Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Then I lay waiting as James removed the rest of his clothing. His fair skin made a grayish blur in the predawn night. Many of my blood thought this paleness unattractive, repulsive even. I did not find it so, no more than a white river stone resting beneath the water beside red and black and brown pebbles was off-putting. It was the nature of the thing.

A moment later, James lay beside me with his head on my chest. Sensing hesitation, I placed a hand to his cheek. “It is all right. I have a need too.”

He clutched my hand. “Is that true or a ruse to ease my mind?”

“It is true. I confess to a Cupid’s cramp at this moment.”

“Then we must relieve it.”