age and Samuel lay cuddled together on the roof watching the stars in the sky. “The sun will be rising soon,” he said, kissing her on her forehead. “The others will be on their way also,” she said. “So did you see him?” he asked. Sage nudged her head to stare into his eyes. “Did you see Cristian?” he asked with a knowing glance. “No,” she said quietly. “I hope you understand I needed to see the loft one last time for closure.” He lowered his eyes, pondering. “I understand,” he said. “Thank you,” she said, nuzzling into his neck.
He tenderly stroked her hair when she stirred, sitting up. “The deliveryman just arrived to drop off the morning newspaper,” she said, “Perhaps I’ll meet him at the door.” She grinned mischievously. The truck stopped at the front of the door when the driver exited to drop the newspaper at the doorstep. As he turned to walk back toward the truck, the door creaked opened slowly. Turning around he stared into the darkness, trying to decipher if anyone was there. “Hello,” he said nervously. He watched as the newspaper seemingly floated into the air held by an invisible source. Frightened, he sprinted toward the truck, slammed the door shut, and screeched down the street. “I’m going to miss that,” Sage laughed, appearing from the darkness and watching him drive off.
Holding the newspaper in her hand, she walked into the grand living room while Samuel poured two wineglasses of animal blood for them. “Thank you,” she said taking a glass from his hand. “You’re welcome,” he replied. After taking a few sips, she sat the glass down and took the newspaper from out of its protective plastic covering. She glanced at the front page, and in a fury, threw the newspaper onto the table.
“What’s wrong?” Samuel asked. “That vampire disobeyed me,” she said angrily. Samuel picked up the newspaper and read the headline about the accident at the utility pole, killing the driver instantly and injuring the passenger who was a nurse.
“I will not tolerate disobedience,” she said as Anna, Lisa, Billy, Daniel, Cody, Pedro, Maria, and John began to make their way into the living room. “What happened?” Anna said, alarmed seeing Sage’s and Samuel’s troubled faces. “Look at this,” he said, handing her the newspaper. The others gathered around her and read the morning headlines.
“Randi—” John said, “that had to be her.”
“And I wanted her to be released unharmed,” Sage said. “That vampire disobeyed me and he has to be dealt with.” “I’ll go get him,” Daniel volunteered. “I’ll go with you,” Billy said.
“Bring him to me,” Sage said angrily. Anna stared at Sage, stunned.
She’d seen her angry before, but never like this.
Cristian woke up with a start, staring up into the ceiling. He couldn’t shake the sensation that someone was there. Possibly someone he knew, but who? The only people who knew about his home were his parents. He had never brought a woman to his home before, yet he felt as though he had, or why would he smell the scent of jasmine in the air? “Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me,” he thought. He sat up, getting out of bed and stretching. “What are my plans for today…,” he said aloud. “Well today, I’m going to go to the gallery and start a new painting.”
Walking toward the bathroom, he stopped at the room where he would sometimes store his sketches. Opening the door, he was stunned to see the room spotless. “I was sure that I kept sketches here—” he wondered, “unless I got rid of them.” He scratched his head. “Why do I keep feeling like a portion on my memory is missing?” he said worriedly. “It’s as though it’s locked away within my mind and I can’t access it.” Noticing the costume on the floor, he picked it up.
“What’s this?” he thought. He stared at the white and gold costume, confused. “Obviously, I wore this, but when?” He felt more confused by the minute. Feeling something within the pocket, he dug into it, pulling out the crucifix and a business card. “Rafael Pearson,” he mouthed astonished. He looked at the crucifix. “This belongs to my mother,” he said. “What’s it doing in my pocket?” Staring at his hand, he noticed a small scar. Taking a closer look, he noticed the scar was an imprint of a crucifix as though he was branded. “How’d that get there?”
As he held his mother’s crucifix in his hand, he noticed that it fit right into the scar. Feeling as though his head was spinning on overload, trying to process too much information, he sat down on the floor feeling dizzy.
Anna and the others waited while Sage stood at the window staring out. She looked to Samuel for an explanation, but he was at a loss as to why Sage was so furious.
“Please,” the orderly said as Daniel and Billy dragged him into the living room, shoving him to the floor. “I didn’t do anything,” the orderly protested.Sage turned from staring out the window and stood before him silently.
He looked up at her as she stared deep into his bruised eyes. “What did I do!” he yelled.
