EPILOGUE 5 (TERRA POV)

"It was a good idea to leave Venice finally and come here to spend the rest of the summer..." Marcus whispers watching Ruby cutting some roses in the garden while the sun sets and we share a glass of wine and a bowl of nuts sitting on the porch. "I think it was good for her."

"Yes, she looks calmer... Thanks for buying this gorgeous house near Verona and thanks for your help, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. This last month was crazy..."

"We all needed to rest and get away from the city, even Aren is having fun going hunting instead of sailing for a change. Have you stopped holding Ruby's mind?" I nod slowly but keeping my eyes on my princess, monitoring her movements carefully.

"Yes, I'm aware that she needs to go through a mourning period alone, she must cry for her baby as much as she needs to feel fine again, I'll be there to support her but I can't save her sorrow and grief, that wouldn't be healthy... I would've liked to wait a little longer before turning her into a vampire but she insisted a lot: she didn't want to go back to her palazzo, lying to her parents and friends while sneaking out to meet me or putting up with the frivolous conversations of her former suitors the day of the funeral with a fake grin plastered on her face... She wanted me to stay by her side every minute like she feared I was going to vanish from her life too. She firmly believes fate has brought us together."

"I guess it's normal, lot of things have happened in a short period of time and she probably felt overwhelmed but the bond that binds you together is real and powerful, something stable to hold onto while the world falls apart around her and is rebuilt again. It was hard to control all those minds to make them believe you were the chosen suitor and that's why you were by her side in the church and held her hand during the funeral and the dinner at her parents' house but now they're satisfied because they believe she's in good hands. And she is, Ruby will be happy and she'll have everything she wants, she'll travel and learn new things... That will lessen her sorrow, she'll never stop crying for her little baby but will learn how to live with it."

"I don't know, I still think we rushed things a little and I should've prepared her better for these changes... I can't say no to Ruby if she asks me pouting but I should've been firmer, it wasn't the best moment to turn into a vampire: she was depressed, everything was changing around her too fast and she had to adjust to her new powers while still crying for her daughter... I don't know, dad, I get the impression something's wrong..."

"What are you talking about? You look great together, you're so obviously in love and your mate looks for your support instinctively when she feels sad or scared, her smiles are real, she's happy living here... As happy as she can be given the circumstances... You've changed too... Excuse me for saying so but you're less grumpy than these past years."

"I know, I'm not talking about that," I answer rolling my eyes hard. "The bond is strong, that's for sure, the most powerful thing I've ever felt, and her blood in my body every time I take a sip tastes like liquid fire. But it seems unstable, I don't know how to explain it... I feel like it's interrupted from time to time, I'm able to feel Ruby but in the distance and I have to make an effort to get closer to her... It's weird but it feels like something's wrong."

"Well, this is new to me too so I don't know what to say. I've met other vampires with partners but no one as close to me as you, a member of my family... Maybe you're right and this has moved too fast, the bond is new and you aren't used to have a mate. I bet everything will go better as time goes by... You need to be patient, Terra. By the way, your brother John has written me and will visit Venice next Christmas. Isn't it wonderful? We'll celebrate it as a family with Ruby for the first time..."

"Seriously? That's great," I whisper pretending to be excited. The truth is that I don't get along with my older brother, I think he's an unbearable stuck-up, but fortunately he travels a lot and we see him a handful of times every decade. I wonder what he'll think about Ruby...

"Aren is back, I'll go check what he's hunted today and will ask the housekeeper to serve dinner in an hour... Terra, stop worrying, everything will be all right." My father pats my shoulder with his hand and goes to the kitchen whistling a happy tune.

"If you say so..."

"Babe..." I look up and smile while the pretty princess wearing silk embroidered in gold thread gets closer walking across the lawn carrying a bouquet of roses, I feel like goddess Venus herself is visiting me. I'm glad Ruby has decided not to wear mourning clothes, black or spotless white do nothing for her skin, she looks too pale and needs bright coloured dresses to look even more beautiful than she is. "What's wrong? You look upset..."

"I'm fine," I answer putting my arms around her waist to force her to sit down on my lap, my mate leans meekly against my body, her perfume goes directly to my head and her beauty takes my breath away once again. As a human, she was an angel fallen from the sky, but as a vampire... No woman in this world can compare to her. And she loves me... "I'm really lucky, my sweet princess."

"Terra..." Her soft fingers rub the linen shirt under my blue tunic on my chest and I can't help laughing.

"You're going to ask me for something, I know it because you're pouting... You'll get everything you want, just tell me."

