Epilogue

Damon stood in the doorway, his hand pressed over his racing heart as he silently took in the vision before him. Elena was standing in front of a full-length mirror, turning to one side and then the other, watching her reflection pensively as she ran her hands over the flowing greek gown. Her long curls trickled down her back and chest, the loose white dress brushing over her curves teasingly, her lips painted a light shade of pink...but the most beautiful part of this whole picture, what truly finished it off...was her big belly. Elena had been impossibly beautiful to begin with, but when she carried his child, her beauty was indescribable. The word that came closest to it was-

"-heaven."

He didn't realize he'd spoken aloud until her big brown eyes found him and a warm smile curled her lips.

"Spying on me?" she sang, teasingly.

He grinned, slowly walking over to her. "Spying? On you? That's an arrogant presumption, don't you think?"

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "So, you want me to believe that you came al the way up to the top floor of our three-story home only to stand in the doorway of our bedroom and I just happened to be here, huh?"

"No, I did come up here to see someone," he rumbled. "Just not you."

A confused expression took over her face...and then, Damon dropped to his knees in front of her, cupping her belly, making her laugh even louder.

"You know," Damon whispered against her bump. "Your mother is a little full of herself."

She slapped his shoulder before her fingers started combing through his hair lovingly.

"But she has every right, too," Damon continued, glancing up at her. "You should see her, kid. She's gorgeous."

Her eyes turned even warmer, drowning him in the love he found there.

"Your father doesn't look so bad either," she whispered. "He can pull off a tux."

Damon rose, his hand on the nape of her back pressing her as close to him as her belly would allow, wiggling his eyebrows arrogantly. "If you want to pull off my tux, all you have to do is ask."

"Tempting...but we have a garden full of friends and family waiting for us."

"Let them wait."

She smiled, pressing her forehead against his, biting that lip of hers. The moonlight that poured in through the floor-to-ceiling window gave her skin a magical glow, made her eyes spark with silver.

"How can you even want me when I look like a giant elephant."

"You're not a giant elephant. You're a small elephant at most."

She gasped dramatically, slapping his hard chest.

He caught her hand, keeping it pressed against his heart, his eyes serious on hers as he growled, "You know you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Love. And I will always want you."

She smiled, the compliment making her blush deepen.

His animal roaring, he brushed his lips over her cheek, feeling the blood rush underneath. "Now, are you sure we can't be fashionably late to this thing."

He heard her heartbeat pick up, her fingers curling into his shirt. "We organized this thing-"

He growled in protest before biting her skin softly and licking away the sting.

She swallowed hard, her shallow breaths turning into pants. "Damon, sweetheart, you really need to stop."

"Why?" he whispered, brushing the strap of her gown to the side with his lips. "Why should I stop when I'm about to-"

Suddenly, loud, high-pitched screams filled the room as Elena snickered, "That's why."

The second he saw his sons spurt towards their poor mother, Damon cut off their path, grabbing a boy under each arm, making them laugh loudly as he twirled them around. Elena shot him a grateful smile as she rubbed her belly. Normally, she was first in line to welcome their kids, but since she was now eight months pregnant with their third, the whole wrestling part of the ritual was becoming a bit difficult-not to mention exhausting-for his Mate.

"Killian! Asher!" Stefan stormed in the room, his eyes apologetic on Elena. "I'm sorry, guys. I tried, but they're just so fast!"

Damon laughed at the desperation on Stefan's face. He'd been tasked with keeping Killian and Asher occupied while Elena got ready and he welcomed their guests...but from the looks of it, his two and one-and-a-half year old had overpowered his hundred and sixty-six year old brother. To be fair though, his sons were quite exceptional.

They'd had their wedding right after their eldest-Killian Nicolai Salvatore- had been born two years ago and Damon had intended to turn Elena into a vampire on their wedding night. However, he'd been too distracted consummating their marriage, so he'd postponed...and nine weeks later, Asher Kol Salvatore been brought into the world. So, their sons were barely two...and already they were talking and running like four-year-olds. They'd been worried at first, but after a talk with Esther, it had become clear that this was to be expected. Their boys had become fully grown inside of Elena's womb after nine weeks, so they'd simply kept growing that fast after they'd been born...and they would keep growing that fast until they reached the physical age of twenty-five.

So, his sons, he kind of understood...but now, Elena was pregnant again. She'd wanted one more child before becoming a vampire and he'd agreed very eagerly. After all, he loved being a father. However, this time around, things were a little different. This time, she was pregnant with a girl. A daughter. A human daughter. Well, not exactly human. After another consultation with Esther, he'd found out that his little girl was a Crescător, like her mother, at least until her twenty-fifth birthday. On that day, she would be able to choose if she wanted to remain a Crescător and thereby human or if she wanted to become a vampire. If she chose to stay a Crescător, she would never be able to turn into a vampire again. If she chose to be a vampire, her Crescător-days would be over and she would become as powerful as her brothers.

But that were headaches for later. For now, what worried him was the fact that his daughter was human and that she would be vulnerable for twenty-five long years. What also worried him, was the fact that this pregnancy was starting to wear his sweet Elena down. Carrying a child for the full nine months-without a supernatural power burst- was a new experience for her and adding to that two very energetic toddlers... Let's just say she was ready to give birth.

"Did you give uncle Stefan a hard time?" Elena chimed, sitting down on the bed so she could get closer to her sons. She couldn't exactly bend down anymore and pick them up like she used to.

Asher and Killian climbed up the mattress, sitting on either side of their mother, looking up at her with pure adoration.

"We wanted to show you and daddy our shirts!" Killian cheered. "Look!"

Elena giggled as Killian and Asher puffed out their chests proudly, showing off their new crisp, white button-down shirts.

"Wow," she sang, her fingers combing through the boys' raven hair. "Look how handsome they are, daddy."

Damon crouched down in front of his little family, three pairs of warm, brown eyes zooming in on him.

"Very handsome," he said, noticing how Elena was starting to squirm. She was clearly uncomfortable sitting up without any back support. "Has uncle Elijah seen your shirts already? I'm sure he would love to see."

"Uncle Elijah is here?" Asher asked, his tiny lips curling even more.

