It was getting dark yet she didn’t want to move or go back. She liked looking up at the night sky full of pink and purple clouds when it slowly transcends to black.

It was a normal day even though she was sure her sixteenth birthday was supposed to feel a lot different than the rest. It didn’t.

Deva wandered down the street to the small playground only a few blocks from her house. Swinging herself on the swing was not a new thing for her. She found it calming and a great place to think, away from the difficulties of life.

The faint sound of a twig snapping hit her ears so she immediately turned to see who her visitor might be.

Thinking it was her brother Deva was surprised when a tall hooded figure was leaning against the swinging pole, far too casually. His buff arms were crossed over his chest and even though she couldn’t see his eyes she could definitely feel his heated stare.

“You know drooling is not an attractive quality,” she said gluing her eyes back to the magnificent view of the moon.

He held in a chuckle. “Good thing I’m not a dog then.”

“Do you prefer to be called mutt instead,” she giggled to herself.

He shook his head and chuckled along with her. There was a small pause.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” his deep sultry voice echoed in the wind. “The night is filled with dangerous things.”

“Says the hooded man,” she pointed out the irony. “Then perhaps you should go home before you get raped by one of those dangerous things.” She couldn’t help her tongue; it had a mind of its own.

“But then who would protect you?”

She smirked. “My vampire boyfriend...Douglass.” It so happened she had finished reading a vampire book recently and couldn't get the damned creatures out of her mind.

The man laughed and shook his head while taking a step closer to her. “Vampires aren’t that reliable.”

His mesmerizing green, gold eyes were dancing with mischief and intrigue.

Deva was completely blown away by how perfectly drop dead gorgeous he was, like he was straight out of a GQ magazine. His sharp defined jaw line had sprinkles of hair covering it but it was all the more attractive when his lips curved into a handsome smirk. He couldn’t be more than 25 years old.

She stopped swinging. “What’s your name?”

Deva had never seen him before because she was positive without a doubt that she would never forget a face like his.

“You,” he said locking his gaze with hers, “can call me Marius.”

Her silence was the cause of curiosity. What was a man like him doing out at night? Was he a psycho-killer or something?

“Why are you out here?” His warm tone made her think otherwise. He looked entirely interested and somewhat concerned.

She turned and gazed up at the sky again. “To think.”

“About?”

Did it matter if she told a stranger? Would she ever meet this handsome stranger ever again? Probably not. Deva got up off the swing and started to pace. How was she going to word this; this thing that she had never told anyone before?

“I’m not normal,” she took a deep breath after the confession. “I’m not like everyone else. I don’t know how to describe it…but I can feel it. I think differently; I act differently.” Deva ran her fingers through her scalp.

These ideas have been on her mind for a while now; she was just too afraid to admit them to anyone.

“Does it bother you…being different?” His close tender voice stopped her movements in time to find him directly facing her.

His sweet lemon mint breath was seductively pulling her in and blinding her thought process.

“Not always,” her shallow words came out. “I’m just tired of not knowing who I really am.”

Deva was young and troubled like any person her age but it was more than that. She sensed things that were off about her and her surroundings for quite some time now. It made her question everything about herself.

The man gently cupped her face and made her look at him.

 “You are unique, beautiful, and no one will ever match you. The strength you possess will grow to heights others have never dreamed of.” 

She could see the truth in his eyes like it was written in stone; like he knew something she didn’t.

“You don’t know anything about me.” She whispered.

He leaned in closer; their lips only an inch apart. “I do…because I am just like you Deva.”

And with a small brush of his lips Deva felt tingles rush up and down her body.

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” he whispered teasing her with his close proximity.

His taunting was agonizingly killing her.

“Then why are you?”

His lips curved into a smile. “Because you’ll forget all this.”

Deva shook her head while he caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I doubt that.”

He chuckled, the sexiest sound she had ever heard.

“You won’t remember until it’s time for you to remember. Until I think it is time.”

His deep evergreen eyes were hypnotizing her just as much as his voice was.

Then he leaned in and kissed her. Deva’s soft lips were yielding to his touch. Kissing a stranger was not something she planned on doing but it felt so right. Instead of pushing him away Deva indulged in the moment.

It all felt so right. The way his hands were holding her and the way her arms wrapped around him. It was a perfect fit; the kiss, the touch, the sense of fulfillment.

He had also stolen her first kiss.

“Marius,” her breathless voice whispered against his earnest lips.

His eyes were closed. “Say it again,” he pecked her sweet innocent lips. “Say my name.”

“Marius.”

He loved the sound of his name rolling off of her tongue. He went in again and captured her heart with the gentleness of his passionate kiss.

 “And when it is time I will take you away…” He waited till her eyes opened. “And I will make you feel like you belong.”

His promise sounded too good to be true.

“Why? Why would you do that?” Why her?

“Because we belong together. We were meant for each other.”

And for some odd reason she believed him. She laughed. “And you said I won’t remember this. How do I forget something like that?”

