Chapter 14

 

“How do we want to handle this?” Rohan asked, as the S-92’s rotor blades slowed.

Gaius, Alex, and Cara were walking away from the controls, back to where Rohan and Sabina stood waiting.

“It really all depends on what you both want,” replied Gaius. “You can suppress your auras for another thirty minutes or so until dinner has begun, or you can go in as you are now, free and unencumbered. From the looks of all the helicopters still here, I would say most haven’t departed after yesterday morning’s battle. So there will be many here to celebrate with you this evening.”

Rohan took a deep breath and looked down at Sabina. She was just quietly waiting and smiling up at him.

“What do you want, Sabina?” he asked, still trying to determine the correct approach.

“Why don’t we keep our auras in until dinner, and then let Gaius make the announcement as we had planned. Then we’ll relax and just let everything be as it should be. We can go to my room for a while, so there’s not such an effort for us to work against our own power,” she suggested, gently caressing his arm to calm him.

“I like that plan” Rohan nodded, and turned back to their friends.

“I’ll take your dress and all our purchases to our room, and then no one will think twice about us coming in with shopping and garment bags,” offered Alex.

“Alright, let’s go ahead then. We’ve not much longer to wait,” Gaius said, gently slapping his friend’s shoulder.

Gaius and Rohan lifted the heaviest pieces of luggage and Sabina gathered their swords, so that Alex could take the gowns up first. They left the helicopter together, and found Heath and Elrick already heading in their direction to help. Alex thanked them and asked if they could bring her shopping bags, still in the machine, up to her bedroom.

When Elrick saw the bags, he looked back at Alex and grinned the wide, youthful smile he always sported. She just winked at him and continued on her way. Soon, all of the luggage and purchases were in the castle, and Rohan took Sabina directly to her room. He placed his luggage with hers in the sitting room and then swept her off her feet.

She giggled, but silenced herself by leaning up to kiss him. He managed to get them over to the bed and fell with her upon it, bracing his body so he did not crush her. It registered in his mind belatedly that her bed might make noise when they moved onto it, but Rohan gave up caring as she held him to her.

“Rohan,” she whispered, as his lips traveled down her neck.

“Yes,” he whispered back.

“This can only last a few more days, darling,” Sabina breathed, feeling completely swept away by his touch and his aura pouring over her.

“Tell me about it,” he sighed.

She started to laugh aloud, but he quickly silenced her.

“What was in the second shop you visited today?” Rohan asked, while kissing Sabina just under her ear.

“Do you really want to know?” she asked, trying to think through his intensifying aura.

“I asked,” he grinned, teasing her neck again.

“Items for our wedding night,” she said softly, and he immediately lifted his head to stare at her. “Breathe, Rohan,” Sabina said gently, cupping his face and smoothing her thumbs over his skin as she liked to do now.

“Sabina, I promise that I will go very slowly with you. I know that we’re enjoying this contact now, but that night and all others, I will be as gentle with you as I can. I promise,” he said sincerely.

“I know you will, Rohan. I’m not worried about becoming one with you. I think it will be one of the most beautiful moments in my long life, to give all of myself to you. And I love who you are in these unguarded moments, when you’re completely open and honest with me. It means everything, darling.”

“You make it easy to be this open, Sabina. And I am so humbled, truly I am,” he breathed, leaning in to kiss her gently again.

“Hmmm, just a few more days,” she mentally told him, and she felt him chuckle against her.

“Something tells me, you’re going to keep me up many a night,” he teased.

“Perhaps,” she grinned against his lips, and then deepened their kiss.

Rohan held her until he knew it was time to draw away, and he moved to her side. She laid her head on his shoulder, and snuggled into his body. She yawned, and he asked Sabina to nap for a little while if she could. Rohan knew she had not gotten nearly enough the previous evening, and she offered no protest.

While she dozed beside him, Rohan gave real thought to their wedding night, and how much he wanted to love and protect her. He knew that once Sabina was truly his in every way, his need to shelter and guard her would only increase exponentially. He prayed that he would be patient and understanding enough to let her out of his sight, so that she had the breathing room she would need to be happy and fulfilled.

