Layla's POV:
The next morning I awoke and swiftly began to get ready. Once I was dressed I woke Lorie and then headed downstairs to begin making breakfast. Once I rounded the corner heading into the dinning room I spotted Nicolae standing in front of the large windows with a cup of coffee in hand.
"Good morning." I said as I walked by.
"Good morning." He responded as I went into the kitchen.
I began to cook breakfast for the three of us when I suddenly remembered Victor. As much as it aggravated me I couldn't leave him out so I began gathering extra ingredients to prepare more food. I had decided on eggs, bacon and toast this morning and was putting it all onto plates as Lorie entered the kitchen.
"That smells so good." Lorie says as she sniffs the air deeply.
"Well here's your plate, go sit down and I'll bring you something to drink." I say handing her the plate.
Lorie walks back to the dining room and I grab her a glass and fill it
Layla's POV:"I don't like that Kevin guy." Victor says as I am on my way to my next class."That would make two of us." I reply."He seems to be pretty interested in you." He smirks.I stop and shoot him a death glare then continue walking."Are you going to follow me all day?" I ask as I near the doorway to my next lecture."I'm not following you. It just so happens that we share these two classes." He says with a grin as he holds out his arm gesturing for me to go in first.I roll my eyes and walk past him and quickly find a good seat."So what are you and my brother doing today?" He asks as he plops down in the seat next to me.I silently mull over what Nicolae and I had discussed the night before about finding out the truth. He's supposed to take me to the gravesites today. He is hoping I can channel my power to get a vision of the past and to unblock whatever force is keeping my memories from returning."The
Layla's POV:Once I am outside the crypt I run to the side and vomit. Although I was no longer confused and had the answers I was seeking I now had new questions I needed answers for. Once I was finished I found some tissues in my bag and wiped my mouth. I was rounding the corner to the front of the crypt on shaky legs when I bumped into Nicolae."Are you alright?" He asks as he helps support me.Nicolae's POV:At my question Layla breaks down in my arms and begins sobbing and breathing heavily. My heart aches in my chest at her cries and I wished I could take away her pain, to erase whatever it was that she saw. I gently stroke her head and after a few minutes her breathing becomes normal."I want to go home." She says in a hoarse voice."Yes my love." I reply and pull her as close to me as I can."You may feel dizzy for just a moment but it will pass quickly." I say softly and then focus all of my energy into where I w
Layla's POV:It's now past midnight and Nicolae still isn't home. I slowly get up from the couch and head upstairs. Just as I open my bedroom door I hear a familiar voice behind me."Layla?" Nicolae says softly.I turn to Nicolae and a wave of emotions rush over me again."Why are you still awake?" He asks gently."I was afraid you wouldn't come home." I replied as I looked down at the ground."As long as you are here I will always come home." He says as he walks towards me."Um, Nicolae." I begin to speak as he walks up in front of me."We...we need to talk." I say nervously."Ok." He replies.I motion for him to follow me and walk into my room closing the door behind us."What's wrong?" He asks as I sit down on my bed."I remember everything Nicolae." I say quickly as he sits next to be."That's good isn't it?" He replies as he takes my hand."Yes but...I remember it all. My life befo
Layla's POV:"It's good to see you made it to class today." I hear James say from behind me as I am leaving the campus."I'm sorry?" I say with confusion."Nicolae paid me a visit last night. I'm sorry I assumed you knew." He replied."Oh. No I didn't know but it's fine." I reply as he begins walking with me."He wants to meet with me today as well. Maybe you should join us. My wife Miranda was quite fond of you." He says."Miranda, how is she? It's been...It's been decades." I reply with a laugh."She is well and I am sure she would love to see you." He replies."Are you sure Nicolae wants me to attend?" I ask hesitantly"Well I do recall inviting you both to dinner once upon a time. Look at it as making up for lost time." He says with a smile.A few moments of silence pass between us before I speak again."James… how do I deal with everything?" I ask not being able to keep the thoughts and feelings
Layla's POV:It's almost time for Nicolae and I to leave and I look myself over one last time in the mirror before slipping on my black heels. Just before I leave my room I take the small gold band off the chain and place the empty chain on my dresser then place the gold band on my finger. I smile at its familiar warmth and leave my room. I slowly begin to descend the stairs when I see Nicolae waiting by the door as I walk steadily closer to him. His hair is pulled half up while the rest of his hair is down and straight. His handsome face looks stern but there is a softness to it that I've noticed. His black suit fits him well and my heart begins racing wildly in my chest the closer I get to him. Nicolae suddenly turns to look at me and I notice something in his eyes. Like he's just spotted his prey and he's going in for the kill.Nicolae's POV:I watch Layla as she descends the large staircase towards me. She is wearing a beautiful maroon colored halter n
Layla's POV:Once Nicolae and I are back home he leads me inside and takes my coat from me hanging it and his suit jacket on the large rack. Nicolae begins to unbutton the buttons on his shirt and I turn to face away from him to try and calm the rising emotions inside."Layla." I hear Nicolae's voice in my ear as his hand travels down my neck.I feel Nicolae's lips on my shoulder as he places fiery kisses across it."Nicolae." I say with an involuntary moan.Nicolae places his arms around me and in an instant we are in his room. Nicolae begins to place kisses on my shoulder again as he turns me to face him kissing my neck then my jaw. His lips land on mine with a hunger and passion I've never felt before from him as he pins me against the wall. I run my hand down his exposed chest feeling every muscle under my fingers respond to my touch. I feel Nicolae's hands run up my back and to the neck of my dress. He unties the halter and the dress slides do
Nicolae's POV:Layla is sleeping peacefully next to me as thoughts swirl in my mind. I know tomorrow will reveal many things to us and I am slightly afraid. I go back to the day of her death and remember the deal I had made just prior to her and I getting married. All this time I had thought he had lied to me. He had agreed to our deal on the condition that when the time came I was to end his life. I agreed quickly, willing to do anything to save the woman I loved but she was killed a year later, or so I thought. When the time came to end his life I did so gladly thinking he had lied to me and used me as a pawn in some twisted game. I never knew that he had somehow spared her. Saved her from death only to wipe her memories and force us to live apart not knowing the other existed. Fate has a funny way of making things work I think to myself with a quiet chuckle. I try to calm my thoughts and get some sleep knowing dawn will be upon us soon.Layla's POV:I awoke t
Layla's POV:I am breathing deeply and trying to absorb everything while keeping myself calm. Some time later Miranda appears beside me."I know you have questions that you want answers to. I am afraid we may not be able to answer all of them but we can try." She says gently."I get why he did it Miranda I really do but...why didn't he tell me? Why keep it a secret? Doesn't he trust me?" I ask."Love can make us do some pretty crazy things Layla." She replies."We may not have the answers you seek but I will give you what I know and help guide you to discover the truth. We will be waiting for you inside." She says then turns to leave.I stand outside a few minutes longer then head back inside. Once I am back inside Miranda brings me to the kitchen and motions for me to sit down. Nicolae is seated beside me and James is across from him. MIranda seats herself in front of me and reaches out and grabs my hands from across the table.