John swallowed hard, watching the scene. Aware of his presence, Sage turned toward him. “This is not for human eyes,” she said. He fell into a trancelike sleep, collapsing onto the chair. “Take him to his room and shut the door,” Sage said. Lisa nodded her head, picking John up and taking him out of the room.
Anna’s mouth dropped at the seriousness in Sage’s voice. She knew that the queen didn’t want John to witness her wrath for the disobedient vampire. Pedro swallowed hard as a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead. Daniel stood next to Anna watching solemnly. “It’s done,” Lisa said, entering the room and standing next to Cody.
Billy stood next to Samuel as Sage flicked her hand shutting the door and the windows. “I told you to take the girl from the party unharmed.”
“I did...,” he started.
“Don’t you dare lie to me!” she roared, the walls shaking from her thunderous voice. “You decided to use her as sport, bringing attention to yourself in the process,” she said. “Witnesses said that a person with blood streaming down their eyes fled the scene.”
“That’s what the newspaper reports.”
“Why did you disobey me?” she asked. “I thought she should pay for disrupting the party, and I thought you were being passive,” he retorted.
“Passive,” Sage said. Daniel grimaced. “I gave a direct order and you decided to do what you wanted. The punishment for disobedience is death,” she said.
Unrepentant, he started toward her, cursing and ranting when he stared into her eyes. All he could see reflected in them was flames. With a sickening crackle, his bones popped from their sockets as he fell to the floor in a crumpled heap, his body instantly incinerated.
Lisa buried her head into Cody’s shoulders. Samuel remembered finding Sage lying unconscious at the foot of the cross at the abandoned church. He realized the screams he heard were from when she took hold of the cross. When she grabbed the cross with her hands, it burned her internally. The reason she didn’t suffer the same fate as the insubordinate vampire was because she was a believer. It was her faith that spared her.
Shocked, Pedro realized how close he came to suffering the same fate. If he hadn’t shown remorse for his actions, the queen was prepared to destroy him. Remembering how she stood over him with the same look in her eyes, he collapsed to the floor in a state of unconsciousness. “Pedro!” Maria screamed.
“He’s in shock,” Daniel said. “I think he realized how close he came to suffering the same punishment,” Anna said.
“Don’t mess with the queen,” Billy said taking a breath. Sage stared at the ashes as they blew away.
Randi woke up in her hospital bed. “Good morning,” the doctor said, standing over her. She started to get up. “Easy, easy,” the doctor said. “You went through an ordeal and the police would like to ask you some questions.” She grabbed her head, grimacing. “You suffered a contusion, but you’ll be alright. You’re going to have to take extra good care of yourself from here on,” he cautioned. “It’s not just your health that’s involved. It’s the health of your unborn child,” he said. “What?” she said trying to process what he just said. “Didn’t you know?” he asked. “Randi, you’re pregnant.” “Pregnant!” she exclaimed. “Yes, you’re at least six weeks.” “Six weeks,” she repeated. She remembered the night in question. Rafael was in the shower and Randi, feeling overheated undressed and entered the bathroom as she watched him rubbing his body with the soap.
Opening the shower curtain, she stepped inside, surprising him. “Randi, I…,” she silenced him with her lips pressed against his. Grabbing the shower curtain with her hands, they fell to the bathroom floor, water splashing around them both too far gone to stop the passion between them. “We created a child that night,” she said rubbing her belly. “You’re legacy will carry on.” Suddenly, she saw the vampire nurse from the party standing close by pretending to read a bulletin, but actually spying on her. “I’ve got to get out of here,” she thought. “I’m going to start you on prenatal care,” the doctor said, while Randi was trying to keep her eye on the nurse. Once he left the room, she hurriedly climbed out of bed and dressed quickly. Opening the door and looking down the aisle, she hurried out the door.
“Hey!” the nurse said, running after her. Taking the steps, she ran until she arrived at the third floor and exited when she could hear the vampire gaining on her. Running out toward the nursery, she stopped at the sight of the newborn babies, watching their sleeping faces and their tiny hands and feet with admiration and love. Hearing the door open swiftly, bringing her back to the present danger she faced, she started running again, and saw a nun dressed in a habit headed toward the revolving doors.