But the thought of her being his and no others actually put a rare blush on his cheeks.

 

Gaius called out to Rohan’s mind to let him know they had five minutes to rise and meet Alex and him in the hallway. Though his heart was in his throat, Rohan was so relieved that he would not have to hide what his heart and soul were begging to herald to the entire assembly. He looked to his right and watched Sabina sleep for a few more moments. With this bit of rest, she had thankfully not awoken from a nightmare once.

Rohan lifted a hand and began to trail it through her long, raven locks. He loved the texture under his fingers, and he smiled when she shivered a little from his aura playing over her resting form. But Sabina was not as difficult to rouse as Alexandria, and she responded to his touch in less than a minute.

She leaned her head back and smiled lazily. Rohan chuckled at the contented look on her face and he rolled back to his side so he could face her a little better. He continued to play with her hair and they just gazed silently at one another.

“Rohan, are you ready?” she whispered, leaning in to kiss his chin.

“To be at ease and at peace with you, yes. For some of the men’s comments, no,” he smiled.

“You are very strong, both inside and out. And you are not alone anymore, Rohan. I will be right there beside you, as your partner. And together, we’ll smile through whatever teasing comments some of the men make. I’ve lived with them longer than you have, so I know,” she chuckled.

“I love you, Sabina,” he said, taking a deep breath in as his eyes roamed over her countenance.

“And I love you, Rohan. Come, let’s see their faces together,” she grinned, nodding against her pillow.

“Okay,” he exhaled. “Let’s do this.”

Sabina was still chuckling over Rohan’s words as she made a quick trip into the watercloset. She freshened herself and then gave the room over to Rohan. They were only a few minutes late meeting Alex and Gaius in the hallway, and they smiled at one another then turned to descend the stairs. Alex took Sabina’s hand in hers, sharing her aura with her friend to strengthen her. Gaius placed a hand on Rohan’s shoulder doing the same, knowing how hard he and Sabina were working towards keeping their power suppressed.

When they entered the dining hall, many came over to welcome them back and hug the ladies. Rohan looked to Gaius, hoping his friend’s patience might possibly rub off on him as so many took Sabina in their arms. Gaius mentally connected with Rohan and told him it was a completely different kind of love, seeing Rohan’s struggle clearly reflected in his eyes.

“Brothers,” Gaius whispered aloud and nodded once.

Rohan exhaled and lowered his shoulders slightly, acknowledging the truth in Gaius’ simple statement. Eventually, they were able to take their seats next to one another again, and the four listened to John’s blessing. Elrick had claimed the chair next to Rohan again, sensing that something of great significance was afoot. He wanted to be close to his friend, and support Rohan in whatever way he could.

Sabina gently took Rohan’s right hand in her left under the table. She felt him smoothing his fingers over hers and lightly playing with her engagement ring. It was such a simple, yet tender gesture, and she hoped that over the centuries more of their brethren would see the side of Rohan he was showing to her in full, now that they were pledged to one another.

Throughout the meal, they said little, only worked towards holding their auras within. Alex occasionally touched Sabina and shared her power to strengthen her further. She was also watching Iain, where he sat directly across from them, knowing that if anyone was going to make a teasing comment, it would be him. So Alex decided to head Iain off at the pass, before he directed a jab at Rohan.

She sent her ribbon flowing until she connected with his mind, and Iain looked up at Alex, surprised that she was contacting him in private.

“Iain, I have a favor to ask of you this night,” Alex said softly to his mind.

“Tell me what you need, Alex, and I’ll gladly do it,” he said sincerely.

“Gaius and I have some very important news to impart to everyone here soon, and I need you to help me with our brethren. It will be surprising news, but beautiful all the same. And it would greatly hurt my heart, if others here did not treat this news with the respect I feel it demands. If anyone wants to step out of line, or tease a bit too much, will you help me?” Alex asked, knowing that he would want to champion her cause and safeguard her feelings, more than most.

Iain’s brow furrowed slightly over the worry he heard in her words. “Alex, I will make sure no one offers a hurtful comment. Rest easy, and know that I’ll assist you,” he promised.

