Shadows of Eternity

Chapter Eleven

L eia had intended to go to church Sunday morning, but she had too much on her mind. She spent the afternoon trying to sort out her feelings for Rohan. It would be so easy to fall in love with him. So easy. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man—thoughtful, easy to be with. He treated her with respect, made her feel important, cherished, even. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was beyond gorgeous, or that his voice was like dark velvet, or that his touch made her insides melt and her toes curl, or that he was mesmerizing when he danced.

On the downside, he was a vampire.

If only she could forget that.

She still couldn’t wrap her mind around it. No one believed in vampires anymore. Sure, in the old days, superstitious people had blamed the Undead for anything that couldn’t be logically explained, whether it was a cow that suddenly went dry, or bad weather, or any number of other ills. Just as they had once believed in witches and magic. But even witches were easier to believe in. They, at least, were human.

Rohan didn’t eat. He drank blood and wine. He could read her mind. That was the scariest thing of all. What else could he do? Was he somehow making her think she loved him? Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to go out with him. But surely one more date wouldn’t hurt.

Needing someone to talk to, she called Janae and invited her to come over.

“I can’t some right now,” Janae said, sounding flustered. “Trent’s parents dropped by unannounced to see the boys. I’ll be over as soon as the in-laws go home.”

“All right. See you then.”

With time to kill, Leia padded into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower and washed her hair. When she got out, she wrapped a towel around her hair and another around her middle and then went to look in the mirror over the sink. There was no scar on her forehead, no marks or scratches on her face or her arms. No one looking at her would ever believe she’d recently been in a serious accident. Had his blood truly healed the scars? And if so, how miraculous was that?

After drying off, she pulled on a pair of comfy jeans and a sloppy sweatshirt, stepped into a pair of fluffy slippers, and then, in dire need of comfort food, she scuffed into the kitchen and whipped up a batch of dark chocolate brownies. She loved brownies, but she loved the batter most of all.

Janae arrived at a little after four. She smiled as soon as she walked in the door. “Do I smell brownies?”

“You do, indeed.”

Janae followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table while Leia cut the still-warm brownies, added a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and set the plates on the table, then poured two cups of coffee.

“Haven’t heard from you in a couple of days,” Janae remarked.

“I know. Sorry.”

Janae lifted an inquisitive brow. “Spending all your time with that sexy dancer?”

“Not exactly.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“I’ve just been busy, what with the end of school and everything.”

“Uh-huh. What’s going on?”

“I think I’m going to stop seeing Rohan,” she said, even as a little voice in the back of her mind whispered , Vampire.

“Oh!” Janae looked at her over the rim of her coffee cup. “Can I hope you finally took my warning to heart?”

“In a way.”

Janae frowned as she put her cup down and leaned forward. “What’s going on?”

“I found out something about him that troubles me.”

“I knew it!” Janae exclaimed. “He’s married.”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Well, what then?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Wow, it must be something really horrible.”

Leia took a bite of her brownie, wishing she could confide in her best friend. It would be so good to pour out her feelings, her doubts, but something made her hesitate.

“I didn’t see your car in the lot,” Janae remarked.

“No. I was in a minor accident. It’s being repaired.”

“An accident? What happened? Are you hurt?”

“No, no, I’m fine.”

Janae sat back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. “It isn’t like you to keep secrets, or be so evasive. I have a feeling whatever you aren’t telling me is really bad.”

“Please, just let it go.”

Janae sighed dramatically. “All right, friend, if that’s the way you want it. But if you change your mind … ”

“I know. How are the boys?”

“A handful, as always. Good thing they’re cute,” Janae said, with a laugh. “I’m not looking forward to summer vacation. Thankfully, my Mom is going to take them for two weeks. I know I’ll miss them like crazy, but I could use a break.” She ate the last of her brownie, drained her coffee cup. “I’d better go. I promised Trent I wouldn’t be gone long,”

Leia walked Janae to the door, then went back to clean up the kitchen. It was after six. Rohan would be here at eight. Should she call and tell him she’d changed her mind? Was she being a fool to trust him?

Only time would tell.

Rohan let out a low wolf whistle when Leia opened the door. She had always been beautiful but tonight she looked radiant in white heels, a white skirt and a sweater the same shade of green as her eyes. She wore her hair down with the sides pulled back.

Leia blushed furiously, pleased and embarrassed by his reaction, even though it was exactly the reaction she had hoped for.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked, thinking he’d much rather stay in and make love to her all night long.

