by Helen Bright
I wrapped my arms and legs around him and held him as close as I could. Now he had finally revealed his feelings about this vampire I could see how hard it must have been to keep these emotions from me. Fear for my safety, anger for the disruption in our lives, and worry that he would not be near enough to protect me.
The love he felt for me was the base from where all these other emotions grew and it was becoming stronger each day. I was so blessed to have him in my life, loving me, protecting me and wanting me. I just wish I would have been smart enough to accept his love sooner.
He kissed me softly and pushed himself inside me, slow but deep. We made love right there on the gym mats in that small room, and it was sweet and beautiful. When we climaxed the feelings I got from Nik were so strong, it felt like bonding with him all over again.
I loved him heart and soul, and he returned that love tenfold. This was the life I wanted. No, this was the life I needed, and there was no vampire on this earth that would be able to take this from me.
Chapter 33
Freya
I didn’t like bonfires. They brought back too many bad memories for me, and for Alex. He normally came to stay with me on bonfire night and we kept indoors all night.
Today however he was visiting me for a different reason. He had arrived at my house at eight this morning and was treated to breakfast by my cook Millie. As always she spoiled him with a full English breakfast, finishing off with homemade croissants and honey from the bees in my garden.
As usual the rest of my staff came in to see Alex and enquire about Julia. I think she will have to come and stay with me for a week or so, and then they will be able to spoil her too. Alex enjoyed the attention. I think he truly missed my staff when he wasn’t here; Leonard and Frank treat him like a son, and when Millie and Sally coddled him he lapped up the attention they gave. Joshua was the same when he came up here. It must be a man thing.
Anyway, today was a very special day as far as I was concerned. Alex was going to ask Julia to marry him and we were travelling up to Whitby to see a friend of mine who made bespoke Jewellery. Alex had decided to get a ring made for Julia with words engraved on it. He had taken her old wedding ring from her jewellery box so we could get it sized and he had written down some words that he wanted engraved on the new ring.
It was the first time since bonding with Julia that he had been without her for any length of time, and I could tell he was uncomfortable with it.
It took us an hour and a forty five minutes to travel up to Whitby. We went straight to Maxwell Farley’s shop which was on a back street a few minutes away from the harbour.
Alex chose a platinum wedding band for Julia and requested the words, My Love Forever, which was to be written in old script. This was to be engraved around the outside of the ring and on the inside Maxwell would put the infinity symbol.
Unbeknown to Alex I had already spoken with Maxwell before we had left my home. You see I had a very interesting conversation with Julia last night as she wanted my help in finding Alex’s ring size because she was going to propose to him. So I managed to turn the conversation around a little to mention that I was paying my Jeweller friend a visit, so I could maybe source a ring for him. And oh, what if we could get it engraved for Alex, with something meaningful?
Julia was thrilled, and because she wouldn’t be able to go far without Alex while the threat of this mystery vampire was going on, she agreed that I could organise for the ring to be engraved for her.
So while we were in Maxwell’s back room, I got Alex to try on a few rings, and when he found one that fit him, I gave Maxwell the nod and he put it away for me.
I couldn’t wait to see their faces when they realise they had matching rings.
Alex said Julia’s ring needed to be a size up from her old wedding band, as when she was showing it to him she said it was a little tight when she tried to put it on. Alex paid for Julia’s ring and was looking at other jewellery for her when I slipped Maxwell my card. It was all very underhanded and I loved it.
Alex also purchased some diamond earring’s set in a platinum base and a platinum chain with a diamond pendant. Jokingly I asked him why he didn’t finish it all off with a matching bracelet and watch.
Alex nodded enthusiastically and selected a pretty delicate bracelet, and a watch with a mother of pearl face. He also selected an eternity ring instead of an engagement ring, even though he planned on marrying her as soon as the rings were ready.
When Maxwell asked if Alex would like anything engraved on the back of the watch Alex said he wasn’t sure.
Maxwell suggested an important date or name perhaps, and Alex immediately said Megan. Then he gave him her date of birth and explained the details to him.
Of course I already knew what had happened to Julia and baby Megan, but I couldn’t help the tears that welled up in my eyes. My brother was such a thoughtful man and I was so glad he had finally found love with Julia. She would adore the watch and the engraving behind it. It would be like she was carrying Megan around with her, somewhere other than in her heart.
After sorting out the rest of the jewellery and arranging to for me to pick it up next week, we set off to a florists I had been in touch with. They had made me a set of wreaths as per my request. Each one was a different size and made with carnations of the same colour apart from one.
We headed up the coastline to Staithes, the pretty fishing village where Alex and I first made contact with English sand and soil. The pretty colours on the painted houses were a welcome sight on this chilly but bright sunny day.
Alex and I made our way up to the church called Our Lady Star of the Sea.
As my husband and children’s burial site has long since been turned in to a road, and the village where we lived was now farm buildings, I preferred to lay my families wreaths here at the church.
