The Dragon's Vamp(8)

Rhys stepped forward drawing her into his arms. “That’s fine.” His chin rested on top of her head. “When you’re ready you’ll tell me. Now tell me about this Arouser of Atlantis.”

Mari slapped his back, his chuckle echoing in her ear. “That was a long time ago.”

“How long? You still haven’t told me how old you are, Mari.”

“Older than you can imagine,” she whispered before lifting her head.

“You have to tell me some time.”

“I will. I’m just really tired.”

“You did expel a lot of energy calling Triton. Why don’t we go up to my bedroom and I’ll get you in a hot bath with a glass of wine.”

Mari’s lips parted as Rhys lifted her effortlessly into his arms. She draped hers around his neck as he brushed her lips gently with his, sending tingles coursing through her body. She’d only been to his room once when she’d woken up there after the incident in the clearing with Olivia Roven and the Golem. She’d insisted on her own room after that and he’d put her right across the hall from his own. She also knew that Rhys wanted to question her about everything from her parents to her past. She had to hand it to him though; he wasn’t demanding answers like he would have done when she’d first met him months ago. Glancing up she watched him as he headed down the hall to his rooms. She admired his strong jaw and good looks. Any female would be honored to have him for a life mate, but she, she was just scared.

“Why are you frowning?”

“Wha…I, um, I was just thinking.”

“Of?” Rhys asked as he stepped into his master bath.

“Why I’m so scared.”

“Of us?” He frowned as he set her on a padded chair. “I thought we went through this earlier.”

“We only grazed it, Rhys. Just because I spilled my guts to you doesn’t mean I’m not afraid.”

Rhys knelt down in front of her, taking her hands within his own as their eyes met. “Answer me this. Did your first husband know about your gifts and who you were or did you hide it from him?”

“He knew.”

“And he chose to stay by your side correct?”

“Yes.”

“He made his choice, Mari, as we all do, as I do. Are you afraid that I’ll die?”

“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

“We all have to die sometime. When it’s our time, it’s our time, and there’s nothing we can do. What we have to do is fight to survive and live our life to the fullest every day because we don’t know what’s right around the corner. Do you think I had any idea this darkness would emerge and come after us? No, I was living my life between doing my daily responsibilities for the coven, securing Alston and partaking in pleasurable bed sport.” He smiled when her eyes narrowed. “I’ve never claimed to be a saint, Mari, but all that was before I met you and we started fighting to save this town. Since the night we met and I sensed the bond between us, I haven’t been with another woman. I think my body damn well knew you were it and that was that. Frustrating as hell let me tell you.” He grinned as he rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs. “I’m one thousand eight hundred and eighty years old and I’ve never felt what I feel with you. If that’s not a sign that we’re not only life mates but soul mates, you tell me what is.”

Mari’s mind was whirling. “What if once you find out what I am you don’t want me anymore?”

“Your mother’s an ancient right?”

“Yes.”

“If your father was good enough for your mother, and the ancients and Gods saw fit to allow a child to be born, then who am I to say otherwise? Would you turn your back to me if you found out I was half human or Triton’s brother?”

Mari squeezed his hand. “No.”

“I’m not by the way, human or Triton’s brother,” he chuckled.

“Oh that I know.” She smiled bringing her hands to his shoulders. “Rhys, if you think about it, we really don’t know each other very well, and I’m feeling a bit rushed and that’s spiking my anxiety as well. I know what I feel between us. I know our bodies are telling us we’re supposed to be together, as well as my mother pointing that out.” Her breath shuddered as they stared at each other, her fingers playing with the short strands of his soft hair. “I never expected to be part of someone again; I’ve lived so long on my own.”

Rhys gripped the sides of her thighs. “Just because we’re to be mates doesn’t mean we have to jump into the ceremony straight up. There’s no law that says, ‘up, that’s it, you’re together, now marry’.” The side of his mouth went up as her eyes widened. “Is that what you thought, that I’d make you jump right into the binding ceremony?”