Authors: Calista Fox
Unraveling the satin ribbon on the necklace,
he wrapped it around her throat and tied the ends, since the clasp was broken.
If Jade chose to keep the pendant, he’d have the jeweler who’d crafted her ring
fix the fastening.
“The Star of Nadia,” he told her, “is a
mystical piece. It was blessed by a demon princess. The immortal man who gives
it to a mortal woman can grant her an eternity with him. The gift hasn’t been
evoked in centuries. The necklace has been in my possession since I was a
child.”
Her expression turned quizzical. She asked,
“Are you telling me you have the ability to make me immortal?”
He nodded. “If I ask you, all you have to do
is say yes.”
Jade stepped away. His heart sank.
“An
eternity
,” she whispered, a hint of
awe in her voice but also a tinge of regret. “I told you humans can’t
comprehend that extensive amount of time.”
“And you would carry around your painful
memories with you,” he warned her, in the interest of full disclosure.
Her lips twisted and her brow furrow. Then she
shook her head and said, “Not exactly.”
This perplexed Darien. “What do you mean?”
She said, “I took Sheena to the spot where my
parents were murdered by demons. I told her what happened and how ashamed I was
I didn’t do anything to save them.”
“Jade,” he stared at her, aghast. “You were
eleven years old. What could you have possibly done?”
“Led the wolves away so my parents could have
escaped.”
He gripped her by the shoulders. “They
wouldn’t have escaped. Your father would have followed after them. They would
have killed him regardless.
And
you.”
“That’s basically what Sheena said. And I know
it’s true. But you can’t tell me that every time I ended up in battle with the
fire wraith that you didn’t hate yourself for not doing something to keep me
from getting hurt.”
His hands dropped. “You have a point.”
“Anyway,” she said, “I forced myself to think
about what Sheena said and…so much more. I realized I can’t cling to the
painful feelings. I made them a part of me and, to be honest, I used them as a
crutch. I used them to keep me isolated in my cottage and distant from people.
So…I let them go.”
His eyes searched hers, and he had to admit,
there was a vibrant clarity to her blue irises he’d never seen before. Torment
no longer clouded them.
“How…?” He was at a loss for words, really.
She shrugged. “I don’t know exactly, except to
say that I reached a point where I could continue to let the pain taunt me or I
could push it away from me. I was ready for the latter, I guess. I knew it was
time.”
The backs of his fingers brushed over her
cheek. “And you’re all right?”
“Yes. I feel about fifty pounds lighter,
actually.”
He chuckled. “You would joke.”
“Why not?” she asked. “I can’t live the rest
of my life under a dark cloud. It suited me initially, I’ll admit. But no
longer. I can envision so much more for myself now. I owe that in large part to
you. As well as Sheena and Morgan. Tanner and my other friends.”
His fingers skimmed over her jaw and down her
throat. He touched the Star of Nadia and said, “You could have an eternity to
explore everything you were meant to be. Everything you were meant to do.” He gave
her a compelling, earnest and imploring look as he all but begged, “Share it
with me.”
She pulled in a breath. Conflicting emotions
flashed in her eyes and she said, “But I irritate you on a regular basis.”
He laughed. “Yes, but I still love you. I always
will, I told you that. I haven’t done a good job of showing it this past month
and I promise to rectify that. Make up for it. But, Jade, if you were immortal…
Your tenacity wouldn’t worry me so much. I’d still insist you be careful, yet
you’d be much more resilient.”
“Are you saying you still want to marry me?”
“I never stopped wanting to marry you.”
“But—”
“Yes I know.” He sighed. “I’ve been distant
and aggravated. I’m not proud of that. Clearly, I have anger management issues
to work through.”
Jade bit her lower lip, likely to keep from
declaring he’d made a monumental understatement.
With a low chuckle, he said, “Look at the
couth and diplomacy you’re demonstrating. You really have learned a lot.
Although you could be more discreet with your sarcastic expressions.”
She smiled. “I’ll work on that.”
Gazing deep into her eyes, he said, “I can
only ask you this once in order for it to work. Will you stay with me…forever?”
