Promise Me

by Tara Fox Hall

  “You’re not the last to know,” he said. “No one else knows. Theo suspects, and maybe some others of our respective guards. Most of the vampires we knew in our younger days have long turned to dust. We don’t speak of it in public.”

  “Why not, other than for the obvious reasons?” I said sarcastically.

  “Because I have enough people trying to kill me at any given time, I don’t need more attention from Devlin’s enemies. It’s not a blessing to be the brother of the Vampire Ruler of the States, especially one who likes to throw his weight around. I don’t want his clout. I just want you,” he said, his fangs trailing down my neck with delicate pressure. “Is that enough for you?”

  I tried to hold onto my annoyance, but he licked my neck, and I gave in, pulling him closer. He rolled on top of me, resting his weight on his forearms. He pressed himself to me, his lips almost to mine. He froze there, staring at my mouth, then slowly tracked his eyes up to mine.

  “Am I enough?” he whispered into my mouth, his eyes so dark and full of wanting.

  My heart beat once. “Yes.”

  I reached one hand up to the back of his neck and entwined my fingers through his hair. It was so soft, like rabbit’s fur. He tried to kiss me, but I tightened my fingers and pulled his head back. His eyes widened in surprise. I leaned up, kissing his throat, and whispered against his skin, “For now.”

  I bit him gently on his throat. His head went back, his eyes closed. I traced down his chest with my mouth, kissing him, but he’d had enough foreplay. He pushed up on his arms, realigning his body against mine, and thrust into me, pinning me to the bed with his weight. He kissed me with abandon, his lips curving against mine, smiling his gratification as he moved himself in and out of me.

  Sensations of pleasure built within me. I hugged him to me so I could feel every muscle contract, all moving as one to drive himself as far into me as he could. He moved more quickly, and I could feel the readiness of both our bodies.

  He stopped kissing me, even as he moved faster. “Sar?” he rasped, heavy with need.

  “Yes.”

  He kissed me again, deeper this time. With a slight jerk of his head, blood from my wound seasoned our kiss. He’d cut me deeper than he had before, and I was sickened by the taste of my own blood. He swallowed, making soft sighs of satisfaction. That turned me on so much I spasmed around him, jerking in his arms. He held me tightly so my mouth didn’t leave his. He came a moment later with a harsh guttural cry.

  He continued to kiss and drink from me as he clutched me to him. I had aftershocks, writhing on the bed. I cried out as he hovered above me, holding me, still kissing, still drinking. Too soon, I tasted a bit of his blood, and my mouth began to heal. He gave me only a bit and the wound didn’t close completely.

  “I loved that,” he whispered. “You were wonderful.”

  “So were you,” I said with a satisfied sigh. “That was intense.”

  We were both tired, and within a few minutes, I fell asleep.

  ***

  I awoke to find Danial still asleep, but I felt rejuvenated.

  Remembering our sex, I probed my mouth with my tongue and found it to be mostly healed, though tender. I laid there for a while watching Danial sleep. He looked at peace, an expression he rarely wore when awake. Thinking that prompted me to feel sad. I wouldn’t want Devlin for a distant relative, much less my brother.

  My eyes traveled around the room and alighted on garment bags hanging from the door hook. Danial had told me last night they contained some he’d purchased for me.

  I got up and looked in the first one. There were several pairs of jeans and red long-sleeved T-shirts. They should fit, but I’d need to try on the jeans. I fingered the choker, remembering the ruby eyes he’d put in.

  In the second bag were a soft red fleece robe and two long silk shifts, one red and the other black. Those I’d have to try on, too.

  I opened the last bag and found underwear. They weren’t my usual cotton undergarments, but a black push-up bra with half cups, lace, and ribbons, and a pair of matching sheer panties. There was an identical set in red and another in white. There were also a few pairs of socks. Everything was the right size.

  Two more hangers were under the bags. Someone had cleaned our party clothes. The dress was still as beautiful as when I’d worn it, save for it had bad memories. But maybe I’d wear it again.