"I want that..." I look down following her index that's pointing at my crotch and I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. Ruby's behaving natural and relaxed in my bed lately but she was a little shy the first few times she slept with me although willing to learn and I never expected her to behave so boldly. Despite she drives me crazy, sex wasn't a priority this past month since we had too many things to think of and plan, she was too affected by her baby's death and the changes in her life and we weren't able to relax till a few days ago.

"Here and now?" I ask with a sultry smile on my lips and my angel frowns, confused, till she seems to understand my joke and her cheeks turn red while she punches my shoulder with her fist angrily.

"Not that! Well, yes, I love that too... I was talking about your hose. I like my new dresses, you've been very generous and fabrics and jewels are really fancy... amazing. But I'd love to feel comfortable while walking or working in the garden and I wondered if I could dress like you some days and maybe cut my hair a little shorter, not much, but it'd be easier to wash and comb it... and I wouldn't mind having a tattoo, I love yours..."

"Ruby, you don't need to ask my permission to get those things, you're free to choose your clothes and everything else. You're a smart woman, independent and rich in your own right and I'm the lucky partner walking by your side... I'm not your owner."

"Will you teach me how to be a shameless freethinker?" she asks amused and I nod, looking at her entranced. Ruby's eyes have the power to hypnotize our preys immediately from the first second and that's why it was easy for her to learn how to get the blood she needs to live but the truth is that I'm bewitched too.

Her lips meet mines in a sweet kiss that takes my breath away, love travels through our bond, it feels powerful right now and I can't help smiling against her mouth. She leans her hand on my crotch boldly and I blink surprised when I feel the heat while she deepens the kiss. But I know how to play this game to and my hand sneaks under her long skirt, touching her soft thigh while my tongue explores her mouth with lust. A moan escapes from my throat when I realize Ruby's hot and wet for me, I tangle my other hand in her hair and my tongue swirls around her while I bury my fingers in her pussy without a previous warning.

"Terra... This isn't the right place or moment... Oh God..." my mate shudders on my lap and spreads her legs to grant me better access.

"You've started this, naughty girl, but don't worry, no one is going to get closer... You're so perfect..."

"And you're amazing, I've never felt like this before..." She digs her fingertips into my shoulders while my own fingers rub her core nonstop and Ruby gasps against my mouth. "Are you sure you aren't a sorceress? Look what you make me do in the garden, in your father's house and it's still light... I wasn't like this." My mate shakes her head and her hips buck against my hand when I reach deeper.

"Yes, you were but also restrained yourself, now you're free, babe... Free to love and enjoy." I flick her clit slowly, increasing the pace till I feel her muscles getting tense, her juices burn my hand and a soft cry escapes from her lips. Ruby collapses on my body trying to catch her breath and I hold her tight while the sky gets darker above our heads. I feel in peace right now, satisfied, my mate leans her head on my shoulder and I close my eyes enjoying my new life... But there's that little thing, that odd sensation upsetting me... Damn it.

"Do you think we'll be able to leave it behind one day? This sadness and insecurity I feel sometimes... Do you believe it'll get better?" I frown thinking about it, I'm aware that Ruby notices my discomfort through the bond and I don't know how to fix it, I don't want her to feel bad... Maybe Marcus is right, everything is new and overwhelming right now and we need time to get used to it.

"We'll be fine, my love, we have long centuries ahead to find balance. One day everything will be perfect between us, we need to be patient."

THE EPILOGUE OF THE EPILOGUE (RUBY POV)

One of my dear readers was curious to know the vampires' point of view when they met Iselen and I thought, why not? The end of this story is a bit weird and I hope you don't feel dizzy after jumping back and forward in time again and again. Anyway, we'll start from here...

Ruby offered me her hand kindly and I didn't see any harm in shaking it because Aren was messing with my mind, most likely. However, the moment my fingers grazed hers something weird happened... like I'd touched a wire, we struck some kind of spark and I felt a warm energy pulsing between our bodies. Ruby opened her eyes wide in shock looking at me and I could hear Terra gasping surprised behind me. What the hell had happened? Aren cleared his throat to catch my attention and it felt like Ruby and I were kicked out of a trance, I don't know for how long we were holding hands but when I noticed the surprised eyes of her brother fixed on me, I let her go like she was burning me.

"We need you to start as soon as possible, I mean, now. I'll help you to move, do you want to see the kitchen and your apartment? I can show you the rest of the house later."

I nodded unable to say a word and got up in order to follow Aren out of the room. I could feel Terra's stern gaze fixed on my back and, before I walked through the door, I saw her reflection in a mirror: she was sitting next to Ruby, holding the same hand I'd just dropped, but keeping her eyes fixed on me... she looked half surprised, half furious, and I couldn't help swallowing hard, scared, while listening her brother talking.

"Terra..."