My husband’s wreath was always done with red carnations and Brisa’s was always in pink. My little Tobias has lemon coloured flowers on his wreath and today they seemed to stand out so prettily against the stone wall of the church.
Sometimes I found laying the wreaths easier to do than other times, and today unfortunately wasn’t a good time for me. Alex held me while I cried and we spoke words of love and affection to each of them. I wondered if my Brisa had lived, would she have looked like my mother when an adult, like I do. She certainly had a look of us both, with the same grey eyes and fair hair. And would baby Tobias have looked like his father and namesake, or like his uncle Alex. Both were strong, kind and handsome men, and both would have spoiled him all the time, just like they did his sister.
Alex took my hand and led me down towards the harbour. We had timed it so the tide was in, and Alex was the one to place the wreath on the steady waves.
My mother’s wreath was made up of deep fuchsia coloured carnations with a singular cream one in the middle. The cream one was for my father, and I know it would seem strange to do this, but in my mind I lost my father that day too.
Oh he was with us physically, up until I killed him of course, but he lost his soul and his goodness the day my mother drowned.
Before that Sebbi was really good to us all, although who knows how things would have turned out if our mother had lived.
The journey back to my home in Aldbrough seemed to take forever. We drove in silence up until Hornsea, which was only ten minutes from my home. Alex went over the details of what would happen when I collected the rings, as he wanted to plan his proposal to Julia so that everything was perfect.
To be honest my mind wasn’t really taking in a great deal in at that moment in time. I was still wrapped up in thoughts of my family and I just wanted disappear to my room and sleep for a while. Also even though Alex and I were born immortals, being out in daylight hours made us more tired than usual. I called in to let Leonard, know we were nearly home. I knew we would have a warm meal waiting for us, and of course bagged blood which had come in fresh today.
Alex looked as weary as I
did and I felt sorry that he had done all the driving today. I told him he could sleep here if he wanted, but I knew he wouldn’t take me up on the offer because he was already getting jittery from being away from Julia for a few hours.
A newly bonded couple needed to be in close proximity for a good few weeks at least, and once Alex had eaten and drank his fill, he was back in the car, and off to be with his love.
I on the other hand went off to be alone in my room, to dream of my family, and the kind of love that I may never experience again.
Chapter 34
Alex
Traffic was minimal on my drive back home from Aldbrough. Even the motorway wasn’t as busy as it would normally be at 6.30pm. It was mostly because tonight was bonfire night, and people would be with their families, either at an organised even or something in their own back garden. It had been dark for over two hours now, and already I could see fireworks going off in the distance.
I never went to any of the organised displays, even though night movers had sponsored the firework display at the Red Lion for many years.
Being from Viking descent I had seen many funeral pyres, either on boats or in land, and the big ritual of burning the guy for Guy Fawkes on the bonfire just wasn’t something that appealed to me. Although that wasn’t the only reason, as that night Freya and I had burned my murdered father’s body was forever etched in my mind.
Julia had been busy all day sorting out the prizes for the raffle, and finishing off various other fundraising bits and pieces in preparation for this evenings event. She was attending the bonfire with her mum as her father was working this evening. I had asked Josh and Nik to guard her in case the mystery vampire was to show up, although Viktor hadn’t let us know that any tickets had been purchased in the name of Brian Vargan.
Of course he could have another alias that he used for travel purposes, and if that was the case we would never know where he was.
It was with this in mind I decided to wait outside the front of the Red Lion when I got back to Barrowfield.
The firework display was very impressive this year. I usually watched from the outside my cottage as it gave a good view of the fireworks lighting up the Pennine Landscape. It wasn’t as good watching it from the inside of my Honda, so I got out and leaned against the door. There was much oohing and aahing going on by the spectators and I wondered if one of those voices was Julia’s.
Could I go and stand next to her and watch the fireworks from there? I felt a little nauseous at the thought but I really needed to see her, touch her, and make sure she was safe. A loud bang followed by a succession a cracks spurred me on and I left the vehicle, striding forward with determination.
The heat on my face was what struck me first as I rounded the corner at the back of the Red Lion and I started to feel panicked. Within seconds Julia was by my side, sensing my discomfort with the situation through our bond. She threw her arms around me, gave me a candy floss flavoured kiss, and hugged me tightly, letting me know she wasn’t going anywhere until I felt ok again.
I looked up to find Josh, Nik, Gina and Julia’s mum stood around us both. Josh and Nik both gave me a look that asked if I was ok, and that I had their support.
I realised in that moment, just how lucky I was to be surround by great people day in, day out, and I after the emotional day I had with Freya, I really needed that.
“Alex we can leave if you want, we don’t have to stay here. Everything is sorted with the raffle and the prizes, so if you need to leave we can go straight home.”
I kissed Julia on the tip of her nose and shook my head. For the first time ever I wanted to stay and watch a bonfire night celebration. I wanted to carry on watching Julia’s face light up with all the colourful fireworks, and see the smile she wore when some made the funny sounds.
“Would you like some bonfire toffee Alex,” said Julia’s mum as she held out an opened tin towards me.”
