Bleeding Love (34 page)

“Maybe I should
go back?” She didn't get it. A while ago she heard him say he was happy as long
as she was, but now, he was acting like he didn't miss her 
at all
.
She just couldn't understand him. And she was angry because of that. “Should I?”

“No.”

“Then why does it
seem like you don't want me here?” Her voice was starting to grow louder,
tighter.

He looked up at
her, and she saw his watery eyes. She winced at the sight of him. He looked
disheartened, and yet she knew he was trying to hide the feeling. The way his
lips curved up awkwardly was a dead giveaway. And then unexpectedly, he held
out his hand for her.

She looked from
his face to his hand, wondering whether or not she should take his hand. After
a momentary silence, she reached out and clasped his hand in hers.

“Come with me,” he
said to her, and then he turned to look at Aidan and Brianna. “We'll be back in
a bit.”

Running at the
speed of light, Xavier and Adrienne passed the grandiose staircase and the
dark, regal hallways decorated with various pieces of artwork. As she ran beside
him, she couldn't help glance at his face. She just couldn't comprehend the
sadness tinting his face, why he still hadn't kissed her after five years of
not seeing each other.

When they were standing
in front of a gargantuan wooden door carved with intricate details, at the
farthest end of a long hallway, Xavier spoke up, and his lips tried their best
to smile. “I'm sorry,” was all he could say. He took a step closer to her and
enveloped her into a light embrace. He even bent his forehead down to rest for
just a second on her head. “I missed you. I really did.”

With one side of
her face resting on his chest, she leaned deeper into him and slowly started to
smile. This she missed—the tenderness with which he held her, the intriguing
sound of his voice, the warmth and feeling of security when her body was
pressed to his. After half a decade, she was finally back in his arms.

“I missed you too,”
she answered back softly.

“I'm really sorry,”
he then repeated, letting go of her now. He discreetly began to run his hand
down her arm until he held her hand and intertwined their fingers together. “I'm
really sorry if I didn't seem too happy to see you a while ago. You have to
understand,” then his voice started to crack. “I'm not going to be the best
boyfriend or fiancé for a while,”

“I don't
understand, Xavier, what’s wrong?”

In answer, he
reached out to open the large door that stood before them. He gave her hand a
tight squeeze before they finally entered the king’s chambers. The room was
silent, but Adrienne could hear the soft distinct voices of Xavier's parents.
When they finally reached the edge of the bed, their heads turned toward the
two.

It was then that
Adrienne saw her fiancé's dying father. She understood. How could Xavier be
happy while his father was slowly loosing his life?

“You're more
beautiful than I imagined,” Frederick Kristofferson said, voice soft and
quivering.

“It's nice to
finally meet you, sir,” was the young archaeologist's answer. “I hope you're
feeling well.” Adrienne internally smacked herself. That was pathetic, she
realized. The Vampire Regent was very far from feeling healthy, really. His
skin had a yellow tint and seemed to hang loosely on his bones. He certainly
could not be feeling well at this state. Why did she have to say that?

“I told Xavier,” he
then began, smiling at the mention of his son's name, “That the only thing that
was missing in my life was to see the woman who brought him happiness and love,”
The king's eyes were smiling, and Adrienne couldn't help but grin back at the
hope in Frederick's face. “Now that I've seen you, all is complete.”

Xavier stepped
back, reaching out to hold his fiancé's shoulder for support while Henrietta
Kristofferson, who had been sitting on a chair by the bed all this time, began
to sob softly.

When Adrienne
turned to look at the sick King once again, she noticed how he wasn't breathing
anymore. His eyes were closed, and his lips had a smile permanently affixed in
place. Finally, she understood the real reason why Xavier hadn't been jumping
for joy when she surprised him. In exchange for her return, he must now deal
with his father's death. His father had been hanging on to life, hoping to meet
his son’s mate. In life, there was loss. Balance—it was just as simple as that.

So as the three
of them began to cry, the cacophonous and jarring sound of ringing bells enveloped
the whole town, quickly spreading the sad news.

In a moment's
time, a blast of wind swept through the bedroom, and Aidan, Brianna, and Yvonne
stood by the doorway.

“I guess I'm too
late, huh?” the blonde vampire asked, walking over to bow to the widowed Queen.
She turned to address Xavier. “He's gone, isn't he? Now that she's here? He
mentioned Adrienne in his letter to me, saying goodbye. He said that all he
needed to do before leaving this life, was to see her.”

Adrienne sobbed. “So
I'm the reason why he's dead, yeah?”

