When he was king.
That sounded strange. He had never wanted his father's throne, but now he didn't want Cesare to have it either. He was jealous that his brother had spent the last days with their father while he was off playing Greyfriar.
The masked hero was unnecessary in this new world he and Adele were shaping. Perhaps he would become like Adele and use a disguise as a means of escape from the oppressive duty to the throne.
Soft footfalls below made him smile. His heart beat faster. Seconds later an auburn head appeared through the wooden hatch set in the roof. The scent of Adele was plain on the breeze. Gareth stepped forward and offered his hand. Adele grasped it so he could lift her one-handed off the ladder and onto the roof beside him.
“You're so strong,” she said. “Like a bear.”
“I was a bear once.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. The excitement lingering on her lips spread to match his own. He picked her up, lifting her onto the edge of the ramparts. She had his worn scarf tied neatly around her head and neck.
“You still have it.” Gareth tucked the fluttering scarf tighter around her face.
“Of course. It's my prized possession.”
“I still have the book you gave me. I've added it to my expansive library.” He caressed her cheek lit by the starlight. His hand nearly glowed white like some macabre specter against her deep olive skin. Her lips pressed against his palm. He barely felt it, but his every other sense filled with her. “Alone with you. It's been too long.”
It was several minutes before they parted. She glistened in the night, and the salty taste of her lingered.
Adele took a deep breath of the cool night air, indulging in his embrace, her only refuge. “This is where I'm happiest. High up, under the open sky in your arms.”
“Rooftops seem to be safest for our trysts.”
She laid her cheek against him. “I like that. It fits us.”
“I was wondering what happened to you. I thought Morgana forgot.”
“She startled me when she appeared from behind the curtain. Imagine my surprise when she showed me the passage in the wall of my room. Did you ever use it when I lived here?”
Gareth's blood fanned warmly at her use of the word lived. That she considered Edinburgh even a temporary home pleased him. He shook his head. “No. Though it was tempting. I was content to spy on you from the rooftops. The cats tend to use the passageways the most. Lots of food in there.”
She held up a hand. “I don't want to know. Though I always wondered how Pet got in that first night. Speaking of which, where is he? I haven't seen him today.”
“Baudoin saw him a few hours ago in the kitchen. He'll find you tonight I'm sure.”
“So long as you do as well.” Her hand stroked his long fingers as they rested on her thigh.
Gareth's head dipped to her shoulder, drawing the cloth away to reveal the curve of her neck, kissing her there. She shivered with anticipation in his arms, her breath a quivering exhale. It thrilled him that she was unafraid, so unlike most humans around vampires.
The sliver of a moon moved behind trailing clouds, darkening the rampart. Gareth could still see clearly, but she couldn't. Instead she used her hands to feel for him. Gentle fingers fluttered over his face, tracing his cheekbones and brow. She slowly kissed each part of him she touched.
Adele shivered again, though this time from the blustery Scottish wind as the perspiration dried on her skin. He wrapped his coat around her. She sighed pleasantly, drawing deeper into its decadent soft wool folds. He only wore one in case she needed it.
“I went to Paris,” Gareth said, “to see Lothaire. To see whose side he would take if given a choice. Cesare or myself.”
“He was your old friend, right? Is he still?”
“Yes, more so than ever.”
“I'm glad,” Adele said. “Tell me about him.”
And Gareth did, his voice filled with excitement and hope. “The humans in Paris are left largely to do as they please. There were times in Paris I almost felt it was back before the Great Killing. Most extraordinary.”
“That's amazing. Then you're not alone!”
“He's just one vampire,” Gareth pointed out.
“Who's teaching his family new values. I knew you couldn't possibly be the only vampire with some compassion.” She impulsively hugged him.
“I wouldn't make too much of it. Paris is a far cry from Edinburgh, and far from mutual understanding between our two species.”
“Still, it's incredible. And it offers some hope for the future.”
“Lothaire is a friend, but he's still a vampire. His treatment of his herds doesn't mean he likes humans. He just understands their usefulness and is practicing conservation in hard times. He isn't creating anything new.”