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Neither of us had approached the subject of Eden’s beating, but we knew that we would have to talk about it. I wasn’t sure anymore whether Eden wanted me in her life, as I had caused it—however indirectly.

“I would love to go. Maybe as a honeymoon. If you still want me in this condition,” Eden said timidly.

“Nothing will ever change my feelings for you, Eden. Nothing. And a honeymoon would be perfect.”

A smile crossed Eden’s lips.

“Although I thought we could do this as a holiday, maybe Barbados and Europe as a honeymoon,” I said causally.

Eden began crying, and I wiped the tears away.

“I’m damaged goods, Jacques. I can’t even have children anymore.”

Eden broke down into great sobs, and a nurse poked her head in concerned. I waved her away, and she left me to comfort Eden. As Eden sobbed, I held her tightly. I made soothing noises and whispered meaningless nonsense in her ears.

“Eden, I need to share something with you. Listen carefully and pay attention, darling. If you want me to leave after, then I will, but please hear me out.”

Eden nodded and pushed herself up in bed.

“Eden, I cannot have any more children. I was frightened of telling you this in case you rejected me. If you want children, perhaps we can adopt. Anything to make you happy.”

“I had no idea.”

“About the fact that I’m sterile? I don’t care what you look like on the outside, it’s your soul that I am in love with. I am committed to spending my life with you and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. If you don’t want me, then I will leave and will only come back when you call me.”

I stopped and let Eden think it over.

Eden said nothing, and I rose from the chair. At once, she put her arm out to stop me.

“I love you too. In just a few weeks, I’ve found what I’ve been searching for my whole life—you. We’re soul mates if you believe in that.”

“Oh, I believe Eden, you have no idea how much,” I swore and sat back down.

Epilogue.

Itook Eden on the Orient Express, and shopping in Paris, buying her designer clothes. Eden loved the attention and the trip, and I was pleased to watch her regain confidence slowly.

We visited Venice and Barbados as I had promised. Eden regained her strength, and we purchased a yacht and sailed round the world. I saw nothing of the other Vam’pirs and didn’t seek them out. We travelled to Spain and Russia, then returned to see Jack jailed for three years for attempted murder. Not long, typical British justice. But I swore to catch the bastard when he was released.

To help Eden over this, we journeyed to Germany and Egypt. Basically, I took Eden everywhere she had dreamed of going, and after two further years of travelling, we arrived back in England. Eden was surprised at the endless amount of money that we spent and, at first, refused to spend a lot.

When I bought Eden jewels worth thousands of pounds and designer clothing constantly, Eden became slowly accustomed to it. Naturally, it took Eden some time to understand our wealth, but I found joy in it. On my insistence, we opened a joint bank account. Eden fought me for a while before giving in. Itwas good to pass the time with her, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Eden got acquainted with James and Amelia, and they sometimes joined us on our journeys. Amelia and Eden made friends. James and I were pleased, as Amelia had shunned the Vam’pirs after their shabby treatment. Which meant James and Amelia were alone like Eden and I. Plus I knew that Amelia was still a little insecure. However, Amelia realised there was no threat to James and her. The girls would go shopping together and James and I would sigh wearily as they returned with bags and bags of clothes.

Eden never brought up our aversion to direct sunlight, but I could tell she noticed. When we arrived back in England, I took Eden to Devon, where I owned a large stately manor.

Eden had always dreamed of living in one and I had a great big bow put around the house. Eden had laughed as she pulled the knot open. All the things that we’d picked up on our journeys were in packing cases—and Eden set about making a home.

We were happy, and I kept thinking that tragedy might strike. It did in the shape of Jack.

Jack had been out of jail for two months and had been searching for Eden, intending to finish what he had started.

One night I had been out feeding when I heard Eden cry out in fright. When I rushed home, I found Jack standing over her.

In a blind temper, I grabbed his arm. Once more, I broke it and threw Jack across the floor. My anger knew no bounds as I punched and kicked the bastard to near death. Eden curled up in a ball as she watched.

Torn between killing Jack and comforting her, I staggered over and looked at Eden.