Page 30 of Hitched to the Vampire King

Seeing him here with me, safe and well, unleashed a new flood of emotions. The dam shattered, and tears once again streamed down my face. I reached for him without a word, needing to feel his presence, to prove to myself that he was here and that I hadn’t stumbled into a dream.

Gabriel wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. He brushed a kiss against the top of my head and stroked my hair, offering comfort in a way that he likely knew words couldn’t.

“Your friends told me everything,” Gabriel said. “They didn’t want me to disturb you, but I just…” He released a long breath. “I needed to hold you after everything we’ve been through.”

I nodded and curled into his chest, grateful he’d woken me. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Gabriel’s hold tightened, and he sighed. “I know. I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you.”

What could he say that would make me feel better? But his comfort meant everything to me. He and Chris hadn’t been friends—far from it—but he knew exactly what Chris had meant to me.

This was a new feeling for me, and one I didn’t really like. Growing up, I’d never had anyone I could call family. I’d been passed around from one home to another, never quite feeling like I belonged. I’d always been alone. Never wanted. But I had a family now, and I wasn’t emotionally equipped to handle losing one of them.

I’d cried so much today that my eyes were itchy and heavy. I didn’twantto cry anymore, but it felt like I couldn’t turn them off. I’d always heard it said that everyone mourned in their own way, and it looked like this was mine.

My mind flashed back to the last time Jaden, Josh, Chris and I had gone out dancing together. That was the same night I’d met Gabriel. Before all that, we’d simply been a group of friends, enjoying a night on the town. Chris had been a phenomenal dancer, and he’d always said I was his favorite partner because I was the only one able to keep up with him.

Except, now, we would never dance together again.

“I don’t know how to handle this,” I admitted in a soft, broken voice. “I’ve never lost anyone before.”

Gabriel’s arms flexed around me. “You remember him. You carry him with you in everything you do. You honor his memory. He may be gone, but he’ll always be a part of you.”

His words, soft but earnest, touched something deep within me. Because my mate was nearly two-hundred-years-old, I knew he had experience in these matters. He’d already lost one mate prior to meeting me, so he was all too familiar with the sharp sting of loss. I couldn’t even imagine how I would handle something as devastating as that.

“If I’d lost you…” The words caught in my throat, a haunting possibility that I couldn’t bear to even consider. The very thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I shuddered against Gabriel.

“But you didn’t,” Gabriel said, pulling me closer. “You were the one that got us out of there. You took the initiative and now here we are, safe and sound. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Except, he couldn’t promise me that. Adrian wouldn’t quit until we were dead. And since I refused to lose Gabriel, that left us with only one option. I had to go to work, hunt this vampire down, and slay him.

I leaned back and gazed up at Gabriel, memorizing his features in the moonlight. In this moment, he wasn’t just the Vampire King, he was also the man I loved. Someone I had come to depend on and cherish. And I would do anything to protect him—as I was sure he would do for me.

“I won’t let Adrian take you from me,” I said. “I know he’s your father, and I’m sure deep down you still care for him even after everything he’s done, but…”

Gabriel’s expression fell, and he shook his head. “There’s no but. I don’t see us resolving this peacefully. He’s made his choice, and now I have to make mine.”

“What about your brother?”

“Elias…” Gabriel sighed, then closed his eyes, his head resting on a pillow. “I won’t sign his death warrant yet, not until I know exactly what game he’s playing. But if he’s truly sided with my father, then he’s also a traitor. Which leaves me with no other option.”

My heart broke for Gabriel. I couldn’t begin to imagine how it must have felt to kill his mother, and now he had to face the same fate for his father. If we killed Adrian, Gabriel would become an orphan, like me. But also like me, he’d found himself a new family. Me. Lucy. Sam. Josh and Jaden. We would never abandon or betray him like his parents had.

“I love you,” I whispered. I’d only ever said it once before, but now, I never wanted to go a day without telling him that.

He opened his eyes and turned his head until our gazes connected. “And I love you. More than anything.” His fingers traced my wrist, which still sported the faint remnants of his bite. “I haven’t forgotten about this and what you did for me. We need to talk about it, but not tonight.”

“No, not tonight,” I agreed. I was too numb. “Do you need to call your people? Tell them what’s happening?”

“No,” Gabriel said after a moment’s pause. “Before all this, Elias said Adrian was sewing discord and trying to turn my people against me. Without me being in England and talking to them in person, I don’t know who I can trust anymore. I’ll figure all that out when this is over.” He kissed the top of my head. “Think you can get back to sleep?”

I nodded. But before I closed my eyes, I tipped my head back and gazed up at him once more. “You’re staying?”

“Forever,” he said, the corner of his mouth pulling upward.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, though the sound was quite weak. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” He turned his head and kissed my temple. “I’m not going anywhere. Not tonight.”

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