Page 21 of Worse Fates

Lucero chuckles. “You are very kind, Golden. But don’t waste your feelings on Vidar, beautiful. He doesn’t deserve them.”

He thinks I'm beautiful, he’s said so already. I don’t let myself dwell on it. I don’t lean in closer, red on my cheeks. I definitely don’t whisper his name as if it’s a bone-deep need, craving the shape of it in my mouth.

“Lucero.”

“Golden.”

I’m pinned under his darkening blue gaze. The fabric in my jeans pocket tears off nearly completely as I twist—a single thread is the only thing keeping me in place. I need, god, I need-

Slam.

I jolt, a scream lodged somewhere between my ass and heart, as our food arrives piled on a black tray.

The server opens his mouth, but Lucero’s glare whips at him like lightning and the poor guy trips over himself to get back behind the safety of the counter.

“Golden—”

“Is it rude to eat in front of you? Also, does garlic hurt you?” I shove my burger in my mouth as I ask. Whatever just happened I don’t want to address, or name it. Instead, let me sink the matter so deep it hangs out with the titanic. “When I was in foster care I had a friend called Slim who was a Muslim. When Eid came around, I’d always feel bad about eating and drinking in front of him. He told me not to worry, but I wantedto be there for him, ya know? He was cool to me. The other kids were bellends.

“So one time I said I'd fast with Slim. Guess how long I lasted? One hour! Eating and drinking was all I could think about, well not water. Tango orange, the best drink. He laughed his ass off when he saw me scoffing my face with a doughnut behind the group home. It sucked when I had to leave him.” I pause, my mind suddenly blank.“What were we talking about again?”

His grin is suggestive—of what, I have no idea— and rests those thick forearms of his on the table. “It isn’t rude to eat in front of me, in fact I enjoy watching you. And garlic is a myth.”

“And you eat… blood?”

The corner of Lucero’s lips twitch.“Yes, blood sustains me. I can also eat regular food, but it has no value. Usually only new ones consume it, force of habit.”

“What about the sun?”

“Vampirism isn’t a curse like in the stories,” he tells me gently. “While we prefer the night, sunlight causes us no issues. However, a new vampire is sensitive to most things due to heightened senses. Then sunlight can be annoying.”

All my breath leaves me and I forget about the burger in my hands. “I ramble a lot.”

“I also very much enjoy hearing you speak,” he says, voice so low it makes my legs shake.

I drop the burger I wasn't really tasting on the tray. The top sags off, sauce and a sad piece of lettuce drooping with it. Closing my eyes I try to push back that storm trying to tear me to pieces. I’m too far away from him.

My knee is bouncing out of control. Warmth engulfs it as Lucero’s palm rests there. Embarrassingly, tears wobble on my lower lid.

“Oh, Golden, my sweet, Golden.” His voice turns feather soft, but pierces my heart all the same. “Calm, beautiful. It’s all okay.”

“Just tell me all of it,” I ask, breathless. “Because...” I swallow. “Lucero, I can’t make sense of what’s going on and I’m…scared, okay?”

“I know learning about vampires—”

“Fuck that!” I snap, drawing the attention of the few other customers. My whole body vibrates with nerves or…feelings that I’ve never felt before. All too intense, too much.

He’s too far away.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Lucero. I dreamt about you, too. It was weird. Like, you were there but I wasn’t. But the person who was with you felt like me, and…Lucero, please.” I shut my eyes, a single tear rolling down my cheek. “Please. Just touch me.”

I’ve not even finished speaking before he’s moving beside me. I’m pulled into Lucero’s space and finally,finally, I’m pressed into the safety of his embrace. The relief is so stark I forgive myself for the one or two tears I shed.

“I have you, Golden.” His hold on me may be strong, but emotions shake in his voice. “Forever.”

The sigh that leaves me would be embarrassing, if being buried into him didn’t stop my heart from beating out of my chest. I tug his cotton shirt out of his trousers and slip my hands onto his flesh, pulling a hiss from him. Lucero’s skin might be hot, but being this close is like the break in a fever I’ve suffered for too long.

“Lucero…” I whimper, small and raw and so needy I should be mortified. But when his arms tighten around me, I can’t find it in myself to care. Lucero sure doesn’t.