Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
TILDA
He loves me. How is it possible that this spectacular beast of a man loves me?
My instincts tell me I’m not worthy of him.
However, that’s Pierre talking. Those thoughts are the lies he told me when he changed me from what I was meant to be into what I am now.
“Do you think you would have loved me if I were just a swan maiden?”
Halting inside the back door, he takes both my hands and stares into my eyes.
His expression softens, and the tenderness there sends a deep ache to my heart.
“I would love you under any circumstances, Tilda. Though if your path had been different, I don’t know if we would have found each other.
You might have stayed in your native Germany, and I would be here, looking for a better life. ”
I cup his cheek. “Somehow, I think we would have come together.” It’s maybe the most hopeful thought I’ve had in many years.
Leaning in, he kisses my palm. “That is a nice thought, love. Come.” He opens the curtains.
I expect to flinch from the afternoon sun, but the canopy of tall trees blocks much of the light, and the day is overcast. Also, the slider is tinted a dark gray. Touching the glass, I ask, “Have these always been tinted?”
A flush of color warms his cheeks where the hair is light around his eyes, nose, and mouth. “I had all the windows tinted after the first week of protecting you.”
Maybe that’s weird, but I love it. “That was very thoughtful.” I laugh. “And presumptuous.”
“I like to think it was hopeful. I’m still hopeful.
” He opens the sliding door and leads me onto his back patio.
The pavers are arranged in a circular pattern and spread out from the house for twenty feet.
A few leaves have started to color and fall in these last days of summer. Still, the air is warm.
Birds chirp from high in the mix of maple, birch, pine, fir, and spruce. To the left, several old oaks create a deep canopy over a pond. The water is like glass.
“Max, this is paradise.” I drop my robe and run toward the water.
“It is now.” He strides after me.
With little thought, I leap headfirst. The cool water soothes any remaining aches and pains. It can’t wash away all my regrets, but maybe there’s room for new memories and a new life.
A fish slithers along my leg as I cut through the water. Breaching the surface, I come up for air, though I don’t really need it. It’s my desire is to see Max’s face that pushes me up.
I find him standing on the shore, watching me and smiling. “You like it?”
“I’d love it if you’ll come and swim with me.” I breaststroke a few feet closer.
“It won’t hurt my feelings if you want to enjoy the water on your own. I know you liked being in the lake on your own all those nights,” he says, toeing the ground and stuffing his hands into his jeans’ pockets.
Turning onto my back, I wave my hands through the water. “I always knew you were there, Max. Why else would I tarry and float so long? I loved that you watched me and hoped that it was for more reasons than keeping me safe in case Pierre returned.”
“I don’t swim as well as you.” He takes off his boots and strips out of his clothes.
I watch every beautiful inch of him as he steps into the water. Covered in hair that tickles and stimulates every part of my skin when he holds me, he’s pure perfection. “I’m a swan. Not many creatures swim as well as we do.”
He pushes forward and swims over to me well enough before lying on his back and floating.
Unable to resist, I glance to see his thick shaft standing perpendicular to the rest of him. “I had no idea swimming would be so arousing.”
“Yes, you did. Do you think I can look at you, healthy and naked, and not get a hard-on?” He floats closer and takes my hand.
Everything about him and this place is magical. “I’m not evil.”
There’s a long pause. “No, Tilda. You’re a hero.”
“I thought…” I swallow all those years of being afraid of who and what I am. “Maybe I can be a vampire and a swan.” If that’s even possible.
“I’m pretty sure that’s what you are, regardless of whether you can shift or not.” He squeezes my fingers. “I know it’s soon and I know you deserve to be courted properly, but one day, I’d like for you to live here.”
My heart beats twice. “You might not like me after you date me.”
“I’ll like you. I’ll love you. Always.” The last word is a whisper.
Wings flapping force me to drop my feet so I can look to the sky. Four pure white swans beat their wings to slow, stirring the water until they settle on the surface. “Oh. Look, Max.”
“I hoped they’d come once they saw you here.” He stands behind me, his height allowing him to reach the bottom with his chest above water. Wrapping his arms around me from behind, he kisses my ear.
“They’re not at all afraid I’ll hunt them.” I grip his hands where they lay at my abdomen and lean into him.
“Of course not. You’re one of them, Tilda.”
