“Sebastian,” he warns.
“I am not falling in love with her,” Sebastian insists. “But she is special, captivating. Queen thing notwithstanding. It doesn’t surprise me that you kept her away from everyone. From me.”
“If I could have gotten away with locking her up, I would have.”
“Hm, a gilded cage, for a rare creature. She would probably kill you now if you ever tried that.”
“I know. Why do you think I haven’t? It’s all I want, to take her away from all of this.” Now it is CK’s turn to lie back, huffing in frustration.
“Can I ask you something?” Sebastian says.
CK peers up at him. “What?” he asks warily.
“Why did you wait until she sired and was married? In fact, the better question is, why didn’t you just tie the knot a thousand years ago?”
“Because, as she loves to point out, I am a stubborn, fucking fool,” he sighs. “I was going to ask her. In 1112. But she left me before I got the chance to.”
Sebastian looks astounded at that piece of information. “Why did she leave?”
“A misunderstanding.”
“What kind?”
“The Eloise kind,” he says grimly.
“Ah. I see.”
“No, you don’t see. I never had a thing with her. Why does everyone think that I did?” he asks, exasperated.
Sebastian shrugs. “Just her sister then.”
“Don’t remind me. And we are getting off topic.”
“You don’t like to remember the times with Vivienne?” he asks slyly. “I thought you were quite enjoying yourself earlier.”
“Don’t push it. I did that for you. I don’t want to be that anymore. I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to be with anyone else. Especially like that,” CK says with such force Sebastian blinks at him.
“You feel that strongly about it?”
“Yes. If I let myself give in to that side of me then I am not worthy of her love.”
“That’s a bit harsh. And a lot of pressure on yourself. I am sure she would understand.”
“She wouldn’t. Not after what Lance did to her.”
“Ah yes. The sibling from Hell who ruined it for the rest of us. Wish I had been there when you killed him.”
CK looks at him in surprise. “I didn’t kill him. She did.”
“What? I thought you did.”
“No. I was going to, but he said something, and it set her misguided protective charge side into motion.”
“What did he say?”
“Doesn’t matter. When will you see her again?” Abrupt change of subject.
“When the time is right.”