Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Angelo

As I walked with Serenity down the hallway, holding her hand, I ventured a sideways glance at her. Her beauty stole the breath from my lungs. She was a vision of tasteful elegance, in a simple black dress that hugged her curves. Her shimmering blond hair was pulled into a soft bun, displaying the graceful curve of her neck. The red of her lips stood out in striking contrast to her pale skin, a touch of color in a sea of mourning.

But it was the look in her eyes that truly captivated me. Despite the sadness that lingered there, a quiet strength shone through—a clear determination to face the challenges ahead with grace and resilience. In that moment, I knew Serenity was a force to be reckoned with, a beacon of hope in the darkness. My darkness .

"You look beautiful." I leaned closer to her. I was almost four hundred years old, and this woman made me tongue-tied. No woman had ever done that to me, not even when I was still human.

She blushed under my gaze. It only made her look even more radiant.

"Take my arm," I said.

As she placed her hand in the crook of my elbow, I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me. I silently vowed to stand by her side, to shield her from any storms that might be looming on the horizon.

Together, we made our way through the mansion, the somber silence broken only by the soft rustle of her skirts. As we stepped out into the night, the air cool against our skin, I marveled at the strange twists of fate that had brought us, a vampire king and a Nephilim, together.

In this moment, as we walked toward the gathering in the courtyard to honor our fallen brother, I knew that no matter how shrouded in mystery the path ahead was, one thing was certain—Serenity had become a part of my world, and I would move mountains to keep her safe.

Moonlight lit up the solemn sight. A black drape covered the iron gates, keeping curious onlookers at bay. My men had built a wooden pyre, and Jacques' body was already laid out on top of it. Torches surrounded the courtyard. Dimitri hadn't hoisted up the wooden spikes yet and they rested against one wall. Freddie escaped this death, but he wasn't the one who had murdered Jacques. The murderer was still on the loose. Once he was in my grasp, the stakes would be for him and his friends .

I would find him, and heaven help him when I did. But this was a time for sorrow, not revenge.

Serenity gazed at Jacques' body without flinching. Pride swelled in my chest at her bravery. Dimitri and Gianna held hands. Enzo looped his arm through Elena's; she was holding a handkerchief to her nose. Her eyes were bright red and tearstained. Petar and my other men stood at solemn attention.

On a table there were unlit torches, one for everyone at the ceremony.

All eyes were on me as their leader and their king. I reluctantly released Serenity's hand and stood in front of my family.

I cleared my throat. "We are gathered here to honor our fallen brother, Jacques Girard. For centuries he stood by our side, a loyal friend and a fierce warrior. His bravery and dedication to this family knew no bounds, and his presence brought light to even the darkest of nights."

I cast my gaze over the assembled crowd, their faces etched with grief and sorrow. In a single, synchronized movement, they all bowed their heads, even Serenity. The sight of her, an outsider, willingly participating in our ancient rituals, sparked something deep within me—a flicker of hope in the darkness.

"Jacques was more than just a soldier; he was a true member of our family. His laughter filled our halls, his wisdom guided our decisions, and although his heart may have ceased to beat, it was always full of love and compassion for each and every one of us."

With a heavy heart, I gestured to the pyre .

"Now, it is time to bid him a final farewell and send him to the great beyond. Though he may not find the same afterlife as humans, may his spirit find peace in the eternal embrace of the vampire realm, knowing that his memory will live on in our hearts and minds."

Someone sniffed. I realized it was Serenity. She wiped a tear off her cheek. My sister rested her head on Dimitri's shoulder, and, in the moonlight, I could see she was crying too.

My chest tightened and a lump formed in the back of my throat as I gazed at the pyre. "Jacques, our brother, our friend...We will miss you more than words can express." I paused, swallowing hard as memories of our time together flooded into my mind. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, and your legacy will endure through the ages. Rest now, dear friend, knowing that we will carry on the fight in your honor." My voice cracked and I coughed, trying to mask the grief that was threatening to burst through. As the vampire king, I had to be strong for my people. I clenched my fists, feeling a flash of anger begin to stir beneath the sadness.

I took a deep breath, my shoulders squaring and my posture growing more resolute as I continued. "To those responsible for his untimely demise, know this: our grief may stay our hand today, but it will not forever quell the fire that now burns within us." My jaw clenched, and my hands trembled, a physical manifestation of the unwavering resolve that coursed through my veins. My voice grew to a crescendo, echoing across the gathered mourners. "Your actions have awakened a sleeping giant, and you will soon feel the full force of our wrath. "

Anger surged through my body, causing my hands to ball into fists at my sides, my fingernails digging into my palms. I trembled with barely contained rage, every muscle in my body drawn taut like a bowstring ready to be released.

