Light of Dawn

by Angela Colsin

  Ulric quirked a brow, and Charlotte replied, “I'm hanging up now,” as she lifted her thumb to the talk button.

  “Give me details later!”

  The call ended and Charlotte shut the door, only able to imagine what Ulric might be thinking.

  “How's Edith?” Isadora asked.

  “Fine, still her boisterous self.” Turning to go hang up the phone, she felt unable to look at Ulric while asking, “So what did you want? Something sounds bad.”

  “First, he has your cat.”

  When Isadora pointed that out, Charlotte finally looked and saw Ulric placing Pepper's carrier on the sofa. Without hesitation, she rushed over and opened the door, pulling the animal out to hug him and scratch his head.

  Glancing at Ulric, she awkwardly whispered, “Thank you.”

  He nodded silently, and she still couldn't hold his gaze, stepping away to ask, “What else did you need to tell me?”

  “I'll let him explain, I just came to make sure he could, and make a delivery,” Isadora started. “So before you two start making up, or out, take this.”

  From her jeans pocket, the fae produced a key she handed over along with an envelope in her hand. Charlotte put Pepper down to let him sniff about and took the items, asking, “What's this?”

  “It's the key to the storage facility I had your furniture put in, the address is on the keyring, and the last of your things will be delivered here tomorrow. I also had your lease terminated at your apartment building, and don't worry about moving costs either. In that envelope, you'll find a check that should be sufficient to take care of it.”

  Charlotte opened it, finding all of her personal documents inside, as well as a check for five thousand dollars.

  Turning a set of wide eyes on Isadora, she exclaimed, “I can't accept this!”

  “Why not?”

  “I didn't earn it. It doesn't feel right taking so much money from you.”

  “I didn't work for it either, Charlotte. I was testing a lucky locket for one of the vendors in the Mystic Market. The money is from a scratch off ticket, and that's not all I won,” she grinned. “Sadly, the locket doesn't work for long before it wears off, but at least we know it has some value!”

  Charlotte supposed she should probably just accept the money without question if that were the case. “I guess testing the wares is worth it.”

  “Right, but,” Isadora looked between them, “I'm getting out of here. It's Saturday night and I don't want to hang around. You guys should go out, too! Have some fun!”

  Grinning, she turned to leave, and Charlotte knew she'd have to pay Isadora back somehow. But for now, she had a bigger fish to fry—dragon to cook?—finally giving Ulric her attention.

  Getting a better look at him than before, she realized two things. First, he seemed worn down, a fatigue present in his blue eyes that she could only guess at the source of—though the way he was regarding her made her shiver. Always so intense with his stares.

  Second, despite this wear, he was even more attractive than she remembered. His black leather jacket was sleek, and the gray shirt beneath it hugged his masculine physique so well she almost forgot herself, especially when it was tucked into a pair of tight fitting jeans.

  But she pried her eyes away from him, trying to remind herself that she was actually upset, and with the thought, got started on their talk.

  “You look tired.”

  He waved that away as if it didn't matter, getting to the point without prompting. “Do you remember Isadora's vision saying you'd shift a natural balance?”

  “Yes,” she nodded. “Why?”

  “Yesterday, Garrick and I attacked one of Lillian's lairs with Isaac's help. In it, we found a spell scroll containing a ritual that would allow a vampire to walk in daylight permanently,” he explained. “There were several components, most easy enough to come by, but one of them was the sacrifice of a mortal born sun fae.”

  Charlotte's eyes went wide. Now that was an incentive. Who knew how much strength Lillian would have over other vampires if she could walk outside anytime she saw fit?

  “Well shit,” Charlotte muttered, ready to say more when Ulric interrupted.

  “Don't worry, we're still tracking her. We've destroyed several lairs as well.”

  Uncertain, she asked, “Why would you do that?”

  “Because it had to be done,” he answered easily.

