Page 73 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

“I told you not to compel anyone.”

“But it’s the roof. You need to keep it safe and dry, or you could lose the whole house.”

“If I can wait a few weeks, then we can fix it the right way.”

Valeria stiffened; they both knew her only other way of acquiring a new roof.

“You don’t have to do that anymore.”

“You were right earlier; we’re so different. My family and my estate are so important, and I can’t bear to leave either when they need me so much.”

“You’re not the only choice. Your parents should be taking care of this anyway. Let them.”

“Neither of them is very good at it, but more than that, I like it. I like taking care of the house and running numbers on the estate. It may not seem interesting to you, but I’m not trying to run from a life I don’t want.”

“Do you really want to get married? Do you even know what kind of man your fiancé is? Shouldn’t he be helping you take care of this?”

“You said it yourself, I was always going to marry.”

“But you don’t have to. Be with me instead.”

Valeria is wrapped behind her back with a hand over her waist; Caroline intertwines her fingers with Valeria’s.

“I don’t know if I want to be a vampire.”

“That’s fine, you don’t have to make that decision yet. We can be together, and The Count can turn you when you’re ready.”

“I could be with you, but I don’t know if I want to be with the rest of your coven.”

“You wouldn’t have to do anything with Sveta and Millie if you don’t want to. They haven’t been together like that in centuries.”

“But are they with The Count?”

Caroline already knew the answer, but Valeria’s silence was confirmation.

“But if you marry⁠—”

“Edgar is my choice,” Caroline interrupted. “I know it’s difficult to understand, but if I must do this, I want it to be on my terms.”

“Don’t you ever get tired of being a martyr?”

“Don’t you ever get tired of running away?”

Valeria’s hand spasmed on her waist, and she knew she hit a nerve, though she didn’t feel bad because Valeria was doing her best to rile her up as well.

“If I ask you to come with me, it isn’t running away.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to go with you.”

Valeria squeezed her waist, and she squeezed Valeria’s hand in return. They weren’t sixteen anymore, but that didn’t mean it was easier between them. Perhaps their story was always meant to be a tragedy of two people who loved each other, but could never make it work.

LETTER FIVE

Sire,

I take your silence as an answer to my last inquiry. I accept your judgment and won’t argue against it. The only thing I ask is that you allow me to finish my assignment on my own. There isn’t any money in the estate, but I have a new plan. Only a little longer, and then we can be on our way.

Love,