Chapter 18 Peter #2
He didn’t need any further invitation. His lips closed over hers as he pulled her flush against him. She gasped, and her parting lips invited him to deepen the kiss. He didn’t think he would ever get enough of her; if his heart still beat, it would only be for her.
His eyes snapped open as her lips trailed down his neck, and he knew they had to stop. He broke away from her, thinking of the night she’d had. He wanted her to think clearly.
“Can you forgive me?” he rasped, despite his body screaming at him. He didn’t want Faye to kiss him as a reaction to the life-or-death situation.
Faye nodded, her cheeks flushed. “Your heart was in the right place. You were trying to protect me from him.”
“You’ve no idea how hard it was for me to leave you.” He kissed her hair.
“Your job is important; I don’t blame you.
You can’t always be there to save me, and I don’t want you to blame yourself.
You gave me peace for two months – I just wish I’d had the guts to contact the Hunters myself.
” Faye cupped his cheek, forcing him to look at her.
How comfortable she was with him made him love her all the more.
She wasn’t frightened of what he was, or his past. He supposed it was because she had seen a true monster, and the idea of death was almost a comfort.
“I didn’t want to leave again,” Peter confessed, playing with her hair. She had started to grow it out. It was like watching a flower bloom.
“Can you tell me why you really left? Was it because of me?” Faye yawned, resting her head on his lap as she stared at the stars.
“My mentor, Gregory, came to Foxford. He saw me leaving your place in the morning. He thought I was getting too close to you and forbade me from getting involved with the living.”
“He can’t have a problem with us being friends,” Faye said sleepily. He guessed the adrenaline had worn off.
“I never wanted to be your friend, Faye – not when we were in school and not now,”
“When we were in school?” she asked, gazing up at him. “I didn’t know.”
“Are you serious? You really didn’t know I had a crush on you? I thought I made it obvious, walking you home—”
“How was I supposed to know you were doing that for me? You walked with me, Rosie and Lucy to Hawthorne House.”
“I was going to ask you to the next Autumn Festival,” he told her, even if it felt silly after all these years.
She frowned. “Why didn’t you?”
“I died.”
A silence settled between them.
“That would’ve made it harder to ask, but if it makes you feel any better, I would’ve said yes.” Faye smiled. “Maybe you should ask me again?”
Knowing the date of her death, Peter’s chest felt like it was caving in under the bittersweetness of this moment. Faye wouldn’t live to see the next festival. It seemed they were destined never to make their date a reality.
“Faye, would you like to go to the Autumn Festival with me?” he asked, masking the pain in his voice.
She sighed, turning on her side, using his thigh as a pillow. “I’ll have to check my calendar.”
“Very funny.” Peter tapped her hip playfully, and she let out an adorable laugh that made his heart ache. He was ten years too late.
“Fine. I’ll go with you,” she said, taking his hand in hers and intertwining their fingers. Peter ran his thumb over hers as they watched the fireflies over the calm lake.
“It’s a date,” he whispered, moving a strand of hair from her cheek to find she had drifted off.
Peter carried Faye up the stairs to her apartment and into her bedroom.
As he laid her on the bed, he noticed the bloody bandage on her neck.
He went to the bathroom and found some wipes and a clean bandage.
Carefully, he peeled the bandage away from her inflamed skin, trying not to disturb her.
The fang marks and dried blood made him wince.
He pressed his lips to the wound – barely a whisper of a touch – and when he pulled away, only faint marks remained.
Reapers had the power to heal, so when souls with grievous injuries passed over, their Reaper could restore their appearance in their last moments.
He’d always thought it was like cosmetic surgery for the soul.
Peter forced himself to get up to return to Purgatory. He didn’t want to risk arousing Gregory’s suspicion.
“Don’t go,” Faye whispered, gripping his sleeve.
It wasn’t fair for him to be here, especially since he would have to perform another disappearing act once dawn arrived. Faye deserved better. She deserved someone who could give her life.
“I really should get back to Purgatory. I promise I’ll come back tomorrow night,” he said quietly, hoping she’d drift off again. All he could offer her was more heartache. Yet he didn’t have the strength to leave and hated himself for it.
“If you stay I’ll tell you a secret,” she teased, her grip on him tightening. He tried to resist holding her, but the more she nestled against him, the more he lost the will to keep his distance. Just one night. Peter lay down beside her, and she snuggled into his chest.
“A secret? How can I leave you now?” He pulled the blanket over her.
“I’ve decided to do the competition in Ravenstown. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“Why would you want to hide it?” He brushed her hair from her cheek, admiring the freckles on the bridge of her nose.
“Because I was afraid of backing out and letting everyone down.” She yawned.
“You wouldn’t be letting anyone down. What made you change your mind?”
“I figure if I can face Ian, break into the coven temple and pull his fangs out, then I can handle a little competition.”
“When you put it like that, a competition sounds like a piece of cake.”
“I haven’t decided whether to make cake or pie yet,” she mused sleepily.
“I’m sure whatever you make will be perfect.”
He smiled to himself as she dozed off. She probably wouldn’t notice if he stayed, but what harm was there in waiting a few more hours? He would savour every minute and second with her and then return.
Though he didn’t sleep, he found peace in hearing her soft breathing and feeling her heartbeat against his chest. It had been so long since his own heart had beaten, and it made him feel alive again.