“Thank you, Iain. I appreciate your help.” She smiled and inclined her head at him.

Alex felt Gaius’ mind touching hers, and she released her connection to Iain and allowed her husband in.

“What were you just doing?” Gaius asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

“Heading off a problem, before it got started,” she mentally chuckled. “I know Iain, just as you do, and I know the heckling he might have leveled at Rohan. So, I made sure he is on offense in order to protect my feelings. He’ll not offer one teasing remark now. It is all well in hand, husband.”

“I am such a blessed man,” he sighed, and she felt him shift in his seat to kiss her forehead.

“I love you, too,” Alex pledged, and smiled up at him.

“Let me ask Rohan and Sabina if they’re ready,” Gaius said, and let his connection to Alex fall away.

Gaius privately asked the two if they were comfortable with him making the announcement at that time, and both agreed they were ready. He smiled and stood quietly, taking Alex’s hand and helping her to her feet. He gently tapped his fork on his glass and rested his left palm on Alex’s lower back as she liked for him to do. When one and all turned in their direction, Gaius smiled and addressed the assembly.

“My friends and family, Alexandria and I are most humbled and grateful for your ready and ever-present bravery in such times as we have just lived through. To know that when true danger strikes, that we have many whom we love who will willingly rally around us, means more than we can ever convey with our words or even our auras. We thank you for standing by us, and for helping defend Alexandria from the demons, yet again.”

Many raised their glasses and pledged their love and support to them both. Gaius inclined his head at their words, and then he continued.

“And in the midst of danger, heartache, and tragedy, sometimes hope and great change can spring forth. For our most beloved Sabina, who endured far more than a soul should at the start of this most recent threat, this has proven true. Despite all the trauma, something good, honest, and beautiful came after the pain,” Gaius smiled tenderly, looking down into Sabina’s already moist eyes.

“Two in our family finally found their way to one another, and have decided that they are truly each other’s home in every way. Alexandria and I are most joyful and also blessed, to have the honor of announcing Sabina and Rohan’s engagement to become husband and wife. And the ceremony that shall follow at Sabina’s estate in just three days’ time. May the two of you be one another’s truest companion, love, and home throughout the ages to come,” Gaius said in a clear ringing voice, as he lifted his glass.

“To Rohan and Sabina,” smiled Alex, lifting her glass as well in salute of her loved ones.

“Indeed. To Rohan and Sabina,” echoed Elrick, slapping Rohan on the shoulder in congratulations.

“Yes, to our dear Sabina and Rohan. Our heartfelt best wishes,” smiled Archimedes, standing and lifting his glass, too.

“Congratulations, to the both of you!” said Titus, standing and toasting them as well.

That motion prompted the almost three hundred who still remained at Aeoferth to rise. There was a pronounced sound of chairs scraping the floor as everyone took to their feet. Alex noticed the stunned looks on most faces around the room, and that Iain was honestly speechless in the moment. She smiled up at Iain when he turned his eyes her way, and then refocused on Sabina and Rohan who were finally standing.

All glasses were raised in unison, and the entire hall rang out a toast.

“To Sabina and Rohan!” came the call, and then the dam broke.

Immortals left their places along the two tables and began to descend on the couple. Alex and Gaius stayed by their side for support, Gaius on Rohan’s left and Alex on Sabina’s right. Everyone wanted to look at her ring, and within moments of the first soul stepping forward to congratulate them, Sabina and Rohan stopped fighting against their auras. Their power desperately surged towards the other, and gave each the needed stamina to answer all the questions that were beginning.

Most wanted to find out how long they had worked towards a relationship, and how the rest could not have realized something so profound had grown between the two. Sabina was far more at ease answering the questions that were coming one after another. So Rohan stood with his arm around her, letting Sabina do most of the talking for them both.

When Iain stepped forward in the line that had formed, Rohan gave him a wary look, wondering what smart comment was poised on his lips. But Iain glanced over at Alex and she nodded at him, encouraging him to say what he wanted to.

“Rohan, Sabina, I couldn’t think of better news to have come after all that’s happened this week. I’m so very happy for you both, and whatever you need to get things ready for the wedding, count me in for support and help. Congratulations,” he said, lightly slapping Rohan’s shoulder and hugging Sabina gently.

