Love at First Bite (13 page)

A small man in a simple black woolen robe stood. "You could call us experts in Vows. I'll perform your rites."

"Brother Flavio, would the Elders approve? The Rules dictate that we live one to a city. That doesn't allow for marriage." The mustachioed vampire frowned.

Brother Flavio cocked his head. "I wonder if that Rule is the reason no children are born, Delanus. These two are new enough that they might get precious children." He looked from Rufford to the Countess and back to Emma and Davie. "We have several pairings represented here. I don't think they mean to live one to a city." He approached Davie and Emma. He had to look up into Davie's face. He searched it for what seemed a long time and then turned his attention to Emma. She couldn't help but flush, but she held her head high and looked him straight in the eye.

"Kneel," he said.

Davie grabbed a cushion from one of the chairs for her knees and knelt beside her. He fairly glowed. And she knew that before she had crossed her line she had only been half-alive. Her spirit was strong now and she wanted Davie in a spiritual way that was much larger than she could have imagined before and in a profane way as well.

Brother Flavio motioned to Rufford and the Countess, who came to range themselves on either side. "You two shall witness, who have gone before."

"Your blood calls, one to the other, life to life," Brother Flavio intoned. "Will you answer her blood, Major Ware?"

"I will," Davie said firmly in that baritone rumble she loved so.

"His blood calls to your blood, Miss Fairfield. Will you answer?"

"I will," she said, thinking how far the drawing rooms of England were behind her now.

"Then for all the years there are, the Companion will sing inside you, one to the other."

It
was
like a singing, a humming vibration of energy deep in her veins that sang to her.

"You are now joined."

Applause broke out around the circle that had gathered. Whistles sounded. "Here, here!" and, "A toast!" "Ware, you dog, kiss her!"

Davie leaned down. His eyes glowed, not red but blue. "Forever," he murmured, and just brushed her lips.

"Forever," she whispered, and pulled his head down to kiss him thoroughly. Sensations flooded her that could not be described but hinted that a lifetime of trying might be worthwhile.

"Whoa, boy!" Rufford chortled, patting Davie on the back. "Get thee upstairs for that sort of thing. My virgin eyes are seared with such displays of passion."

Davie got up and pulled Emma up beside him. He tucked her into his side. She fit well there, and the warmth of his body made her blood rise. "As you will." He nodded crisply and pulled Emma toward the stairs. At the bottom, he paused. "Consider my duty discharged, Rufford. This is no place for my wife. You'll have to clean up the remains here yourself."

Davie had given over duty for her sake. It was the final gift that he could give her. Emma saw Rufford grin. "I recommend the New World," he said. "Plenty of room there."

The sun was rising outside. She knew it even though the draperies of their room were pulled shut and the shutters latched against it. The world already seemed new. They had the whole day ahead of them for loving.

A forever of days.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six