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“Where are they?” I asked instantly. Just as fast, I shot out, “Will they be safe here, being Elguto?” The memory of Valentina saying Elguto vampires are considered dirty amongst purebreds flashed through my mind. It was just like every time Martha, and I were displaced in our own town, just for looking different. Our skin was considered dirty; I didn’t want them to have to go through that. Mark never had, but I didn’t want him to. It wasn’t fair to them.

“I won’t lie, some will look down on them,” she admitted, her voice soft, trying to be delicate. “It is taboo to be created in such ways, but there’s a community of Elguto. They live quietly near the kingdom’s edge.” She tried to reassure me. But the way she seemed so matter-of-fact made me think she lacked nuance.

When it came to my parents, I needed to know exactly what they would be facing. “I don’t know if you know what it means, but… are people racist toward them?” I couldn’t help but be blunt. Where I came from, even small towns harbored cruel people—especially the older ones. If you looked different, that was all it took. I’ve had a taste of it. Martha had too. I didn’t want her to relive it.

Valentina loosens her grip around herself as another breath draws through her nose. “I know what you mean,” she whispered. There was a pause before she spoke again, contemplating her next words. “I’ve never seen anyone myself do anything cruel, the Elguto.” Then there was another small stop. I couldn’t read the expression on her face as she continued. “We wouldn’t enslave them. If that’s what you’re concerned about. But I won’t lie. Sometimes a name or a sneer, maybe. But it’s rare.”

There was a stretch of silence between us as I took her in from across the room. I knew she was trying to ease my worries, but it stirred little hope in me. I took in the opulence of the room and the beautiful detail of her dress. I just wasn’t sure of the verdict. But I tried to cling to that little thread she gave. Her eyes sparkled beautifully in the dim light, offering the best distraction from my worries. I knew she wasn’t the reason for the division; she just lived within it.

A smile crept against my lips despite the odds. I was still going to see my parents. After a long week of trial, this was truly a gift, more than the sketch pad. Valentina was the reason for it. That thought alone made me want to kiss her. Crossing the room, I took her in. Her skin radiated warmth, and her fragrance saturated the apartment. “I’ll take your word for it.” I winked at her once I was directly in front of her sitting form.

My gaze traveled from the bundle of white against her head, the strands were pulled tight so I could see each inch of her face. Val’s round eyes were bright as she looked up to me, her pearl-colored fangs gleaming up at me. Then they drifted a little further to see that she had held herself, the ruffles pressed tight against her chest.

“You should,” she smirked, her brown eyes gleaming with mischief.

Nodding, my fingers slipped to the ruffle on her sleeve. Pinching the fabric, my focus stayed intently on her face. There was little resistance as her arm yielded to my pull, letting it rise between us. “Of course,” I murmured, low.

I slid my hand along the length of her arm slowly, feeling how the fabric shifted against my grip. The yellow danced against the caramel of my skin, bouncing gold off it. When my fingers finally grazed her bare skin, I heard her hold in a breath. It was quick, but my ears caught it.

Bending down, my lips pressed slowly against the inside of her wrist, inhaling her sweet, natural perfume. It sent a swirl of adrenaline through my veins and a shot straight through my core. My lips dragged against soft skin of her wrist to the inside of her palm, enjoying the feeling of her thin fingers against my face. The simple touch thrilled a thousand fantasies, enough that I had to pull back. But I was satisfied.

When my gaze found her, every unspoken emotion swirled beneath her eyes as she stared up at me. She looked breathless. A small chuckle rumbled through my chest as I pressed one last kiss to her palm.

“So… where are they?” I asked after giving her a moment to compose herself.

Valentina’s cheeks flushed red when she spoke. “They’re at Arianna’s home. They’re safe there. It’s still dark now, but once dawn breaks, we’ll go. Most people will still be asleep by then, so we won’t risk being seen.”

“Are we going to them from here? Are we bringing them back afterward?” I asked with every bit of hope. There seemed to be more than enough room in Lord Draco’s estate. I wanted my parents close, really close.

