The Immortal Cure

21. Nightfall

When nightfall came, I had already convinced Darius to place a few lit candles around the living room. The white rays of the moon were blocked by the thick forestry, hindering any chance of light.
We were still lying on the couch, and hadn't moved the entire hour. We were enjoying the quiet and calm of the atmosphere around us.

"How is Anna by the way? I bet she hates my guts" I spoke, breaking the silence that was not as awkward as I had been expecting

"She's good, much happier, and she doesn't hate you Rosalie, in a way she's glad it's all over and done with. She's glad Duke has moved on as she has" He seemed to confirm my previous thoughts. He knew something was going on, along with Anna.

"As long as she is happy. Are you both officially together again?" I asked

"No, it's always frowned upon when a human and Vampire are together, I don't want Anna to have to deal with the pressure after all she's been through" He sighed, obviously frustrated.

I remembered when Riley had told me about the anger Duke and Anna's relationship had caused.

"Have you ever discussed turning her?" I asked edging dangerously close into his personal life

"We have, but it's difficult because Duke wanted to do so too at one point, she adamantly refused, but slowly she's adjusting to the idea. It's the only choice we have after all" He explained, letting me in

"Would your father welcome her if she were turned?"

"I think so, he just doesn't want to see me lose her in the end, he knows it would destroy me" He continued

"Well, hopefully she'll come around to the idea and you can both live happily ever after" I smiled

"It'd be nice" He agreed sighing further into the comfort of the lounge when there was a knock on the door.

Darius was up instantly, pulling the door open to reveal a casual Duke leaning against the frame. I didn't move, only lifting my head backwards to watch them exchange shifts.

"See you tomorrow Rosalie" Darius nodded in my direction as he smiled warmly.

I watched upside down as Darius left and Duke stepped towards me, placing himself on the same couch Darius had been sitting on

"Afternoon" He greeted looking at me as he sat

"Morning" I replied jokingly as I kept my eyes trained on his face

"I see Darius is talking to you. Make friends did we?" He asked, his eyes diverting from me.

I had a feeling it made him uncomfortable that I was slowly befriending his brother.

I just nodded and watched his expression

"You okay?" I asked, breaking the heavy tension

"Yeah, fine" He lied as he looked towards the candles above the fireplace "Is it you or Darius that's scared of the dark?" He asked, nodding towards the light

"That would be me" I answered honestly as I returned my gaze to the fireplace

"How's everyone at home?" I asked, once again breaking the silence

"Home?" He repeated, surprised at my choice of wording

"You know what I mean" I narrowed my eyes

"They're fine, actually somewhat depressed that you're gone"

"I'll take that as a good thing" I smiled as we stared at each other through the flickering light of candles and fire

"Are you tired or hungry..?" He trailed off, breaking our gaze and looking elsewhere