“But I will stand beside you and let the flames that destroy you destroy me as well.”
She looked at him, wide-eyed. “Why would you do that?”
“I told you, I cannot live without you. Nor would I want to.”
She tried to hang on to her anger, tried to hate him for what he’d done, but the love in his dark eyes, the anguish in his voice, made it impossible. If what he’d said was true, he had saved her life. How could she hate him for that? She told herself to look on the bright side, to think of all the remarkable things he could do. She imagined transporting herself wherever she wanted to go, starting a fire in the hearth with no more than a thought, reading people’s minds,although she wasn’t sure that was a good thing. Some thoughts were best kept private.
Stefan remained standing. His whole world had come to a halt and would remain so until Bryony decided her fate. And his. If she chose to die, he would die with her. If she chose to live but wanted nothing more to do with him, he would try to regain her love. And if that failed…
“Stefan?”
He lifted a questioning brow.
“I don’t really hate you.”
Five little words but they changed everything.
“I shouldn’t have said that. I should be thanking you for saving my life,” she murmured and burst into tears.
Muttering under his breath, he drew her into his arms and held her close. “It will be all right, love, I swear it.”
“I don’t want to be a vampire.”
“I know.”
“My…my father will hate me now. My mother, too.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he settled her on his lap. “Look at me. Your father already knows.”
“What?”
“I went to see him as soon as I knew you were going to be all right. He blames himself for what happened.” Stefan grinned at her. “He said if he had let you marry me, none of this would have happened.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “It is true, nonetheless. Your mother will no doubt be shocked by the change at first. But your parents love you and they always will. Your brother and sister, too. I guarantee it.”
She sniffed back her tears. “I’m not sure I can face them.”
“It might be wise to wait a day or two. I gave you my blood to ease the pain of transition, but you must feed on human blood. Vampire blood will not sustain you for long.”
She stared at him, aghast. “Feed? On people? Onstrangers?”
“Why do you look so surprised? You know that I prey on others.”
“I know, but…” She shook her head. “I can’t go wandering through the night biting people on the neck! I mean…I just can’t.”
He tried not to laugh but failed.
“It’s not funny!” she exclaimed.
“Relax, fair Bryony. It will come naturally to you.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said. And grimaced. “I think I’m hungry. Or thirsty.”
“I would not be surprised.” Rising he reached for her hand, and then frowned. She couldn’t go hunting in nothing but her chemise. “Wait here. I will be back in a few minutes.”
She started to ask where he was going, but he was already gone.
