Vampires Are Foreve(90)

“Well, Inez nearly died tonight,” Thomas argued as he stepped off the last step and started across the hall toward the living room door.

“But she didn’t,” Etienne growled, losing some of his patience.

“Only by pure luck,” Thomas said in a soft hiss to avoid waking Inez as he reached the side of the couch where she was sleeping. He peered down at her sleeping form with worry.

“Don’t be so bloody bullheaded. When she wakes up you can ask her and if she agrees you can turn her.”

Thomas stiffened and then wheeled around, his heart thumping with alarm at the suggestion. “And what if she refuses?”

Etienne halted and peered at him silently, obviously uncertain what to say to reassure him. It was Rachel who spoke. Following them into the room, she slipped her hand into her husband’s, presenting a united front as she asked quietly, “Have you not discussed it with her at all?”

Thomas glanced away. “She knows she’s my lifemate, and a little about the turning, but she hasn’t agreed to either be my lifemate or be turned.” His mouth twisted with displeasure as he admitted, “I wanted to give her time to consider it.”

“Well, she’s had some time to think,” Rachel said slowly. “Maybe she won’t refuse.”

“But what if she does?” Thomas persisted and admitted painfully, “I don’t want to lose her, Rachel, and if I turn her now, I won’t.”#p#分页标题#e#

“Are you sure?” Rachel asked quietly. “Turning her without permission might actually make you lose her. I wasn’t happy to be turned without my permission, but when it was explained that Etienne had done so to save my life, I understood. Inez would be a different matter entirely. She might resent having her choice taken away and might never forgive you for it.”

Thomas sagged and let his breath out on a sigh, knowing she was right, but…Raising his head he admitted, “I’d rather lose her from my life, but know she was alive and well than lose her altogether to death.”

Rachel’s eyes widened slightly and then slid to the side and back before she clarified, “You’d be willing to live alone and without a lifemate for the rest of your life just to insure Inez was well?”

Thomas nodded grimly.

“Then you must love her a great deal,” she said quietly.

“She’s the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

A sound to the side made Thomas glance to the sofa. He stiffened as he saw that Inez’s eyes were open and she was struggling weakly to sit up, her eyes wide as she peered at him.

“Inez.” Stepping quickly to her side, he lifted her in his arms and then settled on the sofa, settling her upright in his lap. Holding her there, Thomas pressed her close and rubbed her back, his gaze worried as he glanced over her pale face. “How are you feeling? Are you all right? You look so pale,” he added fretfully.

Inez peered at him silently, her expression solemn and then nodded and turned toward Rachel and Etienne as a rustle of clothing accompanied their moving farther into the room.

“This is my cousin, Etienne, and his wife, Rachel. Aunt Marguerite is Etienne’s mother. They’ve come to help us find her.”

Inez managed a small smile and nod, but didn’t try to speak as she offered her hand to the couple in greeting. Recalling that her voice had been hoarse and weak when she’d tried to speak by the riverside, Thomas asked, “Is your throat sore?”

Inez nodded again and then tried to say “yes” but it came out a painful rasp.

“I’ll see if there’s any honey or something to soothe her throat in the kitchen,” Rachel said as she released her hand.

“Thank you,” Thomas and Inez said together, but his voice was the only one to be heard. He scowled and said, “Stop trying to talk. You’ll just hurt yourself.”

“So turn me and stop the pai—” Her raspy voice died as she was claimed by a coughing fit.

Thomas barely noticed that Rachel had stopped in the doorway and turned around wide-eyed. His heart had leapt in his chest and his gaze was fixed on the woman in his arms. He simply stared at her until her fit eased and she fell against his chest exhausted, then lunged to his feet and held her close as he headed for the door. “You heard her. She gave permission.”

“Just a minute,” Etienne said sharply hurrying after him and catching his arm to stop him.

Thomas paused reluctantly between Rachel and Etienne and turned so that he could see both of them. Eyeing his cousin impatiently, he asked, “What now?”