“You know constellations?” Ava turns her head to look at me in question.
“Of course. When do you think constellations were named? Yesterday?” I scoff. “I might be new toyourworld, but I’m not new tothisworld.”
“How should I know? It’s not my skill set, plus you never tell me anything about you or your past,” she mumbles and goes back to stargazing.
I ponder what she’s said and realize she’s right. After my capture and imprisonment, I’ve withheld information from everyone. Not trusting is a hard habit to break, but Ava is my mate and she’s shown me no reason thus far not to.
“My full name is Valentine.” I hesitate but continue. “I came to your world to find someone and was … intercepted before I could finish it out. I was imprisoned for quite a long time, and I’m not sure of the full reason why.”
Speaking the words I haven’t up until now feels like barbs in my throat. At the same time, it feels freeing, like the chains around me are slowly loosening.
Ava’s silent, taking in what I’ve said, and I’m shocked when she doesn’t reply. She must know how hard it is for me and simply takes my hand in hers. It rests against the soft plaid blanket, and I feel her thumb rub against a scar.
Glancing at her, I watch as the stars reflect in her sky blue eyes and her silky hair lies against the blanket.
“Starlight,” I murmur.
“Hmm?” Ava mumbles without looking at me.
That’s what you remind me of.
“You are starlight,” I explain. “I’ve been wondering what you remind me of, and it is not the sunshine. It’s starlight. Beautiful and magical and awe-inspiring.”
She gives me a tiny smile. “Thanks, Valen—er, Valentine.”
“I prefer Valen.” I turn my gaze back to the sky.
“Valen it is,” she says in a soft voice. “Don’t let Zav learn your full name is Valentine, though. You’ll never hear the end of it.”
My lips twitch in amusement at the reminder of the vampire. “He’s a bit odd.”
Ava snorts and sits up, resting her head in her hand so she can look at me. “You have no idea.” It’s quiet between us for a few minutes before she says, “Are there things you want to learn to do? Besides learning to drive a motorcycle?”
I think on her question before responding.
“Learn more about you.”
“Me?” Ava sounds surprised. “I’m nothing special.” She brushes a strand of hair out of her eye and fails.
I reach out and tuck it behind her ear, giving her a look.
“I highly doubt that.” After a beat, I ask her the question I’ve been wondering. “How are you doing with the whole witch thing?”
Ava glances at me and sighs before gazing back up at the stars. “Okay, I guess. I’ve been trying not to think about it because it feels so outlandish. I know you and Zav are vampires, but me being a witch sounds silly.” She shrugs a delicate shoulder, and I resist tracing her collarbone peeking out from where her shirt has slipped. “I keep hoping maybe you’re wrong.”
“I am not wrong,” I state with a bluntness I perhaps should’ve softened. “I have yet to find any substantial information but will continue to search,” I assure her. “We’ll get to the bottom of your heritage.”
Ava situates herself on her side to look at me, and I find the full weight of her stare slightly alarming.
Ironic since I stare at her all the time.
“You’re convinced I’m a witch, huh?” Ava muses. “It would be kind of cool to be part of something bigger. Even though I’m the bubbly, outgoing one in most of my relationships, I can’thelp but feel like a fish out of water. I use my personality to compensate for not knowing my purpose. Nobody knows what they’re doing in the world, but sometimes I feel like I’m missing something and haven’t found my spark yet.” She slaps a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to word vomit on you.”
“Word … vomit?” My tongue moves over the words unfamiliarly. I know ofvomitand what it consists of, and I know what words are, but putting them together the way she stated it is rather baffling.
She smiles softly. “Sorry, it’s an expression. It just means that I dumped a lot of my thoughts and feelings on you at once.”
“Ah. Makes sense.”
