Page 40 of To Love a Vampire
As I wait for his reply.
“If you don’t marry her someone else will,” Gabriel shouts from behind us making me smile. A flush of red creeps over my face, making me even warmer.
Asher shakes his head, my heart falling a little with each passing second. He drops to his knees before me, a soldier surrendering to his conqueror, lowering himself to my level. Only a foot of space is between us as we kneel in the dirt together.
“I’ll ruin your life, baby,” he says quietly, touching his fingers lightly to the inside of my palms, not holding them but brushing his fingers against the inside of my hands. His touch is reassuring despite his words.
“I can do that all on my own. That’s not what I asked you.” His dimples appear, his perfect smile widening at my words. “I’m asking you to not screw it up any more than it already is,” I tell him.
He nods, leaning in and pressing his forehead to mine. I breathe him in, my eyes held wide open, not wanting to miss a word he says.
This is us. Always desperate for the other to catch up. Always patiently waiting for one to realize what the other sees. The world might always press in on us, but he continues to hold the sky up for me to walk this earth safely. I’d let the sky fall down around us if it meant I could be in his arms in the end.
“Well, how can I refuse a proposal like that?” he asks loudly for everyone to hear.
He presses his lips lightly to mine. I take a deep breath as happiness and reassurance wash into me.
Luca shouts and cheers as the crowd around us erupts in applause, making me blush even more as I smile against his lips.
Nineteen
The Bonding
The followingday is spent in a whirlwind of energy. Not from me. The most I accomplish is a few yawns, exhausted from just watching Luca scramble around with unity items—Weddingitems.
In my camp, a unity is completed in document form. Signing, agreeing and moving on with your new lives together.
Apparently, that is not what this is. A unity and a marriage are clearly not the same thing. I’m starting to wonder if a marriage is sleep deprivation, tears and anxiety.
Themost beautiful day of my lifeanother mystic told me, as she fought the layers of white material in her hands. She’s made me nervous with all the tearing and sewing and ripping I’ve watched her do for the last few hours.
I take another gulp of my drink, letting it burn the back of my throat as Luca twists and pulls every hair on my head. My head tilts painfully back and forth beneath her strong hands.
“Are you sure all this stuff is needed? Asher already knows what I look like. Changing my hair and clothes for one day isn’t going to make him love me any more than he already does.”
“It’s needed, now sit up straighter or we’re going to be here all day,” she snaps at me.
My back goes ramrod straight at her sharp words.
Okay.Someone is a little more invested in this event than I am.
“Why white? And why a dress?”
I don’t think I’ve ever worn an elaborate dress like this in my life. The flowing material covers the table in front of us in a heap of tulle and crisp white fabric.
The dirt and dry air are going to destroy that pretty thing.
“Well, miss negativity, years ago, white was a symbol of innocence and virginity.”
I spew my drink into my cup and down my chin and neck. I cough as the liquid burns my throat and lungs.
“And why, might I ask, is myinnocence and virginityanyone’s business?” I ask still trying to breathe properly.
She snorts loudly, tugging harshly at my thick long hair.
“It’s definitely not anyone’s business. But it used to be. It used to be an incredibly important foundation for a marriage.”
A pause fills the silence as my mind wanders.
