Chapter 63
Volik
Ihold Nix’s phone up in front of her so she can watch herself in her camera as she gets ready.
It’s fascinating.
And that tender emotion dances over my skin as I watch her inspect herself.
Her eyes. Her fangs. The smoothness of her skin.
She even spent three minutes inspecting her fingers and toenails, claiming it looks like a perfect manicure.
When she brushes out her hair, I set the phone down. “May I?”
“May you what?”
I nod to her head. “Dry your hair.”
Nix furrows her brows. “Sure?”
Focusing on pushing more, but not too much, heat into my hands, I run my fingers through her hair.
Nix picks her phone up off the bathroom counter and watches, mouth open, as steam rises from her hair. “That’s almost as cool as the jumping.”
I scoff. “Hardly.”
“You’ve clearly never had to blow-dry thick hair before.”
I shrug, conceding, as I continue.
Nix continues to watch me through her screen. “Okay, so the no reflection thing is a lie, but I’m assuming that’s based on the whole no mirror thing.”
“Da. I believe so.”
“So then where does the vampires are cold lie come from? I know those are all fairy tales and whatnot, but I’m guessing it stems from something.”
“Most of the old stories got it wrong, but in all fairness, some vampires are cold in the way I am hot.”
Nix smirks. She thinks I am hot.
A purr rolls out of my chest.
“Anyway…” Nix pokes me in the stomach, and I regret the clothing we both put on.
“So impatient.”
Nix pokes me again.
I grin. “Anyway… It is the same as how different families have different levels of gravito. Different bloodlines run at different temperatures.” I slide my fingers up the back of her neck to dry the hair there.
“There are tales, paintings, of horned men walking through frozen landscapes with little clothing. The story was spun that they were one with the ice. But I suspect those were actually vampires with strong heat, and they simply did not need layers.”
“I suppose I can understand why people might make that assumption.” Nix shimmies her shoulders as I drag my fingertips down the back of her skull. “So is it cut and dry, hot and cold? Or are there, like, degrees? No pun intended.”
“There are degrees.” I smile at my clever mate.
“My mother was practically made of fire. Her bloodline is the hottest known. My father’s lineage was cooler, but still on the hot side.
My brother…” I pause, taking a breath before I say his name.
“Vameer, he has our mother’s fire. Maybe because he was firstborn.
I do not know. Since our mating, my own heat has gotten stronger.
But my brother, he was able to incinerate.
That skill has been all but lost to us now.
But I believe that is also where the vampires turn to ash when they die folklore came from.
In battle, or simply after death, ones with the Fire Touch could turn bodies to ash. ”
“Wow. That’s… awesome and terrifying.”
“Da.” I run my hands through her hair a few more times to make sure it’s all dry.
“Since all the lore seems to be wrong, does that mean vampires don’t need an invitation to enter a home?”
I let my hands slide free as I finish. “Did you invite me before I walked into your home the first time?”
“Yeah, yeah. Another lie.” She sighs and sets her phone down. Then she runs her hands through her hair. “You know, you could make a killing if you opened a salon. Handmade blowouts and telling secrets. Match made in heaven.”
I lift my hands and wiggle my fingers. “You think so?”
“I know so. Except you already”—she drops her voice to mimic mine—“have a lot of money.”
I grin. “Could always have more.”
“Uh-huh.” She rolls her black eyes at me. “But if you ever do that to another woman, I will bite you somewhere that hurts.”
My grin widens.
I love when she rolls her eyes at me. Just like I love the way she’s always been able to really see me. Even before her eyes changed, she could tell where I was looking. Something no other human has been able to do.
And then guilt hits me.
I’m standing here preening over her change, loving that she looks a little like me now, but she lost a bit of herself.
“Are you sure you are not upset?” My voice is quiet. “Eye color is a family trait. And—”
She shakes her head. “I’m sure.”
I do not know what I could offer her to make up for it, but I feel the need to try. “Nix—”
She places a hand on my chest, my black short-sleeved shirt a barrier between our skin.
“Volik, I’ve never loved my eye color. And I’m not just saying that to be nice or appease you.
Feel my heartbeat. Lying stresses me out.
But my heart is steady.” I place my hand over hers, knowing our hearts beat the same.
“My brother… he had the pretty eyes. I envied them and always wished mine were different.” Nix sighs.
“I don’t really want to talk about him right now, since we need to get to school.
But please, believe me when I tell you I’m not at all sad about the change. ”
I keep my hand over hers. “Do you promise?”
“I promise.” She holds my gaze. “And speaking of eyes!” Her own widen.
“I can’t believe I keep forgetting about this.
But it happened that, um, the first time.
” Her cheeks flush. “And then last night, this morning, whenever, when you thought I was hurt… When you turned around.” She reaches up and gently trails a finger over my cheek.
“It was like the color was leaking out of your eyes.”
I hook my free hand around the back of her neck and step my body into hers.
“That happens when I lose control. You do that to me.” I press my nose to her hair and inhale the scent of orchids. “But I will get better. I promise.”
Nix wraps her arms around me in a hug. Her fingertips not meeting behind my back. “It’s hard for me to imagine you before your change. But I think you’re doing a great job at controlling your power.”
“Merci, Ma Fleur.” I kiss her hair again. “I really do have enough money for you to never work again.” I feel the need to remind her.
She lets out a soft laugh. “What would we do all day?”
I rub my cheek against the top of her head. “Be in peace together.”
Her arms tighten around me. “I like that thought.”
“I do too.”
“But I like teaching classes too.”
“Da. I know that too.” I kiss her hair again. “I am coming with you today.”
Nix nods as we loosen our hold on each other. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
“You will not argue?”
She keeps her expression flat. “Nyet.”
I grin at her, smiling more in the last few days than I have in the last few decades.
“Unless you think people won’t notice… this.” She waves her hand toward her face.
“Nyet,” I answer, trying to keep my tone flat to match hers.
“Figured as much.” Her cheeks puff out as she looks at the time on her phone. “Want to give me a tour on our way out?”
“Da.” I take my mate’s hand and walk her through her new home.