Wow…31 reviews. You guys must really love this fic. Well, here's another chapter for you. I hope you like it.

While your lips are still red
By: BG
Chapter 9

Rest, while bosom is still untouched, unveiled.
Hold another hand while the hand's still without a tool.

So Angelicus accompanied me in my search for Daihmin. He wasn't too happy about it, but at least he was sweet enough to do it. I hoped he could forgive me for being this way toward him, but I knew where my allegiance, and heart, lied. I looked back at him, and I could tell he wasn't happy. His shoulders were slumped, his skin was paling and his dark eyes only seemed to get darker, but watery still.
"Angelicus….Can you maybe get in front of me? I won't be able to see too well in the dark" I told him.
"Got it" Angelicus ran up ahead of me, but appeared thoughtful for a moment and then moved back to my side, "Every princess deserves a knight to be beside her, not in front of her".
I smiled. I knew he was making attempts to get me to love him, and I was afraid to admit that it was working. Night fell too soon it seemed, but still he never left. Maybe if we had both lived in a different world or different life, we would've been together and stayed strong for years, but…not now.
Sensing danger, Angelicus turned to his lion form and stayed by my side. We both heard the flapping of wings, but we weren't sure what kind. At least I wasn't sure. But I knew Daihmin was close because Angelicus was snarling begrudgingly. The sound of wings got louder and closer to me, I could hear it. It soon got so loud that at one point I thought I could actually reach out and touch the being with wings. Angelicus stopped snarling and went still, all his senses at work.
In the darkness, a giant vampire bat made its way out into the field that me and Angelicus stood, waiting for whatever it had been. We both realized now that it had indeed been Daihmin coming after us. Seeing me, the bat's fierce countenance softened and his eyes went moist like a seal's. His breathing calmed, and he seemed to be daring me to come closer, which I did willing.
When I was close enough, I actually touched Daihmin's vampire bat form, his face and head. I was surprised he didn't bite me. I'd hate to be bitten by this creature; it would rather eat than just bite. Daihmin nuzzled my hand, marveling at what was probably the first gentle touch he had ever had in centuries. I couldn't help but smile at him. Even in this form, to me, he was beautiful. He looked fierce, and believe me, from what I saw the night before, I knew he was, but now…he was so gentle, so eager to please me.
I drew my hand away as he changed back to his human like form. He brushed some hair away from my face to behind my ear.
"You came back to me".
"I had to. I somewhat realized that…that I belong to you".
"Not to me, but with me, Caitlin" Daihmin then noticed Angelicus behind me, "I'd like to thank you, lion, for staying with my wife and keeping her safe. I remember you…you and your pride".
Angelicus snarled and then gave out a thunderous roar, changing back to his human like form as well.
"You took everything from me that day. My home…my family…I lost EVERYTHING! All…because…of you!"
"I was wrong back then, lion. Too wrong to ever fully atone for my actions. I hope someday you can come to forgive me".
"Never…you vampires started this war with the wolves. War feeds like you do, Vampire King…it doesn't care what happens, who the person is that it feeds on, or all that person's gone through. And guess who was the victim that night?"
"I know that very well, lion. I'll agree, war does feed, but not in the best way. I cannot bring back your family, but there are many other lion prides out there you can find and join".
I didn't like where this was going. Both of them were getting angry far too quickly. I knew this wasn't going to end so well, not for anyone.
"And now you seek to another's life" Angelicus looked at me, "She doesn't love you, Vampire King. She never has. She was forced into this by her father. I'm sure you enjoy the thought of just draining her dry so you can frame another vampire for murder-"
"HOW DARE YOU!" Daihmin shouted, "I would never hurt Caitlin, ever!"
"So you claim…but someday you won't have a choice. You'll force her to become a dark elf, it's the only she'll make it by in your world".
"I would never force her into anything. I love her".
"You say you would never force her into anything, but what do you think you're doing now? Simply by marrying her against her wishes is forcing her into something. It's something I'd never make her do" Angelicus looked at me then, "Princess…I am nothing but a humble servant to you. I can take you back to my family and we can try to get your father to annul this marriage".
Daihmin looked at me and sighed quietly. "Is that what you want, Caitlin? Our marriage to be annulled so maybe you can find someone better?"
I looked in his eyes and then back at Angelicus. I gave the were-lion a sad look. I stepped toward him as he changed to his lion form.
"My dear friend, I appreciate your kindness with every breath that's in me, but I was not meant for you. My life and my heart belong to the Vampire King".
I couldn't describe the hurt written on Angelicus' face. I pulled back just before he struck a huge paw out and growled softly, mournfully. He looked at Daihmin and snarled.
"I'm sorry, lion" Daihmin apologized, "But the lady has made her choice".
"I'll come back and see you someday, I promise" I told him.
Angelicus walked away sullenly, quiet like a shadow. I felt tears sting my eyes, but I couldn't let Daihmin see them.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way, Caitlin" he told me.
"It's fine…friends come and go".
"Why did you run from me?" he asked.
"First of all, because I don't belong in your world".
"That's not true" Daihmin took my hand and kissed it, "You fit in perfectly with my world. My dearest, you are my world".
"How? I'm an elf, you're a vampire".
"Because you are the light to my darkness, Caitlin, my love…That's how the world will see you. You're not just my wife, dearest, but you are a very important part of me. Before you, I was never this gentle toward anyone. I've never felt like this toward anyone. But you…you provoked my love simply just by shunning me. I wanted to hate you every bit as much as you hated me, but I couldn't. Love's arrow has struck my heart, Caitlin, and has struck it deep".
I looked at him a little surprised. That had been the sweetest thing anyone had ever told me. I couldn't speak for a moment, too stunned I was. But Daihmin kissed me on the forehead and helped me to think again.
"And second of all…I was afraid of you. You were so angry when I ran that I thought that you'd do something terrible to me".
Daihmin's eyes went soft again. "Caitlin love…I would never do anything to hurt you. I may get angry and say things, but I don't mean them. But never, ever, would I lay a finger on you with harmful intent. It is the way of the vampire to be brutal, but I'm not like others. I will protect you until the end of days and beyond, but I will never hurt you. I would sooner die. And you know" Daihmin put his arms around me lovingly, "Love conquers over fear".
I looked him in the eyes again. He had rendered me speechless twice in one night. He adorned my face with all kinds of small kisses, trying to reassure me of his love, which worked to be truthful. For once, I actually smiled at him approvingly.
"Caitlin…give me a chance….and I will love you in every way possible. You are my wife, my friend, and my love. I would do anything for you".
I didn't know what came over me then. My heart was full of love for this man and all he had to offer me, so maybe that love was what compelled me to finally kiss him. For a few moments it was a simple kiss but then Daihmin deepened it, licking my lips to give his tongue access to my mouth and letting them fight for dominance. He, no surprise, won.

