DESIRE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

THEODORE COHEN

Promises. To promise something. To someone you love or care about so dearly. It devastated me to hear more of Winter's past which she so badly wanted to forget. I didn't blame her. I couldn't. Because I craved to escape and forget mine just as much as she did. I cringed at the thought of my own past. All the things I had done to innocent people. I regretted it, but I would have to live with what I had done because there was no escape.

Winter slept peacefully beside me. I caressed her cheek, but she didn't wake at my touch. She really was a heavy sleeper. How could someone look this beautiful while being asleep? I tried again, and this time she stirred slightly but didn't wake.

My lips tugged up at the sight, but it slowly faded as Winter started to move again, but violently this time. I frowned as Winter twisted and turned. Her body was moving on its own, and small whimpers escaped her lips. It was like something possessed her.

"Hey, Winter. It's just a nightmare." I was desperate in waking her up, and suddenly Winter's eyes shot open. She sat up straight and took her head in her hands, and I could hear her pant quietly. I moved, so I sat beside her "Calm down, Love. It was just a bad dream." I said as I drew small circles on her back. Taking a deep breath Winter spoke up, her voice was shaking with fright.

"H-His face- I-"

"Whose face, Winter?" I asked in worry. Winter shook her head as if she didn't want to answer, and I didn't want to push her into telling me.

"Dimitri..." She murmured, and I felt myself stiffen. She could recall everything, of course, it shocked her "I can't stop thinking about how he touched me, bit me... He strangled me too. You were right, Nadora, and I got separated." Winter finally looked up at me. I couldn't read her expression.

"Did he separate you?" I asked as I tried to keep calm in this situation, but I couldn't. The sense of guilt had never disappeared since the day I found Winter in the kitchen. I could have stopped Dimitri, and I should have.

A mixture of a weak nod and a shaking head came from Winter as she answered me "Sort of," She started, and I frowned "I was the one who got us separated. I mean, I walked away because they started... kissing, and I felt uncomfortable."

I could easily hear Winter still had certain trouble about Nadora's death, again, I couldn't blame her. Even though Nadora slapped me, she had always looked out for Winter. Plus, she got protective to a certain level, and to be honest, I appreciated her for it.

"I didn't know for how long, I was in the kitchen before Dimitri suddenly showed up." Winter's voice appeared shaking as she spoke again. Taking her hands, I squeezed them comfortingly as I wanted her to pursue. Sighing slowly, Winter did "He mentioned you, actually."

"What did he say?" I replied while taking a sharp intake of air. What did he tell her? It could be anything. That he and I used to go to bars and persuade women to follow us back to the hotel where we would kill them? I had to admit that sentence got me nervous.

"He just told me, after he had killed me. He would stake you," Winter let out a shaky breath as the words had left her mouth "After that, everything is pretty much a blur,"

"It's okay. He's not going to find us here." Winter gave me a small smile in return, but I could tell it didn't reach her eyes "I know, you're uncomfortable, knowing, he's still out there, and I'm sorry for that." Suddenly her whole posture and features turned into confusion.

"Why are you sorry? You're not the reason for his behaviour," I sighed at her statement. I knew I wasn't, but something in me wanted to take the blame.

"Do you remember when I was gone for a week?" I asked, already knowing that Winter would remember precisely, what I was talking about. She nodded, looking at me with emotions, I couldn't recognise "That was because Dimitri came back. I confronted him. I could have stopped him at the time, but I didn't. I regret that day so much, if I just... killed him, then you wouldn't-"

"As I said before, don't be too hard on yourself, Theo." I could tell Winter was slightly frustrated with me "How could that even take a whole week?" Winter then asked with a frown, taking me by surprise as her tone was colder than before.

"Dimitri is one who doesn't want to be found. You don't get a say in where or when he appears. So, you must understand that it took quite some time before I could figure out his hiding spot,"

"That makes sense," She answered with a sigh "I'm sorry. I've been so annoying about all the questions. I'm surprised that you haven't gotten rid of me yet," Winter let out a flat chuckle in the end, and I knew she spoke in somewhat a serious tone.

