Nadine

25. Sunset

"Where are we going, Tre?"

"There's a human village not far from here. I figure you may like a walk there." I feel myself start to smile. "I know you like to travel and see other places." He opens the door for me.

I move to the other side and push the curtain open as far as I can. "I barely ever get to leave Tre." I start to get emotional again.

"I know. I'll fix that princess."

I put my head on his shoulder and start to cry. I hear him shut the curtain. Then he picks me up and puts me on his lap. I hold him and cry.

He takes the veil off and rubs my back, arms, and hair. He lets me cry. "I'm sorry I've done this to you."

After about 20 minutes it seems like I have all the tears out. He keeps holding me and rubbing my back. "We're almost there baby."

I don't say anything. I wouldn't even know what to say if I had to say something.

"Here we are. We can walk around as long as you like." I reach to grab the veil but he puts his hand on it. "You don't need that here. There are no other vampires and the carriage driver is also human."

I grab his face and kiss him. I still can't find words.

He smiles at me and opens the door.

We hold hands and walk into the village. The first thing I notice is music playing somewhere. I go towards it and pull him with me. He laughs and follows right along. There is some kind of festival going on. People are dancing, talking, and eating everywhere. There's flowers on all the benches. There's a stage set up in the middle of the area with people with instruments. They make such beautiful sounds.

I watch and listen. He wraps his arms around me from behind. "I forgot how much you love music. Will you dance with me?"

I'm getting teary again and I can't seem to talk. I turn to him and pull him closer. He kisses me, then leads me to the dance floor.

I don't know how long we dance. It's so nice being in his arms again. I miss him so much. The music slows down and he pulls me right into his chest. I feel his thumb tilting my chin up. He kisses me slow and easy. I relax completely. When I open my eyes again, he smiles at me. "Your eyes are dark baby. Don't look at anyone. They might think we are vampires or something." I laugh and then it starts to rain. It's just a sprinkle but people start running and the music stops.

"No."

He tilts my face to his and kisses me again. "We'll come back. I promise. But it's over for tonight. Do you want to keep going or go back for dinner?"

I think about it for a minute. I would like to see more but people may think we're odd or different being outside. I mean they all ran out of here.

"Dinner."

"This way back to the carriage princess."

A half hour later, we pull back up to the castle. It's just starting to get dark now. A servant stands on the top of the steps with a basket for him.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure sir."

He gets on his horse and offers me his hand.

I don't even ask where we're going. I climb up with him and lean back against his chest. This has been perfect so far.

We end up all the out by the river. Sunset over the water. He really put some thought into this. He helps me down then ties off the horse and sets up a picnic.

I start to cry again.

He smiles then pulls me down on the blanket. He sits behind me and lets me relax back into his chest.

"This is perfect Tre."

"I thought you would like it, princess. I got a cake you like. Seems your cooks finally got the recipe right."

"You're so good to me, Tre."

"I haven't been princess... I promise I will do better now. I will treat you the way a mate should be treated."

I turn and kiss him. I can't even help myself. This man has been perfect all night. I can't hold back on the kiss at all. I wrap my arms around his neck and try to push him backwards. He doesn't budge. I don't know what to think. Maybe he really doesn't like my kissing. His eye's aren't dark.

"Princess. We have to be careful. I love you so much. I want you more than anything. I want to make love to you on this blanket right now. But we can't. Not until we take that potion."

I nod. Not really understanding what I'm agreeing to though.

"Our clothes always have to stay on." He kisses my forehead.

"All of them?" I look at the blanket. "I like your chest and stomach."

He smirks and takes his shirt off. "All the clothes except my shirt have to stay on. Ok?"

I nod again while I'm staring at his chest and shoulders.

He laughs and takes the veil off me. "I like seeing where your eyes are."

I look at the blanket again.

"Don't do that baby." He tilts my chin back up and kisses me. "I love you."

"I love you too Tre."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

"Lay back princess."

I lay on the blanket and watch sunset over the water. It really is beautiful. He slides his arm under my head and I scoot closer to him. I like lying with him. It's so nice touching him. This is so much better than being called a child. "Thank you for tonight."

He props himself up on the elbow that is behind my head. Then he kisses me so deep and loving. When he finally breaks off the kiss he's rubbing my cheek with his free hand. "I'm sorry that I treated you like a child for so long. I'm not much older than you and it wasn't fair. I was listening to everyone else. I won't make that mistake again. You are a woman and my mate. Will you forgive me?"

His eyes meet mine and all I can do is nod. That was so sweet it's making me tear up.

"We have to work together to make sure we don't go to far ok? Dark eyes are fine, even black eyes are fine, but we can't go further until we feel that bond. We will have to help each other to calm down sometimes."

"I love you Tre."

"I love you too, Nadine."

We spend the evening watching the sunset and talking. A lot of kissing and being close together.

He agrees to never drug me again.

After hours of being close and holding each other, I finally say, "I am so sleepy Tre. I can barely move."

"I can tell and it's late."

I try to push him over but I end up lying on him.

He chuckles. "Let's get you back."

I think about the horse for a second. "Can we sleep here?"

"I'm fairly certain a guard will remove my head when they find us tomorrow." He gets me on the horse and wraps his arms around me from behind. He is so warm and strong.