“Thank you, Iain. Your words mean much,” Sabina smiled.

He smiled at her, then turned and gave Alex a quick hug as well.

“Yes, thank you, Iain,” Alex whispered, and he winked at her then strolled away.

Rohan and Sabina both turned to Alex, Rohan in genuine surprise and Sabina with a knowing smile.

“What did you do?” Rohan asked her, only to hear Gaius chuckle at his side.

“She took care of Iain for you. Now, let’s get through the others that are coming,” Gaius said, redirecting them to Nikolaj and Benen who were stepping forward.

Many of the men offered to coordinate a night for Rohan before the ceremony, but he respectfully declined. After over a hundred offers, he finally conceded that they could gather as they had for Gaius, for ale and a few stories. But that was all Rohan would allow.

It took almost an hour for the discussions and congratulatory line to come to an end. Once everyone had reclaimed their seats, Alex stood again and raised a hand, just as Ganymede always did. She had the assembly’s attention quickly, and she smiled at everyone as she took charge for a little while.

“Now that we all know the good news, we sincerely hope that everyone will be able to join us for this most remarkable and precious of unions. Sabina and I have already started to plan for her wedding to Rohan, but we need a lot more help. I have a full list of the items that will need to be flown from Aeoferth to Serenitas, and I’ll need a great many hands to help me load it all up and fly it first to London, then on to Rome.”

“My sisters, Emily and Helen, helped to secure enough villas in and around Sabina’s estate to house up to six hundred guests, so anyone who wants to attend will be provided for. If you are willing to take a task on our list and help out, come and see me after dinner. Sabina and I will be in the library for a little while before we turn in for the night,” Alex concluded and resumed her seat.

Sabina leaned into her side for a moment before she shifted in her seat to be closer to Rohan. He draped his arm over the back of her chair and kissed the top of her head, as he settled himself near her. Sabina gently patted his leg and then looked around at all their loved ones, many still clearly at a loss for words. She chuckled to herself and felt Rohan kiss her head again.

 

When Sabina and Alexandria finally rose to make their way to the library, Rohan and Gaius came with them. Neither wanted to be far from the ladies’ sides, so they settled into leather chairs near one another to read while a steady flow of immortals came in to offer their help in any way Sabina and Alex had need of them. Ahadi and Tomoko quickly took seats by their sisters, greatly excited over the news and ready to help lead the effort.

After volunteering, many of the immortal men drew chairs over near Rohan and Gaius to visit with them for a while. Gaius and Rohan watched Iain take a seat in the ever-expanding circle, and Gaius smiled slowly to himself over the still dazed look on their friend’s face.

“Rohan, I never knew you and Sabina had such strong feelings for one another. But I’m happy for you, brother. Truly I am,” Iain said.

“What’s not to be happy about?” grinned Elrick. “This is the best news, and I can’t wait to see you two content at last. You’ve been alone too long.”

“So have you,” said Rohan, grinning back at him.

“Yeah, well, I’m not ready to settle down just quite yet. Give me another few centuries,” Elrick teased, in his thick Scottish brogue.

The other men in the circle laughed lightly at Elrick’s statement, and many nodded that they were in agreement.

Throughout the remainder of the evening, Rohan relaxed more and more. Not fighting against his aura was a huge relief and removed a heavy weight from his shoulders. And even with the light teasing his brethren doled out, he could still feel their love, support, and ready acceptance of the news flowing through their auras. Whatever worry and anxiety he had built up in his mind, proved to be unfounded as the night bore on. And Rohan found himself smiling more than he could ever remember, while he sat in the library, visiting with his friends and brothers.

 

When the ladies were ready to call it a night, Sabina hugged Ahadi and Tomoko, then walked with Alex over to retrieve Rohan and Gaius. Alex moved to stand behind Gaius’ chair and she began to massage his shoulders and head a bit. He closed his eyes and drifted for a few minutes under her touch.

