Page 154 of Immortal Bastard

She dropped her gaze, still haunted by the memory. “First times are never what we hope.”

“I know it’s difficult to fathom, but I was doing my best to protect you.”

Because he would have taken her eventually, with or without her agreement.

His hand squeezed hers. “I can only be grateful it did not come to that.”

She shuddered. With everything he just explained, she could only imagine how vicious an immortal would get when pushed to the limits. After the episode the other day, she understood how overpowering the need for blood could become. And now, since having a chance to process her own experiences, she was convinced the link between mates was real. “You would have hunted me.”

“And stopped at nothing to claim what’s mine.”

“How do you do it?” She was learning to track him from one room of the house to the next, but finding a stranger in the world would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

“The dreams helped.”

“Dreams?”

He cocked his head. “Yes. Don’t you remember?”

“I hardly ever dream.”

“Every calling starts that way. Perhaps your memories have merely been misplaced. Shut your eyes. I’ll help you find them.”

Her eyes closed and she felt him push into her mind, stronger than the usual gentle presence he assumed. Flashes of images turned in her mind’s eye, some familiar, others only teasing a discomforting sense of déjà vu. When an image of them lounging together on the grass came to mind, she gasped.

The vision was so real. They lay under the shade of an ancient tree. She could smell his familiar scent and feel his love for her as she leaned into him and laughed affectionately. They were so happy.

“Is this a prophecy?”

“We have an eternity to make it so.”

She might have questioned the authenticity of such an image if she hadn’t recognized them as lost visions of her own. “Can you show me another one?”

He showed her several more and she watched in awe, slightly jealous that he had this knowledge all along.

“I would have been more prepared if I’d recognized you.”

“Perhaps on some level, you did.”

She looked at him so differently than she had a week ago. Her mind simply couldn’t go back to hating him now that she was coming to trust him. “Will you teach me?”

“What would you like to learn?”

“All of it. I want to know everything you know. I want your strength and confidence and skill.”

Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “It will be my honor to teach you everything you wish to know. But first…we must attend service.”

She groaned and threw herself back on the bed. “Why can’t we just stay here? I’ll give you your six.”

He paused, but then quickly stood. “It’s seven, and as tempting as that offer is, I must decline. We can settle that score after worship.”

“Great.” Nothing inside of her wanted to sit through a long, boring, German sermon.

“Keep in mind that others will be able to overhear your thoughts, little one.”

Her eyes widened. “You really need to teach me how to guard my mind.”

He stood, bending only to kiss her head. “Today will provide many opportunities for you to practice that skill. Get dressed.”

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