𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

Chapter 3

Draco filled the space with his presence; Edward couldn't understand how such a skinny person could be so . . . everywhere. As soon as he'd entered the cabin, Draco had removed his robes, revealing a slim cut (and very flattering) black suit. Edward tried not to stare as the wizard bent over the fireplace, igniting the wood with a whispered spell. Soon, the fire roared and crackled behind the grate. Satisfied, Draco stood and rubbed his hands together, letting out an audible sigh. Neither of them had spoken in minutes.

"Interesting," Draco muttered, glancing round the room. While his face remained impassive, Edward saw the space anew through his eyes and how it left much to be desired. A simple, single person cot lined one wall, not that Edward had much use for it as he didn't sleep or have sex. On the other side of the cabin was a small table and two chairs, and next to that the floor to ceiling bookshelf filled with Carlisle's outdated books. Edward didn't have use for a kitchen, and neither had Carlisle, but there was a small bathroom at the back of the cabin. The indoor plumbing was nonexistent; in any case, he only used the tub for baths, which he drew from the well outside of the house. It hadn't seemed all that terrible when he was on his own, but now that another person was here, well . . . Edward's face flushed with shame. His embarrassment and unease at Draco's continued silence caused him to lash out.

"What did you expect, a castle and a moat?" Edward snapped. "Perhaps some coffins lined with silk? I've none of that, as you can see."

Draco's brow furrowed, and Edward waited for the inevitable barbs. None came.

"This is rather better, I'd say." Draco dragged a chair in front of the fire, and then did the same to the second. "Merlin, it's bloody cold. How do you stand it?" He sat down and lifted his hands to the flame.

"Undead, remember?" Edward smiled grimly and sat down opposite Draco. It actually felt nice to be sitting with someone else for a change. Why hadn't he lit the grate before? Even though vampires usually avoided fire, the warmth did much to lift his spirits.

"Of course. So no coffins and no moats."

"None."

"How disappointing," Draco replied in a teasing tone. "No silk?"

Edward didn't know quite how to take the last comment. Was this boy . . . was this boy flirting with him? If he'd had a heart, it would have thudded in his chest. He remembered the feel of Draco's hand, the warmth of his skin as it connected with his. Like silk. And his blood would be just as smooth. Edward's mind began to travel down a strange and unnerving path, imagining the luxury of tasting him. But he didn't want to hurt him, not really. A vision of Draco tangled in silken sheets hit him with astonishing force. No, it couldn't be. Sexual relations between vampires and humans were impossible. Yet an undeniable and exhilarating stirring tightened his pants; it had been years since he'd gotten an erection from anything but bloodlust. Edward crossed his legs abruptly, hoping Draco hadn't witnessed his embarrassment. When Edward didn't reply, Draco cleared his throat.

"So are you going to tell me what in the world you're doing here in the middle of this miserable hellhole, Edward the vampire?"

"Will you please stop calling me that?"

"What, Edward?" Draco eyed him with faux innocence.

"You know what I mean," Edward nearly growled.

"Okay, I won't say it out loud. But you can't stop me from thinking it."

"This is all very amusing for you, isn't it?"

Draco returned his gaze to Edward; little did the wizard know, his strange grey eyes only served to exacerbate Edward's predicament.