Grabbing a small black purse, she nodded. Her heart was beating double-time as they left the apartment. Outside he held the car door for her.

“Where are we going?” she asked nervously.

“I thought we’d go to The Carriage House,” he said. “Is that all right?”

She nodded, wondering why her throat felt so dry. Nothing to be afraid of. She repeated the words like a mantra. And all the while the word vampire whispered in the back of her mind.

Rohan swore under his breath. It irritated the hell out of him that she was afraid of him now. What did she think, that now that she knew what he was, he was going to drive to some deserted backroad and ravish her? His gaze slid over her luscious curves. Not that it wasn’t an appealing idea.

They reached their destination a short time later. Rohan parked the car, held her door for her, and followed her inside.

The Carriage House was an expensive, uptown restaurant that catered to an elite crowd. It was a lovely place, all done up in blue and gold, the furnishings classic, the lighting dim, but not too dark.

A waiter seated them immediately. Leia asked for a 7-Up, Rohan ordered his usual. “Not drinking tonight?” he asked.

“I’m really not much of a drinker,” Leia replied, with a shrug. She glanced around, thinking she was underdressed. Most of the women wore silk and sported costly jewelry. “I’ve never been here before. Have you?”

“Once or twice.”

“Oh.” She was surprised to find herself feeling jealous that he had probably brought other women here.

Leaning forward, he whispered, “None of them were as lovely as you, Princess.”

“Please stop reading my mind. It makes me feel naked.” She clapped a hand to her mouth when she realized what she’d said.

Rohan laughed softly. “Sorry. Force of habit. I’ll try not to do it anymore.”

“Thank you.” She was glad when their drinks arrived.

For a time, they listened to the band. Their repertoire was mainly old love songs.

Putting his drink aside, Rohan held out his hand. “Shall we?”

She hesitated only a moment before she put her hand in his. Being a Sunday night, the crowd was light, mostly older, retired couples, Leia mused.

“How long have you been teaching kindergarten?” he asked.

“Four years. How long have you been dancing?”

“With you? Not nearly long enough.”

Some of the tension drained out of her and she made a face at him. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I’ve been with the dance troupe about eleven years, I guess.”

When Rohan drew her closer, Leia forgot everything else but the magic of being in his arms. The music seemed to spin a web around them, enclosing them in a world of their own. She was keenly aware of his arms holding her close. His scent surrounded her, an enticingly masculine scent that caused everything female within her to respond. She shivered when he brushed a kiss across her cheek.

When she looked up, his gaze moved to her lips, then back to her eyes, a silent question in his own. When she didn’t object, he claimed her lips with his. It was a gentle kiss, yet she felt it in every fiber of her being. She closed her eyes, wondering what it would be like to lie naked in his arms, to hold him and caress him and be caressed in return. She knew, somehow, that he would be an incredible lover.

They stayed on the dance floor, bodies pressed intimately together, until the musicians took a break.

Her legs felt wobbly as he guided her back to her seat. If being so close to him made her feel like that, she could only imagine what making love to him would be like. Oh, Lord , she thought, I hope he wasn’t lying when he said he would stop reading my mind .

They ordered another round of drinks while they waited for the band to return. Time and again, she felt his gaze on her face. What was he thinking? she wondered. This was supposed to be their last date. What would she say if he asked for another?

They danced for another hour and with every passing minute, her dread of telling him good night grew stronger. Maybe his being a vampire didn’t matter, Leia thought desperately. Maybe nothing mattered but the way he made her feel.

Her thoughts were in turmoil as he drove her home.

“Well, here we are,” he said when he pulled into the apartment complex.

She nodded, bit down on her lower lip as he came around to open her door. Taking her hand, he walked her up the porch stairs.

Lifting her hand, he kissed her palm. “If you change your mind, I’d love to see you again.” He wasn’t ready to let her go, and it took all his self-control to keep from messing with her mind, to make her want to see him again, even if she didn’t.

“I’ll think about it.”

He nodded. “You know where to find me.”

Unexpected tears welled in her eyes. He was going to tell her goodbye and she would never see him again. She reminded herself it was for the best. He was a vampire. She had to remember that above all else. They really had no future together.

Giving her hand a squeeze, he murmured, “Have a good life, Princess.”

Pain pierced her heart as she watched him walk away. She clamped her lips together to keep from calling him back, even as her whole soul yearned toward him.

He paused at his car to turn and look back at her.

“Rohan,” she whispered. Read my mind .

He was at her side in an instant, his arms going around her, holding her close as he murmured her name, and then he was kissing her again.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.