Tainted Love

Chapter 4 Part 1

Theodore runs his fingers over the bite mark on his neck. "So, it's a lot different than the normal vampire bite, isn't it? How can you bite without using venom?"
"Simple," Lycrus begins, "Vampires are immune to the venom. Your fangs know if the mark is to be matebound or not. All you have to do is bite Iliana, just not so deep. It's quite easy to perform a matebond mark. You can either do that or impregnate her. Your decision."
    Theo ponders my father's words. He eyes my neck and abdomen. Theodore can't take his eyes off of either spot. He just can't do it. "What if I do both?" A mischievous smile plays across his lips.
    "Matebond mark her first and then carry out the other process. Then, you will have definitely marked her because sometimes matebond marks randomly disappear. The baby will be your backup and therefore she has been marked by you, Lord Theodore Falkhurst." My father leaves us alone.
    I move my hair, revealing my neck. "Do what you wish with me. I am your servant and you are my master."
    Theodore crushes my lips with his own. It takes him a few moments before releasing me. "I want you... you're mine... no one else's... You belong to me, Lady Iliana Antonios." Theo kisses me again and again. He can't get enough of me.
    I pull away. "Go ahead, my love. Mark me and make me yours."
    Theodore hesitates. "Are you sure you want to do this before we are wed? It seems rather early for such a thing. I do want you. Deep down in my heart, I want you more than anything in the world. I yearn for your presence and touch. There are no words to describe my love for you. In the future, I am still nothing more than a shadow of who I once was. My life is still in danger. With my life in danger, how can I promise safety to our child and yourself? I don't wish to place you and an unborn child in danger. I do not wish it upon people I love and care about. You know I would never ask for such a thing. I want to mark you twice. I want to make sure you are mine, but I cannot make myself do it. I can make myself mark you, but I cannot make myself impregnate you. It's such an awful thing to put you through while my life is still in danger. I just—"
    I touch a finger to his lips. I stroke his cheek. "I can handle it. I've handled worse in my lifetime. You forget that I've lived for thousands of years before you."
    "Have you loved before?" Theo takes my hand in his.
    "Yes. Do you know the story of Aeneas? If so, they left out a few details. He fell in love with me and went to great lengths to make it possible for us to be together. In the end, we separated shortly after Troy fell. My family and I came here and he sailed elsewhere. The only difference between then and this moment is that I love you more than I ever loved him. My love for you runs deep in my soul. You know this. Must I say the words again?" I begin stroking his hair.
    A mischievous smile plays across Theodore's lips. "Perhaps. I wouldn't mind hearing them again."
    I stare deeply into his brilliant blue eyes. "I, Iliana Antonios, want you, Lord Theodore Falkhurst, to be mine and only mine. Make me yours now." I uncover my neck once again. I lean close to Theo, placing my neck as close to his mouth as I can. I can feel his breath on my neck before the sting of his teeth. I turn my head and bite him in return. I release. "I love you."
    "I love you." Theo looks into my eyes.
    On his neck where my teeth connected with his body is a small black rose— my mark.
    Theo traces the mark with his fingers. "A rose. How perfect... Just as perfect as you are for me."
    I smile. "Each vampire has their own mark. So tell me, what is your mark?" I focus on the rose, tracing my finger on it.
    "The clefs. Treble and bass. They make a heart," he laughs, "I suppose that means that I'm simply symbolized by music and my love for it." Theo traces his mark that is now on my skin.
    We are one. We are no longer separate. We have become mates.
    I grab his hand. "Shall we return? I don't suppose you want to be absent long. Or do you?"
    Theodore stands and leads me outside. He looks to me. "Run or ride?"
    I jump onto his back and hold tight. I lean my head on his shoulder. "I would do either so long as I'm with you... my vampire master." I kiss his cheek and then lean into him as he runs. I feel free from all the burdens I once carried throughout my life, but I know it isn't over. I know we aren't free of danger.
    Our lives are just beginning... as are our troubles
                              ⚜️⚜️⚜️
    The next morning, Theodore and I are making our way to the living room, hand-in-hand. It is as if we are walking on air.
    "Well, you seem to be in quite the cheery mood. May I ask why?" George approaches us from one of the servants' rooms.
    "What more can I say? Iliana and I have fully become one. Can you not see?" Theo smiles.
    George laughs. "Oh, I do see. So, is there anything I can do to assist you?" He looks between us, torn over who to ask.
    Theodore's eyes light up. "Perhaps you should arrange to hire a new maid... and see if you can schedule a time and day for us to discuss wedding details. I would deeply appreciate it."
    George's eyes fall on my "maid" uniform.
    It is a simple, sleeveless white dress with a blue bodice and blue trim along the skirt. My hair is tied in a braided bun and surrounded by blue fabric and lace. A blue fabric choker is around my neck. I match Theo.
    He is dressed in a suit and as usual he wears a light blue vest under the darker blue suit jacket. His blonde hair is a little tousled, but he wouldn't let me fix it.
    "I see you are making a show of your engagement. Would now be a good time for me to tell you that your mother expects both of you to meet her in the gardens this instant?"