Rowan 2

“There was trial and error,” Rowan lifted his hand, waving it about. “He had to learn how to take in her life that she created before him. The children she had, the husband she left, she basically had an affair on the poor bastard, but she knew the bond she felt. It was meant to be.” Rowan smiled, waving at Adaline who blew a kiss his way. Certainly, she was born from a different era, the way she dresses, how she carries herself, and the delicate ways she had placed the tea cups on a sterling silver tray.    

Single human women, laid out on the lawn, tanning their skin. Not caring if the sun reeked damage on their bodies.  Humans, vampires, and children sat on blankets and ate lunches being held by their biological parent. Everyone was happy, at least the younger ones were.

“That is why I created this place.” Rowan interrupted. “That poor soul put himself to all that trouble, worried because his mate was to be fragile, not feel a bond, but she was far from it. She was strong.” he hummed.

“The entire vampire race owes you then,” I mused. Rowan didn’t say anything, he continued to watch along the horizon of trees. Breathing deeply the deep scents of the forest. This place was certainly secluded, but the paved drive to the west made me realize, that there was civilization was close by.

Giggles filled the air. “What of the young children while their parents get used to their change? Do they go through a blood lust as many vampire adolescents do?” I looked at one child that pointed to his mother’s red eyes. Rowan sighed, leaning back on the bench.

“It takes at least a year for the parents to control their thirst. The night, the moon of Earth makes it worse. The children stay in the dormitory building over there,” Rowan pointed to a large home similar in size to the Plantation House. “Toy rooms, kitchens, nannies of both human and vampires stay there twenty-four seven to take care of them. Blood lust can be difficult for a newly changed parent, and it is our job to keep their children safe. So, they are separated and given supervised time each day with their children.”  

Rowan grabbed my shoulder as I stayed slumped over in my seat. “I know your story,” Rowan gave a grim smile. My eyes diverted from him, now staring into the white gravel below us. “I know what happened." I ground my teeth together, feeling the scape of my fangs against my jaw.

“I prefer not to talk about it,” I snapped. Because I failed her, I didn’t get there in time. I didn’t do what a mate was supposed to do, claim her, take her, make her mine. I could have prevented it all instead of doing it some traditional way her coven wanted. They wanted me to take her the next day, prolonging the pull to make the bond supposedly stronger.

“Hey,” Rowan’s hand squeezed my shoulder. I flinched.

“Fate will lead you to her. Even the gods speak of fate and following their ways. With your hunk of junk broken down in the middle of my driveway and no way starting again I’m pretty sure that’s a good sign.” I scoffed, rubbing my hands down my face.

It had been five hundred some years since I lost her. I wasn’t about to get my hopes up now. As much as the lost princess told me that a mate was in my future, I found it hard to believe.

“Fate? This same fate that led you to Adaline after fifteen years of running?” I smirked changing his line of thought. I winked at him. Rowan chuckled, taking his hand from my shoulder. How he let her go, even if she was a human still floored me. Race wasn’t an issue, if the goddess deemed it so, I don’t think I would have had any hesitation.

“Aye, you picked up on that didn’t you?” Shaking my head, I smiled. “Kind of hard not to the way you look at her.” Rowan smiled, his shoulders slumping.

“I was a fool for many years, maybe I was punishing myself. At least she is here now.” Young adults that played with the football earlier, tossed it back and forth on the lawn. Women followed them, ogling them.

My unbeating heart ached, watching how happy everyone was. I wanted that, to be happy. I wanted to protect a mate, no longer be alone, and let my heart beat for the one that was destined for me.

“You know, every human that had children before their beloveds… found a mate either here or there.” I paused my wallowing, my head turning to Rowan. He chuckled like it was some secret. “It’s true. Maybe she’s even here waiting for you. Some humans have stayed, hoping to find their beloved to the vampires that are allowed to come visit in hope…” Rowan trailed, now standing to brush off his suit. “Just a thought to think about,” he muttered.

My body soared. Maybe she could be here, but that would be so easy. “Take your time, Sebastian, I know you are eager. There are some humans that don’t want to have anything to do with it.” His gaze turned hard. “Such as that group over there.” His head tilted to the group of humans with the football.

“I’m trying to get them to see we are not monsters, but they huddle themselves together like glue. Keeping them to themselves. Not willing to see. At least the newest girl isn’t there. She’s been too busy hanging out in the front lawn of her mother’s new home.” His eyes softened. “I feel bad for her, thrown into all this without warning. Her mother lived a lonely life and has grasped the bond tightly, which is great for her mate, but not so much for her daughter to adjust.”

Rowan shook off his thought, now leading me back to the plantation-style home. “Come, I’ll show you your room. You will stay with us, only couples get the houses while visitors get to deal with me every day.” He patted my back, as he led me back down the walkway. A girl sat on the porch of the light blue house, her long blonde hair back to me, drawing in a notebook.

“That’s the girl?” I muttered watching her. My body stopped on its own accord watching her intently. How sad and lonely she must have felt to be thrown into all of this. Rowan only nodded. The breeze blowing her hair in the opposite direction had me jealous that some other vampires could smell her smell. Deep inside me, something stirred but Rowan grabbed my arm.

“She doesn’t take kindly to vampires right now; she needs some time. You will get your chance to meet all the women.” Forcing myself to step away, I stepped up the plantation steps, my head still turning to the blonde that was now leaving the front porch of the home. Her long blonde hair covered her face as she scurried away.

Rowan only smirked, showing me to my room.