Time After Time

Chapter 13

The next few weeks pass without much event. Erik returned home with a witch from the Nova Scotia coven named Mallory in tow. She is stunning, of course, Lexi muses as she watches Mallory and Cass concentrate on whatever type of spell they are working on. Blonde hair, blue eyes, porcelain skin with delicate features. She is staying in one of the extra rooms at Hawthorne House, which Lexi won't admit, but she is none too thrilled about. Mallory seems nice enough and she really has been teaching Cass a lot. They have been working late every night. Lexi does not particularly like the way she looks at Dante though, as if he is something sweet she would like to eat. Looking up, she sees Erik watching her with an amused expression on his face.

Walking over to stand by him, she leans in close and whispers "What is so funny?"
Erik leans down and whispers in her ear " You. You are not shielding your thoughts much right now."
Flushing, Lexi swats at his chest and hisses "Shut up and mind your own business!" But both her and Erik are trying not to laugh.
Neither one of them notice Dante as he comes down the stairs. Lately, he has noticed the more time that passes by, the less animosity Erik is showing. Lexi and Erik seem to be getting along better and better. That may or may not be a good thing. Strolling up behind them, he leans in and quietly asks " What are we whispering about?" Lexi jumps and turns toward him. When she sees him, her whole face lights up and his earlier moment of jealousy feels ridiculous.
Erik just has an amused smile on his face. "Lexi was just forgetting to shield her thoughts about our new house guest habit of staring at you, Dante, like a dessert, was that the term?"
Lexi turns to Erik, her face murderous.
Erik raises his hands, trying to smother his laughter "Not to worry, Lex. Dante was projecting his thoughts about you and I, loud and clear as well. Aren't you two a pair?" Smirking, he turns and walks off, leaving Dante and Lexi standing alone.

They both look at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing, earning dirty looks from the two witches on the other side of the room trying to concentrate. " Sorry!" They whisper in unison. Smiling, Dante gestures for them to head upstairs to his room. Lexi nods and holding hands they head that way. Once in Dante's room, Lexi sits on the bed cross legged, and Dante lounges beside her. She clears her throat, clearing working her way up to asking something. He waits patiently.
Twisting her fingers, she says " I have a question."
He raises his eyebrows, motioning for her to go ahead.
She continues " You know how we did the blood connection before?"
Dante nods, not exactly sure where this is going.
Lexi pauses " Do you only do a blood connection if you want to show someone something?"
He smiles, understanding " No, that is a useful side effect, but it isn't the only time you can do it."
She seems embarrassed to ask out right, so he takes her hands and asks gently " Would you like to do it again?"
She nods, not looking at him. He tilts her chin up and looking deeply into her eyes, tell her "The blood connection, brings us closer and feels wonderful, yes?"
Lexi nods again.
"Do not ever be embarrassed to ask me for something that bring you pleasure, something that brings us closer together. All you have to do is ask." Dante's eyes seem to stare straight into her soul.
Lexi opens her mouth and with a trembling voice says "Please, Dante."
He groans and his eyes never leaving hers, reaches over to the bedside table to grab his pocketknife. " As you wish." He whispers as he cuts his neck.
He hands the knife to her, and on impulse, she cuts a shallow cut on the top of her shoulder, instead of her wrist like last time, so that their bodies can be closer. His eyes darken as he pulls her close, guiding her mouth to his neck as his mouth closes on the cut on her shoulder. The moment each other's blood touches their tongues, waves of euphoria rush over them.

She tentatively pushes into Dante's mind, feeling his love for her, and the slight jealousy he felt earlier seeing her and Erik, heads bent close laughing. She purposely shows him what Erik and she were taking about, letting Dante see her jealousy of Mallory. Nothing to be jealous of, Dante reassures her through their link. You either, she answers, opening her mind fully so he can see she had nothing to hide. She even lets him in to the part of her she kept hidden before, letting him see how at first she was confused about Eric and him, but in this moment she is crystal clear. Dante returns the favor, opening up and letting her see how at first, he was only interested in her powers, so that she could complete the triad, but now how deep his love runs.