Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,65
But how was she to know for sure? Fifty percent of marriages ended in divorce.
* * *
Quill shared a meal with her from time to time, but not tonight. She had been setting the table when she heard the front door open and close and knew, without being told, that he had gone in search of prey.
She felt a little guilty for being relieved, but she couldn’t help it. She loved Quill desperately. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him . . . didn’t she?
Yes, of course. He’d asked her to marry him.
Perhaps that was the answer.
“Life’s a gamble,” she told Ebony. “I guess marriage is, too. You make your choice and hope it pays off. What do you think?”
The cat stared at her. Then, with a disdainful flick of its tail, padded out of the room.
Callie huffed a sigh. It was time to make a decision, probably the most important one of her life.
* * *
Callie was curled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, the cat asleep at her feet, when Quill returned.
He frowned at Callie. “What is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re nervous about something.”
“Am I?”
“I can scent it on you, Callie. Your heart’s beating a mile a minute.”
She frowned at him. Like it or not, he would always know when something was bothering her. But she could live with that. Smiling, she said, “I made a decision tonight.”
“Oh?”
“You asked me to marry you a while back.”
He nodded.
“Well, I thought it over and . . .”
He clenched his hands at his sides as he waited for her to go on.
“My answer is yes.”
“Callie!” Sweeping her off the sofa and into his arms, he hugged her close. “I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy, love. I swear it.”
“You already make me happy,” she said, breathlessly.
“Anything you want,” he said, “anything you need, it’s yours.”
“I just want you.”
Setting her on her feet, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, a long, slow kiss that was filled with hope and the promise of forever. “When?” he asked.
“As soon as we can, I guess.”
Taking her by the hand, Quill sank down on the sofa, then settled her on his lap. “What kind of wedding would you like?”
She shrugged. “I don’t have any family. My only close friend is Viv. What about you? You’ll want your parents here, I guess.”
He nodded. “My mother would never forgive me if she wasn’t front row center.”
Callie grinned, suddenly nervous at the thought of meeting his mom and dad.
“They’ll love you,” he assured her with a smile. “My mother has resigned herself to the fact that she’s never going to have grandchildren.”
“Do you have any brothers?”
Something dark passed behind Quill’s eyes. “I had a younger brother. He was killed by the Knights.”
Cupping his cheek in her hand, she said, “I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago.” He took a deep breath and let it out in a long, slow sigh. “Why don’t you spend a few days looking for a wedding dress? I’ll get in touch with my folks and give them the good news.”
“Okay. Hey, what’s your last name, anyway?”
“Falconer. My ancestors raised hunting birds.”
“Missus Callie Falconer,” she murmured. “I like the sound of that.”
* * *
In the morning, Callie called Vivian to tell her the good news.
Viv’s reply was less than enthusiastic. “Are you sure about this? I know you think you love him, but aren’t you rushing things just a little?”
“It’s complicated, Viv.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but I know it’s the right thing to do. I can’t just sleep with him to make things easier.”
“Easier? What are you talking about?”
“He’s a vampire, Viv. He’s very passionate by nature and driven by a need for blood, and the two get all mixed up when we’re together.”
“Well, if you want my advice, which I know you don’t, you’ll leave him while you still can.”
“It’s too late for that. I’d like you to be my maid of honor. Will you?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll let you know where and when. And don’t worry about airfare or anything. We’ll take care of that.”
It was happening, Callie thought after disconnecting the call. For better or worse, she was going to follow her heart and marry Quill.
Smiling, she went online to search for the nearest bridal shop.
Chapter 28
Ricardo 42 smiled. Before leaving the Dark Wood, he had gone through all the reports ever written on the Hungarian vampire known as Quill. Most of the information,