Page 35 of The Vampire Curse
Kathrine releases me and moves so the two of them are close. They grasp each other’s hands and chatter about vampires and my assumed death.
I stand frozen, unsure of what I should do. I suppose this can’t be any easier for me than anyone else. After all, it is unheard of for someone who’s been claimed to return, especially unaccompanied by their vampire master.
Xander clears his throat quietly, drawing me out of my shock.
He jerks his head, motioning for me to find a way out of this crowded room. It seems I’m not the only one desperate to talk.
“It’s warm in here,” I announce a little too loud. “If you will excuse me, Kathrine, I need some air.”
No one responds. Kitty and the woman, who seems to be her friend, are too consumed in their conversation.
I take two steps before Kathrine’s words send a jolt through me, so sharp my vision blurs with the violent pulse of my heart.
“Can you believe it? First, you and Xander are married, and now I am to be married in less than a month!”
My mouth goes dry. I force myself to keep walking even though my legs shake with each step until I’m in the hall.
I look around desperately, searching for an empty room or some dark corner to hide in. Xander’s footfalls hurry after me, but I keep going.
Near the end of the hall is a dark room with the door ajar. No lights are lit from within, no fire burns in the hearth.
I push my way into the room, my breath coming out in short bursts.
Of course, he didn’t wait for me.They all thought I was dead… but I had sent him letters, how could he not know? My racing thoughts pound against my skull, and I massage my temples with my fingers.
The door clicks shut, cutting off the small amount of light from the hall. I drop my hands and look up. Xander stands in the shadows near the doorway. Only pale moonbeams filter in from the window, giving shape to his form.
For a long moment, the two of us face each other in heavy silence. There are so many unspoken words between us.
“You’re married?” I finally blurt. The words echo painfully off the walls.
Chapter Thirteen
Clara
“Clara,”Xander starts. He lifts both his hands and approaches cautiously. “It’s not what you think…”
Married… Xander is married. I can barely keep the thoughts and questions straight in my head.
“And what is it that I think?” I snap. “Because it seems rather simple. Either you’re married, or you’re not. There isnothingcomplicated about it.” He grimaces but says nothing as he inches closer. “Did you get married almost as soon as I was taken? Did you get my letters? Did you even know or care that I had been claimed?” My questions burst forth in a rush.
He stops in front of me and places his hands on my shoulders. I shrug him off, taking a step back.
“I got your letters,” he says quietly.
I lick my lips. I don’t want to know the answer, but I can’t stop myself from asking, “How long did you wait?”
Xander drops his gaze to the floor. Even in the low light I can see color fill his face.
“A few days,” he finally admits.
A few days… Not even a week, butdays.
I had waited for him for years. Even if Alaric had never claimed me, our engagement would have been nearly a year off, if not more.
“I wanted to wait…” he says, trying to close the distance between us once more. “But my parents pushed for it.”
I take another step back. “Demon shit,” I hiss. “All you had to do was read my letters to know I would return.”