Sabina stood just to the left of Rohan’s chair and rested her hand on his shoulder, loving the feel of her aura freely responding to his without restraint. He lifted his hand and held onto hers, gently smoothing his fingers over her ring as he listened to Elrick for another minute. Sabina mentally connected with him and asked if they could take their leave from the others.

Rohan nodded his head once, then rose from his chair and bid the others goodnight. He reclaimed Sabina’s hand and they left the library, quietly traversing the corridors together. When they came to a junction of hallways, Sabina slowed and looked up at him as if pondering something.

“What is it, Sabina? I know that look, and there’s something burning its way through your mind at the moment,” he smiled, angling his head at her.

“Yes, I have a thought. If you are not too tired, I would love to take a swim before we turn in. Water always calms me, just as it does Alex. If you don’t want to get wet, perhaps you could sit by on a chair while I relax?” she asked, seeing his smile grow wider.

“I don’t mind getting wet. Come on,” he said, and lifted her in his arms before she could blink.

“And if someone meets us in the hall?” she asked, watching his possessiveness on full display.

“Then I’ll tell them to have a very restful night,” he responded with a devilish tone.

“I do so love that you’re mine now, Rohan.”

“Yours and no others,” he growled playfully.

Sabina was basking in the happiness and lightheartedness flowing through their auras, still amazed that her own emotions and feelings could be heightened by her power intertwining and combining with his. Her mind turned to what the new exchange might add to their life as husband and wife, and her skin responded by blushing terribly. She was normally not one to blush heavily, but her current thought had her looking more like a lady who really might be wedding another for the first time.

Rohan glanced down at Sabina as he used his back to open the door to the indoor pool and saw how bright her skin looked. He angled his head while he closed the door with his foot and set her back on her feet. He did not fully release her, just anchored his palms around her waist and smiled at her.

“I should change into a swimsuit,” Sabina said, still trying to compose herself a bit.

“Not until you tell me what has you so flushed,” Rohan said, arching an eyebrow and waiting.

“After we’re married, I will tell you what I’m thinking,” she said a little too breathlessly, trying to back away, but his hands held her where she was.

“Oh, no. Tell me now,” he chuckled.

“You are having far too much fun with this at the moment, for me to tell you what I’m thinking. No, I need to wait until after we are wed. Please, Rohan, don’t embarrass me,” Sabina said, looking earnestly into his eyes.

Rohan lost all pretense of playfulness and stared more sincerely at her face.

“Sabina, I’m only playing a bit. I have no desire to embarrass you, tonight or any other night. So if you don’t want to tell me until we’ve said our vows, then I can wait. Go get changed, and I’ll meet you back here in a minute,” he said gently, then leaned down to brush his lips across hers.

“Thank you,” she all but whispered, then turned as he released her to find a suit she could wear for a while.

 

By the time Sabina had returned from the ladies’ dressing room, Rohan was already in a swimsuit and had placed a stack of towels on a lounger for them. He extended a hand to her and waited for Sabina to walk over to him and take it. She smiled as she slid her palm into his, and they traversed the steps leading into the warm saltwater side by side.

“Do you want to swim a few laps, or just float for a while?” he asked, giving her control over how she spent her time relaxing before they tried to rest.

“I want you to hold me for a moment,” she sighed and turned to slide her arms under his.

Sabina rested her head against his heart and took a deep breath as she settled herself. Rohan did not resist her request, only wrapped his arms around her and anchored her firmly to his body. They had waded in far enough that the water came to the middle of her back, but a good portion of his body was still dry.

Rohan started to caress her back and felt the sparks that flew off of his aura as his power combined with hers in the water. He chuckled slightly at the sensation and heard Sabina echo him softly.

“That’s new,” he said.

“Yes, but it feels divine. Don’t stop,” she whispered, snuggling into his chest a bit more. “Tonight went very well, didn’t it?”

“Better than I thought it would. Honestly, what shocked me most was Iain,” he laughed, and she loved the rumble that went through his chest against her face.

“I wonder what Alex said to him to rein him in so well?” she mused, starting to caress his back lightly with her palms as he was still doing for her.

Rohan shivered as her aura ran over his muscles and she smiled, sending more power into him.

“Do you like that?” Sabina asked.

