Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“What makes you think that’s all it is?” Cassandra asks.
“Beyond that he’s told me up front we can only have a physical relationship?” I blow out a breath. “He ran away.”
“He what?” she gasps.
“After we…” I nod. “You know. He didn’t even let me return the favor.”
Cassandra’s lips part, eyes calculating. “That’s something.”
“Right? I don’t get it. One second, he’s acting like he’s beyond annoyed with me and the next, he’s touching me like his life depends on it.”
Cassandra tilts her head.
“At least you get to touch him,” Aurora says, shocking me and Cassandra both. She’d been so quiet since we came to sit under the moon, I assumed she’d been dazing like she does sometimes, understandably. Her eyes meet mine for a few seconds before they shift a bit, like she’s somewhere else.
My heart pangs for her. She often zones out after making a connection. She still has so much healing to do.
“You’re right,” I say, and Aurora nods a little. “I’m not sad that it happened. I’m just terrified about how badly I want it to happen again.”
“You should tell him,” Cassandra says. “No point in tiptoeing around an ancient hunter. Be direct.”
“What if I’m not even sure what I want?”
“Once you do, then,” she says.
I nod, swirling the sparkling wine in my glass as I think about it.
“Did you enjoy the feeder island, Aurora?” I ask once I see she’s clear and connected to our conversation again.
“I enjoyed the boat ride,” she says.
“Did you feed?”
She shakes her head.
“Aurora may be the only vampire in existence to enjoy the canned blood,” Cassandra says affectionately. “I’ve tried to sway her on how much better fresh, human blood tastes, but to no avail.”
The ghost of a smile plays on Aurora’s lips before she shrugs. “I only taste red wine,” she says. “I don’t know how Saint does it, but that’s all I taste.”
Cassandra and I share a look. Saint’s power is as incredible as it is terrifying. To be able to manipulate the mind in such a way…I’m grateful he’s on our side. Had Samuel been born with that power, I’m certain he would’ve manipulated us in such horrific ways when he was first awakened from stasis. Even as it is, Saint’s twin decided to use his abilities to torture people, poison them in such horrific ways only to heal them and start over again. My heart hurts for Aurora all over again, for what she endured, half of which we don’t even know about. She hasn’t been able to fully confide in any of us, unless she has to Saint.
Aurora’s focus drifts to the sky again as she settles deeper into her chair.
I’m happy she’s here, far away from the residence and enjoying some much-needed solitude in a place that is practically paradise. This really is the ultimate place to heal. The king was right in his choice to send her along with us.
“So,” Cassandra says. “How are the actual lessons going?” She nods to the crystal pitcher of water near the fruit platter.
I take a breath, pride bubbling up in my chest at how easy it is for me to connect to the water. Even now, I can feel the ocean’s pull in my veins, like a constant humming in the back of my mind. I focus on the water in the pitcher, gently gripping the connection to my power.
The water swirls in a smooth, constant motion.
Cassandra smiles. “Looks like Dagon has at least been helpful in some regard, even if he’s infuriating in others.”
I laugh, holding onto the water. “He has,” I admit. “I know I wouldn’t have figured it out this quickly without his instruction.” I lift the water out of the pitcher, swirling it above the crystal.
Aurora eyes it, captivated.
I’ve been practicing on my own every waking minute. In the shower, the bathtub, the pool. Even when Dagon isn’t with me, which has been a lot since he ran away the other night. I’ve never been so grateful to be able to lock into my connection without having to beg for his touch to do so.
Not that I don’t crave his touch, because goddamn it, I do.
“You definitely love to give him credit,” Cassandra says. “I don’t personally see it, but I’m mated, after all. What do you see in him?”
My heart skips at the question, and at the thoughts that immediately form in my mind. “He’s…”
“Gorgeous?” Cassandra offers.
I laugh, enjoying the challenge of maintaining my hold on the water while also carrying on the conversation. “I can’t deny that.” That blond hair, those piercing blue eyes, the confident smirk. “He’s the most attractive vampire I’ve ever seen,” I admit. “And yeah, he blew my mind in less than three minutes and more than anyone ever before him, but it’s more than that.”
“How so?” Cassandra asks.