Turning in his arms, I kiss him hard on the mouth. “I love you too, Max, and I do think we should date just to make sure you don’t hate me once you get to know me.”
His grin is contagious. “Impossible.”
The flush of joy is so strange and new since I met Max and found my family. I hardly know how to act. I hug him.
“You should go swim with the swans. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
Pure happiness fills me. “Are you sure?”
Easing me away, he floats toward shore. “Positive.”
“Why hasn’t Ion come to visit?” I ask two days later. I pull on a form-fitting white dress that reaches my knees, then step into a pair of heels. My hair is loose for the first time in days, and I pull a brush through it as I calm my excitement over going on a real date. “Have you heard from him?”
“I haven’t. Maybe he thought you’d go home by now.
I think he’s staying at Mari’s old house.
Why don’t you call him?” Max steps out of the bathroom in a brown suit with a madras pattern, perfectly tailored for his huge frame, and a cream-colored button-down shirt with the collar open and no tie. He’s breathtaking.
“You look amazing.” I have to make myself close my mouth. “Where did you get that suit?”
He shrugs. “I have two suits. This one and a black one for funerals. “A man should have clothes that fit him if he wants to do more than running around naked in the woods.” He winks at me.
“I wouldn’t argue with you doing that either.” My cheeks heat.
Wrapping his arms around me, he nuzzles my neck. “You’re stunning, but you always are.”
“It’s my first date night in a long time. I wanted to impress you.” My arms don’t reach all the way around him, but I love the feel of his muscles. Suddenly, the idea of skipping dinner and ripping this suit off of him is very appealing.
He breaks the hug and kisses my forehead. “Give Ion a call while I brush my hair. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Are you dismissing me?” I stare at his back as he heads back into the bathroom.
“I’m preserving our date night before you seduce me, love.” He laughs and closes the bathroom door.
It would be nothing to break in that door, but I love the idea that he wants to date me, even though I’m given no opposition to sex and sleeping in his bed.
Many males would be thrilled to have the milk without having to buy the cow.
Ugh… I hate that expression. I don’t know why it popped into my head.
Plucking my phone from the kitchen counter, I dial Ion’s number.
“Hello, Tilda. How are you feeling?” My many-times great-grandsire’s voice is deep and strong. Something about him always eases any tension, even over the phone.
“I’m better. Why haven’t you come to see me? Are you alright?” Since Ion is generally direct, I find it best to be the same way, or our conversations become one-sided. After all, he’s something more than a thousand years old, maybe a lot more, thus has little call to be coy or shy.
“I apologize. Mari informed you of your continued strides toward good health, and my services have been needed elsewhere.” There are strange sounds in the background. It sounds like the squeaking of a chain.
“Is someone ill?”
“In a manner of speaking.” He pauses, a door closes, and the other noise stops.
“The Manning twins are quite traumatized by the events with the boogeyman. As you can imagine, Olivia is having a hard time with recovery. I’ve been trying to help, though my skill with children is likely inadequate to the task. ”
“Shall I come by and speak to them? Maybe I can help.” I’m not sure why I think so, but my instincts scream to go where I’m needed.
Another pause. “If you are free, I’m sure it would be helpful for Olivia to see you are well again.”
“Max and I are heading out to dinner. We’ll stop by on the way.” I have no doubt that this will be alright with Max. He’ll want to help too.
“The girls are swinging in the backyard.” Another longer pause. “Miss Manning says to let yourselves through the gate and come around back.”
I hang up as Max steps into the living room. He’s perfect in every way. His hair combed back off his face, yet still wild and plentiful. He meets my gaze. “Did you reach Ion?”
“Yes. Do you mind stopping for a few minutes at Lori Manning’s house?
I think Olivia might be relieved to see me well.
She’s having a tough time. Ion said both twins are.
I don’t know if I can help, but…” It feels a little foolish to think I can do anything to help another person’s trauma, when my own is still so raw.
He studies me a moment. “I’ve spoken to Lori, of course. She said the girls were pretty shaken up.”
Taking his hand, I walk with him to his truck. It’s not quite as big as Sam’s, but close. It’s not far to town and then to the Manning house. Neither of us speaks, and the silence is comfortable rather than awkward.
Reaching across the console, he takes my hand and brings my fingers to his lips for a soft, slow kiss that warms me to my toes. It’s such an innocent gesture, but it’s perfect.