Indulge by Megan Duncan

little. I silently swore I would control my thoughts of Dmitry when I was around Arrick. It wasn’t fair for him to have to feel how conflicted I was between the two of them.
    The horizon was lightly dusted with shades of pink and orange as we exited the temple. Much like the soft beauty of the flower petals we had given as our offering to the goddess.
    I took one last longing look at the temple before our pace quickened back down the mountain side. I definitely wanted to come back here as often as I could. Maybe the peace and serenity and splendor of it would help me to clear my head enough to make some much needed decisions. Arrick or Dmitry? Was Nicolae guilty? Was I really ready to fight in a vampire war? All those questions and more rattled in my head, but I decided, for now, I would push them away and enjoy my last few moments with Arrick before the sun rose.
    We picked up our pace this time, having to race against the sun. It was kind of thrilling and only the tiniest bit dangerous. I knew he would snatch me up if we ran out of time and get me to the Château quickly, but it was still exciting to race beside him and laugh all the way.
    At the main entrance to the Château I entered less hesitantly than the first time. The curtains were all already drawn and the interior was dimly lit with candlelight. It was in no way creepy. This was my home now and I loved it.
    “Good day,” Arrick said watching me.
    I sighed, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of knowing I was home. This was my home. I met his gaze, happiness filling every pore of my being. “Sweet dreams.”
    He leaned in and his urge to kiss me wrapped around my body like a warm, comforting blanket. I welcomed it. My mind was filled with nothing but contentment.
    But he hesitated, and instead planted a firm kiss on my forehead. I was a little disappointed but it was so endearing, and when he stroked my cheek with his thumb, shivers rippled down my body. I watched Arrick walk down a hallway and disappear before heading to my room.

Chapter_8
     
    The Château was unusually quiet and I made my way back to my room without seeing more than a few humans walking about in their hooded robes. I didn’t understand why they dressed like that. Walking around like floating figures with little to no part of their bodies exposed.
    I could feel that the sun was quickly breaking the horizon, so maybe that was why it was so quiet. I was the only crazy vampire who was up super late. It almost felt like I was sneaking back in after a night out with a guy. I snickered to myself. In a way I kinda was.
    The large curtains in my room had already been closed, to block all rays of the days light. I walked toward them, and tugged on the knobs of the French doors, to ensure they had been locked. Not that they would do much to protect me. I knew firsthand how a lock like that could do nothing to protect me, but I checked them anyway.
    I walked around my dimly let room, letting the light of the few candles dance across the walls. Since coming home, the hole in my heart had been filled, but nothing in my life had become less complicated. A war was brewing on the horizon, Ana was out there somewhere planning how to kill me, a mystery figure was watching me in the darkness and Arrick was… well after tonight I knew I wouldn’t be fighting my feelings for him any longer.
    When I awoke the next evening, the worries of the night were still heavy in my mind. I snuggled deeper into my covers, not wanting to face the night. I wondered if Arrick had left yet. We should at least say goodbye to each other. I rolled over to face the door, trying to talk myself out of getting out of bed when something caught my eye.
    Lying atop the thick, white down comforter on my bed was black spot. I sighed thinking that I must have made a spot, coming home so dirty from the beach but as I sat up I was sadly mistaken.
    Even with as dark as the room was, a single black stone twinkled on the bed beside me. It seemed to