Page 43 of Thomas
Overall, it was… good. New and strange. The burning-irises situation was wholly unpleasant, though, to be sure.
“Have your eyes ever alighted before?” Thomas asked, slowly sinking down to kneel in front of Cameron once more. His eyes were alighted and burning blueish-silver. Arresting, like lightning striking across a midnight sky.Pretty.
Cameron brought the heels of his palms to his eye sockets and gently pressed them there, willing them to stop. “No. It’s quite uncomfortable.”
“The first time is painful because it’s a new experience,” Thomas said from beneath him. “You grow accustomed to it with subsequent occurrences.”
This was going to happen again? Why was it even happening at all? He dropped his palms and exhaled another breath. His insides still felt warm and gooey from the things Thomas hadconveyed while he fed. Very thoughtful and pleasant things, like he’d promised. That part… that was Cameron’s favorite part.
He looked down at Thomas. Both of their eyes were still burning. “It isn’t painful for you?” Cameron asked, curious. “Have yours alighted before?”
Thomas’s smile was gentle. Patient. “It is not painful for me. And yes, they have.”
“With Dawn?”
He took a noticeable breath. “Yes.”
Cameron gazed toward the fire, his emotions and nature swirling in a way he was wholly unfamiliar with. What was the social protocol for this? Was he supposed to say or do something after another vampire fed from him? Give them a printed receipt and thank them for their patronage? “Was it okay for you? My blood, I mean. The feeding.” He glanced down to find Thomas still staring at his face.
“You taste wonderful and your eyes are beautiful. Thank you for giving of yourself. I really… I needed that, badly, I think.”
Self-conscious and with his cheeks aflame, Cameron nodded. “You are welcome.”
“And you are my source, Cameron. Your blood is in fact the same as what I receive in my bags from the boutique. I am absolutely certain of it.” Thomas said this with his intensely glowing irises unblinking. Daring Cameron to refute it.
He wasn’t going to argue. “How uncanny. What are the odds?”
“Mm.”
Cameron inhaled deeply and blew it out. Gradually, he felt the heat behind his eyes dissolve and cool. When they felt normal again, he blinked in relief. “Ugh, thank God.”
Thomas’s grin broadened, his own irises returning to their very pale gray. “It gets better each time.”
“Bloody hell.”
Cameron jumped slightly when Thomas laughed outright. It was a hearty, raspy and unwieldy sound he’d never heard from him. The light from the fire sparkled in his gaze and a low pressure radiated from his being. Churning and pulsing in a way it never had.
It was subtle but remarkable.
Thomas took a healthy breath and rolled his shoulders when his laughter subsided. Only then did he notice Cameron’s somewhat alarmed facial expression.
“Have I frightened you?”
“No,” Cameron said honestly. “You seem a little different, somehow.”
“I think I’m relieved,” he said, sitting back on his haunches. “That was unexpected and lovely. Shall we head to the banquet room for dinner?”
“Yes, sure.” Cameron stood, then instinctively offered his hand. Thomas paused for the briefest moment, then slipped his palm into Cameron’s. His skin was cool and dry to the touch, his fingertips soft in Cameron’s larger, warmer grip.
Once Thomas was on his feet, Cameron moved to release his hand, but Thomas held on to him.
“Does this bother you?” Thomas lifted their hands slightly to clarify. “Does my hand touching yours make you uncomfortable?”
Cameron huffed. “Well, it didn’t until you pointed it out.”
“I’m sorry,” Thomas said, gently releasing their hands.
“No, I… That was a jest,” Cameron reassured him. “I don’t mind, Thomas. I’m not—I don’t think I’m so uptight. I used to hug Devon sometimes… the knobhead.”
