Page 17 of Eternally Owned

Nissa reached out, laying a hand on his arm. It was like polished marble beneath her palm, but she could see the softness in him that lay beneath the stony enigma of the face he presented to the world. “I’m sorry, Aleron. Truly sorry.”

“Don’t pity me, Nissa. I’ve had a great love. It is more than most people can ever expect. And I’ve loved all of my companions, as I said, although in a different way than I loved her. My Emeline.”

“She was very beautiful.”

“Yes, in every way.”

There was so much sorrow reflected in his eyes, along with the firelight. Nissa had to swallow a lump in her throat.

“You are every bit as beautiful, Nissa. You and Hex both.” He paused, stroking her hair again. “You are meant for each other, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“We often know these things—we’ve talked to you about it before. And I know that you are for Hex. Being with us, together, was simply your introduction to him.”

“Do you really believe that?” Her heart was pounding, with hope, with sorrow.

“That people, vampires, whoever, can bemeantto be together?”

“I know it to be true. It is not some sort of religious thing, not preordained by any sort of god. I don’t believe in gods, just as I don’t believe we vampires are evil, despite the myths that persist even after our emergence from the shadows. It is a spiritual thing, the connection between two beings that is amplified by the power inherent in being an immortal.”

“But then… what now?”

“Now I stay with you only long enough to take you safely through your transition into this dark life. If you want it still.” He gazed into her eyes, searching. “Do you,

Nissa?”

Hex.

“Yes.” It came out as a whisper, her heart beating too hard, emotion choking her.

“Then you shall have it. And I will be there. But it will be Hex who gives you the Turning Kiss. And you will be his.”

Tears gathered in her eyes. “Aleron…”

“There is no need to be sorry. Don’t you see? Don’t you feel it?”

“Yes, I feel it. So deep in my bones I can barely stand to be without him for an hour, even when I’m with you, Aleron. And I am sorry—sorry to take him away from you. Sorry that although I adore you in a very true way, I love him so fiercely… I can’t stand it, not to have him. Even if that means hurting you. And it feels so wrong, but I feel… helpless to do anything else.”

He smiled once more, his face hard and frighteningly beautiful, but his blue gaze soft on hers. “This isright, Nissa,” he told her. He took her hand and lifted it, brushed his lips across the back of her knuckles in a gentle, old world gesture. “You are taking nothing from me I am not entirely willing to give, I promise you. I will be with you. I will help you. And you will always have a part of me, as I have a part of you. There is no need to be sad. I am never alone, if I choose not to be. And there’s the Midnight Playground. All the pleasures of the world await me there. I am enough of a sensualist to appreciate such a place.”

His smile widened into a wicked grin, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

“Shall we prepare you for your journey into this new life, Nissa? Are you ready to come to us, to be one of us?”

Her heart was racing, hammering in her chest like the powerful roll of thunder outside the windows. But she had never felt so certain of anything in her life. Other than her need for Hex. Her love for him.

“Yes. I’m ready.”

Chapter Six

Nissa stood naked in the center of the rug in the bedroom while Aleron himself brushed out her hair. When Hex came in, he smiled, that lovely flash of strong white teeth making her go liquid all over, making her nipples harden.

“Nissa, my lovely girl, my love. Aleron called me.”

“She is ready for you, Hex,” Aleron said, his hand coming to rest reassuringly on her shoulder.

Hex’s smile widened, and he came to her, taking her in his arms. They were solid around her, her bare flesh rubbing against his clothes. She wanted him as naked as she was. She simplywantedhim.

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