic crackles in the air, though I can’t tell if it’s real or just my own pounding heart.
He exhales, then leans in with slow deliberation. Our mouths meet in a gentle brush that sets every nerve in my body aflame. I press closer, breath catching. His lips part. The taste of chocolate and coffee from earlier still lingers. A faint groan rumbles in his throat, and I answer with a quiet sigh. The kiss deepens in gradual, tender motions, as though we’re both unsure how far we dare go.
He moves one hand up my back, fingers splaying across my spine. My body arches involuntarily, seeking contact. My breath hitches in surprise at how perfectly we fit together. Each time he tilts his head, the angle sends a fresh spark through me. The warm hush around us magnifies every small sound—our shared breathing, the faint rustle of clothes, the flicker of candlelight.
I shift my weight, sinking into his lap. His arms close around me, steady and sure, and my heart slams against my ribs. This is real. Not illusions, not forced. My lips move against his in a slow, desperate dance. He breaks away for a moment, breathing hard, eyes glimmering.
“You’re sure about this?” His voice drops, husky enough to stir the ache pooling in my belly.
A shaky nod is all I manage. “Yes.”
His mouth claims mine again, more urgent now, and I melt into him. Every touch burns like fire, but I want more. Need more. I run my hands over his broad shoulders, savoring the feel of muscle beneath fabric. When I reach the collar of his henley, I tug at the buttons, fumbling in my haste. He chuckles softly, pulling away long enough to help me undo them. Then he shrugs out of the garment, letting it fall to the floor.
The sight of bare skin, a few degrees warmer than mine, makes my pulse race. I trace my fingertips along his chest, exploring each ridge and valley. He inhales sharply, tensing under my touch. I lean forward and kiss him again. He responds with equal fervor, tongue sweeping past my parted lips. One hand slides up my neck, cupping the base of my skull. The other slips under my shirt, calloused palm rough against my stomach. I squirm, gasping.
Heat floods my veins. My whole body feels electrified. I break off our kiss to pull my top off. His gaze rakes over me, hungry and appreciative. Before I can react, he dips his head to nuzzle my breastbone. “Declan, I—”
“Shh.” He presses a finger to my lips, then replaces it with his mouth. His kisses trail lower, following the curve of my breasts. I arch toward him, whimpering. He takes one nipple between his teeth, teasing lightly. Pleasure shoots straight to my pussy. I grind against his thigh, seeking friction. He growls, biting harder.
“Oh...” I gasp, clutching at his hair. He switches sides, lavishing attention on my other nipple until I'm panting.
Then he lifts his head, grinning wickedly. “What do you want?”
“More,” I whisper. “Please.”
He nods, sliding his hands down to my knee boots, unzipping them. I kick them off, along with my socks. He runs his palms up my calves, massaging gently. I shiver, leaning into his touch as he works his way higher. By the time he reaches my thighs, I'm trembling. He pauses, glancing up at me.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yes.” I swallow hard, trying to regain some composure. “Just...sensitive.”
“Good.” He flashes another devilish smile before slipping his fingers under my waistband. I lift myself slightly so he can slide off my pants. They join the rest of our discarded clothing on the floor, followed by my panties. Now I'm completely naked, exposed to his scrutiny. I flush, fighting the urge to cover myself.
He doesn't seem bothered by my modesty. Instead, he studies me intently, drinking in every detail. His gaze travels from my face to my toes and back again, lingering on certain parts longer than others. Heat pools low in my belly when he focuses on my pussy. I bite my lip, resisting the urge to squirm.
Finally, he meets my gaze once more. “Beautiful.”
I blush deeper, unable to form words. He smiles and leans forward to kiss me again. I respond eagerly, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulls me onto his lap, positioning me so that I straddle him. His erection strains against his jeans, pressing against my inner thigh. I moan softly, grinding against it. He groans, bucking his hips.
We continue kissing while rubbing against each other. Soon, I'm soaked with arousal. His cock throbs beneath me, straining against the denim. I reach down to unbutton his fly, freeing him at last. He sighs in relief, thrusting upward. I wrap my hand around his shaft, stroking slowly as I adjust my position. Then I guide him toward my entrance.
He grips my hips tightly, holding me steady. “Wait.”
I pause, looking at him questioningly.
“Condom,” he explains. “Do you have any?”
I shake my head. “No, sorry.”
“It's fine.” He releases me to rummage through his pockets. After a moment, he produces a foil packet. “I...can you get pregnant?”
