Ever After

Chapter 21



Difficult Choices



I was dying to see him not but four days later. I could think of nothing but William all day long. I could feel a physical pain in my chest and my heart ached. I felt lost and alone; it was all too much to handle. I could hardly think of life without him, although we had only been together a short time.

I knew I could not live without him. I had allowed him into my world; something few people ever were allowed. I had confided in him and exposed my weaknesses. I was in love with him and I could not let go if I tried. It was beyond me to do so. I hated to love anyone so much, especially someone who could break my heart so easily.

I could not wait any longer. It had been a week, and if I didn’t hear, his voice and feel his touch I might very well die! I pulled on my coat; a heavy early spring rain was pelting the house. I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. I whipped it open. The air was still chilly and the rain very cold. I winced as I pulled up my hood and clutched my keys and purse to my chest. I looked over and saw William sitting in the rocking chair, a big grin on his adorable face. I nearly jumped in shock, if not for my sore hip I would have. I smiled at him in shock.

“How did you know?” He shook his head, smiling and giving me a wink.

“My secret, but I had a feeling you wanted to see me.”

“You were right.” I sighed as he pulled me into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much. I could hardly stand it.” He gently kissed my lips. I melted into his arms. I could hardly think as he whispered he loved me in my ear in a low soft voice. I was in a daze.

“Please don’t leave me like that again.” He squeezed me, kissing the top of my head, and stroking my hair.

“Never. I almost lost my mind being without you, Will.”

“Me too. I was going crazy without you!” he sighed. “I’m sorry I was insensitive about our differences. I should have thought how you would feel.”

“No, I’m sorry. I was being a brat. I know it’s something we’ll work through. We can deal with all that later.” I pulled him closer, kissing him with a fire and passion I didn’t know I had inside me. Will was shocked at first, but he responded with the same hunger and passion as I did.

I had so many things I wanted to say, so many more questions, but the serenity of his warm embrace washed over me and my mind went blank. I never wanted him to let me go from this perfect moment, nothing mattered when he held me, nothing at all. I was lost in a world where he and I were all that mattered.

William pulled away, both of us breathless and shocked. We stood staring at each other for some time.

“I uh, wow. That was something…” I said as I sighed, lost in his eyes. He too was speechless. He smiled lovingly at me.

“Yes it was. I’ve never felt like that before; it is amazing!” He brushed a stray hair out of my eyes tenderly. “I could kiss you forever and never get tired of it!”

“Chapped lips though.” I teased making him laugh.

“I can handle the pain.” He tapped my nose. “I’ll take out stock in the Chap stick company.”

William took a deep breath as he walked over to the porch rail, and leaned against it, pulling his sunglasses up onto his head. I was always amazed at the stunning shade of blue they were. I watched him thoughtfully.

“We don’t have to decide today about your future.” He winked. “Our futures…I mean, do we Corrine? We can take our time and be sure of what you want.” I smiled at him; the worried look he gave me was too cute.

“No. I was just thinking you did not want me with you?” His eyes got wide in shock.

“I can’t live without you, Corrine. You are all I want, and losing you would destroy me! I fear every day something will happen and I won’t be there to protect you. You hold my ability to exist in your hands. I am dependant on you; your love keeps me alive.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Or whatever you want to call it, maybe not alive but able to function, to think of a day without you terrifies me to no end.”

“You will not know a day without me. I will never leave you willingly, it’s just me being human is a risk, but yes, we can decide later what we will need to do.” I really wanted to talk about it, but I was so tired suddenly. I just didn’t want to go over it again right now. I sat down on the porch swing. William sat down next to me and put his arm around me.

“I love you, Corrine.” I felt my heart leap in my chest.

“I love you too.” I quickly answered back and leaned my head on his shoulder.

I looked up at him. I wanted to ask him the reason why he didn’t like talking about his family much.

“Isn’t it easy just too… become like you?” I hoped I didn’t sound too childish. He seemed to be stressed at my question.

“No it’s not Corrine. It’s not really my choice; others are involved. I have rules…my family has rules. I have to abide by a code of conduct if you will.” I scratched my head, confused.

“Code of conduct? Wow, that’s something I never would have guessed.”

“No, most wouldn’t. They think we randomly kill people or turn them into a vampire at will, no thought in it. Just animalistic behavior I guess. The movies do little to help our image, but there are covens that do not live as we do. They are the ones we call the dark ones. They thrive on murder, violence and have no regard for human life.”

“I still cannot get over how you have a code of conduct!” I shook my head, smiling.

“I know it sounds funny, vampires following rules.” He grinned. “It’s just a code the light coven follows, or we’re supposed to follow although some do slip up. That is strongly frowned upon by the elders of the coven. It puts us at risk of being exposed and possible severe problems. The family I am in, my coven are Followers, a branch of the Light Covens. We want to coexist with humans peacefully and we respect life and its value. We are not the monsters the dark covens are.” I was shocked by this. I had no idea these worlds existed, these societies of vampires so vastly different, so conflicted.

“The dark ones.” He sighed, looking out into the dark rainy driveway. “They are the ones you want to avoid at all costs. They are reckless killers to the core. They hunt people for sport, not necessarily for survival. It’s all a game to them, and its pure evil to be blunt.” I felt a shiver down my spine of fear at his word.

“How do you know if a dark one is around? I mean, can you sense one?” I was hoping he would tell me they only lived in Alaska or something. He didn’t.

“We can sometimes sense their presence, but they are very skilled at deception. They keep themselves very well disguised. The dark ones are vicious. Hell, even other vampires outside their coven, do not want to be in their presence for very long.”

“Have you ever met one or seen any of them?” I asked timidly. I snuggled closer to him feeling suddenly very cold as the rain picked up.

“Unfortunately, I do know them.” He closed his eyes, his head dropped down he seemed suddenly pained by something.

“What’s wrong? You can tell me. You know I love you no matter what.” I tried to reassure him. I knew he was always afraid to scare me.

“Vincent,” he whispered in a barely audible voice. I froze I felt my stomach drop; I knew exactly who Vincent was. William had told me briefly about the one who changed him; it was very brief, and I didn’t push him that night for more details. I could see even at that, time speaking of his name was hard for him. I now understood why. Vincent was a dark one; it all made sense now.