Mary gave me a slight smile. “Yes. She’s upset with Thomas for pushing you like he did. She’s worried you really do mean to leave. Not that she wants to keep you here against your will, but she knows she won’t be able to protect you as well out there.”
I knew Mary didn’t mean outside these walls but out in the real world. I appreciated Winifred’s concern and that she hadn’t push for more of an answer about what I’d done out there.
Mary and I ate jam sandwiches as the sun climbed in the sky then sat in silence for the remainder of the time. When Mary let me know two hours had passed, I moved across the room and opened the door.
The majority of the men stood in an arc facing the door; yet many, including Gregory and Anton, waited back by the trees. The definite separation of groups made it clear that I should select from those closest to me.
I studied the faces before me. “Was two hours enough time?”
They all nodded confidently. I glanced back at Gregory. He nodded once as well, and I sighed. Such confidence begged to be shaken. The universe was fickle like that.
“Okay. One chance,” I said again, to make sure they all understood. Then I met Thomas’ gaze. “Prove your theory.”
He didn’t walk toward me but moved to the back of the crowd. He bent and picked something up. The men parted to make room for him as he walked toward me. In his hand, he held a small bouquet of wild flowers. My heart skipped a beat at the gesture, and I quickly looked up. He uncomfortably met my gaze. His grip on the flowers tightened as if he was ready to throw them or shred them, and I realized the flowers weren’t his idea.
At least someone in the group had some sense of what human women liked.
I stayed by the door, trying to quell my nervousness as he stepped from the men and stood before me. He held out the flowers. I took them and managed a whispered word of thanks. The discomfort left his gaze and something else crept in. Tenderness.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said softly. He reached up and gently brushed a thumb along my cheek. My heart skipped a beat—the traitorous thing—and his look of longing stole my breath. He didn’t move toward my neck, just continued to touch me.
“I will work every day of my life to deserve the gift you’ve given me.”
My heart beat faster, and my stomach twisted happily.
He leaned forward, not toward my neck, but toward my mouth. His lips brushed mine, surprising me. His touch was light and soft. A whisper of his skin, and a promise of more to come. My lids fluttered shut as I lost myself in the sensation. He kissed the corner of my mouth, my cheek, my jaw, then my neck. The light scrape of his teeth pulled me from my trance.
I stiffened, and his hands curled around my upper arms. Whether in comfort or to keep me still, I couldn’t be sure.
“Everything will be fine,” he whispered against my skin.
He kissed me several more times. I would be a liar if I said it didn’t affect me. It did. But, my fear of what he meant to do next kept me from drifting into blissful ignorance like he probably wanted.
His tongue stroked my skin, startling me from my thoughts. Tingles spread over my arms as embarrassment crashed over me. We were standing in front of a crowd of people. A light kiss, I could take, but not that.
Before I could protest, his mouth opened. I inhaled through my nose as his teeth pierced me. He went deeper than Anton but not by much. I grunted and pushed against his chest when he lingered there. He didn’t budge. He slowly withdrew his teeth and kissed the skin. As if that would make it better. He’d just bitten me slowly. At least the others had the decency to get it over with. Angry, I shoved at him again.
He pulled back and studied me while I glared at him. I could feel a trickle of blood run down my neck.
“Well?” I said.
His expression changed to one of complete devastation, and I knew it hadn’t worked.
“At least, now you don’t have to worry about forgetting your responsibilities to chase me,” I said, still bitter about the bite. I faced the crowd. “Will you let me stay here in peace or should I move on?”
“Stay,” Thomas said through clenched teeth. No one else said anything. He appeared to be their spokesperson.
“To be clear, this means no more fighting to meet me. No more looking for ways to win my favor in hopes for a little nip. None of it. Because that was the last bite.”
“We heard you before. We understand,” he said.
“Then, thank you for letting me stay.” With a minute nod, I turned and went back inside. Mary was by the table, ready with the alcohol and gauze. I sat and let her clean my neck, grinding my teeth against the sting.
I’d done it. Won my freedom without trying to fight them all. Though it didn’t make the prior bites worthwhile, it gave them meaning. They weren’t for nothing. I could stay here safely now.