Page 39 of Elegy of Twilight
I leaped out of bed, but the knights froze, staring in astonishment at Titus. The incredulous look on their faces told me they’d expected to burst into a salacious situation, perhaps me torn limb from limb while Titus crept through the abbey, searching for his next victim.
“Get out!” I ordered tightly, pointing at the door. “He didn’t kill Faith. He’s not responsible for these deaths. You’re the ones picking the wrong victim to atone for these vile crimes.”
“It’s okay,” Titus said, his voice gentle as he faced his accusers.
I fell back a step, bumping into the bed as I staredat him. His skin was practically translucent, and light radiated from him.
“You did what you felt you needed to do, but now I will lead you to the nest, where you can fight the vampires and trap them in their misery once again.”
I felt the eyes of the High Priestess on me, but I refused to look at her. She and Captain Elroy had tricked me and I’d kept a terrible secret from them. Now it had come to this.
I wasn’t sure what I should say yet, but the High Priestess finally spoke. “Do as she says. We will wait for you outside.”
The knights exited hastily, and then it was Titus and me.
“I’m sorry—” I began, but he lifted his hand.
Kneeling in the halo of sunlight, he stretched out his hands to me and spoke, his voice tinged with awe, “Look what you have wrought, my moon goddess.”
“Me?” I whispered, moving closer to him.
“Look.” He turned his arm, showing me his skin. “This light within, it’s not from me, nor is the light that shines in the day. Your runes glow. They glisten because this light came from you. Your goodness, your mercy, your faith, and your love not only healed me but also broke the curse that keptme chained to darkness and foul deeds. I can breathe again. I can stand in the light. I feel it. The past has been washed away. I am clean and whole again.”
I pressed my palm against his face, feeling the warmth there. “You’re crying.”
“So are you,” he replied, then pressed his face against my waist and held me.
I ran my fingers through his hair, soaking in his warmth. It was hard to believe I had done this, yet when I looked at him, really looked at him, all I saw was light.
It shone out of his eyes, his ears, and I felt it too, the connection to him and eternal longing. Despite the fact I wasn’t dressed and the knights stood outside my bedroom door, all of it felt far away. They could wait longer while I witnessed this miracle.
Kneeling in front of Titus, I took his head in my hands and kissed him. He tasted like tears, sweet and salty, full of hope. His arms wove around me, pulling me closer, holding me tightly as he kissed me back. I leaned into him, embracing his warmth, losing myself in the moment’s purity, for it felt new and right.
This wasn’t the stolen kiss of a vampire king seeking a lust-driven connection, nor was it theurgent kiss of an immortal with a magical lute that kept the shadows away.
Again, this wasn’t the kiss of Titus, who’d taken the hut of a hunter and turned it into a place to dwell alone.
This was the kiss of a man who had found salvation. It was long and gentle and sweet, so sweet my heart turned over again and again.
“I love you,” I whispered like a prayer, pressing my face against the hollow of his neck, not ready to let go, not ready for what came next because it would rip him away from me.
Fingers tangled through my hair, pressing me closer, holding me tight. “I felt your love, not in words, but in action. Last night. . .you saw me at my absolute worst and still gave me hope. What greater love is that?”
“What happens next?” I dared to ask.
He brushed his fingers over my lips, lifting my face so I could see his solemn expression. “I need my lute, and I need your light. Then we lead the knights to the den of vampires. I will play, and you will shine, just like we did on the hillock when the vampires grew curious.”
“Skin to skin.”
“Yes. Just like that.” His lips found mine again ina slow, seductive kiss. “When this is over, I’m taking you somewhere private, where we won’t be interrupted by knights and priestesses.”
I sighed. “I will dress. I’m sure they are anxious to begin.”
By the time we left the room, the knights had been dismissed. Captain Elory waited, face pale, with Edith beside him, her eyes bright with exhaustion. High Priestess Merci stood apart, arms crossed, her face an expressionless mask. My heart twisted as I emerged with Titus behind me, but my gaze went to Edith because I’d stopped caring what the High Priestess and the Captain thought of me.
“Let’s go to my study,” Captain Elroy suggested.
Without waiting for an agreement, he turned his back and strode down the hall. Edith hesitated, her eyes finding mine before she followed him. The High Priestess stood back, waiting, watching. It felt wrong to touch Titus under her watchful eye, but all the same, I lifted my chin and took his hand. It wasn’t in defiance of her, not truly, but more of a stance toshow her where I stood. At this rate, I wouldn’t have to make a choice. I’d get myself banned from the abbey just for my actions.