I saw it in her gaze before a word even escaped her lips. There was a crinkle in the corner of her eyes as her expression softened. Her hands found mine, sending a wave of calm through me, as she pulled me down to sit in the loveseat. “No. They’ll stay with Arianna. We’ll travel back and forth between her estate and here.” Valentina’s thumb slid over the back of my hand, soothing the irritation that boiled beneath the surface. “I can’t stress this enough; it is not safe; they cannot be here. This place is more dangerous than anywhere else for them.”

It wasn’t fair; every word that she said only flared the irritation. Her touch lingered against my skin, feeling the sudden heat that pulsed through my veins. I wanted my mother by my side again. I’d already spent one week of hell without her. It killed me to think she couldn’t come.

“Why?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended, my eyes dipping down to my lap.

Valentina dropped my hands to find my face with her soft grip instead. She pressed for my gaze as she pulled my face in her direction. “Alexander, I promise you I’m not trying to make you upset.” I shook my head in her grip, but she steadied me, so our gazes met. “Listen to me, Alex. If anyone found out who your parents were, it wouldn’t matter that they aren’t pureblood. That would be enough.”

Anger flared hot thought of someone hurting my parents. They just raised me. If they tried, I don’t know if I could forgive myself. This world was so cold to use love as a weapon. Arianna’s warning echoed through my ear as if she were here in the room. I’d have to learn to fight to protect what I loved. No part of me wanted to admit it, but I understood why. I didn’t like it. This wasn’t about what I liked or wanted. It was about them being safe.

They hadn’t chosen who I was; my parents just took me in on a whim. They loved me, and that love wouldn’t be their death warrant. Even if it made me uncomfortable that they wouldn’t be able to live with me, I could take comfort in the fact that they’d be okay.

Closing my eyes, I took a moment to gather myself. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Inhaling, I let her scent envelop me. Val’s sweetness pierced through me, the heat swirling beneath my skin. “Fine, we’ll keep them hidden,” I whispered, defeated.

She leaned her forehead against mine. The sudden heat of her skin had my eyelids fluttering back open. They met with a pool of warmth, her irises reflecting the orange fire at the corner. Carefully, I placed my hand on the sides of her waist, trailing slowly up to her back. She had felt cold underneath the silk of her dress. Even if this wasn’t love, she was a person who might get caught up in my web. That thought alone made me want to pull her closer.

“It’s going to be okay,” she whispered between us, her breath fanning against my face. Her warm sugar perfume churned alongside my nose, conducting electricity through me.

I wanted to take her word for their safety. It was a promise that was so gentle it was almost naïve. My gut, on the other hand, was telling me to hold still. Pressing my forehead a little deeper to her, my eyes lowered to her mouth just for a moment, but I thought against it. “Can you stay with me?” I whispered.

A smile crept against her lips as her hands trailed a path from my cheek to my neck. I hoped she couldn’t feel the goosebumps that rose along my skin. Leaning back against the armrest, she took me in for a moment. Those same hands slid down to my chest, making my breath catch in my throat. “Yes,” was all she said as my hand slipped from her waist.

Easing from the cushion my hands found her guiding her gently to the bed. There was a grace behind her movement, but I could see the nervousness in her eyes. Intertwining our fingers together, my thumb brushed the back of her hand gently. Reverent. I ushered her closer as the back of my legs hit the frame.

My gaze trailed down her throat watching the dip as she took a breath. Even with the wave of calm that pulsed through us there was on undercurrent of nerves. If someone would’ve told me I’d want her in my bed, well. I’d have to tell them the truth it was true. There was something about her even through that intensity that was beautiful.

Valentina’s eyes trailed me the same way until we found each other. She took a step closer, her chest brushing against mine. “Let’s get some rest,” I murmured as I dipped my head to her ear. The soft fabric of her dress brushed against my chest pressing a little deeper. Without a word she nodded, and I pulled back.

I side-stepped away from the bed, letting go off her hand. The withdrawal let my true feelings seep in through my nerves. Every fiber in me was hyper aware of her. I buzzed with resound recognition, even the mark that branded my skin felt electrified with her every touch. I swallowed hard as she braced herself on her hands to crawl on the bed. Her ivory skirts folded around her curling at her ankles to reveal the bare soles of her feet. The were soft white with freckles of pinks tinging the surface. She crawled to the opposite side of the mattress pushing the thick comforters down to her feet.