Their words wash over me, wrapping around me like a warm hug, and I close my eyes as I accept everything they’re offering to me in this moment.
Their safety.
Their love.
Their adoration.
When Eli comes inside of me, it’s like I feel an overwhelming sense of completeness. He kisses me deeply when it’s over and then the three of them lead me to their en-suite bathroom. They put me in the t
ub, wash me, and then pull me out and dry me. Somehow, I feel like I’m floating the entire time. When they bring me back to bed – this time, to sleep – it’s like I’ve been waiting my entire life for this moment, and I don’t want it to ever end.
Chapter 10
“THEY DID WHAT?” ABIGAIL and I are walking through the gardens the next day. She’s really quite nice, and although I’m still worried about my ability to judge someone’s character, she seems very kind and a little bit wild. She’s gentle, but strong, and she reminds me a lot of Eli.
“They said they won’t bite me. Well, they won’t turn me.”
This bothers me so much more than it should. It feels like some sort of harsh rejection. Even though I realize this is completely unreasonable and a totally unacceptable desire, it bothers me very much.
If they want me so much, why won’t they keep me around forever?
That’s what I would do, if I was a vampire. I’d want them by my side. I’d want them with me for always and ever. If it were my decision, I’d make sure that my mates would never have to suffer, that they’d never have to get sick. I’d do everything to ensure they could live with me and just...be free.
“But why not? You’re to be their mate.”
I shrug and shake my head.
“They said it wasn’t right.”
“Even after everything you did? You were a virgin, right?” She asks.
I blush furiously. She mentioned it before, but still, she seems so certain about this. How did she know? Does word really travel that fast around here?
Abigail just smirks at me and nods.
“Don’t worry. They didn’t tell me. They wouldn’t rat you out like that. I just guessed.”
“It’s embarrassing, huh?”
“Not at all. I still remember when I was a virgin,” Abigail tells me with a smile.
“When was that?”
“Oh, about a hundred years ago,” she laughs.
“Is that how old you and Eli are?”
“A hundred?” She raises an eyebrow and shakes her head. “Nah. I’m 120 years old. He’s 130 years old. I don’t know about Benjamin and Matthew. I think they were all turned around the same time.”
“But they haven’t had a mate before.”
“So?”
“So, why not?” I ask. They’ve been around long enough. That’s more than enough lifetimes to fall in love a couple of times over. There’s nothing wrong with them, so why haven’t they found someone? Why haven’t they made that connection before now?
“How much do you know about mates?” Abigail asks me carefully.
“Not very much. I mean, they only took me away from Eagleton a few days ago.”