Kiss of Crimson by Samantha Coville (best love story novels in english txt) 📕

Tears began to roll down her face.

Feeling powerless and utterly impotent, I held her close and swiped the tears away with my thumb.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m so sorry, my love.”

She let out a shaky laugh. “It’s a stupid thing, really. Books can be replaced. I should be so glad I’m alive, that you’re alive, but I just…”

And as she slowly but surely succumbed to her sorrow, it was all I could do was hold her and wait for the sun.

Twenty-One

Eloise

The sun felt so good on my fingers as I held them out of the car window, letting them ride the waves of the wind as we rode down the streets. Next to me, Arden slipped his own hand onto my leg and I glanced at him with a smile. He'd done a lot for me that past week. After everything with Evangeline burning down the only house I ever knew and nearly killing me in the process, it had taken many long, sleepless hours of comforting to bring a smile back to my face. But he'd done it. He stuck with me in the darkest moments, and I could tell it was going to pay off.

The car pulled up to my new home. It was larger than the other mansion, but was done in a more modern design. Mother wasn't going to leave the blood trading business, but she was going to take a new approach to it. Her client list was being vetted at that very moment, and she'd cut ties with many of them. She wasn't going to allow the sleazy of the vampire race to taint her business any longer. And making her product more exclusive was causing the value to rise. Some of Jardin's clientele had already arranged meetings with my mother.

My new home was three stories tall, the walls made of glass. In some places it was clear, showing off the lavish furnishings to the outside world. In other places, it was frosted to maintain privacy and keep out peering eyes. A fountain gurgled in the front yard, shaded by massive cherry blossom trees. I was excited to finally see inside as my mother had told me about the dual floor ballroom and the separate dining room that held a table for thirty. I grabbed Arden's hand and squeezed it in excitement as I saw my mother step out onto the front steps.

The moment the car stopped in the driveway, I jumped out and ran up to my mother, throwing my arms around her waist, her hands resting on my head. When we separated, she waved her hands dramatically at the house. "Welcome to the new Hart Mansion!"

I giggled at the over-the-top flare she had given the statement. And then I noticed my mother was looking past me with a bemused expression. I turned around to find what she was staring at and saw Arden was out of the car and completely overladen with the numerous bags from my shopping trip that afternoon. He had four bags on each arm, two more in each hand, and he was using his chin to try and hold one more to his chest. I snorted a laugh and quickly ran over to help him.

"I may have gotten carried away shopping," I sheepishly grinned.

When Evangeline burned the mansion down, everything I ever owned went down with it. Arden had agreed to accompany me on an afternoon downtown to try and restock my closet. There is nothing more dangerous than giving a girl a credit card and telling her to go wild. I think I had enough tops, skirts, dresses, and loungewear to go six months without repeating an outfit. Daringly and Jewel also came over to help relieve Arden of the bags and take them inside.

Before I could step in, my mother placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled kindly at me. "You go ahead and Jewel will show you to your new room. I would like to have a word with Arden before he joins you."

My mother and Arden were on far improved terms after he saved my life. But I still raised an eyebrow to Arden as if to ask if it were alright to leave the two of them alone. He nodded his head reassuringly and gave me a soft peck on the cheek. I left the two to themselves, but I decided against going to my room. I was too curious for my own good. So I hid behind the door of the house, within earshot of my mother and Arden, and put my finger to my lip to alert Jewel not to give away my position. I listened as my mother began to talk.

"What you have done for my family this past week is something I can never repay you for. We have had our differences, but I can't ignore the selflessness and bravery you have exhibited."

My heart beamed with pride in my mother. I knew it couldn't be easy for her to say those things, especially to a vampire. Her vulnerability in that moment was uncharacteristic of her, but even she could see the importance of it.

"I would do anything for Eloise, Madame Leona." His voice was soft and emotional instead of the usual confidant tone it carried.

"I know. And that's why I would like to repeat my offer to have you stay in my home with us. No, let me finish." Clearly, Arden had tried to interrupt her from making her offer, but she was having none of that. "Before, my offer was contingent on you working for me. This time, I offer with no strings attached."

"Why?" That was a good question. I was shocked my mother was making such a generous offer. The thought of never having to be apart from Arden brought excitement to me, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I try to always do what's best for Eloise. But, sometimes, I fail to see what is in fact truly best for