Michael grunted. “Why won’t you let me provide for you? I don’t mind you taking my energy. It’s yours.”
Amaia sighed. “I can’t do it, Michael. There are too many implications.”
“I love you and want to take care of you.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t feed from you, Michael. I love you too. I won’t be a parasite to you. I already take too much of your energy during sex. Given our bond, I fear what would happen if I take more. It’s dangerous.”
“How can that be true?”
“When a vampire mates, it’s for life, Michael. If I were to fully mate with you, then the next time you die, I would die too. I don’t know how it works with you being a human, but I don’t want do anything that may fully mate us to one another since sex alone hasn’t done it. I don’t know if it can happen between a human and a vampire—probably not—but I’m not going to test the theory.”
Michael’s grip around her waist tightened, and his face turned thoughtful. He didn’t say anything on the matter, even after they were safely curled together in bed in yet another new town. Amaia watched him sleep, warm in his embrace, and knew that she was a fool. They were as bonded as two people could be.
Chapter 46
Padua, April, 1821, 10 months later
“I have an idea.” Michael’s words broke the silence. Nights like this made Amaia feel life was worthwhile. They cuddled together on the sofa before the fire in their room, content with just being, not having to speak or do anything. Amaia had stolen some money from one of the homes she had shared with Lawrence. It had been risky, but she had gotten away with enough that they wouldn’t have to worry any time soon.
“Hmm. What’s that?”
Michael’s arms tightened around her. “I think we should try to surrender to our love for each other. It may keep me from dying this time if we had vows binding us. I know I’ve asked you before, but I’m going to ask you again.” He took Amaia’s hand, grasping the ring Amaia still wore. “Marry me.”
“Are you asking me or telling me, Michael?”
“Please, Amaia. Stop with your silly games. I’ve wanted to marry you for as long as I’ve known you. We’ve tried it your way. I’ve followed you, run with you, hidden in a wolves’ den with you, everything. This is the only thing I’ve ever asked of you. Marry me. It’s what I want, and I’m sure. I don’t care if you don’t believe in it. I don’t care if you’re mocking God in your head while we say our vows—”
“Yes, you do, Michael. You care a great deal.”
Michael sighed, exasperated. “Maybe I do. But can you at least try? For me?”
Amaia had hurt him so much. She had turned his life upside down. Not just his life, but his eternity. It was all her fault. The least she could do was give him this. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
“What? Are you serious?”
Amaia giggled. “Are you really that surprised?”
“Yes, I am. You’ll marry me?”
“Yes. But don’t expect me to get all fluttery about it. Let’s just do it. All I want is the bare minimum. A priest and a church. The church is optional.”
“Fine. I don’t care. We’ll do this any way you want to. I only care that you’re agreeing to it.” Michael pulled her closer and kissed her cheek, his warm breath sweet on her skin.
“When do you want to do it?”
“As soon as possible.”
How was he so sure of their love, of his mission, when she wasn’t? He had always been that way. Maybe it was time she followed his blind faith to see where it led them. It couldn’t be anywhere worse than the future of running and hiding that stretched in front of them.
***
Their wedding day was beautiful. No bride could have asked for more. The sun shone from a clear, blue sky. A soft wisp of wind drove away any heat. A recent rain left the countryside a rainbow of vivid colors. The little stone church sat idyllic and quaint on the outskirts of a quiet hamlet near Padua.
Amaia never thought she’d be walking down the aisle of a house of God under these circumstances. She had seen countless weddings over the years. The brides always looked so virginal and cheery, as if they glowed. She wondered if she glowed for Michael. She felt ridiculous. This was crazy. There was no God. She had desecrated many a church in her time, feeding from the faithful. The truth that God didn’t exist was evidenced by the fact that the church was still standing after she had made her marriage vows.