  “I know, but … did someone pay you to find them?” She hoped he'd say no, then felt her heart sinking when she realized the truth. “You're the one Isadora had working on it.”

  Ulric seemed to deflate, shaking his head. “No, Isadora knew, but she had nothing to do with this. I did it because I wanted to, and I'll do it again whenever someone threatens you.”

  Charlotte watched him, wondering if she should let hope get the best of her. Why would he continue trying to protect her if he didn't care?

  As she questioned it, Ulric started for the door.

  She reacted quickly, running over to grab his hand. “No! You can't just say that and leave!”

  Stopping, he cast his gaze back to her face. “Don't you want me to go?”

  He probably thought she was livid, and while Charlotte was angry, she wasn't so upset that she couldn't talk to him. “No, I want to know why you're doing this if you think I'm not worth your time.”

  “Would you believe me if I told you the truth?”

  “Yes, I would. Don't just walk away and assume you know what I'm thinking.”

  Ulric groaned, somehow looking even more tired as he started, “I made a mistake, Charlotte, it's as simple as that. I wanted to convince you to go with Isadora, but I was so frustrated that I spoke without thinking. You didn't waste my time at all.”

  Facing her fully, she could see the determination in his eyes when he went on, “Two weeks away from you drove me insane, and if it weren't for tracking Lillian, I wouldn't have been able to keep my distance. I'd much rather have a short time with you, as you are now, than have nothing with you at all.”

  Reaching up, he drew her in closer, and Charlotte felt dizzy as their bodies came together.

  “The truth, Charlotte, is that I'm having a hard time keeping my hands to myself. I want to have you close, and kiss you again. So if you don't forgive me, then I should leave before I go too far, because if I stay, I promise I'll find a way to make you forget you're angry at all.”

  She had absolutely no words to respond to that, her heart leaping when she tried to imagine how he'd make her forget her anger while two weeks worth of disappointment faded with the realization that he did want her—just the way she was.

  “I don't know what to say—” she started, but then gasped when he captured her mouth with his, a groan escaping him as if he might've been addicted and needed his fix.

  Charlotte leaned up in response, becoming locked in a deep kiss that had her knees going weak. She grabbed Ulric for support, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her body tight against his. Charlotte dug her fingers into his jacket, trying to keep up as desire hit her much harder than it ever had, even when they'd kissed before.

  Sadly, it didn't keep her lingering doubts at bay for long.

  Chapter 22

  For the past two weeks, Ulric felt empty inside, as if someone had cut out his heart, and the pain only grew worse the longer he'd stayed away from Charlotte. So when she'd opened her door, he wasn't sure if it was his longing, or something else, but the draw he felt to her had grown stronger.

  She seemed different somehow. But he couldn't focus on it when having her close again turned his emotional turmoil into a need so primal he feared frightening her—particularly when Charlotte reciprocated his hungry kiss as if she'd been just as starved for his company.

  Ulric groaned, stroking his tongue against hers, his hands sliding down to her hips, then over her ass, pulling her in closer. She grabbed him with a desperate moan, her body shifting against his, making his shaft so hard he almost couldn't concentrate on
anything else.

  But he forced himself to stop. Charlotte hadn't actually forgiven him, and he needed to hear the words first, no matter how desirous he was.

  Breaking his mouth away, he held her close, catching his breath and murmuring, “I didn't want to just ask forgiveness, Charlotte, but I do need it, badly, and I'll do whatever it takes to earn it.”

  She lifted her head, looking as dazed as he felt, and it was hard not to stare at her soft, sensual mouth when she mentioned, “Edith says I should forgive you because it's a first offense.”

  “Who's Edith?”

  “My best friend, the one who called you a sexy sounding beast on the phone.”

  Ulric had been amused, though confused when he'd heard those words. But if this Edith was cheering him on for scaring Charlotte's ex, and thought he should be forgiven, then he liked her already.

  “Sounds like she's my friend as well,” he returned. “But what do you think?”