  After a shower, I felt renewed, except for the dull pain in my abdomen. Grumbling to myself, I remembered my period was coming soon. I should be okay for another day yet, long enough to get home. I hadn’t seen any female guards and didn’t want to get some ‘supplies.’

  I dried off and decided what to put on. I ended up with the jeans and long-sleeved T, figuring casual was probably best. Maybe we weren’t going anywhere tonight either.

  I’d come to stay with Danial as a guest and had expected to have sex while I was there. Other than going to the party, and then for Chinese food, all we’d done was sleep and had sex. And argue. Had all the romance already left the building?

  Leaving Danial sleeping, I went out to see who else was around. I located my watch and found out it was two in the afternoon. I wandered into the kitchen, where Aran was feeding the dogs pieces of bacon, eating some himself.

  “You’ll teach them to beg,” I said as I went to the fridge.

  “They’re good dogs,” he said. “I’m sharing.” They finished the last piece of bacon, and Aran put the pan and dishes in the sink.

  I poured myself some cereal. The milk was a trifle out of date but smelled okay. When I poured some chunks in the bowl, I got disgusted.

  “Aran,” I said politely “Why is there nothing to eat here?”

  “What do you mean? There’s a lot—”

  Time for bluntness. “Can you drive?”

  “Sure, but—”

  “Are there sufficient guards to keep Danial safe if we leave?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “No buts. Get your coat.”

  He followed me, mystified. I made him drive into town and we went grocery shopping. I tried not to buy many perishables, but I craved fruit, dairy, and chocolate. We got some looks as we walked the aisles. Aran might have had on a normal coat and jeans, but his long hair and arrogant bearing made people stare. I thought about asking him to smile more, but I didn’t know if that might be worse.

  We got apples and bananas, fresh milk and cheese, and crackers and canned soup. Aran lingered over the desserts.

  “What’s your favorite?” I asked.

  “I like pie.”

  Could he make this any harder by being any vaguer? Breathe. Men were just that way naturally, something I should have remembered. “What kind of pie?”

  “Fruit pie.”

  Deep breaths. “What kind of fruit?”

  “Apple is good, pumpkin is better, but key lime is my favorite.”

  Ah ha. “Go get some extra apples then, about five or six, and some limes, at least four. Pumpkin will have to wait; we only have a few hours.”

  He looked at me quizzically, and then the light bulb went on. He turned and walked quickly, not saying a word. I called after him, “Get some eggs and butter too.”

  I went to the baking aisle, got the necessary ingredients and supplies. I knew Danial had mixing bowls in his kitchen, but I hadn’t seen anything else when I’d looked through his cabinets.

  Aran insisted on paying for the food. “Danial would expect it,” he said, as if that explained everything.

  “I don’t, though.”

  “You’re not taking all this home for you to eat,” he elaborated. “And even if you were, he’d probably want to pay for it. He wants you to be comfortable. I know better than to go against his orders.”

  We drove back to Danial’s house, and I set out making the pies. I had just gotten the apples sliced, and Aran was whipping the egg whites, when I heard the front door slam.“What's all this?” A shadowy figure stood in the door.

  Chapter Si
xteen

  Theo studied the scattered half-done baking. “I said what’s all this? There’s stuff everywhere.”

  “She’s making pies for us,” Aran said happily

  Theo quickly stopped bitching and started to help. Soon, we had the apple pie in the oven. The lime pie went in as soon as that came out.

  “I’m sorry, guys; we don’t have time to do the pumpkin before—”

  “Before what?”

  Danial stood at the door in his robe, looking very edible. “Before you got up,” I said, half apologetically. “I wasn’t sure if you’d made plans, and pumpkin pie takes a while to make from scratch.”

  “I see. Yes, we have plans, I’m afraid.”

  I turned back to Aran and Theo, who looked a little crestfallen. “It’s okay. I’ll show you how to cook up the pumpkin and freeze it. Everything else should keep until the next time I come.”

