Hello! This was a fun chapter, so it flowed pretty easily.

Its actually the longest chapter in the book, but it doesn't really feel that way to me.

Your thoughts? (Darling Bob would like to know.) :) :)

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Chapter 36 –Myrnin's POV– And No One Died?

What the hell?

I stood in front of the closet, confused by the odd assortment of styles of clothing. I slid shirt after shirt to the side, visually inspecting each one, hoping to find something suitable to wear.

A small moan stole my complete attention and I snapped my head around to look at Claire on the bed. She stretched and groggily opened her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry…did I wake you?" Releasing the hangers free from my grip, I turned to face Claire.

She ignored my question. "What time is it?"

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tapped the screen. "A little after 1:00 pm".

"Where did you get a cell phone?"

I shrugged, "I'll give her that – she's efficient."

Claire stared at me as she put the pieces together. "'She' can only mean one person. So, Amelie got you a phone and brought it back sometime during the night?"

I grinned, "Ten in the morning, hardly counts as last night, but yes."

"And you didn't fight anyone? And no one died?"

I rolled my eyes. "Thankfully, she sent over someone other than that buffoon, she kept for company last night. I think his name was Michael."

"Michael was here?!"

The alarm in her voice caused me to tilt my head inquisitively at her. "Yes….?" I drew out the word, waiting for her to explain.

"Oh…well. It's just that…He likes you, really he does…" she stuttered.

"And…?" I prodded.

"You might have tried to eat him…once or twice…" she said quickly, gauging my reaction.

"Yeah, that sounds like me." I laughed. "Is there anyone here that I haven't tried to kill," I asked off-handedly.

Claire stopped and struggled to come up with an answer. "Um…."

"Ha! Really?" I laughed again. "Brilliant! Everyone already knows me, then. Of course, it is a bit unnerving. I feel like I am having one of those dreams where I am walking around naked, while everyone else stares at me."

Claire blushed slightly.

"Are you picturing that now?" My smile widened. "You would know exactly what that looks like, wouldn't you," I purred, appreciating the way the blush deepened over her cheekbones.

She threw a pillow at me.

I was enjoying myself way too much to stop now. "I would be happy to show you the real thing…you know, to jog your memory," I said suggestively as I unbuttoned my shirt.

"Stop!" She looked a little out of breath. "No...We need to put clothes on and get to work…."

"Work can wait. First, we are going shopping."

"I'm sorry…what?!" She looked at me like I had three heads.

"Shopping…" I turned my attention back to the closet. "You can't possibly expect me to go out in any of this? I think I'd rather go naked."

"Really?" Claire looked at me with wide eyes.

I didn't want to upset her by saying anything negative about the man who filled this closet with non-sense clothing. Hell, Amelie's Court Jester and I would be a matching pair, if I wore anything I found in here. Instead, I quickly replied, "Yes. Now jump out of bed so we can go."

Claire slid the covers aside and crawled to the edge of the bed. She stopped and looked down under her lashes. "Myrnin…about last night…"

I walked over to her, letting my fingers graze gently across her cheek, and then leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the forehead and murmured, "Think nothing of it, love…"

I felt her body relax.

"Now…Let's figure out what you are going to wear." I spun around to the wardrobe and opened the top drawer. "Well…" I exclaimed with an over exaggerated growl, as I pulled out something frilly with lace "What have we here?"

Quicker than I expected, Claire jumped from the bed and grabbed the undergarment from my hands, stuffing it back into the drawer. She slid her body between myself and the wardrobe and stood her ground. "No…We are not going to play with my underwear."

Damn, she was hot when she was feisty. I might have to rile her up just so I can enjoy the show. Although, I had no idea how long it was going to take to win her love – and I wasn't sure walking around with a perpetual hard-on was my best idea either.

Alright, I'll give her that round. I stepped back with a smirk on my face. "Get dressed. I'll call Rhy," I said as I headed toward the kitchen.

Shortly after, she emerged from the bedroom freshly changed and ready to go. I rather enjoyed her choice of a crisp blue short skirt, white flowing top and sandals. She was pulling her hair into a ponytail when she stopped cold. "What happened?" she breathed, her eyes wandering around the pristinely cleaned and organized room. "Did you do this?"

I quirked an eyebrow at her. "The shock and awe are appreciated, but no. Like I said – efficient."

"Wow. And I slept through all of this?!"

"Like an angel," I exaggerated the word and grinned.

She ignored me and continued toward the refrigerator.

"Um...there have been some changes there too…" I tried to get the words out before she opened the door.

"What the hell?!" she said with a little shriek.

"Remember – efficient…!" I reminded her as she looked in the refrigerator, now fully stocked from top to bottom with blood.

