Page 40 of Bitten & Burned
“Really?” His whole face lit up—equal parts thrilled and relieved.
“Of course,” I said. “The sooner the better.”
“I’m so glad you think so. I was thinking we could leave assoon as I can arrange passage to Moondale—the Evergreen Conservatory is beautiful this time of year and?—”
“Wait.” I stopped walking and held up my hand. “You want to go to Moondale? That’s… at least three days’ journey from here. May I ask why?”
He blinked. “Well… yes. It’s where I was turned, Rowena. It’s customary to hold the ritual in a place where the vampire was turned. It’s where my essence is the most potent.”
I frowned. “I did not know that. Is it necessary then?”
“It doesn’t have to be,” he said carefully, “but it’s tradition. It matters.”
“Vael, my darling…” I softened my voice, trying not to sound exasperated. “This isn’t exactly a traditional situation. I don’t know if I can handle another trip so soon.”
He laughed awkwardly. “Of course. What was I thinking?”
Relief loosened my chest, and we started walking again. The silence between us was tight but not quite uncomfortable, stretching all the way until we reached Cassian’s door.
“When do you think you would feel up to traveling?” Vael asked then, too casual to be casual. “Maybe in a fortnight?”
I paused mid-step. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I was hoping we might just do it here. Then I don’t have to worry about crossing the mountains.”
Vael pressed his lips together—the first flicker of real resistance. “Yes, but… Rowena, it’s Moondale. You’ve never seen it. The Conservatory is where I learned so much—it’s part of who I am. I want you to see it.”
“We’ll have time for that later,” I said, gently but firmly.
“All the time in the world, if we do this bond,” he reminded me, a little too sharply. “It will lengthen your life—you know that.”
I nodded. “Yes, I know. But right now, I’m tired, Vael. I’m asking to stay here.”
He lifted his chin slightly. “I feel I must insist. When do you think you’ll feel well enough?”
I stared at him, at a loss for words. “I don’t know.”
“Just an estimate?—”
“I don’t know!” I snapped, my voice sharp as I rapped my knuckles on Cassian’s door. “I need time to think.”
He flinched. “I can give you that.”
“Really? Because it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like you’re pressing me when I’m asking for space to recover.”
“I never said I’d force you,” Vael protested, frustration creeping in. “I only asked when?—”
“And I told you I don’t know!” I hissed. “I’ve done everything you asked, Vael. Everything. And I’m asking you for one thing.”
“This one thing,” he repeated, like it tasted bitter. His jaw worked for a moment before he went on, voice lower now. “I’ve bent so much for you, Rowena. Changed so much. I live most of my life in a tiny apartment in the city. I only see my coven on rare occasions. And you can’t do this one thing for me?”
I was speechless. What? I never forced him to do anything he didn’t want to do. Or so I’d thought.
The door opened. Cassian’s eyes flicked between us—I forced a bright smile.
“Cassian! I was wondering if you knew where more electric lanterns were. I want to clean up the conservatory to use as an office, if that’s alright?”
He looked between us, catching every crack in my voice. “Of course. There should be more lanterns in the attic. I can help you bring some down, if you’d like.”
“Let’s ask Cassian,” Vael cut in, voice too calm now.
