Page 88 of Addicted in Blood
He fingered a tress, rubbing it lightly before running his knuckles down my cheek.“I know it isn’t your fault my memory is hazy.”And for a moment, I counted this dream as a checkmark in the positive column.“But you didn’t talk to anyone about it first.You made a decision based on a dream and symbols on a medallion.And maybe it was the only path to take.You’ve dumped a lot of information on me, and well…” His smile was endearing.“I’m still a bit slow when too much information is dumped on me.I need time to digest everything I’ve learned since returning home.”
It was impossible to not return his smile.Not when combined with his indigo gaze pinned on me.It was really unfair.“I get it.I’m still processing it myself.And I’m sure, even with your current state, my brain won’t come to an understanding any faster than yours.”
He chuckled.“Then come home to the manor, and we’ll figure it out together.”
It was tempting.And it would be exciting for the two of us to work through it, as long as we didn’t have outside influences to color our judgment.But we wouldn’t have that luxury.
I shook my head.“You need to gather your conclusions on your own.So do I.It’s only then that we can compare notes and see where it leads us.The problem for you is that you aren’t just Devon Trelane.You’re Devon, leader of House Trelane.It will be impossible to prevent the cadre from slathering their opinions on you.Lyra is the only one who’d wait for you to ask.”
He quirked a brow, and something told me the relationship between brother and sister had more fire to it than I first thought.I smiled back—good for her.
“Until you have everything settled, I’ll stay at the condo.I don’t know what Ginger will do, but to be honest, I think it would be good for everyone to take a break and consider everything that’s happened and how far we still have to go.It’s not like we won’t see each other.There will be training, phone calls, maybe a private dinner or two.”
He walked me to the vines, and he selected a rose with a strong stem.“I don’t like this.Lorenzo was humiliated at Council, at least with his allies.He’s not done with me.I don’t feel comfortable with you outside the manor.”
I hadn’t thought of that.Before Devon was dosed with the Poppy, I’d only considered Lorenzo a slimy vamp.But he’d proven to be much worse.Devon’s concern was valid.
“I’ll tell you what.Place one or two vamps around the building for security.You can even place one on our floor.But we both need our space, whether you’re willing to admit it or not.Maybe this will encourage you to give more thought to it.”
He picked the thorns from the stem then slid the rose inside the sundress so it rested between my breasts.His languid kiss made my knees weak.I might have stumbled a bit when he released me.
“It won’t be long.”His promise sounded like the leader he was.
“I only ask one more thing.Whether the cadre gives you opinions or not, will you promise to seek Lyra out?Ask her about the wolf massacre.I think the two of you have a great deal more to discuss.”
When he nodded agreement, I took a deep breath of the rose and waved my arm.
The construct disappeared, and I stared at the ceiling of my room at the condo.It still amazed me how real the constructs felt.I could still smell the rose.
When something scratched, I glanced down to find the rose.It had slipped across my bare breast, and the edge of where a thorn had once been must have nicked me.I picked it up and breathed deep.
The heady aroma held a spicy sweetness.The flower and the thorn.This was the first time something from the construct manifested in real life.The only other time I could remember it happening was the prick on my finger from another thorn in a dream.
Was this normal?I didn’t know much, but I had a feeling Colantha wouldn’t be able to answer this new puzzle.
I hugged the pillow, still sniffing the rose.The construct hadn’t gone anything like I’d imagined.I was disappointed he wasn’t at the same place that I was in our situation.But how could he be?I’d dumped a lot of stuff on him in mere minutes.
He was right on one point.The Lorenzo issue worried me.Ginger and I should be back at the manor.Or maybe they could move us to Oasis.That would be best.I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that.I’d call him tomorrow.
Maybe living at Oasis would match the earlier prescient dreams we’d shared.A huge weight lifted.Somehow, being at the condo made our separation more real.At Oasis, his true home, we might live in different places, but our bond would be stronger.I smiled as I kissed the rose, being silly.Tomorrow didn’t look so bad after all.
Thank You For Reading!
But don’t go!Keep reading for more Cressa and Devon.
Cressa wakesfrom an accident with all her memories lost.She only has the word of an ancient and attractive vampire that she is his Blood Ward—soon to become vampire.The mystery of how or why that happened might forever be out of her reach.
Devon rages.His greatest enemy has taken something most precious to him.No other mission is as vital as bringing Cressa home.And he’ll use every resource of the House Trelane to make that happen.
But first, he has to find her.And the only way he knows to do that is through her dreams.
And now…
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Of Blood and Dreams - Book 4
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