Building From Ashes

She melted into his arms as he made love to her mouth, interspersing light kisses with teasing bites.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve waited so long for you, Brigid.”

It made her ache. Why me?

As if he could hear her thoughts, he whispered again, “I love your strong heart. I love your mind and your passion. When you fall in love with me, you’re going to love me madly. Completely. Because that’s who you are.”

I do! She almost cried as he kissed her.

“I should also point out that I’m extremely fond of your mouth at the moment.”

She smiled against his lips. How could he do it? How could he make her heart bleed and laugh at the same time? How could she ever be his equal?

“Carwyn, I…”

He pulled back slightly. “What?”

I love you, and I’m so hopelessly incapable of being who you need me to be. “I… don’t know what to say.”

He smiled at her. That teasing smile that made her insides melt. “Then don’t say anything.” He kissed her again. “I love you. That’s all. I love you.”

There was nothing to say. Nothing. So Brigid gave herself fully over to his kiss. To the comfort and strength of his arms. And she loved him.

They spent hours in the den. Kissing. Laughing quietly. And she lost count of how many times Carwyn told her he loved her. That she was beautiful. That she was a treasure. It was as if he were making up for a thousand years of loneliness and filling her to the brim with tenderness all at the same time. She was heady with it, and grateful that he made no other move than to tuck her more firmly into his side or nestle her head against his chest.

“Carwyn?” she whispered to him hours later.

“Yes, love?”

“Can I ask you to do something for me?”

“Of course.”

“When Anne gets back next month… When she comes back, I need you to leave again.”

His arms tightened around her and his voice was hoarse when he said, “Why?”

She steeled her resolve and picked her head up. “You know why.”

His brows furrowed together and he placed a hand on her cheek. “I want to help you.”

“But you know there are some things I have to do myself. You know this.”

She could see the resignation on his face, but his eyes still argued with her.

Brigid said, “I need to make myself better. For me. For you. For my future. I need to work on myself, so I’m not such a mess. So I can be good for you.” She saw him begin to argue, so she put a quick hand to his lips. “And for me. I have this new life stretched in front of me and a pit of human problems I need to sort out. I need to not worry that I’m going to hurt you in the process. So, what I’m asking for…” She leaned forward and placed soft lips over his heart. “Is time. If you love me, please give me time. We have it. An eternity of it, if you want. I’m only asking for a few months.”

He tilted her chin up so their eyes met. “Months?”

“I’ll be back in Dublin in January. Give me till then?”

“If you give me this month. Till Anne gets back in August, give me this month with you?”

She smiled. “If you’re willing to risk the fire.”

A fierce light flared in his eyes, and he grasped her around the waist, pulling her hard against his body as his mouth descended on hers. A keen edge came to his lips as they pressed against her own and a soft whimper escaped her throat as her temperature soared. Carwyn pulled back, panting, and placed his forehead against her own.

He whispered, “Love is as strong as fire.”

Book Three: The Seal

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyeilding as the grave.

It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Song of Solomon 8:6

Chapter Twenty-One

Dublin

March 2012

The news from Murphy was world-changing.

“We don’t know its name, but it is a drug targeted at immortals. We’re still learning more, but this could change everything if it does what it seems. I’m on the phone with every contact I have, but keep your ears tuned. I want to know what you’re hearing on the street. In the clubs. Everywhere that vampires gather.” Murphy’s voice was grim as he addressed the group. Tom, Declan, Jack, and Brigid were gathered in his office, having been called into a surprise visit as soon as they’d all arrived at the office that evening. None of the humans—not even Angie—were present.

Tom’s voice was quiet and calm. “What does it do, Murphy? What are the effects?”

“It seems to quell bloodlust.”

Brigid could see Declan sit up straight. “What, completely?” he asked.

“According to reports.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. “What else?”

Declan said, “What else does there need to be?”

“There’s something else,” Brigid murmured. “There’s always something else.” A drug that would kill bloodlust and allow her to live more normally? As much as she liked the taste of human blood, a cure was ferociously attractive. Even as she’d gained control, it was a constant battle. A gust of wind passing by a human’s warm neck and she was right back to the mindless hunger of a newborn; even if she reined it in, it was there. Always. Calling her. Making her blood boil and her fangs drop. The idea of not feeling that hunger again was more seductive than the blissful oblivion heroin once provided.