Page 32 of Drink Up, Darling
It didn’t affect Godwin’s manner. His hands were trembling in his lap, but his voice did not stutter. “After the accident. You were marked as missing. She’s looking for you, your sister. There was a photo of you… only you had a different name… but I knew it was you and…”
She won’t miss me.Dariel recalled the other vampire’s words from earlier.
Athens gasped in a sharp breath.
Godwin shook his head in sorrow then finally gave in to the confidence he was desperately trying to uphold. “She wants you to be safe.”
“No she doesn’t.” Athens snarled. “She doesn’t wantthis.” He thumped his fist against his chest, jaw set.
“Athens…” Dariel started, expecting to be pushed away as he reached his arm out again, but instead, Athens leaned down into the embrace and suddenly Dariel found Athens’ head in his lap, his fingers beginning to stroke the soft black hair before him.
“Stop now, please,” Athens said, like he’d run out of energy.
“Of course, I’m sorry,” Godwin said, almost robotically.
“There is a reason the past is the past. It does you no good when you’re trying to move forward,” Athens continued, his breath warming Dariel’s thighs.
‘We can leave it where it belongs, everything.’
‘I thought I was strong enough.’
‘We don’t have to unpack anything tonight. Nothing changes my opinion of you, Athens.’
‘Thank you.’
Godwin sat with his eyes fixed to the pair of them, their position oddly intimate, Dariel thought. He didn’t mind how they looked though, as he continued to smooth Athens’ hair down to his shoulders.
“I admire you, Athens. I admire you a great deal. I envy your courage. Your heart,” Godwin said.
“Even though it doesn’t even beat?” A quiet, subtly joking tone came from Athens then, easing Dariel. He worried perhaps Athens would have grown too far gone into his own mind after that revelation.
Godwin’s face softened. “It still beats in your soul, does it not?” He tilted his head to be level with Athens.
Dariel listened to the words as if they were also meant for him, reaching his free hand to his own chest where his heart really did not beat.
He never understood how his body worked. He was dead, but he could bleed. He breathed in air like every other human, but healed wounds at an alarming speed. He wished to learn everything he did not understand from the man still resting his head on his lap. Athens would surely have answers for him. He just needed to keep the pair of them floating above the sea of shadows.
He was not alone, not anymore.
Maybe he didn’t have to be again. Even after this night was over.
Rain poured outside, the clock pendulum clicking at a constant pace.
“And you, Dariel Hale. You are wonderful.” Godwin smiled.
“I am?” Dariel rubbed his chest. Athens at some point had reached out a hand to stroke his knee, but he only noticed in that moment.Don’t stop.
“You are my elder, I presume?”
Was that a smirk?Dariel’s crotch hardened again. “You really do know us,” he said, trying to act unbothered.
‘You forget where my head is.’
‘No idea what you’re talking about.’
‘I’m definitely not moving now.’
Dariel discretely pulled a strand of Athens’ hair, causing the man in his lap to flinch.