I shrug. “By a vampire, certainly. It's less clear if I could with a human.” I take the packed to tear it open. “Better safe than sorry.”
He watches silently as I roll the condom over his cock. Once it's secure, I resume my earlier position. He holds himself still while I sink onto him. We both groan as my pussy stretches around him. He fills me completely, stretching me almost painfully. I rock my hips experimentally, adjusting to his girth while he grunts, digging his nails into my flesh.
“Vandria...”
“Mmm, yes.” I start moving slowly, riding him. He matches my pace, thrusting upward. Our bodies move together effortlessly, finding a natural rhythm. The pressure builds inside me, growing stronger with each stroke as he hits all the right spots. My muscles clench around him, drawing him deeper. He moans loudly, gripping my ass tighter.
Soon, we're both panting heavily. Sweat beads on my forehead as I struggle to maintain control while chasing release. He seems equally affected, grunting and cursing under his breath. Finally, I lose it. My orgasm crashes over me, sending waves of pleasure rippling through my body. I cry out, shuddering violently. He follows suit, spilling himself inside the condom with a low moan.
We collapse together, chests heaving. Every muscle throbs with an afterglow so intense it borders on pain. My mind floats in a haze, struggling to ground itself. He shifts, arms wrapping around me in a loose embrace. The tip of my nose skims the side of his neck, inhaling his sweat and something undeniably masculine.
We lie like that for a beat, hearts thumping. My eyes slide shut, peace washing through my limbs. A faint swirl of pink illusions drifts at the edges of my vision, probably leftover from the festival. I half-laugh, half-sigh into his shoulder.
“Didn’t see that coming,” I murmur, voice shaky.
He strokes a hand up my spine in a soothing gesture. “Neither did I.”
The hush thickens, though it feels content. My mind starts to grasp how monumental this is. I never let myself get this close, never risk heartbreak for fleeting passion. Yet right now, I feel safe. The grin building on my lips is unstoppable. The entire town might guess. I might not care.
His lips press a soft kiss to my temple, breathing steadier. A question forms on my tongue, but the words never come. My gaze locks on the golden lantern overhead. The orb pulses once, then glows with an intensity I’ve never seen.
He tenses, lifting his head. “What—?” He doesn’t finish.
Radiance engulfs us. The lantern’s aura envelops my vision, becoming a shining bubble that expands around our joined bodies. My chest clenches with both awe and alarm. Threads of gold flicker across my arms while arcs of light dance around his shoulders. The air hums with a static charge.
A heartbeat passes, and the lantern dims. The swirling bubble collapses, leaving stardust drifting in the air. The orb deflates, slumping to the ground like a wilted balloon. My mouth goes dry. That display was the festival’s final confirmation. The magic recognized we’d completed some cosmic step.
He jerks away, eyes widening, and body going rigid. I see panic flood his features before I can speak. He rolls off me, fumbling for his clothes. I flatten my hand against the floor in surprise.
He yanks on his pants, refusing to meet my eyes. The color drains from his face. “That means... you’re...” His voice shakes. “My... fated match? That’s what you said the lantern was for, right?”
I watch him, heart slamming behind my ribs. “That’s how it usually works.” My words wobble. “Maybe it just means we found something real.”
He stiffens, pressing his lips into a thin line. “You said illusions can’t force anything.” He drags his shirt on, hands trembling. “So, maybe that was real. Maybe it’s fate, but... No.”
His refusal stings like a slap. I sit upright, blanket sliding to my waist. My breathing feels ragged. “What do you mean, ‘no?’”
He avoids my gaze, scanning the small room for his jacket. “I can’t do this. This is too much. I can’t jump from a one-night stand to...fated love. I’m not prepared for that.”
My stomach twists. “Who said we have to define it right now? We can figure it out.”
He finds his jacket behind a crate and shrugs into it with clumsy haste. “The lantern literally just lit up like the Fourth of July. Everyone in town expects me to become your... I don’t know. Some fairy-tale romance. That’s insane.”
My heart clenches. “Wait.” I scramble to my feet. “Please don’t run.”
He rubs his face, turning half away. “I need air. Need to think.”
I reach for his arm, voice cracking. “This was real. Don’t shut me out.”
His eyes flick to mine for a split second. Agony flickers in those dark irises. He inhales sharply, pulling free of my grasp. “I’m sorry.”
He marches for the door. It unlocks easily, as if the block never existed. He wrenches it open, footsteps echoing into the corridor. The hush that remains feels suffocating.