“Please help me,” Randi said running toward her. “Sure,” the nun said seeing the panic in her eyes. “Come with me.” They headed out the door toward a van parked in the driveway. Randi turned around and saw the vampire standing at the door watching them with hostility. They got inside the van. “How can I help you?” the nun asked. “I need a place to stay so I can have my baby in peace,” Randi pleaded. “We have a room at the rectory where you can stay,” the nun said. “You and your baby will be fine. You’ll be safe in the presence of God.” “Thank you,” Randi said, “That’s just what I need,” she thought to herself as the van pulled out of the driveway. She looked back once more and saw that the vampire had vanished.
Sage grabbed Samuel’s hand as the others gathered around. Pedro regained consciousness, and he and Maria sat together on the antique chair and snuggled together. John returned to the room yawning and holding a copy of the manuscript in his hand. “We have an announcement to make,” Sage said once she had everyone’s attention. “Samuel is going to be crowned king.” Anna grinned broadly, as the others jumped up to give Samuel congratulatory hugs. When Pedro congratulated him, Samuel saw no malice in his eyes. “Congratulations, Samuel,” Billy said. He waited until he held eye contact, “You said that you thought Queen V was unattainable,” he said telepathically. “It seems all you needed was patience.” “I’m happy for you man.” “Thank you,” Samuel grinned. “I’d like to go,” John said, “if you don’t mind.” “I’d love for you to be there,” Sage replied. “This is going to be the best coronation,” Anna said.
“We kind of knew when your voice changed,” Cody said. “There was just no way around it.” Everyone laughed. “Yes, after we exchanged blood was when the change occurred,” Samuel replied. “Why didn’t that happen with Cristian?” John asked as the room fell silent. “Because it wasn’t fate,” Anna said. “Things happened in the order they were supposed to,” Sage replied. “Exactly,” Anna said happily. “So when do we leave?” she asked. “We have much preparation to make,” she looked at John, “and you’ll get to meet Ammon.” “He is very faithful to the Nayah family,” Sage said. “To answer your question, we will depart tomorrow night—how’s that!”
“Great!” everyone exclaimed. John approached Lisa cautiously. “I wanted you to read this first to know your opinion,” he said, handing her the manuscript. “You’ve finished the book,” she smiled. “Yes, and knowing your opinion is important to me,” he said. She took the manuscript handling it carefully. “I’ll take it to my room and read it in between packing. “Cool,” he said. He watched her leave wistfully. “I know you care about her,” Cody said. “I do—” John replied, “enough to let her find happiness and love with someone who’s waited in the shadows.” He stared at Cody. “You,” he said. “Thank you,” Cody said. “How could you tell?” “I’ve always found that it’s far easier to observe when two people are in love when you’re a bystander.” “It was obvious,” he said. “She’s in good hands,” he said giving him a pat on the back.
“Are you happy, Samuel?” Anna asked as Sage spoke to Billy. “Of course,” he said, “All I’ve ever wanted was to see Sage happy.” He noticed her concerned stare. “I understand that Cristian will always hold a place in her heart, but she’s not settling.” “She would never do that.”
“If she wanted Cristian back, all she would have to do is reenter his life and turn him again,” Anna said.
“But she didn’t want that kind of life for him—she never did.” “Right,” Samuel said. “The whole purpose of her finding Cristian again was for her to put the past to rest and to move forward with her life.”
“She’s done that and he has to do the same.”
Cristian walked into the gallery greeted excitedly by the security guard who gave him a hug. “Good to see you again, Cristian” he said. He stared at his hair. “So you’ve decided to change your hair back,” he grinned. “Change my hair back?” Cristian quipped, “When did I change it before?” “You remember…,” the security guard said. “Cristian,” the director said, interrupting the conversation, having spoken to Jillian and Christopher before Cristian arrived at the gallery.
“Welcome back, Cristian,” he said. “Good to be back,” he said. He saw the painting and began to walk toward it when the director took him in a different direction. “I was thinking that maybe your next painting would be of a landscape.” “I was thinking the same thing too,” Cristian replied. “I’m sorry to hear about Robert,” he said. “Yeah, that kooky guy Rafael Pearson murdered him,” the director said. Cristian thought back to the business card he found in the pocket of the costume. “Why would I have a card of a murderer in my pocket?” he thought.
Seeing Cristian’s questioning stare, the director said, “He showed up here asking you and Robert questions, but he apparently had an ulterior motive.” “Apparently,” Cristian replied. He walked inside his office with a strange feeling nagging his mind. “Something’s not right,” he said, “Too many people are acting strangely around me, like they have a secret, and I want to know what it is.” He took out a canvas and began mixing the paint together, setting it down abruptly.
