Bound By Blood: The Pureblood Prince

Chapter Twenty-One

"You'll be exchanging your normal human life for this."

"Gabriel, I've said yes. I already know what that means."

"You'll be a part of this war."

"I know."

Gabriel was still kneeling before me. I said yes without a beat, and he looked surprised, as if it was the last thing he expected me to say. Now it was as if he was trying to talk me out of it. I took a deep breath, and lowered myself to his level, snow biting at my knees. Gabriel dropped his arms limply to his sides. I placed my fingers gently on his temples, looking him straight in the eye. I wanted him to know that I was sure, that I was serious. 

I took a deep breath, taking a moment to focus on our bond. I found the rhythm of my heartbeat, and searched for his. We had practiced it over the past few weeks. We could tell each other things through our heartbeat. Nothing too complicated yet. But we could tell each other if things were wrong, and if things were okay. If our heartbeats were steady, calm, things were okay. I closed my eyes for a moment, projecting my heartbeat to his. Steady, calm. Breath billowed from my lips like clouds in the winter air. I opened my eyes.

"You seem to have forgotten that you asked me."

I pulled him in by his jacket, pressing my lips firmly against his. His cool skin melted against mine. Between the bond and the cold, all of my senses had amplified. I felt so alive.

I pulled away slightly, and Gabriel stayed there for a moment, resting his forehead against mine. I held up my left hand, flexing my fingers. Gabriel stared down, laughing softly.

"I said yes." I repeated gently.

Gabriel held the ring between his fingers, cradling my hand carefully. He slid the ring on my finger, and I was surprised to see that it fit perfectly. The diamond was a deep, Prussian blue. Moonlight bounced off of it, streaking wildly like a shooting star.

I noticed Gabriel watching me then. I saw the wide-eyed look of wonder on his face.  He looked so beautiful, so human that way. It was hard to believe that look was because of me.

Gabriel hooked his arms around my waist and lifted us both, catching my lips in his. I laughed breathlessly as he launched me up in his arms, carrying me with ease, back to the castle.

We returned to the dark, musty halls we had escaped from. I could hear music and booming voices through the old walls. Sounds of drunkenness and merriment. I wondered if Claire was still there, dancing amongst royalty. If Sabine was behaving herself. If Sarah was allowing herself to have fun, if only for one night. If Ulric was causing trouble.

I wondered about all of the strangers on the other side. The way that they looked at me when I entered the room. The stares and whispers as I was seated beside royalty.

I wondered what they'd say when they found out Gabriel was marrying me. A Pureblood prince, to a human girl.

We returned our borrowed coats to the closet, and Gabriel led us through the hall in a different direction. It was pitch dark until he opened the door to the main hall. Gabriel poked his head out, then gestured me to follow.

"Be very quiet." he whispered.

"Where are we going?" I whispered back.

Gabriel took my hand, squeezing it affectionately. "Your dress is wet, you could freeze to death. We better get to our room as soon as possible to get you out of it."

I scrunched my nose and giggled, poking him in the side. "Don't you think the guards will realize we're missing?"

"Of course."