The Vampire’s Kiss(58)
Author: Cynthia Eden

William knew that Savannah had left to give him a few moments alone with Henry and that she would be waiting for him when he returned to the room. Waiting for him with her gentle smile and her mysterious eyes.

«The first time I saw her,” he recalled, “she asked me to kill her.»

«What?»

«Geoffrey killed her brother and her sister-in-law. And he was stalking her. She wanted to find Geoffrey, to fight him.” He sighed, remembering his first sight of Savannah. “She was dying. And she knew she wasn’t strong enough to defeat Geoffrey on her own.»

«So she turned to you.” Henry whistled softly. “Brave one, isn’t she?” He rubbed his chest lightly, as if he could still feel the stake that she’d pushed against his heart.

William’s lips curved. “She’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met.»

«So she is your mate.»

His smile disappeared. “No. I forced her to stay with me. I told her that I would only transform her if she promised to be my companion.»

Henry stilled. “That isn’t like you.»

«I know. But I wanted her so badly that I would have said anything, done anything, to have her.” He would have traded his soul for a moment in her arms.

«You love her.»

William blinked. “Of course.” There had never been any question in his mind. He’d loved her from the moment his door had opened and he’d seen her standing in the entranceway. “But I have to let her go.»

«What?»

«I have to let her go.” William could actually feel the pain that lanced through his body at the thought of living without her. But there was no choice. “I can’t force her to stay with me.” He loved her too much. “Geoffrey nearly destroyed her. He’s gone now. She can start her life again. She can be happy.»

«And you don’t think she’ll want to stay with you?»

His heart pounded. “I wish she would.” He clenched his hands. “But why would she?»

«Maybe because she loves you, too.»

For a moment, hope swept through him. Then he closed his eyes. No, Savannah didn’t love him. She couldn’t love him. Geoffrey had made her life hell, and he’d treated her little better. He should never have forced her into that ridiculous bargain.

He’d just wanted her so much…

«She cares for you, brother. When she looks at you, I see it in her eyes.»

«She’s grateful to me,” he muttered. He didn’t want her gratitude. He wanted her love.

«Will you tell her how you feel?»

Would he? Did he dare? It was almost laughable really. He was an immortal, with immense physical and psychic strength, but he was afraid to tell one small woman how he felt.

«The sun’s coming. We should seek our rest.” Henry rose and crossed the room. He paused in the entranceway, his back to William. “Tell her. Don’t let her walk out of your life without telling her how you feel. You’ll regret it if you do.»

William frowned. “Are you speaking from experience?»

Henry glanced back, a sad smile twisting his lips. “I’ve been alone since that day in the cave. I don’t even know if I can love a woman. My heart feels dead. It’s felt that way for nine hundred years. But I tell you this, if a woman looked at me the way that your Savannah looks at you…” He took a deep breath. “There is no way I’d ever let her walk out of my life. I would do whatever was necessary to keep her with me, forever.” He walked out of the room.

* * * *

She dreamt of William. They were walking in the moonlight, their hands entwined.

They were on a beach, an endless stretch of sand. The waves washed gently onto the shore, lightly caressing her feet.

«It’s so beautiful here,” she murmured, feeling strangely at peace.

William stopped walking and turned to face her. “Yes, beautiful.»

She shivered, sensing that he was talking about her, and not the beauty of the land and sea.

He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek.

His eyes looked so incredibly sad.

«What’s wrong?»

His face tensed. “We can’t stay here.»

«Why not?” Everything was perfect. She wanted to stay here forever. With William.

«I can’t stay here.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with you.»

What was he saying? Her heart thumped in fear. “Of course you do! We belong together! We agreed—»

He smiled, and the sight tore at her heart. “The nightmare is over now. You’re free.»

He began to melt away.

«No!” She grabbed him, and for just an instant, her fingers seemed to slip right through his body. “No! You can’t leave me!»

His body shimmered. “Kiss me once more,” he pleaded. “Just once so that I can remember…»

The waves were louder now, crashing against the shore. Pounding against her feet. Clouds swept over the moon, over the stars, completely obliterating the night sky.

She grabbed William, holding on with all of her strength. She wasn’t going to let him go.

She kissed him.

And he vanished.

* * * *

«William!” She screamed his name with the first breath that she took.

She glanced around the room, terrified that he would be gone. But he was there, standing, shirtless, beside the bed, his black gaze intense.

A sigh of relief swept through her. She jumped from the bed, wrapping her arms around him. He felt so warm, so solid. So real.

His arms held her close, cradling her against his broad chest. Her fear vanished. She was with William. They were together, as they were meant to be.

«I dreamed about you,” she whispered softly. Had it been a dream? Or a nightmare? “At first, it was so perfect. But then you disappeared. You left me, and I was all alone on this deserted beach.»

She felt him stiffen against her. His arms lifted, pushing her body away from his.

She frowned. “William?»

His gaze drifted slowly over her face, almost as if he were memorizing her. “You are so beautiful,” he said, his voice almost reverent.

A chill swept over her. Why did it feel like he was about to tell her good-bye?

She pressed her lips against his, needing his kiss, his passion, to banish the fear that lingered within her. “Make love to me.»

She could see the struggle on his face. Could see the pain and the hunger.

«William?»

Just once more…

The thought whispered through her mind. A memory from the dream?

William pushed her back on the bed, his body pressing her into the soft mattress, and she could think no more. His mouth fed on hers, his tongue sliding past her lips. His hands were touching her, caressing her stomach, her br**sts.