As he was making change the old man was still shaking his head. "Tell yer woman if she comes to visit me I'll give her some cake. It would be worth it to meet her." He handed the change back to Aiden.

Aiden accepted his change. "For cake she'll definitely come. She loved the chocolate one I bought her."

"Good luck son, I think you're going to need it," Bart said sincerely.

"I do too," Gavriel murmured. The men all nodded.

*****

When they got back to the estate Aiden immediately went upstairs in search of his mate. The others waved goodnight and went in separate directions to their own suites. Gavriel followed the scent of his mate until he found her curled up in the recliner in the family room covered with a red throw. She had her hand tucked under her cheek and was breathing evenly. The light from the fireplace made her blonde hair glow like a halo. He walked over and gently shook her shoulder.

"Zain'ka moya, time to go to bed." He ran a hand over her hair.

She stirred and opened her eyes. She blinked up at him. "Did you accomplish your mission?" she asked smirking.

He nodded. "Yes, though I'm not quite sure they are meant to help."

Beth chuckled and pushed the leg rest down in the recliner. When she went to stand she stumbled and fell forward. He caught her easily and scooped her up. It would be faster and safer for him to just carry her upstairs. Yawning she rested her head on his shoulder.

"My eyes are so blurry. I could barely keep them open earlier. I think I fell asleep when Meryn was trying to talk to me." She yawned again.

"You were covered with one of our throws, looks like Meryn has taken to you."

"You say that like you're not already wrapped around her little finger," she teased.

He raised an eyebrow. "And you're not?"

"I can't help it; she's so adorable and blunt. She reminds me of my uncle. Keelan seems afraid of her though."

Gavriel smiled wide. "Breakfast times around here can be rough." He set her on her feet when they reached their room and he opened the door. She was already pulling off clothes before the door shut behind him. In only her underwear she belly flopped onto the bed and tunneled under the covers.

"My poor mate is tired." He removed his clothing laying them across a chair and climbed in next to her.

"Nothing against your virility but I'm not up to sexy time tonight." Beth yawned again.

"Then what if I were to just give you pleasure?" he asked as his fangs descended.

Her eyes widened for a moment and then she smiled. "Have your wicked way with me."

He groaned when he pulled her naked body against his. Everywhere their skin touched ignited whirlpools of need. When he leaned over her body and her breasts flattened against his chest he thought he was going to come like an untried youth. Every inch of her was pure sin.

"Please," she whispered and threaded her fingers through his hair; the act lifted her breasts putting them on display beautifully. His heart swelled in his chest. Even exhausted she looked to his comfort and needs. She had put aside her own tiredness to embrace him and make him feel wanted.

"You already bring me so much joy, the days before I found you seem lifeless and cold. I love you, Elizabeth Monroe, and even if it takes the rest of my days on this Earth I will thank Fate for sending me the most perfect mate and I will spend each moment showing you how grateful I am for you."

He leaned forward and kissed the tears on her face. She curled her arms around him and pulled him so that he lay flush on top of her body before wrapping her legs around his waist.

"I love you too, my noble vampire. You make me feel like the most precious thing in the whole world as if nothing else mattered to you but me. I know I'll never be able to thank Fate enough for giving you to me," she whispered.

Unable to speak past the lump in his throat he buried his face in her neck. He could hear the blood thrumming through her veins. He scraped his fangs over her skin and she moaned. When he bit down she arched her back against him panting. That night at dinner he had drunk over twelve full glasses of blood but it didn't compare to the richness of her blood. He drank deeply prolonging her pleasure. When she collapsed back against the mattress shuddering he carefully and regretfully withdrew and licked the bite marks closed. When he leaned back he smiled to himself. She had passed out again. He moved carefully to avoid waking her. When he sat back on his knees at the foot of the bed he could smell her arousal as a slick clear liquid seeped down her thigh. Grinning he bent down and lapped up the delicacy only his mate could provide. She twitched and laughed in her sleep.

He left the bed and went to the bathroom and wet a wash cloth before returning to the bed. Gently he removed her underwear and cleaned her up. He got up and threw both in the hamper. Carefully, he got in beside her and pulled her close. In her sleep she automatically wrapped herself around him.

There was nothing he wouldn't do for this woman. If the ferals thought they could come after him when he had finally met his mate, they had another thing coming.

*****

When Elizabeth woke the next morning she felt like she had a sandbox in each eye. All she wanted to do was go back to sleep. But like the day before, she had woken up not long after Gavriel left the bed. It was as if her body was already synchronizing with his. Frowning she sat up and pushed the covers back. She got out of bed and headed directly to the bathroom.

Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror she was horrified. No wonder Gavriel had insisted on carrying her up yesterday. She looked pale and had dark circles under each eye, but what was especially pitiful was the dark bruise that had formed on her forehead from her tumble down the stairs.