  “I think your accent's sexy too.”

  Slowly, Ulric grinned. If she was making jokes, then maybe this really wasn't a lost cause. I may still have a chance.

  “But you tracked Lillian for me,” she added more seriously. “You didn't have to.”

  “I also didn't kill her, so I'll be leaving again as soon as I get a call from Garrick.”

  Garrick was currently watching a nightclub up north, looking for someone rumored to have more information, and Charlotte looked disappointed, as if she didn't want him to go, admitting, “But it proves you care about me as I am. That's what I wanted to know … unless you still think I need to transition without discussion.”

  She'd gone tense, and he shook his head, “I didn't mean that. Yes, I do want you to become immortal, but not against your will, and if you never did, I wouldn't value you any less. I've never felt so guilty and asinine as I did after I said that and hurt you.”

  Charlotte's expression softened. “I wasn't sure if you'd really meant it or not. You sounded so serious, but everything you told me before contradicted it.”

  “Then,” he asked hopefully, “you forgive me?”

  She bit her lip in thought, and Ulric waited with bated breath until she finally answered. “I do, but I need you to tell me what you want, especially if I remain mortal. Should we even bother unless I transition?”

  He exhaled lowly, so relieved by her forgiveness that her question almost seemed absurd. But he knew her concern was legitimate. Charlotte needed stability in her future, to make a life that was worth something, and she wasn't certain it'd be that way with him if she didn't transition.

  After her divorce, she was probably even more reluctant without some kind of reassurance that it would be worthwhile, and Ulric wanted to provide it, answering, “Yes. I want as much time with you as I can have, Charlotte. I know it'd become harder for me to cope with the idea that you'd inevitably die, and we'd never have children, but I'd remain by your side.”

  She looked away in consideration, her brow creasing. “That's what I thought, and I'm not sure I could do that to you.”

  “Do what?”

  “Be with you knowing I'd pass away. It's not fair.”

  “Charlotte,” Ulric drew out, “it seems to me that you need protection anyway. Isadora told me you've grown unhappy being here constantly, so let me continue protecting you like we agreed on before.”

  She looked considerate as he brushed her hair back from her face, adding, “Besides, I know you feel something between us. Do you really want to push it away?”

  “Ulric,” she sighed, shaking her head. “Yes, I care about you. But I need to take things slowly, and isn't that counter productive when I'm mortal?”

  His frustration mounted. He had to make her understand how he knew this wasn't merely chance, especially when he was more drawn to her now than he'd been two weeks ago.

  The time she'd spent out of danger had apparently done wonders. She looked radiant, her skin almost glowing, long hair curling in waves down her back with a pinkish sheen in the light. Even her eyes seemed more vivid.

  Ulric wasn't giving up on this.

  “Charlotte, do you recall what I told you about my vow, that you were the first person I'd been interested in for a very long time?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then trust me, what we're feeling isn't random. If you want to take this slowly, let me start by taking you out tonight and proving it. You want to get out of here, and I know I won't hear from Garrick until later.”

  “That sounds nice,” she confessed, “and don't get me wrong, I'd like to try, but I keep thinking about where you'd be in another fifty or sixty years when I'm old and sickly, if not already dead. I can't ignore that.”

  The fact that she was hesitant because she cared about him was so relieving that he wasn't taking no for an answer. “Regardless, we're going out, sweetness. You missed me, anyway.”

  “No I didn't,” she stubbornly refuted.

  “The way you kissed me says differently.”

  “Ulric, I didn't—,” she stopped when he cut her off with another kiss, savoring how sweet her soft lips tasted.

  When her arms tightened around him, he broke his mouth from hers, countering, “Yes you did.”

  Finally, she smiled, but casually shrugged a shoulder as she drew her hands around to his sides to release him. “Maybe a little, and yes, I could definitely stand getting out of here for a while.”

  “Good. Have you got anywhere in mind that you'd—what?”

