Chapter 27

A fter two more star-shattering orgasms beneath Simon's tongue, I managed to get a few hours of sleep before he woke me to get ready to go to Versailles. Almost instantly, the morning was tainted by the realization that this was the last day; I was down to less than twenty-four hours to prove I could live forever. Every time I looked at Simon, the question caught on my lips: have I done it? Will you make me a vampire?

We stopped at my hotel for me to change into something more appropriate to spend the day walking around in, and I tried my best to ignore the heat in Simon's gaze while he watched me dress.

If I paid him too much attention, I would have leaped right back into bed with him, and any hopes of going to Versailles would have been history.

Against all odds, we made it to the train. Next to me, Simon pulled his tablet out of his messenger bag, fiddling with the screen before he started working.

"What do you draw on that thing?" I asked, resting my chin on his shoulder.

He pressed the button to black out the screen. "Nothing important."

"I didn't take you as the bashful type."

Simon turned my chin so I'd look at my phone screen instead of his tablet. I chuckled, but allowed him his privacy for the rest of the train ride.

Each time the train jostled, my shoulder or knee bumped against his and I fought the urge to see if he wanted to look at me too. Images flashed in my mind of his mouth on my skin, his fangs in my skin, his hips rolling into mine. My hands shook as I scrolled idly on my phone, trying to force the memories out of my head. No matter how many astronomy of the day pictures I scrolled through, my mind wandered to Simon.

If the train wasn't full of people, I might've dropped to my knees for him.

We made it to Versailles after an hour on the train. I slipped my arm through Simon's as we walked a couple blocks through town and approached the golden gates. My jaw fell at the sight of the palace, and I looked around in the hopes of memorizing every nook and cranny as quickly as I could.

If Simon said no, would I ever come back here?

Would I ever see Addie again?

"Are you alright?" Simon asked, drawing me out of my melancholy.

I replaced my haunted expression with a smile. "I'm great."

As we stood in line and waited to go in, the realization that this could be my last day as a human returned to me. I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes to relish the small, hot breeze pulsing through the air. Any other day, I would have been annoyed at how hot it was and disgusted by the sweat forming on my brow. Today, I reminded myself to appreciate it because I didn't know how it would feel tomorrow.

We made it through security, and I practically dragged Simon behind me as we finally entered Versailles. Forgetting about vampires and the potential imminence of my death, I immersed myself in a sea of history and gold, practically pressing my nose against the walls to memorize every detail. We walked through a rainbow of rooms filled with intricate furniture and hundreds of paintings. Simon murmured facts about Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI in my ear while we walked.

I knew that life here wasn't anything like the movies. Life at Versailles was dark and disgusting. People relieved themselves in corners because there weren't enough bathrooms, and I didn't want to think about how often people showered. When the queen gave birth, there were so many people in the room that some passed out from the heat.

Even so, I imagined myself in an extravagant gown, flitting through the halls in a world different from mine. Maybe a handsome prince would sweep me off my feet.

Or a vampire.

I smiled softly at Simon. "Have you been here before?" I asked.

He stiffened and licked his lips. "Yes."

I tugged on his arm. "Come on, Simon, you have to give me more details than that. That's amazing."

He kept his eyes in front of him and took a deep breath. "I lived here for a few years before the revolution."

"Seriously?" I swallowed my squeals of delight.

"Yes."

"Simon!"

He huffed and turned to face me. "My darling, you don't want these details."

"I do," I begged.

He raised an eyebrow. "I was the queen's consort, Lucinda. I lived here and I-"

"You fucked Marie Antoinette?" I exclaimed loud enough for several people to glare at us incredulously.

Simon cleared his throat and drew me along after him into another room, one with teal and gold flowers decorated on the white doors. He glanced over at me, something devious in his eyes. I grinned at him. "Over and over again," he said.

I laughed and brushed my shoulder against his. "That's so cool. Tell me other things you've done."

"I've been alive for four hundred years, Lucinda. I've done a lot of things," he replied.

"Tell me something else about you," I said while we wandered.

Simon hummed. "I had two younger sisters. Their names were Agathe and Manon."

My smile faded. "Were?"

Something sad flashed in his eyes. "Such is the curse of immortality—we will always have to say goodbye to the people we love the most." I slipped my fingers through his and squeezed his hand. Simon cleared his throat. "Agathe was a rascal; she was always playing outside in the dirt, and Maman would be furious when she came inside covered in mud. Manon was the exact opposite, always prim and proper. She had the most beautiful singing voice." Simon sucked in a deep breath and glanced at me. "You are fortunate to spend eternity with your sister, Lucinda."

Instead of replying, I kissed his knuckles and led the way further into the castle.

We continued through Versailles until we reached the Hall of Mirrors. I drew in a deep breath as we stepped inside. I remembered Addie telling me she'd waltzed with Holland here at sunset, with no one else around. I thought that sounded magical. The room was full of tourists this time, with no room to dance but plenty to bask in the golden glow.

I let go of Simon and wandered through the room, watching my reflection in each mirror I passed. There it was again: the feeling of my heart soaring. I placed my hand on my chest and felt it race.

Simon appeared behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I leaned back against him.

"Can we take a picture?" I whispered.

Simon agreed, remaining exactly where he was while I lifted my phone for a photo of us. My smile spread from ear to ear, while Simon's was more delicate. I lowered my phone to show him and ask if he liked it, but the sparkle in his eyes was answer enough.

"Your turn," he said, taking my phone from me.

I backed up a few steps and posed for the photo. Simon nodded while he took it, then handed me my phone. I peered at the picture… and my jaw dropped.

I did it.

That was it.

Of all the photos I'd taken so far in Paris, there was something wrong with every one of them. My smile was too wide, or my eyes were too dreary; the joy looked forced. The one on the screen, though—the last one—was perfect. I beamed so brightly that the gold of the room illuminated my cheeks. Happiness danced in my eyes, visible even through the frozen frame.

I looked at Simon, tears pricking my eyes. "What do you think?"

"That's the one, my darling," he breathed.

I clutched my phone to my chest. Without another word, I tossed my arms around Simon's shoulders. He stiffened for half a second before embracing me. I buried my face in his shoulder to hide my tears.

Happy. I was happy.

I wasn't even bitter that it took losing everything—my job, my love, my baby—to get here. All of that seemed trivial compared to the happiness coursing through me.

"I'll do it," Simon murmured. "If it's what you want, I will make you immortal."

The world stopped spinning. A white noise rang in my ears for half a moment before my heartbeat drowned it out. I lifted my head and stared at Simon through the mirror as he watched me and waited for my reaction.

It was what I wanted.

More than anything.

Still, my stomach twisted and my palms felt clammy. Every person feared death, I told myself. I'd never been faced with it like this before. Even as I swore I would spend eternity with Addie and fought to live my life and meet Simon's terms, I didn't think about what happened when the three days were up. I was going to die.

"I'm scared," I admitted quietly.

Simon kissed my cheek. "I know, my darling. I will do this for you, but nothing says it has to be today, or tomorrow, or that we can't talk extensively about what it means for you first."

I pulled away and took his hand. "Thank you."

"Are you hungry?" He asked. "There's a nice café around the corner here."

"Starving," I said.

"Then, let's get you something to eat. We still have all of the gardens to explore."

"Sounds great." I followed him.