“Because I love them,” I say simply. “I was in love with them before I turned them. Do you understand the difference?”
“I-I don’t know,” he says sadly. “I don’t know anything anymore.”
“We will figure this out, Cade. We do not have to be together in that way just because we are tied to one another. But you need to be close to me, even if it is just like this,” I say, indicating the wide-open space in between us so he has a visual.
He stares at the space for the longest time and then he scoots a bit closer to me. “Why does it feel this way?” he asks. “Why do just a few centimeters make so much difference?”
“Because my blood is running through your veins. It calls to me,” I say, hoping that this explanation doesn’t freak him out again. “The longer the time, the less the need to be near me,” I add quickly.
“How long?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” I say. “It’s different for everyone, dependent on the bond.”
“Oh,” he says. “So, it will be less time for me than Cole?”
“Probably,” I say as I have no idea, but want to reassure him.
He nods and uncertainly reaches for my hand. I let him hold it loosely and he sighs. “I don’t know what to do about these feelings that I have for you,” he says with his eyes closed.
I am quite glad that he wasn’t looking at me as he said it. There has been enough shame for one day.
“Do you love me?” I ask, hoping I am right in thinking that is a resounding “no.”
His eyes fly open at that question and he shakes his head. “No!”
“Then you do nothing. They will go away on their own.”
“When?” he asks desperately.
Ah crap. I have no fucking idea. I shrug and he huffs in exasperation. “So, will you come home with me?” I ask.
“Will you do as you said before?” he replies. “Just you?”
I nod. “Yes, of course,” I say immediately. We have turned a corner here and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our shaky foundation. I will just have to try and limit his feedings as much as possible for now.
“Fine,” he says. “What do I do about them?” He tilts his head towards the other room, where I had practically forgotten four eavesdropping toads are waiting for me.
“I’ll talk to them,” I say. “It’ll be okay.” I pat his hand and then he lets me go. I get up and open the door where, as expected, they are all hovering, every word we said overheard. “You can go now,” I say to them. “Leave us a car and we will drive back.”
“Liv,” Cole says, but I shake my head at him.
“Just go,” I say and CK grabs his arm. Lincoln throws me his keys and takes CK’s other arm and without another word they go, looking as pissed off as two Vampires and a Werewolf can be.
Devon just stands there with his arms crossed. “I’m not leaving you alone with him,” he says. “I don’t trust him.”
“Dev, it’s fine. Go home. I will see you shortly,” I say and open my arms for him to hug me. He does and he holds me close.
“Please be careful,” he whispers. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you again.”
“I will, don’t worry,” I say.
He lets me go and yells at Cade, “If even one hair on her head is damaged when she gets back, I will make you suffer in ways that you can’t even imagine, before I kill you.”
“Dev,” I warn him, and he scowls at me before he leaves us.
I turn back to Cade. He is sitting on the bed with his feet planted on the floor and his head in his hands. I sit quietly next to him, waiting for him to say something first. When he doesn’t, I realize I am going to have to say something about going away tomorrow.
“Erm, I know this is epically bad timing, but I have something that I have to take care of, and I won’t be around for about a day,” I say.