My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(55)

In spite of his burning desire for revenge, Sebastian discovered himself regretting the madness that had seized his brother. His brows drew together as he held out a slender hand.

"It is not too late, Drake. Return to the Veil and all will be forgiven."

The vampire briefly regarded the hand, almost as if longing to reach out and join with Sebastian. Then, just when Sebastian allowed himself a measure of hope, he sharply stepped backward with a snarl.

"Forgiven? I will be destroyed if I fail."

Sebastian tensed, recalling the mysterious shadow that had attacked him in the abandoned stables. He still had no notion of who the powerful vampire had been. Or how he had been connected to Drake. But he suspected that Drake deeply feared the attacker.

"Destroyed by whom?" he demanded.

Drake clenched his hands, a reckless glitter in his eyes. "Nefri cannot guard William forever,"

he said thickly. "I will return and when I do, you will both pay."

Alerted by his warning, Sebastian rushed forward, but as quickly as he moved, Drake was quicker. Shifting his form to a large, black dog, he was bounding past Sebastian and through the door.

Sebastian muttered a curse. He knew he could not allow Drake to escape. The vampire was dangerously desperate and willing to commit any atrocity to achieve his goals. Bloody hell.

Turning toward Amelia, he regarded her with a searching gaze. She was understandably pale with a tense, fragile air about her. The soft curls had tumbled about her shoulders and there were lingering shadows in her dark eyes. His attention, however, was caught and held by the unmistakable drop of blood that glistened against the white skin of her bosom. Directly over her heart.

Blessed Nefri. He had come so close to losing her. Too close. He had to bring an end to Drake, one way or another. He could not take such a ghastly risk ever again.

Moving forward, he briefly gathered her into his arms, squeezing her tightly. With gratifying readiness, she melted into him, her head burying in his shoulder as she allowed the tears that she had been bravely holding in check to be released in choking sobs.

For an endless moment he merely held her close. He needed to have her near. To assure himself that she was well despite the horror that she had endured. More than anything, he desired to enfold her in his own strength.

Slowly she struggled to regain command of herself. As she did so, she also became aware of the burning necessity coiled deep within him. It was impossible to hide from the maiden who had become so much a part of him.

Leaning back, she regarded him with a worried gaze. "Sebastian?"

He gently cupped her damp cheek, knowing that the stubborn minx was bound to try and prevent his determined pursuit of Drake.

"Amelia, you must give me the dagger."

Her face whitened. "Why?"

"We both know this must end tonight," he said softly. "You and William will be in danger until Drake has been stopped."

She moaned as she stepped back, clutching the dagger in a white-knuckled grip.

"I do not wish you to risk your life, Sebastian. There must be another way."

Sebastian choked back an incredulous chuckle. The woman had willing allowed herself to be abducted by a crazed vampire and hauled to this remote cottage. She had then proceeded to place a dagger to her heart with every intention of ending her life. And she dared stare at him with that wounded expression and speak of risk.

"Bloody hell, Amelia, you are the last person to lecture me about risk."

She refused to reveal even a hint of remorse for the terror she had put him through. Instead she continued to regard him with that steady, anxious gaze.

"I could not bear to lose you, Sebastian. Anything but that."

A fierce tenderness filled his heart at her simple honesty. Once again, he reached out to press her close to his body, breathing deeply of her sweet scent.

"You will not lose me, Amelia. I intend to devote an eternity to loving you."

She tilted back her head to offer him a tearful smile. "Only an eternity?"

"Oh, my love." He pressed his lips to her tumbled curls. He would have given anything to remain holding her in his arms for the rest of his days. Unfortunately, his ability to sense Drake was becoming ever fainter. He had to act swiftly or he might lose him. He pressed a last, lingering kiss to her brow. "Later, my sweet. For now I need you to come with me."

Allowing herself to be held next to his side, Amelia glanced upward as he escorted her firmly toward the door.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Nefri is just beyond the trees, with William. I want you to remain with her until I return."

They had left the cottage and started across the overgrown garden when Amelia came to an abrupt halt.

"Wait."

Sebastian glanced down in suppressed impatience. He wanted his confrontation with Drake over and done with. Only then could he concentrate on his future with this woman he loved with his entire being.

"What is it, Amelia?"

"I do not want you to leave until we have fully become one."

He frowned, wondering if her recent fright had somehow softened her wits. Surely she could not be asking...

"What do you mean?"

"You said that we were not yet fully bound. I want to complete the binding."

He was shaking his head in denial before she ever finished speaking. "No, Amelia, you do not know what you ask. It is not a simple ceremony with pretty words as mortals use to join themselves together. The Immortal Kiss means that we are truly bound. Our thoughts, our hearts, our souls. There is no going back. No end. It is irrevocable."