The heat intensified until it was all around her. “Anakatrine… I’m afraid.” She couldn’t see the Queen anymore, she couldn’t drag her eyes open or stop the dizziness from enveloping her.
“Anakatrine…”
“Reasa… Oh god, Reasa!” Liam’s tears were covering her face, her body protesting as he rocked her against him ignoring the irate bellows from the doctor at her side.
“Liam, let her go…”
“No…” she murmured, forcing her eyes to open, to see her mate’s beautiful face above her, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks. She didn’t want him to let her go, she wanted to be in his arms forever. “I dreamed of the vampire queen,” she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. “She was so beautiful, Liam. So kind and loving. She helped me find my soul… she helped me…” Her words trailed off, her body needing the rest, her mind so tired all she wanted to do was sleep.
“Oh my god… do you see that?” Mallen’s stammer had everyone turning to look at him in surprise. He was pointing at Reasa, at the gaping wound on her leg. “She’s healing herself…”
Caleb turned to Rhianna, shooting her a puzzled glance. She was pale and looked exhausted, but she was smiling so widely he knew she’d been up to something. He’d known something was happening when she’d told him to hold her and not to let go no matter what happened. Nothing had appeared to be happening so he’d been a but perplexed by her request but he’d done as she asked. “Annie?”
She yawned, snuggling against his chest as Liam dragged his gaze from his mate to look at them. “Thereasa saved her three souls. Her penance is over.” Her lavender gaze connected with the Varcolac, a happy smile gracing her face. “Anakatrine returned Reasa’s immortality, Liam. She will heal herself in good time now, though it would probably be more comfortable if she wasn’t left lying on the forest floor while she did.”
A hush fell over the clearing, all eyes staring at them. “Do you mean it, Annie?” Liam whispered, hope in his voice. “Reasa is a vampire once more?”
Her smile widened if that was possible and she rose to her feet with Caleb at her side. “She is a vampire once more,” she agreed placing a hand on his shoulder. “Take her home now, Liam. Cassia, take Pietro home too. There has been enough drama this night. Let’s care for those we can and find a way to help those we can’t.”
Caleb gathered her to his side, knowing her thoughts were travelling back to Europe and to what could have happened to her brother and his mate. The rest of the pack wasn’t aware of that turn of events as yet, and it appeared they would try to limit that knowledge to those who needed to know for the time being.
“Back to Rafe’s?” he asked, and she shook her head as she looked at her brother. The Alpha’s attention was on his pack at the moment, and the ones he could do something to help.
“Tomorrow,” she answered, her heart heavy as her eyes turned to stare off into the distance. “Be safe,” she whispered for only Caleb to hear. “Be safe, brother of my heart. Your work here is not yet done.”
*****
“Will you mate with me, Reasa?”
How could she deny her fierce male when he looked at her with such adoration on his face? As soon as her body had healed he had loved her with no holds barred, and it had been even more exquisite than their first time together. He hadn’t needed to be gentle because she was human. He had been lustful and strong, demanding and tender at the same time. Now they lay together joined, welcoming the dawn’s first rays through their open window, her glorious male was asking to join with her forever.
Reaching up a hand, she brushed aside his long, auburn locks, drinking in his beauty and wondering how she had ever deserved to know such happiness. Anakatrine’s words whispered through her mind and she pushed away the last lingering self-doubt that she had. She deserved this because she had earned it, with every tear that had been wrung from her soul.
“I have walked through fire to be with you, Liam Eriksson. I have known my greatest weaknesses and shame, and I have known my greatest strengths and compassion. I am honoured to be yours for eternity. Yes, I will mate with you.”
The joy on his face brought tears to her eyes, and she let them flow as he moved inside her body, his lips plundering hers, his body worshiping her with his love. Now that she was free from the past, there was hope for this future with her redheaded Varcolac, and she was taking it while it was on offer. Nothing and no one would deny her.
“Liam… my beautiful Liam… I love you so much.” The words were ripped from her soul as her body soared in ecstasy, and her fangs sank into the side of his neck to nourish her second lust.
She could feel his life essence filling her body… both his blood and his seed claiming her. It made her heart thud wildly, it beating racing as his teeth sank into her collarbone and he claimed her as his mate. Nothing had felt so good, and she doubted anything ever would. Nothing could ever compare to this perfect moment of being claimed by her magnificent mate, and now she was a vampire once more, it would be a memory that would never pale.
They danced together in their rhythm of love, true mates joining in a perfect moment of bliss. he gave her his strength and she gave him hers. They were one heart beating, one breath echoing in the early morning air.
“I love you, my sweet, sweet Thereasa. Now and forever,” Liam whispered the words with tears of joy in his eyes, complete for the very first time in his life. It hadn’t been an easy journey, but he would have walked through endless trials to win his mate’s love. She was worth every single tear he’d shed, every single missed heart beat when he thought he had lost her. He was probably going to be a tad overprotective for a little while until the terror of seeing her lying in the forest so lifeless diminished, but he expected she would understand that.