Vampire Seekers

Chapter Sixteen

Your mate will be lucky to have a stunner like you. That is what Maria said. It is a perfect opportunity to tell Maria that lucky woman is her, but the words get caught in her throat.

And then Maria waltz away to find the shirt in red and the moment passes before Velika can seize the chance. Velika stares after her like love struck teen rather than the mature vampire warrior that she is. What does she do?

Velika does not know. She has been prepared for everything, to rule, to fight, to take lead, and to negotiate, but she is ill equipped to deal with her growing feelings for her little human mate. For a moment, one crazy moment, she rakes her brains as to who she could call for advice. Willow or Eli. But then she knows what Willow would say.

You move too slow, Velika. Tell her or loose her. You act too late and someone will come along and take what you love, because no one will wait for someone they believe is out of their reach.

Could it be so simple? 

Velika throws the shirt off inside the cubicle and changes quickly before chasing after Maria.

"Maria." Velika calls. Maria turns the urgency in Velika's voice surprising her, "What was it you wanted to ask." Velika takes a moment to look into Maria's stunned eyes and realises that Maria has no clue what she is talking about, "At the restaurant. You were going to ask me something before the waitress came over. What was it?"

"Oh." Maria replies deflated. "It doesn't matter."

"It does matter." Velika pushes. 

It matters because Velika can not shake the feeling that Maria was going to say something important. That maybe, just maybe, Velika does not have to be the one to confess. Is it madness for Velika to believe that Maria is audacious enough to declare her feelings for Velia.

Maria glances around. The shop is fairly quiet now that rush hours are over and only human check out workers and teenage girls that Maria knows are human are in Lil-Belle at present. Maria has no reason to be so shy. No one will hear what she has to say.

Maria sighs, looking at the expression on the Princesses face Maria doesn't think she has much choice, she is like a dog with a bone, she won't let go of it. But asking her original question no longer seems like a good idea.

"Fine. At -" Maria eyes shift to observe their surroundings "you know. You said. Well, maybe I misunderstood, but you said you had certain feelings for me." Maria grapples for words but she is finding this harder than she thought she would.

"I did." Velika confirms.

"What are they?" Maria questions, "What feelings. Am I, like a sister, a friend, or what. What did you-"

No. No. No.

Like a sister? Is Maria trying to provoke her. Is Maria having a laugh or is she truly that dense when it comes to Velika. Maria eyes searches Velika for an answer. Her brows furrowed in the cutest possible way as her parted lips call to Velika. Inviting Velika to taste what she wants. Would Maria's lips be as soft as Velika's imagine.

Velika leans forward. Capturing those soft sweet lips in a passionate kiss. Maria freezes as Velika's lip, plump and warm, meet hers. A kiss Maria has fantasised about ever since The Last Drop. The kiss feels like it lasts forever and at the same time as if it lasts a second and all too soon the kiss is over.

Velika pulls away and chuckles at the bewildered look upon her mates face.

"Not a friend." Velika softly states. "Not a sister." Velika gently adds tilting her head down so it rests next to Maria.