Her breath hitched. He hadn’t been
overdramatic seconds earlier—it truly was a one-shot deal. If she said no, he’d
never have the chance to invoke the gift again.
Naturally, when she hedged, panic tore through
him. He didn’t want to lose Jade. He’d admitted to not handling the situation
with her correctly, but he knew now they had the potential to work together and
resolve the complications they encountered. But he also had to face the fact
that, in his heart and soul, he wanted her to be an immortal. Not just because
she’d be infinitely safer, but so that they could share endless years together.
Her gaze remained locked with his and he could
see she was overwhelmed with the decision. He should have given her more time.
He should have considered that she’d need to process this and—
“
Yes.
”
She smiled again and his heart soared. His
hands gently clasped her face and he kissed her. She responded with equal
passion and Darien knew they had finally found their common ground. It turned
out to be unwavering affection.
When he eventually pulled away, he said, “I
love you.”
She nodded. “You’d better. We’re going to be
together for a long, long time.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her
tightly.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
“You had me going there for a moment.”
“
Forever
isn’t easy to quantify.”
He kissed her once more then loosened his embrace.
“Where’d you pick up that term?”
“I’ve dabbled with the mathematics books you
added to Lisette’s library. But Sheena will have to tutor me. I’m at a complete
loss when it comes to calculus.”
“Think of all the time you’ll have to learn
it.”
“That’s an advantage to living for all of
eternity.”
He crooked a brow. “There’s just one?”
She swatted playfully at him. “Teasing,
remember?” Then a thought seemed to occur to her. She gnawed her lip a moment
and asked, “How can you be sure I’m immortal now? I don’t feel any different.”
Releasing her, he stepped up to the ledge of
the church and tugged on her hand so she joined him.
“You’re not going to push me over the edge in
order to test this, are you?”
“Of course not.” Holding her hand, he said,
“Be still and listen.” He gave her a few seconds then asked, “What do you
hear?”
“Birds chirping.”
“Beyond that.”
She concentrated harder. “Tree limbs brushing
against each other in the breeze. The stream of water that’s broken through the
ice trickling downriver. Voices.” Her eyes narrowed. “No, just one voice. Near
my cottage. Tanner? He’s wondering where I went without Walker’s horse.
But…he’s muttering.”
“Your senses are heightened.”
“Yes.” Her gaze swept the clearing on the
opposite riverbank and the woods beyond. He watched her closely. “I can see
farther. Hear more acutely. And now I feel…a little strange. Your hand.” Her
eyes dropped to where their fingers were entwined. “Your touch is even more
electrifying.”
“Now you know what I feel every time I’m with
you.”
Her gaze lifted to connect with his again. “I
feel…incredible.”
“Just remember,” he warned, though he kept his
tone light. “You’re invincible against a normal human. But not necessarily a
slayer or a vanquishing spell. Or another demon. You’ll be harder to kill, but
not impossible.”
“I’m definitely not invincible. Sheena pointed
that out the other night.”
“Keep it in mind. Although…” He reached for
his dagger with his free hand.
She looked taken aback. “You’re not going to
stab me in the heart, are you?”
He laughed at her jest, remembering their
first encounter of this nature in the library. “Trust me.”
Raising their twined hands, he shifted his
hold on her so he exposed her palm. Then he slowly dragged the blade over her
flesh. It split and blood oozed, as it had in the past.
She gasped. “Was that really necessary?”
“What do you feel?”
Her brows knitted. “It hurts but… Not the way
it did the last time.”
“So your threshold for pain has increased.”
As had her healing powers. Within seconds, the
blood absorbed into her skin and the wound healed completely. Not a scar to be
seen.
Snatching her hand from his, she stared at the
perfect skin. “That’s unbelievable. I’ve never healed that quickly.”
“What’s so difficult to believe?” he asked.
“After all, you are part demon. Immortality is much more compatible with demons
than with humans. Your gifts are now sharpened, as are your senses.”
“Fascinating. I want to test it further.”
Turning away, she said in an enthusiastic tone, “See that pile of rubble there
in the corner? All that stone… It’s a heavier mass than anything I’ve ever
tried to lift with my mind.”
