“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“They’re here.” I smiled and planted a quick kiss on Chansey’s mouth and said, “I’ll let them in while you finish getting ready.”
I tried to appear casual when I opened the door, but the feelings and reactions Chansey provoked in me didn’t go away immediately. When I opened the door, they knew and Solomon took the opportunity to take a crack at em. “You should have hung a sock on the door handle, man, don’t you know anything?” Solomon cackled.
I couldn’t be angry with my friend for his wisecrack. If he took a cheap shot at me, then we were back to okay and that made me happy.
“May I assume you have come to your senses and accepted Chansey as your agápe?” Sebastian questioned.
“Your assumption is correct, and as you predicted, I was foolish to attempt otherwise,” I admitted. “Chansey will be out in a minute. We can wait for her in the living room.”
When Chansey entered the living room, we all rose from our seats and I gestured toward Solomon saying, “Chansey, you remember Solomon.”
Solomon crossed the room and took her hand and lifted it to his lips for a brief kiss and said, “It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Leclaire, and you look lovely this evening.”
She looked my way with a facial expression that questioned his intentions, so I smiled, showing her my approval of his actions. She smiled, then returned her eyes to Sol and said, “It is good to see you again, as well, Solomon.”
“You can let go of her hand,” I advised. I knew he was yanking my chain, trying to elicit a reaction in me, so I gave him what he wanted and protectively stepped between the two of them.
“Chansey, this is Sebastian,” I introduced.
Chansey extended her hand. “It is very nice to meet you, sir,” she said respectfully.
It always amazed me how Sebastian was only eight years older than me in human years, yet his appearance and demeanor commanded the utmost respect from all whom met him.
Sebastian ignored the offer of her hand and embraced the woman I loved, welcoming her into our trusted circle. “My dear girl, I am so glad to meet you and we have much to discuss.”
I felt her anxiety of wanting to learn the truth, yet being frightened by it. I sat next to her on the couch and took her hand in mine, to ease her tension and fear. Sebastian started, “Sweet Chansey, we are so grateful for your safe return and you never have to fear Julian again. Unfortunately, he left us with no choice, but he has been dealt with and no longer poses a threat to humans or vampires. Curry and Solomon have agreed to never speak of him again. Do you join us in that agreement?”
She looked at me and I gave her an encouraging nod.
“I do,” she agreed.
“Alright, then. On to the reason we came to speak to you. Has Curry told you what he is?” Sebastian inquired.
She answered, “He told me he is a vampire and my birth is connected to his release from his maker, Marsala.”
Sebastian flashed a pleased expression in my direction. He was delighted with my progress and happily continued, “Splendid, so how do you feel about him?”
Her response was not immediate and I held my breathe. After briefly hesitating, she said, “I love him with all of my being and have my entire life, even before I knew him. I’m not afraid because I trust he will always protect me.”
Sebastian continued, “Have you ever heard of a Daughter of Anteros or an agápe? The terms are used interchangeable, but there is a difference.”
“I have heard of agápe in my psychology class. It is a term used to describe a specific type of love,” she questioned.
“That is correct, but it means much more for you and Curry. You are a Daughter of Anteros, the god of requited love. Genetically, you are your mother and father’s offspring, but your DNA is infused with an extra chromosome contributed by Anteros, making you a supernatural occurrence.”
“Did my twin sister share this chromosome?” she asked.
“I was unaware you were a twin,” Sebastian said, puzzled by the new discovery.
“She died at birth. She was born during the darkness of the eclipse, while I delivered during the return of the light.”
“I can’t believe Anteros would have allowed her to die if she were an agápe, but there is still much we don’t know, so allow me to tell you what I do know. You share a very special relationship with Curry and it makes you his agápe. Before you were conceived in your mother’s womb, Anteros chose you as Curry’s beloved. The love you share is divine, unconditional and self-sacrificing and is named agápe after the term used to describe the love that Christ feels for man.”
“How does Curry live without blood and walk in sunlight when other vampires are not capable?” she asked curiously.
“Your bond with one another has caused the return of some of his human characteristics and his lack of desire for your blood ensures your safety. The stronger your bond becomes, the more human characteristics he will exhibit.”
“Will we live as an ordinary couple?” she questioned.
“You are mortal and he is not. How you live is a decision and a compromise to be made between the two of you,” he explained.
“What about marriage?” she asked.
“Marriage was created by God for humans and your relationship is different from that of humans. You were joined before you were conceived and you connect on a level much deeper than a husband and wife, so marriage would really only be a show for the world of humans.”
She turned to me with question in her eyes and I saw the burning question in her mind, as she shyly asked, “Will we have physical intimacy, as humans do?”
“Physical intimacy is normal and expected between human lovers, but vampires do not experience intimacy the same way humans do because we don’t have a desire for sexual intimacy. We experience intimacy by consuming one another’s blood.”
She had to know there was no doubt I desired her, but I saw the concern on her face and knew she feared we wouldn’t share a physically intimate relationship. Sebastian continued to speak to Chansey and interrupted the mental conversation I was having with myself. “As you know, Curry is incredibly protective where you are concerned and he has reason to be. You know of Marsala and her obsession for him?”
“He told me she was obsessed with him and I was the element that dissolved the bond between them.”
“Before he found you, there was no traceable link between the two of you. Now that you are together, you will be easier to find,” Solomon warned.
She turned to me. “That is why you left me? To protect me from her?”
“I have told you time and time again, I will always do whatever is necessary to protect you, even if it brings me pain. Never forget that.”
Sebastian co
ntinued, “You need to know everything so you can help Curry keep you safe. Should Marsala find you, she will not be accepting of his love for you. You were the one that separated her from him and because she shared a bond with him when you were born, she felt your arrival and knows you exist. You are no ordinary human and would become incredibly powerful if Curry turned you. She fears your power, but as a human, you are weak and need protection. Now would be the perfect time for her strike and that is why it is so important that you always do as Curry asks, even if it isn’t what you want.”
“Isn’t it dangerous for Curry to always be responsible for protecting me? I don’t want him in danger.” Chansey looked at me and asked, “Wouldn’t it be easier to turn me now, so I could protect myself?”
Sebastian and Solomon turned toward one another and each shot the other a worrisome look before Sebastian quickly interjected, “That should be a private discussion between you and Curry at another time. We have given you a lot of information in a short amount of time. It’s a lot to absorb, but never doubt your destiny. He is yours and you are is.” He turned to Sol and said, “I think our business here is done for now.”
Everyone rose from where they sat and Chansey said, “Thank you for coming. Will you return to see me soon?”
“We will indeed and we look forward to seeing you again, soon.”
Chansey remained in the living room as I walked with Sebastian and Solomon to the door. Solomon reassured me. “Give her time to recover, then you can explore the unknown. Everything will fall into place, as it should.”
I gave Solomon a brotherly hug. “Thank you, for everything.”
Sebastian stepped forward and gave me the hug of a proud father. “Solomon and I can’t teach you the rest. You have to discover it for yourself, but I am so proud of who you have become.”
Words would never express the gratitude I had for either of them. “I thank you both for everything and words will never be enough.”