I had finished off the last of Kizzi’s bluebell-infused thirst tonic before our journey, so I made a mental note to pick up another. My blue hair, twisted into a messy knot on my head, had grown on me. I was strangely sad to think about my strands fading back into a caramel color. Maybe Kizzi could help me keep it around…
I was pulled from my musings by the sound of my front door opening and the bell chiming. Paw pads pattered in my direction, deftly climbing the unfinished stairs.
“Meow!” Sookie called out, followed by a chunky orange cat.
How she managed to open the front door, I did not know. I chose not to consider the conundrum too closely.
“My baby girl! I’ve missed you!” I called out, bending down to scratch her chin. “Who’s your friend here?” I stuck my hand out for the orange cat, but he merely sniffed my hand and moved along. Rude, but understandable. I didn’t like strangers either.
Sookie soaked up my attention for long minutes, making up for lost time. “I bet you missed me, huh. Did you manage to steal any pastry crumbs while I was gone?” I cooed.
She purred in response.
The front door opened again, the breeze carrying in the familiar scent of mint and sandalwood that I didn’t think I would ever smell again. A swarm of butterflies erupted in my stomach, fluttering and trying to break free. My heart took off at a gallop.
“Why, the stranger has returned,” I called out, keeping my eyes on the cat in front of me even though they ached to take in the vampire. I tried to keep my voice from betraying the roiling emotions I felt.
“Hello to you too, sweet Fiella,” Redd said, his voice rough around the edges. He stepped in and closed the door. He took one step towards me.
Two.
Three.
He approached the stairs to the loft, and he came into view as he climbed up to the upper level with me.
I rose slowly, finally glancing in his direction.
It was like a punch to the gut. I had forgotten how handsome Redd was, and his face was pulled into a tentative smile. Nervous. Perhaps… bashful?
I had been so distracted by his face that it took me a few heartbeats to notice what was in his arms. His sleeves were rolled up past his elbows, and his muscles were taut under the weight of the basket.
My jaw went slack at what I saw. I flew to his side, mesmerized. The basket was carrying the most beautifulcreations I had ever seen. Sculptures, of both critters and folk, carved with the precision only a master could manage. I reached out a finger, desperate to find out if they were real or just a mirage of perfection.
Redd’s deep chuckle distracted me. “Why Fiella, it is alarming to see you so speechless. Shall I call Velline? Do you need a medic?”
I flushed all the way to my hairline. I wasn’t sure if I was more embarrassed to be caught staring at him or at his sculptures.
I cleared my throat, trying to regain my cool. “Who, me? I could never be speechless. What do you have there?”
“Isn’t there another question you’d rather ask first?” he asked, quirking a full eyebrow. “I was expecting you to scream at me. Perhaps throw a few things. At least grant me one of those adorable glares.”
I snorted, with only a dash of humor, “Oh right. Where in the Hell’s Realm have you been? You vanished like a wraith. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily, sweet Fiella.” He smiled for just a moment, and then it dropped from his face. “I had something to take care of back in Sunhaven. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first, I just… After that night…”
“You don’t owe me anything. It’s fine, Redd.”
“No. It’s not fine. I should have told you I was leaving but I was afraid that if I had to look into your eyes, I wouldn’t be able to go.”
He set the basket down on a nearby shelf and turned back to face me. He reached out slowly, giving me time to pull away if I chose to, and grasped my shoulders. My breath caught in my throat at the look on his face–pained, eager,pleading.
He slowly lowered his face toward mine, his brown eyes glowing in the fire light.
Holy shit, is he going to kiss me? Do Iwanthim to kiss me?My body acted without my permission, my face tilting up like a flower reaching for sunlight.
I could feel his pulse thumping in his veins almost as hard as mine, our hearts echoes of each other. He hesitated for a heartbeat before his eyes closed. Mine followed.
Instead of softly pressing his lips against mine, he leaned our foreheads together.
