Page 320 of Dragon Slayer

60

SAFE

Val had seen things in his years of captivity. His out-of-body wandering. In so many ways, he was well-versed in the modern world. So it was no great wonder to him when, after an hour of driving, at an Interstate exit on the other side of Richmond, Fulk pulled into the parking lot of a hotel. A La Quinta. Val had seen that name on tall, glowing signs before. He’d seen buildings like these: a five-story concrete box with lots of windows, a huge parking lot, glass-walled lobby and fenced-in swimming pool. A place for weary travelers, not too different from the inns of old.

But he’d never stood at the edge of a pool just before sunrise, staring down into the glowing blue waters, lit from below, bare toes wiggling against the cold, gritty concrete. He felt the breeze on his face; cool, scented with the season’s first turning leaves. He hadn’t smelled the seasons inso long. He was aware of the dim rumblings of activity in the hotel behind him: the kitchen staff preparing breakfast; businessmen up early for their day’s meetings; families loading suitcases and kids and coolers into their overstuffed vans.

He smelled things he’d only ever been able to imagine: frying food, car exhaust, the chemicals they put in the pool to keep it sanitized.

He smelled his Mia; heard her walk up to him; felt the air stir as she looped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder, joining him in his staring contest with the water.

“It’s a swimming pool,” she said.

“I know. It’s lovely.”

He felt her smile, the sweet shape of it pressing through his shirt and into his skin. “Do you want to go for a swim?”

“I’m an excellent swimmer, actually. Father had the wolves throw us into the moat as soon as we could walk. The water was freezing; it proved an excellent motivator.”

She hummed a sad little sound. “That’s not what I asked, though.”

“I was under the impression that humans have to wear some sort of special bathing costume.”

She chuckled. “Bathing suits, yeah. The concierge said there was a Target just up the road. We could get some. Water’s probably cold, though.” She shivered. “Fall’s here, finally.”

“You sound excited about that.”

“I love fall. No more sweating through my clothes when I ride. And it’s a lot easier on the horses…” She trailed off, and when he glanced down, she had her lower lip caught between her teeth, face touched with sadness. “But I guess I won’t be doing that anymore, huh?” Her voice grew fainter with every word, only a breath at the end.

“Mia.” Her hand tightened around the meat of his arm. “Mia, look at me.”

When she did, her eyes were wet. She blinked furiously, and no tears fell, but she looked ashamed.

He reached to cradle her face, ran his thumb over the delicate skin below her eye. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? You saved my life.”

“But what about your Brando? Your life training?”

She turned away from him, and his hand slid down to cup her throat, the rapid pulse beating there. “I’ll call Donna,” she said in a strained voice. “I’m sure she’ll…” She broke off, jaw clenched. After a moment: “I need to call my mom, too. She’s been really worried. Maybe I won’t tell her about the whole vampire thing…” She gave a weak, watery chuckle, and the tears finally slipped free, crystal droplets down her cheek, bright in the glow of the pool lights.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He put both arms around her and pulled her into his chest. She trembled, and she stared down at the water, but she melted into him, head tucked in under his chin. Maybe he’d ruined her life, but he had her trust. A dark thought, one he dashed. No, he wouldn’t think those things. This woman – his mate – was the one who’d seen him, believed in him, fought for him in all the quiet, determined ways that no one else ever had.

His mother would have loved her.

“I’m going to make you a promise,” he said, and she started to protest. “And I’m going to keep it. I swear to you.” He kissed the top of her head, and she went still. “Though I am immortal, I was born in a violent age. More violent than this age, if you can believe it,” he tried to joke. “Living forever wasn’t something we took for granted. It was easy to think that tomorrow might not come; to not want to put off the things we most wanted to do. It’s equally easy, sometimes, to stare into the yawning maw of endless time and feel defeated by the inevitable boredom.

“So I promise you this: We will go home to your farm, and your Brando, and your training. Now that you’re strong, and healthy. We’ll ride horses together with the mountains in the background. Perhaps Donna won’t be so frightened of me if her hand doesn’t pass right through me.”

Another weak laugh from her, but this one truer. “Perhaps.” She heaved a deep sigh, ribs expanding beneath his arms. But when she spoke next, her voice was steadier. “I appreciate you saying that. It’s what I want. But I know we can’t do that right now.”

“Oh?”

She tipped her head back, twisted, propped her chin on his collarbone. “I don’t know if you noticed this, but we’re fugitives.”

“Not in the technical sense.”

She gave him a small smile. “True. The cops aren’t after us. Just some peoplea lotscarier.”

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