Laurel

21

At the main door to his penthouse, Damon stopped and looked towards Laurel "I don't often have company, this is my sanctuary and the decor is... eclectic we'll say. Try to not be overwhelmed."

He opened the door and Laurel was left speechless, the penthouse was in a very modern skyscraper, but once she walked through the door, it was like she had gone back in time, there were what looked like authentic medieval tapestries on the wall, mixed with over the top rococo furniture, persian rugs, Laurel had seen pictures and video tours of museums and the collection in just the entryway was more breathtaking that the video walkthrough of the Louvre she had watched once. "Is this all real?" her voice barely louder than a whisper, like she was scared to speak loudly.

He chuckled at her dazzled expression "I have a penchant for material finery" he shrugged "When I find something I like, I tend to hold on to it." his hand found Laurel's, emphasizing his point, gently, without being possessive.

"This should be in a museum Damon!" She said pointing to a painting that looked an awful lot like a Monet, but one she had never seen before.

"If it were all in a museum then I couldn't enjoy it. Plus when I have made some donations to museums in the past when I've grown weary of a piece." he left out that he didn't give things up very often. He was a fallen angel after all, he was flawed.

Laurel was slowly meandering her way through the room, peeking through the door to the next room as she inspected all the trimmings of his home. "I'm sure there was more you wanted to show me than just the entrance and most of the furniture from the French Court of Louis XIV." she looked back at him, eyes wide like she was trying to take it all in, and thankfully a small smile was back on her lips.

"Yes, through here and into my office, it arrived while we were out" he gestured towards a still closed door.

Laurel followed him into the study, it was slightly more modern looking than the entrance way, all dark wood and sharp lines. Damon went to his desk and unlocked a drawer where his house manager had left the object he was looking for. He had requested his personal caster get to work on this Friday night, while Laurel was sleeping and he was snooping and planning. Damon took the small velvet box from the drawer and opened it, pleased to see that his instructions were followed perfectly. Inside the box was a fine silver chain with a locket pendant shaped like a teardrop that opened into an infinity symbol, etched in a never ending celtic lovers knot, with a matching silver ring in his size. According to the caster, the spell was all set to go, all he needed to do was complete the final step.

"Here Laurel, sit down on the settee, please" he indicated to the long, Victorian looking couch thing near the window, she complied with his request. Once she was seated comfortably he continued "Remember how we spoke of bonds?" she nodded, but tilted her head and was looking at him questioningly now "Well, this is a way to have a bond, with me. If you want. After you were asleep on Friday night I asked my caster to get to work on making this for me so I would be ready." Laurel's eyes were wide, but she didn't look afraid. Damon wished for the millionth time since meeting her that he could read her mind so he could handle this smoothly. How in Hell did anyone mortal ever manage to do anything when they had to risk their hearts all the time.

"Ready for what?" she asked, making him realise he had been quiet a little too long.

"Laurel I knew as soon as I touched you that you would be important to me. I wanted to take time to fall in love and give you the chance to do the same, but I feel like the fates are pushing us to move things along faster. If you want, we can complete the spell, and as long as you wear my charm, and I wear the ring, I will be able to feel your emotions, I will be able to sense you, I will be able to find you. I'll be able to keep you safe." He had taken both her hands in one of his own, the other holding the box of jewelry, as he kneeled on the ground in front of her sitting form, almost like a proposal, which in a way it was.