"And uncle Finn and auntie Rebekah-"

The boys disappeared in a blur, Stefan shooting them a desperate look before he disappeared after them.

"One day-" Damon smiled, helping Elena up. "-and he's already exhausted."

Elena laughed, curling into his side. "In his defense, the boys are extremely hyper today."

"They're excited about the party. Speaking off-" he moved to stand in front of her, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a little black box. "Happy anniversary, my Love."

She bit her lip again, softly shaking her head. "Sweetheart, we said no presents, remember?"

"Did we say that?"

"Yes, we did," she said, her eyes guilty on his. "And between the boys and getting the house together, I didn't have time to get you anything-"

"You're kidding me, right?" Damon cut her off, cupping her belly sweetly. "Love, you gave me everything."

She cast him a sweet smile as he opened the velvet box.

"Damon," she gasped, staring at the ring inside. The setting was solid gold in a beautiful openwork pattern of hearts and swirls and in the middle, a deep blue lapis lazuli stone was sparkling. "It's beautiful."

Proudly, Damon took her hand in his, brushing his thumb over the golden wedding ring, seeing her in that white dress again, walking down that aisle, towards him. Even just the memory still made his heart run wild.

"It's a Daylight-ring," he rumbled, slipping the gold over her finger, relieved to find the jewel matched her wedding band. "I know you technically don't need it yet, but you will once our girl is born...and I don't ever want you to miss a single sunrise. I know how much you love those."

He saw a tear slip down her cheek, but before he could brush it away, she was kissing him, her hands pressed against his chest, her belly nudging his...and then, he felt a small blow against his stomach and Elena pulled back, laughing.

"Your daughter's a kicker."

Damon smiled endearingly, rubbing her belly. "A fighter. Like her mom."

"And her dad."

He leaned in to kiss her again, but before he could, a female voice sighed, "I knew you two would be here, so wrapped up in each other you'd forget all about us down there."

Damon's lips twitched. "Hello, Rose."

The vampire cast them both a sweet smile before closing in for a hug.

"Wow, look at you! You're huge!" Rose chimed, wrapping her arms around Elena.

"How nice of you," his Mate said as Damon rubbed her back sweetly.

"Oh, please," Rose snickered, waving her hand dismissively. "You're gorgeous. Now, you two should come down. Everyone's waiting."

The second Elena stepped outside of their home, she heard her breathing falter. She hadn't seen what Damon had done outside yet; he'd wanted it to be a surprise...and god, was she surprised. Fairy lights were woven into the trees that surrounded the massive clearing, lanterns that cast a warm orange glow were floating on the lake and mason jars in all colors and sizes were scattered around the property, illuminating the night...

"How did you do this without me noticing?" she whispered, staring wide-eyed at the giant wooden table that stood in front of their house. It was set with crystal glasses and porcelain plates, red flowers, beautifully folded napkins and more cozy lights.

"I still have some tricks up my sleeve," he breathed, kissing her hair.

She shook her head softly, feeling tears well up in her eyes again. "It's amazing. I love-"

"Mom!"

She grinned as she noticed Killian waving at her from across the clearing, his free hand clasping Asher's.

"Hey baby!" she yelled back, waving. "Stay away from the lake, okay?"

He ignored her, but Alaric, who was keeping an eye on them, winked at her, signaling he was on it.

"I can't believe everyone came," Damon said, tucking her closer into his side. "I think this is the first time since our wedding that we got them all together in one place at the same time."

Elena just nodded, her eyes gliding over the crowd. Rose was standing by the lake with her Mate, Adam. Lexi was sitting at the table with her husband, Lee; and Bonnie was taking a closer look at some herbs that grew at the edge of the woods with Abby, her mother. Elijah, Finn and Rebekah were having an animated conversation, drinking, laughing as they watched Killian and Asher drive Alaric crazy. They themselves had taken care of their boys on multiple occasions and they knew they were a handful...but they loved it. Since Killian had been born, they were always at their every beck and call, ready to babysit or just get together. Next to her, Damon and Stefan, she was pretty sure those three loved her kids most.

A soft breeze stroked her skin, making her wrap her arms around herself.

"Are you cold?" Damon asked, holding her closer.

"A little."

"I'll get you a blanket."

"No, you don't have to-" He was gone before she could finish her protest.

Still so dominant, she thought, watching him fly up the stairs.

When she turned back to the crowd, her eyes caught something...something disappearing in the woods...something it couldn't have caught...

As if hypnotized, Elena crossed the clearing, leaving behind the crowd, entering the woods where she'd seen the shadow enter...

...and then freezing on the spot.

Elena couldn't breath, couldn't speak...all she could do was stare at the three figures in front of her. Just when she felt her knees wobble, Damon showed up beside her, supporting her.

"Who are you?" he asked, glaring suspiciously at their unexpected guests.

Elena swallowed hard, her voice breaking when she whispered, "They're my family."

She felt Damon watch her confused, but Elena couldn't look away from her mother, her father and her little brother. They looked just as she remembered. Her mother's brown wavy hair and warm smile, her father's short black hair and stubbled chin and her brother, her little brother, watching her with those big brown eyes that matched hers...

"You're not real," she whispered, her vision blurring with tears. "You can't be real."

"Hello, little one," her dad rumbled in that comforting voice of his...and then, Elena flew forward, wrapping her arms around her father's neck, breathing in that familiar scent. She could feel her mother and brother join the hug, trapping her in their embrace, making her feel like a child again, safe and warm, loved unconditionally.

"How is this possible?" she croaked as she let go of her father. "How are you here?"

Her mom brushed her hands over her cheeks, wiping away her tears, that look in her eyes only mothers had. She hoped her sons saw that look in her eyes too, that look that whispered her love for her children.

"Hades send us," she said, cupping her face in her soft hands. "He told us to tell you congratulations. And thank you."

"Thank you? Why thank you?"

Her mother's eyes flew to Damon as he spoke, her lips curling. "I don't know. He didn't say. You must be Damon."

Elena rubbed her forehead, her senses coming back to her. "Right, I'm sorry. Mom, dad, Nicolai, this is Damon Salvatore, my husband."

