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“Not even a little bit.”
“You’ve heard of the novel Dracula?” He stroked her back. “Of course you have. That question was condescending. It’s a famous piece of literature that shaped vampire mythology. You’ve probably annotated a copy and made factual corrections.”
He had grown, she realized. The Draven who ruled on the mountain wouldn’t have cared about condescending tones, let alone apologized. “I’ve not read it, but I know the general premise.”
“Well, there’s an old joke that if you add a period after the second letter, the name becomes. Dr. Acula. I followed suit and used the name Dr. Avenges when I took the Aerie because I was out for revenge.” He ran a hand up the back of his head, ruffling his short hair. “I was very young.”
“You were a grown man in his thirties.”
“A baby,” he insisted. “The first reports misspelled the name, Dravenges. Eventually, the name became shortened to Draven. So now you know.”
“Thank you for sharing,” she said, her tone sincere.
“You can laugh. I see you struggling not to.”
“Thank heavens.” She burst into a laughing fit. Draven’s grim expression only made her laugh harder. She hadn’t laughed in so long her abdomen muscles were weak from disuse and her face hurt. “Doctor…Avenges. You thought that was a good idea?”
Draven
“It was memorable.” He gave up the pretense of keeping a straight face and grinned. It was good to hear her laughter again. He walked hundreds of miles just to hear it again. The connection between them had grown thin and tenuous but its call was impossible to ignore, pulling him forward.
“Since you’re such a critic, what name do you suggest?” he asked.
She tilted her head, considering the question. “Maybe just be Ethan, whoever he is,” she said.
“I can do that, as long as he’s yours.”
That smile. It warmed his nearly-dead heart like nothing else. No inferno could come close. How had he gone so long without knowing her? The pull between them was undeniable. That connection drew him across the West Lands, guiding him home.
There were the practicalities of how they went on from here. He was rather infamous. Disappearing might prove to be tricky. People with his condition had a terrible track record for remaining hidden. There were also the two beasts in the vicinity to consider. No doubt they sensed his presence, just as he sensed theirs. Territorial disputes were not unheard of, but Charlotte was his and this was her territory. He’d defend it tooth and nail, as long as she’d have him.
“Could I interest you in a bath?” she asked.
“Only if you’re in the water too.”
Once they settled into the steaming water, she rested her back against his. He trailed his fingers along her hand, amazed to be touching her again.
“Tell me again,” he said.
“I love you.” She laced their fingers together. “All of you. The good and the bad. Your past and your future. No matter what you call yourself, I’ll know you.”
Her words were a balm to his spirit. The connection between them thrummed.
“My soul. My heart. My love,” he said.
Epilogue
Charlotte
Boxon Village
Wodehouse-Chambers Library
The bell on the desk rang. A bright, cheerful sound filled the quiet of the library. “Mr. Adler?”
Ethan Adler, librarian and known sourpuss, formerly the vampire Lord Draven, emerged from behind a bookcase. “Madame Wodehouse. How can I be of service?”
“I thought you might care for luncheon. I’ve packed a picnic and the weather is too good to waste being indoors.”
