Zane

Gods, I'd no clue if she was safe or not, but I was going to make sure she was.

That prick of a fiance needed to die—I knew that, we all knew that. I was sure Zelda knew that.

She unpacked the few things she had and I eyed a pretty yellow sundress that she hung up on the back of our closet door.

"That's nice."

"Do you think so? I wasn't able to wear it at home," she said, "No one liked it on me."

I frowned. It probably looked wonderful on her.

"Wear it tonight."

"Huh?"

"Wear it tonight," I said, "I want to see you in it."

She smiled, "Alright.."

I bet she'd never had a day in her life when anyone was good to her, but I wanted to be.

Zelda

I watched him come and go as he told me to set up my home—our home.

Then he'd come back in and ask what type of home I wanted.

Did I want a big home? Did I want a private cottage in the woods?

How many pups would I want? Did I like the color green?

I didn't even think anyone cared about that stuff with me.

As I was dressing for the party, Zane snuck up behind me, causing me to gasp and giggle as he lifted me into his arms and placing me on his lap.

"You are gorgeous.." he looked me up and down, "This dress is,-"

"I made it," I blurted out, "I made the dress."

"It's absolutely stunning."

I smiled and breathed in deeply, "Tell me what you don't want me to know."

He turned away from me just as I anticipated him to do.

"Don't do that.." I begged, "Don't be like this. Let me know."

He sat down at his desk and shuffled some papers, "We think your coven killed my parents."

I didn't blink—I could only stare at him as if he'd told me something I already knew, yet never wanted to know.

"I..Zane.."

"I don't know who it was," he said, "All I know is that it was vampires many moons ago. My mother was in labor with my sister."

"Your...sister?"

"Still in the womb, pet.."

Zane

I should have been more soft—more gentle when telling her something like that.

A fool I'd been for so long and there I was, making a mess of things.

She stood there like a statue, her tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry.."

I rushed to her as she sobbed, "No..you never have to be sorry. You couldn't have even been more than..well, you were little and had been marked by my father. It happened a few days later."

"Why?"

"A feud. You know they've always wanted our lands. It's as simple as that."

She wrapped her arms around me and I felt complete—more so than I'd ever had before.

"I am so sorry you had to learn that."

"I needed to," she said, "Not all of my people are bad, but the ones I know are. They hurt and cheat and lie...I've never been able to make friends or anything because of them. I am so sorry—no matter what you say—that you lost your family."

"I have no concrete evidence it was yours, but..."

"I'm not them, I promise!"

Her pleading eyes told me that she didn't want to be sent away—or worse.

I believed her, "I'm not letting you go."

"I love you." she whispered.

I couldn't wait to say it back, "I love you, too.."