Two weeks before the predicted entity manifestation, Kieran surprised Adrian.
"We're taking three days off," Kieran announced.
"We can't. There's too much—"
"There's always too much. But I'm not facing the entity without giving us proper time together first." Kieran's expression was firm. "Three days. No responsibilities. Just us."
They flew to a private estate in New Zealand—isolated, beautiful, far from the stress of preparation. For three days, they existed in a bubble.
The first day, they simply relaxed. Walked through forests, swam in crystal-clear lakes, talked about their future assuming they survived.
"After we defeat the entity," Adrian said, "I want to travel. Really travel. See everything the world offers."
"Then we will. Centuries of traveling, experiencing everything together."
The second day, they made love for hours—reconnecting physically and emotionally, reaffirming their bond. Kieran took his time, worshipping Adrian's body, showing him without words how much he was loved.
Their coupling was intense but tender, both knowing this might be their last peaceful time together before chaos. They moved slowly, savoring every touch, every sensation, every moment of connection.
When they came together, it was with tears streaming down both their faces—not from sadness, but from the overwhelming love between them.
"No matter what happens," Adrian said afterward, "I don't regret anything. Becoming vampire, bonding with you, fighting these battles. All of it led to us, and that's worth everything."
"If something happens to me—" Kieran started.
"Don't. Don't say it."
"I have to. If something happens, if I fall in battle, I need you to know—you made my thousand years of waiting worthwhile. You gave my existence meaning beyond survival. I love you more than I've loved anything across a millennium and a half of existence."
"And I love you. In this life and every other." Adrian kissed him fiercely. "But nothing's going to happen. We're both surviving. We're both building that future we talked about."
"Together?"
"Always together."
They spent the third day preparing mentally and emotionally for what was coming. Meditation, strategy review, but mostly just being together, drawing strength from their bond.
When they returned to the sanctuary, both felt ready. Whatever the entity brought, they'd face it together.