“The painting,” he thought, “I have to see it.” He exited his office and walked out to the showroom, glancing at the portrait sitting in the middle of the room. Feeling drawn toward the painting, he approached the masterpiece, staring into the face of the mysterious beauty that stared back at him with a smile on her lips.
Drawing a breath, he stared at it, mesmerized. “What a beautiful woman,” he said, implanting her face into his memory. “Why do I feel like I know you?” he asked himself. “Whatever happened to her?” the security guard asked, snapping him out of his trancelike state. “What do you mean?” Cristian asked. “You know exactly what I mean,” the security guard said, incredulous. “You brought her to the party.” “What!” Cristian exclaimed, his face getting hot. “You mean...she’s...,” he paused. “Yes, that’s what I mean,” the security guard answered, “She exists.”
“She’s real,” Cristian, said, “I brought her to a party.” He felt as if he was in a whirlwind, and everything was crumbling around him. Everything he thought he knew was a lie. “She exists,” he kept repeating. Like streaks of lightning, he saw flashes of images in his mind of Sage staring out a window, of them lying in bed kissing tenderly after making love, and of another memory of them making love passionately during a downpour. His cheeks turning increasingly rosy, Cristian exclaimed, “There’s something I need to do,” as he exited the building feeling sick to his stomach.
Christopher and Jillian sat down after enjoying breakfast and reading the newspaper when the phone rang. “Hello,” Jillian said, answering the phone. “When,” she asked, “how long ago did he leave?” “Okay, thank you,” she said hanging up the phone. “What’s wrong?” Christopher asked, seeing her ashen face.
“We didn’t cover all bases,” she said, “Cristian found out from a chatty security guard that that vampire exists.” “But he doesn’t remember that she is a vampire,” Christopher said.
Her eyes gleamed as a thought came to her head. “That’s right, he doesn’t remember, and we’ll use it to our advantage.” “I’ll be damned that she’ll take my son away from me. He left about an hour ago, so he’ll be here any minute,” she said when the doorbell began to ring incessantly. “Should we answer it?” Christopher asked. “And look guilty,” Jillian replied. “No, we’ll let the housekeeper answer it.” “Open the door!” Cristian yelled, beating on the door.
The housekeeper came from her room, glancing at Jillian and Christopher nervously as she answered the door. “Who is it?” she asked. “Cristian who else!” he snapped. She opened the door sheepishly. “I know they’re home,” he said, marching inside the house. “Mom, Dad!” he yelled. “In here,” Jillian said from the dining room.
He walked into the dining, room pacing back and forth. “What’s wrong, Son?” Christopher asked. “What did you do?” Cristian said, his eyes stinging with tears. “Do?” Jillian asked. “What did you do to Sage!” he yelled. She flinched, thinking she would never hear her named uttered from his lips again. “Sage,” Jillian said, casting a glance at Christopher. “Yes, Sage,” Cristian said, “The woman I love.” She sighed heavily. “Did you run her out of my life because you didn’t like her?”
“No,” Jillian said. “Then why have you been acting so strangely around me as though you’re hiding something?” he asked. “Because we were worried about how you would deal with the truth,” Jillian said, mumbling under her breath, “You weren’t supposed to remember.”
“You meddled in my life,” Cristian said, taking the crucifix from his pocket and showing it to her. “I found this in my pocket,” he said, “This belongs to you.” Jillian remembered when Sage ripped the necklace from her throat during a violent struggle. “I also found this,” he said, showing them the business card. “Why would I have a card of a murderer in my pocket?” he said.
“Answer me!” he yelled. “Cristian, it’s not what it looks like,” Jillian said. “What did you do!” he screamed. “Don’t yell at your mother!” Christopher hollered. “You’re useless,” he said starting for the door. “She’s dead, Cristian,” Jillian yelled. “What!” he said, his eyes brimming. “She died the night Rafael Pearson perished,” she continued. “She died in the fire.”
“You’re lying,” Cristian retorted. “Don’t falsely accuse your mother,” Christopher said. “We didn’t want you to find out this way, Son,” she said. “We were trying to spare you, which is why we took the family trip together.” “But you tried to run her out of my life, Mother,” Cristian said. “I remember how you made it clear that you didn’t like her.” “You’re the reason she’s gone, and I will never forgive you for that. Ever.”
