“They will never accept this. You know that.” I was shaking my head, knowing the council was already probably fine picking their laws for a way to invalidate my new position.

“They have no choice,” he stated, stubbornly like his will was the only thing that mattered.

But I was far more pragmatic. The council would not allow this. They would not accept this without a fight.

I swallowed, nervously. Feeling more agitated with each passing moment. My sense of dread growing with each passing moment.

I was just as worked up when we entered the house. My hands clasped together as I turned to face my husband. It was still mind blowing to think of him in that way. My heart sang even though any logic I held rebelled against the idea, knowing it wouldn’t be allowed to stand.

Jude entered the house behind us and I looked to Silas to gauge his reaction.

“You did not have to come to the council today,” Silas said to his friend.

“I owed you.”

Silas’ mouth tightened in a flat line. “I don’t trust you.”

I wished Silas understood his friend’s actions for what they were. They were not a betrayal. He was protecting him and our sons. And for that I would always admire and respect him.

“I’m here to help whether you trust me or not Silas. You may have walked out of there thinking that you’ve won but you haven’t. They’ll find way to stop you.”

Silas tensed. “I will not allow it.”

Jude nodded. “Then you better have a back up plan because you know as well as I do that they are probably already planning to thwart you.”

“I do.”

They studied each other for a few moments. No words passed.

“Does she know what you are prepared to do to protect her?” Jude asked the question, without breaking their stare.

“What is he talking about Silas?” I moved closed to him.

“I’m protecting my family.” He seemed to stand taller, his eyes fierce.

He had never looked more handsome. My family. Our family. It had been everything I had ever wanted but I feared what it would cost us.

“What is he talking about?” I echoed my question, intent on an answer.

“You need not worry Avery.” He brushed me off which only annoyed me more.

“Tell me,” I insisted, refusing to allow him to avoid answering.

“I think it’s time you leave,” Silas said to Jude.

“Be honest with her,” Jude muttered as he headed out the room.

I frowned, studying Silas.

Our eyes met and I waited.

“They will outcast me or worse. They will try to contain me like they did Thane.”

My horror grew. I shook my head. Memories flashed back of Thane and the knife. I could not comprehend that being done to Silas.

“Then why would you do this?” I swallowed the rising emotion.

“Do you expect me to hand you over without a fight?” His tone sharper.

His usual calm ruffled.

“I can just disappear again. They will never find me.” I had done it once, I could do it again. How hard could it be? Awful was my immediate thought. Being without Silas and my sons would be torture but it would be worth it to keep them safe. I would sacrifice to save them.

“This is not your decision. It’s mine Avery.” It was a reminder of the lack of power I truly had.

Feeling the panic take hold I rushed to him and touched his arm. “Please don’t do this Silas. Just let me disappear. If I’m not around things for you and the boys can go back to normal. You’ll be safe.”

His eyes darkened. “Being without you isn’t an option. That’s final.”

There was no changing his mind.

“Why don’t you go and spend some time with our sons. I have some phone calls to make.”

I sighed before I nodded.

As I headed upstairs, my mind replayed the earlier events. There was no stopping what was about to unfold. I felt helpless.

I tried to school the undercurrent of emotions when I entered the playroom to find the boys happily playing together.

They grew so quickly, the changes in their physical appearance so dramatic I could see small differences. It was crazy and a reminder of who they were. Vampires. But I would not allow them to become like the ones who were set on making an example of me.

The boys chatted away but I found it difficult to keep my mind in the present with them. Every worst case scenario was playing in my mind on repeat.

I didn’t have a good feeling about going back to the council tomorrow for fear of what I would have to face.

Silas had a plan but I still didn’t see how he would be able to keep me safe, no matter who he was or the power he wielded.

But there was no way for me to stop it. I could not change the projectory we were on, all I could do was hope Silas had a way out of this mess.

I had never met anyone like him before. He was all consuming and powerful. And I loved him more than I ever thought possible, despite all he had put me through.

Being together in a world that was against our union felt very Romeo and Juliet like but more intense. Vampires were hard and cruel, I could not imagine any of them backing down.

Worry ate away at me.

“You’re very quiet,” Silas said later when he joined me in the bedroom.

I was sitting up in the bed.

Our sons were already in bed and sound asleep.

I pressed my lips together, trying to choose my words wisely, not wanting to start an argument or a repeat of our earlier conversation. It would be pointless.

“I’m nervous about tomorrow,” I explained. It might not be what he wanted to hear but it was the truth.

“Do you trust me?” He asked softly.

I nodded. “With my life.”

He smiled. “So what’s the problem.”

He was at ease, the opposite to me.

I wanted to absorb his optimism but I wasn’t built that way. I was a worrier, going over every detail meticulously, still coming up at the same conclusion that tomorrow would not go well for me.

Silas came around to my side of the bed and leaned in to brush his thumb across my cheek. He wasn’t affectionate often and it felt so good. Spreading from the touch outward, through me like a warmth in a blizzard.

I closed my eyes, riding out the feeling. I could lose myself it, forgetting about all the things that would likely befall me the next day.

“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I need you.”

His words washed over me as I reopened my eyes to stare deeply into his.

My emotion for him took over smothering all else.

He pressed his mouth to mine and he kissed me. My mouth clung to his as he deepened the kiss and thrust his tongue against mine.

I pulled him close and he moved onto the bed to cover my body with his.

I wanted him for as long as I could have him. Even if it was only for a few more hours.

Wanting to savor every second I had with fearing it would be my last, I shoved all other thoughts out of mind. Concentrating on the way his hand skimmed lightly down my side to move beneath my hip. Pulling me up, angling my body to his.

I tasted blood, not sure if it was his or mine. I didn’t care.

Passion and pain swirled together, I needed it all.

His mouth lifted from mine to leave a trail of teasing kisses with the slight scrape of his sharp teeth against my skin, teasing more pain.

“Please,” I whispered, needing him to drink from me.

In the dance of our bodies it was erotic and all consuming.

He stilled and I felt his teeth press into my skin softly before he sank them into me fully. I sighed as he began to feed, my blood flowing.

I held him close, arching my head back to give him full access to my neck.

He stopped too soon and I protested when he pulled his teeth free and traced his tongue across the punctures.

As I lifted my head he exposed his neck close to my mouth.

I touched my mouth to his neck as he held himself still. My tongue touch it gently before I allowed my teeth to press into his skin, breaking through the barrier so I could taste his blood.

I sighed as I drank.

It was the most intimate thing I had ever shared with anyone. It felt right with him, my husband.