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"You are happy with Stefan. I can feel the love between the two of you. He had searched many years to find you, Josephine. His fated mate. It was interesting to watch him on his journey to find you," Kian mused as he threaded his fingers together and a grin pulled at the corner of his lips. "He never gave up on finding you. Others would have grown tired of the constant searching, yet he never did. It speaks of his character. "
Fuming, I felt my cheeks flush with anger as my mind absorbed his words. If possible, I was more livid than before. Not only did my father sit back and watch me struggle with my abilities, he let Stefan continue his search for me when he knew exactly where I was all along. I could add these things to my growing list of reasons to be suspicious of my father.
"You knew all along that Stefan would be my mate?" I seethed. The word "mate" felt odd saying it aloud for the first time. "Why didn't you tell him where I was 10 years ago, Kian? He spent so many years looking for me. We wasted so much time. It was time that we could have been together. "
He smiled softly, his green eyes gleaming. "Josephine, you were not ready to meet him. You would have barely been 18. " Kian sat back in his chair. "I understand your frustration. It must seem unfair that you spent so many unhappy years alone, my dear. I am sorry that you suffered.
He was sorry that I suffered?! That's the only apology he was willing to offer after abandoning me as an infant to strangers? "I can't discuss all of that with you right now, Kian. It's too much to take in. I'm tired and I just want to find Stefan so we can leave. We can talk about this some other time. "
"Josephine, you have 28 years worth of questions. When you are ready, we will talk. " He nodded in agreement and hesitated as if considering what to say next. "I am pleased he found you. You complete each other. "
Shrugging, I gripped the arms of the chair. I was almost ready to stand when a thought occurred to me. Kian was older than Stefan and it made me curious to discover what he knew about him. "How long have you known Stefan?"
"I had not had the pleasure of meeting him until today. However, I have known of Stefan for 875 years. He was Steafedn Hlifsteinn when he captured the Board's attention, a young vampire with powerful abilities and strength. Many years passed and his name changed with the times. Hence we have the Stefan Lifsten you know today. "
"Steafedn Hlifsteinn," I repeated softly. My tongue struggled over the syllables of his name. "I feel horrible that I've never asked him these things. "
"Your love for him is new. Eventually you would have asked. "
My father leaned over to softly stroke my cheek. I unconsciously flinched at his touch, pressing my back deeper into the chair to put more distance between us.
"I do not mean to scare you, Josephine. "
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to smile. "Tell me more about Stefan. "
"Stefan," he said, tenting his fingers under his chin. "He was remarkable as a human, a protector of his family. He was fortunate and came from what would have been a wealthy family during his human life. He had an extraordinary way of predicting the plans of his enemies. Of course, we know why that is. " He raised an eyebrow, the red hair bright against the pallor of his face. "Even his premonitions could not save him during his final human encounter. He was fatally wounded in 1070. If Solveig had not changed him, he would have bled to death on a cold spring night of that year. Don't you see, Josephine? My dear, he died that night to be reborn for you. "
I let his words sink in for a moment. Had fate intervened almost 1,000 years ago, sparing t
he man that would be my soul mate? Listening to my father tell his story made me grasp the enormity of Stefan's vision 200 years ago. I attempted to swallow back the lump that had taken up residence in my throat, unable to control the hot tears that spilled from my eyes.
My father leaned forward again, only this time to offer me a crisp linen handkerchief.
"Thank you. " I carefully took the tissue from him, dabbing at my eyes. "Why did his maker choose to turn him?"
"Josephine," he chided softly. "Vampires are not different from humans. We covet the exceptional and beautiful specimens, choosing to change those that will make excellent additions to our race. We too believe in survival of the fittest. "
He rubbed a single finger across his chin. "Stefan is a rarity even by today's standards. Imagine seeing him during a time when beauty and intelligence was scarce. Solveig was lucky to have such a child, almost blessed when you factor in his invaluable ability. "
"His maker was lucky?" The thought slipped out before I could stop it. I vaguely recalled Stefan's words, explaining that his maker had been killed by the Council. I waited to see if my father would own up to Solveig's demise.
His expression became devoid of any expression, as flat as a mirror. "It is not my story to tell, Josephine. As his mate, you will share everything. I am sure Stefan will tell you when the time is right. "
Eyeing my father briefly, I wasn't surprised that he had chosen to divert my question. I abruptly changed the subject. "Since I'm his mate, I'm going need to change to be with him. I can't let him go," I whispered. The thought of losing him was suddenly excruciating.
"You are half-vampire, Josephine. You are immortal with some human frailties. You can still die a human death, however you are more indestructible. You will no longer age and you can stay by his side while still appearing human. It is your choice now if you want to have him change you or remain as you are. "
Stunned into silence, I could only stare at him. What do you say when you find out you're immortal and would always look 28? My mind flooded with questions that my father couldn't answer, leaving my head spinning. What did this mean for Stefan and me? Would he still want to change me? How am I going to explain this to Georgia and Anna? My stomach clenched as I thought of losing the only two friends I had, only to gain the love of what I'd just discovered to be my immortal life.
My father picked up a cell phone and typed a message into the keypad. He placed the phone back on the table beside of him and smiled at me again. "You have many things to consider, Josephine. Do not worry yourself with the fine print. Look at all you have gained. " His eyes flickered to the doorway behind me, nodding. "Come in, Stefan. My daughter is ready to leave. I assume you have accommodations?"
Stefan blurred to my side, kneeling at my feet. I couldn't refrain from running my fingers through his golden hair and caressing his stubbled cheek, finally rubbing my thumb across his lower lip. He smiled the first genuine smile since I awoke, his face glowing as if lit from within. "Yes. "
"Good. " His eyes flickered from Stefan to focus on me. "We will talk soon. It was a pleasure to speak with you, my dear. "
We were being dismissed. I stood and reached for Stefan's hand, linking our fingers together. I had only taken a few steps when I turned to face my father again. He sat motionless, his eyes somberly watching us.
"Before I go, I have one more question, Kian. My mother. Who is she? And where is she?" I asked, my words coming out in a rush. My eyes searched my father's face, surprised when his expression reflected the shock of my unexpected question.
