Dorothea Caddel, is born into a wealthy family that can easily give her a plane or a planet to her wishes but what if something deep is hidden in the mask of a perfect family, a devil that she fears but soon learns to accept as love. That story chan...
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"It took me a while to find ya," Jasper drawled, his voice low and smooth. "That was 'til Alice sent me a letter tellin' me where you were."
Dorothea couldn't contain the burst of giggles that escaped her lips as she met Jasper's gaze. His mere presence, the warmth he radiated, made her feel giddy in ways she couldn't quite put into words. He showered her with playful kisses, his lips dancing from her forehead to her chin, making her heart flutter uncontrollably.
"About that, you never mentioned that you knew Alice and Dean," she teased, a mischievous spark in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by him. "The story's mighty borin', honestly, darlin'," Jasper drawled with a smirk, his fingers gently caressing her arm. "I helped Alice keep that newborn Dean in check."
Dorothea chuckled, a knowing look on her face. "I can just imagine how chaotic and troublesome it must've been," she remarked, her eyes twinkling with empathy.
Jasper hummed in agreement, his gaze turning more intense as he leaned forward, trying to pull her into another kiss. But before he could, Dorothea stood up quickly, leaving him momentarily stunned on the ground.
Her tone softened, a quiet sincerity in her words that caught Jasper off guard. "I must apologise for my behaviour earlier. It was most unbecoming of me, truly. This is our first proper meeting since we parted, and yet I acted in such a childish manner."
Jasper didn't know how to respond immediately. He stood, his heart tightening at the sight of her distress. Without a word, he opened his arms and enveloped her in a tight embrace, his whispers gentle against her ear. "Whenever you're ready, love, I'll be all ears. No rush."
Dorothea's heart swelled. This, this was one of the reasons why she had fallen so deeply for him. Jasper never pushed her to open up before she was ready. His patience was endless, something she had never truly experienced before.
"Will you be mad if I admit that I acted that way because I was scared?" Dorothea's voice was small, barely above a whisper, but it was honest. The truth had been eating at her, and it felt like it was time to lay it bare.
Jasper's eyes softened, his grip on her tightening ever so slightly as he searched her face. "Afraid of what, darlin'?"
Dorothea took a steadying breath, her chest tight with the weight of her words, as if they had been trapped for far too long. "I am terrified, Jasper, for my history with love... It has been far from the fairytale, you see. And the thought of not being able to see a future with you... It fills me with dread. I cannot help but fear the past shall repeat itself, with all the same mistakes."
Her gaze never faltered, holding his hands with a silent intensity, the connection between them so undeniably genuine. "It is not that I do not trust you, for I do, with all the sincerity of my heart. But I cannot shake the fear that I am not enough for you. I am... new to all of this."
Jasper's heart clenched at her words, the weight of her insecurities sinking deep into his chest. It hurt him more than he let on, but he understood. He could see how this fear had shaped her, made her wary of giving her heart away again.
A slow, loving smile tugged at Jasper's lips as he tilted his head, his gaze soft as he took her in. His eyes glinted with understanding. "Then look into my future, darlin'. If you're in it, there ain't nothin' to worry 'bout."
Dorothea considered his words, the suggestion sinking into her mind. She had always been able to see glimpses of her future, but what if she could see his? What if she could ease her anxiety by knowing that Jasper had her heart in the future as much as he did in the present?
Before she could say anything more, Jasper carefully took her gloved hands, slipping them off her fingers with a tenderness that made her breath catch. He tossed them aside before using his powers to calm her, his touch steady as he intertwined their fingers. Their foreheads gently pressed together, their breaths mingling, and Jasper held her gaze as he whispered softly, "It's alright. Just breathe."
Dorothea closed her eyes, her mind drifting as she allowed her powers to reach into his past, her touch like a whisper against his memories. She saw everything—the way he had joined the army, quickly rising to the rank of major in only two years. The pain of his transformation, meeting Maria, the vampire who had turned him. A part of her felt a pang of doubt when she witnessed the connection they shared, but that doubt faded when she saw Jasper leaving Maria behind, alongside Peter.
She saw his adventures, the many faces he had encountered, but none of them had ever captured his heart. The love that had once been fleeting was no match for what he felt now.
Her heart swelled as she saw herself in his memories, their first meeting. The fondness he had felt for her from the very start had only grown deeper over time. And when they had been separated, that love hadn't faded—it had only grown stronger.
The future was clearer now. When she peered into it, at first, there was nothing. Her heart skipped a beat, but as she focused further, she saw her name, over and over, embedded in every moment of Jasper's future. She was there, always. Even when he was alone, he thought of her. His love for her, his connection to her, was undeniable.
Dorothea opened her eyes, the realization settling in her chest. Jasper was the one. He was her future. And that knowledge washed over her like a gentle wave. She lifted her gaze to meet his, finding a sweet smile tugging at his lips. Jasper's unease melted away when he saw the soft smile that appeared on her face, the smile that only she could give him.
"We don't need to rush," Jasper murmured, his voice low and comforting. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?" Dorothea's voice trembled slightly, the vulnerability still fresh in her voice.
Jasper sealed his promise with a soft, passionate kiss. As he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, his eyes warm with affection. But Dorothea stopped him, placing her palm gently against his chest.
"Now that I think about it..." she began, a playful glint in her eyes, "Since you're here, are you planning on engaging with my family?" Jasper chuckled, his gaze playful but still filled with sincerity. "If that's the only way to stay close to you, then that's what I'll do, ma'am."
Dorothea giggled, the sound light and carefree, but she couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "Well, just so you know, my family is... quite unique."
"Oh, don't worry 'bout that, darlin'. I've heard plenty from Alice's letter. And Dean, well, I reckon he's already made my situation worse, ain't he?" Dorothea tried to stifle her laughter, but the image of Dean's antics, his teasing, and his constant meddling in Jasper's life was too much for her to handle.
"At least, it's better than nothing," she said with a grin. "But one thing's for sure—you've definitely got the women's side."
Jasper let out a low chuckle, shivering slightly at the thought of what awaited him. "Yeah, I'm not so sure about the rest."
Dorothea glanced up at the sky, noting the fading light. "I should get you home, love. The longer we stay out here, the angrier my family will get at me."
Jasper muttered, his voice laced with a hint of regret, "I reckon you're right. I don't want 'em gettin' mad at me, not after all this." He bent down to grab the gloves he'd tossed aside, helpin' Dorothea slip 'em back on before intertwining their fingers. "Come on, darlin', I'll take you home."
Dorothea didn't protest, enjoying the warmth of his hand in hers and the nervous excitement he was trying to hide so poorly. With a soft kiss on his cheek, she led the way back home, knowing that despite the challenges ahead, they would face them together.
