Chapter Text
Hermione’s pacing echoed across the stones of the tallest tower. Back and forth, back and forth. If she still had a heart, surely she would feel it pounding with every step.
Severus had been gone for an hour. An entire hour. He had never stayed away this long since the night of his transformation.
A dozen frantic thoughts clawed at her.
What if someone had seen him? To the rest of the world he was dead—buried, mourned. No one outside their clan could know he was alive.
What if he was in danger? What if he had fainted?
What if he had chosen to leave her?
Hermione shivered at the treacherous thought, hugging her arms tightly around herself.
A sudden thump made her jump out of her skin.
She whirled—and nearly tripped backward. A man lay sprawled on the stone beside her, limp, eyes closed, clearly stunned.
Before she could react, a shadow fell across her. Hermione looked up just in time to see Severus descending from the sky, face and collarbones smeared crimson, eyes completely obsidian.
“What is that?” she asked, pointing to the man at her feet.
Severus landed lightly. “Dinner,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Why in Merlin’s name would you bring it here?”
He shrugged. “It’s a gift.”
Hermione stared at him, scandalized. “A gift? Who are you? Crookshanks? Dragging home bodies as though they were mice to impress me?”
His lips curved into that dark smile she both loathed and loved. “An anniversary gift.”
“Anniversary?”
“Six months,” he said simply, leaning against the windowsill. “It’s been six months since you saved me in that shack by turning me. Six months since you chose me as your mate for eternity.”
Hermione glanced down at the still figure, then back at him. “Most people give flowers. Or chocolate. Or diamonds.”
A low chuckle rumbled from him. In a single, effortless motion, he reached out, curling an arm around her waist. Blood still slicked his skin as he pulled her firmly against him, and Hermione let out a startled breath, her protests melting when his lips found hers. The kiss was deep, claiming.
When they parted, his voice was teasing. “I like to think outside the box.”
She sighed. “I still prefer diamonds, though.”
Severus smirked. “Shouldn’t I be offended you forgot our special date?”
“I didn’t forget. I simply didn’t remember. There’s a difference.” Her tone softened as her eyes searched his. “Truth is… I thought you’d left me,” she admitted.
Something unreadable flickered in his gaze before he shook his head slowly. “I don’t think that’s even possible. You’ve already injected yourself into my veins.” A smile ghosted across his lips. “Quite literally.”
Hermione laughed, bright and free, her head tipping back in delight. “I had to make sure the last true Prince in this lineage was mine—and mine alone.”
Severus’s eyes darkened. “Even the claws of death weren’t a match for you, my dear.”
She leaned closer, her voice dropping into a whisper. “What can I say? I always get what I want.”
He brushed his lips against hers, murmuring, “And now you have me.”
“For eternity,” she breathed, sealing her words with another kiss.
“For eternity,” he echoed, before claiming her mouth once more.