(Daihmin's POV)

Finally! The kiss I had been waiting on for weeks since we wed: A kiss full of love and finally approval. I had won Caitlin's favor at last. In that moment with me holding her close, our mouths together, I felt…wanted, beautiful. No one else had ever, nor would anyone else ever, made me feel that way. I ran my fingers through her soft red hair and my undead heart pounded inside of me.
After a few moments, we pulled apart. I took Caitlin's hand and put it to my chest, to my heart.
"Can you feel my heart beating, Caitlin? Do you feel what you do to me?" I asked her.
She moved her hand away and directed me to the ground, where she put her head there and listened.
"Daihmin…I can hear and feel…because you do the same to me".
I smiled and held her there, not ever wanting to let go. I kissed her head.
"When shall we go home my love?" I asked.
"Anywhere I go with you is home, Daihmin".
I then picked her up bridal style and let bat wings grow from my shoulder blades. "Then now it is my love. Remember…we have business to attend to".
"So we do my love…so we do".
With that, I took off into the air, not scaring her at all surprisingly. This was it. This was what happily ever after was. It was MY happily ever after….

Or better yet, OUR happily ever after….

It's not done yet, guys. I still got a few chapters left. Next chapter's gonna be kinda lemony so…yeah. If you don't like that kind of thing, I suggest you not read it. It won't be all lemon, there will be some cute moments in it too. This has been my favorite chapter to type so far, so I hope you liked reading every bit as much as I loved typing it. Well, hope you guys leave a review and tell me what you think. See you next chapter.