Page 63 of Sophie's Ruin
“Well, not anymore,” I told her. “Things have changed between us,” I said hesitantly, looking for confirmation from her. We’d begun growing closer when Henry had been taken by the clans. I hoped that what I’d done would not undo the progress we’d made in our friendship.
“They have,” she agreed, after a beat of silence, and I let out a breath of relief. “You saved Henry, and I am grateful for that. You went deranged and then almost killed him after you’d saved him, but I suppose we all make mistakes.” Her gaze returned to the bedroom door, and I knew she wasn’t just talking about me but also about Wren.
“So, you and Wren?” I prompted again.
“Are temporary.” She cast her gaze to the ground.
“You don’t have to be,” I said softly. “Wren had asked me before if turning into a vampire was worth it.”
Isabelle’s gaze shot back up to mine.
“Why would he ask you that?” she asked quietly, and held her breath as if she already knew the answer.
“Why do you think?” I gave her a pointed look.
A hint of a smile pulled at her lips as her gaze drew distant. I wondered if she was imagining her life with Wren—her very long, eternal life.
Suddenly, the corners of her mouth turned down, and her forehead creased.
“No. I will not turn him if his only reason for wanting to become a vampire is to be with me.”
“Why not?” I challenged, a moment before understanding dawned on me. “Unless you don’t believe in you and Wren. You don’t want to shackle him to you for all eternity.”
“Eternity is a long time to be with someone,” she countered.
“It is,” I agreed.
“Yet, you are sure you want to spend it with my brother,” she said, her eyes searching my face. If she was looking for any hint of hesitation, she wouldn’t find it.
“I am.”
“How do you know?” Now, her look was incredulous.How would I know?The question was implied.
“I just know.” I shrugged.
Isabelle lifted one brow, silently demanding more of an explanation.
“Because eternity means nothing if I’m not with him,” I said with a heavy sigh. “Because even if I die tomorrow, I would die happy and with no regrets, knowing that I’d spent the time I had by his side, loving him…” My voice broke—I’d never told him. He’d told me he loved me, and I’d told him it wasn’t enough.
“He will be okay,” Isabelle said, her eyes flicking over my features.
Her gaze returned to Henry, and I could see the love for her brother shining through on her heart-shaped face.
“You’ve never told me how you joined the clan,” I prompted, curious about how she’d become one of the Duvals.
“I haven’t, have I?” Isabelle said, looking back at me. “To be fair, we weren’t speaking much until only a few nights ago,” she pointed out.
“Why is that?” I asked, seeing no reason to tiptoe around the subject. “I knew you didn’t like me when I was Henry’s vassal, but I hoped it would change when he turned me. But it didn’t. You shut me out.”
“I did, and if you expect an apology, you will not get it.”
“I don’t want an apology, just an explanation.”
Isabelle swallowed.
“After you were turned, Henry was spending all of his time with you…”
“I was a new vampire, I needed guidance…”
