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"I tasted your blood, and that's when I realized who you were to me, that's when everything changed."
I closed my eyes.
"But even before that, I started to feel things for you. I don't think I could've gone through with it even if I hadn't found out what you were to me."
In his voice there was a plea for forgiveness. But as hard as it was to hear him tell the story, it felt like someone else's life he was talking about. I couldn’t remember anything. He might as well have been reading out of a book. It was almost impossible for me to picture Ares wanting to kill me, the complete opposite of who he was right now.
"What happened after that?"
He sighed deeply. "I helped you escape and betrayed everyone in the organization. Although I killed everyone there, news had gotten out about what I’d done. I'm currently ‘persona non grata’ on the Hunters’ list." There was a thread of sadness when he said that as well.
"How long had you been with the Hunters?"
Another long silence. "Practically my entire life. I was taken in by one of them when I was a little boy. It's been… an adjustment. I was lucky to have this place to call home as well though."
"Did the Hunters know about your trip yesterday, or was it random?"
"As far as I could tell, it was random. They happened to be hunting in that small town for someone. And when they saw me in front of the store, helping load boxes… Well, they couldn’t miss that opportunity to make me pay.” He rubbed his chest, like he was still feeling the phantom pain of the stake they’d thrust there.
It hurt me to see him that way.
"Rune," he said, his voice trembling. "Has what I told you ruined everything?" There was an air of finality in his voice when he asked it, like he didn't think there would be any other options for mebutto hate him.
I searched his face for… I didn't know what exactly. Because it was hard to look past the love in his gaze, the way he'd made me feel so far, like I was his most priceless treasure. I fingered the necklace around my neck, his gaze dropping briefly to follow the movement before going back to my face.
"I can’t imagine you that way. But I forgive you. It sounds like I went along with whatever Alistair wanted for a long time based on what you’ve told me, putting up with things I never should have, just because I didn't know it was supposed to be any other way. If you had been raised to hate me…"
"You forgive me?” he breathed, incredulous hope in his voice.
"Honestly, I'm not sure that there's anything to forgive in the first place."
For a second, something that looked like guilt flickered in his gaze, but I blinked and it was gone, the love that was always there shining out from his midnight blue eyes.
I tensed. "Are the Hunters still alive? Would they have followed you back here?" My mind raced thinking of the town coming under attack and the innocent humans that would be caught up in such a battle.
Ares quickly shook his head. “I had already given them both fatal wounds when I was stabbed. Connor assured me that they’re dead, and they didn't see any signs of others. He destroyed their cell phones so it will be hard for anyone to track them.”
I nodded, only feeling slightly relieved. The best laid plans always seemed to go wrong, I knew that.
"I don't feel like doing anything today," he confessed.
I studied him, worriedly, but besides looking tired, something I realized I hadn't seen before, he looked healthy enough. Beautiful…as always.
"Well, I think since you almost died yesterday, you might deserve a day off. I'm still feeling rather tired today as well."
“How about we lounge on the couch all day? I'll let you pick the movies, and I promise to provide good snacks.”
"Sounds good. I promise not to torture you withTwilightmovies."
Ares scoffed and shook his head. "You know their portrayal of wolves is just as bad as their portrayal of vampires," he teased.
I shrugged. "I'm just disappointed that your skin doesn't sparkle."
He wrinkled his nose at me. "I'm sorry I can't fulfill all of your vampire fantasies." He hopped out of bed, and yesterday’s events crashed through my head as I examined his chest, still covered in blood.
"I'm going to go shower," he murmured, his gaze tracing my figure as I sat up. "You're welcome to join me and save some water."
My breath hitched. His voice was teasing, but…his idea sounded pretty good. I flushed and fiddled with my sheets. Ares chuckled softly before he left the room.