Damon joined her side, curling an arm around her waist, smiling at her parents and brother. "It's an honor to meet all of you."

"The honor is all ours," her mother sang, pulling Damon in for a big hug. "Thank you, mister Salvatore."

"What for?" Damon whispered.

"Protecting my daughter. Making her happy."

Damon's lips twitched as her mother released him, tucking Elena back into his side. "I'm the one who should be thanking you, for your daughter. She's-" he gazed down at her. "-my world."

"We know," her father said, running a hand over her belly.

Elena felt fresh tears roll over her eyes as she covered her father's hand. She never could've dreamt her dad would ever be touching her pregnant belly...

"You should come meet your grandsons," Elena croaked, smiling at her little brother. "Your nephews."

Nicolai's smile faltered for a second. "We'd love too, but we can't. We have to leave soon."

"When?" Damon asked, his hold on her already tightening comfortingly.

"In a few minutes."

"No," she said, panicking. "There's so much I need to say-"

"You don't have to say it, sis," Nicolai smiled, taking her hand in his.

"Yes, I do," she croaked. "I'm so sorry. It was all my fault-"

"No," her mother cut her off, her eyes soft. "You have to let go of that guilt, sweetheart."

She shook her head violently, more tears falling as Damon rubbed her back sweetly. "You warned me about Niklaus-"

"-because we thought he wasn't right for you, Lena," her dad cut in. "Not because we suspected he was a homicidal psychopath. No one could've seen his actions coming."

"I could've," she whispered. "I should've. Please, forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive," her mother whispered back, cupping her wet cheeks. "It wasn't your fault."

"I should've-"

"Listen to me," her mom pushed. "It wasn't your fault. And you have to stop feeling guilty about being as happy as you are. You have every right to be. You've earned your life, sweetheart. You've fought so hard, opened you heart when most would've stayed closed off and through it all, you've been kind and generous, like we taught you to be. So, love your children, love your husband and don't waste a second longer feeling guilty about it."

Elena smiled, pulling her mother back in for a hug.

Damon took a step back, watching his beautiful wife reunite with her family. He had to give it to Hades, this was the best possible gift anyone could've given her. He knew she still felt guilty about her family's murder and even though he'd told her over and over again that there was nothing she could've done, she never truly believed him...but she believed it now. He could see it in her eyes, could sense that weight lifting from her heart...He would add it to his list of things he should thank Hades for if they ever met again.

When her father announced they had to leave, Damon joined his girl again, holding her close, trying to soften the blow.

"Just tell me one more thing," Elena whispered. "Are you okay where you are? Are you happy?"

"Yes," Nicolai said, smiling. "Because we know you are happy now. Enjoy your family, Lena. I love you."

She smiled, her eyes glistening.

"I love you," her mom repeated.

"I love you," her father said.

"I love you all, too," she croaked, her hand pressed against her heart. "So much."

They smiled...

...and then, they were gone.

Damon hugged her against his chest, letting her cry as he held her quietly. There was nothing he could say, nothing that had to be said, except maybe, "I love you."

She looked up at him, her eyes red, her lips curling in a sad smile. "I'm so happy you got to meet them."

"So am I," he whispered, brushing her tears away with his thumbs. "Your family's wonderful."

Her eyes flickered to a point behind him. "Yes, they are."

When she followed her gaze, he noticed a space between two trees that gave a perfect view on Asher and Killian. The boys were playing with Stefan, laughing, miniature versions of Elena and him, running around.

"Thank you," she suddenly whispered, no more tears in her eyes.

"What for, Love?"

"My life."

He shook his head softly before he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Everything I am, everything I have, I owe to you, because you decided I was worth loving. I don't know how, I don't know why, but somewhere along the way, you saw something in me no one has ever seen before and for that, I am more grateful than you'll ever know. So, don't thank me, my Love. You don't ever have to thank me, because I am indebted to you forever and I'll spend eternity making sure I'm worthy of your love and those three beautiful miracles you've blessed me with. I belong to you, Elena Gilbert. Body and soul, I'm yours. Forever."

Marveling in his deep voice as he made the vow she had made to him two years ago-the one that had led to Killian-she took his hand and lead him back to their home, to their friends, to their family, knowing it would always be like that. She would always have Damon; she would always have her children and they would be together; a family.

Forever.

Heart of darkness (spin-off)

Prologue

The air was musty and warm; the soft, silver light from the moon that shone through the open curtains doing little to pierce the darkness. Adrianna had no idea where she was. She'd never been in this room before, she'd never seen the red, velvet chaise longue that stood in the center of it and she'd never gazed up at such a beautiful arched ceiling...and yet, she felt at home.

Because he was there.

She couldn't see him yet, but she knew he was near, hiding in the shadows, watching her. She could feel him. Shivering, she hugged herself, surprised when her hands touched bare skin. Looking down, she found she was wearing a cream-colored satin-and-lace negligee, the sexy kind that she would never buy in real life...and yet, here, she loved it. This was were she could let go, where she could be free and like other girls, if just for a few hours.

"You look beautiful."

His warm, deep voice behind her made every cell in her body vibrate. Aching, she turned, her heart leaping when she saw him, leaning back against a pillar, his black eyes simmering on hers. He was wearing a pair of dress pants with a white button-down shirt tonight and that combined with his black hair and those muscles which she knew were hidden underneath the fabric...made it even harder to breath.

"Hi," was all she managed to say.

He growled softly and then, he was in front of her, kissing her in a way no man had ever kissed her. His lips molded against hers with just the right amount of pressure, one hand softly brushing the exposed flesh of her back as the other found her raven curls. It didn't feel like just a kiss, it never did...It felt like he was worshipping her, like she was important, treasured.

When he released her lips, he kept his forehead pressed against hers, his warm breath feathering her skin as he whispered, "Hello, Cara."

She smiled. Growing up in Italy, she'd had many men call her Cara -meaning Beloved- and she'd never like it...but when he said it, it made her melt.

Letting out a deep breath, she pressed herself closer against him, slipping effortlessly into his arms. "God, I needed this."

"You sound distressed," he rumbled, his fingers slowly stroking her back, setting her skin ablaze. "Did something happen?"

