Shadows of Eternity

Chapter Forty-Two

“ A new wedding dress?” Cynthia asked with a frown. “What’s wrong with the one you already bought?”

Leia glanced at Rohan, who was lounging against the door jamb in the kitchen. She could hardly tell her mother the truth, that it had been ruined fighting off a bunch of vampire hunters.

With a grin, Rohan spoke to her mother’s mind, erasing the memory of their previous shopping trip. For good measure, he wiped any memory of it from her father’s mind while he was at it.

“I was thinking of going shopping tonight,” Leia said, sending an appreciative glance at Rohan. “Would you like to go with me, Mom?”

“What a silly question,” Cynthia said, her voice laced with excitement. “I’ve always dreamed of this day.”

“Me, too. How soon can you be ready?”

“Just let me tell Dad we’re going.”

Leia sighed as her mother hurried upstairs. Turning to Rohan, she said, “Thanks. I couldn’t think of a plausible lie.”

“No problem, although you could have done it yourself.”

“I know, but … it just didn’t seem right to use my power on my own mother.”

“Have fun,” he said as Cynthia returned. “I’ll see you later.”

“Leia, how are you, really?” Cynthia asked as they pulled out of the driveway.

Leia grimaced inwardly. This was a conversation she had been dreading. “I’m fine, Mom. Honest.”

“Do you feel … you know, different?”

“Sometimes. But mostly I still feel like me.”

Cynthia fell silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “But what about the … the blood?”

“Oh, Mom, do we really need to talk about this?”

“I’m sorry, hon. But I can’t help being curious. Becoming a vampire isn’t like changing your hair color or rearranging the furniture. You can’t change it back.”

Leia laughed in spite of herself. And then she sobered. She couldn’t blame her mother for having questions when there were still things she wanted to know. “It’s like being me, only more so. I’m physically stronger. Everything looks the same, yet different. Colors are brighter. I can hear sounds I couldn’t hear before, see farther. I thought I’d be repulsed by the blood, but I’m not. Rohan has made the whole transition easier for me.”

Thankfully, they reached the mall before Cynthia could ask any more questions.

As she had before, Leia walked up and down the aisles in the bridal shop. To her surprise, she found a gown she liked even better than the first one. The clerk said they had ordered a new one several weeks ago for a client who had then changed her mind. The gown was scheduled to arrive on Friday, along with a matching veil.

“Well, that was lucky,” Cynthia said as they left the store. “It’s a beautiful dress and except for being a little too long, it fits perfectly.”

Leia nodded. “All we need now is a church and a wedding date. And flowers.”

“And a cake,” her mother said.

“And a cake,” Leia repeated. She knew a moment of regret, thinking that Rohan wasn’t the only one who couldn’t eat it now.

“Oh!” Cynthia’s eyes widened. “You can’t have any, can you?”

“No. But everyone else can.”

“Do you miss food?”

“Not really. I thought I would, but I don’t.”

Her mother was unusually quiet on the drive home. No doubt pondering all the things she’d learned about vampires, Leia mused. It must be hard for her parents to relate to her the way she was now. She considered herself fortunate that they had accepted her, even though she knew they weren’t happy about her new and unusual lifestyle. She wondered how her brother would react when he found out. His shoot in Italy had ended and he would be home within a few days.

Staring out the window, Leia pondered her future. What would life be like once she and Rohan were married? Would they live in her apartment? Or Rohan’s lair? Or buy a new house?

Would he continue to dance? She hoped so, although he had talked of quitting. They wouldn’t get old, wouldn’t have children or grandchildren … Of course, if Rohan were agreeable, they could adopt a baby, but she would never feel a child of her own move within her womb, never know the wonder of creation.

She put the thought out of her mind. Human or vampire, there was no point in fretting over the future.

Leia was in her bedroom when her phone rang. She felt a surge of hope followed by a sudden sense of uncertainty as she answered. “Janae! How are you? Where are you?”

“I’m fine and I’m at home. How are you ? Trent told me what happened … ” Janae’s voice trailed off. “Maybe you don’t want to talk about it.”

“No, it’s fine. I hope we can still be friends.”

“Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure, at first. But, well, like I told Trent, I’ll just have to learn to accept it.”

“I hope so. I’ve missed you.”

“I miss you, too. I guess we can always go to the mall after dark,” Janae said with forced cheerfulness. “And go out for dinner instead of lunch, and see midnight movies.”

“Yes.”

There was a long silence.

“I’m so glad you called,” Leia said. “Rohan and I are getting married soon and I was hoping you’d be my matron of honor.”

“You know I will. How soon is the wedding?”

“I’m not sure yet. We still have to find a church.”

“A church!” Janae exclaimed. “Won’t you go up in flames?”

“Not to worry,” Leia assured her, with a laugh. “That only happens in horror movies.”

“Good to know. Are you home?”