She turned her head to me slowly. "I do know a thing or two about living with vampires. And this – this is not efficient. It's damn near creepy; is what it is. What…does she think you are a squirrel that needs to store up nuts for the winter?!"

"Well…" I started, a bit defensively, "I believe Michael mentioned something about making sure there was enough on hand to keep my 'appetite' under control."

Claire shook her head in disbelief. "Okay, it's decided – we are getting a second refrigerator. I am not keeping my orange juice in that middle of that blood bath."

Thankfully, we were both distracted by a knock at the door. "Come in," I called. Claire shot me a look of distress. I mouthed the word 'Rhysian' as he walked through the door.

She nodded and a warm smile spread across her face as she crossed the room to him. He gathered her in his arms and whispered against her hair, "Are you okay, Bebe?"

A low growl escaped my lips. Rhysian's eyes cut over to me. The look on my face must have conveyed my displeasure of seeing her in his arms because he quickly kissed her lightly on the forehead and stepped back.

The sound had been too low for Claire to hear. She smiled at Rhysian and assured him she was fine. Then turned to me, "Ready?"

"Definitely," I headed toward the door.

"Wait…my dagger! Where is it?!"

"I am going to be with you. Trust me, you will be safe." I assured her.

"No…" Tears formed in her eyes. "I…need it."

I struggled to understand the emotions flowing through her…panic, fear, loss. "Okay," I said quickly, trying to stabilize her suddenly out of control feelings. "We'll find it. I am sure it is close; we just have to look."

I looked over her head at Rhysian. He mouthed the words, 'It's her friend.'

All right – we'd have to iron out that little neurosis later; but for now, I just wanted to get the damn thing in her hands to calm her down.

We scattered in different directions searching.

"Here!" Rhysian called and handed it to Claire.

She turned away from both of us and swiftly slid it into the sheath on her thigh. Immediately, I felt her emotions steady. I exhaled in relief as we walked out the door.

The mall was uneventful. Thankfully, I found several suitable pieces of clothing. Mostly black pants and some dark jeans, along with slim-cut button down shirts; finished with dress shoes and a few pairs of boots. I wasn't pleased at having to wear 'last-year's' fashion – well I guess the last three year's fashion if I were counting – but it would do fine until I could locate a proper tailor.

I tried to get Claire's opinion but somehow couldn't convince her to go into the dressing room with me – something about not trusting my intentions. Of course, I wouldn't trust me either, so I couldn't very well fault her for that.

"Since we have blown off work completely today, I want to see Eve." Claire chimed; the exit doors in her sights. The sun was going down as we gathered in the vehicle and Rhysian gave the driver a swift command to head toward Common Grounds.

"Common Grounds?" I looked at Claire curiously.

"Eve works there. It's an ex-coffee shop, afflicted by an unfortunate fire and then reincarnated as a night club."

"Makes perfect sense." I commented. "This should be interesting…" Like everywhere else in the small town of Morganville, we arrived quickly to our destination. Claire tumbled out of the sedan and eagerly headed toward the door.

"Whoa there, Speedy Gonzales," I exited the car and caught up to her in a millisecond, holding her arm to stop her. "Before you hurtle yourself recklessly through the door, please let Rhy and myself go ahead of you – this place is crawling with vampires." I wrinkled my nose in distaste at the strong scent of numerous immortals.

She rolled her eyes at me, clearly annoyed at my caution.

"Just…humor me..." I asked her.

Claire waited impatiently for Rhysian and I to move ahead of her and then all three of us entered the building. I smirked and leaned over my shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Did you seriously just stamp your foot?"

Claire made a small 'humph' grunt and began to stalk off in a different direction. I spoke to Rhysian over her head, "Okay…so keeping her alive is a regular part of the job?"

He laughed, "You're a quick study."

"Fantastic. As if I didn't need to have more motivation not to kill people," I muttered wryly.

Claire wound her way through the crowd, when a small blur of black fish net stockings, combat boots and sparkles hurtled into her arms. "You bitch! Where have you been?!" The pint-sized Goth tornado squealed.

Rhysian's hand clamped down on my arm, as my muscles coiled to spring. He shook his head in warning to me as I struggled to slow down my natural instinct to protect Claire.

"Eve!" Claire hugged her tightly back.

Eve glanced over Claire's shoulder to me and stepped back. She appraised me up and down. "Wow…when dressed like that…he's hot," she said appreciatively.

Hmmm…maybe I could grow to like her. I smirked expectantly at Claire, waiting for her response.

She just shook her head and pulled Eve over to the bar. "I need a drink," she said loudly over the heavy bass of the music.

Eve nodded, "Mocha?"

"No. Vodka." Claire replied.

Eve's eyebrows shot up.

I took that to mean hard liquor wasn't Claire's normal drink; I watched curiously.

