She sucked in a breath, tightening her grip on my fingers. “Sebastian, what are you saying?”
“Luna Montquartier, beautiful wife of mine. I was never expecting you, but now that you’re here, I don’t want anything else. I swear to you that no matter what comes our way, I will protect you.” My heart pounded in my chest, and I ran my tongue over the tip of my fangs. My voice rasped as I said the three words that had been pressing on me for days. “I love you.”
She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening as a bolt of fear came down the bond. “Sebastian, I—”
“Don’t. Please.” Shifting, I moved to the back of the tub and fanned out my wings behind me. Picking up a bottle of scented soap, I rolled up my sleeves and poured a generous amount into my hand. “I just needed to say it. I needed you to know how I felt. You don’t need to say anything.”
“But—”
I chuckled. “It’s fine. Now I’m guessing you still have questions about Persuasion?”
After a moment’s pause, she nodded.
I smiled. “Good. Close your eyes and lean back. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
She did as I asked.
Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she rested her neck against the rim of the tub. Making sure not to yank on her hair, I picked up her locks and gently rubbed in the soap until it reached a generous lather.
Picking up a cup, I rinsed her hair before adding conditioner and brushing it through her locks. A contented sigh filled the air, and as I worked, I told the female I loved about Persuasion. It wasn’t a gift that many vampires were capable of, but it was useful.
Luna listened, asking a plethora of questions, just like I knew she would. I answered each one as best I could. A peacefulness descended upon us. No matter what happened next, I would always cherish these few hours we had together.
When the sun rose, the People of the Night were meeting. One way or another, I would find out what they had planned. They targeted my wife, and for that, there was only one available recourse.
They would have to die.