Be Still My Vampire Heart(109)

 

Her mouth fell open. "Forty-nine percent?"

 

He gritted his teeth. "I know ye want fifty-one, but that's no' reasonable. That's revenge."

 

"I don't want revenge. I don't want you to suffer at all."

 

He gave her an incredulous look. "Then why are ye doing this?"

 

Idiot! She wanted to strangle him. "Did you give me any choice, Angus? I tried and tried to talk to you, but this was the only way I could get your attention!"

 

"Fine, ye have my undivided attention. Feel free to rail at me for destroying yer life and causing ye so much pain and misery."

 

"The only pain you caused me was your neglect."

 

He snorted. "I overfed on you and left ye too weak to defend yerself. And then, when ye were injured and dying because of me, I killed you."

 

Her breath hitched. Now she understood. He'd left not because he was rejecting her, but because he was overwhelmed with guilt and shame. And that could only mean that he still loved her. There was still hope.

 

She took a deep breath. All the things she had planned to say flew from her mind. "I… missed you."

 

"I missed ye, too." He watched her warily. "Why did ye no' go to Roman to be changed back?"

 

She wandered down the table to the window. "I decided I liked being… undead. I can kick major ass now."And I could be with you.

 

"Ye would give up being mortal to become a creature ye hate?"

 

"I don't hate all vampires." She gazed out the window at the lights of the city. "And all the people I love are already dead."Including you.

 

"Then why are ye suing me?"

 

She turned to face him. "I never wanted to sue you. This was all just a ploy to force you to talk to me."

 

His mouth dropped open. "Then… ye want nothing from me?"

 

She walked down the length of the table, skimming her hand along the tops of the chairs.

 

"Actually, I do want a few things."

 

"I'll give ye whatever I can."

 

"I want the harem completely out of your life."

 

He shrugged. "They were never in it. Ye shouldna let them concern you."

 

"Well, they do." She reached the end of the table. "You see, I want you legally free in case you decide to marry." She slanted him a nervous glance. "That was what you call a strong hint."

 

His mouth dropped open.

 

She winced. "Okay. Not a very well-received hint."

 

"I–I thought ye hated me."

 

"No, Angus. I want you. I love you. Even when I was throwing up, I loved you." She winced inwardly. That was not the romantic confession she had practiced the night before. Fortunately, he appeared too dumbfounded to notice.

 

She stepped toward him. "I'm glad you're the one who changed me. Do you know why?"

 

He shook his head.

 

Her eyes welled with tears. "Because you had already changed me on the inside. You taught me the true meaning of love. Love doesn't please itself by seeking revenge. Love sacrifices itself for the good of others." A tear rolled down her cheek as she drew closer. "That's what you did, Angus. You gave up all hope for peace and happiness in order to save me."

 

His eyes glimmered with moisture. "I love you, Emma. I feared ye could never forgive me."

 

"Forgive what?" Another tear slipped down her cheek. "You did me no wrong."

 

"I fed from you to save myself. And it left ye too weak to defend yerself."

 

"I gave myself willingly. I couldn't bear the thought of living without you."

 

"Oh, Emma." He wiped a tear from her face and looked at the pink stain on his finger.

 

"Look what I've done to you."

 

"I know." She grabbed his hand and kissed it. "Look at me. I'm stronger and wiser because of you. I used to live for revenge and hate, but now I want to live for love."

 

His breath caught as a tear tumbled down his face. "I should have listened to Roman. He was right."

 

"What did he say?"

 

Angus cradled her face in his hands. "He said all things are possible with love." He kissed her brow. "I'm still having trouble forgiving myself."

 

"Don't worry." She skimmed her hand down his kilt. "I think I can help you feel much better."

 

He smiled. "In that case… " He lowered himself onto one knee. "I should ask ye to marry me."

 

She fell to her knees in front of him. "Yes, you should."

 

"Then ye agree?"

 

"Yes." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "And we have to live happily ever after. That's part of the contract."