“How rare?”
Aiko laced his fingers with mine, and then unlaced and repeated that a few times.
My stomach was plunging further and further into the water below us.
“Soul mate rare.”
My voice wouldn’t work. I stared at the coast in the distance. I didn’t know what to say or think.
The lightning had been overwhelming when I felt it.
I had passed out from the connection.
And still, I knew it had beenright.
Gods, why me?
“I don’t know what rules the vampire soul mates follow, Aiko.”
“The blood connection is one. There are others, but that’s the big hint.”
“Aiko…”
“Yes. I know. You have your mates. That’s why I’ve been hesitant to talk about it. It’s not fair…”
“It’s not.”
“Not to either of us.”
“I won’t walk away from Roran, Rilen, and Dorian.”
He shook his head. “I suspect they won’t let you. You’ve given me the impression that they… are a little possessive.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “That would be an understatement.”
“I wouldn’t want you to leave them. They obviously make you happy. I’m an interloper. I’m here because there’s a good chance you can’t have blood from anyone else. And you’re the Breaker and the Bright Sword.”
“If I can, Aiko…”
“I’m not leaving, Kimber. I’m not. You are my soul mate, and I will not leave you behind just for carnal connections with someone else. I will stay, and I will protect you. Even if there’s nothing more that I can be to you.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me at all. I made the decision.”
It was quiet except for the sound of the water against the boat.
“Do we have any idea when the first blood craving will hit me?”
“None.”
“What’s normal for vampires?”
He tipped his head. “It varies, but most of us take blood at least once a day. I know that I can usually go for about three days without before I start to get the craving. It becomes blood madness after about a week. It’s hard to come back from the madness.”
“So for a half vampire, it would probably be twice that?”
“Theoretically.”