Saying nothing, I leaned in and kissed her. I was gentle with the way I touched her since I didn't want her to get a flashback again. I grabbed Winter's face gently as I deepened it. God; I loved her lips. They were always so soft, and I loved the sensation of when they were on mine.

"You're stupid for even thinking, that I'm ever going to get rid of you, Winter Bray." I murmured against her lips after pulling back. Winter blushed and tried to look away, but I held my grip on her jaw "Don't look away, it's so lovely to see you blush." I said with a chuckle.

"You are strangely strange, Theo Cohen," Winter said shyly grinning at me, and I raised an eyebrow.

"I can only say the same thing about you," Winter made a face, and I chuckled.

Walking out of the bedroom together, both Winter and I grabbed a small breakfast "Are you going to teach me some other stuff?" Winter's delicate voice filled the room. Sitting patiently in her seat, she waited for an answer.

"What other stuff, Sweetheart?" I asked, peering into her beautiful, brown eyes.

"You know... vampire stuff" Winter answered, suddenly looking shy. I smirked at her sudden change of posture "Why are you looking at me like that?" She moved uncomfortably in her seat while looking at her hands.

It took a split second before I had pushed Winter out of her seat and up against the wall. She let out a frightened scream and groan by my sudden movements "You scared the shi-" I kissed her hard, and she let out a 'Umhf' sound.

"First lesson-" I said right after pulling back, grinning "-running" Winter's eyes were wide like I had grown two heads.

"But you didn't even run. It was like when we were at the library. Suddenly, you were gone," Curiosity and confusion laced Winter's features as she spoke, and my grin widened.

"Get ready, then I'll show you how." After that, we went our separate ways to get ready. Since we were going to practise outside, I grabbed a sweatshirt. Even though I could keep myself warm, I still liked a comfortable sweatshirt.

Walking out fully dressed, Winter sat on the couch once again. She was fast "Are you ready?" I asked quietly. She nodded as she stood up from the couch. Putting my hand on her lower back, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips "You look absolutely lovely." Winter blushed a deep, dark shade of red.

"You look lovely too." She muttered, looking at her hands. Kissing her forehead sweetly, we went outside to the glistering snow.

"It's weird," Winter started as she caught my attention "The weather. One day it's raining, and the next we're surrounded by the whitest, glistering snow,"

"The world is full of surprises," I replied as I stepped forward, further into the snow. I gestured for Winter to follow which she did. Standing in the middle, surrounded by snow, I slowly made my way behind Winter's small figure.

"See that tree over there?" I pointed while muttering into Winter's ear, I felt her shiver "You are going to run over there, just like I ran before,"

"But how?" Winter asked as she glanced back at me.

"It's all about focus and speed." I started as I planted a kiss on her neck. Winter took a small intake of breath, and I smirked. She didn't focus at all "Now, focus on the spot where you want to go, and run. Fast." I stepped back and waited for Winter to give it a try. She glanced back at me in uncertainty, but I gave her a reassuring smile. I saw how she took a deep breath before running off. It looked to be going well, or that was before I heard a loud thud, and Winter was laying in the snow.

Slowly retreating her head from the cold snow, she looked up at me, and then she burst out laughing "That was amazing!" She yelled as she laughed harder "It was like flying! I could feel the earth move underneath my feet, so fast!" I shook my head with a smile. Of course, she didn't care if she got hurt or not.

"You might want to look forward, instead of at your feet," I said chuckling as I approached her.

"I was!" Winter defended, but I could see the small blush closing in on her. She was embarrassed. I c****d a brow, and she lowered her head a little " Or maybe, I took a small glance at my feet..." I smiled knowingly down at her.

"I really like seeing you smile," Winter said warmingly as she looked up at me again.

"It's all because of you, Love," I answered as I took her by the hand, and helped her up from the ground. She was soaked from the snow which had melted underneath her. Her hair was also filled with snow, but Winter didn't take a notice "Give it another go-" I gestured softly to the whole area "-and this time, don't look at your feet." I teased, and Winter smacked my arm while getting ready to run again.