"The fury of the Santi family will rain down upon you, and you will pay the ultimate price for the blood you have spilled. There will be no place to hide, no mercy to be found. We will hunt you down like the vermin that you are and make you suffer as we have suffered."

I bowed my head, struggling to push down my anger. Silence gripped the courtyard. I took several deep breaths, then raised my head. "But for now, my friends, let us celebrate the life of Jacques Girard, a true son of the night. May his soul find eternal rest."

I headed over to the table with the unlit torches and picked one up. The torches had been soaked in kerosene, and as I touched the oil-soaked cloth to a flame, it sparked to life, casting a warm glow across my face.

Turning to face my family, I held the torch aloft. "Each of you will take a torch and light it from mine, representing the way Jacques touched each of our lives and the way his spirit ignited our own. Then, you will place your torch on the pyre, aiding his transition from this world to the next. In this way, we will honor his memory and guide him on his final journey."

With somber nods, the mourners began to approach me one by one. Dimitri was first, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he lit his torch from mine. He placed a hand on my shoulder in a silent gesture of support and shared grief before moving to the pyre and nestling his torch among the kindling.

My sister, Gianna, was next, her movements graceful even in sorrow. Then came Elena, Enzo, Petar, and the others, each taking a moment to light their torch and pay their respects to our fallen brother.

Finally, Serenity stepped forward, her face illuminated by the dancing flames. As she lit her torch from mine, our eyes met, and in that moment a glimpse of understanding passed between us—a recognition of the significance of this moment and the bond we now shared.

Together, we watched as the pyre blazed to life, the fire consuming Jacques' body. I put my hand on her lower back, and we moved slightly away from the others to watch the pyre burn in silence. The crackle of the fire mingled with the soft murmurs of my family, their voices raised in an ancient hymn of farewell. As the smoke drifted toward the heavens, I hoped that wherever Jacques was now, he knew the depth of our love and felt the honor we bestowed upon him.

Serenity slipped her shaking hand into mine, and I met her sorrowful gaze. Tears stained her long dark eyelashes, and she leaned close to me. "Your heartfelt speech…it touched me. You truly cared about him, didn't you?" There was a hint of surprise in her tone.

I gave her a curious gaze. "Jacques had been with me since the beginning. He was more than a soldier or a friend—he was like a brother."

A tremor rippled through my body, threatening to shatter my composure. My breath came in short, shaky gasps and my heart pounded against my ribcage, the force of my emotions nearly overwhelming me.

"Your many faces constantly surprise me, Angelo," she murmured, her voice low and filled with wonder.

The space between us seemed to crackle with electricity, the air heavy with unspoken desires. I reached out, my hand cupping her cheek as I drew her closer.

"You have no idea the surprises I can show you," I whispered, my thumb tracing the delicate line of her jaw. "You need only open your heart to me."

I watched as a delightful blush bloomed on her cheeks, making her look like a pink rose in the moonlight. But there was a flash of unease in her eyes that didn't escape my notice, and a pang of worry shot through me. Had I pushed too far, too fast? The last thing I wanted was to frighten her or make her feel pressured.

As the silence stretched out between us, I cursed myself inwardly. I already knew the intensity of my feelings for her, but I had to remember that this was all new to Serenity. She doubtless needed time to come to terms with the growing connection between us.

Gently, I lifted her chin, seeking her gaze. "I will never do anything against your will, Serenity," I said softly, pouring all the sincerity and reassurance I could into my voice. "And I will never allow anyone to hurt you. On that, you have my word."

I held her gaze, willing her to see the truth in my eyes. I needed her to understand that my desire for her wasn't just about physical attraction or her healing abilities, but a deep, abiding need to protect and cherish her. She was a precious new light in my dark world, and I would do everything in my power to keep that light safe and shining brightly.

She put her slender hand on my chest and her eyes widened in surprise. "You have a heart?"

I clasped her hand and kissed her wrist, rolling my tongue over her skin, feeling her rapid pulse. "You didn't think I would?"

"I don't know…I guess." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she held my gaze. In the dim light of the room, I could see the delicate blush on her cheeks spread down her neck like a trail of rose petals. She bit her lower lip, a gesture that was both innocent and alluring, and my heart skipped a beat. "I think I want you to show me. I'm yours, Angelo."