“You have to have some Alex, its homemade,” said Nik as he reached in the tin and took a huge piece.
“Better get some quick before Nik steals the lot,” laughed Gina. “You know what a sweet tooth he’s got.”
Nik really did have a sweet tooth. Especially if he was stressed. I watched him bend to kiss Gina on the lips, then whisper something in her ear. She giggled again and I watched as her pupils dilated.
It appeared I wasn’t the only one looking at the loved up couple.
As I took my piece of toffee and thanked Julia’s mum I became aware of more than one set of eyes on Nik and Gina.
A quick scan of the crowd of people stood around the bonfire told me that a few ladies and a couple of men were talking behind their hands whilst nodding towards the couple.
Now normally no vampire likes to attract attention to themselves, but I had the feeling Nik was playing up to the crowd a little tonight.
When Gina’s son Jack came towards Nik and Gina with a couple of beers and a wine, I took the opportunity to speak to Julia.
“What’s up with all the dirty looks coming their way?” “Apparently, Gina and Nik had a run in with some superbitch at Mr Singh’s earlier today and it appears that Gina has been the topic of village gossip for leaving her husband.”
This would really upset Gina. She sometimes acted tough but she was a sensitive soul and tended to let things get to her.
I was glad her son was here to show support to her. Buying his mum and Nik a drink, and now laughing and joking with them would go a long way to let the village know that he accepted Gina and Nik as a couple.
“Ooh Alex, look at the Catherine wheels,” Julia squealed.
“They were always her favourites when she was a little girl. She never really liked the ones with the loud bangs,” said Sue, Julia’s mum.
“And your favourites were the traffic light ones,” smiled Julia, as she grabbed her mother’s hand.
Sue leaned over and kissed her daughters cheek, and then surprisingly, she pulled me down and kissed my cheek too.
“Thank you Alex, for bringing my daughter back to me.”
There were tears in her eyes but she quickly wiped them away, and turned to watch the last of the fireworks. I placed myself in the middle of Julia and her mum, and put an arm around each of them. We stayed that way until Josh came over with a tray of hot chocolate drinks in plastic cups, and we all took one, warming our hands on them, as the fire warmed our faces.
We stayed until the bonfire burned down to about four feet high. That’s when I started to feel uncomfortable with watching the flames dance around the charred and almost skeletal look of the old bed frames and chairs that someone had thrown on to it.
Julia and Josh sensed straight away that it was getting too much for me and it was suggested that Josh drive Sue home and see her in safely, and I would take Gina and Nik home. Josh wanted to be back at the Red Lion for last orders as he did every bonfire night. He always like to see that the fire was out before the pub closed up for the night.
Julia and I held hands all the way home. It seemed my time away from her today had an effect on both of us, as we had to be touching each other, even if it was just our fingertips.
As soon as we got home we went to the bedroom and set the shower running. Our clothes and hair smelled of bonfire and candy floss, especially Julia’s. I stripped first, and then removed all her clothes, kissing her as I stripped away each item, and when she was naked I carried her into the shower.
After washing each other, we made love in the shower and drank from each other. I needed the taste of her blood tonight. So much had happened today and I needed her essence to give me strength emotionally, as well as physically. When we had satisfied ourselves with blood and pleasure, we dried off and Julia got into bed whilst I brought in a mug of Horlicks for us both to drink before we snuggled up under the covers to warm our naked bodies.
Julia asked if I wanted to talk about what happened today with Freya. She knew we were going to Staithes to place the wreathes, but not about going to Wh
itby for the rings. I said that it was very sad and that I worried for Freya.
I told Julia about Freya always having a single flower in mother’s wreath to represent our father.
I hoped that one day we could both fully mourn the man my mother loved and not the monster that he became. Although after nine hundred and fifty years I had to doubt that day would ever come.
Chapter 35
Julia
I woke up earlier than normal as we hadn’t been at work last night. After going to the bathroom I stopped at the curtains and peeked outside. Why was the day after bonfire night always so foggy and grey? It was the same every year so I shouldn’t be surprised really. I quickly closed the curtains so I didn’t wake Alex, then I put the central heating on and got back in bed until it warmed up the cottage.
Alex opened one eye and looked at me sleepily.
“Come here love,” he said whilst pulling me into his arms, my back to his front. I could feel the heat from his morning erection against my cold bottom.
He ground it against me and fondled my already hardened nipples. Looks like Alex had woken up in a good mood then.
He nipped the skin between my neck and shoulder, not piercing the skin but enough to leave teeth marks. Then he ran his nose up the side of my neck to the back of my ear and said, “Mmm you smell different.”
I turned over onto my back so I could kiss him and pulled him down so that he lay on top of me.
The kiss was filled with passion and want, the type of kiss that makes you wet in seconds. But suddenly it stopped. Alex pushed himself upright and stared down at me.
“Julia, you taste different too.”
“Alex, stop with the little red riding hood nonsense and get back to what we were doing. I’m so ready for you right now I think I will come as soon as you’re inside me.”
