in blood reborn
Lucynda
TWO MONTHS LATER
I enter the kitchen. It's just as grand as I expect it to be, complete with dark-wood cabinetry, adorned with glass windows to get a better look at all the delicate dishes that line the shelves. The backsplash is gray bricks with tiny filigree details etched into them. The counters are solid white marble, and the appliances are a sleek black. It's glorious and everything I could need in a kitchen.
I walk deeper into the space, taking in the fresh aroma of seasonings and herbs that have been laid out for me.
I look around and find a hidden window tucked into an alcove where the sink is. The window looks out to part of the grounds where the forest trees fade away against the edge of the cliffs. The Shadow Creek namesake falls off into an enchanting waterfall, crashing below into the ocean.
It's peace and serenity all tied up into one elegant room.
I brush my fingers along the smooth surface of the island. The cold marble is a fresh sensation against my skin. My bare feet slide across the tiled floor as I navigate the nooks and crannies of the kitchen that I am granted sole residency in for the rest of the night.
"What are you going to start with?" Rivian's deep, relaxing tone finds its way buzzing into my ear. His breath skates across my neck as he steps up and wraps his arms around me from behind.
I snuggle into him, holding his arms to me as I let him kiss my neck.
"I'm really good at pasta," I remark. "So maybe a Kaese Spaetzle or a Champagne Shrimp." The thought of cooking again entices me greatly as I no longer have to worry about Rogues or curses for the time being.
He kisses me again, humming into my hair. "Well, I'm sure everything you need is stocked in this kitchen. If not, call Troy. She'll compel it out of someone," he quips, and we both laugh.
Only then, we don't. The realization that she'll be leaving for New York in just a few short months hits us all over again. I've really enjoyed my time with her, getting to know her and doing things that normal sisters are supposed to do. And I say normal lightly . . . we're vampires.
But in the time that we've shared, it dawns on me that I really will miss having her here. Sassy remarks and all.
And then there's Travois. The elusive brother. I've tried to talk to him a few times since Christmas eve, but he's grounded in his willingness to be a complete prick, not really giving me much. We bonded for a while, once upon a time. Or at least he berated me with his mental and emotional unraveling, and I told him to fuck off, but that's bonding if you ask me.
For now, they both remain in the castle, but Travois is dead set on his journey to Valor and it's only a matter of time before he storms his way over there.
Nathairia hasn't been seen or heard from since the day in the dungeon. I had hung back to ask her about Rivian's mom, and we struck a deal. What was her end of the deal? I don't know yet. But I'm sure that soon . . . I'll find out.
Rivian wasn't too happy with me, but it only lasted a few days. He got his mom back, and all of her memories had been rebirthed, allowing them to pick up where they left off. Whatever consequence comes of my deal with the witch, I will gladly accept it.
I turn around to face Rivian. He brings his nose to touch mine, smiles across both of our faces. "Thank you for this," I say to him. I close my eyes and take in the way this moment feels.
Nothing in my human life would have ever felt this real and I feel the most grateful that I get to experience the love and solitude that I had always dreamed of.
"This?" Rivian pulls away as he studies my face, his green eyes melting into mine. "This was nothing, little one." His smirk comes across too menacing, as if he's got something else up his sleeve.
"Rivian?" I tease, dragging out his name.
"Close your eyes," he tells me as he spins me around. I roll my eyes before I comply.
He still places the palm of his hand over my eyes for good measure. He guides me over to somewhere in the kitchen, carefully gliding my feet so I don't eagerly hit anything. He leads me with one hand over my eyes and the other gripping my waist. I slow my breathing as I anticipate whatever surprise he's got in store.
But it's not more than a few feet before I'm stopped, and he removes his hand from my eyes, my heart racing in my chest.
"You can open your eyes now, Lucynda."
I sigh a deep exhale before opening my eyes and as I do, I don't expect to see what's in front of me.
It's a spherical vivarium adorned by metal black framing, glass on all sides. Inside are small rocks atop a little layer of dirt. A small branch sticks out from underneath it as greenery is placed throughout.
I lean down, getting closer to the enclosure to examine what's in it and that's when I see a glistening spider web tucked into the corner, little drops of dew scattered over the intricate pattern. My heart stops, realization coming into play. "Rivian," I whisper as I watch closely.
Just as I anticipate, a beautiful black widow crawls out from the rocks and finds her way onto her web. It's delusional, I know, but I swear she's looking right at me.
"It's not Stella. But I'd say she's a close second," he declares as he leans in to brush his lips against my ear.
I spin around to face him, throwing my arms over his shoulder and lacing my fingers against his neck. "She's perfect," I say as I pull him in for a kiss.
He lifts me up by my hips and sits me down on the counter, fitting himself between my legs as I wrap them around him. "What are you going to name her?" he asks, and it takes me a second to come up with something clever. But nothing comes to mind.
I look behind me and watch as the little creature just stares at me, and I feel it in my bones that reincarnation might actually exist.
"Stella," I respond, and he chuckles. "There's no other answer."
"You drive me crazy," he speaks against my lips, not yet touching as we fall into each other.
"I love you." I let the words fall tenderly from my mouth, deriving deep from within my soul.
He freezes, knowing that this is the first time I've said it to him since he confessed his love for me the day he almost lost me.
"Say it again," he demands in a playful tone, holding his eyes on mine as he searches for any hint of rescission. But he won't find it.
I giggle as holds my face in the palm of his hand, his eyes a fleeting surrender to the admission he begs me to repeat.
"I love you." And in a moment of time, we exist with only each other.
Colliding.
Feeling every emotion that has come before us and letting it settle deep into an all-consuming passion.
Devouring our truths.
Unleashing the dark that binds us.
Witnessing the unveiling as our shadows break apart.
Grounding our love in the light we craved.
"Eternal," he whispers against my lips. "My love for you is unbreaking and eternal, my sweetest sin."
And this eternal love would have never weaved its way into the fabrics of my broken soul, mending his torment, and binding us together to be as one if I hadn't followed him into the dark.
THE END
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