Wolfe's Lady (9 page)

“If one of them is how we will get to your place or mine, I suggest that we walk. Your apartment is just a few blocks away.”

“Are you up to walking?” she asked.

“I am—even as a mortal and ordinary man.”

“Let me see if you are.” Stella said, with a grin and kissed him again, her lips as savage now as they had been gentle. He responded with heated ardor so strong she expected smoke to puff from his ears.

His hands caressed her body, arousing delight each place he touched.

“You seem capable enough to me, mortal.”

He chuckled and then she asked, serious now.

“Do you mind, though? You’ve exchanged immortality for me.”

Darien’s smile outshone the full moon.

“Immortality has its disadvantages and they outweigh by far any advantages. I really can’t think of any at the moment but mortality has some perks.”

“Does it?” She had to wonder if he wouldn’t mind giving up living forever to grow old and die with her. “Tell me one.”

“Now I—we—can enjoy the home I’ve made here for decades to come. Otherwise, as you know, I would have had to move on to another location within a few years and this house, in its near perfect setting, is without doubt the favorite home I have ever known.”

She liked that. “Is there another?”

He grinned. “I can celebrate my birthday again. It’s been a very long time, Stella, and I look forward to the occasion.”

She adored the idea and even though his birthday loomed months distant, she could envision the perfect cake with twenty-eight lit candles. “You can celebrate it with me.”

“I like that,” he said with sincerity.

“So you have no regrets? Living forever is supposed to be something that some people want. “

“I would rather have a happy, mortal life with you than all the years of lonely immortality, Stella my star.”

“Then we will.”

“And we shall, Wolfe’s lady.” Darien said. “We shall.”

“So ask me that question.”

“Will you, dear Stella, my darling star, marry me?”

“I thought you were never going to ask but yes, Darien, I will marry you.”

He laughed, and then sealed her answer with a slow, sweet kiss.

****

On the night of the winter solstice, a night of a great full moon, shining silver above the first snowfall of the season, Stella let Darien carry her over the threshold of his delightful house as his bride. With every curtain open, each shade raised high, they let the lunar light pour into their bedroom, reveling in the light that had so long been his curse but now was a blessing.

As they came together as man and wife, their passion soared to new summits as each touch, every caress, consumed them both in pleasant fire. Their lovemaking sang between them, new music that carried them to the stars and back, transformed and enhanced. In harmony and in love, they began a new life, together.

The End