He started for the door when Jillian tearfully grabbed his arm. “Please listen to me, Cristian,” she begged, “I love you with all my heart.” “Please…” “Let go of my arm, Mother,” he said icily as she released her grip and watched him walk out the door.
Sage excused herself to depart to her room, thinking of all that had happened. From her first meeting with Cristian to all the trouble she faced with Pearson’s obsession to destroy her.
Opening her drawer, she stared at the old newspaper clipping sighing softly. “I have to let you go, Cristian,” she said sniffing. “It’s time I let you rest in peace.” She took out a pair of matches and set the clipping onto a glass tray. Lighting a match, she held it against the clipping as it started to burn. As the flames spread, she placed it into the tray and watched with tears rolling down her face as Cristian’s face vanished into ashes.
At that same moment, Cristian arrived back home at his loft feeling empty. He felt as though he was the walking dead. “How can this be?” he said, “How is she gone when I can still feel her presence?” “I can’t forget you, Sage,” he said. “I just can’t imagine living in this world without you in it.”
John recalled all that happened as he stared at the throng gathered for the coronation as Samuel approached Sage, dressed in identical black and gold. He kneeled before her as she took the crown and placed it carefully on his head. Ammon, the faithful servant, smiled as Samuel rose to his feet and stood by Sage’s side. “Hail to the king and queen,” the crowd exclaimed as the two made their way to the thrones and sat down amidst cheers and applause. After the ceremony, while everyone greeted the monarchs, John noticed artists working enthusiastically to re-create the image of Sage placing the crown on Samuel’s head. “Wow!” he said, staring at the massive paintings. He stopped at a painting depicting a woman drinking from a chalice who eerily bore a resemblance to Sage. “That is Queen Priscilla,” Anna said, appearing by his side.
“She was the first vampire of the Nayah family, and it’s her portrait that graces the ceiling of this magnificent palace.” “She looks a lot like Queen Sage,” John said. “Actually, Sage looks a lot like her,” Anna corrected. He continued down the hall staring at the paintings, stopping at one of a queen with despair in her eyes as she placed the crown on a young man dressed in white and gold.
“That was Queen Amerie,” Anna said. John sighed, remembering the sad story of the fate of Amerie and Lance. He stopped at another painting of a man with strong features. His eyes were blazing with power. He knew it was Sage’s father. He stood proudly as he placed the crown on Arianna’s head. “Today is a happy day,” Anna whispered, “but we will always respect the memories of the dead.” The scent of roasted fowl, fish, vegetables, dates, figs, and bread assaulted his senses, making his stomach grumble. “Come,” Anna said seeing him lick his lips in anticipation.
They walked into a grand hall lined with huge pillars, with rows of tables adorned with golden cloths, golden silverware, and vases with red roses and lilies. “I’m almost afraid to eat from such exquisite silverware,” John said, gulping. A fountain waterfall overflowing with red wine stood in the center of the room. Beside the waterfall, a table specially arranged for the king, queen, and coven sat with the nameplate of each person. Copper-toned tapestries hung from the wall with Sage’s and Samuel’s name embroidered into them in Arabic. Musicians played the flute, harps, cymbals, and tambourines while people danced and sang. Golden candlesticks and pottery decorated with the names of the entire coven, including John as a special guest, graced the walls. “I’m surprised at the abundance of food,” John quipped. “I thought there would be nothing but a bunch of blood drinking.” “We have invited other humans to the ceremonies in the past,” Ammon said, “The Nayahs have always had faithful humans to serve them.”
“I’m delighted that the queen has found her mate,” he said. He lifted up a glass, “To the queen and king!” he said. “To the king and queen,” everyone toasted. John waited before drinking to make sure he wasn’t consuming blood, sniffing it first. Lisa giggled while Billy nearly choked on his drink. “Still feeling out of sorts?” she asked him in reference to his jetlag. “I’m feeling better after being here for a couple of weeks,” John answered. “So what did you think of my book?” he asked, taking a swig of the wine. “I loved it,” she said. “I thought you portrayed the vampires’ point of view excellently. “Thank you,” he beamed.
