The vampire and the mistress

Chapter 8

As we worked our way through the crowd, laughing and talking, Xander led me towards a stall. I couldn't see what stall he was taking me to because of all the people that were around.

"Wait here a minute for me." Xander disappeared out of my view into a crowd. I stood looking around, watching people again, when a woman in a black dress walked up to me with a basket on her arm.

"Excuse me." She began. "I was just drawn to you."

I knew that there were people who walked around pretending to be fortune tellers and did it just for the money.

"Oh, I don't have any money. I'm just waiting for my boyfriend." I told her.

"I don't want your money." She told me very sharply as she went into her basket and pulled out a little metal charm that was in the shape of a butterfly. "You're looking for answers." She told me as I looked up at her and noticed the way she looked at me with icy blue eyes. "Things are getting in your way while you're trying to find out the answers."

"How did you know?" I was a little breathless as I was scared by this woman.

"As I said, I was drawn to you, Rosa Crowe, mate of Lord Xander Akako." She took my hand, put the charm in my hand, and wrapped my fingers tightly around it. "When you're ready for answers, talk to Dorian and show him that. He will know what to do." She turned her head away from me, dipped her head towards me, and then left, leaving me standing with my coffee in one hand and the charm in the other with my fingers wrapped around it.

I looked up to see Xander coming towards me, so I put the charm into my pocket and then put my hand down.

"Rosa." I looked up and laughed a little as I noticed him with a bunch of flowers.

"You didn't have to." I told him quietly.

"I did; I had to apologise for last night and being away for a week and for dragging up things." He leaned down and kissed me.

"Thank you." I told him softly as I finished my coffee, threw the cup away in a bin, and held his hand as I carried the flowers in my other hand and held on to his hand. "Where to now?" I asked, looking up at him, as I just appreciated our free time together.

"I think food for you." Xander grinned. "Anywhere you'd like to go?" He asked.

"I know." I told him with a soft smile as I tiptoed up a little to figure out where we were and then began to lead him to the other side of the street and down a side street. "I'm feeling a little sentimental tonight." I laughed softly as I found the pizza place my Dad and I had eaten at.

"You really do miss him, don't you?" Xander asked lightly.

"I do." I answered lightly. "Wait out here." I told him seeing how busy it was inside, Xander took the flowers from me, and I headed inside as I waited in the queue and let my mind wonder a little. I looked over at the table, which was the last place I'd sat with my Dad.

I know things aren't great, Rosa, and I know you're having a tough time at the moment with growing up and with your sister and mum, but regardless of what she says, I will always love you, and I want you to know that. I also want you to know you can come to me about anything you need baby, because I'm your Dad.

I felt the tears beginning to well up, and I turned and walked out the door. I went and walked into Xander's arms, as he had them held open to me. I put my head on his chest and closed my eyes as I could feel the tears beginning to roll down my face.

"It's ok sweetie. Do you want to get something to eat somewhere else?" He whispered.

"I just want to go home now." It wasn't that I wasn't grateful to Xander for tonight; it was just that it was all too much.

"Then let's get something for you to eat on the way home." Xander lifted my head up, looked at me, and kissed me. "I love you, Rosa." He told me softly.

"I love you too." I unwrapped myself from him and took his hand. We walked in silence together down the street. Xander didn't lead us through the market again; he led us all the way back to the car via the back streets that were less busy. When we got back, I got into the car and moved next to Xander; he put his arm around me as I curled up next to him. This was what I loved most about Xander. He always knew what I needed and when I needed it.

"What would you like to do the rest of today?" Xander's voice was soft.

"Is it too late to take back my answer to your question about whether I will go back to bed with you?" I felt Xander's chest rise and fall as he laughed.

"No, it's not too late to take that back. Your always welcome in my bed you should know that."