A revelation suddenly occurred to Adele, and she gave a slight gasp. “I've just had a thought that I can't believe never occurred to me before.”
Gareth pulled back to regard her as she straightened slightly in his arms. “What?”
She gazed full into his eyes. “Despite what you've always told me about vampires never creating anything, I know one who has.”
“Oh really?” He crossed his arms with humorous expectation. “Who is that?”
“You. You created Greyfriar. You made him with your mind and your heart and your hands. He is a piece of our history now. Just like all the kings and pharaohs in the British Museum.”
Gareth stared at her, contemplating the concept. A smile played over his lips. “It's not the same thing as creation. Just like when I was trying to write. You said I was only copying.”
“No, it's not like that at all. Greyfriar is a unique creation that didn't exist before you made him. You, a vampire, created something lasting and important.”
He laughed. “How simple you make it.”
“It should be that simple. I want Greyfriar in my life always.”
“Greyfriar. Not Gareth.”
“Don't,” she warned. “You know I didn't mean it that way.”
“I know.” For the first time since Adele had known Gareth, his eyes seemed to glisten. He blinked and nodded in acceptance. “Thank you, Adele. That's a very kind thought.”
“It's a very exciting one, don't you think?” Adele crushed him in her arms. “It shows that our people may have more in common. There may be a way we can coexist.”
“No, my love.” Gareth kissed the top of her head. “There's nothing in Greyfriar's existence that will lead any human to accept a vampire. Not fully.”
“Don't talk that way. General Anhalt has accepted you!”
“By your command,” Gareth pointed out. “And he is only one man.”
“We'll change their thinking one person at a time if we have to.”
“It will take centuries.”
“So? It takes as long as it takes.”
Gareth took comfort in her steadfast determination. Once she made up her mind, there was no shaking her from her course. And it was what he loved best about humanity; she thought far into the future even though she would never see it. He might live to see such change, but she would not. His heart ached at the thought that her life was so short in comparison to his.
In four hundred years he had never loved anyone like he loved her. There was no logic, no rational explanation save who she was. He would never find her equal again, and he knew it. He would live and die beside her. Whatever happened in the future, his calendar now matched hers, no matter what.
At the break of dawn, Gareth entered the great hall alone to find Baudoin waiting for him. The servant was seated at the table with two cats curled upon his kilt. The vampire paid the sleeping cats no heed, but he did gently nudge them off to rise to his feet.
“The din around here is deafening,” was his sour comment to his liege.
“It is less than a dozen people. You'll get used to it. Like you did the cats.” In his arms, Gareth carried his Greyfriar clothes and swords.
“Cats seem remarkably reserved in comparison.” Baudoin reached for the bundle. “I shall clean your wardrobe. It will be ready for your next excursion.”
Gareth dropped the woolen garments and steel on the table. “I won't need it again, my friend. I will wear this no more.”
“I don't understand.”
Gareth took the rapier and swung it through the air with a sad whisper. “Soon I will go to London.”
Baudoin took the clothing into his arms. “And then what?”
“I think you know.”
“I want you to tell me.”
“I'm going to kill my brother,” Gareth said. “And then I will be king.”
Baudoin stared agape. “You will be what?”
“King. It's time I give up my romantic notions and return to the real world.”
“What are you talking about, Gareth?” The servant panted as if gasping for breath. “When did you decide this? You've never wanted to be king. Have you gone mad?”
Gareth laughed and pointed at the bundle Baudoin carried. “I thought you would be happy that I'm following in my father's footsteps instead of…” He touched the cloak. “Instead of this.”
Baudoin stared at his prince. “I love you, Gareth, as if you had been my own son. You are loyal and brave and strong. But, my boy, you are no match for Cesare in London. Clan politics are his battlefield. I raised both of you. I know.” He pointed a silencing finger when Gareth began to object. “I don't know why, but I know you are doing this for Adele. Now, she's a match for Cesare. I'm telling you, Gareth, that human will destroy you. She's already destroying Greyfriar.”