“So are you going to stay with us here?” Billy asked. John set down his fork, taking another sip of his drink and swallowing hard. “No,” he replied softly. “I plan on returning to New York.” “That doesn’t mean that we’ll never be in touch,” he said, “I just need to be on my own for awhile.
“I understand,” Billy said sadly. “Don’t look like that,” John said. “You’re making me sad.” “Besides, by residing in New York, I can see about getting my book published and keep my eyes open for anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
“You mean keeping Sage informed about Cristian,” Anna thought. Daniel stared at her, reading her thoughts.
“I’ve come to love you as my family, and I want to stay in touch,” he said, looking at the sad faces staring at him. “And we will,” Sage said smiling. “I’m holding you to it.”
“I also have an announcement,” Pedro said, clasping Maria’s hand. “Maria and I will live in a casa close by and not in the palace,” he said. “You don’t have to explain,” Sage grinned. She understood that they needed time alone. “Gracias, mi reina,” Pedro said. “Thank you for the impressive room,” John said. “I’ve never seen so much gold in my life.” He was especially impressed with how well the servants and guards keep the palace protected and not easily accessible to humans. From the outside, the palace looked to be nothing more than stacks of humongous stones. However, inside, the architecture was a portrait of breathtaking beauty. “As customary, once the queen and king exchange pleasantries with the guests, they will exit the festivities to spend time alone,” Ammon mentioned to Anna. On cue, Sage and Samuel stood up, and after bidding a pleasant evening to the guests, departed from the grand hall. “This is almost like a wedding ceremony with the bride and groom leaving for their honeymoon,” John said, still enjoying the roasted fish. “You can say that,” Anna said. “The queen and king are mates for all eternity, so in a way this is like a marriage.” “I hope they like the presents we left them,” Billy grinned mischievously. “I think they will,” Anna laughed.
Daniel stroked her hand. “Now that you’ve finished playing cupid with your best friend, when are we going to talk about us? What does the future hold for us?” he asked. “I like how things are now,” she said, “I don’t want to rush into anything.” “I just don’t want to be your boy toy that you throw away when you get tired of me,” he said.
“Daniel, let’s not spoil the celebration by talking about this,” she said. “Okay,” he huffed, turning away from her. Anna stared at him, trying to hide her sadness.
Sage and Samuel entered a great chamber containing an enormous bed with a lace canopy, the silk sheets sprinkled with rose petals. A replica of a sphinx sat adjacent to the fireplace carved of marble with a fur rug. Samuel could also see a large bathroom with a huge golden tub within the black onyx floor from the corner of his eye. An entertainment system giving the room a touch of modern day technology was situated in the corner with a CD inside ready to play. Pressing the play button, a love song began filling the air with romance.
“Billy,” Samuel chuckled. Next to the bed was a chest filled with feathers, scented lotions, and aphrodisiacs. Staring at a glass containing cherries, chocolates, and strawberries, Sage chuckled, “Anna.” Samuel picked up a peacock feather. “I wonder what this is for?” he asked. Sage stared at him, stunned. “You’ve no idea what that is for?” she quipped. He stared at her, grinning wickedly. “This had to have been Billy,” he said. They both began to laugh until tears rolled down their eyes.
He stared at her. “Suddenly, I feel nervous,” he said. “There’s no reason to be,” Sage said, “It’s not as though we haven’t done it before.” “Yes, but that was a long time ago—” Samuel replied, “a long, long, long, time ago.” “You and I both have had other lovers since then.”
“Don’t be nervous, Samuel,” Sage said, taking his hand. He took a breath. “I have something to give you,” he said grabbing a small black box from underneath the feather pillows. “I asked the servant to place it there for after the coronation,” he said. “Open it,” he said, smiling. She opened the box and inside was two bands made of white gold. Turning it over, she saw their initials engraved. “I love it,” she said holding out her finger. He took the ring and slid it on her finger, kissing it gently. She took the other ring and placed it on his finger. “Thank you, Samuel” she said tearing up. “Thank you,” he said. “I know that things could’ve turned out differently. “We can’t live our lives wondering “what if,’ ” Sage said. “We can only live in the present.”
“Then let’s not hesitate,” he said, giving her a kiss and surprising them both with its sudden intensity.
Panting, Sage stepped back, removing her crown and letting down her hair. Following suit, Samuel also removed his crown and pulled his hair forward. She caressed his face, letting her fingers outline his lips. “Such soft lips,” she murmured, nibbling them gently. She smiled