Savor, a Paranormal Romace (Warm Delicacy Series, Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13

          A curious meow startled me as Louie approached and began to rub his head on my leg.  I scratched his head lovingly and smiled at how his fur felt so much softer than it had when I was human.  Everything felt softer, like my skin was silk.

            Needing comfort, I pulled Louie into my lap and surprisingly he didn’t protest.  His rhythmic purrs vibrated loudly and could have almost put me to sleep if I hadn’t been so emotional.

            “It’s not fair, Louie.  This isn’t how tonight was supposed to turn out,” I looked down at him as if he were going to answer me.  It was actually rather nice to talk and not have someone around to comment back.  “They want to join me in some kind of union.  It sounds like an arranged marriage.”

            The word marriage made me want to throw up and when my stomach growled loudly it sent Louie grumpily running back into my chambers.  As I felt the tears returning there was a soft knock at my door.  I thought for a moment about ignoring it, but it continued as if the knocker knew I was inside.  I didn’t want to talk to anyone but I got the feeling that they wouldn’t go away until I answered.

            I made my way to the door, taking my time as I threw the pillow back onto the couch and kicking off my heels dramatically, letting them fly across the room as they may and hit whatever they liked.

            I opened the door to find Dmitry standing there looking much like I imagined I did.  His hair was in complete disarray and not in the usual attractive way, his dress shirt was thoroughly wrinkled and pulled from his pants and his tie pulled completely loose from around his neck.

            “Can I come in?” he asked.  His voice was hoarse and cracked, containing no bit of his usual amused inflection.

            “Of course,” I said.  I hated to admit it, but seeing that he was as upset about the night’s events as I was made me feel quite a bit better.  That definitely made me selfish, but misery loved company.

            “Sorry it took me so long,” Dmitry said while offering me a small goblet.  I took it greedily as the hunger inside me took control.  I knew I would have to take more responsibility for making myself eat regularly, but there seemed to be so much more going on that I put eating too far down on my priority list.

            We took a seat on a couch together and as I licked my lips, I placed the goblet on the table and did my best to avoid looking into his eyes.  I knew once I did I would lose control of my emotions again.  I didn’t know what this new announcement meant for Dmitry and me, but from his current state, I guessed it couldn’t be very good.

            “What’s going to happen?” I asked him as I fiddled with the locket around my neck as if it were terribly interesting.

            “You’re going to be joined with a Blood Mate,” he sighed.  “It’s an incredibly old tradition that hasn’t been practiced in our region in… in a very long time.”

            “So, why are they doing it now?” I asked as I turned to look at him.  He pulled me close to him and my body trembled with sadness and happiness at his touch.

            “I suppose they fear for your protection.  Especially after tonight.  Humans have never gained access to the palace without admittance, so they either have strengthened their forces or someone helped them.”

            I wanted to ask him who he thought helped them, but I didn’t want to distract him from the real issue.  I needed to know what this union really meant for me.  “Protection from what?  Humans?  That doesn’t make any sense.”