Page 57 of Depths of Desire
I find Luna out on the back balcony. A glass of white wine rests on the table in front of her and a tray of cheese beside it, but she’s not eating. She just stares at the horizon, lost in her thoughts. I need her strong for what’s coming. And for that, she needs to eat.
I drop a kiss on the top of her head and sit down beside her.
“How do you like the white?” I ask with a nod to the glass.
She glances at me, but she’s already built up a wall. I can see it in her eyes. It makes me sad, but it also angers me. She’s noteven giving me a chance. I must control my temper, though. If she suspects I’m annoyed, she’ll just try to push my buttons. It’s in her nature.
“It’s fine,” she says coolly.
“Just fine?”
“Okay, it’s excellent.” She sighs. “Happy?”
“That’s more like it,” I say, then glance at the cheese. “You’re not eating.”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“You need to eat,vita mia. You have to keep up your strength.” I signal to Carson through the glass door. He steps outside immediately.
“Carson, I know it’s early,” I say. “But what time do you think we could have dinner? Luna’s hungry.”
“Of course, sir. I can have something within half an hour.”
“That would be great. Thank you.” I need to eat too. But first, I have to get Luna to say yes. I turn back to her. “So. We’ve come up with a plan.”
“We?”
“My brothers and I.”
A sour look crosses her face. “A plan for what?” she says, taking another sip of her wine.
“A plan to keep you from being forced to marry Malrick.”
She exhales sharply, setting the glass down. “I still think the best plan is if I leave. If he can’t find me, he can’t marry me. I’m all good.”
“If I thought that would work, Luna, I would wholeheartedly support it. But you’re dealing with a vampire who has friends in the magickal realm. Do you really think you can hide?”
She glares at me. “I could give it a damn good shot.”
I try not to sigh—loudly.
“I’m offering you a better shot.”
She cocks her head. “You can guarantee I won’t have to marry Malrick?”
“I can’t promise,” I admit. “But after careful consideration, we believe this is the best chance we’ve got.”
She snorts. “And why should I believe you? Everyone’s been lying to me lately.”
I fight to control my temper. “Because I haven’t lied to you, Luna. And I’m not going to.”
She crosses her arms over her chest in a defensive manner. “Fine. Then what’s your solution?”
“Marry me,” I say simply.
Her jaw drops. “What?”
“Marryme, Luna. If you’re already married to a vampire, it gives us a much better chance of keeping Malrick at bay.”
