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“I failed you.”
The words seemed dragged from the bottom of his soul, and her mouth fell open.
“What are you talking about? You found me, just like I knew you would. The whole time I was down there, that was the one thing I held on to—I knew you would never stop looking for me.”
“If it hadn’t been for me, you would never have been at Midnight Manor. And then I didn’t believe you about the ghost, and I left you alone.”
Once again the words seemed torn out of him, but at least he was finally talking.
“Stop that. If I hadn’t been curious enough to open the trap door, I would never have fallen in.”
“You didn’t fall. You were pushed.”
“But neither would have happened if it were closed. The whole thing doesn’t make any sense. Why show me the location of the cellar, then push me into it?”
An arrested look crossed his face.
“What do you mean, show you?”
“I’m sure something flickered beneath the pantry door. And then there was the apple.”
“The apple?”
“Yes, a single apple on top of the trap door. That’s why I spotted it.”
“It was there for me too—it’s also why I spotted the outline.”
“Do you think there are two ghosts? A good ghost and a bad ghost?”
For the first time in two days, a hint of a smile touched his mouth.
“I had a hard enough time believing in one.”
Emboldened by the almost smile, she walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. He stiffened and she was afraid he was going to retreat again, but then he shuddered and hugged her back, clinging to her desperately.
“I thought I was going to lose you. It didn’t matter that I never fed from you—I already feel the mate bond between us.”
Reaching up, she tugged his head down towards her.
“Does that mean you love me? Because I love you so, so much.”
He shuddered again, his eyes closing in relief.
“That’s exactly what it means.”
And then he was kissing her, his mouth desperate, hungry.
“I do love you, kitten, my beautiful brave kitten. I’m sorry I haven’t said it sooner, but I was afraid. And now I’m even more afraid. I can’t let you go. I won’t let you go. I will follow you wherever you want to go.”
A sob threatened to choke her as she smiled up at him.
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I was in trouble—we were in trouble—and everyone tried to help. We’re not going to find that on the road.”
“But your blog…”
“Thinking you’re going to die changes your priorities,” she said dryly, then hugged him again when he flinched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know and I understand. Midnight Manor means nothing to me without you.”
