“Marywasone of my confidences, yes. A long time ago.”
I felt like I was digging in places I shouldn’t, because I had no business there.
I felt like crap when Hans stepped away from me, wishing I hadn’t said anything, but he shook his head.
“Don’t ever give yourself over to regrets. I lived with that mistake for over three hundred years before I learned my lesson.” His eyes were so beautiful. “You asked some questions. That isn’t a crime.”
“I shouldn’t have been so demanding. It wasn’t my place to ask so soon.”
“You’re a girl trying to make sense of a very unusual world, curious and overwhelmed, battling with whispers in both your ears and your head. It’s hardly a surprise you are searching out answers.”
I was trying to keep up with his words.
“So, what are fated mates, Hans? Sarah seems to think I’m one of yours.”
“Theonlyone of mine, yes.”
“What about Mary? Who was she? Was she a fated mate of yours too?”
He paused, and I realised my legs were trembling, scared of the answer. I saw the trapdoor shaft and peered inside, just a little. There was a flash of movement down deep.
“We need to get home,” Hans said. “Conversations like these aren’t for a place like this.”
There was no sign of Sarah or the guys as we collected my dress and panties from the floor of the bedroom. I slipped them back on without a word, still well aware of Veronica’s screams sounding out from the room opposite. I was on mute autopilot as we descended the stairs. The atmosphere was different down here now, and the drawing room was a lot busier. I’d have loved to have met some more vampires.
If only I hadn’t been such an idiot for blurting out questions.
“Stop it now,” Hans said. “I’ve already told you, your questions deserve answers, they just can’t be delivered here in this place.”
“Why not in this place? Why can’t you just tell me? I’m a big girl, I can take it.”
“Trust me,” Hans said, “You’ll be glad you are at home when you learn the truth.”
Things went by in a blur as we prepared to make our exit. I was smiling, but it felt distant, as though I was standing back from myself. I saw Sarah standing next to Edwin, pressing against his side as he placed a hand on the small of her naked back.
I was happy for her enough that my smile was genuine.
“People love Sarah,” Hans whispered when he saw it. “You’ll be such good friends in here. People are going to love you, too.”
“Will she find afated mate?” I asked.
“That’s for destiny to decide, not me.”
Hans was quick and warm with the farewells, and I said my goodbyes along with him, but Edwin was by far the main focus of Hans’ attention as we bid goodnight.
Lady Jane interrupted their goodbyes. “When will you be back next? Will you be joining us for Samhain?”
“No,” Hans’ replied. “Not this year.”
“Really? How come?”
Everyone around us looked puzzled.
“We have some prior engagements,” Hans told them.
“They must be important ones,” Lady Jane chuckled. “You’ll be sorely missed.”
“Indeed, they are,” my lover confirmed, and I got another fresh prickle up my spine. “Ladies, gentlemen, we’ll be seeing you soon.”