She shrugged, breathing in the smell that was so intricately his. She'd never smelled anything like him and something told her she never would again. There weren't words to describe the musk that clung to him, the scent of male dominance that oozed out of his pores, that made her feel safe and wanted. It filled her body, her blood, made her anxieties drift away...

"Hey," he whispered, tilting her chin up, forcing her eyes on his. "Talk to me."

"It's nothing."

"It is if it's upset you."

Her heart melted a little. No one in her real life cared about her like he did. She had family, off course-and they loved her-but she'd never had someone look at her the way he looked at her; care for her the way he cared for her and she'd never felt anything for any other man that even came close to what she felt for him.

"It's just my job," she caved, seeing in his eyes that he wasn't going to let it go. "I'm having some trouble with my superiors."

"What kind of trouble?"

She sighed, raising on her tiptoes, sweetly kissing his chiseled jaw. "Do we have to talk about work?"

"That depends," he growled, leaning into her kisses. "Are you talking about it to anyone else?"

She sank back down on her feet, her lips twitching. He knew very well she didn't bother anyone in the real world with her problems, her worries, her fears. She didn't want to be seen as vulnerable, as weak...but that also meant she never got anything off her chest. And then, she fell asleep and he was there and for some reason, she shared every part of herself with him, without hesitation. She trusted him, completely...

"What's so funny?" he rumbled, his thumb brushing over her curling lips, sending tiny sparks through her body.

"You. No one knows me like you do."

"Good. I love that there's a part of you that's all mine."

"Every part of me is all yours."

She could feel his fingers tightened on her hips, his dark eyes blazing as he growled, "I wish you knew."

"Knew what?" she breathed.

"What I feel when you say those things to me."

Her heart broke as she watched a deep sadness take over his beautiful eyes, a sadness she'd seen there more than once. She didn't know much about his life beyond this dreamworld-he shared little about it-but she knew that wherever he was when he wasn't with her, it wasn't a nice place. And he was lonely there. She got lonely, too...but not like him. His loneliness seemed to be such an deep-rooted part of him that it refused to release him from its clutches, no matter how desperately she tried to free him from it. There were times when she was successful, though; there were moment when he seemed completely at peace and happy...but then they would part ways and the next time they'd meet, it was as if he'd reset...and she tried to free him all over again.

Swallowing hard, she cupped his cheeks, rubbing her thumbs across his skin.

"Tell me you're alright," she whispered as his eyes drifted closed under her touch. "Tell me that wherever you are when you're not with me, you're okay."

He moved one of her hands to his lips, kissing her palm. "I'm okay right now, here, with you. That's good enough."

She shook her head softly. "No, it's not. You should be happy, always."

"That's not in the cards for me, Cara."

"It could be," she whispered. "Come to me."

He growled, his eyes darkening just as they always did when this subject came up. "You know I can't."

"Why not?"

He brushed back one of her curls, his fingers following the curve of her ear. "There are rules not even I can break."

Her blue eyes dropped. She hated those vague answers; she hated that she knew nothing about his life beyond this realm; she hated that they couldn't be together outside of it...but she also knew she didn't hate it nearly as much as he did.

"Hey," he whispered, his fingers tilting her chin up until his dark eyes touched hers again. "Do you want me to go?"

"No," she rushed. "Off course not."

He let out a deep sigh. "Good, because I really don't want to go."

Her knees trembled at the rough sound of longing in his voice. She'd never been as desired as she was by him. He didn't just have a physical want for her, there was something deeper, something primal.

Unable to stop herself, she swirled her fingers down his stomach, making him groan. Beneath the material of his shirt, she could feel his muscles contract. "Why is it that you're dressed and I'm wearing near to nothing?"

His lips curled in a roguish smile as his eyes ran over the exposed skin of her body, trailing fire everywhere his gaze touched her. "Perhaps I had a hand in your particular attire tonight," he admitted.

"Well, I don't think it's fair," she teased, biting her lip.

Holding her gaze, he started unbuttoning his shirt, baring his muscled chest.

Watching the fabric slide down to the ground, her heart-rate sped up, her tongue running along her lips. God, he was handsome.

"Better?" he asked, his voice raw.

He didn't wait for her to answer.

As his lips pressed down on hers again, she reveled in the heat he poured into her, allowing it to flow free between them. She melted against him, his fingers digging into her behind as his tongue slid alongside hers. His body was soft and hard at the same time, his fingers everywhere in touches that became progressively more insistent. She ran her hands down his back, slipping them inside his jeans, brushing her palms over his hard behind.

He moaned into her mouth, a moan she felt all the way down to her toenails.

"You cannot touch me like that and expect me to remain in control." The warning in his voice was heated, as heated as her blood which she swore was about ready to boil.

"Who says I expect you to remain in control?"

A shiver of pure desire rippled down her spine as he bent her backwards and licked the valley between her breasts, growling against her skin. She clutched a handful of his hair as his mouth moved in hot circles around one satin-covered nipple. She ached to kiss him, taste him, her body tight...but their standing position was too uncomfortable for her to maintain for long.

As if reading her mind, he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the red chaise longue. He laid her down gently, standing over her for a moment, gazing at her with eyes that made her feel like the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth. She stretched with a sensual languidness, watching him as he unbuckled his belt, drinking in the exceptional male specimen that was towering over her. When he'd removed the last shreds of his clothes, his hand caressed her inner thigh before he gently nudged her knees apart and joining her on the chaise.

A shiver swept over her as he pushed the satin nightgown up, kissing in the wake of the lace that hemmed the bottom. His mouth was soft and loving as he feathered her belly with kisses, moving higher as he bared her breasts, the hot brand of his body singeing her flesh wherever they touched. She arched beneath him, mindless to everything but the touch of his mouth and hands as the negligee dropped in a pool of satin on the floor. She rubbed herself against him, her legs closing around his hips in an overwhelming wave of need; a need for him, not just his body in hers, but for all of him, merged with hers in a way that was beyond sexual.

He tipped her head back, burning her lips with his and in that moment, she knew she was meant to be there, with this beautiful man who made her feel like the woman she wished she could be outside of this world as well; strong, confident, desired...

