Thea was pissed.
It radiated off her. Ginger and cinnamon mixed with her floral aroma, spicy and sharp notes of warning. I’d messed up. But how badly?
“Thea, I don’t know what she told you,” I started, earning another fierce glare. “But whatever she said, it’s the truth. Jacqueline wouldn’t lie to you.”
“But you did,” she accused.
“I’ve never lied to you.” I couldn’t. I had tried. No wonder I was fucking things up.
“You told me that you wouldn’t sleep with me because my virginity was a precious gift or some other bullshit,” she seethed.
I could hardly resist the urge to smile. Whenever Thea cursed, she looked like a kitten trying to act tough.
“I meant that,” I said softly. “Whatever other reasons I had, I meant that.”
“But you let me push you, knowing that if you lost control, I would be tethered to you. That is screwed up!”
“I know.” I nodded, feeling a heaviness settle on my chest. “I won’t lose control.”
“Really?” She lifted her chin, blowing a renegade strand of hair out of her eyes, before pressing on, “So the blood-lust and the blood-rage are you being completely in control?”
“Yes,” I hissed. “I would never endanger you.”
“Liar,” she said softly. “Just being here puts me in danger, and if I can’t trust that you’re telling me everything I need to know…”
She glanced away, her throat sliding as she swallowed whatever words finished her thought. If she couldn’t trust me, what? Where did that leave us?
“I wish I’d brought my cello,” she said suddenly. “I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Her words felt like a knife through my heart. “I would never change you.”
“You made that clear,” she said in a flat voice.
“Can’t you understand the boundaries now?”
“Yes,” she admitted, but she took a deep breath. “But I’m not sure why I’m here anymore. Jacqueline said…it doesn’t matter.”
“What did she say?” I asked, but Thea remained quiet. I slipped my glove off and reached for Thea’s face. Cupping her chin in my hand, I stroked my thumb across her cheekbone. “Pet, what did she say?”
Thea nuzzled against my bare skin. “Nothing.”
“What?” I asked again.
“I need time to think,” she said, standing abruptly and knocking my hand away. “And I have to prepare for this evening’s event.”
“You don’t have to go to that,” I said quickly. The last thing she needed was to deal with my mother and a bunch of snobby vampires and familiars.
“Why? Because I might find out all the secret expectations for vampire wives?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Too late. I know that you’re trying to avoid having kids, so you’re shacking up with me–a mere mortal who can’t give you any.”
“I don’t think of you that way, and I don’t want you to go anywhere you’re uncomfortable.”
She rolled her eyes. The defiance sent a jolt to my groin. I wanted Thea every waking moment. How was it possible that I wanted her even more when she challenged me?
“I’m going,” she said in a clear, strong voice. “I’m not afraid of your mother or the others. Not anymore. Not since I know that I can never be what they want.”
“It doesn’t matter what they want.”
“Will the Council agree? You’ve bought yourself some time, but eventually you’re going to have to marry a familiar and make vampire babies.”
“Like hell I do,” I roared, knocking over a reading stand and sending an antique volume of Shakespeare flying.
“What other options are there?”
I gave her the first one that came to mind. “Pack your bags. We’ll go to Venice or Hong Kong. You name the place.”
“I’m going.” I heard the resolution in her voice, and I knew she wasn’t talking about some new city. She would attend the Salon Du Rouge, and I couldn’t stop her.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I want to see your mother’s face when I tell her I’m not going anywhere,” she said with a wicked shrug.
“You aren’t?” But the relief was short-lived.
“Honestly? I don’t know,” she said. “I have to think about things, but since I basically blew up my life to come here with you, I don’t have a choice. You’re stuck with me for the next year. I’m not going to spend the whole time avoiding your mother.”
It was hardly reassuring, but it was better than thinking she might leave now.
“So that’s what Jacqueline told you–about how vampire babies are made?”
