27. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
C asimir’s lips brushed against Rowan’s forehead, rousing her from her slumber. They were entwined, basking in the gentle light of dawn. In the peaceful stillness, she could feel the undeniable hardness of his desire pressing against her stomach.
“I wish for every day to begin exactly like this,” he murmured against her lips. The words vibrated with a longing that wound its way around her heart.
She wished the moment of intimacy could last forever, but alas, it was cut short as Casimir suddenly tensed and pulled away with a regretful expression.
“We have company.”
The peaceful daze of half-sleep shattered abruptly. Rowan noted the slight shift in his demeanor—the protective set of his jaw, the keen alertness in his eyes—and understood. Company meant potential danger, or at the very least, an interruption to their private cocoon. With a shared nod, they untangled themselves from the sheets to prepare for what was to come.
“Before we get ready, I have something for you.” He held out a package wrapped in soft brown parchment, tied off with twine.
Her eyebrows lifted. “What is it?” She took the package from him and turned it over in her hands. He only smiled and gestured for her to open it.
Inside was a set of battle leathers. They were exquisitely crafted of hardened leather plates, tough and resilient yet miraculously light. Intricate patterns of silver embellished the edges and sharp silver spikes covered the shoulder plates, their points gleaming wickedly in the faint light .
Rowan’s eyes widened in awe. “These are incredible.” She ran her fingers over the finely crafted leather.
“They’re not just for show.” His hand found hers on top of the chest piece. “I had Marcus’s journeyman armorer alter them, especially for you. They’ll help to keep you safe during the upcoming battle.”
“Thank you, Casimir.” She felt overwhelmed by the gesture. What could she say that could adequately convey the magnitude of this gift? It held more meaning than any piece of jewelry or rich fabric could.
He nodded, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You should get dressed quickly.”
Rowan hastily put on her new armor. The tight leather garments hugged her form, molding to her like a second skin that emphasized her curves while shielding her body from harm. The dark leather contrasted strikingly with her fair complexion. The design accentuated her figure, which had become noticeably curvier ever since she’d begun eating regular meals.
Casimir watched silently. The protective edge in his gaze was nowhere to be seen, replaced with an appreciation that made her feel powerful and beautiful. He stepped forward, his tall frame dwarfing hers as he closed the distance between them.
“You look like a warrior goddess,” he said with a mix of admiration and lust.
His hands found her waist, pulling her flush against his hard body, a hint of something wicked twinkling in his eyes. He leaned in, his dark hair brushing against her forehead.
“I wish we had time to employ some of Marcus’s other . . . equipment. A whip, perhaps?” A sly grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Rowan’s cheeks flushed. But rather than recoiling in embarrassment, she found herself matching his playful spark with a defiant glint of her own.
“Maybe next time.” She aimed for casual, but landed more on the side of breathless. “If you can handle it, that is.”
He blinked before his broad chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “You continue to surprise me.”
His eyes flicked to her lips and back up again, holding her captive in their depths. The air between them crackled with an energy that was becoming familiar, yet still thrilling. His scent filled her nostrils—earthy and woodsy, with a spicy undercurrent that reminded her of dark, secretive nights. His hand cradled the back of her head, his thumb caressing the soft skin behind her earlobe .
“I’m quite certain I can handle more than you credit me for,” he said, his voice low and sensual. She responded with a quiet, shaky breath and a subtle arching into his touch.
Casimir claimed her lips with his own. The kiss was slow and languid, a soft exploration that sparked an inferno inside her. He tasted like sin itself—intoxicating and utterly addictive.
His hands roamed over her body, exploring her curves beneath the leather. He gave her buttocks a firm squeeze as he lifted her effortlessly. In response, Rowan wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing against him.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by laughter from downstairs, reminding them that they had company and preparations to complete before the Reaper’s army arrived.
As they descended the winding staircase and entered the dining hall, the air hummed with energy. Cora’s vibrant red hair was the first splash of color that caught Rowan’s eye. The tavern owner glided forward with open arms, enveloping her in an affectionate squeeze.
“Rowan.” Cora’s lips stretched into a wide grin. “Congratulations to the new couple.” Her eyes twinkled as she gave Rowan a knowing wink.
