She squared her shoulders and tried to exude the confidence that she simply didn’t feel. Lucian opened his mouth but she held up her hand to silence him.
“Please, I need to go first. I need to get this out.”
He nodded quietly and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, giving her his full attention. For most people, it would’ve been intimidating, but for her, it was a calming balm to her nerves.
“I was scared, Lucian. I was frightened of what would happen if I let myself fall for you. That’s why I told my father I would help him. He offered me a way to run away, to get away from him and to get away from you, and in that moment I just wanted to shut out everyone and just be safe, on my own. But when it came to it, I couldn’t do it, I didn’t want to betray you. You had already become too important.”
She paused and looked into his steady dark gaze, drawing courage from his unwavering strength. “I think you understand that I don’t let people in easily. I’ve got my reasons for being that way. So letting you in, letting you have an influence over me is a huge risk. You could ruin me Lucian, and I don’t know if I would ever be able to come back from that.”
Katherine took another deep breath and looked down at her hands, “we also can’t ignore the obvious. You’re a vampire and I’m human. I’m going to get older. Eventually that will become an issue and I can’t expect you to want to turn me, making me like you, and then be lumbered with me for the rest of God knows how long. I know I’m difficult. I pick fights and I always like to have the upper hand. I’m not exactly lovable,” Katherine shook her head, “two parents who clearly didn’t think I was worth the effort, is testament to that.”
Tears spilt over her cheeks unbidden and she sucked in a breath.
So much for being strong, Katherine berated herself.
A hand gently clasped her chin and lifted her head. Lucian was there, knelt in front of her, his dark eyes filled with kindness and soft encouragement.
“You’re wrong,” Lucian spoke quietly, but his tone was firm. “Loving you is as easy as taking my next breath. It is an inescapable truth that I love you with a ferocity that will not be tamed.”
Katherine felt fresh tears spill down over her flushed cheeks at hearing his declaration.
“Then why did you send me away? Why did you say those things to me? You were so cruel, it was like you knew exactly what to say to hurt me.”
“I love you, Katherine, despite knowing that I shouldn’t.”
“What?” Katherine stammered, fresh pain stabbing at her heart. “Why shouldn’t you? I know I’m not as strong as I first made you believe but...”
“You’re stronger than I first thought. So much stronger,” Lucian refuted urgently, “I felt as though I was not worthy of you. You have a bright and impressive future ahead of you. I knew if I were to pursue a life with you, I would be robbing you of all that you have worked for, all that you want and deserve.”
“Why can’t I still have that if we’re together?” Katherine argued back, bitterly. “Why does a relationship with you and my ambition have to be mutually exclusive? Am I not allowed to have both?”
Lucian sighed and stroked his thumb over her tears, wiping them away.
“It’s not just that my darling,” he took a breath, his body shuddering as he released it.,“your blood.”
“What about my blood?”
“You’re blood type is O negative.”
“I have no idea what blood type I am. Why? Is O negative bad?”
“It’s good. Very, very good. But it can be powerful and drugging to a vampire. It’s also valuable to humankind. You are a universal donor, your blood has the potential to save the lives of many. The vampire elders prohibited the drinking of O negative, its qualities have the potential to cause war among our kind, therefore those with your blood type are protected from birth.”
“Protected how? Am I protected?” Katherine frowned.
“Usually magical wards are put in place to shield you from the notice of paranormal creatures upon the day of your birth. Sometimes guardians are assigned to watch over the individual if there is a more serious risk of them being discovered by those that would seek to use them for ill means,” Lucian paused, “you do not have these protections in place.”
“Why not?” Katherine asked.
“It is a good question, sometimes people fall through the net I suppose, but it is incredible that you have remained unharmed for as long as you have. Until I came along and tasted your blood,” He shook his head and stood.
Lucian turned his back to her and leaned against the mantle, staring into the fire.
“What will happen if these elders find out? Will they punish you for drinking from me?” Katherine asked, fear for him being hurt because of her, churned in her veins.
“Potentially. But far worse they would interfere in your life, Katherine. They might prevent you from doing what you want to achieve, you’d be assigned a guard, possibly a team of guardians, and you would be watched wherever you went. Without your knowing, your relationships with others would be monitored and most likely arranged for you,” Lucian slammed
