Epilogue:
One Year Later
I flew leisurely through the forest, savoring the wind blowing against my face as I gracefully weaved between the trees. From my very first day as a vampire, perfecting my flying had been a primary interest, steadily growing more proficient in maneuvering my body using my shield. The ultimate goal remained to make it appear as if I was truly flying. My current points of focus were refining my movements and increasing my speed. After my discovery that employing many smaller shields significantly enhanced my versatility, my practice sessions had seen a remarkable improvement. Everything was a process, and I loved training each and every day.
My newborn year had ended last week, and to mark the occasion, Demetri had taken me to a secluded cottage nestled in the mountains outside Florence. We'd spent the last couple of days making love, but my hunger eventually got the better of me, so we put a short pause on our sexy time and ventured into the city to find someone for me to munch on. Fortunately, in some of the rougher parts of the city, there was an abundance of meal choices.
On our way back to the cottage, we stopped to watch the sunrise, as its first rays were just breaking over the horizon. There was always something special about sharing these quiet moments with Demetri, and I nestled into him, savoring the peaceful atmosphere. Once the sun was fully visible, the urge to practice my flying hit me. I suggested to Demetri that he zip ahead and I would catch up to him. After around 20 minutes of flying, I burst through the forest canopy and discovered a spacious clearing. Demetri stood at its center, waiting. Grinning, I circled him several times in the air; the sensation of flying was incredibly relaxing.
A playful idea struck me, and I swooped down, encircling him with my arms. Without halting my flight, I angled us higher, relishing the feeling of his body pressed against mine. Once above the treetops, I held us there, and we shared a kiss—the entire moment felt magical.
"So, now that you're no longer a newborn, what would you like to do?" Demetri asked, a smile lighting up his face.
I pondered for a moment, a grin playing on my lips. "Well first let's head back to the cabin. I'm not done with you yet." I licked my lips and gave him a playful wink, hinting at what awaited him. "But once we're back at the castle though, I think it's time to set up my scientific laboratory. I'm not ready to truly venture out into the human world just yet, but I'm eager to begin my research."
"That sounds wonderful," Demetri's ruby eyes sparkled, along with his body as he smiled at me. "I can't wait to witness all the incredible things you will achieve."
It was a bright sunny morning outside of Florence, Italy, and as I soared through the sky, tightly holding Demetri, I marveled at how my life had unfolded. At times, it felt like my life was a dream, and everything that had happened to me was all make-believe, but that was not the case. This was the real world. I twirled us in a blissful dance, the wind carrying our laughter as I held Demetri close, my smile shining brightly. It was Monday morning and the start of another week.
