I said the only thing I could say.
“I promise.”
He took a deep, shuddering breath, and the feral expression on his face slowly faded, until he was just Vas. “I need to talk to Jimmy. I can get someone to take you home.”
I shook my head. “I’m here until you’re ready.”
He shifted the hand on my throat to my cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to my temple. “Thank you.”
20
MEREDITH
Vas was silent on the flight back to my bar. I let him think, but I nuzzled close, attempting to give him whatever comfort I could.
We landed outside the bar. It was a full house tonight, and I signaled Orin. He stepped outside.
“I can’t work. If you need to call in someone else, do it,” I told him.
He took one look at Vas’s face and nodded. “We’re fine, Mere. Go.”
I led Vas up to my apartment, where we showered under the cool water together. He still hadn’t said a word. I rummaged through my refrigerator while he pulled on a pair of sweatpants.
“Are you hungry? I can order in,” I offered as he stepped into the kitchen.
He merely shook his head. “We need to talk.”
My heart fluttered, but I followed him over to my sofa. He sat beside me and took my hand.
“Do you love me, Mere?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve loved you for a while now.”
He gave me the ghost of a smile and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.
“Did you think about our conversation?”
So much had happened, I had no idea which conversation he was referring to. He stroked my hand, right where the mark would be if we were bonded.
I took a deep breath. “I want to be your bondmate, Vas, but I need you to explain to me exactly what that means. I remember how close Danica came to death when Samael was turning to ash. Even if I live to one hundred, you’ll be weakened when I die. I can’t do that to you, Vas.”
He shrugged, as if his being weakened meant nothing. That indifferent shrug made me want to strangle him. “It’s important, Vas. You can’t just bury your head in the sand.”
“You’ll live several centuries longer than an average human.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“When we bond, I’ll share my life-force with you. You’ll take half of my years. We’ll be together until the end.”
I felt the blood draining from my face. The world spun sickly around me, and I yanked my hand free. “You want to give up half your life-span? Are youcrazy?”
His jaw tightened, and I’d have to be blind to miss the hurt and rejection in his eyes. “You promised.”
“What?”
“You promised you’d never leave me.”
I stumbled to my feet. “I meant theoretically, Vas! Like I’ll be watching over you after I…” I let my voice trail off at the fury that crossed his face.
