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“We need to find that seer.”

I tugged him closer. “What ever will we do in the meantime?”

His lips twitched as he eased even closer. “What indeed?”

Tristan leaned in, his eyelids falling. I lifted my face, a rush of emotion surprising me. I'd seen the strength of his compassion and his resolution. But he'd also shared his weakest moment with me, and it only made him feel more human. Even after centuries of suffering, with heartbreak ruling his life, Tristan treasured love. I knew, if I could win his heart, it would be worth the heartbreak.

He drew back. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“What are we doing?” I teased.

“Honestly, I don't know.”

“I'm sure I want to do this, whatever it is.”

Again, he started the slow bend to my lips. I closed my eyes and lifted my face. Under my hands, his chest rose and fell, solid and warm. He was real, ancient, and I was about to kiss him. I could hardly believe—

With a jerk, Tristan drew back and braced his hands against the counter to either side of me. “We can't do this tonight.”

“Why not?” My hands had slid down to his arms when he retreated, and I massaged his biceps.

Groaning, he tore away. “Because it's not fair of me to ask you if you're sure yet. You can't be sure about anything right now. You've barely had the time to think about this.”

“Tristan.” I grimaced at him.

“No.” Tristan returned to me, but just to lift me from the counter and set me back on my feet. “I don't want you to wake up tomorrow and regret what happened.”

I went still. “Did someone have regrets after being with you?”

“No, but I don't want you to be the first. I'm not a normal man. There are risks involved in being with me, even more so now.”

“The chance of what we could have together makes it worth it for me,” I said.

“You could lose everything, even your life. I want you to at least take tonight to think it over.” He took my hand and led me out of the kitchen.

“Hey, don't I even get dinner?”

Tristan stopped and looked back at me.

I smirked.

He laughed and turned around. “All right. Dinner. Then I'll take you home.”

“Deal.”

Chapter Nine

The air purifier was still going when I got to work the next day. As I turned it off, I grimaced. I'd have to complete the incident report. At least Curtis hadn't made a fuss about Tristan being there with me after hours. Sighing, I went to the broken melting furnace. After I swept up the debris, I dumped it in the furnace, and cleaned up my worktable.

“Dear God,” Alexandra Westlin, Chief of Conservation, exclaimed as she strode in. “I heard you had an accident, but wow. It just exploded?”

“It sure did.” I ran through the explanation I'd rehearsed, threading lies with truth.

“Damn!” Alex gaped at the wall. “And Curtis said you had someone with you.”

“Yes, uh.” I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I remembered that someone. “Actually, it was Mr. Bane.”

“Tristan Bane? The one who requested access to the reliquary?”