“No, I’ve been staying with my parents,” Leia said, and then frowned. Why was she still here when the danger was past? “I should be going home soon, though. I’ll let you know.”

“Okay. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“Me, too. Bye for now.”

Home, Leia thought. It was time to go home. Why had she been putting it off? Leaving her room, she went in search of Rohan.

“Hey, I’m ready to go whenever you are,” he said when Leia mentioned going back to her apartment.

“I don’t know why I’ve stayed here so long.”

“This is home,” he said quietly. “Your memories are here. You feel safe with your parents. Not many places make you feel that way.”

How many places had he lived? she wondered. Did he have a place where he felt warm and safe? Welcome?

Her parents were disappointed when she said she was going home that night, yet she couldn’t help feeling they were also a little relieved, mainly because Rohan would be going with her. Her parents made every effort to make him feel welcome, but she sensed their discomfort at his presence. She might be a vampire, too, but she was their daughter. Rohan was a stranger and they couldn’t help being a little afraid of him. She could understand that. Even when he wasn’t trying, there was no ignoring the power that clung to him like a second skin, the sense of being other.

By nine o’clock, they were ready to go. Her mother and father hugged her longer than they usually did.

“Remember,” her father said, “we’re here for you, no matter what.”

“I know.” Going up on her tiptoes, Leia kissed his cheek. “I love you, too.”

Cynthia gave Rohan a brief hug. Brian shook his hand.

Rohan breathed a sigh of relief when they left the house. It had been an effort being with her parents, constantly reining in his power so as not to frighten them, although he wasn’t sure he’d succeeded.

Leia sensed the change in him immediately. His preternatural power filled the air around them. “Is it hard, not letting people see you for what you really are?”

He shrugged. “A little. Most people don’t feel it, but your father picked up on it right away.”

“He never said anything.”

“He wasn’t sure what it was. Some people are extra sensitive to the supernatural.”

Holding Leia’s hand, he transported them to her apartment.

Inside, she kicked off her shoes, then wrinkled her nose as the stink of rotten food assailed her nostrils. “Whew! I need to clean the fridge.”

Rohan laughed softly as he gathered her into his arms. “Later.”

“But the smell!”

“Later,” he said again, his voice softly entreating.

“Later,” she agreed, and gave herself into his keeping.

Leia stared at her reflection in the mirror, pleased beyond words that she could see herself. All the myths and legends said vampires had no soul and therefore cast no reflection. Another old wives’ tale, Rohan had assured her.

It had taken two weeks to find a church and a suitable date, and another week after that to have her dress altered. Ordering a cake and flowers had been easy, since she didn’t need a huge, fancy cake or any exotic blooms.

But, finally, the day—or night—arrived.

“You look gorgeous,” Janae said.

“Thanks. So do you.”

“I can’t believe my little girl is getting married,” Cynthia said, sniffling.

“Mom, please don’t cry.”

“You look so lovely,” her mother said, setting Leia’s veil in place. “You’ve always been beautiful but now there’s something about you … a kind of glow.” She bit down on her lower lip. “Does it have anything to do with what you’ve become?”

“I don’t know, Mom, but I think it has more to do with the man I’m marrying.”

There was a knock at the door and an unfamiliar voice advised them it was time.

“I wish you every happiness,” Janae said. She picked up her own flowers and handed Leia the bridal bouquet.

There was another knock and her father and brother poked their heads in.

“Are you ready?” her father asked.

Leia nodded.

“You look pretty good,” Luke said, with a wink. “Try not to trip on your way down the aisle.”

Leia made a face at him as he took their mother’s arm and left the room, followed by Janae.

“I’m so nervous,” Leia remarked, taking a last glance in the mirror. “And I don’t know why.”

“Brides are supposed to be nervous,” her father said, with a faint smile. “Are you sure about this?”

“A hundred and ten percent.”

“All right, then,” he said, a note of resignation in his voice. “They’re waiting for us. Remember, if it doesn’t work out, your room is always waiting.”

Knowing he meant well, Leia kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, Dad. Please be happy for me.”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” he said, as he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Here we go.”

The chapel had been decorated with flowers and ferns. A white runner stretched from the foyer to the altar, where long, white tapers burned. An organist played softly as Luke seated their mother. The minister stood in front of the altar clad in a black suit and tie.

A side door opened and Rohan and Trent took their places beside the minister.

Butterflies went crazy in Leia’s stomach when she saw Rohan. Had there ever been a more handsome man in all of creation? She melted inside when he winked at her.

The organist broke into the Wedding March and Janae started down the aisle.

“This is it,” Brian said, giving Leia’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

They hadn’t taken more than three steps when all hell broke loose.

Feeling as if she were reliving a nightmare, Leia watched half-a-dozen men carrying rifles and wooden stakes charge down the aisle. She gasped as she recognized the man in front. It was the minister from their sham wedding, the man who had run out the side door when Josiah burst into the chapel.

