Free Blood and Snow 12: Vampire Ever After? by Rashelle Workman Page A

Pops and the brothers, I would’ve found an excuse to leave.
    I snorted. “I do have questions,” I began , but stopped. At the edge of the woods, between my house and Professor Pops,’ stood Christopher. But that wasn’t what gave me pause? For the briefest moment, I thought he was Dorian.
    My heart shattered all over again.
    Gulping down my pain, I leaned against Abernathy.
    A rumble, like a purr, came from deep within his body. “Stay strong. You still have much ahead of you.”
    His words made me ill . It was true. I still had to find a way to save the seven magics, preferably without losing my life, as the Unknowns intended. I needed to rescue my mother. Tell Pops about Dorian, and figure out if I was meant to be the next Vampire Queen. Each thought weighed more heavily than the one before, until I wished I could disappear. Vanish into nothingness.
    “He’s waiting. You should talk to him,” Abernathy said. I sensed a hitch in the dragon’s words. Whether it was the lilt or intonation, I didn’t know. The dragon knew way more than he shared. And there was something he wasn’t saying.
    I studied my Hunter. The man I loved. He was handsome. Excessively so. And before that moment it hadn’t dawned on me how much Christopher and Dorian looked alike. They both had hazel eyes (at least before the Seal changed Christopher’s to a violet). Both had sandy colored hair. They were tall, tan, with well-defined bodies. They could’ve been fraternal twins. Brothers, at least.
    Maybe it was because their personalities were so different. Where Christopher was serious, Dorian was more laid back, playful. But it was weird. Especially since Christopher still wore the clothes Dorian let him borrow.
    “How long were we gone?” I asked Abernathy.
    “A few days. They’ve all been worried. I t old Pops you were visiting your mom, after I left you with her. So he knows, but that didn’t stop the concern.”
    “Great.”
    “Agreed. The Hunter freaked the most.” A question lay behind his words, but he went on, and I forgot to be worried. “He wanted me to fly him to you, but I told him no. Christopher isn’t too fond of me at the moment.” A soft chuckle escaped the dragon’s throat. “Go on. I’ll rest my eyes while I’m waiting.”
    I stepped away, but thought of a question. “Aren’t you worried someone will see you?”
    He’d already closed his eyes , but opened one. “Do I look the least bit concerned, little vampire?”
    “No, you really don’t. And I’m hoping it’s because you know what you’re doing and not because…” I trailed off. I didn’t want to call him crazy. That would be rude.
    “I’m not crazy—well, at least no more than can be expected after six thousand plus years of life. I do possess a good deal of magic.” He closed his eye. “Trust me. The only reason you can see me is because I want you to.”
    “Alright.” I mo ved briskly toward Christopher. The closer I got, the faster I went, until I was in his arms. My face buried in his neck. It was good to see him, to feel his body against mine, giving me a sense of security. My heartbeat quickened with happiness at having him near. And I was filled with an overwhelming urge to taste his blood. My fangs pricked the inside of my mouth.
    “Don’t ever leave w ithout telling me,” he said fiercely, his fingers winding through my hair.
    “I’m sorry ,” I responded, forcing away the tears stinging my lashes. The last time we were together, he’d asked me to go away with him. He’d wanted some time alone with me. I’d wanted that too, but I’d been nervous about what that alone time would mean. Without a doubt he wanted to take our relationship to the next level. But I still wasn’t ready.
    “What’s the dragon still doing here? Doesn’t he have someplace to be? A nap to get to?” Christopher’s words were filled with bite, and I glanced at his face.
    “I need to talk to him. He’s waiting until I’m done with you,”