“I don’t have the words to tell you how much I like that,” he breathed, shivering slightly again.

“Because I love what it feels like when your aura calls to mine now. And it feels so much more relaxing, now that we’re not fighting the pull,” she confessed.

“We’re not fighting against anything, anymore, Sabina. And I mean that. I just want to see you at peace and happy.” Rohan lifted a hand from her back and tucked his fingers under her chin. He gently redirected her eyes to his and let his fingers move up to her cheek and play with the skin there. “And right now, I feel that contentment in your aura. I want this for you, more than I can say.”

“And it is what I want for you also, Rohan. I have never witnessed you so at ease and as relaxed as you are now. And I am in love with the man who has come out from behind the gruff exterior he had put forth for so long. He is brave and so strong, yes; but more than that, he is loving, kind, funny, and so very gentle with me. Always be yourself with me, Rohan, and never hide from me. Never,” she said solemnly.

“Sabina, you are the only other soul on this earth who will get all of me. I swear it with everything I have. I take my pledge to you seriously, and I place it above all others I might make to any other soul I know. You will come first, liebling, in everything I do.”

Rohan leaned down as Sabina raised herself up on her toes to meet him, and both immediately settled their lips on one another’s. He lifted her up and felt her arms wrap around his neck. Rohan took a few more strides forward in the water, so that they were nearly suspended and Sabina did not have to strain to reach him. He kept one arm wrapped around her to anchor her to his body, and slid a palm into Sabina’s hair to keep her head in contact with his own.

Their kiss deepened, until both became a little more emboldened. Sabina let her hands slide down along his chest, feeling her aura sparking in the water. He groaned, as did she. Rohan thought about his earlier conversation with Gaius again, and mentally connected with her.

“Sabina, liebling, I can’t …,” he started to say, but she interrupted him.

“I know, just one more minute, Rohan. Just hold me for one more minute,” she whispered against his lips.

Rohan felt her hands move back up to his neck and then over the tops of his shoulders while she explored him. He gave in and dipped his head lower, trailing his lips down her neck and over to her shoulder. He took her hand in his and lifted her arm so that he could continue from her shoulder to her fingertips. When Rohan reached her ring finger, he kissed her engagement ring and then turned to look into her eyes.

“Sabina, I have to stop, my love,” he breathed, nodding his head.

“I know,” she sighed, moving against him again and laying her head on his shoulder.

Rohan wrapped his arms back around her and held Sabina to him, as they both worked diligently to slow their longing for one another.

“Can you feel how much I need you?” he whispered in her ear, and he felt her nod her head against his skin.

Neither said anything more for several minutes, they just held to the other, savoring the new blessing in their lives. Finally, Sabina lifted her head and looked at him. The water and his arms were holding her up high enough that she was looking Rohan directly in the eye. She smiled as she touched his face and gently traced his features, pausing on his lips for a moment.

“You are so handsome. Do you know?” she grinned.

“So I’ve been told a lot this week,” he smiled in return. “And you are breathtaking,” he sighed.

“I do want to swim a few laps, but I just do not want to let you go. I have been alone so long, Rohan, trying to let my memories keep me company. I honestly was afraid of getting hurt again, so I just told myself that my memories were enough. But they were not. I know you’ve not asked about Cinta or Vincent, and I won’t talk about them if you do not want me to,” she said through the tears forming in her eyes, waiting to go on if he indicated he wanted her to.

“Sabina, you can tell me anything about your life. I am marrying you. That means nothing is taboo to discuss, including everything that’s happened in your long life to make you who you are. Tell me what’s on your heart,” he said, urging her to continue.

“Cinta lived before you were born, almost two thousand four hundred years ago, and he was from a family of fishermen. He loved the water, and he was so youthful and so vibrant when we wed. He was only nineteen, and though I told him again and again that I would never age and never bear children for him, he wanted me still. We moved a total of eleven times around Crete and Greece during our marriage, so that others would not see that his wife remained unchanged while he aged. And in his later years, some thought me his granddaughter.”

