“I am at a loss for words,” she confessed.
A soft chuckle slipped his lips. “Did I make you speechless after all?”
“Don't get used to it,” she frowned.
“I won't,” he said mysteriously and then straightened up, his shoulders tensing again. “We have to continue on our way.”
Violette slowly nodded, then hastily got up, shaking off invisible dust from her skirt but not the feeling that veiled over her soul. He was right, they had to go – soon all of it will convert into a past event of her life but now she should be worried about what will come next.
Finally their legsled them to the little path in the deep of the forest, between trees covered with a thin layer of snow. Dante seemed to slow down his tempo so Violette didn't fall behind, walking almost hand in hand. Somewhere far away a series of warm lights glistened – another little town.
A few hours passed by and Violette started yawning, her thoughts meandered aimlessly andher eyelids were only half open until she tripped over her own leg, drawing Dante’s attention.
“I think we need to stop,” he voiced.
Violette blinked, trying to shake the drowsiness from her shoulders.
“I think we can make a long one,” he suggested and made a few steps to the side. “I'll light a fire.”
Violette let out a weary sigh and stretched, nodding her head as a sign she heard him. She found a little wooden stump to sit – it wasn't too comfortable but her legs howled in pain. They were on their feet too long and her boots, despite being so pretty, weren't doing her a favor. A quiet moan left her mouth as she stretched her legs forward.
In a few minutes Dante piled the brushwood in front of her.
“Let me,” Violette perked up.
She shook her magic wand and the pile of branches inflamed in seconds.
The chilling air caressed Violette's cheeks. She rubbed her hands and pulled the coat on her shoulders tightly. The further they traveled, the more wintry it became. The glistening snow cloaked trees with white lace and blanketed the ground beneath.
Dante settled down near.
A warmth crept to Violette's skin, her shoulders shuddered and shivers went down her spine. She sniffled, holding up her palms to the fire. She even might envy Dante forhis ability to not feel the cold. She must admit – being a vampire had its own perks.
Her eyes trailed to his figure, sitting with a bowed head, his gaze locked on the blazing fire, brows drawn together.
She tipped her head thoughtfully. His strange mood bothered her too much to keep quiet about it.
“You're not looking happy for a person who finally will get what he wants,” Violette voiced.
“Maybe because I am not happy,” his voice – sharp like a knife – cut the air. Even the trees seemed to shudder from this sound.
“Why not?” Her eyes widened. She didn't expect him to be that blatantly honest, her words supposed to be a joke.
“Why wouldn't you go…” he paused, frowning as if trying to figure out where she should go and what she should do, “somewhere?”
Violette immediately protested, “Don't push me away! We're almost done with our deal, it's probably our last time together.”
His eyes shifted to her but then quickly got back to the playful fire.
“Are you still trying to befriend me, Little Witch? Nobody told you it's a bad idea?”
“You told me, but you also told me not to listen to you.” She joyfully rolled her eyes and swayed.
“I didn't say that. I said you can't trust me.” A sullen expression wrapped his face as he raised his gaze only to meet her tender smile.
Violette couldn't say what changed since she discovered he was a monster, perhaps, her mind surrendered to her heart. She couldn't lie – she didn't see him as such. Was he narcissistic? Yes. Did he play on her nerves sometimes? Also yes. He was controversial and hard to read. But he wasn't evil. She tried to convince herself otherwise but it was hopeless. Her faithful nature couldn't let her believe he was a cruel bloodthirsty monster.
“I’m just trying to give you a hand of help,” Violette kept trying. “You seem to be thinking about something and I'm offering you a chance to talk about it. I promise I won't think we're best friends forever after this,” she said sarcastically.
