Page 60 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Paige

The sun sets in a sea of colour: pink, orange, and blood-red hues like a painting across the sky.

A special moment, just for me. I take it in, reveling in the art of a beautiful night. After my near-death (or my actual-death?) experience, I’ve been trying to appreciate moments like this.

With a peaceful sigh, I lean back against my chair. I’m sitting at a table in the courtyard, surrounded by blossoming rose bushes. Somehow, they bloom all year. I wonder if it’s magic.

I take a bite of my steak. I’ve started asking Clarance if I can eat out in the garden. Ever since we got back from the hotel, I’ve noticed that I don’t mind the cold so much. And my steak is so rare, it’s almost uncooked.

Murad consulted with the other vampires and witches about how I could have survived my ordeal.

They determined that it must have had something to do with the fact that Crimson buried herself with me, that she pulled me up out of the earth while the magic of the vampiric turning process was still working, and so I stayed alive.

Well, mostly alive. In addition to the cold bothering me less and my sudden appetite for undercooked meat, I’ve noticed that I prefer to stay indoors during the day.

Although I still love a beautiful sunset.

Suddenly, I sense her presence beside me. I always seem to know where she is, nowadays.

“Crimson,” I whisper happily.

“Good evening, sweet one,” she whispers, leaning down to kiss me. She holds a box in one hand. “And happy birthday. I have something special for you.”

“Oh, but it isn’t even my birthday yet!” I protest.

“It will be, at midnight,” she counters, sitting down beside me at the table. “And I have another surprise for you then. But first…”

She sets the box down in front of me. I’m about to argue again, but then I stop myself.

I used to think I didn’t deserve nice things, that others showing me affection and care meant that I was being a burden.

But I’m trying not to think that way anymore.

And the more I allow myself that grace, the more comfortable it becomes.

“This is so thoughtful of you,” I tell her, as I open the small box. Then I gasp. It’s two twinkling, diamond earrings. They perfectly match the ones on my collar. “Oh, Crimson, they’re beautiful…”

“Not as beautiful as you,” she says, reaching up to caress my cheek.

I lean into her touch, savouring this moment. “I don’t need all of these things, you know. I only need you, my king.”

“I know, sweet one,” she answers. “But I want to show you how much I care for you. How special you are to me.”

This time, I initiate our kiss, weaving my fingers through her short hair, pulling her toward me. My tongue dances along her fangs, and I feel a warm heat pool inside of me.

She chuckles, and pulls away. “There will be time for that,” she says cheekily. “But first, I have another surprise…”

I hear footsteps behind me, and Crimson’s eyes look over my shoulder, toward the mansion. I turn, and immediately, my face lights up in a beaming smile.

“Miles!” I shout, quickly getting up from my seat.

“Happy almost birthday, Paige!” he says, his voice a little nervous. He’s smiling, but I can see him eying Crimson a little warily.

It was a bit tense between us, after I got back from Silverlake City.

I had to explain that I had lied about working as a donor for a vampire clan.

He was upset at first, of course, mostly about the fact that I had done it to pay for his treatment.

He didn’t quite believe the relationship that Crimson and I have, which was understandable.

But the more I spoke with him about it, the more he softened up to the idea.

But I’m totally shocked to see him here, at the mansion. I hesitate, but then he pulls me into a tight hug, nestling his head against my shoulder.

“It’s so good to see you, Mi,” I whisper, feeling suddenly emotional.

“I’m sorry I haven’t come out to visit you yet,” he answers, putting his hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eye earnestly.

“I wasn’t sure how it would be, but then…

” he glances over at Crimson, who’s now standing behind us, giving him a steady look.

“Crimson reached out to me and invited me to come stay here for your birthday weekend.”

“You’re staying the whole weekend?” I ask, delighted.

He nods, my smile echoed in his eyes. He drops his voice a little. “It seems like she…she really cares about you, Paige.”

“She does,” I answer, holding my hand out. Crimson comes and takes it, standing beside me.

“Welcome to the Midnight Mansion, Miles,” she tells him. “You may stay here as long as you wish.” Then she raises her eyebrow at me. “Have you told him your news yet?”

“Oh,” I say, feeling a blush across my cheeks. I’m still not used to getting so much attention. “I was waiting to tell you in person.”

Miles frowns. “What is it?”

“I got into nursing school,” I tell him, unable to hide my excitement. “I’m starting in September.”

His face lights up. “Paige, that’s amazing! You’ll be a wonderful nurse.”

“Thanks, Mi!”

