Written In Stone

mind."
    Gavin exhaled an exasperated breath before continuing. "She was in my arms because she is an invalid and almost fell over the railing while reaching for a moonflower." Gavin saw his mother's crestfallen look and felt badly for getting her hopes up, although it was more her fault than his, he reasoned. "Anyway, I met her at the hotel ball the other night and didn't realize she was chairbound until I found her at church the next morning. The reason I'm here is because something strange happened that has never happened before, and I need your advice."
    "Have a seat, Son." Gav gestured to the leather sofa. "Let's have it all and then we'll see what we can make of it."
    "As I said, she was in my arms… she is so beautiful, you should see her." Gav clamped a hand on his wife's leg as she began to get excited again. "We were staring into one another's eyes, my blood running wild, and well, you know what happens to a man when he's excited, but that's not the strange thing." He glared at his mother and she hid a grin behind her hand. "My fangs emerged. That never happens unless I'm ready to make a kill. I don't understand it. I wasn't ready to kill Mrs. Elliott; I was ready to fu…"
    " Mrs. Elliott? Mrs. ? Good Lord, Gav, he's a scoundrel, a rogue! Trying to woo a married woman, Gavin Richard Charles Philip Stone, III, I will not have…!"
    "Mother!"
    "Mattie, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation." Gav nodded to his son, patting his wife's knee.
    "Mother, she's a widow."
    "Oh," Mattie said contritely. "Do go on."
    Both Gavin and his father shook their heads with identical looks on their faces. Gavin continued. "Has that ever happened to you, Father? I just don't know what to make of it."
    Gav and his wife looked lovingly at one another and smiled. "Yes, it has," Gav admitted, still looking into his wife's eyes, vividly remembering what they were doing before Gavin so rudely interrupted them.
    Gavin rolled his eyes and cleared his throat loudly. "Could you elaborate, please?"
    "What? Oh, yes, of course." Gav grinned sheepishly. "I met your mother at a family reunion, having no idea she even existed since she grew up in France. My mother insisted my father attend the family gathering, though he balked for days. He hated long trips and had much to do here, not wanting to leave the care of his home in the hands of…"
    "Father, please! My problem?"
    "Yes, of course. Anyway, we traveled to France for the reunion and there were nearly two hundred family members there; after all it was Samhain as well as a full moon. The bon fires were burning brightly while music played. We were dancing and laughing, and during one of the dances, I swung my partner to the next man, and his partner swung my way. When I grabbed her by the wrist, it was as if lightning struck me. I couldn't even finish the dance. I dragged your mother away from the dance floor, away from the crowds, and I kissed her before even saying a single word to her. That kiss slid through me like hot oil, and my teeth emerged before I knew what was happening."
    "Then," his mother took over, "he wrapped one hand in my hair and tilted my head back in one swift movement. I didn't know he'd done it until his teeth were in my throat and he was drinking my blood."
    "You bit her?" Gavin asked in surprise. "You made my mother what we are?"
    "No, no," Gav laughed. "She was already a vampire, we are cousins, though distant ones. I bit her because she is my mate, and I took her blood into my body. Then she bared her teeth and took my blood into her body. We were bound to one another from that moment on. There could be no other for either of us."
    "You have met your mate, Gavin," Mattie said breathlessly, tears forming in her eyes.
    "Wait a minute. You were both vampires already. Mrs., er, Angela, is quite human."
    "We are human too, son," his father reminded him.
    "I know, but that's not what I meant. I just don't understand how I can want to bite her."
    "Because she is your mate, and it is your instinct to bind yourself to her through the blood-bond," his mother answered.
    "What the hell is the blood-bond, and why haven't you ever told me about it?"
    "Well, son," Gav said. "We intended to, but there hasn't really a reason to, since you have never shown an interest in any one woman before. We figured, when the time came, you'd tell us, and we'd tell you about the blood-bond. And see, you have."
    Gavin shook his head in disbelief. "So, would you mind explaining it me?