CESARE'S POV, 150 YEARS LATERThe ocean waves crashed against Cesare, flooding his mouth with tangy salt water. He didn't mind the taste so much. He loved swimming through the vast depths far from the coast. He had spent most of the day underwater. The ocean water filling his lungs was a strange sensation that he would never quite get used to, but the wonder of exploring the seas made up for it. So many whales, sharks, jellyfish, and strange creatures dazzled him. There was never a dull day in the ocean.He let the tide wash him ashore, the sun almost completely set behind the peak of the mountains. Cesare coughed hard, expelling the last of the ocean from his lungs before stretching and looking around the coast. It was exceedingly difficult to find quiet and empty places along the shore. So many people had left the cities of Italy for the peace and beauty of the coastal towns. Monterosso had done fairly well over the decades. Without the protection of the vampire coven, there had
Tears slid down Sidia's cheeks and over her hands as she covered her mouth in shock. An intense wave of anxiety spread from the crown of her silky black hair to her heaving chest. She could hardly believe what her parents had just told her. Everything she had ever thought real and possible had been shattered in just a short conversation."You can't be serious!" Sidia finally spoke, her voice trembling behind her shaking fingers.Her mother looked away, preferring to hide her emotions as always. Sophia Amato had never been able to fully express any kind of feeling, positive or negative. This made her the perfect matriarch, of course. But not much of a good mother."I am deadly serious. This is why you have never met my older sister Helena. She didn't just cross the mountains and become a famous Parisian artist, Sidia. Every woman in your position has had to face this. I expect you to handle it just as my sister did, just as so many before you have." Enzo Amato always spoke with a ste
Sidia spent the next few days in a hazy state of mind. She went through the motions of her daily life, but she refused to look at her home any differently. Part of her wanted to memorize every detail. She wanted to watch a little more closely as Rosa brought her breakfast, the old woman opening the door with the same greeting she had used for as long as Sidia could remember. Sidia wanted to find all the things she took for granted about her home and fully appreciate them. No matter how hard she tried to pull herself out of her fear and dark thoughts about the night to come, she just couldn't. On the morning of her birthday, her mother replaced Rosa, silently carrying the silver platter. She placed the tray down on the small table by the window and set out the coffee. She poured herself a small cup and sipped it quietly while standing, looking out at the ocean with a distant look in her golden eyes. "I have dreaded this day for so long, my love." Sophia put down her coffee and final
The vampire had lowered himself to Sidia's current eye level, and he tilted his head as he waited for her to speak. He raised his eyebrows as he made a questioning expression, silently asking her to respond. Still in shock and much too distracted by the way his eyes glowed in the light of . . . Wait, where were they?Sidia reluctantly looked away and gasped as she finally noticed the carvings and etchings curling along the stone walls. Torches blazed at regular intervals, lighting up the entire space. They were in some kind of windowless room, clearly a cave based on the fact that every surface was stone and the air smelled damp and felt so cold. Behind the vampire, a long hallway stretched out into the distance. She glanced behind her, but there was only a smooth rock wall, the only surface without some kind of artwork. She couldn't bear to study anything in more detail, though. She was far more concerned with the vampire in front of her. Those enchanting and penetrating eyes belon
Mortal terror surged through Sidia's veins. She didn't scream, but she was unable to move. She knew there was a coven, but so many? There had to be at least a hundred just in this cavern! Her chest heaved with panic. She blinked, and suddenly the vampire on the throne was standing right in front of her, every perfect detail of his face blocking everything else out. How did he move so fast?"Do not worry, Sidia. My name is Severus, and I have waited centuries for you. None of us will harm you." He raised one of his impossibly perfect hands and took the liberty of brushing aside a tangled curl from her face. She froze at his touch, self-conscious once more as she realized how underdressed she was. Severus's sumptuous silk robes draped him perfectly, and his golden head had a crown of silver laurels. She was mesmerized by the way his lips formed the most glorious smile she had ever seen. His teeth practically glowed from their white perfection, the points of his fangs beautiful in a te
"Helena, please take Sidia to her chambers. You and the others should help her bathe and dress for bed. I'm sure she must be exhausted from all this activity." Severus turned back to Sidia after issuing his orders. "I will come find you soon. For now, make yourself at home. We will talk again and figure out what to do once everything has settled. Is that fair enough?"Despite wanting to run out of the cavern and never look back, something deep in Sidia's heart urged her to jump into the unknown and trust whatever was happening to her. She looked back at Marcus, just a small glance. Her heart fluttered again, a feeling she was not at all used to. No matter the outcome of her conversation with Severus and her decision about staying or going, she needed sleep and a bath. She had to be somewhat logical about this. Besides, she desperately wanted to speak with the aunt she had never met. "That is fair enough . . . Your Grace." Sidia wasn't sure if she was allowed to call him by his first
Sidia's eyes flew open, and she sat up straight in bed. Light still suffused the room, and Sidia could see everything clearly. She looked for Marcus but realized quickly that it was just a dream. Disappointment washed over, and she sank back into the pillows. However, another stab of emotion sent her sitting up again. How could she possibly be dreaming like that about someone she had just met? She had never had feelings for anyone before. Of course, there were boys her age around the family's estate growing up, but she had no mind for them. In fact, she had never really thought about romance in any context in the first place. All Sidia had ever cared about were the stories sprawling in the pages of her family's book collection. It's never going to happen anyway, Sidia thought to herself. Even if she took the time to get to know Marcus and figure out these confusing feelings, it wouldn't matter. He was centuries old, dashing, powerful, and probably more intelligent than she could ever
Sidia attempted to shove down the bubbling desire in her chest. The temptation to give in to her circumstances made her ache as she looked over the massive collection of books. The room itself was impressive as well. Nooks carved into the walls overflowed with cushions, a soft light with no discernible source made reading pleasant, and old tables stocked with parchment and ink made excellent study desks. This place was any scholar's dream, and a lump formed in Sidia's throat. She was overcome with emotion, not just from the war inside her mind but also from the sheer wonder of such a place."The look on your face is marvelous." Severus commented. He stood next to her in the open doors, and he placed an arm around her shoulder. "I knew you would love this.""Am I allowed to come here whenever I like?" Sidia asked, her voice hoarse from fighting back the tears."Of course. You are free to explore every part of the castle." Severus's fingers were cold but strangely comforting and firm