Just before dawn, she heard the front door unlock, but she didn't move from her position on the bathroom floor. She could see Chevalier in the bedroom, frantically throwing things from the dresser into a bag. She found herself wanting to inflict some pain on him. She figured just a slight burn wouldn't hurt. The ability comforted her as she watched him race around the bedroom.
When Chevalier appeared in the doorway of the bathroom, his eyes were soft and gentle, “We're leaving.” He threw some clothes onto the counter and shut the door behind him.
Emily dressed quickly, not bothering to complain about the pink summer dress he'd thrown in for her. She ran a brush quickly through her hair, ignoring the way it pulled painfully when it encountered a knot. She left her hair down and stepped out into the bedroom where Chevalier was sitting on the bed.
“I was mistaken,” he whispered. “You don't belong in my world. Ability or no, my world isn't safe for you.”
She didn't know what to say, so she stood still, watching him. He looked up at her finally and cringed at the purplish bruises that stood out from her white skin. He stood up, “How badly are you hurt?”
Her hand covered her throat, but she didn't speak, her eyes were locked on his.
“I broke my promise to you, something I will have to live with for eternity, so I won't break another. As promised… you are free to return to your ranch, the weather is good and you are completely healed.” He grabbed her bag as if to prove he wasn't going to fight it.
She slipped on the soft moccasins that were warming by the fire and opened the closet, it was bare except for the wool lined parka. After zipping it, she followed Chevalier out of the mansion she'd grown accustomed to and took her place in the snowcat.
The snowcat seemed to move hopelessly slow as they sat in silence, ignoring the beauty that surrounded them. Chevalier couldn't look at Emily, the reminder of his lost temper stood out too vividly, and Emily couldn't look at him, afraid he'd see through her and know a new fear had arisen. The fear she would never see him again.
The Bugatti sped quickly toward Montana, the scenery flying by. Only an hour into the drive, Chevalier couldn't take the silence anymore, “I am sorry, Emily, that this didn't work out.”
Her voice cracked, “I don't want to be just another underling to you.”
He glanced over at her, “Is that what the problem is? You don't want to be a subordinate?”
She shrugged, “Some of it.”
She couldn't tell him that she'd begun to crave his attention, to relish in the solidarity of just the two of them that the mansion enabled. She couldn't tell him of the jealousy she felt when she thought of members of his coven being close to him. She envisioned being lost in the crowd, just another face to him.
He watched as her mind struggled to come to terms with losing him, “Please, I need to know what you are thinking, to explain the look on your face.”
She shook her head.
Chevalier sighed, he could guess at the problem that stemmed from low self-worth. How could he convey how much she meant to him? He'd never felt this way about anyone, not even the eldest of his coven, for which he'd pledged his life.
“I was right about one thing, my world isn't good enough for you. Your innocence, your selflessness, it's all foreign to us and I'm not sure how long you could last, surrounded by the immortal.” He wanted to tell her that there was another option, the option to run away together, but he was afraid of the rejection she was bound to give after what he'd done.
Her voice was timid, “Why do you... well… any coven, want me so badly? My entire life has been full of heku trying to coerce me into a coven and for what? Am I just a plaything? A toy that can kill enemies?
Her words stung, “It's not like that with me.”
“What happens to me when I'm surrounded by heku? Their strength, their beauty, immortality? What happens to me, the ugly and weak human?” She was watching the mountains fade behind them.
“You are far from ugly and what do you mean what happens? Do you think I would just push you aside and forget you exist once you joined me?”
Her silent answer was deafening to him, and he pulled over and stopped the car. Gently, he took her chin in his hand and turned her to face him, “Emily, you could never be one of my many subordinates, can't you see that? You are much… much more. You mean more to me than they do, you are more beautiful to me than any them. They are my family, I am ultimately responsible for their safety, and they mine… you… you cannot imagine how important you are to me.”
“You mean to your coven.” She tried to turn her face, but his steel grip held her.
“No… to me.” The intensity of his eyes was intimidating, and she dropped her gaze away from him.
“I… am… afraid.”
“Of what? Tell me so I can help,” he urged.
“I'm afraid of everything. I'm afraid of losing you when we return, I'm afraid of dissolving into the coven, never able to be myself again. I'm afraid of causing tension in your ranks, you of all people know how tempting my blood is, yet you encourage me to move into a house full of heku. I'm afraid of crowds and people and...” Her words were abruptly cut off by his lips.
The kiss was brief and when he broke it off, she leaned toward him, eager to feel his touch again.
“Emily,” he said looking into her eyes, “You won't lose yourself, you would always be of utmost importance to me. You don't have to be constantly surrounded by heku. You could have your own home in the city if you want.”
She cut him off, “City?”
He nodded as what she was thinking dawned on him, “Yes, city. My coven works similar to a city, each family unit in their own home, each individual is important in their own right. We don't all share one home. We don't all spend every waking hour together. As for attacks…” He straightened up, “I am Chief Enforcer, they wouldn't dare cross me. Of course, if you choose