My mate lets out a soft growl and my muscles get tense in response, her eyes have changed from blue to soft purple and her fangs are visible while she keeps her eyes on the door the human has just crossed. She looks furious, it's been centuries since the last time I saw her getting this angry, not even when she got rid of my old suitors... My pretty Spanish girl has always been very protective, obsessed with making me happy, those first years while we lived in Venice I didn't even express out loud my desires and she already got me whatever I wanted. I believe Terra has always felt bad concerning my conversion into a vampire, guilty because she snatched me from a happy life, supposedly, and forced me to leave my family even if I swore I'd never do it, but all that came to an end when my daughter died... My perfect happy life turned into ashes and when the mourning period was over, I was ready to start from scratch... I've never regretted choosing her that day.

"Move away..."

"Terra, calm down." My mate has got up at vampire speed and I had to react really fast to block the door with my body, luckily I'm more agile than her, not as strong tho... If she decides to kill the human, no one will stop her... but I can't let her do that.

"Calm down? Don't you see what happened? That... woman... stands between us... I can feel her, inside there..." My girl waves her hand pointing at my chest. "I want her out, right now!"

"Terra, stop it!" I growl angrily holding onto her body but she drags me to the kitchen ruthlessly. "You're so obsessed with protecting me that you don't notice what's happening around you, calm down and try to think straight... Damn it, Terra! You promised to give me whatever I wanted always... I want you to stop and listen to me now!" My girl stops breathing heavily and leaning her hand on the kitchen island grabbing the marble edge so hard that I fear she's going to break it. "Thank you... I love you."

"ReallY? Because I can feel you heart is torn between two women all of a sudden..." she answers clenching her jaw.

"And don't you think that's strange? Think about it, Terra... Something odd is going on here and we need to find an explanation... Do not kill the human."

"It's hard to think straight when something stands between my soul mate and me..." she answers taking a deep breath and I nod. I'm aware of the effort she's making to control her instincts right now, I can feel it through the bond, and I also know that vampires' possessiveness is legendary. Jealousy is burning inside her chest and she's ready to attack... Iselen is in great danger but I feel I must protect her even if that means fighting Terra. My mate growls quietly, she's able to read my mind and feelings through the bond so I cup her cheek with my hand and try to make her understand.

"I told you there was something special about her, I really liked her when we first met her at the supermarket and liked her energy too..."

"Yes but as a housekeeper, not as your fucking lover..." she answers livid raising her index to point at my chest. "No one will come between us, do you hear me? I won't let that human ruin our bond..."

"I think you should touch her too and see what happens... But try not to kill her."

"For God's sake, Ruby!" My mate rolls her eyes hard and tries to pull away from me but I follow her to put my arms around her waist.

"There's something about her, I can feel it, something weird but not bad... Something attractive, I don't know how to describe it... Babe, please, listen... We've been together for more than 750 years and it's been wonderful, you've made me happy every day, loving me and protecting me... I'd choose you again, Terra, I'd follow you to hell and you know it... I know you can feel it through the bond..." My mate nods reluctantly and her arms enclose my waist too. "But you also know there's something that doesn't work between us, it has never worked, we're a strange couple and no one could help us... Not even the elders... And now this happens: suddenly, I've found another mate despite having a vampire partner already. There must be an explanation and you have to find it. You're a scholar, Terra, are you going to leave this mystery without an answer?"

"I don't understand what's going on," my girl answers tiredly and I can feel that part of her rage has vanished giving way to cautiousness and curiosity. She's still trying to protect me and wants me to stay by her side but Iselen isn't in danger anymore.

"Well, we'll find out together... always together."

"Since when you're the rational and smart one in this couple?" she asks mockingly and I look at her with squinty eyes pretending to be offended. "I know, you've never been dumb... I'll do it for you... I'll touch her and we'll see what happens. I'll find an explanation but... I don't like to feel her inside there... I'm sorry." Her thumb rubs my ribs right above my heart and I nod understandingly.

"Didn't you feel anything weird the first time we met her at the supermarket?"

"I don't know, I was too busy watching your back, keeping other humans away, making sure no one got closer to our car, reading her thoughts to check how much she knew about us... She was an average human... I admit she's pretty and kind... And smart..." Terra sighs before nodding reluctantly. "She noticed Aren was hiding something from the first minute after she woke up in our living room and didn't let him fool her with the vampire charm."

"I think she'll be a good housekeeper."

"Yes, but I get the impression she wants to be something else in your bed," my mate growls getting angry again.

"That's not her fault, Terra, whatever is happening, she hasn't done this deliberately... Please..."

