Page 40 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Four

My chest heaves at the assurance in his words. He is so confident it almost takes the fear away.

Almost.

I run my teeth over my bottom lip and try to keep the anxiety at bay. “But I am, Bran.”

He winds his arm around me and pulls me into him and I deflate, resting my head against his shoulder. We haven’t made it to the point of our relationship where we’re so familiar with one another that cuddling comes naturally. We were built on annoyance first. Annoyance and frustration that turned into blazing heat.

I need his assurance now, I realize. Because his confidence in making it through this might just be the only thing holding me together.

“Let me tell you a secret, Mouse.”

I hold my breath, wondering what other things he might be keeping from me.

But it’s something better than all of that. It’s a truth straight from his heart.

“When Damien and I were mortal, he nearly died from a strain of flu. He had always protected me, my wise older brother. It made me feel invincible and I was terrified of losing him.” His shoulders rise with a deep breath. “I know I can tell you all day long that I will protect you. That I will do everything in my power to shield you from pain, both physical and mental, but ultimately your own strength will protect you even better than I can. And I know that it’s difficult to believe in your power when it’s still so new, but someday you’ll realize that with or without me, you can do extraordinary things.”

Tears bite at my eyes as I tilt my chin to look up at him. A wave of emotion stings at my sinuses and clogs in my throat. I don’t feel strong, even though I know I hold a great deal of power. I still can’t seem to believe it. Or believe in myself.

“I have trouble seeing it,” I admit to him.

“I know.” He kisses my forehead gently. “And until then, I will see it for you.”

We sit in the silence for several long minutes as the darkness descends outside the front windows. Bran doesn’t move. He keeps his arm firmly around me, what little body heat he radiates enveloping me.

I don’t want to get up, but I know I have to. There’s still so much to do.

“I had a thought earlier,” I say.

“Tell me.”

“I should probably officially move into Duval House.”

“I agree.”

There is a little bit of relief at hearing him say it. I mean, all of the evidence points to him wanting me near, but I’m still keyed up, looking for signs of his flight or dismay at being with a fae princess with the power to command with her voice who also happens to be a hot fucking mess.

“So I should pack my things and—”

He shifts beside me, untangling us. “Gather the necessities. I’ll have someone pack the rest.”

“But—”

“You and I have better things to do, Mouse. We pay people for this.” He gets up and offers me his hand.

“Fine.” I take it and he lifts me easily off the couch then steers me toward the staircase. “Just the necessities then. Give me—”

I falter on the first step, suddenly lightheaded, and the room sways.

“Mouse!”

Bran catches me as I tilt backward. He has me pressed against the nearest wall a second later, his hands firmly on my body to keep me upright. “What is it?” His eyes are dark, his brow furrowed as he examines me. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know…I’m kinda dizzy all of a sudden and—”

A cell phone pings.

Bran’s teeth grind together as he pulls his phone from his pants pocket. But as soon as he reads the name on the screen, his expression softens. “It’s Bianca.”

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