Page 91 of The Vampire Curse
I nod. We both know he’ll sleep when he needs to. Still, Alaric closes the book and sets it down.
Scooting to the middle of the bed, I make room for him. Rather than sitting, as he usually does, he removes his shirt and shoes and climbs in to lie beside me.
I curl into his side and rest my head on his chest, listening to his heart's slow, steady rhythm.
“I’m sorry.” It’s all I can think of to say. I could say it a million times and still feel I need to say it again and again. But it’s never enough, and the words I need to express myself do not exist.
There’s a long silence, and I’m unsure if he’s fallen asleep. Slowly, I lift my head to check and find him gazing down on me.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” He purses his mouth as if tasting his next words, feeling them. “You have become dear to me, and as my friend, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from this fate I forced upon you.”
I cock a brow. “You once said you didn’t force this on me. I thinkthatwas the truth.”
Alaric shakes his head. “No, I was trying to avoid the truth. I might not have forced you to fire that arrow, but I played my part in this.”
“I meant—.” I swallow and gather my nerve, pushing up on one elbow. “I’m sorry I killed Rosalie.”
“I know.”
I lay back down. I wait for more than those two little words. Unbidden, tears sting my eyes.
He reaches up and smooths my hair away from my face. “I forgive you, my dear Clara.”
My breathing hitches.
“How?” My voice comes out small.
He pulls in a long, deep breath then releases it. “Because… as someone wise once told me, we all do what we must for the ones we love.”
My heart thunders against my ribs and I know he can feel it. I don’t know if he means that he understands that I did it for Kitty, or that he forgives me for his sister’s sake.
Or… if he meansme.
“Now sleep, dear Clara, and I will heal you so that you do not have to feel the pain.”
I nod against him and close my eyes. Soon the sound of his breathing and heartbeat lull me into unconsciousness.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Clara
A thin layerof frost coats the world in its glittering beauty as fog rolls over the land in thick waves. It’s like walking through a beautiful dream.
Once again, I slept in Alaric’s room, in his bed, and in his arms. Every night for the past week. I didn’t even hesitate when he’d asked, I wanted to stay.
He holds me every night, and not a single night terror has stolen a minute of my sleep.
He hasn't mentioned the final mark yet. I'm not sure I'm ready, but thinking about the promise he made sends a shiver down my spine and goose flesh to race over my skin.
Despite the years I’ve spent hating vampires for killing Mother and ruining our family, it’s strange to know that the one person I trust most in this world is a vampire.
I press a hand to my chest and rub at the strange feeling that’s settled there. Alaric’s words had warmed me and yet… they were not what I’d wanted to hear. Not that I have any idea what would have made me happy.
The weight of the dagger sits comfortably at my hip. I don’t fear for my life, though I suppose I should, with three other vampires still here. In the last week, I’ve spent my days avoiding Alaric, using the others to distract him.
I needed time alone to sort through my thoughts and try to understand what this connection to him is—but walks in the garden and hours in the library have done nothing to help.
I have lost so much of who I’ve always believed myself to be. I no longer need to care for Kitty, I have no plans with Xander, and I can no longer justify killing vampires on sight as though they are all evil. Just knowing Alaric, and finally understanding the kind of person Rosalie had been, has changed that.