Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DB Chapter 22 - Our Last Night

THE PENTHOUSE FELT strangely empty now that Allison and Sallen were both gone. Its largeness and emptiness were infinitely magnified as night started to fall. Vivienne left Allison's duffel bag by the elevator and hid the dagger behind a nearby antique vase. The apartment felt strangely devoid of staff, but Vivienne preferred it that way. After what they witnessed this morning, she felt embarrassed to set foot in this place again.

Vivienne found him sitting alone in the lounge area. There was a single lamp illuminating the room. Night had fallen outside, and she could see the lonely city lights in the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Blake immediately stood up when he saw her. His green eyes widened. She saw him swallow hard as though he were bracing himself for a continuation of their mysterious fight.

Vivienne felt a lump form in her throat. This morning, she had cried because she thought she had lost him. Now, she was crying because she realized he had never left her side. She ran over to him and buried her face against his chest. His body softened against her. Vivienne heard him exhale with relief and wrap his arms around her.

"I'm sorry," Vivienne whispered and pressed her face deeper into his shoulder. "I had a bad dream. It was just a dream."

Vivienne felt him press his cheek against the side of her head. She wished she could apologize further, but the giant lump in her throat kept her from doing so. They no longer had any control over the bond that existed between them, but Vivienne realized they didn't need it. They never did. They were always able to communicate without words.

She had run into the arms of two separate men that day. Julian had haphazardly patted her on the shoulder, as though he was doing his best to feign concern. The entire time, she had felt nothing but embarrassment for that outpouring of emotion. She almost wanted to reassure Julian that her boyfriend would pay him handsomely for his performance. In a way, Vivienne had stupidly accepted his bond because she felt as though she owed him.

Here, in Blake's arms, she finally felt what a genuine embrace was like. The love he gave her was real, and that made all the difference.  Everything, from the way his body molded around hers to the way his arms held her with just the right tightness, made her feel as though this was where she belonged.

This was right. This was destiny.

How could she ever have doubted him?

"Are you hurt?" Vivienne asked as she finally straightened up and took a deep breath to stop the tears. "Allison said you were hurt."

"I'm fine," he blurted, offering her a quick, reassuring smile. "It was nothing."

Despite his feigned smile, he tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes. His thumb was warm against her cheek. Only the wetness from her tears felt cold. How could he feel so warm? So human?

Vivienne took a deep breath and flashed a wobbly smile back.

"I bet you wished you could read my mind today," Vivienne joked.

"The thought did cross my mind," he joked, then his tone turned serious. "But I never looked into your mind unless you were holding the necklace and willing me to."

Blake was still choosing his words carefully as though he was internally preparing himself for the minute her mood would turn sour again. Vivienne could see the concern in his eyes despite his light chit chat.  He was still looking for a reason behind her outburst that morning. Until she gave him one, he would keep searching. What answer could she give him? What lie could satisfy him?

Standing here and crying wasn't going to help. It would only deepen his suspicion.

Vivienne grabbed his hand and led him in the direction of her bedroom.