Their fifth anniversary as bonded mates arrived on a quiet evening.
Five years since Adrian's transformation. Five years of chaos, love, battles, and passion. Five years of learning to be immortal together.
Kieran had planned something special—dinner (which Adrian still couldn't taste but appreciated the gesture), gifts, and a night completely dedicated to each other.
"Five years," Adrian said, holding his wine glass. "Feels like yesterday and forever ago simultaneously."
"That's immortality. Time becomes fluid." Kieran raised his own glass. "To five years. And to the millions ahead."
They drank, then Kieran pulled out a small box.
"I got you something."
Inside was a ring—black metal with a blood-red stone that pulsed with magic. "It's enchanted," Kieran explained. "Connected to my life force. As long as I exist, the stone will glow. You'll always know I'm alive, no matter where we are."
Adrian's eyes filled with tears. "Kieran..."
"I know we're bonded, that you can feel me through the bond. But I wanted you to have something tangible. Something physical that proves I'm always with you."
Adrian slipped it on, the magic activating immediately. The stone glowed warm against his skin.
"I love you," Adrian said. "So much."
"I love you too. Now come here—I have more gifts for you."
The "gifts" involved Kieran slowly undressing Adrian, his mouth following his hands, worshipping every inch of exposed skin. He took his time, building arousal gradually, making Adrian ache with need.
"Kieran, please—"
"Not yet. We have all night. I'm going to make love to you for hours, show you exactly how much I love you."
He did exactly that. Kieran brought Adrian to the edge repeatedly without letting him tip over, building pleasure to impossible heights. His mouth, his hands, his body—everything focused on Adrian's pleasure.
When Kieran finally entered him, it was slow, deep, perfect. They moved together unhurried, savoring every sensation, every moment of connection.
"I love you," Kieran whispered against Adrian's lips. "For five years, for a thousand years before, for all the years ahead. You're everything to me."
"You're everything to me too," Adrian gasped. "My mate, my love, my eternity."
They came together slowly, their orgasms building and cresting like waves, extending for what felt like forever. The blood bond sang between them, their souls merging, their love absolute.
After, they lay tangled together, both completely satisfied.
"Best anniversary ever," Adrian declared.
"Wait until our tenth. I'm planning something even better."
"How could anything be better than this?"
"Trust me. I have ideas."
They made love twice more that night, each time as perfect as the first. By dawn, they were exhausted and blissfully happy.
"Here's to five years," Adrian said.
"And to forever," Kieran replied.