  “When are you coming back?” Aran asked hopefully. “This weekend?”

  He sounded like he was twelve, making me smile.

  The silence stretched as everyone awaited my response. I flushed, getting hot. I didn’t know what to say. On one hand, I’d enjoyed my visit. This was a beautiful place, but it wasn’t my home. On the other hand, I missed my cats and my things. Most of all, I missed the sun on my face. I hadn’t realized it until I’d stepped out into it earlier in the afternoon. But it would be cruel to say that in front of Danial. I’d almost said it without thinking.

  “When are you thinking of inviting me back?” I asked him, trying to cover up my embarrassment.

  He strode over to me and gently touched my face. “I wish you wouldn’t leave tomorrow.”

  Okay, that was too fast. “I’ll try to come back next week,” I said slowly. “Maybe get here early Monday night and leave on Thursday.”

  He leaned close and brushed his lips across my cheek. “Sounds good to me.”

  The timer went off on the oven and we all jumped. I grabbed an oven mitt and pulled the pie out, pleased to see it looked perfect.

  “How many did you plan to make?” Danial asked. “I count two.”

  “Just three; apple and lime are Aran’s favorites, next to pumpkin.” I turned to Theo and Aran. “You can have the apple now if you like. It’s cool enough.”

  They carried it and two forks into the dining room. I set all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and got it going. Danial watched me with the warmest look I’d ever seen on his face. Seeing him like that, I believed he loved me. Some looks just can’t be faked.

  I dried my hands. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “It’s been a long time since I had a woman I loved in my kitchen,” he said with effort. “Since I watched a woman I loved bake anything.” He came over and held me. “It’s been a long time since I saw anyone do something kind without expecting anything back. If I needed another reason to love you, I have it.”

  He tilted my head up and kissed me. He suddenly lifted me and sat me on the counter.

  I broke the kiss, worried that this was his big plan for the night. “Wait.”

  He tensed, as if bracing himself for something. “What is it?”

  “Can we go out?” I asked awkwardly. “I know I’m your guest and I shouldn’t be the one suggesting—”

  He laughed, his hand going to my cheek. “I’m sorry. No wonder you were uneasy about coming back. We haven’t done much except sleep and make love. What would you like to do? Drive somewhere and walk? Movie? Dinner? Shopping?”

  Shopping? “Shopping for what?” I asked guardedly. It was too good to be true.

  “For whatever you want.”

  For being four hundred plus, he should know better than to utter those words within hearing distance of a woman. “We can’t go shopping,” I said. “All the stores are closed.”

  “It’s only the early evening. We should have a few hours yet. There’s a mall about twenty minutes from here.”

  Screw being polite or virtuous, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to window shop and try on a few things. It would give me an idea of what Danial liked other than evening gowns.

  Then I remembered that he’d already bought me other casual wear. I blushed, feeling greedy when I said, “Sounds good.”

  “So what would you like to do?”

  “Let’s do all of them,” I said hopefully.

  “Okay.” He gave me a quick kiss. “Let me get changed.”

  We headed alone. Danial said we’d be okay without Theo’s company since the mall was so public. I was pleased to have him to myself, even though I refused to think about the last time we’d tried to have a private moment without guards.

  I modeled a few sweaters and pants for him. He liked red and black, so I chose those colors, but I also asked him for suggestions. He was honest with his opinions and I appreciated it. I hadn’t planned to buy anything, but he told me either I chose a few or he’d tell the saleswoman to wrap them all up. I chose a green sweater and a pair of gray slacks. At my urging, he chose a dark green cotton shirt and a white linen one for himself.

  We walked to a nearby seafood restaurant. He ordered wine and actually drank a bit as I ate my shrimp fettuccini.

  “I thought you couldn’t eat anything?” I whispered. “Can you?”

  “I can have a tiny bit. It’s better to suffer a little later on than to be noticed.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, feeling awful. “I didn’t think. I should have gotten takeout.”

  “I’ll be fine. I enjoy being out with you.” He squeezed my hand. “Go ahead and eat. You need it.”

