Page 100 of Depths of Desire
I find myself grinning. “What do you say? We all move to Nova Scotia?”
“I have to check with Mia,” Renzo comments, “but I’m sure I can convince her if you two are bringing Pippa and Luna.”
“Ditto,” Luca says. “I think Pippa would enjoy it, especially if her two best friends are there.”
I nod. “I will ask Luna when she wakes. If she’s game, then I’m in.”
We grin at each other. “This is going to be fun.” Luca frowns suddenly. “Renzo, are you going to be okay with leaving everything you’ve built?”
“I can build it all again if I need to.” He shrugs. “Part of me has been looking for a change for a while now. I’m getting…”
“Bored?” I supply.
He grins. “Kind of, yes. I think all of us going to Nova Scotia will be fun. I look forward to seeing our cousins as well.”
Luca laughs. “Nova Scotia won’t know what hit it.”
I grin. He is not wrong.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“Nico?” I say as I open my eyes and search for him. Is he okay? He has to be okay.
“Right here,vita mia.” I turn and see him coming into the room carrying a tray of food.
I push myself up slowly, expecting pain to radiate from my abdomen, but nothing. I look down and realize two things. One, I’m totally naked. And two, there’s no scar. I touch my stomach. No pain. No scar. Did I imagine the whole thing with Malrick? Did I dream that he slashed me?
I meet Nico’s gaze as he sets the tray down on the bedside table. “Um, was it real? Is Malrick dead?”
“Yes, Malrick is dead, and yes, it wasn’t a dream, it was real.” Nico sits down on the side of the bed.
“But where’s my scar? I know he slashed me. It hurt so much. It was excruciating.” I glance at my belly again and then back at Nico.
“He did slash you, for which I am so incredibly sorry. I should never have dropped my guard, not even for a moment.”
I shake my head. “Not your fault. You didn’t think Malrick would risk going against the vampire kings and coming after me.”
“True, but I should’ve known. That’s on me.” He picks up my hand and kisses my palm. “I will be forever sorry.”
A small thrill of electricity shoots across my skin and warms my belly. I start to smile, but then the smell of the food hits me and my stomach growls.
Nico laughs. “I assume that means you are hungry.”
“Yes,” I agree. “But first, tell me why I have no scar. Did you use your magickal powers?”
Nico hesitates for a moment. “Yes and no. When Mia and Pippa were hurt, all three of us let our blood mix with theirs, and it saved them. We did the same with you. Vampire blood is powerful. Now, blood from all of us is mixed with yours and runs through your veins. That’s what healed you.”
“Does that mean I will live forever like you?” Hope fills me. The idea of getting old all by myself scares me.
“Not forever, but yes, you will age more slowly, as will Mia and Pippa.”
“I’m so relieved.” I throw my arms around his neck. “I did not want to grow old without you. This means we will have more time to spend together.” I start to kiss him, but he pulls back slightly.
“About that. I’ve been thinking, and I need to run something by you.”
I lean back against the headboard and pull the sheet up over my chest. “That’s okay because I need to talk to you about something too.”
Nico cocks an eyebrow. “You go first.”
