Page 11 of Cursed Gift

“I kind of envy that, I guess,” I said honestly. Since he was opening up, I felt it right to do the same. “It would be nice to not always have the responsibility on you and your family to make the right decisions. To be held to a higher standard.” Embarrassment sunk into my stomach and I stuttered. “I-I mean—”

He held a hand up. “No, you’re absolutely right. That’s what I’m saying. I’m beginning to realize there’s a much bigger world out there and that’s a good thing. Maybe I can have a purpose, you know? I mean, my parents would be thrilled. And your family wouldn’t have to do as much if more people stepped up.”

He gave me a teasing grin, and I chuckled. I’d met his parents before—briefly—and they were a lot like him from what I could remember. They were very laid back, easy going, but I could imagine that would only go so far, especially since Rafe would be expected to be clan leader once his parents wanted to cross over. “How come your parents didn’t come?” I asked.

He sat back in his seat and shrugged, easily carrying on into the next conversation that wasn’t as honest and layered with tension. “I asked them to stay behind. I didn’t want them to push me one way or the other with you.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “Again, I’m selfish. Of course they sent me here with the expectation I’d come back as a vampire prince. Royalty, you know? More prestige for our clan.” He shook his head and chuckled. “If I didn’t like you, I didn’t want them pushing me to take you just because of what you could offer us. I know all that sounds awful, but…”

“But it’s true,” I said, my lips thinning. I didn’t fool myself into thinking everyone would be here for the right reasons. That was why this decision was so important. I didn’t want to take someone who just wanted the title and not all the work that went with it. Especially with what was happening now, maybe they would all understand more. If they wanted the fancy titles, it would be work, and lots of it.

Rafe darted forward and grabbed my hand. “I hope I didn’t say too much. It’s different for me now.” His blue eyes seared into mine, and I felt the truth to his words as if they were raw from his heart. “I just wanted to make my own decision, and I still do.”

His thumb traced over my skin and a surge of electricity passed between us.

What had he said that was all that wrong, anyway? He came here to see me for himself. Not wrong. He was initially interested because I’m a princess. Could anyone blame him? I felt the shame in his words when he told me he was selfish. How many times had I wished I could be selfish too? Hell, I’d just admitted it to him.

“I believe you,” I said.

Rafe unbuckled his restraint and moved my bag to the floor. He took the seat next to me and turned, still holding my hand. His voice barely above a whisper, he said, “I want to be a better person. At home, it’s always felt like something was missing, but here?” He shook his head, his gaze still intent on me. “It doesn’t feel that way. It feels like I have something to live for, and you know, with vampires that’s a good thing because we basically live forever. I need something to occupy my time.”

“What about surfing?” I teased.

“Oh, I’m not giving that up,” he said. “I just might have found something I like more.”

“Might?” I asked, one eyebrow raising.

His eyes drew me closer until his breath hit my lips. I savored the whisper of a touch while my stomach flipped.

Suddenly, he chuckled. “I don’t know if I can kiss you right now. Is it against the rules?”

I drew back. His words taking me out of the moment. My heart beat in my chest like crazy and I laughed alongside him nervously.

I turned away, disappointment thrumming through my veins. I could’ve sworn he was going to kiss me and I wanted him to. Still wanted him to.

Instead, he sat back and interlaced his fingers with mine. His thumb trailed faint designs over my skin and I focused on that. My stomach twisted nervously, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as when he was inches away from me. I squeezed his hand and turned toward him. “For the record, the next time you feel like you want to kiss me, just do it.”

His mouth dropped a little, then he snapped it shut. He nodded, then turned away, his cheeks coloring all the way into his hairline.

What a time for him to decide he didn’t want to be selfish anymore…

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Chapter Six

Rafe fell asleep. His limp hand falling to the side.

I eyed him and then stretched. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to sleep, my mind too preoccupied on so many other things. Why hadn’t Rafe just kissed me? Why was I thinking about that when there were bigger things to deal with?

Alexei peeked over the seats. His movement caught my eye, and I smiled. Checking on Rafe, he rose from his seat and came around to sit across from me. “You can’t sleep either?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

His lips thinned as he looked me over. Then, he sat back and motioned for me to come over.

“What?” I asked, eyeing him cautiously.

“Come here,” he said, patting his lap. When I didn’t immediately move, he said, “Come on, Iz. Come here.”

My legs felt like lead when I stood. Thankfully, Alexei was only two paces away. When I was close enough to touch, he reached out and grabbed my hands, pulling me down on his lap. I forced my mouth shut, so I wouldn’t make a loud, embarrassing squeal or anything else like that.

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