“No. I was just…far away. Sometimes looking into flickering flames puts me right into a trance.”
“I see.” He poured a glass and handed it to her. “Is it all right if I sit next to you?”
“Of course, silly. You and I have sat next to each other before.” She took a big sip of Champagne.
In a few moments, she appeared relaxed and comfortable again.Good. “Do you ever see things in the flames?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“I’ve heard it’s one way psychics scry. Is that the word…scry?”
She grinned. “Yes. I’m surprised you knew that.” Another long sip of Champagne and her posture relaxed some more.
He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m full of surprises. I spent many evenings at the Boston Public Library reading anything and everything that caught my interest.” Setting down his wine glass, he rubbed his hands together, hoping the friction would take the chill off.
He took her hand in his. “I have a confession to make.”
She sat up a little straighter. “Confession? I’m a priestess, not a Catholic priest. We don’t generally hear confessions.”
He laughed. “Not that kind of confession.”
“Oh,” she looked slightly embarrassed.
Her blush sent shivers straight to his loins, as did her earlier smile.
“Morgaine, I asked you to hang back because I’d like to get to know you better.”
Her brows knit. “In what way? We’ve known each other a long time.”
“I might be undead, but I’m not—dead. Know what I mean?”
She shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t follow.”
He rubbed her hand gently with his thumb. “I’ve noticed you in a whole new way recently. And it isn’t because of the makeover. Well, maybe softening the hard edges opened up the idea of…” He struggled for the right words. Why, oh why, hadn’t he rehearsed this speech?
“What is it, Sly? What have you noticed?”
“You’re a caring, nurturing person. You’re the one who thought of room darkening shades for me. And even before that you took such good care of me when I hurt my fang. You didn’t even tease me about my lisp until I was feeling better.”
She dropped her head and blushed.
“Put it this way, I miss being married, and I think the right woman might be able to ease the loneliness.”
She lifted her head and stared at him. “Are you coming on to me?”
He chuckled. “What I’m saying is that for some reason I can’t explain, I’m attracted to you. I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and yet, you confuse me. Well, that’s not exactly right.”
“My, I feel so flattered,” she said, deadpan.
“Sorry. What I mean is, I’ve always liked you, but recently I’ve liked you more…”
“More than what? A kick in the head?”
He leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t blame you. I’m making a mess of this.”
“Would you mind if I tried something to clean up the mess? It might help.”
“Sure. What did you have in mind?”
