Page 68 of Midnight Whispers
Flora wraps her arms around herself to get warm. The change in body temperature is something that takes some time to get used to. She stares out the window for most of the ride, no doubt trying to gain control of her new thoughts and a better understanding of the urges that course through her body.
29
A Month Later…
The real estate agent, Bryn, says she was not surprised in the slightest when the cottage sold at record speed. Once we got back from Ireland, Flora moved into the manor with Asher and Finn. I have been trying to pack up the cottage and work on repairs that Bryn recommended before I left. Granted, I have been spending basically every night there and it was a nice surprise when I discovered the freakinglibrary.
On the outside it seems Flora has eased into her life as a vampire very easily, but I’ve known her long enough to see the way she struggles. I don’t press her; she’ll talk when she’s ready to acknowledge it. She is eating primarily animals and hunts with Finn a couple times a week. There have been a couple of times when she has eaten off humans, but she didn’t hurt them. Asher has a rotation of humans that he uses to feed off.
After I put the last box into my trunk,I go back into my now empty cottage. I look in every room and see nothing but the memories I’ve made within its wall and my heart feelsfull.
In the kitchen I see the late-night conversations with Flora over tea.
The living room is nothing but movie nights and lazy days.
I found a sanctuary I needed in my bedroom and in my reading room.
I close the front door and place the key in the lock box for Bryn and the new owners, placing my hand on the front door and exhaling deeply. This house gave me what I needed to heal and while there’s a heaviness in my chest at the thought of not living here anymore, I know my story just isn’t over yet. I turn to walk down the steps and find Finnian leaning against my car with his arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing his typical dark jeans and black t-shirt.
“Hey you.”
“I came to help, but I see you have finished by yourself.”
“Yeah. I think that it was good for me to do it alone.”
“You okay?”
“Yes.” I push up onto the tips of my toes. He threads his hand through my hair and deepens the kiss, letting out a groan against my mouth. We break away and I rest my head on his chest, looking back at the cottage one last time.
“I’ll drive.” He says, zooming around the car and opening the passenger door. Once I’m in, he closes the door and is in the driver side door in the blink of an eye. “You’re so short.” He says as he adjusts the seat.
“I’mnotshort, I’m average.” He laughs as he pulls out of the driveway and starts driving up the hill toward the manor. My choice to sell the cottage was easy, but you can grieve even the easiest of choices.
Even after being face to face with the manor regularly, I am still intimidated as we pull up to the gates. Finn inputs the code, and the doors begin to swing open. Asher and Flora arestanding outside of the front door of the manor as we drive up the pathway. Flora is waving enthusiastically, while Asher is looking at her practically looking like the heart eyes emoji.
“I’m so glad you’re finally here!” Flora exclaims.
“I was literally just here this morning.”
“Yeah, but you’re finallyhere.Like for good.” She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes.
“Let her breathe, kitten.”
“Oh shit. Sorry, Lil.” She grimaces.
“You’re fine Flo.” I smile, trying to refrain from rubbing my neck.
I grab one of my boxes from the car and walk up the stairs toward the room I now share with Finnian. The decision to share a room was an easy one. There was no logical reason for me to pick a room across the house from him when one of us would end up coming into the other's room anyways. Not to mention, Finn doesn’t even sleep so why does he need a bed. I put the box down in the corner and look around the room. It’s plain andsosimple.
“We really need to paint this room.” I state when I feel Finn come up behind me. I’m getting used to feeling him before I see him, the random gust of wind is usually a dead giveaway.
“Whatever color you want, love.” He kisses the back of my neck and leaves a trail of them on my exposed shoulders. “I do love when you wear spaghetti strap dresses.”
I lean into him. He wraps an arm around the front of me, pulling me closer so that we are practically one. His teeth graze against my neck and send chills down my spine.
“Should we break in the bed?” He whispers against my ear.
“Finn. We’ve broken the bed three times in the past two days.”