“Sebastian—”
We spoke at the same time, and a breathy laugh came out of her.
“Go ahead,” I said, watching her. “I’m listening.”
Luna drew in a deep breath, and when she spoke, her voice was little more than air. “Sebastian, I… when we first got married, I was scared. Of you… the vampires… Honestly, I was scared of the whole thing.”
“I know,” I murmured. Her fear had been tangible on the night of our wedding. Now, there wasn’t a trace of it in her scent or through the bond.
“I didn’t want this. Our marriage. None of it.” Luna raced a finger over the Binding Mark on her wrist before looking up at me. “Did you?”
Drawing in a deep breath, I shook my head as I stepped towards her. “Honestly, no. I didn’t. But now that we are here, Bound and Tethered—”
“It feels right,” she finished my sentence.
“Yes,” I breathed. For the first time in my existence, I felt like I had a real purpose. She brought out parts of me that I hadn’t even known existed. Before I told her how I felt, there was something I needed to know. “Are you still scared?”
She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, and my entire body tensed. I wanted her so badly, I could barely think.
“No.” Luna’s eyes widened, and a flicker of surprise came through the bond. “I’m not scared of you.”
My feet moved of their own accord, taking me closer to my wife. Keeping my eyes on hers—a feat in and of itself—I kneeled in front of her.
“Luna, I might not have wanted this marriage, but now I can’t imagine anything else.” Taking her wet hand in mine, I pressed a feather-light kiss to her damp skin. “You changed my life, darling.”
She smiled. “In a good way, I hope.”
“The best,” I breathed. Sucking in a deep breath, I ran my tongue over the tip of my fangs and said a quick prayer to Isvana for strength. “Luna, I… There’s something I need to tell you.”
She raised a brow. “What?”
Rubbing the Binding Mark on her arm, I kept my eyes on hers as I explained about being able to feel her emotions. When I was done, she stared at me for a long moment. “That’s what you meant by being connected, isn’t it?”
I nodded.
Luna’s eyes swept over mine. “Alright.”
“You don’t…. doesn’t it bother you?”
Her shoulder lifted. “It’s honestly not that bad. Except… why can’t I feel your emotions?”
“I’m not sure. It could be because you’re human, and I’m not.” She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, I shook my head. “Before you ask if that bothers me, Luna, it doesn’t.”
“How did you—”
Bending, I brushed my lips against hers. “Remember how you said you were researching me?”
She nodded.
“I’ve been doing some research of my own. I’m happy to report, Luna, that I have come to a conclusion.”
Her brows raised. “Are you going to share it with me?”
“I am.” I blew out a long breath, readying myself. “I want you to know that it’s okay if you’re not ready for this. But I have to say it.”
She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, darling.” Even my shadows quieted in my veins as I focused on my wife. This was it. “Luna, you snuck up on me like a bolt of sunshine after an endless storm. When you came to me, you gave me a reason to keep on living.”