He smirked. “I have my ways.”

Deva wake up with sweat dripping down her body. The dream felt so real. But was it really a dream or a memory? She wasn’t sure and she couldn’t recall the moment before. It had to be Adamarius’ doing.

Well he was right after all, she did forget that night…until now. It was just tucked away, deep inside her consciousness.

Damn Adamarius and his ability, she cursed.

Deva stretched out her hand for her comfort blank but she was in an empty bed. She got up on her elbows and searched for Darius. Her breath caught like it always did when he wasn’t near. The only thing she found was a note on his pillow.

‘I’m sorry I had to leave like this. The council needed my help with a few things and I didn’t want to bother you. I’ll be back hopefully before you even wake up. I love you. Your vampire muffin.’

Deva hated when he wasn’t with her; especially now, after that dream.  She got up out of bed and threw on some workout clothes. Punching something at the moment felt like the best way to get rid of the bent up frustration.

Her punches were quick and forceful with each blow to the bag. Why did she remember just now? Did he do it on purpose? Deva wanted to hate him, hate Adamarius for every lie he told her, but she just couldn’t…at least not completely.

It still hurt not having him close and she wasn’t sure if it was just the link or the ache in her heart. Betrayal was always something hard for her to deal with.

Darius always made the pain go away though. The bite he placed over Adamarius’ mark released her from her other attachment but the memories were still there. She wasn’t sure if she was ever going to forgive him or see him for that matter.

Did it matter? No. She had Darius and that was all she wanted and needed.

“Deva,” she felt strong arms wound themselves around her stopping her from anymore movements.

 She instantly relaxed when his citrus mint breath hit her nostrils.

“Sweetheart.”

She turned in his arms to face him then crushed her lips against his. Darius matched her own rushed desires and pulled her closer.

Deva jumped up and wrapped her legs around his torso. Darius grabbed her thighs and held her up, leaving no space between them.

“You shouldn’t leave me all alone,” she whispered once she caught her breath.

“I didn’t mean to my love. But I really needed to go.”

“I missed you.” Her sad confession tugged at his heart.

“How about I make it up to you?”

“I like the sound of that.”

He kissed her and began walking out the door still carrying her in his arms. “I thought you might.” They were heading towards her room. “How about you take a shower, freshen up, and then I’ll take you out? Just me and you.”

“That sounds amazing actually.”

“I’m glad you think so.” They entered the bathroom and he turned on the shower for her before setting her down on her feet.

“Take your time. We have all night.” He kissed her one last time before getting out and closing the door.

Deva did as he suggested and took her time scrubbing every inch of her body. The hot water loosened up her tense muscles. She decided to go with a dress for the occasion, choosing a dark purple v-neck satin one that flattered her every curve.

Deva opened the door and was taken aback when she saw a white rose pedal path leading to her window. Deva took the subtle hint and walked down the rose path and stared out the window.

Her breath stopped when she saw Darius leaning against a tree surrounded by white rose bushes. The gazebo on the right had lights cascading everywhere and white roses covering almost every inch of it.

The scene instantly took her back to the story her father told her about as a child.

Darius smiled up at her and she couldn't waste any more time. She made her way down to the outside garden where he was waiting for her. Once she reached him he handed her a single white rose.

"Is this your way of telling me I'm old?"

If they were going by the story then every rose would represent one of her birthdays. It looked like millions of white roses occupied the area.

"No," he shook his head and moved closer. "Every rose here represents the days I have been waiting for you, my entire life."

"Nice save."

She moved in and kissed him slowly on the lips. Then she took the rose and brought it up to her nose. It smelt divine and she could have sworn they smelt lovelier than the ones in the human world.

"This is all so beautiful. Thank you."

"You deserve so much more," he lifted her chin so she could see his eyes. "And I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you get that, making sure you are happy and never have to live through a painful moment ever again."

His eyes were the lightest of blues she had ever seen.

"I want to love you and be there for you when you need someone to hold you and lift you up. I want to wake up to your beautiful face and tell you how amazing you are."

Darius leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss that left her breathless.

"I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe. And most of all I want you to know that I love you and always will. You are the light that pulls me out of my dark tunnel. I love you Deva and I will never let you go."

Her heart was beating faster than a hummingbird's because she could guess his next words.

"Marry me," his voice was soft and laced with anticipation. "I shall never love another. Marry me Deva and I promise nothing will ever come between us."

Warm tears began shedding down her face while she nodded with happiness. "Yes, yes, I will marry you Darius."

"Yes," he repeated to make it all more real for himself. Darius lifted her up off her feet and she giggled, elated. "Aww my sweet sweet Deva."

Their lips locked once again and the world faded away.

"I'll never let you go Dar, never."

No person and especially no woman would stand in her way when it came to Darius. She wouldn't let it happen again.

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Remember to vote and leave me a comment. I made a new trailer for "Embracing Pain" the book after this one. Check it out.