"Don't be judgy," she chastised Eve. Eve remained unmoved. "Okay…okay…add some orange juice to it," Claire muttered.

Eve still looked skeptical, but complied. "What's the…occasion?" Her glance flickered to me and back to Claire.

"No occasion. It's just a new day – a new me."

"And you?" Eve turned her attention to Rhysian.

"A beer, thanks."

She glanced to me, a question in her eyes.

"The same." I pulled a credit card out of my wallet and slid it across the counter to her.

Claire snatched it before it reached Eve. She inspected it and looked back to me, "She gave you a credit card? And it already has your name imprinted on it? How the hell does she do that?!"

I smirked and leaned in closely to her. "Efficient…," I whispered, my breath tickling her ear. She shivered and I felt her heartrate pick up at my nearness.

"Okay…," Eve interjected, skimming the drink over to Claire and plucking the card from her hands. "So, tell me about this new you."

Claire looked to Rhysian and me, "Shoo…this is girl talk. Go find something 'boy' to do."

"Of course, Bebe'. We'll play a game of pool while you chat." He grasped my arm tightly and pulled. I stood my ground. He assured me, in a tone too low for them to hear, "She won't be out of your sight." I let him guide me to a nearby pool table.

I settled onto a tall stool, and took a drink of the beer to sooth the burn in my throat – never taking my eyes off of Claire.

Rhysian racked the balls and waited.

"At least, pretend like you are playing pool…" Rhysian scolded me after a minute. "The love-sick puppy routine might be just a touch over the top."

I shot him a look. "I don't have to look at the balls to beat you."

His eyes lit up, "Bring it on…pup."

We played, but I was still listening to the conversation Claire was having with Eve. Claire leaned forward and spoke in Eve's ear. I wondered if she did that because of the music or if she thought I wouldn't be able to hear her that way. Surely, she would know better than that, I thought.

"Think of it like this," Claire spoke. "Picture him handing you a blue marble. Inside of that marble contains all of the memories you have of him.

"Okay…" Eve's eyes held doubt in Claire's ability to make sense of any of this.

"Now, a different version of him is here. He doesn't know about the blue marble or even that he handed to you. All he is doing right now is handing you a red marble, full of all new memories made up of the interaction you have now," Claire finished.

"So, you are saying he has lost all of his marbles?" Eve smirked mischievously.

I grinned. I might actually like Goth Barbie.

Claire laughed, "Yeah, I guess so. For him, he only remembers the red, but you remember both the blue and the red. And my Myrnin remembers both the blue and the red."

My expression turned dark when Claire mentioned 'her' Myrnin. I didn't like her possessiveness about someone else or that he was 'listening' in to all of my interaction with her. Shit, what was I thinking – I was talking about myself. I had to stop – it was giving me a schizophrenic headache.

"So…?" Eve prodded her, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Are you together then?"

"What? No…we are not dating." Claire replied.

I frowned.

Eve gave her a slight eye roll and said with exaggeration, "Oh, of course. You are only living together. AND you've seen him naked. How could I possibly think you are dating?"

"It isn't like that," Claire insisted. "He doesn't even know me…" Her eyes fell and pain radiated from her.

I tightened my grip on the pool cue. I would have to change her mind – convince her, that my love for her, is because I do know her. A loud crack sounded and I felt hot liquid trickle from my hand. I looked down in confusion and found that I had snapped the pool cue in half. The trail of blood dried up as quickly as it started, as my body healed.

Rhysian was in my face in an instant. "You need to calm down."

"I am calm," I hissed.

"Clearly," He rolled his eyes and relaxed his chest, but he still didn't move out of my space. "I can hear her too. You need to give her some time…to process this."

"Time," I said bitterly. "Isn't that what got us into this mess in the first place?"

Rhysian's hand shot out and grabbed my shirt, jerking me to him, "You think your being together is a mess? A mistake?!" he growled at me in anger. "Because if you do, then you need to leave right now and let her get over you once and for all – because I have seen her cry way too many tears on your behalf!"

I shoved him off of me and then advanced toward him again, "And exactly who are you, to tell me what I should or should not do?" I spoke lethally; my eyes gleaming red.

"Who am I?! I am her family – her only family!" he spat. "Want to know why, Loverboy? Because once she followed you through a time portal, she went missing for two years and her entire family assumed you killed her."

"From what I hear, her memorial service was quite lovely – you know, grieving mother and father – broken because their baby girl was dead!" his voice dripped with sarcastic fury.

"And if that were not enough; she finally returned, but denied herself her own family! She refused to let them know she is alive – because she was 100% willing to really die, if that's what it took to find you – and she won't put them through the pain of losing her again!"

Rhysian shoved me backward. "That is who I am," he said in disgust. "And I'll be damned before I let you hurt her again."