Janae let out a scream when one of the intruders hissed, “traitor” as he twisted Trent’s arm behind his back and shoved a pistol into his belly.

Leia glanced at Rohan as she felt his preternatural power gather around the hunters, stealing their ability to move.

Leia’s father muttered, “What the hell’s going on?”

Her mother fainted and only her brother’s quick reflexes kept Cynthia from sliding to the floor.

Luke’s eyes lit up. Leia had no doubt that her brother was imagining the mayhem they were watching as a scene in a future horror movie. She had been somewhat nervous about telling Luke about herself and Rohan, but he’d been excited to learn his sister and future brother-in-law were vampires. Considering his fascination with super-hero movies, she probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

Janae grabbed Leia’s hand and held on tight.

The minister seemed unaffected by the intrusion.

Rohan took a few steps forward, his angry gaze sweeping over the hunters. “I’m getting damn sick and tired of this,” he snarled. “So I’m giving you clear warning. I suggest you tell whoever the devil your leader is to leave me the hell alone. I haven’t killed anyone in a long time, but if you don’t stop harassing me and mine, I’m coming after you. All of you. There’s nowhere you can run, nowhere you can hide, that I can’t find you.”

Eyes blazing red, he unleashed more of his power. Helpless, the hunters stared at him. One man fainted. Others dropped to their knees. A keening cry filled the chapel as pain ripped through them, one and all.

Withdrawing his power, Rohan said, “That’s but a taste of what I can do. If I ever see any of you again, you won’t like what happens next. Now get the hell out here.”

In less than a minute, the hunters were gone as if they had never been there.

“Well, damn,” Luke said. “That husband of yours sure knows how to put on a show.”

His words broke the tension in the room. When all was in readiness again, the minister smiled at the guests.

Leia stared at him, startled to see a hint of fang, and only then realized that he was a vampire.

The ceremony was brief. An exchange of vows, an exchange of rings and a heartfelt pledge to love each other forever. Leia couldn’t help but notice that everyone let out a relieved sigh when the minister declared, “I now pronounce you man and wife. Rohan, you may kiss your bride.”

Leia smiled as Rohan lifted her veil and took her in his arms. “Forever and always,” he murmured.

“Always and forever,” she whispered. Her eyelids fluttered down as he claimed his first husbandly kiss and she knew she could endure anything as long as he was there beside her.

The wedding party returned to the Winchesters’ house after the ceremony. Her mother had arranged for a caterer and there were sandwiches and salads and champagne for those so inclined, and a chocolate cake with white frosting with the customary bride and groom on top.

While her mother and Janae were busy in the kitchen, Leia took Rohan aside. “I have to know,” she said. “Were the hunters who showed up tonight the same ones who attacked us before?”

“No.” He caressed her cheek. “After tonight, I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble with any of the hunters in this area. Now, stop worrying. Brides are supposed to be happy and carefree.”

“I am happy,” she said.

He kissed her, hard and fast, before they returned to the party.

“Well,” her brother said as they entered the living room, “that was the damnedest wedding I’ve ever seen. Lucas and Spielberg would have loved it.”

“Here’s to the bride and groom,” Trent said, lifting his glass. “May happiness follow you wherever you go.”

Rohan smiled at him. “It’s often said that politics makes strange bedfellows. So, it seems, do vampires and hunters.”

“Except I’m not a hunter anymore,” Trent reminded him, slipping his arm around Janae’s waist. “Maybe I should become a vampire. What do you think, Rohan? Think I’d make a good bloodsucker?”

“Trent!” Janae exclaimed, a look of abject horror on her face. “Don’t even think that!”

“I’m only kidding, sweeting,” he said, with a wink at Rohan.

Leia grinned, thinking what fun it would be if Trent and Janae were vampires, too.

Catching her thoughts, Rohan shook his head. Leia laughed as his words whispered in her mind. Stranger things have happened, love.

Later that night, when the two of them were alone in her apartment, Shadow Dancer danced for his bride. Clad only in the hot pink briefs Leia had bought for him, he dipped and swayed, every movement mesmerizing, erotic, his copper-hued skin glistening in the light of the candles beside the bed. Almost, it was as if he was making love to her.

She couldn’t take her gaze away from him, or help noticing the way his briefs outlined his masculinity. He was wild and beautiful, a law unto himself as he bent and twisted and spun, his body as fluid as water, his muscles taut. His power filled the room as he performed the intricate steps. It was a dance she had never seen before and she knew in her heart that no one else had ever seen it, either. It was just for her, his unique way of telling her he loved her.

He danced closer, tempting her touch, and she reached out to him, her fingertips trailing boldly over his muscular chest, his hard, flat belly. A seductive smile played over her lips as the bulge in his briefs grew larger.

With a low growl, he slid under the covers and drew her into his arms. Leia snuggled against him, fervently praying that the man who had danced his way into her heart would never let her go.

~ finis ~