Page 18 of Vampire Runner

Ashe growls my name again, biting my throat. He drinks, his thrusts growing faster, harder.

I shatter, crying out his name as I find my release. Wave after wave of bliss crests over me, leaving me floating. I’m weightless, lost in Ashe’s arms and his love.

Ashe shouts my name, his hips stuttering as he finds his own release.

We remain entangled, my magic dissipating as my breathing calms and my heart slows. Ashe’s weight presses against me, and I welcome it, running my hands down his back.

After a few minutes, Ashe carefully withdraws and carries us to the bed.

We lay wrapped in each other’s embrace, our bodies touching, our gazes locked.

“I love you, Cassandra,” Ashe whispers, tracing a finger down my cheek.

“I love you, Ashe,” I answer, smoothing the pads of my fingers over his cheek and down his neck.

Ashe’s lips twitch in a small smile. He leans forward, brushing his lips against mine.

I answer his smile, kissing him before tucking myself against his chest.

“Rest,” Ashe murmurs. “I’ll wake you up when it’s time to meet with everyone again.”

I hum in agreement; I know he has his own tasks to perform before the meeting but I want to cling to him and this moment a little bit longer.

I trace whirls on his chest, refamiliarizing myself with every aspect of my mate. A quiet trepidation intrudes on this peace, one that I can’t hold back.

“Are we going to be okay?” I whisper, barely hearing myself but knowing Ashe can anyways.

He’s still under me, his arm holding me to him tightening. My head lifts and falls as he lets out a deep sigh. My eyes flutter closed, readying myself for rejection. I’d deserve it. Just because we had sex doesn’t mean he’s forgiven me or ready to be mates again. I’d understand if he says he needs more time.

He presses a kiss to the top of my head and relief sends a shudder through me. “We will be,” Ashe answers, his voice filled with tentative hope. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

I shift until my chin is on his chest and I’m looking into his golden eyes. “Together,” I vow.

There won’t be any more decisions made only by me. If Ashe says no to something, I won’t do it. We’re mates, and because of the newly reopened bond between us, I can feel his hesitancy to trust. I swear to the goddess I will earn his trust once more. I will repair the damage I’ve done. Even if I can’t be saved and only have days left to live.

1865

Cassandra

The celebration is beautiful, strings of lanterns stretching between buildings across the square. Some enterprising women have swathed the fountain in evergreen boughs and wildflowers, and the husbands had hauled many tables and benches out for the platters of food their wives had cooked.

A wedding always brings Willow Creek together, and I smile as I raise my mug in a cheer as another villager makes a toast to the happy young couple.

They look blissfully happy, with flushed faces and their hands clasped together as they speak with others. Young, naive, and full of dreams and desires.

My smile becomes wistful and I take a sip of the ale, wrinkling my nose. Humans love the bitter drink, but I’ve always preferred wine.

Someone sits beside me, and I turn, ready to welcome them. My smile becomes genuine as Ashe Halford smirks at me, his golden eyes alight with mischief.

“There you are,” I tease. I look beyond him to see the rest of the Nightshades making their way into the celebration. Josephine goes immediately to the young couple, pressing a large basket full of gifts into their hands before wrapping them both in a genial embrace.

Unlike the Jamesons, Ambrose never treated the villagers as lesser creatures. In return, the humans were loyal and welcoming to them. I’d worried the humans would question their nature, especially since each vampire boasts distinctive golden eyes. But whatever questions they had were soon forgotten by having a leader who sees to the needs of the town.

Ambrose is speaking with the father of the bride, a smile on his handsome face as the older human speaks. Malachi, Ezra, Landon, and Rhys disappear into the crowd, but not before Josephine shoots a look at Ashe.

“Josephine will have your hide if you disappear,” I warn, nudging Ashe with my shoulder.

The vampire grins, the sight making my heart skip a beat. I take another sip of ale, needing to cool the heat that’s been growing in me ever since we kissed.

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