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he murmured, his normally beautiful voice hoarse with passion.

Incomprehensible sounds fell from her lips as he slowly, slowly pushed inside of her. Her nails dug into his back as he stretched her and then held still, giving her time to adjust to his girth.

"Adrianna."

Her name was spoken gutturally, and she marveled in it as his hips flexed and he started moving inside of her, causing a friction that drove her wild. She knew this technically wasn't real. This entire interaction only took place in her mind while her physical body was lying in a bed, in her apartment, alone...but it felt more real than anything she'd ever felt in the real world. He felt more real than anything or anyone.

Her vision blurred and her world narrowed until all she was aware of was the sensation of his body, riding inside of hers.

"So soft," he groaned, his lips brushing her breast as her body arched. "So sweet. All mine."

She was so full; full of him. Widening her legs, she took as much as she could, bracing her palms on the chaise as he began to move faster.

"God, Adrianna." He repeated her name over and over again as sort of oath, splaying his hands over her behind, keeping her pressed tightly against him.

"Kiss me," she breathed with desperation.

He gave her what she wanted without a second thought, his warm lips sending her over the edge. Her orgasm hit her without warning, making her scream out. Her palm covered her mouth, embarrassed by the sounds she made...but he wouldn't have it. With a growl, he peeled her hand from her lips, holding it above her head as his black eyes pierced hers intensely. "Don't hide from me, Cara. I want to hear you come."

She whimpered as his lips found that sweet spot behind her ear, as he seated himself deeper inside of her...

"I'm going to come." He moved faster, harder. "Come with me."

She wanted to tell him she'd just climaxed, hard and that she couldn't possibly come again...but then he hit a spot inside of her only he could hit and before she knew what was happening, she was screaming again; only this time, he screamed with her. She tried to push her legs even farther apart, giving him access to her very core as his body racked with pleasure and his heat warmed her inside.

"Cara." He buried his face in her hair, his voice nearly desperate. "Perfect."

Panting, they laid there for a long moment, her fingers dancing on his back...and then, out of nowhere, tears filled her eyes.

Noticing, he gazed down at her, his face horrorstruck. "You're crying," he whispered, worried. "Why are you crying?"

She shook her head softly, feeling her chin tremble. "Because I won't remember this when I wake up."

His gaze turned tortured. "Adrianna-"

"I know," she cut him off, brushing her fingers over his jaw. "I know that's the way it has to be...but I miss you. Even though I can't remember you outside of this world, I miss you. There's this void inside of me, all the time, and I don't know why it's there...not until I fall asleep and find you here." She huffed, spilling more tears. "And I don't even know your name."

"Names aren't important."

"They are to me," she sniffled. "If this was real life and I would tell my friends that I've been having mind-blowing sex for four years now with a man who's name I don't even know, they'd think I'm some slut-"

He growled deep in his chest, his black eyes turning even darker. "Don't call yourself that."

She blushed, her spend body responding to his dominance.

"And please-" he added, his gaze softening again. "-please, tell me you don't think that's all this is. You know this isn't just sex, right? You know you're so much more to me-"

"I know," she whispered, letting him off the hook. Off course she knew it wasn't just sex. Whenever they were together, no matter in which state of undress they were, there was a connection there that ran so much deeper than a physical one. When she was with him, she felt whole...like she'd been waiting for him her entire life without even realizing it.

"Does not knowing my name really hurt you that much?" he rumbled, brushing away a tear with his thumb.

She nodded softly. "You say my name with so much adoration. I want to do the same with yours."

"Then name me."

She frowned, smiling confused. "What?"

"Name me," he repeated, his eyes serious on hers. "My real name was given to me by people who don't care about me at all. I'd much rather have a name of your choosing slipping from your lips whenever I make you squirm."

She bit her lip, her hands running up his impressive torso. "Are you sure?"

He nodded slowly, his eyes simmering on hers. "Choose a name, Cara."

She stayed silent for a long moment, staring into his dark depths...and then, out of nowhere, she found herself whispering, "Lucian."

His lips twitched. "Lucian?"

She nodded and when his smile turned into a full-on grin, she pushed against his chest, forcing him on his back so she could straddle him, looking down with fake indignation. "Are you laughing at me?"

"I would never," he said, that grin still on his lips.

"Lucian is a great name," she defended. "It's mysterious, like you. And it has an air of danger about it, like you."

All the amusement left his face. "You think I'm dangerous?"

"Yes."

He sat up straight, forcing her to hook her legs behind his back to keep up straight, too. "Are you afraid of me?"

"Yes," she whispered again, adding when she saw the sadness in his eyes, "But not in the sense you're thinking of. I'm afraid of you, because I think you're the only one with the power to hurt me."

His body tensed against hers, his strong arms wrapping around her. "I would never hurt you."

"If you disappear on me-"

"I won't."

"Promise me."

Watching her closely, he cupped her neck, rumbling. "I promise."

She sighed, burying her face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in.

"It means light, you know," she whispered as she felt his fingers comb through her hair.

"What does, Cara?"

"Lucian," she felt him tense against her. "It means light."

"Then you should choose a different name," he growled. "It doesn't suit me at all."

She pulled back, watching him with stubborn eyes. "I will not. You're Lucian. You're my Lucian."

His fingers dug into her back as she felt him harden inside of her again.

"Yours," he growled before suckling her lip into his mouth, biting it softly. "I'm yours."

She answered by threading her fingers through his hair and deepening their kiss, her tongue finding his, her breasts rubbing against his hard chest...and then, suddenly, he forced his mouth from hers, his eyes shooting fire.

"Fuck."

She frowned as he rolled her over again, laying her down gently before pulling out of her body. She whimpered at the loss of him, at the emptiness.

"What are you doing?" she asked, watching him get dressed.

"I have to go," he growled, anger in his words.

She swallowed hard, grabbing her negligee of the floor and draping it over her naked body. "Did I do something wrong?"

His eyes turned even angrier. "No. God no, don't ever think that. You're perfect."

"Then stay."

He shot her an apologetic look. "I-"

"-can't," she finished, slipping the gown back over her head. "So you keep telling me."

