Page 45 of To Love a Vampire
He’s entirely unaffected, like our cliff diving experience was just light exercise to him. His wet hair sticks to his forehead, brushing his eyebrows that are set in concern. Water clings to his long lashes as he watches me, waiting like the seagull for the human girl to catch her breath.
In a light zig zag pattern, he runs his finger down my arm. Water droplets cling to my flesh, my eyes trail his movement against my skin where he traces against stark black lines. A thin rope design is etched into my skin, crisscrossing down my forearm and wrapping around my wrist and the back of my hand.
I trace the lines as well, trailing behind his finger. A matching brand mars his forearm with the same intricate black lines. My heart warms and flutters at the sight of his branding next to mine. It’s pretty in a strange way. Meaningful and touching. A memory I will never forget, nor will the lines embedded into my flesh allow me to.
“Are you okay?”
His voice is quiet. The world around us is alive and loud and we’re just here, dropped into it, keeping to ourselves the best we can to not disturb the sound of the crashing waves or the squawking birds or the rushing wind. The sun set sometime between leaping from the cliff and nearly dying beneath the waves but the sky is on fire with an ethereal orange and pink glow, highlighting the heavens around us.
“Yes,” I say, my breathing as normal as my tight bodice will allow.
His hand, lined in black, brushes my wet matted hair from my face. His thumb trails my jaw as he watches me in silence for a few minutes. “You let go,” he says, a statement filled with thought and concern. “Months ago, I was afraid I’d never find you again and I had that same fear just now. I’ll never let you go, Fallon, but that means nothing if you won’t hang on.”
“I-” I pause as guilt shakes into my chest. A chill runs down my spine and I fold my arms over my chest to keep some warmth in me. “I didn’t want to drag you down. I don’t want to drag you down, Asher. I’m not as strong as you are, I’m human.”
His brows pull together as he tilts his head to meet my downcast eyes. “I’m human, too… Partly. I’m definitely not perfect and I am very much aware that you are not perfect, either.”
“Thanks,” I say sarcastically.
He laughs, his fingers digging into my thick hair as he tilts my head up. His beautiful eyes bore into mine. “I meant that we have flaws. I know you have flaws, but they are my own now. You are a part of me.” He glances at his inky arm. “I wouldn’t have dove into that water with you if I didn’t think I couldn’t take care of you. I’ll always take care of you, Fallon. But you have to let me. We’re a team, remember?”
I shudder at his words and the cool wind.He wants to take care of me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, looking away, keeping my focus on the flat gray rocks.
“Don’t be sorry.” He pulls my body into his side. “We should go before we both freeze out here.”
“Go where?” I ask glancing back up at the intimidating cliff high above us.
The jagged bluff is painted in a swirl of ominous black, white and red colors. The lines bend and arch together making a symbol of an eye. Its pupil is red but streaks of white burst from the center, seemingly seeing all. It’s eerie and unsettling. A chill traces like a spider down my spine.
“It’s The Eye of the Ocean.” Asher’s explanation doesn’t seem to settle my nerves. “Some say it’s a symbol of the watchful Capitol just across these waters. Some say it’s a symbol of the hidden community of mystics.”
“What do you think it is?”
A pause settles between us before he glances up at the ominous painting.
“Perhaps it’s just a reminder that there’s a higher power watching over us.”
For whatever reason his description of The Eye of the Ocean sends a shiver across my flesh and my attention lingers on the strange image for several moments.
Taking my hand in his, Asher leads me up the rocky shore, the smooth stones warming my careful steps. He pulls me closer to his side, his previously pressed button-up is now sopping wet and clings to his skin, emphasizing the lines of muscle beneath. I pause as we stand at the bottom of a smoothly carved lane that trails up the side of the cliff, right next to the tumbling ocean.
“Has this always been here?” My feet pad quietly against the flawless granite as he leads me up the strange path.
“I made it last night.” He glances down at me as I raise my brows at him. “I wanted to make you a present for our wedding day. I stayed up all night.”
“Why?” I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips.
Several hundred feet in the air we stop just outside a… house carved into the cliff. Two shiny windows look out at the ocean and a single stone hinged door is outlined in the center.
“Because I wanted something almost normal for us. I wanted to make a home for you, Fallon.”
My heart’s gone. I know it’s gone because it’s melted in my chest. I part my lips with a breath of air that’s clouding my lungs as I stare up at his sweet gray eyes.
Pulling me against his side once more he opens the door to our home.
I’ve never had a home before…
