Twelve

The journey was long and Niamh opened her eyes to find herself lying curled up on Alex's lap, his arms wrapped around her, he held her head on his chest to protect her from the jolting, bumpy rhythm of the van.

"Al...ex?" Niamh blinked.

"That's the second time you've woken up in my arms," Alex mused. "I have to say: I'm enjoying your new habit."

"How can you tease me at a time like this?" Demanded Niamh.

"I need to fit it in somewhere."

Niamh sat up and then almost fell down as the van went over another bump.

Alex steadied her carefully. "Watch out."

"Are you really going to marry Emberlynn?"

Alex looked away.

"Answer me!" Niamh snapped.

"I'll do what I have to."

"Does that include marrying her?"

"Yes."

"What? But she's a complete-"

"I know. But if I marry her she may let you go. Right now she's jealous so I have to make her un-jealous somehow."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Cause some kind of distraction and then hopefully escape."

There was silence between them for some while.

Then, "Do you have a Plan B?"

The van stopped suddenly and Alex had to catch Niamh again to stop her landing flat on her face at the abrupt halt.

"W-where are we?" Niamh asked.

"Well, it's pretty hard to tell whilst still in the van."

The bolts on the door slid off and it opened smoothly to reveal Emberlynn's smiling face.

"Rest well?" She beamed. "Alex, you're coming out- the snack- oops, sorry I mean, girl, stays in here."

"I'm afraid I can't leave her alone." Alex said. "Thank you for your concern though. Say: Does this journey come with meals or an in-flight movie? No offence but as hosts I'm afraid you fail."

Emberlynn smile grew nasty. "Very hilarious, Alex. Now get out of the van or it's the girl who will suffer."

Alex weighed out his chances of protecting Niamh, especially with the burning pain coming from the wood on his neck.

He let go of Niamh's shoulders. "Stay here and keep quiet. I'll be back in a second."

"Alex, don't do anything stupid."

"Would I ever?"

Niamh bit her lip. "Please. I...I want you to come back."

Alex dug his fingers into the palm of his hand and turned to the captors outside. "Excuse me for a moment," Then he lifted Niamh's chin and kissed her.

Niamh's eyes widened and her hand clutched the material of Alex's shirt. Her face was hot, but then she closed her eyes as an intoxicating wave of rain and fire swept over her.

Alex felt a very human and very vampire desire awaken within him at the same second. Niamh tasted like...well, Alex couldn't exactly find words. All he knew was that feeling Niamh's warmth against him made him feel more like something that was living rather than something that was dead.

Finally, Niamh broke the kiss. "That was my first kiss," She murmured. "Though I doubt it was yours."

Alex smiled. "I've lived for centuries and had an uncountable number of kisses," He ran his hand through Niamh's hair. "Would it help if I told you that it was my best?"

Emberlynn smashed her fist against the side of the van. "Goodbyes are over!"

Alex whispered in Niamh's ear.

Her head jerked back in surprise.

Then he got up and left, leaping out beside Emberlynn and the female vampire slammed the door, leaving Niamh in darkness.

"God, you look so gorgeous, even after all that." She sighed.

"That's good to know."

Emberlynn nestled up against him.

Alex stepped back.

"Oh don't be so cold, Alex, after all: we're going to be married. You're going to have to perform your duties as a husband every night."

"Seriously, don't you think every night takes things a step too far? I may be a vampire but I'm not Superman."

"But Al-l-lex!" Whined Emberlynn.

"Ugh," Alex snapped. "Are you going to be like this all the time?"

"You're so cold!"

"And you, my dear, make me sick."

"No, I don't. I know you like me, but you've always been a human-lover and you feel so sorry for the girl that you're pretending you like her. See? I can read you, Alex."

"Like a book, Emberlynn." Alex said dryly.

"I knew it!" Emberlynn beamed. "So...we'll marry now. But do it properly- propose in front of my friends, I'm good at acting surprised."

Alex felt nausea creep over him as Emberlynn slipped her arms around his waist and nuzzled his neck.

"Seeing as we understand each other, I'll let your little friend go. But you have to prove you don't care about her first."

"Oh?" Alex sounded nonchalant.

"Like drinking her blood."

Alex stiffened.

"Drink most of her blood and I'll know you don't care. Leave her and come with me."

Alex swallowed- this is where his acting came into play. He tried to loosen up. "Ember, is there really any need for that? I said I'd marry you, didn't I?" He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes.

Emberlynn cooed. "Aww, Alex, you're such a gentle lover. I can't wait to be married."

Ruen cleared his throat. "Emberlynn? I thought I was to drink the girl's blood-"

"Oh pipe down, Ruen, there's been a change of plan." Emberlynn motioned for him to open the van.

Ruen scowled, but Emberlynn obviously had some kind of hold over him because he went to open the door.

"How long has it been since you ate?" Emberlynn asked Alex sweetly.

"Not long."

"Don't lie, I can tell, you know. And the girl has such sweet blood. You'll love it."

Alex looked away. Whatever happened, he needed to think up some other way. Anything but biting Niamh.

Once Alex left Niamh sat numbly in the van, her hands in her lap.

She played the words he had whispered to her over and over again in her head.

Could it possibly be true?

Did he seriously care?

Niamh leant against the side of the van and closed her eyes.

She mouthed the words that he had spoken to her:

"I love you, butterfly."