The Vampire King ✔

■ THIRTY- TWO ■

■ THIRTY-TWO ■

The Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport was bustling and Mekhi kept a hand at the small of my back.

Neither of us had spoken to each other since the argument we had two days ago. The only reason we'd left the UK was because Mekhi wanted to get to Rome as soon as possible.

It was inpossible for me to understand the Italian language but I listened to Mekhi speak to them as if he'd been born and bred here.

"Scusi signore, puoi darmi le indicazioni per Radisson Blu es." Mekhi said quickly.

I didn't understand a damn thing. Turning my head, I looked around at the people who walked in and out of the doors to the Airport. Americans, Australians, a Canadian man, I assumed due to him wearing the Canadian flag on his hat and Italians all seemed to mingle and not mind each other as they went on with their day.

The Italian man Mekhi had stopped, was gesturing wildly and speaking in the foreign tongue that only Mekhi understood.

"L'Hotel è a circa 27 minuti via Uber," the man was saying.

Mekhi seemed to nod. "Grazie mille per il tuo aiuto" Mekhi said.

I stared down at my hands while the man smiled and walked away. "The Hotel is half an hour away, I'm calling up an uber" Mekhi said, pulling a phone out of his back pocket.

It was the first words spoken between us in a while and I almost believed he wasn't talking to me. I glanced around and saw a man clad in a black suit walk towards us. "Uh Mekhi, problem" I said quickly, causing the vanpire to look up.

He held a hand out to stop the stranger. "What's your business?" Mekhi asked calmly.

"Posso capire l'inglese, ma scommetto che tua moglie non capisce l'italiano, quindi parlerò nella mia lingua madre, la mia signora mi ha mandato a vederti al sicuro, insiste" the man said, speaking Italian.

I looked at Mekhi for any recognition of a threat.

"Non è mia moglie, non ancora, comunque, non ho informato la tua signora che sarei qui, come hai conosciuto questa informazione privata?" Mekhi said, sounding firm.

I was completely lost.

"La Madonna sa di qualsiasi Vampiro che faccia un passo nel suo paese, vieni ora  the man said, gesturing with his head.

Mekhi sighed. "We're going with this man, say nothing" Mekhi said to me quietly.

"What's going on?" I asked confused.

"The Lady of Rome has sensed our arrival and has requested our presence" Mekhi said carefully, walking beside me placing a hand at the small of my back.

"The Lady of Rome?" I asked confused.

"If I were still King, she would be my equal, but she remains in Rome," Mekhi replied.

The black suited man walked us out to a black limousine and opened the door. "Well kudos to her for representing us women in a place of power," I muttered.

I climbed into the limo and Mekhi followed me. "Allow me to do the talking, she's rather posh and very articulate about her speech and expects others to be as well," he replied.

I glanced at him. "Are you saying I am not articulate?" I asked, frowning.

Mekhi didn't reply, just shifted as the limo pulled away from the airport. My fingers tapped my crossed legs as I gazed out the window. We came to Italy to get away from wolves, but I never asked what the hell we were going to do when we got here.

Did he expect us to live together?

Mekhi had told me how he felt, and what he wanted but it wasn't so easy to admit anything on my part. I wish I had the balls to just outright say what I felt about him.

Even thought we'd hardly spoken on the plane, he had small gestures that resassured me I was still his number one concern. While I pretended to be asleep, I felt his fingers entwine with mine and then I would shift and suddenly his touch was gone. But those were small things, and yes while the small things matter, I had no idea how I was going to show him how I felt.

He knew it. He knew how I felt, he'd seen it in my thoughts but he wanted me to say those words out loud and I was struggling to admit I had fallen for someone, let alone an ex vampire King.

As bustling cars rolled by, my eyes shifted to the man who had saved me from my father. "Mekhi," I said gently.

He didn't meet my eyes, just inclined his head to show he was listening. "Whatever happens, I want you to know something," I trailed off.

Finally, he looked at me. His silver eyes studying my blue ones like frost meeting water. Mekhi still didn't speak. "I just wanted you to know that I don't regret anything," I said casually.

His eyes softened. "Than why can't you tell me how you feel?" He asked, his fingers reaching up to caress my cheek.

"Because I know if I say it out loud, I can't take it back," I replied, hoping he'd understand.

Instead, he gripped my chin lightly. "I've been waiting centuries for you and you don't even want to admit you love me," he said carefully and gaurded.

I couldn't help but bite my lip. "I'm sorry, Mekhi" I said slowly.

He blinked slowly as if he was squashing down the pain. "Not the words I want to hear" he replied, letting me go.

I watched him close down from me and slide across the seat a little, away from me. I knew he did it for his benefit but I couldn't help but be hurt by the action. Why couldn't I just say the god damn words?

Was it because I was so just to loving something and then leaving? My dad, my mother and her health, my work and my ex, they'd all made me love them and then they damaged me.

I didn't want to ruin whatever it is Mekhi and I have or had. "I love you," I said suddenly said, almost blurting them out.

Mekhi's head snapped towards me, his eyes wide. I took a deep breath, realising what I had just done.

"Celene," he trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"It's okay, I know I'm hurting you but I guess I should just admit it and stop being a little bitch about it," I replied, lifting a hand and running it through my hair.

"Celene," he said, making me look at him.

His face was soft, a small smile on his lips. "I love you, forever" he said, reaching out his hand.

I knew what it meant. This was the question. Did you want to stay with me forever or did you want to leave and we'll bury the past.

Lifting my hand, I reached out and took his hand.

A/N

FINALLY AN UPDATE!
I'm super sorry guys!

I've been super busy with work training and I've been volunteering my efforts for my fathers work. And it's been so tiring!

But I shall be back to full strength soon.
What did you think of the chapter?

Celene finally admits she loves Mekhi, aye. Good on her.

Don't forget to vote and comment!
Lots of love, tavana xoxoxo and as always, stay awesome bros!