Page 23 of Blood Vows
“I’m glad it meets your approval,” he said finally. I turned to him, smiling, unable to hide my awe.
“It’s more than that. It’s like magic.”
“Magic…”he repeated quietly, as though tasting the word. Then, softer still,
“Yes…something like that.”I swallowed hard at that, blushing and hoping to blame it on the roaring fire from the elaborate fireplace.
I wandered deeper into the library, unable to stop myself from reaching out to run my fingers along the spines on one of the countless shelves. The scent of leather and parchment filled the air, the faint musk of old paper mixed with the warmth of the fire crackling in the great stone hearth. It was a room that seemed alive, breathing softly through the flicker of candlelight and the whisper of pages turned by ghosts.
“This room…it feels different from the others,” I said quietly, as he still lingered near the doorway, hands clasped loosely behind his back, his gaze tracking the curve of my movement.
“It’s the only one I use. The rest of the house belongs to the past…a walk in history like you said,” he admitted, and I looked over my shoulder at him, his tall form haloed in firelight.
“So, this room is your favorite?” I asked and he hesitated, as though the honest words would taste strange on his tongue.
“This room brings me peace. It’s quiet here. The shadows don’t seem quite as loud.” The confession felt like a small window had opened in him, and I couldn’t help but smile softly.
“Peace suits you,” I said, and for a heartbeat, his eyes softened. Then he looked away, as if remembering who he was meant to be. I turned again, back to running my fingers along the spines of the books. Titles in gilded letters, some in languages I couldn’t read. The beauty of it all filled me withsomething childlike and giddy, and before I knew it, the words slipped out without thought.
“I feel like Bella in Beauty and the Beast.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. My face heated instantly.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, hiding behind a curtain of hair.
“That was… childish.”
But instead of mocking me, his deep voice came from directly behind me, so close that I felt the warmth of his breath against my ear, making me flinch in surprise.
“Would that make me the beast, I wonder?”
I shivered. Not from fear, but from the way his voice sank into me like velvet and shadow. Slowly, I turned, and found him far too close, his mask catching the amber glow of the fire, his eyes unreadable.
“I… I didn’t mean…” He tilted his head slightly, the ghost of a smirk threatening the corner of his lips.
“It’s all right…I’ve been called far worse, I can assure you,” he murmured. And before I could think of what to say, he reached out and gently guided me toward the fireplace.
“Let us sit,” he said, his tone softer now. I did as I was told, letting him lead me away from the books. My heartbeat still thrumming wildly, and he moved toward a small table beside the hearth where crystal decanters caught the firelight. The liquid inside shimmered like molten gold.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder as I lowered myself into a leather, wingback chair. I hesitated, wondering if adding even more alcohol was a good idea right now.
“All right,” I said finally, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt. He poured a generous measure into a glass and handed it to me. I then took a cautious sip and nearly choked. The burn hitinstantly, searing down my throat like liquid fire. I coughed, eyes watering, and set the glass quickly on the table beside me.
He chuckled, a deep, low sound that was far too rare.
“Not to your taste, I take it?” he said, amusement coloring his tone.
“It's strong. What is it?” I asked, having to clear my throat first.
“It’s brandy. Not exactly made for mortals who sip tea before bed.”
“Noted,” I rasped, glaring weakly at the amber liquid.
“I think it’s trying to kill me.” He smiled then, an actual, genuine smile and it did something disarming to his face. His features softened, his humanity slipping through the cracks of his darkness.
“Don’t worry, I will protect you.” He teased, yet his words were weighted with promise and duty, one I knew he had already proven true since rescuing me from the warehouse.
“I thought you’d like this room,” he said, surprising me. I blinked, caught off guard.
