The walk was pleasant, despite the evening's events. She'd missed him on his days away. Their connection was improving steadily, that turbulent beginning to their relationship nearly forgotten.
Caitlin couldn't imagine life back in her hometown, anymore. Her mother always talked about going back, but they both knew it was an unlikely trip, after what happened the last time. Janice still wrote to her sister and the cousins, being sure to keep in contact after the violent exodus.
They found it too easy to excuse their absence. Lying was not in Janice's nature, nor Caitlin's, but they had to, to maintain Kalen's anonymity.
An image surfaced, of that last day, when all hell broke loose. She'd been triggered by her mother unintentionally, and ran away, confessing to a one Father Elliot her relations with a vampire, and her subsequent pregnancy.
That
was her mistake.
Her emotions had gotten the better of her, and she broke down. Caitlin was stronger now, but she still looked back on that moment with shame, recalling the horrified expression on the Father's face, and the roiling smoke pluming off Kalen when he exposed himself to the sun's rays to protect his secret.
She glanced up at Kalen, scrutinizing the scars that stitched together across his cheekbone. He'd not vocalized his opinion, but seemed unaffected, despite the poorly healed flesh. Caitlin was apprehensive about bringing it up, as it was her own fault.
So, they walked in silence, save for the joyful melody of night creatures.
He caught her looking and offered a curious glance. "You're worrying again."
Caitlin's face burned at being so obtuse. He was no mind reader, but he was quite good at understanding her when she never said a word. "Nothing gets past you, does it?" She hesitated before continuing, shy of his steady gaze. "I was worried about your burn. It's not healing."
"And it won't." He touched the irregular skin of his cheek. "This is a reminder for me not to be so rash. With you, or anyone for that matter."
Caitlin laughed, then sobered her expression. "But, your face-"
"It's alright, Caitlin." He grabbed her hands, stopping them next to the burbling creek that ran through the property. "My kind is not quite so superficial as humans. In fact-" He leaned in closer, a smile touching his lips. "-I find it rather accentuates my countenance."
"That's one way of looking at it." She rolled her eyes and laughed again, averting her gaze to the creek, where a family of deer found a place to rest for the night. The mother watched them cautiously, no doubt sensing the predator in their midst. "We should head back to the mansion. I'm hungry."
"Then you should eat." He offered his arm. "And rest will do you well, after the day you've had."
"Prince Kalen," she warned, her spine straightening in defiance. "What did I say about ordering me to bed? You know how much I hate it."
An eyebrow rose, but he bowed at the waist, masking a coy smile. "How could I forget?"
*
When they returned to the mansion, Amandine was waiting for them at the front door. Several suitcases were packed and lined up next to the aging servant, Edmund. He seemed to be waiting with the vampire Queen, ready to assist at a moment's notice.
Amandine looked apologetic, if not overwhelmingly stoic in a midnight evening gown with a gold-laced shawl over her shoulders. "Caitlin." She opened her arms wide, waiting for her to reciprocate.
Though Kalen's mother had expressed her more terrifying side down in the basement, Caitlin did not hesitate to throw herself into the hug. No matter what, she knew Amandine would never hurt her, baby or no baby. She squeezed her tighter. "Do you really have to go?"
"Yes, child." She pulled her back for a final look, the love of a mother in her eyes. "The doctor will be here soon enough, and she will better assess your needs. Don't hesitate to write me." Amandine disengaged with a sigh, then turned to her son with a quick nod. "You know how to contact me if anything happens."
The line of his mouth went stern. "I do. Goodbye mother."
Neither made the move to embrace the other, so they stood like that for a moment before she turned on her heels. "I'm borrowing your limousine, son."
"I expect it to be returned within the week."
Amandine turned one last time and flashed a gorgeous smile. "Of course."
When Edmund left, Kalen closed the door, his eyes unfocused. He guided her out of the foyer with a hand to her back. "Marianne has prepared dinner for you. And it seems your mother has accompanied her."
Caitlin's stomach churned at the idea of eating one of Marianne's rich meals. "Will you join us?"
"After today? I don't think it's for the best." Kalen stroked up her spine, until he caught the nape of her neck. He rubbed the spot gently. "Enjoy your dinner. Come see me in the master suite when you're finished eating."
Caitlin glanced up at him, hating that he was scared away by her own mother, of all people. "Okay." She tilted her head up for a kiss.
He closed the distance, offering only the smallest of pecks.
Then he was gone.
An emptiness settled into her core as she opened the doors to the dining room. Janice sat on one side of the table, her jaw set. "You're back," she said dismissively. "Your walk was good?"
"Mom, you still sound upset."
Janice didn't respond, and instead smothered a mound of mashed potatoes and a chicken cutlet with gravy. She pushed the plate towards the head of the table, where she seemed to expect Caitlin to sit. "Marianne made some of your favorites. You need to eat."
Caitlin sat and stared at the full plate. Though her stomach raged for sustenance, she couldn't bring herself to even attempt to eat. "You know I can't have this rich of food. Could I have some chicken without the gravy, please?"
Janice recalled the plate with an impatient hand, fixing up another plate and setting it in front of her. "There." She didn't seem to have recovered from the day's events either, apparently.
She sighed and picked up her fork. "You know I'm okay, mom. You don't have to worry. Amandine took good care of me until they passed, and Kalen-"
"Let's not talk about it over dinner," Janice interrupted, shaking her head.
Caitlin scrutinized her from under her lashes.
