18 Splendid!

The following day.

When Laura woke up to a beautiful morning, she was surprised to see Luke beside her in bed. Then slowly...she remembered the things that transpired between them last night.

Awww! They have steamy lovemaking and... oh boy! That was her first time! It was so splendid, so mind-blowing and pleasurable...that she can't describe it in words.

She was blushing red after recalling everything in her mind, the union of their bodies so hot, she was sure she will never experience something like it again in her life.

She's going to marry the vampire soon and it's something that she wasn't looking forward to. Her life is already going downhill... at least she had created such a sweet memory with Luke that could last a lifetime and will shield her from the ugly and terrifying life she's going to face with her vampire husband.

She will treasure her sweet memories with Luke, it was the closest to falling in love with your dream guy.

Luke is everything a woman could ask for. He is gentle, loving, romantic, tall...dark and handsome. She envied the woman who will become his wife, they will live a long life together...while she is destined to suffer...her happiness and freedom will end the moment she's back in her home to face the vampires.

She snuggled closer into his warm body and buried her face into his chiseled chest. She will forever remember his masculine smell 'coz she won't be able to stay close like this with him ever again.

Luke opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around Laura's body. He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Good morning, sweetheart. How's your sleep?" he asked smiling adoringly at her.

She met his gaze and her lips broke into a girly giggle. "Very nice..." she answered delightfully and hugged him tightly.

"I love you, sweetheart, always remember that," he said endearingly, his voice laced with desire. He caresses the exposed skin of her arms sensuously.

"Yes, I will remember that..." she replied in a whisper.

Luke released a deep sigh. "I will send you home tonight...so that by tomorrow noon...you're already back home," he said sadly.

"Thank you..." Laura said. She bit her lower lip in sadness. Cuddling with him in bed feels so right. She wants to keep indulging herself in these intimate moments with him for the rest of her life. Right now, she was tempted to just stay by his side forever. But...she has a responsibility to her family. She might be living in paradise with Luke but it would also mean death for her father, her mother, her sister, and the servants living in their mansion.

She could not luxuriate herself in fantasy alone while the reality is about to smash her entire family with a preventable tragedy. Yep! That's right...the tragedy that was about to happen to her family can be prevented as long she will surrender to the vampires... peacefully.

How could she live in paradise at the expense of her family's death?

She isn't a selfish and greedy person to think only of herself and disregards the life of other people which includes her family and the people who are close to her.

This time...she finally realized the true meaning of sacrifice. When you let go of your happiness and willing to settle in the life you don't want to live - because you want to save your family from certain death - is called a huge sacrifice. It's something that she's terrified to do but willing to jump into because lives are at stake.

No matter how many times she thinks about her situation...there is no escape for her...destiny already created the life she's going to live for the rest of her life here on earth.

She glanced at him, misty-eyed.

Luke looked at her face closely. "What's the matter... why there is sadness in your eyes?"

"After I'm gone you are going to meet another woman, get married and have children. I wish you well. I wish you happiness throughout your life with someone you love. Don't wait for me..." she said in a heartfelt voice. After the vampires will take her away, she will be living in an old crumbling castle in a faraway land. There is no way she would be able to see Luke again.

"That's not for you to decide, sweetheart," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"The world is round...our path may cross again...let see what is in the store for us," he said and kissed her lips.

She looked at him with alarm flashing in her eyes. "You can't possibly take me away from the vampires...? Is that the reason why you are going to accompany me in bringing me home because you want to be there when the vampires appear and you will fight them and take me away? Is that your plan?" she asked him, she needed to know what he's planning in his mind right now so that she can prevent it.

"And if I tell you, that is part of my plan? Why? You don't like it? You don't want me to fight those vampires to death just to prove to you that I'm willing to do anything for you?" he said fiercely.

"No! Please don't do that!" Laura shook her head frantically. "That is the stupidest thing I ever heard from you. Those vampires possess supernatural powers. Humans are not a match for them. You will only get yourself and your men killed swiftly. Lives are forever wasted just because of me. It's not something that makes me proud...it will torture me... every waking hour of my life."

"I'm willing to die for you!" Luke declared passionately.

She looked at him in horror. "No! Let's stop talking about these things! I won't forgive myself if you will die because of me. You had a good life ahead of you. I want you to continue your life, meet a woman that loves you and marry her, then raised children together. That is the vision I have for you. It's stupid to die on my behalf because I realized that no matter where I go, the vampires will always find ways to locate me. I don't want anyone's life to perish because of me. End of discussion!" she said adamantly.

Luke's lips broke into a chuckle finding her outburst cute. He needs to change the depressing topic quickly. "Alright, let's no longer talk about this issue..." he finally agreed. "By the way...after breakfast...what do you want to do? We can go to the stable and entertain ourselves with horseback riding if you want," he suggested.

Laura's face broke into a dazzling smile. "I love that!" she beamed. Horseback riding always gives her pleasure. It's one favorite hobby of hers.

He planted a loving kiss on her forehead. "I'll go to the bathroom first, and let's eat breakfast together in the dining hall. Then after breakfast let's proceed to the stable for horseback riding..."

"OK!" she answered enthusiastically, nodding her head in agreement.

He rose from the bed and went inside the bathroom, while Laura remained sprawled comfortably on the bed...daydreaming of her wonderful intimate moments with Luke.