Page 50 of Hallows End
“Why do I feel like something big is coming?” Her voice is a whisper.
“Because it is.” I sigh and gently press my lips to hers. “It is.”
She nods and then pulls back, and I can hear her talking to Nera in her mind.
Don’t worry, I’m coming soon. All is well.
“He worries.”
“If he’s not with me, he’s a nervous wreck,” she admits with a small smile. “He’s really a mother hen.”
“I’m glad. If I can’t be next to you all the time, I’m relieved that heis.Don’t go anywhere without him from now on, at least until we get this figured out.”
She raises an eyebrow, and it makes me smile. “So, you think you can just boss me around now or something? Just because I’m in love with you?”
And, just like that, my heart stops, and the breath leaves my lungs.
Those green eyes of hers grow big as if she’s shocked that she said the words out loud.
My fingertips dance down her cheek and then over her neck, finally plunging into her beautiful, thick hair.
“The love I feel for you is at once life-affirming and terrifying, Luciana. It is with every fiber of my being that I love you. I’m entirely under your spell, and my heart is yours to keep.”
Tears glitter in her eyes as she swallows hard and then offers me a watery smile.
“Well, that might be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said in the history of the world.”
“I mean every word of it. I have waited centuries for you.”
“Damn.” She swipes at a tear. “Seventeenth-century men know how to treat a woman.”
I smile as she cleans up the tears and then takes my hand to press it to her cheek.
“Be careful today,” she says. “I’ll be in the shop with Nera until closing, and then we will go to Xander’s.”
“I’ll be there in time to join you for that,” I assure her. “Andyoube cautious, as well.”
“Oh, I am,” she promises. “I’ll be on my toes. Now, I’m going to sneak out before the village becomes too active.”
I pull her in for a quick hug. “Thank you for coming.”
“If you call for me, I’ll come. That’s just how it works.”
With one last squeeze, she pulls back and then winks at me.
“I’ll see you soon.”
I step out to watch her hurry to the tree line. At the bridge, she turns and blows me a kiss, and then she’s gone.
I’ll see you soon, she says once more in my mind.
Very soon, indeed.
“Ibrought pizza,” Giles announces as he walks into Xander’s home library. He sets the stack of boxes on a table and pushes his glasses up his nose, eyes immediately searching for Breena.
Breena frowns at the book she’s reading.
“I’msohungry,” Lorelei says with a grateful smile and opens the top box. “Who likes anchovies?”