Chapter 52

Clara

After our kiss, Ronan escorted me back to my aunt’s room. Tracy looked from me to Ronan and back, and grinned.

“Is there something you should be asking me, Ronan?” Tracy asked.

Ronan smiled, and shrugged. “Well, I suppose there is,” he said.

I looked from one to the other, confused.

“Come on in, then,” Tracy said. “There’s no reason to make you do this in the hallway.”

Do what, I wondered.

Inside the room, Ronan took his hand in mine.

“Tracy, as you’re this lady’s only known relative, you’re the only one around to ask. I would like to declare my intention to court your niece, Clara.”

Tracy looked at me. “Clara, this is really just a formality, since you’re a grown woman, but it’s considered polite to announce courting plans to the girl’s family.”

“Thank you for explaining,” I wrote.

“That said, do you want to court Ronan? You can say no and I’ll kick him out on his ass.”

I shook my head and wrote, “No, don’t. I like Ronan. I’d like to be courted, I think.”

“You think? You’re not sure?” Tracy asked.

Ronan tilted his head, obviously confused.

“Well, Ronan is nice,” I wrote, “so I’m okay with whatever he plans. But I’ve never been courted.”

“Never?” Ronan asked.

I shook my head again.

“Well,” Ronan said, taking my hand and kissing the back of it, “that just means I have to make sure our first date is very special indeed.”

“You’d better,” Tracy said.

Ronan laughed, kissed my cheek, and left with promises to see me the next evening.

“Well, that’s a pleasant surprise,” Tracy said.

I nodded. I wasn’t sure why Ronan was interested in me, but it was nice to have a man look at me with that warmth in his eyes.

Ronan was true to his word. The next night, he knocked on Tracy’s door shortly before we left for dinner.

“Hi,” Ronan said. He held out a small, perfect daisy. “I found this on patrol and thought of you.”

I blushed and accepted the flower. I tucked it into my notebook, to preserve it.

“I was wondering if you’d like to come with me for dinner,” Ronan continued. “On a date, I mean.”

I nodded eagerly, and glanced over my shoulder at Tracy. I hardly needed permission to go on a dinner date, but I wanted her approval. She was my host here, and she was family.

“Have fun, you two,” she said.

“That’s the plan!” Ronan laughed.

He tucked my hand into the bend of his elbow and escorted me away down the hall.

“We need to stop by my room for one thing, and the kitchens for a basket,” Ronan explained. “I want to show you one of my favorite places. How does a moonlight picnic sound to you?”

“It sounds lovely,” I wrote.

Ronan smiled and led me first to his room, where he gathered his guitar case and a lovely wool blanket. Then we went by the kitchen, where a basket was already waiting. Ronan had put some work into preparing this date.

“All right, that’s everything,” Ronan announced. “We just have to check in at the door.”

“Check in?” I wrote.

“It’s a security measure. Everyone who leaves signs the book, here,” Ronan held up a large, leather bound tome that had been tucked into a hidden nook next to the entrance. “You write your name and when you’re leaving. When you come back in, you mark through your entry, and initial it to show it’s you. Never, ever sign in for someone else. Even if they’re standing right behind you.”

I nodded that I understood, and accepted the pen from Ronan so that I could write my name under his.

We stepped out into the cool night air. I breathed deeply, enjoying the scents of the forest and the gentle breeze. The Warren was pleasant, and everyone had been kind to me, but it was still nice to be outside under the open sky again.

“Ah,” Ronan gave a deep sigh. “It feels good to stretch my legs.”

Ronan led me along a winding trail through the woods. The trail crossed over a swift running creek several times. Ronan helped me across several bridges that were cleverly constructed to look like trees that had fallen naturally. One even had a helpful railing made of braided vines.

“Here we are,” Ronan said, tugging my hand to stop me. “Wait here and close your eyes so I can get set up real quick. I want this to be a surprise.”

I smiled and closed my eyes. I heard leaves rustle and Ronan’s cheerful hum. In the distance, an owl hooted.

Ronan took my hand and led me, eyes still closed, though a veil of vines that brushed my skin as we walked. Ronan squeezed my hand and leaned close.

“Take a look,” he whispered into my ear.

I peeked my eyes open, and gasped in delight.

Ronan had led me to a beautiful clearing. The trailing vines framed the area , giving it a sense of privacy. The creek ran along one side, flowing from a magnificent waterfall. The moon shone overhead, casting the whole scene in silver light. Ronan had set out our dinner on the blanket, with his violin set in its case off to the side.

We ate sitting side by side on the blanket. Ronan’s side was warm against mine. I always assumed a vampire would be cold to the touch, but he wasn’t.

I noticed that there was no blood in our meal, and asked about it with the notebook.

“Oh, we don’t drink blood with every meal,” Ronan said. “And it makes you nervous, so I decided to pass on it tonight.”

“Thank you,” I wrote. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You’ve gone your whole life being taught my kind are monsters. Yet here you are, learning with an open mind and giving us a chance. It’s okay if you have to take things in small steps.”

After we ate, Ronan pulled out his violin and played for me. I leaned into his side and closed my eyes, wrapped up in the beautiful music.

Ronan played two more songs, and sang a third. I didn’t understand the words he sang, but I felt them in my heart.

When the final note of the last song faded into the silence, Ronan leaned closer to me.

“I would like to kiss you, Clara,” he said, voice low and soft with desire.

I nodded, and tilted my chin up to meet his kiss. Ronan’s hands traced along my arms and teased my sides. He kept me close without holding me in place.

I melted into the kiss. Ronan’s touch was sweet and gentle and it sent sparks skittering through me. I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. I never, ever wanted to let go. I never wanted that moment to end.

Our perfect moment was shattered all too soon. A scout ran into the clearing, skidding to a stop a few feet away from us. She panted, face red with exertion and eyes wide with fear.

“Ronan, you have to come back,” the scout gasped out, “The Warren is under attack!”