Victoria could tell Vail wasn’t exactly [i]thrilled[/i] at the idea of her fleeing to Scotland. He was incredibly silent, she assumed he was working it out in his head. She knew he would be torn between her and his family and as such would never ask him to choose between them. When he buried his face into her neck, she felt relief that he wasn’t searching for a spot to bite, he was simply holding her close. It felt wonderful to be this close with another person. Vampire or no, she hadn’t been this close to anyone before. What she felt for him was increasing love and devotion. She could really see herself wanting to marry him. Become “Lady Griffiths” for real. Only with his actual last name, not a fake one under the pretence to get a room at the inn without anyone knowing.

She heard his audible and frustrated sigh. She clung onto him tighter, his love made her feel stronger. Like she could take on anything the world threw at her right now. Vail’s love sheltered her from the horrors that awaited her back at Crest Manor. Yet, there was one thing his love could not fix. And that was her eventual death. It was surely on his mind since they had both become involved. And it was evident it was on his mind now because when he pulled back slightly from her to regard her face, he had a pensive expression.

What he asked her next, was perplexing. What an odd question, she thought. She blinked a couple of times as she stared into his hazel eyes. Those same eyes she stared into many times whilst they slowly connected their lips or fangs to flesh. If there was indeed a way to stay with him, she’d not hesitate to do it. “I would do anything to stay with you, Vail. You make me happy and I don’t want to be pulled apart from you.” She grasped her arms around his waist as tightly as she could, which wasn’t very strong in her condition. His eyes were burning with resolve. Those same eyes she held when she was determined to track down her father’s killer. “Vail…what are you trying to say-?”

The sound of the mansion front doors echoed through the halls and Victoria looked toward the door. “Your father is home…” She sighed, she knew he wouldn’t be long away. He would soon check up on the pair to make sure Vail wasn’t touching her or feeding on her. He wouldn’t be happy to see the lad cosied up with the human in his bed. Even if she were a vampire, they weren’t married and it was still frowned upon in society. They had quite simply given in to their passion for one another.