Page 63 of Dawn Caravan
Ben had a feeling that Nima had seen far more than Tenzin gave her credit for. “So what are your New Year’s resolutions?”How do you find the dead parts, Tiny?
“To look inward more.” She looked at a point over his shoulder. “To think about how situations make me feel and not just react to them.”
“Let’s just consider the Nintendo carnage a slip and not a complete fall off the wagon.”
She snarled. “Mobile gaming options for vampires are limited and highly imperfect.”
“You’re preaching to the choir now.”
“When did you join a choir?”
Ben shook his head. “Never mind. Tell me more about the resolutions.”
“Nima left her journals with me, and that is one thing she mentioned, that I needed to not react to things instinctively.”
Ben let out a long breath. “That’s got to irritate you.”
“So much.” She narrowed her eyes. “So very much.”
Ben smiled. “It’s good though. That’s a good one. Giovanni was always really good at reinforcing that. Live deliberately and not by instinct.”
Which was the only reason he was all the way across the room and not on the bed, tearing Tenzin’s clothes off. Being with Tenzin created a gloriously messy set of emotions. He was relieved. He was angry. He was happy. He was very horny. And he was hungry.
While Tenzin appeared completely nonchalant.
“It is a good idea,” she said, “otherwise I would not be doing it.” She looked straight at him. “But that does not mean I regret having sex with you. That was instinctual, but a good instinct. Is that why you came to my room?”
“What? No!”
“Because I know you’re aroused.”
“No. That’s not…” He’d initially come to talk to her about the New York house, but he’d gotten distracted by Nintendo carnage and New Year’s resolutions and… Tenzin.
“Okay.” She swung her legs. “Did you want to—?”
“Right.” Ben jumped to his feet and headed toward the door. “Um… we have a big night tomorrow, so I’m going to… leave.” He turned at the door and her annoyingly perfect eyebrow was arched again. “Bye.”
17
Tenzin stretched back on the bed and reached for the journal she’d brought with her. It was one Nima had written during a particularly turbulent part of their life together, just after Nima had decided she would not turn.
As Tenzin felt the sun rise, she closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift in the fluid space that had become her favorite part of the day.
It wasn’t exactly sleep, but it was close. She felt the touch of a single familiar finger slide across her cheek.
“He still loves you.”
She turned and saw Nima lying next to her. “Do you think so?”
In her dreams, Nima was young again, flush with life and possibilities. This was the Nima before human religion had turned her mind away from immortal life. Her skin was smooth and her eyes were dark brown with flecks of gold that reminded Tenzin of amber. She loved staring into Nima’s eyes. Her face was constantly changing, but her beautiful brown eyes remained the same.
“Look at you.” Nima’s smile was a brilliant crescent moon. “Your hair is so short.”
“Do you like it?”
“It suits who you are now.” She scooted closer. “I would miss braiding it though. I always loved to braid your hair.”
“I am sorry.”
