Epilogue
BPOV
"Did you like it?" Jacques stood with me, as water dripped out of his hair. He brushed his mane out of his face, taking the excess water with the motion. "It was fun. Did you enjoy this much?" I smiled as I climbed the rock, "I did. But I've never done it this high." I looked down to the dark pool below. Jacques showed me the caverns that had natural hot springs and pools. My breathing picked up with excitement for my next jump. Jacques stood to the side, measuring the height of the jump.
I looked at him, taking in his skeptical expression, "If you don't like this, I can call Raven. She's dying to try it." Arms were around my waist in the next moment, "You women and your 'female time.'" I scoffed and elbowing lightly at his stomach, "It's called 'girl time.' If you're going to insult it, have the kindness to say it right." He took me up in his arms, Are you ready?
My arms locked around his neck, When you are. Jacques jumped off the high rock and plunged through the air. I moved out of his hold, to only take his hand. The free fall was exhilarating, but it was nothing compared to flying. The water was a harsh touch as we fell in. The dark mass surrounded us as we broke the surface. I laughed, feeling the warmth over my body. Jacques pulled me against himself, ensuring that I wasn't harmed. My overprotective Carpathian husband. I exhaled slowly, "Perhaps next time, we could wear our clothes." He shook his head, sending beads of water splattering down on the surface, "You look all the more beautiful without them." My legs circle around his waist, feeling his body hard against mine. My lips slowly pressed against his.
Since my return home, Carlisle and Esme have remained in the Carpathian Mountains. Carlisle was very interested in learning their history. Mikhail kept a written history of our race. It was what I read so that I could learn. The hardest for Mikhail was writing about the Turk Wars, where we lost so many of our people, including his and Gregori's parents. Esme began to learn about the healing properties of the plants from Gregori. She worked along with me and Raven. They were also learning our language. It was Mikhail who conceded to explain about the Lifemate Ritual Chant, but it was almost funny. Neither Raven nor I could be near Carlisle when it was spoken. Though he wasn't Carpathian, Mikhail and Jacques felt better that we weren't there as another man said the words.
Carlisle understood and took it with good humor. "Mikhail, Bella is my daughter and I respect you and your family far too much to object." Esme smiled with him, "That and you're our family too. Jacques is our son-in-law now." Raven felt the same way about them. She wished to herself that her parents were like Carlisle and Esme. It was never said, but I saw it; Esme was beginning to see Raven as a daughter.
Jacques and I walked out of the water. The dripping stalactites above were ominous, yet beautiful. With the little light in the cave, they somehow glowed. The soft ground of earth and rocks were gentle as I walked across it. Jacques bent down to pick up my dress. He really didn't like me in jeans. I gave in this one time as long as he promised we wouldn't be in the cold long. No cold air came into the cave, as the natural hot springs stayed them off.
Bella, what is it? Jacques felt my worry. I half-smiled, Just a little hungry, or should I say thirsty. His hand rested on my neck, pulling me against his frame, Take what you need, my angel. He leaned his head to the side, exposing his neck. My lips touched his taut skin, then my teeth bit down. The taste of hot blood flowed into my mouth and down my throat. I pulled at the blood, feeling it strengthen my own body. My arms stayed around Jacques as I fed from him. His fingers gently pulled through my hair as he remained silent. Drifting my tongue over the pinpricks, I closed up the wounds, then pressed a kiss there, Thank you. He lightly kissed my lips, There is no need to thank me. He moved down to my chin, my neck, leaving warm kisses on my skin. Jacques inhaled deeply at my skin, I love this scent on you. He inhaled at the peppermint that was now my scent. His arms tightened, holding me securely against his body.
"Jacques," my voice trembled a bit, "we have to get back." He shook his head, We don't. Carlisle and Esme will be back soon. I breathed in the air, feeling my skin burn from the slightest of touches. "Jacques," his hands held my face, putting his lips on mine. My eyes looked down, taking in both of our naked forms. Looking at us, we didn't look compatible. But when we were together, nothing in the world matched better than my body with Jacques's.
He took me into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, staring into each other's eyes. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling his body sink into mine. The tight, strong muscles of his legs were like two pillars as he held me. Jacques's muscular arms were perfect as they were around my body. Jacques was perfect and was mine. "Always and only for you," he said against my chest. I breathed slowly, letting my head fall backwards feeling him move in and out of my body.
I couldn't fight my smile as I moved against him. His eyes met mine, "I love you, my angel." "And I love you, my prince." Our lips met as our bodies drifted to the ground and to the light caressing waves of warm water.