Page 79

She's not as far along as Bianca, but her pregnancy has had some complications, so she's not allowed to move a lot.

"Good." She smiles. "Great. This is… wonderful. I'm so happy for you two," she tells me, her words imbued with warmth as she takes my hands in hers.

Tiberius is next to her, looking out of his element among so many people, his gaze fluttering from side to side as if he expects danger at any moment. His hand is placed protectively over Katya's shoulder and he hasn't moved from her side for a moment.

We still don't know exactly the extent of what happened to them in captivity, and both are currently seeing a therapist to help them deal with the residual trauma.

Katya's mentioned in passing, though, that she's had a few other pregnancies before this, but I hadn't probed about what happened to those babies, since it must be a tough subject for her.

"I don't think I could have ever imagined that it would be Vlad who saved me—us," Katya continues, her gaze on her brother. "I always thought there was more to him than what people were saying." She turns toward me. "I'm happy he has you."

"Thank you." I squeeze her hand. "I know it's been hard to get closer to him. But don't give up. He's not the best when it comes to emotions."

"Really?" she asks, amused, pointing to the crowd that's gathered at the back of the garden.

I frown as I see Vlad wheeling in a grill and setting it up, calling out everyone's attention.

"Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate our wedding." He lifts a glass up. "I think I'm supposed to do a speech?" He frowns. "Maybe… or maybe not," he smiles roguishly, "but I'll do one anyway."

Taking off his tux blazer, he drapes it on a chair, slowly folding the sleeves of his shirt.

"The first time I saw Sisi, I knew I could never live without her," he starts and red creeps up my cheeks as I realize what he's doing.

Everyone claps at his words.

"She took one look at me and then ignored me. If that's not love at first sight, then I don't know what is," he continues, everyone chuckling at his joke.

He quickly sobers up though.

"I could stand here and extol her virtues forever, since even her imperfections are perfect to me," he winks at me, "but more than anything I want to thank her."

My eyebrows shoot up, curious at what he has to say. Everyone is listening attentively too, and I think for many this is the first time they are seeing Vlad being anything other than his jokester self.

"Thank you for trying to save me when everyone thought I was doomed.

Thank you for saving me when everyone gave up on me.

And thank you for saving me when I thought I was beyond saving.

" He pauses, an unyielding intensity in his eyes as he looks at me.

"That I am here, right now, is all because of you, hell girl.

And that's why," he smirks, "moving forward I will live only for you. "

Everyone claps again, with some people whispering that this can't be the same Vlad they knew.

But as I look at him, so dashing in his plain white shirt and black pants, I can only feel immensely flattered, my heart beating loudly in my chest at his declaration.

"I'd also like to give you a gift," he says, and now I'm even more curious as I watch him work around the grill before taking off his shirt and sitting down on a chair.

Sasha gets up and goes around him, a small pouch in his hand as he takes out a scalpel.

My mouth parts in surprise as it dawns on me what he's doing.

I'm not the only one completely flabbergasted by this display, gasps erupting around me as the scalpel cuts into Vlad's back, removing a small square of flesh and placing it on the grill.

"I know it's customary for the newlyweds to share cake, but I want to share myself with you, Sisi. If you'll have me."

I stand up on shaky legs, slowly going toward him, my mind in a thousand different places as I realize just how special this is.

"Yes," I answer as I reach his side. Going around his back, I place my hands on his shoulders as I lean in to lick the bits of blood pouring from the cut, closing my lips over his skin. "This is the most wonderful surprise, Vlad," I tell him sincerely.

"But first, I want Sasha to take a piece from me too."

The words are barely out of my mouth as he turns toward me, his eyes wild.

"Hell girl," he groans and I think he's going to refuse. He places his forehead on my shoulder, breathing harshly. "Having a part of you…" he trails off. "I wouldn't dare ask for that."

"You don't have to. It's freely given." I caress his cheek, placing a quick kiss on it before sitting down.

The process is fast and not as painful as I would have imagined.

Vlad's piece is done, while mine is quickly cooking on the hot grill. When we have both a piece of each other in our hands, we look into each other's eyes, slowly bringing the morsel to our mouths.

I watch as his lips close over a piece of me just as I bring the piece of flesh to my mouth.

The burst of flavor is immediate, and it takes everything in me not to moan at the taste. Or even worse, jump on him and tear at his clothes.

He seems to have a similar reaction, and his gaze doesn't stray from me as he slowly chews on the piece of meat.

"You're part of me now, hell girl. Just like I'm part of you," he drawls, his dangerous smile engulfing me whole.

"Yes, we're finally one."

The moment stretches between us, and it's like everything fades away. There's no noise, no people around—just us.

We gaze at each other and I know that what we have is stronger than anything in this world. There's nothing that could tear us apart.

Not even death.

Because where one goes, the other follows.

At some point, the guests leave, and we're finally alone. The entire house, though, is a mess and will probably need a thorough cleaning.

"You were such a gentleman today," I praise him, playing with the collar of his shirt and teasing the small expanse of flesh visible.

"Is that so?" he asks, and my eyes zone in on his lips, licking my own in response.

There's just something magnetic the way he pulls me toward him without even trying. My body just reacts to his, and like a moth drawn to a flame, I can't possibly resist. I want him to consume me.

"Make no mistake, Sisi," he starts, his hands going down my dress until he grips the tulle of my skirt firmly in his fist. "I am still a beast. But now I'm a lucid beast." That dangerous grin again, and in no time, he has the material ripped from my body, shreds falling to the ground as a look of pure satisfaction appears on his face.

"Run, my little nun. Run."

He smiles wolfishly at me, his muscles rippling with withheld tension. His eyes are attuned to my every move, and I know he's ready to pounce.

And what do you do when you have a predator hot on your trail?

You run.

And hope he catches you.