“Thank you.” Rowan gave her a tight smile that didn’t quite hide her anxiousness. “But how did you—”
“Vampire hearing,” Marcus said from across the room, his tone laced with amusement and a hint of regret.
Rowan’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, a wave of embarrassment washing over her as she realized the implication. Last night’s passion hadn’t been as private as she’d thought. Her eyes darted to Casimir, who stood with an air of casual defiance, a proud smirk playing on his lips. It was clear he enjoyed the subtle assertion of their intimacy over his rival. Marcus’s mouth was set into a firm line, and the air prickled with a silent battle of wills between the two vampires.
“Stop it.” Rowan jabbed Casimir in the ribs with her elbow, but she couldn’t conceal her affection. She wrapped her arms around him, grounding herself in his embrace and the sense of security it offered.
“I’ll always have this reaction to you,” he replied.
Marcus’s words cut their exchange short. “How do you suddenly possess the power of a master vampire, Casimir? ”
A heavy silence enveloped the room. The playful banter and sarcastic remarks ceased as all eyes turned to Casimir. His icy blue gaze met Marcus’s amber one unblinkingly, the underlying tension palpable.
Marcus was right. Something felt different about Casimir this morning. He’d always been strong, but now Rowan could feel the power radiating off of him like an arctic breeze.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide with uncertainty. “Casimir?”
He turned to face her, a smile on his lips as he brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face. “Who knew love could be such a powerful motivator?”
“Oh, for the love of—” Marcus gave an exasperated sigh.
Casimir’s smile widened into a full-blown grin as he gave Rowan a wink. She rolled her eyes at him, but couldn’t help the amused smile that formed on her own lips.
Cora glanced at the exchange, a smirk flitting across her features before she took Rowan’s hand. “Come, we need a moment.”
She guided Rowan to a secluded room away from the others.
“Rowan, dear,” Cora began, her expression earnest and open. “I know I’ve been . . . well, let’s say skeptical about your choice. A vampire, no less.” Her fingers brushed her red hair away from her face, the gesture betraying her underlying concern. “However . . .” Cora’s gaze softened. “I’ve watched you two. Seen how he looks at you, protects you. It’s undeniable, the connection you share.” Her lips quirked upward. “I think you make a wonderful couple, and I wish you nothing but happiness.”
Rowan felt a swell of gratitude for Cora’s support. The tavern owner had become a pillar amid the turbulence in her life—a mentor and mother figure when she’d needed guidance the most. Hearing these words from her meant more than Rowan could express.
“Thank you,” Rowan said, her voice laced with emotion. “Your blessing means everything to me.”
Cora nodded, threading her fingers together with a far-off look in her eyes. “I’d do anything for you, dear.” She paused, her brow creasing. “There’s something else I need to tell you. It’s about Casimir’s newfound strength.”
Rowan frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Your mother. She told me once of a rare attribute necromancer blood holds. It can augment vampire power in those who share a deep bond.”
“And you think that my blood . . .” Rowan trailed off in disbelief .
Cora gently squeezed her hand. “Yes. The bond between you two—it doesn’t just change him emotionally, but physically as well. You’ve awakened new powers within him, powers that could change everything.”
The room seemed to dim around Rowan as she processed the enormity of Cora’s revelation. Casimir’s newfound master vampire status was because of her? Because of their bond?
As if sensing her anxiety, Casimir suddenly appeared at her side, his brows pulled low in concern as he reached for her hands. His touch helped pull her back from the brink of panic.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“It’s about us. About what we are to each other.” Rowan glanced at Cora again before turning back to face him. “It’s my blood. Cora thinks that our bond, that drinking my blood, has changed you.”
The silence that followed was deafening. She watched Casimir closely, searching his face for any hint of a reaction—fear or rejection, perhaps?
Instead, his eyes lit up. “I’ve felt it.” He gripped her hands tighter. “The surge of power whenever we’re close. Especially last night.”
Rowan swallowed thickly as her mouth became dry. She’d expected him to reject this new information, to push her away as if she were a powder keg waiting to explode. But instead, he accepted it—accepted her—as if her unusual attributes were the most natural thing in the world. Rowan’s shoulders relaxed in a rush of relief. His unwavering faith in her meant more than she could articulate.
