Kieran refused to let go of Adrian's body. Marcus had to literally pry him away, using magic to force his arms open.
"We have to take him home," Marcus said gently. "Give him a proper farewell."
They brought Adrian back to the sanctuary—the place that was supposed to be their forever home. Kieran carried him to their bedroom, laying him on the bed they'd shared for such a brief, precious time.
Adrian looked peaceful, as if merely sleeping. But Kieran could feel the absence—the void where their bond had been, now just a gaping wound in his soul.
"The funeral will be tomorrow night," Marcus said from the doorway. "All of your people want to pay respects. Adrian was beloved."
"I don't want a funeral. I want him back."
"Kieran—"
"Get out." His voice was hollow. "Just... get out."
Marcus left, and Kieran was alone with the body of his lover. His mate. His soulbond who was supposed to be immortal.
He'd failed. After a thousand years of protecting Adrian through lifetime after lifetime, of watching him die as a human again and again, Kieran had finally turned him. Made him immortal. Secured their forever.
And he'd still lost him.
The pain in his chest—the curse that had plagued him for a millennium—was nothing compared to this. This was agony beyond measure. This was existing with half his soul torn away, feeling the phantom pain of their severed bond with every breath.
Kieran lay down beside Adrian's cooling body, pulling him close one last time. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should have protected you better. I should have been faster, stronger. I should have seen the attack coming."
But Adrian couldn't hear him. Would never hear him again.
As dawn approached, Kieran finally had to leave the body. Vampires couldn't survive sunlight, even in grief.
He watched from the shadows as others prepared Adrian for the funeral—washing him, dressing him in his favorite clothes, making him beautiful for the last time.
The funeral that night was attended by everyone Adrian had touched in his brief time as a vampire. They spoke of his kindness, his courage, his love. They celebrated the light he'd brought to Kieran's ancient darkness.
But Kieran couldn't speak. Couldn't move. He stood like a statue, watching as they burned Adrian's body according to vampire custom, releasing his soul to find its next incarnation.
The flames consumed the body he'd held so many times. The face he'd kissed. The hands that had touched him with such love.
And when it was over, when nothing remained but ash, Kieran finally understood the true cruelty of his curse.
He'd been given a taste of forever. Three perfect weeks of immortal love with his soulmate.
And then it had been ripped away, leaving him with centuries—possibly millennia—to wait for Adrian's next incarnation.
The curse wasn't just about waiting.
It was about remembering.