My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(48)

"Amelia, what is it?"

"You are an Immortal. How insignificant a mere maiden must seem to you."

"No." He squeezed her hands tightly. "Never insignificant."

The dark eyes searched his with a barely concealed anxiety. "But how could I not be? I shall be here and gone while you continue for an eternity."

Reaching out, he softly cupped her cheek in his hand. Insignificant? The mere thought was enough to make him bite back a choking laugh. She might as well claim that the moon and the sun were insignificant.

"Amelia." He patiently waited for her gaze to lock with his own.

"Yes?"

"As I said, not even vampires can read the future. You are the bearer of the Medallion. It offers you powers far beyond those of other mortals."

Her brow wrinkled in concentration. "Powers such as the binding you spoke of?"

His heart missed a full beat. Now was not the time to speak of such things. Not when the

darkness was weaving its potent magic.

"Yes."

Seemingly unaware of the danger kindling in the air, she slowly brushed her fingers over the skin of his chest. Sparks of delicious heat attacked him.

"What does it mean? What will happen to us?"

His thoughts threatened to cloud up as he grimly grasped her fingers and held them still. He knew precisely what was about to happen if she continued to stroke him in such a fashion.

"I think it best that we discuss such things on the morrow," he husked.

"Sebastian." She regarded him steadily, her expression somber. "You have done your best to avoid and distract me. I would far prefer the truth. What has happened between us?"

Chapter Twelve

Amelia felt lightheaded as she gazed into the impossible beauty of Sebastian's countenance.

The odd sensation could easily have been blamed upon the unbearable heat. Or the sleepless nights. Or even the disturbing tension that had plagued her throughout the day.

But she knew quite well that none of those could explain her pounding heart and the honey heat that poured through her blood.

It was those eyes, she silently concluded. Those silvery eyes with their eternal wisdom and that calm, gentle strength. Eyes that could hold her heart captive with frightening ease.

And of course, she wryly acknowledged, her sense of dizziness was not notably eased by the wide, naked bulk of his chest. It was little wonder that gentlemen were expected to keep themselves decently covered. If maidens were exposed to the sight of smooth male skin stretched over muscles that rippled with fluid ease, there might very well be a riot throughout the ballrooms of London.

Inanely she recalled the feel of warm silk as her fingers explored the fascinating planes and angles of that chest. An exploration that might have continued far longer if he had not brought such a firm halt to her forbidden pleasure.

Her breath caught and she sternly chastised herself for the treacherous meanderings of her thoughts. Unbridled lust might be a novel and startlingly delicious experience for an innocent maiden, but at least it was a perfectly normal, human emotion. Her concern should be focused upon those sensations that were decidedly foreign.

Sensations no mere mortal should be capable of experiencing.

With an effort she sucked in her breath and regarded her companion's closed expression.

Tonight she was determined to have answers to the questions that had plagued her for days.

"Sebastian?" she prompted as the silence stretched.

He grimaced at her expectant expression. "You can be very stubborn."

"Yes."

"And far too persistent."

"Yes."

A reluctant smile twitched at his lips. "Ah, Amelia, what am I to do with you?"

"What is it you desire to do with me?"

Stillness cloaked him at her unwitting words, the silver eyes darkening with a dangerous awareness.

"That is a very intriguing question, my dear."

Amelia did not miss the sudden tension that crackled in the air. Hell's bells, she would have to be dead not to have noticed. It seared over her skin and raced through her blood. Still, she grimly refused to be distracted upon this occasion.

"Sebastian, tell me of the binding," she said in a determined tone.

Just for a moment he hesitated, as if debating whether or not to deny her request; then, with a faint sigh, he loosened his grip on her hands and took a step backward. Amelia instantly felt the loss of his comforting touch.

"It is what I suppose mortals would consider falling in love," he grudgingly explained. "Unlike mortals, however, such love is not mere emotion that may well fade over time. Instead, vampires become a part of one another."

"A part of one another..."

Amelia slowly nodded her head. Yes. That was precisely what she felt.

"That is why I sense you even when you are not near? And why I can feel the very beat of your heart?"

His gaze briefly strayed to where her own heart beat a rapid tattoo against her chest.

"That is a part of the bonding."

"Only a part?" she prompted.

The slender fingers rose, to thrust through the bronze thickness of his hair. His movement caused the muscles of his chest to bunch and flex in a most fascinating manner. Amelia ruthlessly bit the side of her tongue to keep her thoughts from straying down unwelcome paths.