Hearing this,
Xavier wrapped his arms around her waist and held her closely to him.

“I should've
never come back, he'd still be alive.”

“You can't blame
yourself,” soothed her fiancé. “His death was inevitable. We all knew it would
happen.”

“But I can't
stand seeing so many people grieve,” she answered.

“There's nothing
we can do anymore to bring my father back. He lived a very good life, Adrienne,
so don't cry because of his loss.” His face was now even paler than before. “He
didn't really lose anything if you think about it. He had everything he ever
needed and wanted.”

Xavier still
hadn't let go of her, but it wasn't like she was complaining.

After a few
minutes of continuous grieving, Yvonne finally spoke up. “He sent me a letter a
few days ago telling me that he knew his life was going to come to an end soon.
Like what Xavier said, what happened was inevitable, and all you two can do now
is to complete the plans that were laid out for you to do.” Yvonne's lips
quirked up into a small smirk. “That's why I'm leaving for Paris now. I
promised Frederick and Henrietta that nothing would go awry with their plans.”

Adrienne ran a
hand through her hair once again as she breathed out deeply. She was confused, again,
and she needed someone to explain. Aidan and Brianna seemed as clueless as she
was. Henrietta had left her chair a few seconds back to go the bathroom. And
Xavier still had his head buried at the crook of her shoulder, so all that was
left was Yvonne.

“And why will
things go awry?”

Yvonne shook her
head. “Ask your fiancé.” She walked over to the two and nudged Xavier to come
back to his senses.

He lifted his
head up, rubbed his eyes, and turned to look at Yvonne.

She pushed. “It's
all up to you now, Xavier to continue what your father started now that's she's
here.”

Eyes blinking,
Adrienne held her gaze on Xavier. He seemed to move in place as his hands
rubbed up and down her arms. Finally, the rubbing stopped, and his hand landed
on one of her fingers. Specifically it was the finger wearing the engagement
ring. It was the same band he had given her five years ago in the forest. It
was still as shiny and captivating as ever, and it had become more precious to
them both within the last five years.

Then, he said
three words, and with those words, Adrienne knew what was going to happen, what
her future was going to be. There was no running away now, she realized. She
had asked for time, and he’d given her that. Now, it was her turn to listen to
him, to give him what he asked for. It was time to continue the legacy of his
parents. With those three words they were bound together forever.

Xavier whispered
softly, “Be my Queen?” It wasn’t really a question.

Adrienne's lips
tilted upwards when she heard those words. Wasting no time, she wrapped her
arms around his neck and brought their lips together in what started out as a
slow, soft, and chaste kiss. He had waited for her for five years, and now, she
was against him, wrapped around him. She didn't need words to tell him her
answer. The twinkle in her eyes and her eagerness to kiss him again were answer
enough. Five years of waiting and he got an eternity with her. It was more than
what people would call a fair exchange.

Everyone knows this isn't the end

That in the future there will be more
trials to mend

So what has happened to these interesting
personas?

Especially once Adrienne became a citizen
of Austria?

Ethan, the infamous ex–boyfriend,

is now living in with his girl, Amanda
Guttfiend.

People say their relationship is built on
lust

Since for the two, sex is a must.

New Yorkers, Max and Sabrina, on the other
hand

Continue to fight and argue even with a
marriage band.

However they don't mind these robotic
games

Since their feelings for each other will
always stay the same.

Tristan, the ever–loyal best friend,

Got a job that for him was heaven–sent

It was a coaching job for USC football

And the five–figured pay wasn't at all
horrible.

Yvonne, the perpetual and eccentric blonde
beauty

Now resides in France with Giorgio Beatty.

He has been her boyfriend for five years
and counting

The French vampire is her equal in
practically everything.

Aidan and Brianna, well, they're still
together

And they'll stay that way forever and ever.

They barely fight or get at each other's
throats

They don’t dare to rock each other's boats.

Everyone knows to save the best for last

And here's a memory to relive from the
past.

The sight of gold and black coming
together

Is an event to remember forever and ever.

The gold detailing complimented the black
wall,

during Adrienne and Xavier's special ball.

The ball that bounded them as husband and
wife,

both promising that they'll love each
other amidst all strife.

Vampires from all parts of the globe

Came together for this marriage was a
sight to behold.

They witnessed the chaste kiss the prince
and princess shared

And the biting of the neck—a symbol of
love and care.

Nobody can tell what will happen next

Cause if anyone can, I'll truly be vexed

For now let's put on happy smiles

Since we've reached the end after
threading thousands of miles.

THE END

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