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"What about the others, Miss Yates? You need to hurry or you'll be late to dine with the others."
Wanting to do anything so she wouldn't cry, Nora quickly put the box of chocolates on the dressing table and opened the next one, revealing a book:Around the World in Eighty Daysby Jules Verne.
She opened the cover and found a note:I always wanted to travel, but had to rely on books instead. I heard you liked to read and thought you might want some adventure too. RV
Nora's eyes misted yet again. River had somehow found out her love of reading. But why was he being so nice to her and buying such bloody wonderful presents?
Then it dawned on her how Yesenia must've told River about being Nora's fated lord.
Even if he was a fae witch, River had to know how important it usually was for a vampire to find their lords or brides. He might now try to woo her to see if they fit well together.
Which they never could, of course. Nora was damaged, too much so, and a handsome, young male like River Vale would expect marital rights.
Which she couldn't give.
Not to mention if he was going to set up a doctor's practice, being associated with her would taint his reputation.
No, they would never fit together like Leo and Yesenia.
She should send the presents back with a message, discouraging him. And yet, as she traced the book's edges, she didn't want to give the gifts back. Because they actually made her feel special, and normal, and not like the pariah she'd been for so many decades. Right here, right now, she was just a female receiving something nice from a handsome male.
Realizing there was one more, she quickly tore it open and found another book:Gray's Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical, Creature Editionby Henry Gray.
Nora had heard of the book before but had never read it. Knowing she didn't have time to look through it all, she opened it and found another note:Despite the rudeness of calling us "Creatures" in this early edition, it's still one of the best beginner guides to non-magical paranormal medicine. If you want, I can offer lessons at any time for non-magical practices. RV
Closing the cover, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
For a second, she wished she could be whole and normal. Any male who went to such lengths to find out so much about her in such a short time was obviously interested in wooing her.
Her, of all people, even though she was a short, plump vampire with ugly scars and a dark past.
Even if she didn't understand why, Nora now had more questions than ever regarding Dr. River Vale.
Sarah spoke up. "I hate to rush you, miss, but you really should head down to supper now. You know how Dark Lord Yates detests tardiness."
Opening her eyes, she gently placed the books on the vanity beside the box of chocolates, stood, and willed the tears away. She needed to act as if the presents hadn't just made her heart swell, or give her dreams of what she couldn't have.
After a few beats, she stood and exited her room.
Part of her looked forward to seeing River again, and yet another part dreaded it. She barely knew the male and still her head and heart were all mixed up in what to do with him.
ChapterEight
River wanted nothing more than to tear off his fucking tie and jacket, roll up the sleeves of his shirt, and maybe kick off his new stiff shoes. All the damn layers were stifling.
However, Bates had taken so much care with getting him ready that he couldn't bring himself to throw a tantrum like a fucking child.
Running a hand over his short hair, River was determined to grow it out again. It might help him recover a bit of himself from before his damned captivity.
Especially as he wasn't sure if he'd ever get to leave 1890 and go home. Yesenia had been scarce, and what little he'd gotten from her was that a time-wielder couldn't reveal too much about the future. It sounded like a bullshit answer to him, but until his strength was up, he wasn't going to waste energy fighting her. His big sister had never done him wrong before, and so he'd trust her now.
Ready, Bates helped him into the wheelchair—the seat part made of wood and hard as hell—and rolled him into the small room being used as a private dining room. Immediately he noticed Nora do a double-take at his appearance, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes, and River thought maybe he could deal with the monkey suit for an evening.
Not that he could bask for long in Nora's appreciative gaze. No, he couldn't tear his eyes from her dress. It revealed her shoulders, her upper arms, and a hint of her small tits. He didn't like how the dress probably required a fucking corset—those things could be dangerous to one's health if tugged too tightly—but the purple color made her pale skin glow.
Once he was rolled and placed at the table across from her, he blurted, "You look pretty."
Way to go, River. Compliment her like you're still in fucking middle school.
