Page 35 of Kept 4
“The sun is going to rise soon,” I whisper.
“I can’t move.”
“I’m so sorry,” I moan, pressing my forehead to his and closing my eyes.
“No, it is me who is sorry. I should have let you go. I should never have tried to own you. I know what it is like; I knew better.”
“I love you,” I whisper, kissing him on the cheeks, the forehead, the mouth.
“I was not destined to enjoy love in my lifetime,” he whispers back, “she told me so, and it is true.”
I sit back and stare at him. The colour is returning to his cheeks, a rosy glow shows beneath his skin, and he feels warmer in my arms. Surely if he was going to age and disintegrate, it would have happened by now?
“How about third lifetime lucky then,” I murmur, a smile slowly spreading across my face as the first rays of the sun appear over the top of the trees, streaks of light illuminate the snow where we lay - and nothing untoward happens to him.
He frowns and sits up, looking in wonder at his hands and flexing them before him.
“Could it be true? Could all vampires be allowed one more lifetime? As a human?”
“If that is the case, Lord Montague,” I shake my head, laughing, tears inexplicably coursing down my cheeks, freezing where they run, “you should know I plan to keep you.”
“But… Elsbeth.”
I shake my head.
“She’s about to find out what it’s like to be a human teenager alone in a big, unfriendly world; I’ve been there. It’s something I previously wouldn’t have wished on my enemy – but I sure as hell do now. Come on,” I move to rise, “we have to go inside before we freeze to death.”
“I think I know a way we can keep warm, my keeper,” he murmurs, as he pulls me down to his broad chest, and his lips claim mine.
BLOOD-RED VELVET WEDDING CAKE
Ingredients:2½ cups plain flour, 1tsp bicarbonate soda, 4tsp cocoa powder, red food colouring, gel or powder (not liquid) 240g unsalted butter, 1½ cups castor sugar, 2 eggs, 2tsp vanilla, 1 cup milk, marzipan to cover.
Method:
Preheat oven to 180C.
Sift together the flour, bicarbonate soda, cocoa powder and salt into a bowl.
In a new bowl, combine and beat butter, vanilla and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, add the red colouring, and gradually add the milk.
Gradually add dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, beating well.
Tin and bake - ice when cool.
Note: If cooking in the UK the liquid red colour is not red enough, you must use the powder or gel.
Note; For every four guests, double the ingredients listed to ensure wedding cake is sufficient size.
Note: You can protect your wooden spoons from the red food colouringwith plasticwrap.
EPILOGUE
“Constance, keep your back straight, heels down,” he says gently, helping her slip her small feet into the pony’s stirrups correctly.
I watch from the grass where I sit outside Ereston Manor, my belly heavy once more with child, and smile at how sweet he is with our little girl. The pony, a fifth birthday present from her honorary aunt, was not something I really approved of. I’m not big on horses, but Nicholas assures me she is old enough.
