Page 111 of Into The Light

“And I love you.”

“Good, because it seems as if you’re stuck with me for eternity after all.”

“I think I can get used to that.” I smiled and pushed into his arms a little deeper. “Although, I’m still pissed you almost had me erased.” I scowled.

“Only because I love you that much.”

“You’re lucky I’m in too good of a mood to hold a grudge,” I teased.

“I’ve got all eternity to make it up to you.”

I rolled over and brushed my lips against his. “You’d better.”

“I’ll start with trying to find you some coffee. I doubt they have any, but I know you can’t start your day without it.”

“Oh yes, coffee...” I pursed my lips and moaned.

Aiden stood and pulled his pants up. I leaned on my elbow and took in the view grateful I got an eternity to admire that impeccable body. “Where is everyone else?”

“Well, apparently the ritual knocked us both out. I woke up when Lothaire and Thorne were carrying us in here,” he said. “You’ve been out for an hour. Lothaire and Annella are waiting for us outside.”

“And Thorne?”

“He’s still here and trying to convince Catrain he isn’t the devil. I think he’s a bit smitten with her.” He smirked. “He’s always had a thing for bad girls.”

Shaking my head, I laughed. “Oh, boy.”

“Leave it to Thorne to fall for the Pict witch sworn to hate us.” He laughed and shook his head.

“How very Romeo and Juliet of him. I hope it works out.”

“He deserves to find someone, too.”

I nodded. “I like her. She’s a badass, and if it weren’t for Catrain things would be a lot different right now. I’d be a mind-erased human and you’d either be a vampire or dead. So, she gets two thumbs up from me.”

I grinned, but the reality of how close we’d come to losing it all slammed back into me like a semi-truck. Catrain would have my gratitude every single day of my life... no matter how many centuries stretched before me.

“Speaking of Catrain,” Aiden said, tipping his head. “I think we should go out and thank her and let everyone know we both came out of this alive. They need to get back to safety before sunup, so I need to get them on their way.”

“Good point,” I said and stood up. I pulled on my pants and my clothes with speed that startled me. “I’m gonna have to practice moving like a human again before I go back into the world. That. Is. Crazy.”

“I’m happy to take them off of you often so you can practice putting them back on.” His sly smile pulled up one side of his lips.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

We exchanged a smile and headed to the door together. When he pulled it open Lothaire and Annella paced just outside. I blushed a little thinking they must have heard our exuberant reunion.

“Are you okay? Are you two hurt?” Annella asked when she saw us and flitted to my side.

“I think we’re all right,” I answered.

“Thank God!” She threw her arms around my neck. “We were so worried!” She moved to Aiden and jumped on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!”

“I’m sorry, Annella. But thank you for fighting for me. Thank you for being such a good sister.”

“I missed you, Aiden. Promise you won’t be a stranger anymore?”

“I promise. No more runaway Aiden. We’ll visit you often.”