"It's okay... Fuck..." My girl moves a step back and leans her hip on the kitchen island, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at the floor stubbornly while I decide to jump and sit down on the marble counter next to her, ready to stop her is she decides to attack Iselen but Terra remains quiet while minutes tick by and I nibble at a cookie to keep my mind busy. Our backs get tense when we hear the footsteps getting closer through the corridor and Aren is the first one to walk in the room.

"We're going to collect Iselen's stuff," he explains taking the van keys from a drawer. My brother feels the thick atmosphere but, since he doesn't have a mate, he can't understand how furious Terra is and how hard to restrain herself is. The only thing that's important for our Viking is to have a housekeeper to make things easier for us, he hates going grocery shopping or talking to humans except if the subject is ships and boats.

I nod absentmindedly, keeping my eyes on Iselen and my mind busy calming my Spanish vampire down, reminding her that we need to know what's happening and I don't want her to spill blood in the kitchen. The human's sweet perfume fills my mind, delicious, and I have to hold back a moan because I fear Terra would go crazy definitely.

"Let's finish this," I hear her whispering in my mind and she moves at vampire speed to block Iselen's way, she stops scared because I can hear her heart racing. "I'm doing this because you asked me, you know that..." Terra looks at me tilting her head, her gorgeous eyes fixed on mines for a second and I remember what I felt the first time I saw her, so beautiful and perfect, with that mischievous smirk on her lips and behaving as if the world belonged to her... as if I belonged to her. I still keep some petals from the rose she gave me inside a book, they're my greatest treasure... My mate sighs upset and extends her arm to shake the human's hand. "Welcome to the family..." she grumbles bitterly.

I hold my breath while Iselen moves her hand too, reluctantly, I'm sure she feels my mate's animosity but she doesn't dare to refuse. And it happens... I can't help watching them entranced while feeling the bond connecting and energy flows more powerful than ever before through our three bodies. Terra remains paralyzed totally floored but doesn't fight back and holds Iselen's hand till the human shakes it awkwardly, my girl lets her go... because the human wanted it. I know the Spanish vampire well and our new partner's wishes will be her commands from now on, when she manages to get rid of her shock...

"Aren, be careful driving!" I hear her yelling her thought at our brother and can't help heaving a sigh of relief, Terra might be confused and surprised but her protective instinct has kicked in immediately. "Babe, don't cry... Ruby..."

"Can you feel it? Oh my God, isn't it amazing? It feels so good..." Terra holds me tight against her body. "Finally... Everything is all right..."

"Shhh... I know, my love, I can feel it... Thank you for not letting me hurt her... God, how could I be so blind? I was so stupid..."

"You were worried about me..." I answer kissing her slowly and tension leaves her body. Terra leans her torso against mine meekly and we both remain quiet, hugging each other, enjoying the feeling of being complete again. "Aren will take care of her, won't him?"

"He better brings her back home safe and sound," my girl answers firmly before kissing my forehead gently. "I need to go to the library and do a research through some old chronicles to check if this is normal... We're a threesome, I've never heard about something like this before... Call Marcus and tell him to ask the elders and Mara too... I don't know what time it is in Italy."

"Don't worry, I'll ask Antonella to wake him up if necessary although he must've felt something weird minutes ago... Terra, that girl is going to freak out, she's going to work with us here in the house, that's great, but we should be cautious... If she rejects us..." My mate turns around abruptly standing at the kitchen door, smiling cockily as always and making the butterflies in my stomach flutter like crazy... as always.

"No way, she won't do that... She'll stay with us and will adore us."

"How can you be so sure?" I ask smiling amused.

"Because I promise you I won't let our mate leave us and you should know I always keep my promises..." The beautiful Spanish lady winks at me naughtily and I nod, getting closer to be able to kiss her again. She puts her tattooed arms around my waist immediately and nods pensively. "You're right, we must be cautious... Your conversion was too rushed and I believe you weren't ready for all those changes, I won't make the same mistake again. We'll wait all the time she needs to seal the bond and turn her into a vampire. Everything will be all right, my love, we're going to live a new adventure... together."

"The three of us..." I answer smiling while we walk out of the kitchen holding hands.

THE END

And this is the end, definitely. Thank you for joining me in this long adventure and be ready for more books and stories. Thank you for commenting, voting and choosing me as your favourite author. Be happy, be proud, be gay, be a great ally but please, be safe. The entire world has gone nuts lately: wars, fires, floods and Covid, so take care of yourselves and I'll be here writing for you to read new chapters and be able to escape to the wonderful world of my imagination. 

PS: I know there's little chance of Ruby or Terra finding my books and reading them till the last page but, if so, I'm so sorry and never meant to offend you... Sometimes I think my "sexy imagination" goes too far   ^_^;