“The physical part of our marriage waned with time, but his heart and words were always true. I healed him after many injuries and of cancer three times, before he became too frail and too feeble to go on. After almost eighty years together, I laid him to rest. My father came to be with me for six months after Cinta went to be with the Lord, so great was my grief. He called Arianna to my side, because I could not eat or even bathe myself for weeks. Just breathing air seemed an effort.”

Rohan felt his eyes cloud as tears streamed from hers in earnest. He backed them through the water until he felt the wide steps that led into the pool behind him, and he sat on one midway up. He extended his legs and let her sit astride him, so he could cup her face and know she was supported.

“Go on, liebling,” he said gently, smoothing her tears away.

“Vincent, you met, and you were around him a few times through the years we were married. He was tall and broad shouldered, but not as large as you or most of the other immortal men. And as strong as he was, he was always kind and loving, but very private.”

“I also told him again and again before we wed that I could give him no children, and that his life would pass by while it would seem that I stood still through the years. And I came to realize later in our marriage, that it was hard for him never becoming a father. He was never bitter or cruel about it, and he never once brought it up. But I happened by one afternoon and observed him playing with the stable master’s son. And I overheard Vincent tell the lad that he wished he had a son such as him.”

“Oh, Sabina,” grimaced Rohan, imagining how much that comment must have wounded her tender heart.

“I honestly thought about adopting a child and giving him what he most desired. But I knew there was a reason that we could not have our own, so I thought the Lord knew best and I did not pursue it. We moved across England, Wales, and Scotland trying to let no other see my perpetual youth; but eventually, we could run no more.”

“Like Cinta, I mended broken bones and so many injuries or illnesses that Vincent sustained. But what I couldn’t do, was heal his mind. As he become older he began to forget little things, like what day it was, or what shirt he had worn the day before. Over time, he couldn’t remember how to saddle his horse or my name sometimes. Oh, I used my aura constantly to clear the fog in his mind, but it never seemed to take hold and rid him of the dementia.”

“In the last six months that he lived, after we had been together for almost seventy-four years, he did not know me. He would ask where Sabina was, and he would at times ask where his children were, but Vincent never once recognized me those last months together. Still I cared for him, bathed, and fed him. I even carried him, when he could no longer walk about.”

“And when he drew his last breath, I sat beside him on the bed and just watched him for over an hour. I could not believe that he was actually gone, though I could see him dwindling before my very eyes, day after heartbreaking day. The light streaming in the window started to fade, and I felt my father’s hand on my shoulder. But I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t take my eyes off Vincent. I just sat there, looking for the man I had known in the face of the ill man before me, trying to figure out a way through the numbness.”

Sabina paused and lowered her eyes to stare at Rohan’s chest briefly. She could not stop her tears, and she felt a sob escape her lips.

“Sabina, look at me,” Rohan whispered, hating the pain he felt her in at the moment.

Slowly her eyes raised and she gazed at him. She had never really seen Rohan cry, but he was now, and she knew his aura was responding to her pain and pulling that emotion into him. Before he could speak, she pushed the rest of her words out, to get through the retelling.

“I let my father help me bury him, and again he remained with me for a time as I mourned. I understood grief a little better then, after having lived so long, but I knew I could never put myself through that amount of hurt again. I swore that no mortal would ever capture my heart again, and call me his wife. I shut it all away, and used my memories to keep me company at night.”

“And that fear of hurt also kept me from looking for the hope of love with a fellow immortal, because I wondered how I could make a love last through the ages. I wondered, would I still end up alone in the end. But that is not who I am. I am not one who lives in fear and I am tired of hurting, Rohan. Just like you, I am so tired of the heartache, the loneliness, and the isolation.”

“I can be in a room with hundreds of our brethren and I still feel alone. Because I have had no true partner to share my heart and mind with, in the way that husbands and wives do. I have so much to offer; my heart, my mind, and my soul are so ready for companionship. Yet there is no other that I feel my soul cries out for, as it does now for you.”

“As much as I loved Cinta and Vincent, this emotion and passion that I feel flowing through our auras is much more profound. And I can only imagine what the future will bring for us, as we share our souls with one another, as I’m learning now only two immortals can with each other. I love everything about you, and I want to offer all of myself to you, so that neither of us are alone nor hurting anymore,” she breathed, crying in earnest as she uttered her last words.

