Page 67 of A Vow for the Vamp
I suck in a breath, eyes wide. “Inoperable brain tumor.”
“Yes. That was the result of his body slowly fading; the magic feeding off his soul to survive. My mate had become ill with a neurological disease. He was unable to be compelled as well.”
Just like Teddy.
“Sounds more like a parasite,” Layla mumbles.
Noran chuckles. “Yes, well, if a blood mate is the product of witches, then I have no doubt it is a curse in its own right.”
“Tell me everything. Teddy has been sleeping for four days since I turned him.”
Noran takes a sip of his wine to compose his thoughts.
“He should be waking soon. His body is preparing him for the bond.”
“The bond?”
“You have to complete the blood mate bond.”
I must have a confused look on my face because Noran waves his hand around.
“It’s simple. You fuck. You come together. You drink from each other.”
“Sounds similar to how the gargoyles accept their fated mate bond,” Layla snorts.
“The witches are responsible for the curse on the gargoyles as well,” Noran says. “They are either clever or lazy with their spell casting.”
I nod blankly, tapping my fingertips on my lips as I try to narrow down all the questions I have.
“Are the rumors true about what happens after we’ve mated?”
“Yes. It’s all true. Your heart will beat once again. Your tears will be real. You’ll be able to take a midday stroll. You can love.Truelove. Your soul will be restored.”
I almost cry thinking about it.
“But it has its limitations. While your heart beats, it will be slow. One or two beats per minute. Therefore, you are still not technically alive. Don’t tempt this gift. You can withstand sunlight but too much will still make you sick. You and your mate will fall madly in love, but he’s in control of that connection. He will be capable of breaking the bond if he ever so chooses. Though I doubt that would happen. Blood mates are extremely loyal. It would take an act of God to break that connection.”
We will fall madly in love.
I repeat Noran’s words in my head.
I told the council I loved Teddy. Vampires never say the word. But I did, even though Teddy and I are not yet fully bonded.
Am I already in love with him?
I knew love when I was human, but what I have for Teddy feels different. I’m eager to spend the rest of our lives exploring it.
“If he’s in control of our connection, does that mean I won’t be able to control him like most sires are able to do?”
“That is correct. The bond will not allow it.”
That’s a relief. Not that I would have tried to control Teddy, but it’s good to know that my sire abilities won’t work with him.
“The downside of having a blood mate is the fact that he will be a walking blood bag.”
“Even now that he’s a vampire?”
“More so. His blood is extremely desirable. He can be drained, and while it won’t kill him, itwillbe painful. It happened once to my mate. I suggest befriending a witch and having a protection spell placed on him.”