She offered him a shaky smile. “It might be a good thing. We can use your new strength against the Reaper.”
Casimir nodded, mirroring her smile before wrapping an arm around her shoulders protectively in an unspoken pledge of support. Together, they returned to the gathering in the dining hall.
“Everyone, this is Rowan.” Cora swept her arm in a grand gesture. “She’s a force to be reckoned with and a true ally in our cause. And now—she’s one of us.”
Smiles and nods of acknowledgment rippled through the crowd. Cora guided Rowan over to a woman of captivating beauty with an air of confident grace. Her fiery red hair, a wild cascade of curls, matched Cora’s own, but a unique spark of defiance glimmered in her crystalline blue eyes. She possessed finely sculpted features, the sort of untamed beauty that could be mistaken for wildness but was nothing short of enchanting .
“Rowan, meet Ruby, my daughter,” Cora said. “She may be young, but don’t let that fool you. Her spirit is as fierce as her hair.”
Ruby’s eyes sparkled as she offered Rowan a grin that was both welcoming and challenging. “Pleasure to meet you. Any friend of my mother’s is a friend of mine.”
“Likewise, Ruby.” Rowan felt an immediate kinship with the spirited witch.
Cora led Rowan and Casimir through the crowd of witches. They varied in age, from young and vibrant to elderly and wise. Whether they had a smooth, unmarred face or skin etched with lines of experience, each witch exuded a sense of power, an air of mystique that commanded respect.
Among them was Odette, a middle-aged woman with a calm aura that contrasted with her fiery magic. She had warm brown skin and eyes filled with knowledge. Her long hair was as dark as the raven feathers she wore intertwined with beads.
Luna and Solene, a pair of young sisters, sat beside her. At only seventeen years old, they held youthful vivacity and an optimism that was immediately infectious. Luna had golden hair and illuminated gray eyes that held a hint of mischief. Solene, her twin sister who was just a few minutes younger, had the same blonde hair, but her eyes shone with a topaz hue. The sisters were like twin suns, and their radiant energy filled the room.
Eris, a spry woman in her sixties, wore every one of her years with pride. She styled her silver-black hair swept back from her tawny, weathered face and tied with beads and eagle feathers. Her deep brown eyes twinkled with untold stories and wisdom.
Eris’s gaze settled onto Rowan with a gentle curiosity, her smile warm and inviting. “Rowan, dear child. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Her eyes held a spark of kindness, making Rowan feel instantly at ease in her presence.
Rowan returned the smile. “The pleasure is mine.”
Eris took her hand, holding it with a tender grip. “You’ve been given a great gift, but I sense you don’t fully accept it yet. Your journey is just beginning.”
Rowan blinked in surprise. “Thank you, Eris.”
Eris leaned closer to whisper near Rowan’s ear. “Remember this, my dear. Harness your courage and let your light shine amid the darkness. No matter how dire the situation seems, there’s always hope. Trust yourself to know what to do when the time comes.”
The cryptic words brought an odd sense of reassurance to Rowan. Something inside her resonated deeply with Eris’s advice .
Meanwhile, the heartbeat of the coven continued as conversations took on a rhythm around them, whispers of spells intermingled with humorous chatter. Cora navigated through the sea of twenty extraordinary women with determined strides.
The group spilled into the castle courtyard, where battle preparations turned the peaceful grounds into a war staging area. Amid the clanging of metal and the shuffling of feet, Rowan saw Ruby sidle up to Marcus with a sly look.
“Marcus.” Her voice was low and conspiratorial. “I’ll need all your gunpowder and hard alcohol.”
Marcus’s eyebrows jumped nearly to his hairline as his eyes searched Ruby’s with curiosity. “Why would you need that?”
Ruby’s lips curled into a mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”
With the supplies at their disposal, several witches set about laying traps around the exterior castle walls. Bags of gunpowder and barrels of alcohol were discreetly tucked away under bushes, shrubs, and other inconspicuous places.
Rowan and Casimir made their way through the castle’s towers, distributing weapons with silent efficiency. His observant eyes scanning for any oversight, Casimir directed them to key locations on the battlements where bows with silver-tipped arrows would be most effective in raining down death upon any who dared breach their defenses.