  He stopped when she curiously looked down at his jacket where her hand rested against the pocket—and the curse box hidden within it.

  “What's this?” she inquired.

  “The curse box,” he admitted.

  Her face darted up in surprise. “Why do you still have that?”

  Grumbling, Ulric answered, “I never tried to turn it in after we parted ways. It was only two days ago that Dalris contacted the intermediary who hired me, and he agreed to come here to pick it up. I'm just waiting for his call.”

  “Why didn't you contact him earlier?”

  “Finding your blood and killing Lillian was more important.”

  Charlotte's countenance slowly became shocked. “Ulric, that box is worth half a million, isn't it?”

  He shrugged indifferently. “Don't worry about that. Just go get ready.”

  She didn't move, staring at him, and Ulric could only imagine she was about to change her mind when she exclaimed, “Damn you! How am I supposed to respond to that?” Mocking his accent, Charlotte went on, “I forewent half a million dollars to make sure you're safe, sweetness.”

  As she glowered, Ulric found it hard not to grin over her accurate imitation. “You're not supposed to respond to it, Charlotte. I owe you for saving my life as well, remember?”

  Her expression softened considerably as if she'd forgotten. “Okay, I can accept that.”

  Smiling, he gently kissed her forehead. “Good. Now get ready, because I'm going to make sure tonight's one you never forget.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Ulric made good on his promise, taking Charlotte out for dinner, shopping, and a stroll through a botanical garden she'd wanted to visit.

  When she asked what to wear, he suggested something comfortable and, if it suited her tastes, dressy. So Charlotte chose a royal blue babydoll dress edged with a lace trim, and a pair of black, thigh high nylons with blue, spool heeled pumps.

  The outfit got a long stare out of Ulric that made her confidence level soar. It even seemed to take him a minute to remember they were leaving before he led her to his newly restored sports car.

  The restaurant they ate at had to cost more than she'd probably earn in a day at her old job, and indeed, the food was worth it.

  During dinner, Ulric didn't look at another woman once, even when Charlotte thought their waitress, who was a classical type of beauty, would at least capture his gaze as she walked away. But he'd barely noticed her except to give his order, then mentioned to Charlotte how she seemed
different as the waitress left.

  He was attentive, hanging onto every word of the stories she told, and genuinely laughed at her jokes. Some women looked Charlotte's way in a jealous manner, though even she thought Ulric was out of her league. Still, being with him felt natural, as if they just fit together, and the smoldering looks he gave her? Oh my.

  It was also odd that Ulric mentioned how she seemed different, and in turn, she felt as if her interest in him had grown much stronger. Her desires were harder to dismiss as mere curios interest, particularly when she thought about how he'd hunted vampires over the past two weeks to keep her safe.

  He'd risked himself without even knowing if she'd ever forgive him, all to make sure she had a decent shot at survival, with or without him. Is it any wonder I want him so much?

  Thankfully, she wasn't as focused on the difference in their lifespans as the meal went on, completely forgetting about the problem by the time he took her shopping, which turned out to be a test of wills.

  Apparently, Ulric wanted to spoil her—she quickly realized showing interest in anything with him around meant she'd soon be owning it. Charlotte tried to argue, but he remained unswayed. So she promised herself that as soon as Isadora's money was in her account, she was going to give him the same treatment.

  The end of their evening led down a path through a botanical garden that wasn't in bloom during the cold season, but still offered a serenely beautiful atmosphere. They stopped at the top of a bridge overlooking a koi pond for a brief break, watching the fish swim below while Ulric brought up her move back to Florida.

  Charlotte admitted that she'd been looking for places to stay, and asked him about his own living arrangement. As it turned out, his previous home was destroyed by minotaurs five years ago as a retaliation for taking a relic they possessed to return to its rightful owner.

  Now, he was living in his brother's penthouse with the goal of waiting to find his mate before building a house of their own so it would suit her tastes just as much as his.