But does he know how weak? Does he know how much I want to stay?
Alaric turns to me, beckoning me with a single finger. A slow, remote smile plays over his lips, and I catch the glint of one of his fangs. He’s not hiding himself around me anymore.
He’s naked in more ways than one.
My fingers move of their own accord, pulling my dust-streaked shirt over my head. Underneath, I’m wearing a blood-red bra with black lace details. Alaric sucks in a breath.
“This is what you get for ruining myfavouritebra,” I growl at him. He manages to look both delighted and suitably chastised.
“Remind me to destroy all your corsetry from now on.”
My heart is hammering against my chest. He must be able to hear it. I kick off my trousers and fold them neatly on top of my shirt. Then I find Alaric’s clothes and fold them, too. And I roll his socks together. And I should probably try and get the dust off this shirt?—
“Winifred,” Alaric’s voice rumbles, closer now. “You are stalling.”
I swallow hard and turn back to him. I keep my eyes locked on his as I reach behind me with trembling fingers and undo the clasp of my bra. Hunger prowls in a dangerous shadow behind his eyes as he watches.
With shaking legs, I step out of my panties. Now we’re both naked. Alaric holds out his hands to me. My legs tremble as I step into the water. It’s deliciously warm. I reach for him and he clasps my hand in his, his skin cooler than the water – solid and reassuring as stone.
“I’ve got you. Take another step.”
The next step is easier, and the one after, and before I know it I’m in the water up to my waist, my body pressed against his. Alaric wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my hair, our bodies fitting together like we were made for each other.
“You’re trembling,” he whispers. “You don’t need to be afraid, Winnie. I’ll never let anyone or anything hurt you.”
“I know,” I whisper back. And I do know it. I have never felt so safewith anyone before.
But I’m alsoterrified.
I was supposed to be safe with my mother, and I wasn’t. I thought I was safe with Patrick, but that was also a lie. Iwantto trust this beautiful, deadly vampire who holds me so tenderly, as if he’s afraid of breaking me. But I’m terrified that I won’t be able to survive being broken by him.
And then I think of all the times he has saved me, how he has been in the shadows when I needed him, how he has upended his life and changed his habits because of my trauma. He has bent his ancient will to fit me into his life.
And I think that maybe he needs me to save him even more. He needs to believe that he isn’t a monster, that someone sees past his fangs to the bright jewel of his heart.
“I don’t know what to do now,” I say, and I mean it about swimming and also about us.
“Lean back,” Alaric’s dark voice commands me. “I have you. I will not let you go.”
I will not let you go.
His fingers press into the small of my back as he angles my body so that I’m facing sideways to him. His other hand goes beneath my chin, tilting my head back so my body is forced to follow. A cool breeze blows across my exposed neck, and Alaric sucks in a breath.
I suck in a few shallow breaths as the water swirls around me. My legs bend beneath me. Alaric wraps his arm around my back as my feet lift off the bottom. Water rushes over my torso and I fling out my arms, fighting to put my feet back down again. Alaric’s face appears in my vision, his dark hair draping around his face.
“Hold onto me if you’re afraid. The water cannot hurt you. I will let go of you and you will float, but it will only work if you keep your body relaxed.”
How can anyonerelaxwhen all that’s holding them up is a quivering wet mess that has tried to kill them once before?
But something in the way Alaric saysyou will float, as if commanding the water to obey his will, stirs me. This isa man who has waded into battles that now adorn history books and medieval tapestries. I’ll show him that I can be brave, too.
I try to remember the slow breathing techniques that Harudha taught me. I start at my toes and work my way up my body, focusing on the soft lapping of the water and the warmth and the cooling resistance of Alaric’s arm around me. I relax, my eyes wide open, watching his face for a sign that I’m in trouble.
Alaric may not have seen the sun for centuries, but his smile is pure sunlight.
The butterflies swim laps across my belly.
Alaric slowly peels his arm from around me. His eyes never stray from mine.
