Fear sparked in short, sharp bursts. “You’re not going to take the cure, are you? You’re going to go back to England with your brothers to live as you did before.”
Her mind was a jumbled mess of chaotic thoughts.
He smiled. “If you think I could go and leave you here then you do not know me at all.”
“I’m scared, Leo,” she admitted. “You don’t know how hard it was for me to say goodbye to you. I don’t ever want to feel that way again.”
“And you won’t.” He took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “I want to stay here with you. I want us to be married. I want us to live with our affliction so we can give my brothers the chance of living a normal life with their wives.”
She stared at him while the gravity of his words penetrated her addled mind. He wanted her to give up all hope of walking in the sun, all hope of ever having a child of her own. A moment was all she needed to reach a decision. In truth, she had never expected such dreams to come to pass. She had never thought to reunite with her one true mate. The thought of living an eternity with Leo was reward in itself.
“Very well,” she nodded pushing aside all doubts. “We will give the cure to Elliot and Alexander. I took their humanity in payment for a debt. From what I have witnessed, they deserve some form of recompense for their plight.”
“It is the right thing to do, Ivana.”
“I know,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Shall we go and tell them?”
Leo closed the lid on the mahogany box and secured the catch. Taking her hand, they walked out into the crypt.
Alexander and Evelyn were sitting on the floor against the wall on the far side of the room. His eyes were closed. Evelyn was curled up against him, her head resting on his chest as he stroked her hair. Elliot stood against a pillar. Grace was nestled between his legs and encompassed in his arms. Upon hearing their approach, both couples came to stand before them.
“It was always going to be unlikely we would find the cure and all live happily in human form again.” Elliot’s words were logical. But his dull eyes and harrowed expression tore at Ivana’s heart. “But despite our disappointment, we are truly happy for you both.”
Grace nodded in agreement as she held hands with her husband.
Alexander and Evelyn stepped forward.
“Please, do not mistake our subdued response for bitterness,” Alexander said. “We, too, are pleased you have another chance of life.”
“We want you to be happy,” Evelyn said hugging Alexander’s arm. “We do not want you to hide your true feelings from us.”
Other than the first time she had said goodbye to Leo, Ivana had spent the last ten years barely shedding a tear. Now, in the space of a few days, she had become a blubbering wreck.
“You are so kind,” she said, failing to stop the tears running down her face. They were tears of happiness, she realised. The cure gave her the power to make amends for all the despicable things she had done.
She nudged Leo, as she wanted him to be the one to tell them the news. As always, he interpreted her actions without her having to say a word.
“I won’t prolong your misery by spouting flowery words of love and friendship,” Leo said. “But know that we are both in agreement regarding how we wish to proceed.” He paused. “We have decided neither of us will take the cure.”
All four of them appeared bewildered. They blinked and shook their heads, glanced at each other, then glanced back at Leo.
“You do not have to spare our feelings,” Elliot said with a hint of compassion. “We understand how difficult it must be for you.”
“You mean you want to wait,” Evelyn clarified. “I suppose there is no need to rush. Now you know it is here you have time to decide w
hat to do.”
Leo brushed his hand through his hair. “No. You mistake me. I do not want to take the cure myself. I want to give the cure to my brothers.”
“We want Alexander and Elliot to take the last two bottles,” Ivana added.
Elliot covered his mouth with his hand to suppress a gasp as he stumbled back.
Alexander put his hands on his knees and bowed his head while he exhaled deeply.
“Why would you do that when you could live a normal life together?” Grace asked as her eyes grew wide in disbelief. “You could both be free of the affliction.”
Leo shrugged. “How could we be happy? Love binds us all together.” He glanced at Ivana. “This is the most logical solution to our problem.”