Rohan could not take the distance, as slight as it was, while she was in such turmoil. He pulled Sabina forward and settled her head against his shoulder, wrapping his strong arms around her. He turned his head so that they were a breath away from one another and kissed the bridge of her nose, then her forehead. He left his lips pressed there for several minutes as he tried to calm the storm in his own heart at the pain she had known.

As his palms caressed her back to soothe her, Sabina’s tears ran their course and she began to hiccup softly.

“Shhh, liebling. I am sorry, just so sorry you’ve known so much sorrow in your lifetime,” he whispered and kissed her forehead again.

“But I am not going anywhere, Sabina, just as I promised you days ago when we first began this journey together. Now that we’ve both gotten brave enough to reach out to each other, we aren’t going to know this kind of loneliness and hurt, ever again. I swear it, on all that I know to be true,” Rohan vowed adamantly.

“Look at me,” he intoned, and she raised her eyes back to his. “I do want everything you have to offer me, just as I will never hold back with you. I know what a gentle, loving, sweet, and as I’ve now learned, passionate wife I’m about to have as my own,” Rohan smiled, and he saw her smile a little in return over his truthful observation.

“And I have never, ever been this happy, Sabina. Never. I’m not always going to have the most flowered words or poetry on my lips; because that’s just not something I know how to do. Maybe you can teach me, I don’t know. But I will tell you every day how thankful I am for you, how much I love you, and how you’ve made my life one worth living. And in a few days, I’ll show you, too,” he grinned, still hoping to lift her sprits.

Sabina’s eyebrows rose and she laughed loudly before she could stop herself. His smile spread in response to her laughter, and he nodded once for emphasis to keep her going. Rohan let his eyes roam over her face, and he took a deep breath, just savoring the sight before him and the feel of her in his arms.

“That is what I was thinking about earlier, when I did not want to share my thoughts,” she quietly confessed, turning a bit pink again.

“Oh, really?” he smirked, studying her eyes in earnest.

“Promise you won’t laugh or make fun of me?” she asked, biting her lower lip a bit.

“Sabina, you can tell me anything. And trust me, I want to hear this,” he said playfully, arching an eyebrow.

“I was wondering what it will feel like when not only our bodies become one, but our auras truly do in the same moment. I have never considered such a feeling, and I admitted to myself that our wedding night will still be a new experience for me, even after the previous love I have known,” Sabina said, finding the courage to look him in the eye while she opened up to him.

Rohan’s eyes became a more intense shade of green as he pressed his lips together, trying to suppress the mischievous grin that threatened to spread. But he lost the battle and she marveled over how young he looked in the moment, as he gazed at her and shook his head.

“Sabina, I’ve already wondered the same thing, liebling,” Rohan confessed. “And I promise we’ll take the time we need to know one another completely, in body, aura, and mind. In fact, we should probably swim a lap or two, so I can stop thinking about this for a little while. Because if I don’t, I’ll never be able to sleep beside you tonight,” he sighed, and squeezed her playfully with his arms.

“That is probably best, because I don’t want to wake in the night and not have you there beside me. Or worse, find you sleeping in a chair again,” Sabina said, lightly tracing his shoulders with her fingertips.

“Remember, I’m teasing when I say things like that. I’m not leaving you, Sabina. Haven’t you figured out by now how possessive I am?” he chuckled, starting to gently lift her off his lap and move her forward in the water.

“Yes, I have noticed that about you,” she smiled, turning to swim beside him. “And surprisingly it feels nice. Nice to belong to another and know he cares enough to safeguard my heart and my body.”

“Alright, more swimming, and less talk about bodies,” he said, in mock sternness.

Sabina laughed again and then began to glide through the water at his side. Rohan swam slowly, not letting his long frame and extended strides leave her behind. Instead, he kept pace with her, so that he was never really far from her side.

And as they traversed the length of the pool together, Rohan sent up his prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord, her father, and his. Thanks for giving them a hope, and a love that would truly carry them throughout the remainder of their days.