with softness, skin that was without a single blemish and rosy lips that needed no shade. “Yep, that’s her.”
“I see you went and found what you were looking for,” Mistress Ellery said to Kellen as her gaze swept over me.
When I looked over at Kellen, he gave a gentle nod with a supple smile spread across his face.
“Indeed I did.”
Ellery rose from her chair, approached us in a fluid stride. “It’s nice to see you again, Hadley.”
I bowed my head in a sign of respect. I’d met the Mistress when I first came into this region asking permission to live here. That was a must in vampire society. From what I heard of her and knew her to be, she was an old school vamp—very tough and strict, curt almost. Tonight however, the Mistress was in high spirits.
Ellery did a once over on Chase then met his gaze and smiled. “You are a mighty looking mortal.”
Chase snorted, furrowing his brows. “Is that a compliment?”
“Very much a compliment.” Ellery laughed. Then, she examined him as she smoothed her skirt with her hands. “Do you know what you are entering into here?”
“I’m about to become a pet,” Chase groaned.
Ellery laughed loudly as did Kellen. My own laugh sounded more nervous than anything else.
“Not what you want?” she asked him.
Chase shrugged and gestured toward me. “I want to be with her.” He gave his head a little shake. “The term used is wrong.”
Ellery’s smile remained, but her gaze was clearly questioning. “If you do not wish to be a consort, would you like to become a vampire?”
I froze stone solid and glanced to Kellen who just grinned at me. I shouldn’t have been surprised that Ellery would be the one to let the cat out of the bag. But damn it, I didn’t want Chase to even think of that as an option. I liked him just the way he was and didn’t want that to change anytime soon.
“Excuse me?” Chase drawled.
Ellery glanced my way, curious. “You have not told him?”
I shook my head. That would be a big no to that question. This wasn’t what I wanted for him and I was silently cursing Ellery for mentioning it.
Ellery clucked and gave me a rebuked look. “Very selfish of you.”
Before I had a chance to respond to that, Chase turned an accusing gaze on me. “You can make me a vampire?”
I sighed, annoyed, pissed off—probably a bit of both. “I could, yes.” I didn’t want to tell him though and the words ground through my teeth, but I couldn’t lie to him. I never lied, especially to the ones I cared for. Hiding something wasn’t nearly as bad as outright lying, I thought. Judging by Chase’s angry expression, maybe I was wrong.
Chase dropped his gaze for a moment and when he raised his head, again there was sadness in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
After I got over the fact he wasn’t angry, the wonderment of what had made him so sad consumed me, I quickly stepped forward and grabbed his hands. “I never said anything because I like you like this. You’re happy. You have a good life, family. You love your job. All of that would be gone if you were turned.” I squeezed his hands, pleaded with my eyes for him to understand. “I will not do that to you.” Instantly, I felt ashamed for not sharing this before. Seeing that hurt look in his eyes cut deep within me.
I betrayed him over and over again.
Chase’s expression washed away from its grave position to become hard steel. “Isn’t that my choice?”
“Not this time.” I shook my head firmly. “I won’t do it, Chase, not ever. I’m sorry.”
And no one else would either. Chase was my mortal—mine to keep, to love and nothing was going to change that fact.
Chase’s brows squinted together, perplexed. “That is the reason then? It’s not that you hate the idea of my becoming an immortal?”
What had upset him became clear and it instantly explained his sadness. He thought I didn’t want him forever. I stepped closer toward him, needed to rectify his misconception and he wrapped his arms around me. “Of course, I would want you around forever, but there is too much to give up. When I was turned I was so young, I had nothing to lose.
My family had sold me to a rich nobleman because they needed the money.”
Chase moved his arm from around my back and raised his hand