Page 102 of Evil Hearts

Chapter Eight

T he private garden of Shadowfield Manor was beautiful at night, like a secret place draped in the picturesque embrace of twilight. Amelia took in the lush foliage that hemmed them in, fragrant blossoms filling the air with a euphoric perfume. The stars sparkled brightly, and they walked hand in hand along the pathway.

The cool night air caressed Amelia’s skin as she strolled through the moonlit garden, her hand nestled in Dimitri’s.

His thumb brushed her knuckles, the simple touch electrifying. “Do you remember when we first met?” His voice was a warm rumble that resonated deep in her chest.

Amelia glanced at him, drinking in the sight of his chiseled profile. “How could I forget? The Halloween ball.” She smiled wryly. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “This very spot is where our paths first intertwined.”

And where you first turned my world upside down , she thought. Dimitri’s heated gaze slid over her like a physical caress. Amelia wore a pretty dress of deep emerald, the fabric clinging to her soft, supple skin with every movement. Her long, wavy auburn hair spilled down her back, catching the soft light and framing her bright green eyes. A string of real pearls graced her neck, adding a touch of decadent elegance to her appearance.

“That night, you were a vision behind that mask. Mysterious. Alluring.” His tone dropped an octave, sending a shudder dashing down her spine.

“Was I really so enigmatic?” Amelia arched a brow, teasing. “You were the one cloaked in shadows, if I recall.”

“Ah, but that air of mystery captivated us both, did it not?”

“Mmm. I suppose it did.” The same pulse of magic from that fateful first meeting still thrummed between them, thickening the air. It tasted of promise. Of inevitability.

Dimitri halted and turned to face her fully, his midnight blue eyes searching hers. “Amelia, my beloved.” The endearment rolled off his tongue like a prayer. “I want to forever have this with you. Honesty. Trust.”

Her heart stuttered. She placed a hand on his chest, felt the strong, steady beat beneath her palm. His heart. Hers. “You have me, Dimitri. All of me.”

He cupped her face with infinite tenderness, his thumb stroking her cheek. Amelia leaned into his touch, eyelids fluttering. “And you have all of me, my love. Forever.”

Their lips met, softly at first, then with building heat. She melted into his solid strength, into the sensual kiss that branded her very soul. In Dimitri’s arms, Amelia was home. She’d never been more certain of anything in her life.

They resumed their stroll, and Amelia’s head buzzed with introspection. Her love for Dimitri was a flame, fierce and consuming. Yet, tangled within her passion was the knot of uncertainty.

How could she reconcile her human fragility with the otherworldly magnetism of a vampire?

Dimitri, with his dark hair slicked back and impeccably tailored suit, cut a figure both timeless and commanding. The sight of him made her pulse throb, her body responding to his mere presence. His old-fashioned elegance clashed beautifully with the modern world, creating a paradox that wrapped around her heart.

“Do you ever think about what might have been?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Every day,” he replied, his face touched with a hint of melancholy.

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m living someone else’s life,” Amelia confessed. “Stuck in this high society bubble where everything is about appearances and expectations.”

“And what do you desire, lyubimaya?” he asked, the endearment rolling off his tongue with a familiar grace that made her insides tremble.

“To escape it all,” she admitted. “To find out who I am beyond the fancy dresses and curated events.”

“Then let us discover that together,” he suggested, like a solemn vow.

Her heart swelled at the promise in his declaration. Could they truly bridge the divide between their worlds? She yearned for him, every fiber of her being drawn to his sensual allure.

“Sometimes, I wonder if it’s even possible,” she murmured.

“Anything is possible, Amelia. If we are willing to fight for it.”

“Are you willing to fight for us?”

“With every breath,” he vowed, pulling her closer.

Their lips met in another tender kiss, the taste of longing and hope mingling on her tongue. The heat of his body seeped into her, igniting a fire that burned away her doubts, if only for a moment.

Amelia withdrew a little to look into his face. “Tell me, Dimitri. What do you dream about? What are your fantasies?”

