«And I told you that I would give you the kiss only if you became my mate.” Disgust was written on his face.
Her eyes widened. “Is that what this is about?»
«I don't want you to stay with me because I took away your choice.»
«But what if I choose to stay?” She touched his cheek. “What if I want to stay with you?»
Hunger flashed in his eyes. Need. Hope. But then he stepped back. Stepped away from her touch, away from her. “Geoffrey killed your brother and your sister-in-law, and he almost killed you.” He ran his hand over his face. “How can you stay with me, knowing what he did?»
«Because you're not like him,” she said simply, honestly. “You're nothing like Geoffrey.»
«After what I've done to you, how can you say that?»
Her temper snapped. “You haven't done anything to me!” She screamed. “Stop saying that! You didn't force me to do anything that I didn't want to do. Yes, you transformed me. I begged you to do it! You saved my life when you gave me the kiss. You helped me hunt Geoffrey, your own brother. You helped me stop him.»
«The bargain—»
«Oh, yes, the great bargain! Let me tell you something, I didn't agree to that bargain just so I would gain my vengeance.” She shook her head. “I knew you would help me stop Geoffrey, whether I agreed or not. You knew that the killing had to stop, and you would have helped me, regardless. I know that.»
«What?” He was stunned.
She punched her finger against his chest. “Listen to me! I agreed to that bargain for one reason and one reason only.” She took a deep breath. “Because I wanted you. And I would have done anything to be with you.»
He grabbed her arms, his fingers biting into her skin. “What are you saying?»
She stared into his blazing eyes. “I'm saying I love you.” Her words spilled furiously from her lips. “And I'm saying that I won't let you just force me out of your life. I won't! I know things have been hard, but it's over now, and—»
«You love me?” he whispered, sounding dazed.
She nodded once.
«Savannah!” His arms swept around her, almost crushing her. He buried his face in her hair. His body shuddered against hers.
«William?” Her arms cradled him. It was hard for her to breathe, but she didn't care. Hope flared in her breast.
«I wanted you to be free,” he said softly. “Free from the past, free to start a new life.»
«When I'm with you, I'm free. Don't you understand that?»
He pulled back, staring down at her. “This is your last chance, because I don't think I'll ever be able to let you go again.»
«I don't want you to let me go. I want you to hold me, to love me, forever.»
He swallowed and the hand he lifted to caress her cheek trembled.
«Do you love me?” she asked him, gazing solemnly into his dark eyes.
«More than anything.” His thumb brushed across her lips. “From the first moment that I saw you, I knew that you were the one. The only one that I would love.»
«You knew from the beginning?” She was shocked.
«I knew when I looked into your green eyes. I tried to send you away because I was trying to protect you.” His lips curved in a sardonic smile. “I was trying to protect you from me.»
She couldn't believe it. William loved her? He actually loved her? “Why didn't you say something sooner? Why were you just going to walk away from me?»
He kissed her lightly. “Fear. Pure, unadulterated fear.»
William, the ancient vampire, had been afraid of her?
«Yes,” he said. “Because if I admitted my love, and you turned away…” A bleak look entered his eyes. “There would be no hope for me.»
«I would never turn away from you.»
William stared down at Savannah, overcome with emotion. He could hardly believe what was happening. She loved him. She really loved him.
And she didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay with him, forever.
«You're not going to be alone anymore,” she said, seeming to read his thoughts. “We'll be together.»
Forever.
Every moon-filled night would be spent with Savannah. He would have her warmth, her laughter, her passion. She would be his. His mate. His love. For eternity.
«I can't believe you were going to send me away.” She frowned at him.
«I thought I was doing the right thing, even though the thought of living without you nearly tore me apart.»
«Being with you is the only right thing for me. You know that, don't you?” She asked, her voice soft.
And, staring into her beautiful green eyes, he finally understood.
Her love was a rich pool, glistening and pure. Endless. He could feel her love, feel the waves of it emanating from her mind, from her heart.
She opened her thoughts to him freely, letting him know, letting him see, how she truly felt.
And he was humbled. Humbled by the strength of her love.
And awed. She loved him. She truly loved him.
She loved the monster. She loved the man.
«I love you,” she said. “All of you.»
He smiled. He had given Savannah the dark gift, the kiss of the vampire, but she had given him something far more precious.
She had given him love, and it would last forever.
EPILOGUE
I no longer fear the darkness.
-Entry from the diary of Savannah Daniels de Montfort,
January 1, 2005.
Savannah stared down at her brother's grave, a dozen red roses clutched in her hands.
«It's over now, Mark,” she whispered. “He won't hurt anyone else.»
The wind moaned softly in the night.
«The nightmare's over.»
She placed the roses on his headstone, touching the cold stone with a gentle fingertip. “May you find your peace.” As I have found mine.
She stood, wiping a tear from her cheek. She turned and saw William standing in the shadows, waiting for her.
She walked toward him, needing his warmth to ward off the night's cold chill.
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest. As always, he felt so good against her. So right.
Yes, the nightmare was over. It was time for a new beginning. A new life.
A life that she would spend with William.
She glanced back over her shoulder, staring at her brother's grave.
Good-bye, Mark.
And on the whisper of the wind, she'd have sworn she heard her brother say, Good-bye, Savannah.