The doorbell rings, and then Tilda enters without waiting for me to let her in. She’s dressed in a light-gray sweatsuit, and her hood is pulled over her head. She puts several bags on the floor near the door, pulls off her hood, and her pale blonde hair tumbles around her shoulders. “I called Max, but he’s back to work.”
I rise and kiss her cheek before pouring her a cup of coffee. “It’s good that it’s the three of us. You can inform your mates later.”
Once Tilda is seated and both of my granddaughters are looking at me expectantly, I stand on the opposite side of the counter island and lean on my elbows with my coffee between my hands. “I’ve started dating Lori Manning.”
Mari grins. “I knew it. That’s wonderful news.”
“And you are compatible?” Tilda’s voice is more pensive.
“Are you asking if I have bitten her?” It takes a small effort to hold my temper. Surely, Tilda knows I’d never harm anyone.
With a slight blush, Tilda says, “Forgive me. It’s none of my business. I only know that it is natural for me to bite my lover during sex, and Lori is only human. She’s fragile and the mother of two…” She trails off as if there’s more, but she closes her mouth.
Mari grips her sister’s hand. “Ion would not harm her.”
I’m gratified by the fact that at least she has faith in me. Still, I hold no judgment. The fact that Tilda is concerned for Lori’s well-being is not a bad thing. “I have not bitten her beyond a scratch. I am old enough to be able to control myself even if she allows such intimacy in the future. I hope this will be the last time we have this conversation.”
“I apologize.” Tilda stares at the counter.
Reaching across, I take her hand. “There is no need. I understand your concerns for Lori and for the twins.”
“Is it serious, Ion?” Mari’s voice is soft and direct.
My heart pounds twice. “If she has the same depth of feeling for me as I have for her, it will be very serious. I would make her mine for the rest of her life.”
“Which is very short compared to ours. Are you sure this is a good idea?” Tilda gets up and pours herself more coffee. She offers to pour for me and Mari, but we both decline.
I’m surprised by this change. “You were both in favor of a relationship last time you spoke of it.”
Mari cocks her head. “True. I’m still happy for you. At least giants and Sasquatch like Sam and Max will live several hundred years. If you love Lori, if she’s your mate, how will you go on when she leaves this world?”
“She will only live another seventy years or so. That’s nothing in a vampire’s life,” Tilda adds and sips from her mug.
This is the difficult part of why I wanted to speak to them. Looking hard into Mari’s eyes, I say, “I think you probably already know the answer.”
Tears well in her eyes, but she doesn’t let them fall. “I hoped there was another option.”
Tilda looks from me to her sister then back to me. “You cannot mean to end your existence when Lori, a woman you’ve known for a few months, passes.”
Softening my gaze, I hope my expression shows how much her concern and passion warms my heart. “You have not known Max much longer, Tilda. Will you go on after he dies?”
“That will not happen for many hundreds of years.” Her voice is so loud it echoes off the kitchen cabinets.
I take her hand. “You are very young, and yet you are willing to leave this world in a few hundred years. Mari has already livedthat long, as has Sam. One day, they will choose to move on from this world. Sam will grow old and force their decision.”
“But humans are so fragile.” Tears stream down Tilda’s face.
My heart aches at the notion of a world without Lori in it. “They are. If Lori will have me, and that is a big if at the moment, I will stay with her for her lifetime. I have already outlived thousands of friends and lovers. My life has had everything a man or vampire could ever want. The only thing I have never had is a true mate. Lori’s blood sings to me, and I would be a very lucky man if she accepts the bond between us. Living beyond her would be a misery.”
“What if she gets sick and only lives a few years?” Tilda weeps openly.
Mari gasps. “Tilda, that’s terrible.”
I close my eyes and let the wave of horror pass. This thought is a nightmare for me. “I will see Dorothy and Olivia to adulthood, should the unthinkable happen.”
Tilda nods. “I’m sorry, Ion. The idea of a world where you don’t exist is painful for me to contemplate.”
“Thank you, granddaughter. I know adding a human to our family will bring sorrow to all of us, but that will not undo the joy we will share. For now, I have a human lifetime to enjoy this wonderful woman and her daughters. Love is not something that comes easily to vampires. I shall not waste a moment on regret.”
