The Grey God

"You were always so strong. So much stronger than me."

He glanced at her, taking in the face he'd fallen for so long ago. A tingle of regret rose from his quiet thoughts.

"Yeah," he agreed softly. "I am."

"We've both learned important lessons about ourselves."

"What was yours?"

"To trust myself instead of the words of others. I was manipulated into doing what I did to you."

"Betrayal's a bitch," he said.

"You weren't the only one betrayed, Darian."

"I didn't earn my betrayal."

"It's done. We both learned and grew," she said. "We have a second chance now to live as we should have before."

He stopped walking to face her. Claire hadn't aged since the day they met. Her fiery hair was darker than Yully's, her eyes bluer than even Sofi's. Her face was flushed from the fight with Jenn while her trim body was close enough for her breasts to rub his arm when she breathed in.

He'd wondered how he'd feel if he met her again, what he'd say. The possibility hadn't existed before the trip to the underworld. He thought he'd feel anger and a familiar passion for the first and only woman he'd ever made love to. He felt nothing, except concern for those fighting guardsmen at the obelisk.

A sound from the direction of the fighting made his heart slow. Jenn's scream. His mate was alive, but if the Others had it their way, she wouldn't be for long. They'd been cunning by bringing Claire here to distract him. They meant to light the fuse on his emotions and power by taking what he cared for most. Maybe they wanted to use Jenn against him.

Darian held out his hand for his necklace.

Claire searched his face, trying to read him. She placed it in his hand.

"You forgive me?" she asked.

"I do forgive you," he said. "I came here to bury the past and the immortal world."

"I don't have to be your past. We are, after all, still mated."

He held up the necklace, gazing at the symbol that marked his lineage. His eyes went past Claire for a moment, to the dark figure waiting by the tree line. The look was enough for the forefather of all vamps to start towards them.

"I forgive you, Claire, but I don't want you," Darian said. "I have a new mate."

"Darian-"

"I am, however, grateful I got to see you one last time. I don't think I could've let go of you otherwise."