His gaze alternated from her to the enormous
heap and back. He didn’t say a word as she focused. Determination exuded from
her, and suddenly, the mound vibrated and began to rise.
“Extraordinary,” he mumbled. But a stone
slipped. “Wait. You dropped one.”
She released the pile and it crashed to the
hard floor. “I never claimed to be perfect.”
He grinned down at her. “I think you are.”
Facing him, hope shining in her eyes, she
asked, “Does this mean we’ll be getting married after all?”
Without a second thought, he scooped her up
into his arms and said, “You didn’t think we’d spend an eternity living in sin,
did you?”
Her arms encircled his neck. “But what about
the living arrangements?”
“I did mention compromising earlier, didn’t
I?”
She snuggled close to him. In her provocative
tone, she asked, “So, if we were to spend three nights a week at the castle,
and three nights at the cottage, and I used the seventh night to relieve Tanner
on evening patrol… That would be a compromise, yes?”
He groaned. “You’re not still hell-bent on
slayer duties, are you?”
“Of course. As well as ambassador duties.
Friendship duties. Wifely duties…” She grinned at him. “Any complaints?”
If he had even one, would he ever win against
her? Doubtful. “Suit yourself. But I should get top priority, don’t you think?”
“We’ll see how that pans out for you.”
He shook his head. “You are such a pain in the
ass.”
In an indignant voice he knew was feigned, she
insisted, “No one has ever said that to me before.”
“Right.”
He carried her down the stairs and then they
mounted Thunder. Back at Jade’s cottage, she disappeared into the bedroom but
returned a few seconds later.
Between her fingers, she held the ring he’d
given her. “Will you propose again? I want to say yes this time. Officially.”
Taking the ring from her, he studied it a
moment then glanced back at her. “I once told you I felt less powerful when it
comes to you because I can’t give you everything you might want. I said that
because, at the time, you were mortal and I didn’t know you were a demi-demon.
I didn’t know enough about you, in general, to understand your needs. That’s
changed. And continues to change.”
He swept a hand through her hair, plucking a
few leaves she’d obviously collected while searching for the necklace. “I will
give you anything your heart desires.”
Her grin was a slow, sassy one. “As long as it
doesn’t threaten my safety.”
“That goes without saying.”
She laughed softly. “I hear you loud and
clear. I will be careful. Even as an immortal, I know I still have weaknesses.
Just, please keep in mind, I can’t make full guarantees. I’ll only upset you in
the long run if you expect that of me.”
“Fair enough.” He could certainly breathe a
sigh of relief now that she was immortal. But he’d be a fool to think she’d
obey his every command. He realized that was one of the things that would keep
the spark between them. “Call me sadistic, but for some reason, I’m willing to
put up with your insolence.”
“I’m not insolent, I’m stubborn. There
is
a difference.” She kissed him, passionately and hungrily. As though she’d
missed him as much as he’d missed her. When she finally pulled away, she was
breathless. But she said, “Now ask me.”
He knelt on one knee, honoring a human
tradition for her. Taking her left hand in his, he gazed up at her and said,
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing I wouldn’t give you. I love
you, Jade Deville. Will you be my wife?”
Her smile was a radiant one. Unfortunately, it
quickly faded. Darien scowled.
“You know,” she said, “it just occurred to me
that I don’t know your last name. Do demons have last names?”
“No,” he said, confused by her train of
thought.
“Then I’ll be… Mrs. Darien?” Her brow crooked.
“That’s sort of ridiculous, don’t you think?”
Surnames… Another human tradition—one he
hadn’t considered. One he didn’t need to. “No. You’ll be the queen.”
“Formally, yes. But in reality, I’ll still be
Jade Deville, since you don’t have a last name.” She seemed to find this an
intriguing and pleasing notion, no doubt given her independent nature and the
fact it kept her connected to her family name.
Who was he to argue?
“My love,” he said, exasperated by her
constant passion for such things, yet wholly captivated and enthralled by her,
“you will always be Jade Deville, the Demon Queen.” He kissed the top of her
hand. “By royal decree.”