Page 20 of Rescued By the Vampire Rogue

Spinning to find Ivy, I surged toward her. Maeve stepped aside, her expression a mix of relief and wariness, and the others mirrored her retreat.

My gaze fixed on Ivy as I stalked her while snarling. "Playing games with your life and our child's?" I scolded, feeling the protective rage churning inside me like a storm. "To think you would dare threaten to harm yourself."

But she laughed, a sound that rippled through the tension-charged air. "Do you really think I'd carry actual poison?" she retorted with a smirk. "All I had was a bluff. Just enough to leave a bit of doubt."

I clenched my jaw, unable to fully mask the reluctant admiration. She was fearless, even reckless, but it was that very fire that fuelled my obsession. "Perfectly vexing," I muttered, scanning her wrist where the bone had already knit back seamlessly. "You are perfect for me."

"Of course I am," she quipped, though her eyes held a hint of softness.

I bit through the flesh of my wrist, then pressed the wound to her lips, urging her to drink deep. "For strength," I insisted, despite her attempt to wave it off. "And you will not walk to the car. I'll carry you."

"I'm barely even pregnant. Walking is good for me." Her protest fell on deaf ears.

"No one knows what to expect with our child." I loomed over her as I tried to get her to take more blood. She pushed my hand away, except when it didn't move, she stepped back. "There is no precedence for what could happen."

"Kael, I'm pregnant, not porcelain," Ivy sighed as I scooped her into my arms, though she leaned against my chest.

"Until we can be certain," I countered firmly.

Maeve gave a small wave. "Good luck, Ivy. Call if you need a sane voice," she offered with a knowing glance. Ivy nodded and waved back at Maeve.

"Leave the mess to me," Brayden called with a playfully sarcastic tone. "I don't mind cleaning up after you."

I didn't bother with a response. Instead, I carried Ivy toward the SUV Douglas had driven us here in. First, I'd take Ivy back to my estate and have a doctor called in to stay with us until the child was an adult. Then I'd unleash a torrent of research and lore on Ivy.

It had been over a millennium since there was a known vampire hybrid baby according to Maeve. We would be busy for the next few months, however long Ivy's pregnancy lasted. I didn't know what the future entailed, but I would ensure no one dared harm what belonged to me.

EPILOGUE

IVY

Basking in the warmth of the sun, I allowed myself a rare moment of contentment. At six months pregnant, my belly felt more like it belonged to someone in their ninth month. But here, in the inner courtyard of Kael's estate, I could enjoy the sunlight without fear for my unborn child. The house fully surrounded the space, keeping me secure while being outside.

Kael and his vampire security team kept a vigilant watch from every exit and window, though they couldn't actually come outside to protect me because the sunlight would kill them. That was why he'd hired a security team of witches to sit outside with me. Which was the only way he allowed this at all.

"Isn't it lovely out here?" I asked, knowing full well that Kael couldn't hear me from his darkened perch. It wasn't exactly peaceful, but it was as close as I could get with an overbearing vampire mate.

"Absolutely," said one of the witches.

"Thank you for being here," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else. It felt good to have this small respite, even if it was constantly monitored.

"Of course, Ivy," replied another witch, offering me a warm smile.

I closed my eyes, letting the sun's rays envelop me like a comforting embrace. This was my sanctuary, a brief escape from the suffocating overbearing of my mate. As much as I loved Kael, there were times when his intensity became too much to handle.

Sunlight filtered through the pages of my book as I lounged in the courtyard, as I enjoyed myself. There were five witches guarding me today, seated around me in a 400 square foot area. It was clearly overkill, but it made Kael happy, and if he was happy, then so was I. I didn't need to look up to know that he was watching me through the UV protected window, his dark eyes always on me.

Shifting in my seat, I tried to find a comfortable position, though it was becoming increasingly difficult as the baby felt like it was dancing on my bladder. I knew that if I went back inside now, Kael would refuse to let me return to the courtyard today. He always made such a big production out of it. As much as his overbearing nature could be tiresome, I couldn't help but admit that I was hopelessly in love with him. And so, despite having been out here longer than we'd agreed upon, I continued to bask in the sunlight, cherishing every moment.

"Are you enjoying your novel?" one of the witches asked, breaking the silence.

"Very much so," I replied, not looking up from the pages. "I haven't had much time for reading lately."

"Is there anything else you need?" another witch chimed in, her voice filled with concern.

I sighed inwardly, knowing their intentions were good, but wishing for even a moment of true solitude. "No, thank you. I'm perfectly content."

As I returned to my book, I let my thoughts wander. What would life be like after our child was born? Would Kael become less protective, or more so? And how would I handle the challenges of motherhood while navigating vampires and whatever else was out there? These questions spiraled around my mind almost every moment of the day, but I pushed them aside for now, focusing on the warmth of the sun and the quiet peace that it offered.

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