Page 26 of Taste of Forever
She actually laughed into her hand that time, then shook a finger at me. “That’s right. I remember you’ve got jokes.”
“That’s not the only thing I got.”
She shook her head, fighting a grin. “I can see where this is going and I’m not walking into it.” Before I could deliver a witty comeback, she sobered. “Okay, so assuming this blood mate thing is real, what then? We set up regular appointments at the blood bank or what?”
“No.” I stifled a laugh. Her naivety about my world was an adorable contrast to how intelligent she truly was. “No, blood mates are so much more than that. It’s not just finding an ideal food source. It’s…a bond. A connection that goes deeper than taking blood. In exchange for your blood, I’m expected to take care of you. To provide for you, keep you comfortable and happy. Satisfied.”
Heather became statue-still as I spoke, but her heartbeat quickened at a rapid rate.
“Do you get what I’m saying?” I asked during her silence.
“That sounds…” She wet her lips on a deep breath and started over. “That sounds an awful lot like a romantic relationship.”
“Oh, it absolutely is.” I nodded. “Blood mates stay bonded for a lifetime and they’re exclusive partners in every way.”
I didn’t know Heather’s eyes could get any bigger, but impressively, they did. “And that’s what you expect out of…this?” She gestured between the two of us.
“Well, we can take things slowly. I have all the time in the world, and I would like to get to know you.” I gave my best non-threatening smile, which was quite a feat with hunger making my fangs so long. “This is strange to you and I get that. We can figure something out, and then seal the deal with a ceremony whenever you’re ready.”
“No, I’m sorry.” She shook her head and began fidgeting in her chair, making subtle movements like she wanted to leave. “You seem nice and all, but I can’t do anything like that. I’m already with someone.”
“Oh.” The solution was clear to me. “Well, obviously, you have to break it off.”
Heather blinked and then her eyes narrowed. “What?”
“You have to end it. This is with a human partner, I assume?”
“Yes.” The word dropped harshly from her mouth. “I’m not leaving my boyfriend of five years. We’re serious. We live together.”
“Serious?” I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I’ve seen your TV shows. You make vows to each other for life, then split within a decade. You promise to love in sickness and in health, then sneak around with affairs and gambling debt. You marry for health insurance, citizenship of another country, status, wealth. Serious?” I laughed again. “Humans don’t know what serious means.”
“We’re not all like that,” Heather shot back. “TV doesn’t always reflect real life. There are plenty of humans in happy, lifelong relationships.”
“What’s your divorce rate again? Fifty percent, was it?”
“And dropping. What’s yours?”
I grinned. “Zero, because we don’t get married.”
“And you say humans don’t take relationships seriously?”
“Nothing is more serious and committed than blood mates,” I said. “But what makes a mated pair is out of our control. It’s one part biological compatibility, one part divine fate.”
Heather gave me an incredulous look. “Fate? Really?”
“Yes.” I held up my hands and wiggled my fingers. “Call it magic, divinity, whatever you want. But it’s true that our matron goddess Temkra has a hand in choosing mate pairings. Quite a matchmaker, she is.”
“I don’t believe in magic,” Heather deadpanned.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe. It simplyis.”
“All right, well.” Heather slid from her barstool, careful to not brush against any part of me as she shouldered her purse. “Thishas been a fascinating conversation, but I’ve had enough for one night. Nice to meet you, Laith.”
With a determined stride, she started toward the door.
“When will you be back?” I called before she could get too far. “I kind of need your blood to live, remember? You wouldn’t want my death on your hands.”
She paused and looked at me over her shoulder. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t sign up for this blood mate thing. I wish you the best.”