He sighed softly, kneeling down in front of her, kissing her thigh sweetly. She brushed her fingers through his hair, sighing too. "I know it's not your fault...but I wish you could stay."

His lips moved to her other thigh. "If I stay, they'll track me and follow me here."

Her fingers froze on his scalp. This was the most he'd ever revealed about his life...but she wanted more.

"Who will track you?" she whispered, realizing she was pushing her luck. "Who will follow you here?"

As she'd expected, he froze. He'd said too much without meaning to. His hands clutched by his side, he rose, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips on the way up.

"Will you be back tomorrow?" she asked, rising, too.

He growled again, cupping her cheeks, watching her with such torture in his eyes. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure of it."

She smiled, but could feel her eyes water at the same time. "I hate that you have to go back to a life you clearly hate. I hate that I can't help you-"

He hugged her to his chest. "You help me every day, Cara. Not just when we're together, but every single moment of every single day. Just knowing you're out there...You have no idea what that does to me."

One of her tears dripped onto his shirt. "Lucian?"

"Yes, Cara?" he whispered, his warm fingers stroking her back.

"I love you."

Words that had never been spoken aloud before hung in the air...and then, he was gone. Her arms were no longer wrapped around his torso, his warmth no longer enveloped her...and as she hugged her cold body, she sank back down on the chaise and cried.

His eyes flew open, immediately pinning down the brunette who'd roused him with an evil glare. Off all the times to fucking wake him up!

Adrianna had never told him she loved him...and he'd hadn't spoken the words either. Not once in the four years since he'd found a way to reach her. But that wasn't because he didn't feel the same way; he'd just figured he had no right to say such a thing to her. If he told her how he felt, if she truly understood the gravity, the depth of his adoration for her, he feared she would either flee and never return to him...or she would feel compelled to say it back and he didn't want to force her to lie. After all, who could love him?

But tonight, she'd said it...out of her own accord.

She loved him.

She loved him?

How?

"Finally," the woman said, crossing her arms over her chest. "It took forever to wake you. What the hell did you take?"

He got up from the cold floor, hiding the vile that had contained the potion. He didn't sleep naturally like she did, so he had to resort to other measures to see her.

"What are you doing down here?" he snarled, slipping the jacket of his black suit back on.

"Your brother is having a meeting with pretty much everyone of importance and he's asked you to join in."

He cocked a skeptical brow. "Me? Since when am I included in these things?"

She shrugged...but he could see she knew more than she was letting on.

"This better be important," he gnarled, vanishing from the darkness and appearing in a room that bathed in white light. In the middle stood a long table, outlined with chair after chair...and every chair was occupied. His brother was at the head of the table, unsurprisingly. He'd stood when he'd entered, gesturing at the empty seat beside him.

"Why am I here?" he gnarled, already missing her touch, her voice, that smell...

His brother shot him an annoyed look. "Just sit down, Hades."

His jaw set, Hades did as he was told...at his own pace. When he finally slid down on the chair, Zeus remained standing. That egotistical bastard enjoyed his role on Olympus way too much...and why wouldn't he? He was the supreme ruler, living in this heaven of light, friendship and love...while he was below, alone, in constant darkness, joined only by those who'd died.

"Let me start of by saying that this is a curtesy we're bestowing on you," Zeus said, towering over him with a stern look on his face. "What we're about to tell you is not open for discussion."

Hades cocked an annoyed brown, his eyes gliding over the others. Aris, Artemis and Apollo were in their armors, per usual, their faces stoic and not betraying anything. Athena had that same look on her face, but as the goddess of reason, she always had that look on her face, so he couldn't read anything off her either. His second brother Poseidon-who was seated next to him-matched Zeus' stern look, but that was nothing new. The three of them didn't exactly see eye to eye on...anything. His sister Hestia, on the other hand, he liked. Well, maybe liked was stretching it. Let's just say, he didn't completely despise her, which was strange, because as the goddess of family, she was everything he was not; kind, caring, sweet...and yet, tonight, she was purposely avoiding his eyes for some reason. That made the first alarm bell in his head go off. The second bell rang when he noticed Aphrodite being deep in thought, a hint of panic and sadness in her eyes. But what really alarmed him, was the big grin Hera-the brunette who had woken him-had plastered on her lips. She was Zeus' wife, but only in title. The two hated each other. Zeus never paid mind to her-which for a vain woman like Hera was like a slap in the face- and Hera only took pleasure in two things: Sabotaging Zeus' plans and watching others suffer... He had the ominous feeling she was about to indulge in the latter.

"What is this about, Zeus?"

Zeus sat down, his chin raised as he said, "It's about the Salvatore girl."

"Seriously? This is about Elena? Again?" Hades sniffed, relieved. "It's been decades, brother. Drop it already. So what she had a couple of supernatural kids? She defeated Niklaus, for heaven's sake. We have his Soul. I think it's safe to say we owed her some happiness after everything-"

"Not Elena," Hera cut him off, that smile widening. "Her daughter. I think you've heard of her, haven't you? Adrianna Salvatore?"

Hades could feel flames lick his feet as her name slipped from the bitch's lips. "What about her?"

"We know about you and Adrianna, Hades," Poseidon gnarled.

How the fuck did they find out?

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Zeus sighed. "We know, brother, so must we really do this dance where you pretend you don't know her and we confront you with your own misconduct?"

The flames licked higher up Hades' legs. "I did nothing wrong."

"Oh, really?" Hera spit out. "Is that why you've been hiding your little whore from us?"

"Careful!" Hades barked, lying in a calmer voice, "And I wasn't hiding anything. I just didn't think it was any of your business."

"You thought wrong!" Zeus snapped.

Hades tried to keep his cool, forcing the ever-rising flames to temper. "Look, I didn't break any of your rules. Adrianna doesn't know I'm a god; she doesn't even know my real name and once she wakes, she doesn't remember me." His heart ached as he spoke those words, hating that he was only a shadow-constantly entering and exiting her life-while he craved to be with her every moment... "I didn't expose us."

"This isn't about exposure, Hades!" Zeus snapped, leaning in, a fire swirling through his golden eyes. "This is about you and the motives behind-and consequenses of-your actions!"

