Zane

I watched Zelda's face ashen.

Knowing she was scared, I held her even tighter, not daring to let her go until I knew she wanted to slip free.

"Isn't it,-" Cathy began, but I cut her off.

"She bears my father's mark."

Cathy gasped, dragging Zelda away from my hold with her emotional outburst.

"He..he did?"

That pulled her out of shell immediately—no more hesitation from my healer today.

The way she loved my parents made me all the more aware that my father's mark would seal the deal.

"See?"

Zelda took it upon herself to show off the mark and Cathy was in tears.

"I'm sorry," Zelda said, "I don't mean,-"

"I'm not unhappy," Cathy smiled, "I am so very joyful that John did this."

Zelda grinned, "John was your father?"

I nodded, knowing that there was no way for the time being that I could tell her vampires killed my folks and we had thought it was her coven for years.

"Yes, my little princess," I told her, "And apparently he wanted you as my betrothed."

Zelda

He was hiding something from me.

He'd blocked something right after Cathy's happy moment—and I figured it had to have something to do with my family.

"Don't lock me out."

Cathy took that as a sign to leave. She hurriedly vanished from her own home and let us be alone.

"I won't."

"You are."

Zane sighed and shook his head, "Let's get to the temple."

"Not until you tell me."

He took my hands in his and sat me down on the little sofa in the living room.

"Darling, I know that in my heart you had nothing to do with the demise of my parents, but they were slaughtered by your kind."

"When?"

"The night you were marked."

"Did I.." I gasped, "Did I lead them to you?!"

Zane smiled, "No, but I think they were watching you. They've wanted the Den for a long time—wanted us wiped out and we didn't fight back because they left no trace."

"Oh, that's awful! I am so very sorry."

He caressed my face with his knuckles, "I want you again."

I blushed, "Shouldn't we get to the temple?"

He sighed and chuckled at his lustful behavior, "Of course. I am going to give you my cloak so no one can see you."

Zane

Once at the temple, our priests, priestesses and the oracles were present.

They took one glance at the mark and practically died of excitement.

"We will have heirs!"

Zelda reddened, her shyness seeping through.

"Sorry." I whispered, "They never thought I'd have a mate."

"Could you never have children if you didn't?"

"I never got a woman pregnant if that's what you're asking."

She nodded, knowingly.

"Well," Priest Franco smiled, "You have our blessing, of course."

The oracles, who already knew Zelda was my mate since we were younger, were in total agreement.

They said very little—as they always were, reserved and to the point.

"Do we marry or..?"

I pulled her closer to me and smiled, "I mark you and then we become one, little pet."