Suitors

That had not gone as he had planned…

The small, shy girl, that had quickened his blood and elicited a strong urge in him to protect and possess her, apparently was a target for more than just him. Thinking about it yet made Nicolo's mind alert and his muscles tense with an instinctual wariness of a lion about to defend his mate.

This was ridiculous. She wasn’t his and meant nothing to him really. He hardly knew her. That slobbering, blood-teared, pathetic excuse for a Kindred could have her. And, with his blessing. It looked as if they were made for each other anyway. But there was something in her pleading. And she had called again. It made it hard for him to forget, or to back down.

And the truth was, it had been more than just himself he wanted to share with her anyway. It was his devotion to Longinus, and to God. He could see the pain and fear and sadness in her eyes, and Nicolo knew if he could spend some time with her and help her understand their true nature, he could bring her to the light. Why God had damned them. Why were they here on this earth? That their fate was their Lord’s doing and it was marvelous in his eyes…

Only when she could share the truth with him could she be set free from her pain. He wanted so desperately to give that to her.

But not if he had to beat down a constant line of suitors. She would chose him and be faithful, or he would have none of it.