He took a deep breath before answering, his words measured and deliberate. “I dream of a life where I am not bound by shadows, where we can be together without fear.” His hand caressed her cheek, sending a quiver through her body. “A life where we grow old as a couple, watching our children play in the garden.”

“Children?” Amelia’s heart fluttered at the thought. “You want children?”

“Yes. A family. With you. A future that is not marred by the darkness of my past.”

“That sounds beautiful.” Tears pricked her eyes. “But...what if we can’t have that?”

“Then we create our own version of it,” he replied firmly. “Whatever that may be.”

“You’re always so sure,” she teased.

He smiled, capturing her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “Not all the time, but when it comes to you, I have never been more certain.”

“You’re making it very hard to stay rational, my love.”

“Rationality has no place in matters of the heart.” His lips curved into a bigger smile that made her knees weak.

“So tell me, Mr. Volkov, how did you amass such wealth? Surely, even vampires don’t have access to bottomless treasure chests.”

He chuckled, a satiny sound that vibrated through her. “I’ve had centuries to accumulate wealth, investments made long ago that grew over time. And yes, there were moments of fortune—business ventures, properties acquired and sold.”

“Ah, so you’re a recluse billionaire,” she teased, poking his chest lightly. “Hiding away in your grand manor, brooding over your riches.”

“Something like that. Though, the manor feels less empty now that you have graced it with your presence.”

“Flatterer!”

“Only speaking the truth, lyubimaya,” he murmured, leaning in to capture her lips once more.

Their kiss deepened, overfilling with promise and future dreams. As their bodies pressed closer, Amelia felt the boundaries between their worlds vanish, replaced by an undying love.

The soft glow of the lanterns cast a warm, ethereal light on Dimitri’s face as he leaned in closer. Amelia could see every contour, every shadow, making him appear even more stunningly handsome. Their breaths mingled, and she felt a shudder of anticipation.

“Amelia,” he whispered, his voice a gentle caress against her lips.

“Yes?” she mumbled.

“Let me show you how much I love you.”

Before she could respond, his lips met hers in a slow, lingering kiss that sent waves of heat coursing through her body. His mouth was cool yet inviting, exploring her with a tenderness that made her heart ache. She tasted a hint of sweetness, like honey interspersed with something darker, more intoxicating. The world around them blurred into insignificance; all that mattered was this moment, this kiss. His hands cradled her face, thumbs grazing against her cheeks as if she were the most precious thing he’d ever held. She melted into him, her fingers tangling in his dark hair, heaving him closer. The kiss deepened, each stroke of his tongue igniting a fire within her that burned hotter and brighter.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together as they caught their breath.

“God, Dimitri,” she gasped. “You make it so hard to think about anything else.”

“Then don’t think. Just feel.” He kissed her forehead.

“That’s the problem,” she said softly, stepping back just enough to look into his face. “I feel too much. And it’s overwhelming.”

“Tell me, lyubimaya. What’s troubling you?”

She hesitated, biting her lower lip. “It’s about your offer. The immortality portion...I’m scared, Dimitri. Scared of losing my humanity, of becoming something I’m not.”

“Amelia, I would never force this upon you. Your fears are valid, and I will wait for as long as it takes for you to be ready—or never at all. Your love is enough for me.”

“But I do want it someday. For us to be as one forever, just not yet.”

“Until then, let’s cherish the time we have now.”

“You’re always so patient. How do you manage that?”

“Centuries of practice,” he joked, drawing a reluctant smile from her.

“Thank you, my love,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “For understanding.”

He grabbed her into another embrace, his lips finding hers once more. This kiss was softer, but no less passionate.

She sighed against his lips. “Let’s not talk about the future tonight, Dimitri. Let’s just be here, in this moment.”

“Very well,” he said.

They continued to kiss and caress, their bodies moving in perfect harmony, lost in the sensation and the irrefutable attraction they shared. For now, the worries of the future could wait. All that mattered was the love they had for each other, burning bright enough to light up the darkest corners of their world.