“These are backups for your magic.” Casimir handed Rowan a quiver. “Aim for the heart. The silver-coated tips will burn them from the inside.” His hand brushed hers, sending tingles up her arm.
“I won’t need it,” she assured him, her voice steady despite the churning in her stomach.
Eris stood below, directing the earth witches as they chanted in unison, their hands moving in intricate patterns as they called upon ancient powers. As each word left their lips, the ground quaked and hidden pits emerged. Eris’s voice rose as she instructed the witches to fill the bottom of the pits with sharpened silver stakes before using their abilities to conceal the entrances with natural foliage.
After hours of preparation, Rowan was distracted by fluttering wings. Phoenix alighted on the stone railing beside her. The connection between them was immediate.
“There’s a woman on horseback closing in.” Rowan’s expression hardened as she relayed Phoenix’s warning to Casimir.
Casimir’s gaze sharpened, and he stepped closer to Rowan, a frisson of awareness traveling between them. “The Reaper’s scout, no doubt. Take cover, all of you,” he commanded the gathering crowd. “Let them think we’re unprepared, with no allies.”
The witches melted into the shadows, the courtyard soon deserted save for the rustling leaves. Casimir remained close to Rowan, his body a shield against the unseen threat, while Marcus took a position where he could observe without being seen.
“Always one step ahead.” Rowan watched Casimir appreciatively as he surveyed the area with the strategic eye of a seasoned warrior.
“Survival requires it.” His voice carried a darkness born of centuries of conflict. He glanced at Rowan, his eyes softening for a moment. “And I have much to live for now.”
A woman in a gray cloak and hood halted her horse at the iron portcullis. It remained closed. As she pulled back her hood, her ebony hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. Even from a distance, the violet of her eyes seemed to sparkle with malice.
“Vivian,” Casimir greeted her coldly.
Rowan’s contempt surged for the woman, finally exposed as their betrayer and the Reaper’s spy.
Vivian batted her eyelashes. “Let me in, Casimir, my love.”
Standing beside Casimir, Rowan matched his icy demeanor. “I don’t think so.”
“Casimir, you aren’t going to leave me out here with lurking dangers, are you?” Vivian’s voice quivered with what Rowan could tell was mock fear.
“Your poisoned words hold no sway here,” he replied, his tone cold and resolute.
Realizing that her attempts to create conflict between the two were unsuccessful, Vivian changed tack. She turned her gaze toward Rowan. “Darling. You don’t need to fight this battle. Surrender now, and perhaps the Reaper will be merciful.”
Rowan despised the succubus and her false endearments. “Your deceit is transparent. We both see through your lies. I just wish I had listened to my instincts the first time we met. I always knew you were a devious snake.”
“Fine,” Vivian said, finally realizing her attempts were futile. “Remember this choice when the bloodshed begins.” With that, she pulled on the reins, turning her horse around and galloping off.
Moments later, the ominous bellow of war horns sliced through the quiet, signaling the arrival of the Reaper’s forces. The time for words had passed. Now was the moment for action.
“Positions, everyone.” Marcus’s eyes blazed as he dashed toward the castle walls .
Casimir turned to Rowan. “Come.”
He guided her toward the tower. The stone steps spiraled upward, leading to a vantage point where Casimir could defend her while she used her powers.
“Stay close,” he said. He was more than just a warrior or a guard. He was her partner in every sense, ready to lay down his life for her.
Rowan ascended the stairs, anticipating the gravity of their task. At the top, they looked out over the battlements, the landscape beyond ready for war. She met his eyes. In them, she saw the weight of centuries and a fierce love that burned for her alone. Her heart swelled, knowing that despite their differences, there was no one else she would rather have by her side.
The tension in his face softened as he gazed at her. “Whatever happens, remember I am yours, completely.”
She responded without hesitation. “And I am yours.”
“Ready?” His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining.
She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “No, but I’ll have to be.”
With a final squeeze of her hand, Casimir stepped back, granting her space to unleash the potent magic within. His trust in her abilities was unwavering, just as her faith in him was absolute.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the charged silence before the moment that would determine their futures. As they prepared for the onslaught, the bond they shared seemed to strengthen, weaving an invisible shield around them. It was more than love. It was a partnership forged in fire, and they were ready to face the darkness together.