Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12)(117)

“I don’t want this, Lothaire.”

Inhaling for patience, he said, “To steal the ring from Dorada, I defeated cults and beasts of legend; to reclaim it once more, I survived the Order’s prison, decimating armies. I’ve sacrificed my book. I did all these things for you! Can’t you understand the gift you’re about to receive?”

“I have a hard time viewing it as one. You told me I’ll never be able to see my family again. I’ll never be able to return to my old life. In the sun, hunting, hiking. Eating big family meals with loved ones.”

Lothaire was growing angered . . . jealous once more. “You need to forget about those other mortals. They are in your past. I am your future.”

“You can’t just abandon your family!”

“Of course you can. I have.”

“Yours are all dead!”

“Are they?” He raised his brows. “Elizabeth, remember what I told you—mortals and vampires don’t mix.”

“You and I did.”

“If you knew how many times I came close to losing control . . . Besides, the gods rain down punishment on immortals who reveal themselves needlessly to humans. I didn’t make this law, but even we must abide by it. Now, don’t ruin this night for me, Bride.”

“Make love to me first, Leo. One last time as a human.”

“You’ll delay this no longer.”

“You’re not listenin’ to me! Just give me time. I’m not sayin’ I won’t agree to it, but just give me time to come to terms with this. An hour ago, you were gonna snuff out my soul! It’s too much to get my mind around.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, and he didn’t like the sight of them at all. They made him feel unsettled—like a failure. My Bride should never have cause to shed tears.

He tenderly brushed them away. “You vowed that you would let me make decisions for you for three weeks. My time’s not yet up.”

“Please. I am beggin’ you not to do this to me. Let’s just talk about this.”

He paused. But even if he were the type of male who discussed decisions with his female, they didn’t have time for it. She won’t be safe—not until she’s turned.

“Lothaire, if you care for me at all, you won’t do this.”

He clenched her upper arms. “That is the absolute worst thing you could have said. It’s because I care for you that I must do this.”

“You can’t use that ring on me! You said yourself that you don’t know what it will do.”

“The first wish is the most accurate. So far, I’ve been granted none, so I’ll start fresh with it.”

“Do you understand how vague that sounds? This is my life! I read in the Book of Lore that the catalyst for transformation is death.”

“We’re not doing this in the customary way. Look at me, Elizabeth. Listen to my words: I have no doubt whatsoever that this will work exactly as I plan—or I would not risk you.” When she began to shake harder, he said, “Do you think I haven’t gone over my wish repeatedly, checking each iteration with Hag’s foresight? In things like this, I am wise.”

“You can’t convince me of this!”

“Then you must trust me to know best, Elizabeth. The difficult part was in getting the ring, then devising the wish took skill, but the process will be effortless. In the blink of an eye, you will become a vampire, as if I’d sired you myself.”

“You said people usually get turned because they’re about to die. I’m not. I’m healthy. I’m young—”

“My enemies will target you. Even without the blood debts, I will still have foes seeking to harm me through my Bride. You are my most glaring vulnerability.”

“Glaring vulnerability,” she repeated softly.

Speaking to her as if she were a child, he said, “Think, love—if you could trace, you could have vanished in the face of those Wendigos. How can I bring you into my world if you don’t have the strength to defend yourself or the ability to slip away from a threat in an instant?”

“Then I don’t want to be in your violent, messed-up world! How about that? I wouldn’t have to trace from Wendigos because I wouldn’t see them in my apartment!”

He drew back his head. “You wouldn’t accept this gift in order to be with me? You’re in love with me—you would do anything I ask.”

Women in love made sacrifices. That was simply what they did.

He’d watched the world over the span of his life, and for the great majority of it, women had yielded to the men they desired. Surely the last fifty years had been an anomaly. . . .

“You’re askin’ too much! If you use that ring, I will hate you.”

“You’ll get over it. Just as you have everything else.”

Her brows drew together, her gaze stark. “I won’t get past this, Lothaire.”

“As Dorada said, I’ll risk it.”



He’s really gonna do this! Panicked, Ellie whirled around, bolting from the room once more.

Behind her, she heard Lothaire’s irritated sigh. Then he called out, “Prepare, Elizabeth.”

As she dashed down the hall, she heard him saying something else, but couldn’t make out the words—