Leo sighed. “The true test will be when you step outside, my friend.”
Alexander looked to the stairs apprehensively. “Is it still daylight?”
“I believe so,” Elliot replied.
He held out his hand to her. “Then there is no time like the present.”
Evelyn climbed the stairs with her husband. They stood before the large arched door while Elliot and Leo rushed to find Grace and Ivana.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Evelyn said as she gripped his hand, knowing their life together hinged on something as simple as stepping beyond the thick piece of oak. “I’m frightened something might have gone wrong.”
A loud rumbling noise erupted in his stomach. “My God, I’m starving. Surely that is a sign all is well.”
She stared up at him. His striking blue eyes were just as captivating as the first time she’d seen them. The dimple in his chin that conveyed a playful charm still held her spellbound. It was as though the events of last few hours had never occurred. He looked the same, had the same intoxicating scent.
“Do you feel any different?” she asked as she examined his features.
He shrugged. “I’m a little weak, and hungry, but not for blood.” He winced and made a clicking sound with his tongue. “There’s a strange metallic taste in my mouth and my head feels heavy, as though I’d downed a whole bottle of brandy last night and am suffering from the aftereffects.”
“I suppose it is like recovering from an illness. You should expect to feel this way for a day or two. Once you’ve eaten, you might feel better and more water will help to ease the pain in your head.” She was gabbling, stalling.
Alexander glanced at the oak door. “We cannot delay the inevitable,” he said turning back to caress her ch
eek. “Open the door, Eve.”
With trembling fingers she grasped the iron ring, turned the handle and pulled the door slowly towards her. Thin slivers of light penetrated the darkness, the rays touching his breeches, his shirt.
Alexander instinctively stepped back.
Evelyn froze, unable to open the door fully.
“Just give me a moment,” he said, daring to touch the white light with the tips of his fingers.
With a little more confidence, he let the sun’s stream envelope his whole hand as Evelyn watched in wonder. Alexander stared at it for a moment, twisting his hand this way and that, examining it, scrutinising.
She heard their friends approaching, heard their gasps as they witnessed what in essence was a miracle.
“Can you feel any pain at all?” Elliot asked incredulously from the gloomy depths of the hallway. “I daren’t take a step closer.”
“No. I feel nothing.” Alexander nodded to the door. “I’m ready to walk outside.”
Feeling much more confident, Evelyn opened it fully. She stepped over the threshold out into the courtyard. She had expected to see some remnants of the man who had tried to kill them, but she saw nothing other than a faint dusting of ash covering some of the cobblestones.
Holding her hands out in front of her, she said, “Come, my love.”
Sucking in a breath, Alexander stepped forward. He squinted, covered his eyes with his arm. Years spent hiding in the darkness had taken its toll. Evelyn waited to hear a cry, the sizzling of burning skin, but he lowered his arm slowly to expose himself to the harmful rays.
The fear in his eyes quickly changed to excitement, elation.
He raced forward, picked her up and swung her round and round. “Sweet Lord above, I cannot believe it.” His cheers of joy could surely be heard down in the village.
“You’re making me dizzy,” she laughed, gripping him tight.
He lowered her to the ground, his hungry gaze drifting over her face. “It is so good to see the way the sunlight reflects off your hair, to see its warmth illuminate your skin. Are you pleased I am human again?”
Evelyn cupped his cheek. “I just want you to be happy. I just want to love you.” She was aware that their celebrations may cause sadness and regret for Leo and Ivana. “Let us go back inside. Tomorrow, we can spend the day frolicking in the sunshine, but for now, we must think of your brothers.”
His lips thinned and he nodded. “As always, you are right. But just do one thing for me before we go inside, before the sun sets on this glorious day.”