The door swings shut behind him, leaving me alone, naked except for the blanket draped around my waist. Shock and confusion war inside me. The swirl of leftover golden sparks from the lantern fade into the darkness. A tremor starts in my fingertips, then moves up my arms.
I stare at the deflated orb on the floor. My chest constricts. The festival’s final reveal was supposed to be a moment of celebration, or at least acceptance. Instead, I’m alone, unsure if I messed up by letting down my guard.
I scramble for my clothes, heart pounding so hard it hurts. Each movement triggers the memory of his hands on me. The harsh contrast rips open an ache in my chest. My throat tightens around a whimper I won’t let escape. I will not break down. Not here. Not yet.
After fumbling with my clothes, I sink onto the blanket, knees pulled to my chest. The candle flickers, casting dancing shadows on the crates. My breathing slows as the tears threaten to spill. This is why I never let myself get involved with mortals. They run. They fear time. They fear me.
I smooth a hand across my mouth, recalling the taste of him. My mind replays the desperation in his voice when he realized the lantern’s meaning. That reaction wasn’t mild confusion. It was panic. Perhaps he spent so long in charge of his own fate that the idea of a cosmic bond is too big a leap.
A strangled sound bubbles in my throat. I rub my eyes, forcing composure. My bookstore is empty. The festival’s music hums faintly outside. The rest of Evershift Haven is celebrating. Declan is probably wandering the streets in shock. Maybe he’ll keep walking until the barrier loops him around again. Maybe I’ll see him in an hour. Maybe I won’t.
I stare at the deflated lantern. The leftover spark flickers once, then fizzles out. No illusions. No forced bond. Something real. My heart clenches again. Real or not, that doesn’t fix the heartbreak blooming in my chest.
I press my forehead against the crate, fighting tears. The intense joy from moments ago has shattered into confusion and pain. The hush envelops me, and I wonder if that’s the festival’s last trick—giving a taste of something profound, only to tear it away. Evershift’s magic can be cruel.
My lungs expand slowly, searching for equilibrium. There’s a fleeting urge to chase him and demand we talk. My pride flares. My wounded heart begs me to let him go. My mind reels from the swirl of emotional whiplash.
The candle flickers, nearly spent. Wax drips onto the crate, forming a small puddle that glistens in the final glow. I watch the droplet roll, mesmerized. Each second that passes cements the reality: he’s gone. For now, anyway.
I lift my head, fighting to gather my scattered feelings. My gaze settles on the ring of illusions that swirl just outside the small window, hearts drifting on the night breeze. Evershift Haven’s festival is still in full force. All that romantic energy mocks me in the starkness of this storeroom.
My voice emerges in a bitter whisper. “Declan, please come back.”
No reply. No footprints in the hall. No heavy sigh or knock at the door. Only emptiness. I exhale a ragged breath and force myself to stand, adjusting my clothes with trembling hands. The time for illusions is over. The festival’s glow might surround me, but inside, I feel the creeping chill of disappointment.
I gather my things, blow out the candle, and step into the corridor. The bookstore’s front room remains dim. The moment I cross the threshold, every sense begs me to search for him. My heart demands I do something. My mind warns me not to push him right now.
I walk to the shop’s front windows, pressing my palm against the cool glass. The Town Square is alive with music and dancing. The sight of couples spinning in the lantern-lit plaza sends a jolt of envy through me. My chest tightens again.
Tears threaten. I grit my teeth and wipe at my eyes with one sleeve. This is the risk I always avoided. The moment felt perfect. The aftermath is anything but. I stand there, leaning my forehead against the glass, letting the distant tunes of flutes and violins wash over me. My eyes scan the dancing crowd for his face. No sign of him.
One shaky breath leads to another. I swallow the ache rising in my throat, bracing for the unknown. If this truly is fate, then I don’t know how to fix it. If it’s just some cosmic joke, maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow and carry on. I told him I learned to keep my heart guarded. Now I discover too late that the guard isn’t enough when magic decides otherwise.
Standing there in the half-darkness, I remember the warmth of his skin and the look in his eyes when he first kissed me. Something deep inside me hopes he’ll come to terms with the lantern’s sign. Another part whispers it’s best to let him run. I can’t decide.
A single tear slips free, trailing down my cheek. I let it fall. No illusions can fix the raw sting in my chest. The enchantment that lit our moment now stands between us like a wall. He fled from the possibility of something real. I might have lost him before we even began.
I close my eyes. The night presses on, but I’m done braving the crowds. I wish I could conjure a protective shield around my heart. The only plan now is to wait to see if he’ll come back, or if Evershift Haven’s magic has driven him away for good.