A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"It matters to me."

"Does it?" He turned away from the window to face her. "You told me you wanted me out of your life. I am only doing what you asked."

"What did you mean when you said there would be no next time? Dominic? Answer me." "Only that I would not pursue you any longer, in this life or any other."
"That's all you meant?"

"What did you think I meant?"

"I thought maybe you were thinking of doing something like… you know."

"I am not thinking of destroying myself." It was not a lie, he thought, not exactly. He was no longer thinking of it. The decision had been made. Of course, Kitana might end his existence for him.

Moving toward the bed, he sat besideTracy once more. "Sleep now, my best beloved one." He smoothed the hair from her brow, ran his knuckles over her cheek,leaned forward to kiss her gently. "I will stay by your side until dawn. There is nothing for you to fear."

Soothed by the sound of his voice, she slid under the covers and closed her eyes. "I wish things were different," she murmured drowsily. "I do love you, you know."

"And I love you more than my life, my best beloved one," he replied, but she was already asleep.
Chapter 23

Tracywoke early after a restless night. Staring out the window, she tried to convince herself it had all been a bad dream. The sun was shining brightly. Birds were singing outside her bedroom window. On such a morning, it was almost impossible to believe there were vampires sleeping the day away, waiting only for the night to emerge from their lairs to prey upon the innocent.

Dominic. Was he resting in the house below? She went over their conversation of the night before. What had he been holding back? Try as she might, she couldn't shake off the feeling that he meant to destroy himself because of her, because she wasn't brave enough to accept him for what he was, because she wasn't strong enough to share her life with him.

Sitting up, she dialedBryan 's number. It was a little early to be making phone calls, but she needed to hear his voice, needed to know he was all right.

He answered on the third ring. "Hello." "Hi, Bry .It'sTracy . Did I wake you?"
"No. Are you all right?"