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“I do.”
“No wonder you rarely laugh.” She had meant to tease him but when he didn’t even smile, when he looked away from her, she finally understood his most essential self. He was responsible and he put those responsibilities above everything else in his life including his own happiness.
“No wonder your people thrive,” she said.
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His gaze snapped back to her. “Why do you say that?” Again that deep furrow appeared.
“You’ve laid your life down for your people, no doubt for decades. Why wouldn’t they thrive? But what of you, Gerrod? What of your own happiness?”
He stared down at her with a stunned look in his eye as though she had asked something never heard of before. Then he just looked confused. But as other thoughts intruded, his face hardened. He looked like a vampire who had been standing in a strong wind for a very long time, centuries perhaps.
“We should get back.”
She nodded. The moment had passed. The only understanding that had been reached was that she desired him and he desired her, and that the realm world had no place for a human female in a mastyr vampire’s life.
As he turned to offer his arm, however, a strange keening sound broke through the forest, a sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Abigail turned toward the sound and watched as a red mist moved between the trees toward the reception.
“Red wind,” she whispered.
His gaze shot to her once more. “You can see that?”
She nodded.
He turned back as well. “The Invictus are here. Dear Goddess help us this night.”
~ ~ ~
“I will path you,” Gerrod said. “It’s the fastest way. Do you trust me?”
She blinked as though surprised. “Yes, of course.”
He didn’t exactly have time to explain. He slid his arm around her waist, dragged her against his side, lifted her off her feet, and sped back to the reception.
Her hand clutched his soft shirt, but other than a small, ‘oh,’ she didn’t offer a single protest.
Five seconds later, he took her to Augustus. “The Invictus are coming. See to everyone.”
“Yes, Mastyr.”
He turned to Abigail. “Go with Gus.”
She nodded in several quick bobs of her head.
He looked around, still holding her hand. There were at least three hundred realm-folk at the festivities, including the caterers and musicians.
He telepathed Jason. How far away are you?
Seven minutes.
Hurry. We’ve got Invictus sign.
He looked down at Abigail’s hand not understanding why he was so damn reluctant to let it go. He met her gaze and saw in her eyes so much compassion that he had to look away.
Finally, he released her hand. “Go to the castle with Gus. Go quickly.”
