Kiss of Blood - Chapter 19

So sorry for the delay. I hope I didn't lose any fans! Please comment!

---------------------------------------------------------

- Tristan's POV -
I couldn't think straight. The beautiful memories of that morning with my love in my arms kept on repeating in my head.

I grab Luce by the shoulders.

"O god Luce! This can't be true!"

Luce frown a disapproving look cross over his face.

"What exactly do you mean by that?!"

I can't help but frown. What did I say to make Luce seem so angry?

"I mean, I went away to keep my distance from Roxie. I really did not even consider the possibility that she could be pregnant with MY children!"
"Luce, my brother, you know the prophecy. Now I have condemned my Roxie to death!"

"Ah shut up Tristan!"

My head snap up. How dare he speak to me like that!

"Luce, don't forget that I am your superior! Or do I need to remind you of such?"

Luce sighs.

"My dear Tristan, can you not see that Roxie did not die? That she loves you or at least loved you? You really did a number on her when you left. And now you are sorry?! Sorry that you could not keep your hormones in check?! Well, I am sorry too. You both sealed your fate that morning."

I sat down in a chair, defeated by what my brother told me.
Oh boy, Tristan. You sure made a mess of things.
Something kept nagging at the back of my mind about something that Luce told me.
Then it hit me!

"Luce! What did you mean by Roxie trying to take her life? What happened?!"

Luce's eyes fills with sorrow and regret.

"Brother, I am sorry that I couldn't stop Roxie. She...she..."

Luce's voice broke off. My heart stopped. I couldn't breathe.

"Luce, it couldn't have been so bad, I mean she is fine now."

Luce looked away.
"Tristan, Roxie drank poison a week after you left. She didn't have the strength to marry Alex and I think she was heartbroken. She really loved you. Nobody was here to stop her. Luckily she was pregnant and due to her pregnancy she was stronger. She survived. But she will never fully recover. There is still poison flowing through her veins, very slowly killing her. I-I...I tried getting help but there is nothing we can do for her. It's like a cancer slowly killing her. Tristan, I am so very sorry. I feel that I cold have somehow prevented this. I really am so sorry."

I can't speak. My love, my dearest Roxie is...dying? Oh cruel fate! How I hate you!
Luce has to stain his ears to hear my whisper.

"Luce, where is she?"

Luce grabs my shoulder.

"Tristan, I don't think it's a good idea. Leave her alone. She needs to get over the fact that you have returned."

I push his hand away with a snarl.
My voice booming in the room.

"Tell me where she is! I need to see her, NOW!"

Luce jumped back in surprise.

"Left wing, third floor, the last room in that corridor."

I jump up, running to see my heart, my love, my Roxie.

- Roxie's POV -

I look at the trees in the late afternoon glow.
I smell the flowers that are in bloom, hear the birds singing their song, but nothing seems to capture my attention.
All I can think of is Tristan.

My heartache, I don't have any tears left to cry anymore.
I am dried up after the long years crying my heart out each night.
Now, when I finally accepted my fate and the pain started to lessen he has to show up.
I hear the door being pushed open. I don't even turn around. I know it is Tristan. I can feel his presence.

"Roxie."

I sigh. My name has never sounded so beautiful.
I stand up.
Best way to face the truth.
I close my eyes, inhale deeply and turn around.
I slowly open my eyes and exhale.
There he stands. My warrior.

"Tristan."

I can see the wariness in his eyes. I don't blame him. Four years can change a person.
He slowly takes a step closer.
I flinch back.
Guilt washes through me as I see the pain in his eyes.
I can't help but listen to my instinct. And it is screaming that I should run.
I take a breath, and slowly take a step closer to Tristan.

"Roxie, I don't know what to say."

"Don't. Don't say you are sorry. My greatest joy is my two children and the memories I have of us. Don't destroy that as well."

Within a second Tristan is holding me. I can't think, I only feel. I feel his strong arms around me, his smell intoxicates me.
I hear him whisper something in my ear.
I can't clearly make out what it was but I was almost sure he said 'I Love you'.

"Tristan, don't hurt me again. I can't take the pain. I thought I was strong enough but I am not. I love you."

The last was merely a whisper but he heard me. Tristan pulls me closer and I feel his body shudder.

"My Roxie, me dearest love. I love you with all my heart. I will never leave you. Never! Please forgive me for all the pain and suffering I have brought to you. The greatest joy is to know I have my own children! I am ecstatic!"

I lift up my face and look into his beautiful brown eyes with their golden ring. Oh, how I love this beautiful man in front of me. My warrior, my prince.
Our eyes lock and what feels like eternity we move closer until our lips meet in the oldest dance of passion.
Slowly he moves his mouth to my neck and I allow better access to it by bending my head sideways.
He slowly kisses me on the neck before his fangs pierce through my flesh.
Before I can think of protesting, the greatest pleasure pulses through my body. I can't stop the moan from escaping and I shudder in passion.
Before I know what happens, Tristan pushes me away.
I struggle to bring my breathing to normal, still experiencing the most erotic feelings.
Then I see Tristan's eyes.
They are filled with sadness.

"Tristan?"

I am scared. Maybe he's going to reject me again. But his next words leaves me cold and frozen in place.

"I can taste it. I can taste the poison in your blood!"