  He was right about that. I hadn’t noticed how weak I felt until I’d started eating. By the time I was done, I felt normal.

  We skipped the movie after dinner. It was late and we’d both had our fill of crowds. Instead, we drove to a secluded park. The weather was cold, and I was glad I’d brought a winter coat. We walked in the frosty night, holding hands as we strolled down a narrow trail leading to a lake. It hadn’t frozen yet but there was an edge of ice around the shore. I stepped on some and broke it. I liked the crunch of it breaking. The moon was up, but the clouds obscured it, darkening the night. We walked a little further, and Danial asked if I was cold.

  “Yes. But I’m not uncomfortable. Are you? Do you get cold?”

  “Yes,” he said with a smile. “But it’s like your foot falling asleep. It’s not as dangerous as it can be for you. It just gets hard to move.”

  “Are you sure we shouldn’t be worried about being out here alone?”

  “I have exceptional hearing and I’m armed. But it is getting late, so let’s head back.”

  When we were still some distance from the car, Danial whispered that someone was waiting for us and he would go first. We returned to find a police car sitting next to the Expedition, the engine purring loudly. He rolled down the window as we approached. I clenched Danial’s left hand tightly.

  “Is there a problem, Officer?” Danial asked.

  I shrank behind Danial. The night had been going so well...

  “You can’t park here after the first week in October,” the officer said. “Especially at night. I’ll need to see your license and registration, and then you’ll have to leave. The park closed a few hours ago.”

  Danial took out the documents and handed them over. I stayed where I was, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “Everything seems to be in order.” The officer looked curiously at me. “Are you okay?”

  “She’s just shy,” Danial deadpanned. “May we leave now?”

  “Yes. Have a good night. I’ll follow you as far as the park gates. If you want to come back before Memorial Day, you have to park by the park office, and that’s only during daylight hours.”

  “We understand. Thank you, Officer.”

  As soon as we were clear of the gates, Danial burst out laughing. “What did you think was going to happen?

  “I thought he might be, I don’t know, someone who was going to ambush us. I
kept waiting for him to pull his gun.”

  “His heartbeat was too slow. If he’d been lying in wait, he’d have been a lot more nervous.”

  I squeezed his hand.

  As we drove back, the snow came down harder. We managed to make it home with no trouble. By the time we walked in the door, I was exhausted. Soon after, we were asleep, him cradling me in his arms.

  * * * *

  I was burning. Someone had set me on fire!

  The orange and yellow flames licked my body. There was no pain, just an incredible sense of heat. I screamed in terror, and the air I breathed seared my lungs. Steam billowed around me from my burning flesh, cracking, peeling. I screamed repeatedly. I was tied and I couldn’t get loose!

  “Wake up! Sarelle, wake up!” Danial yelled in panic.

  My eyes sprung open. He held me in his arms, his face etched with terror, the sheets tangled around us. “You’re okay; it was just a dream. You’re safe.”

  I drew a gasping breath, releasing it in a burst the horror and anguish.

  Someone banged on the door. “Danial? Sar?” Theo yelled, impatient and worried. “Everything okay?”

  “We’re okay. You can come in,” Danial said, covering me with the sheet.

  Theo burst into the room, a different version of the explosive gun in his hand. At least two men were behind him, guards I didn’t know.

  “What’s wrong? We heard Sarelle screaming.”

  One of the guards called off what must have been more guards on their way.

  “It was a nightmare,” I said shakily. “I’m sorry for freaking everybody out.”

  “As long as you’re both okay,” Theo said. He turned to his men. “Let’s get back outside.”

  They retreated, shutting the door after them. Danial hugged me close. “What was the nightmare about?”

  I started to cry. “I was burning alive. I was tied and couldn’t escape—”

  “Shh, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  He held me until I stopped crying, then handed me some tissues. When I was myself again, he took me by the shoulders to get me to look at him. “Was this the first nightmare you’ve had? Have you had any before?”