“How old are you?”
“Old enough to have seen the changes in this world,” he spoke with sadness in his words.
“Does that mean you will you live forever?”
“Theoretically, yes.”
“So if I decide not to make the change, then…”
“It will kill me when you eventually die.”
“Why would my death kill you?” I fought a losing battle. Instead of getting answers, I found more questions.
His mouth opened as if he was going to answer, but then he closed it, looking out the window. Worry creased his brow.
I tried a different approach, “Is that the decision you warned me of?”
“I wouldn’t want you to rush into something like this. It takes time. With the company that’s coming, you’ll need to make that decision sooner than I had hoped.”
I climbed atop the bench and then stepped to the floor to stand in front of him; my knees were stiff from sitting on them. “When?”
“The decision will need to be made by tomorrow night.”
“What happens if I say no?”
“I would rather not think about that but considered that a possibility.”
“And?” I asked.
“I’m hoping you won’t,” he said.
“Why is it important to you for me to say yes?”
“Because, my world was never complete until you were a part of it, and you are my heart song.”
My mind emptied of everything. Every question, every thought and argument, even logic left my mind. Not once did I expect to hear words like his. I was never anything to anyone. My own father didn’t even want me, and yet, Marren did. The whirlwind of my life seemed less chaotic with him. He calmed the destructive force that claimed so much of me, and when I thought about not having him around, my heart hurt. I’ve always been told persistence wins over patience. I didn’t realize how true that was until now.
My decision was made.
I lifted my hands to his chest, his heart thumped against my touch. I inched close enough for his breath to blow over my neck and shoulders. His lips pressed into my forehead, but I could tell he was holding back.
I slid my hands around his neck and pulled his lips to mine. Fire pulsed through my veins, setting every nerve ending ablaze. Everywhere his hands touched, tingled like tiny bolts of lightning. Slowly, his arms wrapped around me as our kiss deepened. My feet left the floor as he carried me to the side of the bed, lying me down. His mouth traced the edge of my jaw and the length of my neck. He pulled away, letting his breath flow over my skin in warm waves.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes.”
He pulled me into a sitting position as the light from another flash of lightning shone on his face. He was human again. “Why change back?”
“I don’t know. I suppose it’s because I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
I let my underdress fall off my shoulders to my waist. His eyes took me in, pausing on my scar ridden torso. I moved to cover myself, but he placed his hands on mine, moving them so his hand could trace the scars. I grabbed ahold of them when they started shaking.
“They’re only scars, Marren. Faded memories of a past I’m leaving behind.” My words came out calm and even, which was a surprise to me considering I was more nervous and unsure of myself than ever.
His shaking subsided as our eyes met.
“I promised to never run away from you. I owe you my life.”
“It will hurt,” he said, the warning thickened his voice.
“No more than it would if you turned me away.”
He pulled off his shirt, tossing it to the floor then kissed me again. I ran my fingers along the length of his back following the waves of muscle. His body was like fire and as hard as stone, yet when he touched me or kissed me, it was gentle and subtle, like the brush of a feather. He breathed into my ear, “I must bite you. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible. I won’t know if you’re hurting unless you tell me.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
He faced me. “You must tell me if it hurts. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” I said and pressed my lips to his, finding his kiss very addictive and that no amount would satiate me. A small fear crept into my mind. What if I’m not enough? What if he’s had better? I pulled away from him. He looked at me with pursed eyebrows and was so still it was like he was afraid to move.
“H-have you done this with anyone else?” I whispered to prevent my voice from shaking.
“Werewolves are like regular wolves.”
I shook my head not understanding.
“We only fall in love once. You’re my heart song, Relena. I’ve waited countless years for you. I’m never going to let you go nor could I ever turn you away.” His lips found mine as the weight of his body forced me on my back.