Page 39 of Awakened Light

“There’s our Annella,” Aiden said as he laughed.

“If you guys don’t mind, I’m really tired. I think I’ll head up to my room and get some sleep. The sun will be up soon.”

“It’s been a long night. We should all get to bed.” Lothaire slid his arm around Grizella’s shoulders. “We’ll get some rest, and tomorrow we’ll start asking around and trying to locate Leith and Leeya.”

“Sleep well, everyone,” Aiden said. “Emilia and I may skip poolside margaritas in lieu of sleep as well.”

“I could use a nap,” she agreed, then she stopped and looked at me. “Will you be okay out here alone if we sleep for a while?”

I nodded. “I think I’m going to go to bed myself.”

“If you need anything, just knock on our door.” Emilia pulled me in for a quick hug before all the vampires headed off to their rooms, leaving me and Thorne alone.

“So,” he said as he glanced out the window. The dark sky had started to lighten into a deep shade of blue. “You sure you’re okay alone today? I wish I could spend the day with you, but it wouldn’t be real fun watching me incinerate into a pile of ash.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Probably best if you stay out of the sun.”

“I’ll be up as soon as it sets.”

“I’ve been up all night, so I think I’ll be sleeping like a vampire all day.”

“I bet. You must be exhausted.”

“I am,” I sighed.

Thorne rubbed a hand behind his neck and glanced down at his feet. “So, now that we found Annella, does that mean that you go back tonight?”

The silence settled between us while I thought about my options. I didn’t want to leave. I’d never had so much fun in my life. Every second I spent with Thorne made me question my destiny to rule my island, but each time his eyes started to seduce me into thinking of throwing it all away, I remembered my responsibility to my people.

My duties. My destiny.

“I should go back,” I said, though the words lacked certainty.

After a long pause, Thorne exhaled a sigh. “Why rush? I know you need to go back, but maybe you could stick around for a few more days. You’re going to spend the rest of your life on that island, why not use this time to explore a little before you return?”

I wanted to say yes—more than anything, I wanted to say yes. But I knew the longer I stayed, the harder it would be to go back.

“My mother is probably worried,” I said as I looked out the window. “She’s also probably furious. The faster I get back, the less angry she’ll be. I hope.”

He nodded his head, but I saw the disappointment in his eyes. “I suppose.”

“I do wish I could stay, though,” I said. “I’m having a lot of fun with you.”

“Yeah?” A small smile lifted up those lips I wanted to taste. “I’m a good host? I mean, other than almost getting you killed by vampires, of course.”

Laughing, I shrugged. “Even though it sounds like I’ve only seen a sliver of the world, what you’ve shown me has been incredible. I’m just glad I got to experience it. Even if just for a day.”

“Me too.” He smiled for a moment, then it faded. “I understand you can’t stay. I’ll bring you back as soon as the sun goes down.”

I nodded, unable to find any other words that didn’t come out as I want to stay.

Thorne glanced at the window again. The sky had lightened even more. “Well, I guess then I should get to my room. If you decide to get up during the day, just stay in the castle for your safety. I don’t think Clan Lennox will come here, they’re stupid but not that stupid, but just to be on the safe side.”

“I won’t go out alone. I promise.”

“Good.”

The awkward silence settled between us as we stood staring at each other.