Hades opened his mouth to ask what the fuck he was talking about, but before he could speak, Zeus snarled, "We've spoken to Lucrecia."

He tried to hide the shock that he felt in that moment, but he could tell by Hera's delighted reaction that he hadn't succeeded.

"She told us you came to see her a little over four thousand years ago to get her advice. She told us you had a vision of a girl, a girl you'd never seen before...a girl who somehow made you feel. Now, you and I both know you were designed not to feel anything, Hades. It came with the job you chose-"

"Chose?" he snarled. "That's a nice way of putting it."

"The point is-" his brother continued. "-she made you feel something, something you obviously liked feeling because you spend the next few years searching for her...and when you didn't find her, you figured someone was playing a cruel joke on you, so, you crawled back in the darkness and tried to forget...but you never could."

Hades swallowed hard, his eyes flashing. Why the fuck had Lucrecia told his brother this? She'd been the closest thing to a friend he'd had down there in the darkness. Why had she betrayed him?

"Enter Elena Gilbert," Poseidon jumped in, his voice riddled with anger. "The very second she died and you saw her, you had that same vision. You saw that girl again and you knew that somehow, Elena would have a hand in you finding her. So, what did you do? You broke every rule there is, bringing her back from the dead over and over again, justifying it to us by spewing some bullshit about how an Oracle had told you she would take down Niklaus Mikaelson-"

"I was told that, by Lucrecia in fact," Hades snarled back. "-and she did take down Niklaus!"

"Enter Damon Salvatore!" Zeus took over again, paying no mind to his interruption. "When he showed up in your club with Elena over his shoulder and you saw them together, the image of that girl came to you again, clearer than ever before and that's when you knew, wasn't it? You knew they would birth that girl-"

"Adrianna," he snarled, hating the demeaning way in which Zeus kept saying that girl. "Her name is Adrianna."

"We know her name!" Poseidon barked beside him. "What we don't know, is how you though you would get away with lying to us!"

"I didn't lie-"

"We are not fools, brother! So do not treat us as such! You didn't want Elena to live to take out Niklaus! And if you did, it sure as hell wasn't your primary reason! You wanted that girl!"

"What do my reasons matter-"

"Your reasons matter because when Elena Gilbert met Damon Salvatore, it was your duty to warn us! You should've told us she would Mate with that vampire and procreate! But you didn't, because you knew we would never allow it and now, we have to rectify your fuck-up!"

An ice cold feeling clutched his stomach. "Rectify my fuck-up?"

"Her birthday is coming up," Zeus took over again. "Her twenty-fifth birthday, Hades. She will have to choose between remaining The Crescător or becoming a vampire...and we can't let either one happen."

Hades no longer tried to hide the dark flames, letting them run freely over his body. "If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting-"

"We're not suggesting anything," Poseidon said, unimpressed by his brother's show of force. "If she joins her brothers as an Immortal, there is no telling how powerful they will be as a Trinity and if she chooses to be The Crescător, it's only a matter of time before history repeats itself! We can't let more pure blood vampires and Crescătors be born, Hades. The girl has to die."

His blood boiling, Hades rose, slowly, his eyes completely black and murderous. "Listen to me very carefully-"

"Brother-"

Hades' palms slammed down on the table. "I SAID, LISTEN!"

Audible gasps echoed through the room. No one ever spoke to Zeus like that. You could voice your concerns, you could express your opinions, but you never, ever, blatantly defied him...

But Hades didn't give a fuck about the rules, not then.

"If you touch Adrianna-"

Zeus rose too, getting in his face. "You don't want to threaten me."

"And you don't want to threaten her!"

"I'm not threatening her! I'm telling you what's going to happen!"

"You can't just kill her!"

"Yes, I can! Especially since she's only alive because I allowed you to revive her mother over and over again-"

"That was my call! I rule the Underworld!"

"And I rule everything else! And I decide she is now a threat to our way of life!"

"A threat to our way of life?! She's just a girl!"

"So was her mother and now, we have two pure blood vampires and a second Crescător on our hands!"

Hades' nostrils flared, everything inside of him clenching, his anger turning his dark heart even darker. "I won't let you do this! I will fight whatever demon you send after her!" And he fucking meant that. He couldn't touch anything in the world above, couldn't feel anything...but demons weren't part of that world, they were intruders, like him...so he could and would fight them, even if that meant exposing himself and everyone involved!

"We know you would intervene," Zeus said, unaffected. "Which is why you're on lock-down."

"Lock-down?!" He spit out. "What the fuck does that mean?"

The answer came to him in the form of golden shackles clasping around his wrists and ankles...and he felt like a fucking moron. Had he really believed his brothers had brought him here as a curtesy? How stupid could he be? This had all been a trick to trap him. They knew he would never let them harm her.

"Don't do this!" Hades snarled, fear seeping into his blood alongside the anger. Zeus' shackles weren't attached to any restrains, but they were spelled to keep whoever they were on, grounded at Olympus...

He couldn't go to her.

He couldn't help her.

They would send their demons...and she would die.

"Please."

Every pair of eyes shot to him,widened, shocked.

"What did you just say?" Hera asked, still amused.

Hades jaw locked, but the time for pride was over. It had ended the very second those shackles had locked around him. "Please," he repeated, searching Zeus' eyes. "Don't hurt her. I'll do anything."

"I don't like this situation either," Zeus said, kinder. "But we have to do damage control-"

"She's not damage." Hades' voice broke, fear starting to cripple him. "Please. I've waited for her for millennia. Don't take her from me now that she's finally here."

He could see Zeus hated what he was about to do...but he was about to do it nevertheless. There was a determination there that wasn't going to falter.

He's going to kill her.

"If I may." Aphrodite rose, her long, blond curls flowing over her gown, her golden eyes seductively on Zeus. "I think I may have a solution that will appease every party involved."

Zeus waved his hand, gesturing for her to continue as he sank back down on his throne.

"Adrianna Salvatore is currently leaning towards becoming a vampire, simply because her entire family is Immortal," the goddess sang. "She has mortal friends and a mortal job, sure, but if she would have to choose now, she would choose Immortality and join forces with her brothers."

"Get to the appeasing-part," Hades snapped, noticing Zeus tense.

