“Aefre,” he says. “These men are not to be trifled with. Show an amount of compassion to a fellow Vampire.”
“Why do you care so much? Are you fucking her again?” I ask, not without heat.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scoffs. “I am a one-woman man, remember?”
“Pah,” I scoff back, not placated. He hasn’t said the actual words.
“You, you idiot,” he says, reading my thoughts. “Only you.”
“Humph,” I say, somewhat comforted. “Why here, though? Why can?
??t she go elsewhere? Please tell her to leave, CK.”
“You know I can’t do that, Aefre. It’s daylight out for a start, and here because she knows we are the ones that can protect her.”
I narrow my eyes in glee. I remember now that she doesn’t have Silver and is unable to withstand sunlight. “Be sure to remind her of that. She isn’t acting very grateful right now.”
“Yes, dear,” he says to me, giving me a kiss on the top of my head.
“I want some time alone with Arathia, please,” I say, wanting him to go away now that he has championed the whore’s cause and won.
“Of course. But I want some time alone with you later,” he says pointedly.
“Done,” I say with a salacious smile. “Oh, wait.”
I stand up and place the sleeping baby in the crib and pick up the monitor. I creep out and he follows me into the room next door. I stride over to open the curtains, letting in the lowering sunlight.
“Will you get one of the servants to make up this room for me and to bring some of my stuff in please,” I ask him, looking around the basic, but functional room.
“Excuse me?” he splutters.
I look at him and gesture around the room. “The room. Made-up. Now.”
“Why?” he asks forlornly. “I know you are angry with me, but–”
“Don’t be a buffoon,” I chide him. “Join me if you will, but with that woman roaming the halls at night, I want to be closer to Arathia. That’s all.”
“Oh,” he says, his relief spreading across his face. “Of course I will join you. We are married, Aefre. We will always share a room while we are under the same roof.”
“Good,” I say with a firm nod. “Now, I had better go check on Cade. He is probably conscious by now.”
“Okay, but can I ask you something before you go?”
I pause outside the doorway and look back at him as he has stopped speaking.
“Go on,” I ask, crossing my arms. I feel a “conversation” coming on.
His cheeks go slightly pink to my amusement and he clears his throat. “Is it…is it in your future plans to, uh, resume relations with Frederick now that he is back?”
I blink at him in surprise. I was not expecting that.
“Erm–”
“Because if you are, that’s…fine. I would just like to be forewarned.”
Fine? Fine? Who is this man?
“Constantine?” I peer at him.