Page 20 of To Love a Vampire
“How long have you lived?”
“Sometimes life isn’t about the number of years lived, but the amount of emotion felt.” Her pale eyes appear lighter in the clear moonlight. She studies me for a moment, my mother’s features smoothing into a sight of kindness. “In all of my life, I’ve never once had anyone look at me the way that hybrid looks at you.”
I swallow hard and blink up at her. How does Asher look at me?
She lifts her arms and dithers for just a moment, unsure of herself, before wrapping her thin arms around me, embracing me.
“What do you wish you would have told your mother?” she asks, as I cling to her, wishing I would just push this strange witch away but also never wanting to let go.
My breath catches, coming out uneven and harsh, as my lungs grow tight. “I-" I gasp in an attempt at finding my breath again. “I wish I would have said thank you.”
She knew that I loved her. So much. But she didn’t know how much I appreciate all that she did for me. She lost her life to give me a better one.
“You’re welcome, Fallon.”
Ten
The President
The much-awaitedTreaty Celebration is finally here. My stomach fills with dread at the thought of meeting the representatives. Luca’s swift fingers tangle my waves into a simple knot, a few loose tendrils curl around my face, threatening to cling to my lips.
“The mortals don’t have much taste but I think this should do,” she tells me, her mouth twisting in a look of uncertainty as she eyes my hair.
“That sounded incredibly close to an insult,” I say as my eyes narrow on my friend.
She smirks at me, the dim light catching her golden-like eyes as she appears lost in thought. Flipping her long maroon hair, she turns away, striding to the door in a few long steps.
“I’ll meet you at the dinner in just a few minutes.” She races from her hut without explanation, the thin door creaking shut behind her, leaving me staring after her.
That was odd. She seems to be in a bit of a hurry.
Raske’s warning for the hybrids to stay out of sight tonight circle my mind. I wonder if she’s helping them hide, if she’s using it as an excuse to get closer to Gabriel.
I sigh and begin pulling on my dress for the evening. It isn’t the Wanderer’s normal attire. It’s a black dress that falls to my mid-thigh with thick straps over my tan shoulders. The smooth material feels nice against my skin. It swishes around my thighs with each step I take, reminding me of how calming the simple fabric feels. It might help me with my nerves tonight.
The sound of the door shutting quietly is heard as I pull the dress over my thighs. My heart skips a beat as I hold the fabric to my chest, glancing over my shoulder my gaze collides with hungry eyes.
Asher clears his throat, brushing a hand through his messy hair as he hastily looks to the floor. “Sorry, I-” he stammers. The always assured hybrid can’t seem to fill a sentence right now.
A shy smile pulls at my lips as I finish pulling on the black formal dress, the dress hugs my shoulders, barely revealing any skin in the front. The length of my spine is displayed with the low dip of the material in the back.
I face him when I’m fully clothed and he finally meets my eyes again, a sweet smile fills his face.
“I just wanted to see you before everyone got here,” he tells me in a quiet voice.
He crosses the small room until he’s just a foot from me. His eyes trail over my skin, making a flush creep over my neck and face from the appraising look he’s giving me.
“You’re beautiful, Fallon,” His voice is barely a rasp. “You’re always beautiful.”
I lean into him, unable to help the pull I feel when he’s around and he wraps his arms around me in an instant. The beat of his heart fills my mind as he just lets me relax against his body. The anxiousness I felt moments ago isn’t there anymore. I breathe in his warm scent as I nestle into his chest, my hands slipping around his trim waist, brushing over the hilt of the Crimson Sword as I go.
“I wanted to tell you to be careful tonight,” he says against my hair.
Just like that, the calmness is pulled out from under me.
“Why?”
“I know what Raske intends for you.” I shift until I’m looking up into his concerned eyes, a thin line creases between his brows. “I—I’m not going to—I don’t want to talk about that.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before meeting my confused gaze again. “The government isn’t just going to let him join the races. Be careful of your words. I wish I could tell Raske to be careful, as well. Don’t put yourself in danger for him.”
