Page 44

Crouching beside her, I waved my hand over the scene she’d carefully crafted. The paper wobbled as it divided itself into four sections. Then, the tiny fibers knitted themselves back together, restoring the art to its former glory.

She glanced up at me and swallowed before turning the page over and examining it. “Miraculous,” she breathed. “Magic.”

“Directed energy.” Cupping her cheek, I said, “You’re very talented. It is obvious in your rendering of my Realm. I wonder how it is you were able to draw an exact likeness of a place you’ve never been.”

Her tongue dragged along her bottom lip. “I have no idea. I just draw what I see in my head.”

There had been other humans, dragged into Realms not their own by way of dreams or experimenting with magic. The phenomenon was curious, but I’d never spent much time speculating the mechanism. I suspected Cassia had somehow gained insight through some twist of fate, a slip of the universe’s wanderings, perhaps. Maybe fate had conspired to thrust us together, and this was a sign?

The workings of fate didn’t matter, it only mattered that she was here with me now.

“I guess it's kinda creepy. I didn’t think it was based on anything but my wild imagination. The thought had sorta occurred to me before, when you first brought me here. I looked out the window and thought holy shit I painted that sky.” She chuckled. “But then I just kinda tossed that thought out, ya know? Stress and all that.”

I moved to open the bag containing the food and set the items out in front of her on the makeshift table. “I hope you approve.”

Cassia froze, her eyes scanning the offering. Then her eyes watered. Her energy waved around her in thin tendrils. She wasn’t upset, but she was fighting the softness that attempted to take over her heart, and I let her sit with her feelings.

On one level, I recognized her struggle as I, too, tread carefully. My reasoning was different. I knew she would be mine the moment I found her. There hadn’t ever been a doubt in regard to that.

My own angst was a fear of letting her down. I’d never seriously courted a human before. They’d been temporary diversions and food. None had ever affected me the way this woman had and no one else ever would.

I lifted the pastry box’s lid and handed her one. She eyed the chocolate frosted concoction that was covered with sprinkles as if she’d never seen one before, reluctantly taking it from me.

Then, I pulled out a bottle of Chardonnay and two glasses, taking a moment to fill them both, her attention rapt.

Finally, I tugged the small, netted bag of plums and placed it in front of her.

“How?” She looked bewildered.

“Is it to your liking?” Humans were known for being fickle, but I trusted my prior research.

Her gaze remained on the donut, handling it as if it were a live grenade. “It's perfect. How did you know I like these? It's like you took my three favorite things straight outta my head.”

Tentatively, she bit into the pastry, her eyes closing in pleasure. “You should totally try one of these, they’re so good.”

“No, thank you. I have a different kind of sweet in mind.”

Her eyes snapped open, meeting mine. She didn’t say a word but greedily gulped some of her wine.

“You have to eat sometimes, don’t you?” She stared into the depths of the glass, her unspoken message loud and clear.

The truth was, at my age I rarely needed to feed. I did so primarily for pleasure. Gluttony, really. The food humans ate was enjoyed on occasion. I’d never had a sweet tooth, but I knew I was about to develop a very specific one.

“Seriously, Lukas. How did you guess my favorite foods. I never told you. Can you read minds?”

“I can read auras, but no, not minds. It may seem like that sometimes.”

“Can any vampires read minds?” She appeared genuinely concerned.

I took a sip of my own wine, letting the apple and oak flavors settle on my tongue before swallowing. “There are many different beings out there, and yes some can to a degree.”

“Like what kind?”

Setting my glass down, I said, “Not for you to worry about.”

Cassia grabbed a plum and turned it over in her hand. The skin practically glowed under the sunlight, shades of violet and purple deep and rich under the light. “Can we go there?”

She pointed to the distant peaks. “Yes, sometime,” I answered.