"I think it's safe to say we would rather see Adrianna remain human, yes?"

"Yes," Poseidon said. "But she won't ever be a normal human-"

"-because she's The Crescător," Aphrodite cut in. "I know. And once she does the ritual and binds herself to a vampire, she'll breed with him."

Hades felt a growl built in his chest, jealousy raging through him. He didn't want her with another...but he'd always known the day would come that she would find someone in her world and built something real, without him...

"But what if she doesn't bind herself to a vampire?" Aphrodite said, the bracelets around her wrists chiming. "If she chooses a mortal, if she binds herself to him so she can have children with this man, have a family...Well, then that would change things, wouldn't it?"

Hades saw Zeus straighten, his brows knotted together. "I suppose."

"Then why not steer things in that direction? Right now, the girl has no substantial reason to choose any other faith then becoming a vampire, but if we put a mortal she could love on her path and give her a taste of what it could be like to remain human and start a normal human family...she might choose that faith. She might want to stay human to be with him. A normal human."

"And where, do tell-" Poseidon asked, skeptically. "-are we going to find a human that can convince her to change every plan she's made for her life in eight months, which is when she turns twenty-five."

Aphrodite's golden gaze fell on Hades, a smile on her pink lips. "We won't have to look far."

"Hades?" Hera snapped. "He's not a mortal."

"We can make him one," Aphrodite said. "For a few months."

"Hades?" Zeus frowned. "Why him?"

"Because she already loves him," she sang, her eyes soft on Hades'. "Sure, she doesn't remember him when she wakes up, but there's a connection between them and I have no doubt that she'll feel it once he enters her life. He goes to her as a mortal, he makes her fall for him, makes her choose to remain mortal with him so they can start a family together. Since she can only remain human by doing the Crescător-ritual, she'll do it with him and commit herself to a mortal life."

"With Hades?" Poseidon snapped. "As much as I hate it, we need Hades here, Aphrodite! Who else is going to rule The Underworld? It's not exactly a coveted position-"

"Hades won't have to stay," she cut him off, replacing the joy that had entered Hades' body with an even deeper darkness than before. "Once she's done the ritual, the decision has been made."

"But then we once again face the problem of her being The Crescător," Hera said. "After Hades leaves, any vampire could charm his way into her pants-"

"Let them," Aphrodite said. "It won't matter. The Crescător can only bind herself to one person, human or vampire. Once the ritual has been performed, she can only breed with whoever-or whatever- she did the ritual with, in this case Hades. And with him gone, she won't be able to have any kind of offspring and she won't be able to turn into a vampire. She'll be just another huma-"

"No."

All eyes flew to Hades, who's body was once again covered in flames.

"No?" Aphrodite repeated, surprised.

"Do you have any idea what you're asking me to do?" he barked, glaring at her. "You want me to enter her life, seduce her, make her want to be with me above anything else, promise her a family, a future...only to leave her once she's bound herself to me, mortal and barren?" He shook his head. "It would destroy her. I won't do that to her."

"You won't?"

"No!"

"Okay then," Aphrodite said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Then I guess she dies tonight."

Hades growled, flexing his muscles, trying to shake of the shackles with all his might...but he knew they would never budge. He had no way out, no way to save her...unless by choosing the cruel path that was being laid out for him...

"I would agree to this, Hades," Zeus said, watching him closely." I would agree to giving you seven-and-a-half months to insert yourself in her life and have her do the ritual with you, have her choose mortality. Off course, if you fail to do so in that time, we will eliminate her, but if you succeed, we will allow her to live a full life, grow old. I need an answer right away though, Hades. Will you do it? Or do I send your demons?"

Hades sniffed, his blood turning cold at the prospect of what he was about to do. "As if that's even a choice."

"Good," Aphrodite sang, smiling. "Give me a moment."

As she disappeared from the room, Hades sank down on his chair, defeated, his heart protesting his decision...but his head knew this was the only way to keep her alive...

"It goes without saying that you can't tell the girl-or anyone involved-who you are," Zeus clarified. "Or why you're there. Our existence must remain a secret. If you do anything to break that rule, we will be forced to take immediate action and the girl will die."

"Her parents know me," Hades gnarled. "We might cross paths."

"Then it would be in your best interest-and that of their daughter's- to convince them to keep their mouths shut about who you are."

Hades nodded, his eyes on the table, a numbness taking hold of him.

Aphrodite reappeared again, holding a silver chain with a white crystal attached.

"Wear this," she said, holding out the chain. "Once you put it on, you'll become human and be send to earth. The crystal will consume your powers, your Immortality and keep them safe. If the crystal breaks, you will be turned back into a god. Now, for safety reasons, the crystal can only be broken by you and only if you have the clear intention to do so...but once it's broken, there's no going back."

"In other words," Poseidon jumped in. "If you break the crystal, for whatever reason, before Adrianna Salvatore does that ritual and she is no longer a liability to us, this deal is off and we will kill her. Understood?"

Hades locked his jaw. "You know, I never thought I'd see the day that you two would outshine me at being evil, brothers. Congratulations."

"Remember the rules, Hades," Zeus snapped back. "There will be no second chance."

Shooting the god one last glare, Hades slipped the chain over his head, his entire body tense with anger and hate...

But there was also that little part of him that was excited.

He was going to see her, touch her, in her world...

...and then betray her in the worst possible way.

Well, this is bitter-sweet. I thought about using this time to say goodbye...but then I realized there's no need to do such a thing. Hopefully, you guys will follow Heart Of Darkness and if not, I'm not even nearly done writing, so I'm sure we'll meet again.

That being said, I do want to thank each and every one of you for sticking with me and this story; for your wonderful comments! They made me day, motivated me, gave me confidence about my skills as a writer. For that, I will owe you guys forever...

For the last time (at least at Forever Mine), let me say: Please review! I'd love your feedback, not only about the epilogue, but also about the Prologue of Heart Of Darkness. Your comments (especially these first ones) will drive this new story, steer me in the right direction. And don't forget, you can also give me feedback on Twitter at LustAndLoveFF!

Again, thank you all, my lovelies! You have a special place in my heart...

X LustAndLove (Kelly)