An End of Night (A Shade of Vampire #16)(58)

“No. I have ordered them to remain here… It’s become clear that my lineage’s customs must be set aside in this case.” He paused, his eyes becoming distant as he raised his gaze toward the trees. The moonlight trickled down through the canopy of leaves, casting shadows upon the shifter’s tan, muscled chest that was partially covered with a thin cloth draped over his left shoulder. The silence of the forest surrounded us, the chattering of the party far away. A gentle breeze blew against our skin.

When he finally broke the silence, his gaze was still unfocused, his voice husky. “The wind is calling… and I must answer to it.”

I exchanged glances with Caleb, who shrugged.

“Well, perhaps one day we’ll see you again.”

“Perhaps.” His gaze lowered to my face, his eyes digging deep into mine one last time before he bowed his head slightly and disappeared into the night.

We remained rooted to our spots a few moments longer, staring toward the direction the dragon had retreated. Then Caleb reached for my hand. “Shall we proceed?”

Chapter 40: Rose

My husband picked me up again and sped up along the forest path. Soon, we had exited the woods and neared the shore. When we arrived at the Port, he set me down on my feet again. Then he stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the jetty.

“Close your eyes,” he whispered.

I did as he’d requested. He moved behind me, pulling my back against his chest. He placed one wide palm over my eyes to make sure I didn’t peek, while he rested the other one over my stomach. He walked forward with me, guiding me in my long dress and making sure that I didn’t slip. The floorboards creaked beneath us and after what felt like twenty feet, he drew us both to a stop.

“Keep your eyes closed until I say. I’m going to let go of you.”

“Okay.”

I had to fight the urge to not sneak a peek.

When Caleb finally did give me permission, I gasped.

Floating on the waves before me was a gorgeous boat. About fifteen feet long and ten feet wide, its frame was made of dark brown timber. There were four masts in each corner from which hung long drapes of crimson silk. The floor was padded with soft cushioned material and scattered with mahogany-red pillows. Candles lined the edges of the boat, making it glow in the darkness and look almost… unearthly.

Watching my face closely, Caleb stepped into the boat. Holding out a hand, he whispered:

“Sail away with me, Princess.”

My hand was unsteady as I reached out and closed my fingers around his.

He led me to the center of the boat and left me there while he moved back to the bow and cut us loose from the jetty. The boat began to drift, the calm waves carrying us away.

Caleb turned back to face me, gazing at me through his dark lashes. Positioning three cushions on the floor, he seated me on them before picking up a pair of oars that had been resting near the stern. He removed his jacket, sat opposite me and began to row.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him as he moved us away, the muscles beneath his white shirt rippling with each stroke he took.

He stopped once we neared the boundary of the island and I could no longer make out details of the Port in the distance.

He set the oars to one side, then knelt next to me. I propped myself up on my knees as he gathered me to him. He touched the back of my neck, his fingers reaching into my hair, before claiming my lips and kissing me deeply. I closed my eyes, returning his passion.

My breathing was fast and uneven as he drew away. He stood up and pulled me up with him. The top buttons of his shirt were open, his hair tousled from the sea breeze and all the dancing we’d done. His appearance reminded me of the night he’d proposed.

Caleb Achilles… My gorgeous sailor husband.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I said, finding my voice for the first time.

He just smiled.

Taking my hand in one hand, he reached the other around my back, gently pressing me against him. We began to sway to the music in our heads.

I shivered when he moved his hand to the strap of my wedding dress. He rolled it slowly down my shoulder before lowering his head to kiss the skin it had been covering. The feel of his lips so close to my neck made my stomach flutter. His mouth caressed me tenderly, unhurriedly, as though we had all the time in the world. Then he reached for my second strap and pulled it aside. Still swaying my body gently, he began kissing my shoulder with as much tenderness and devotion as he had done the first.

My body was beginning to course with heat I didn’t know how to contain. I raised my hands to the opening of his shirt and fumbled with the buttons.

His hands found the zipper running down the back of my dress. I felt the coldness of the metal slide down my skin as he released me from the gown. It slid to the floor, leaving me standing in my underwear.

As I undid the last of his shirt buttons, he pulled the shirt off and dropped it on the floor near my dress. I let my gaze roam over the beauty of Caleb’s physique before locking eyes with him again.

Deftly, he unclasped my bra. Then he got down on his knees and bared me to him completely.

I watched in anticipation as he finished undressing himself. Slowly, we stepped toward each other, meeting again in the center of the boat. The way his bare skin touched and brushed against mine was electrifying. Surrounding me with his strong arms, he pulled me flush against him.