100% That Witch - Celia Kyle Page 0,48

all felt it. Nero wasn’t popular after that, not that he wanted to be.” Nathan drummed his fingers on the table lightly before taking another sip of his beer.

“Partially for his own sake, and partially to escape the blackballing of the other vamps, he literally disappeared into the Weeping Woods. He became a recluse, an outcast. The worst thing was he came to enjoy it. So much so that I thought we would never get him back.” He sighed, his eyes coming up to meet Tiffany’s.

“It took decades, Tiffany. Fucking decades. But he’s back. He’s talking to people, going to parties, teaching at OCU. I think he’s actually enjoying himself, and when I first dragged him out of that forest, he swore he never would.”

Nathan beamed at his good work, and Tiffany warmed at the idea of Nathan feeling charitable and taking pride in helping others. It certainly proved how much Nathan cared about Nero’s well-being.

There was a moment of silence that would have been the perfect time to ask who Nero’s Beloved was, but Tiffany was too scared. She kept quiet, and took another sip of her drink.

“Anyway,” Nathan said with a pleased smile. “My turn!”

Even though he was clearly happy to shift the conversation around to himself, he sighed and ran a hand roughly through his hair. He took a big gulp of beer and turned back to Tiffany.

“I had a Beloved once, you know. It was a very long time ago. He was incredibly handsome.” Nathan’s eyes softened as the memories played out behind them.

“He was sweet, thoughtful, and kind. Nothing like me,” he said with a laugh that cut off sharply as he took another deep breath.

“At the height of the vampire hunts a few hundred years ago, he was killed by a hunter. We were only supposed to be apart for a couple of days, but by the time I returned, he was dead. The hunter tracked him to his lair and pounded a stake through his heart while he was sleeping.”

He kept his eyes down for a moment, his fingers gently stroking the table.

“I haven’t really had a serious relationship since then. Some lovers, but…” His voice trailed off, but then he cleared his throat so he could finish.

“I just can’t lose anyone again, Tiff. It’s rare to have more than one Beloved, but we can still fall in love. Completely, utterly deeply. Even when we don’t want to.” He raised his head, looking at her with hurt showing plainly in his eyes.

“I lose them, one way or another. To death, to the world—either way, my heart gets broken. I just can’t keep doing it.”

She could see how much he was suffering. She had never guessed this kind of pain lived inside him. “Nathan,” she said softly, reaching for his hand.

In a rush, she realized this was why Nero had been hanging around so much, practically glued to Nathan. He was helping his old friend through a hard time, just as Nathan had done for him.

“That’s why I had to break it off with Ryan,” he explained. “He wanted more than I could give. It’s eating me up, but I have to do this. It’s the only way.”

“That sounds like a cop out,” Tiffany said, a hard edge to her voice. Nathan narrowed his eyes at her.

“I’d commit right now if we could stay casual.”

Tiffany laughed. “Commitment without commitment? Are you suggesting open relationships, consensual non-monogamy? Separate bank accounts and bedrooms, maybe?”

Nathan scowled. “Now you’re just being rude. I don’t want anyone else. That’s the whole point. I just don’t want to…promise more than I can deliver.”

Nathan was close to an epiphany, and she had shoved him toward it.

“This is where it’s at, Nathan. If you care about Ryan, you gotta shit or get off the pot ASAP. He’s a great guy, and he won’t be on the market for long.” Tiffany gave him a meaningful look, and Nathan’s scowl cleared, just a little.

Trickles of sand fell from the roof and traced out patterns of hearts, just like it had the other day. Tiffany watched with some apprehension although Nathan sat up in complete surprise.

“What the hell?” he asked. “Is the house telling me to follow love?”

“I think so,” she answered, wondering if the house was telling her to do the same, or if this was just a standard malfunction. “Maybe we both need a wakeup call.”

Wanting to cheer him up, Tiffany waved her hand, filling the air with a flock of tiny bats.