Love is Cold

Moonlight

          I was aloud to go in first. Guthry gave us five minutes, before they took the body. I was fighting back tears. I practically let her die. I hesitated by the curtain, but went in with my eyes cast down.

          I looked up and there she was, floating around, trying to get used to it. I leaned against a post and watched it. Aria was getting good really fast. Then, she smacked her head on a wall and swore at it. I tried to hide the laugh, but it was impossible.

          She looked over at me in shock. Then she smiled, blushing brightly. I returned the smile and floated over to her. I hugged her, tightly tucked my face in the side of her neck. I kissed her bite.

          "You look good as a vampire," I teased, pulling my head off her shoulder. "It's actually kind of sexy." I twitched an eyebrow at her, smirking.

          "Stop it. You had the vampire look, long before I did and, because you bit me, I probably caught the sexy from you," Aria joked.

          I flicked my eyebrows up and say, "You know it." Then, the prince came in staring at a clipboard and almost nonchalantly told told me that it was time to take her away.

          "Alright," I said. "Does she need the 'okay' to be released or can I take her home, now?"

Aria

          "Why on earth would take her body ho-" His voice caught in his throat, seeing me. He smiled and a tear slipped away from his face. "You survived... Leo could you excuse us so that I can finish the examination. It'll just take a few minutes." Leo gave me a sidelong glance, but nodded and waited in the hall.

          Guthry checked my scar and bite. He listened to my heart, which still beats, and checked my lungs, which were most likely punctured, for blood. He asked me questions about how I feel and I responded that I felt fine.

          Guthry sighed, after a long pause. "I know that you and Leo had sex and you might feel love for him, but it might have just been caused by a fear of death. I want you to know that I'm not giving up on you. I still love you, even though I helped Ulric. He said that he wanted to fix what he had done and he'd go mad, if he didn't have you.

          "After you left the party, Leo faught with him. By morning, Ulric was torturing me, in that cave. He took off my finger and three of my toes, as retribution, and made me eat them. He beat me, until I was unconscious, dayly. I survived, knowing that you were coming. I will always love you, my princess."

           "Guthry... Leo and I are getting married. We're going to have a baby, soon. I know that you love me, but I love Leo. I owe him my life," I said, trying to let him down easy.

          "Fine," growled Guthry. "You've made up your mind, it seems. I have given my offer. Now, get out." He was containing his rage, but his distaste for the situation was evident.

          "Guthry-"

          "That's Your Highness," snapped the prince. "Aria Bellrose, you are excused." He looked away. I was angry, but bit back any sharp comments. I walked out and told Leo that I was clear and free to go. He told me that I was ready for my first flying lesson.

          We went all over the Sapphiros. We flew around in circles and he kept showing off, by doing tricks. I had to chase him, most of the time, just trying to keep up.

          After a long chase, Leo turned back to me and flew a few inches underneath me. I put my hands on his shoulders. He flew me through the moonlight for a few minutes. He looked back at me and smiled, his fangs glinting.

          We eventually made it to my house, before sunrise. We had to tell Darby about my adventure, transformation, and about the baby. I called for her when I got in and she came racing down the stairs to greet me. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw me. Then, she raced to hug me. She used to be furious when she  thought Leo would change me. Now, she's almost placid.

          "Also, I have to confess something. We had sex and I guess you're going to be an aunt," I nervously told her. She was angry at me now. She told me to never do that, until I was married, but I did it any way. She only let me off the hook, because I was old enough.

          I noticed Leo's face fall, when I mentioned the baby. I grabbed his shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? I thought you understood that I'm happy about this?" He held me against his chest. I could feel his chest shake, when he took a breath.

          "There's something you've got to know. You where gone too long and... we lost it. I'm so sorry, Aria," Leo said. I knew it. I died so how could they not have. I let go of my boyfriend and dragged myself to my room. I crawled into bed and waited for the tears. I never felt them fall. I stared, blankly, at the wall, until I fell asleep.