Crimson squeezes my hand. “Come, let’s give Miles a tour of the mansion.”

I enjoy showing my brother all around the mansion. I still sleep in my bedroom on the second floor sometimes, although I’ve mostly moved into Crimson’s crypt. I show him the restaurant, and take him to Murad’s library. Finally, we go down to the lounge.

I’m totally shocked to discover that it’s decorated with hundreds of silky, blood-red roses and metallic red balloons. Chelsie and Sean rush over the moment they see me, wearing party hats and sparkling ruby outfits.

“Happy birthday!” they shout, tossing glittery confetti into the air.

I look to Crimson in amazement. “You didn’t have to do all of this!”

“Of course I did,” she replies with a smirk, her eyes twinkling. “We’re celebrating the whole weekend, no expense spared.”

Sean gives Miles a party hat as the DJ puts on an upbeat, lively song. It’s one of my favourites.

“Come with me,” Crimson says, taking my hand and pulling me toward the dance floor.

My heart skips at the commanding tone of her voice. I hope I never get used to the way she makes me feel.

The crowd parts for us as we move into the lounge. The mood is exuberant, lively for so early in the evening. Vampires and living humans are dancing, drinking, and celebrating. I can’t believe it’s for me, for my birthday. My stomach feels all gooey.

Across the lounge, I see Sabina, leaning against a standing table. She catches my eye, a provocative expression on her face. She gives me a quick wink, then disappears back into the night.

“Crimson!” says an excited voice. Kai appears out of the crowd. They’re covered in red glitter and accompanied by their husband. “We just spoke with the council of the Crystal Cove…”

Crimson scowls at them. “I told you, Kai, no business tonight…”

“What is it?” I ask eagerly.

Ever since the hotel was attacked, there’s been a huge shift in the power dynamics of the eastern region.

At first, we were concerned that it would significantly weaken the Night clan’s position.

But ever since her failed attack, Oana has been very quiet.

The eastern shifters haven’t retaliated, at least not yet.

And after many talks with the Artemis witches, they confirmed that they aren’t allied with her, although there may be some independent witches who joined her.

But Crimson’s alliances to the north seem to have worked in our favour.

“The mermaids of the Crystal Cove want to support our clan,” Kai says. “Mermaids typically don’t make alliances like this, but they’re expanding their influence across the city and they want to offer their support.”

Crimson looks pleasantly surprised. “Would we be able to use their docks? That would benefit us. None of the other magical clans have been able to safely travel along the coast since the feud between the mermaids and the dolphin shifters began.”

“Yes, they’ll give us access to their coast, and they’d like to be a part of Murad’s initiative to share magical knowledge and practices across the clans,” Kai says.

“We’ve been isolated for far too long,” their husband adds. “The mermaids were always suspicious of Xavian, but after Crimson supported our union, they’ve warmed up to the idea of partnering with vampires.”

“We’re very interested in that partnership,” Crimson confirms. She looks at her progeny proudly. “Excellent work, Kai. You’ve done well.”

The young vampire beams at both of us. “Thanks, Crimson. And I’m sorry for interrupting. Happy birthday, Paige!”

They disappear back into the crowd, the merman a little unsteady on the dancefloor. I guess it must be strange to get used to walking. Behind them, I can see Murad and Eloise in each other’s arms.

I’m overcome with a wonderful, happy feeling. I’ve never been surrounded by so many people who cared about me before. I’ve certainly never had a birthday like this.

And I never expected to find a love like the one I’ve found with Crimson.

She takes me in her arms, and gives me a probing look. “What are you thinking about, sweet one?”

I shiver pleasurably at her chilly, thrilling touch. “Just how happy I am.”

“Hold on to that feeling,” she says with a grimace. “For when Kai and Alin give us all the paperwork to approve for the alliance with the mermaids.”

I laugh. “Oh, I don’t mind. I like helping you with those sorts of things.”

“You’re more than welcome to take the lead on it,” she teases. Then she gets a little quieter, a little softer. “I’m glad to have you by my side, Paige. We have a lot to rebuild, but I want to do it with you. Together.”

My heart flutters, and I melt into her arms, holding her tight.

“I love you so much, Crimson.”

“I love you too, sweet one.”

A pleasant heat radiates through me. I look up at Crimson, shyly.

“My king,” I whisper. “I think those earrings you gave me would go very well with my collar. Maybe I should try them on together, later tonight?”

She smirks, a villainous twinkle in her bloodred eyes.

“That would be perfect, Paige.”

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