A letter from Tessa

Jacquie Groom

I don't know who you are.  But I know that, sometime, somewhen, you exist,  You may be fair or dark, tall or short.  I'm sure you'll be beautiful, intelligent and talented.  You may even be an immortal, but somehow I doubt it.

I know the day will come when he will lie in your arms and not  in mine.  Perhaps I will grow old by his side, as he stays young and handsome eternally.  But could I bear to see the love, the passion in his eyes fade as my beauty does ? He might - no, I know he will, protest, proclaim the love still strong. And if we are together, I will be taken for his mother, his grandmother even. I hope, I pray. that I will have the courage to leave before that happens.

Or perhaps I will die, as he will not, before our love has a chance to be tested by the ravages of time.

One way or another, I will not be there.  And, eventually, you will take my place. Whoever you are.

Take care  of him.  He is the most wonderful, caring, loving man.  It breaks my heart to think of life without him.  Please, understand that he needs you, as he needs me now, as he has needed and loved throughout his life.  If you understand him, truly, you will realise that, and will equally realise that jealousy is pointless.  He is not like other men. Learn to treasure that, instead of making it a problem.

I hope you don't long for children, for Duncan can not give them to you.  Call it the curse, the price of his immortality.  It hurts him, a deep, unhealed cut buried far inside.  Don't hurt him more than you have to.  Please.

You'll grow to recognise the times of danger.  There is a strange, focussed look in his eyes, a certain tension in him.  Another immortal.  Deadly danger.  He may try to make you leave him.  I couldn't.  I hope you won't, either.  He needs you, even if he will not admit it.

Love him while you can.  A few years may seem insignificant when compared to his centuries, but, believe me, it does count.  He makes it count.  Treasure every minute.

My heart breaks at the thought of bequeathing all I most treasure to a stranger.  But I know it is something I must do.  As I know him, I feel I know you too.

I love him.  Love him too.  It's worth it.

There can be only one.  For me, anyway.

Tessa