I was stunned. "I didn't know…" I whispered.

"That's the point. You don't know her. I suggest you stop thinking of this as a mess and get started!" he hissed fiercely.

I heard Claire's soft heartbeat come up behind me. "What's going on?" she asked suspiciously.

I spun around to face her, turning my back to Rhysian. He grabbed me in a bear hug, smacking me hard against the chest with his fist, "Oh….it's nothing." He smiled smoothly at Claire, "He's just a sore loser. Isn't that right?" he asked me, squeezing tighter. I didn't miss his deadly tone under the fake light-heartedness for Claire's sake.

Claire looked at me confused.

I pulled myself together and shook off Rhysian's arm, "Yeah. No worries. We just finished. Are you ready to go?"

She nodded. I could tell she still didn't fully believe our story but she let it go.

"You kids go ahead without me," Rhysian continued. "I have some Amelie matters I need to attend to. And it will give you more time to get to know each other," he said pointedly.

"Oh…okay…are you sure?" Claire asked him as she stepped around me to hug him goodbye.

He gathered her in his arms. He looked up at me as he held her possessively, and made no move to release her this time, as I glared at him. His eyes flashed a crimson warning to me and then he slowly let her go, with a swift peck to her cheek.

I could feel her body completely relax under his touch and I choked down the growl of jealousy that threatened to release from my lips.

"Bye," Claire told Rhysian; a content smile on her lips as she followed me out to the car. Her back barely touched the seat before I began with the questions. From her favorite books and movies to her childhood dreams and fears, Claire openly answered all of them.

We walked through the door of the lab. I was enjoying a story about a stuffed unicorn she won when she was twelve. "It was almost as big as I was," she laughed at the memory.

"Somehow, I can actually picture you determinedly attacking the game – not much stops you, does it?" I asked her.

She grinned, pleased by my approval. "Yeah, my dad bet me I couldn't do it…" Her face fell as she let the sentence drift off.

"About that," I took her hand gently and guided her to the couch. "Rhysian told me…about your family…"

Tears trickled down her face. I reached my fingertip to gently smooth them away. "It doesn't have to be that way anymore. I'm here now and we're together…I'm not going anywhere. You can have them back in your life." I comforted her softly.

"It's…too soon. I'm not ready for that. And how could I ever justify coming back and letting them still think I was dead for the past six months? They would be so hurt," Claire whispered, dropping her head to my shoulder.

I shifted so she could lean back against my chest. "Okay, while we are already tackling the hard questions, tell me about the dagger…"

I waited while she was silent.

"It's okay," I promised her, "whatever, it is…"

She sighed and closed her eyes, while she brought her knee up, so she could carefully extracted the dagger from her thigh. She twirled it in her hand effortlessly while her eyes remained closed.

"Impressive," I nodded in appreciation for her skill.

She opened her eyes. "It's…my friend," she spoke barely above a whisper. I could sense her embarrassment.

Not quite sure how to respond, I replied gently, "Does it have a name…?"

A short bubble of laughter escaped her throat, "That's funny."

I grinned sheepishly. "How the hell was I supposed to know? All of my friends have names," I told her playfully justifying my question; relieved that the tension was broken.

"No, it doesn't have a name. Maybe 'companion' is a better word. I just need it near me. It gives me comfort – it started out as reminder of you. And then it became more than that – it was also a reminder of me. It was the only 'constant' thing I carried between both of our worlds. A part of my identity."

She let the silence surround us for a moment. I waited without speaking because I knew there was more.

She sighed again. "And then, it became a…promise. A promise to relieve my pain if it ever became too much." She cringed at the memories.

The pain, of picturing her ending her own life, suffocated me and I desperately sought to ease the tension again. I reached inside my shirt and pulled out a chain. She turned her head to follow my movement.

"I understand," I murmured quietly. "I had this made shortly after I met you and haven't taken it off since."

"Oh," she breathed as she held the gold ring at the end of the chain.

"It is an exact replica of my mother's ring. Not in silver, of course. But it reminded me of you – of the future us."

She twisted slightly in my arms to look at me. "Could I see it?" she looked worried at my response.

"Of course," I told her as I pulled the chain over my head and handed it to her. I would like nothing more than for her to claim it as her own.

She undid the clasp and slid the ring free. She held it closely inspecting all of the details carefully.

I smiled, "Did I get it right?"

"So far…," she said softly as she turned it, and then slipped it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. "Yes," she whispered.

I couldn't breathe. Watching her face as she put on my ring, made me come undone. To hell with getting to know each other; it took every last ounce of strength I had, not to flip our bodies over and take her right then. I didn't trust myself to speak. My brain refused to think around the blood throbbing in my nether region. Claire shifted slightly against me. Shit, no...

"Don't move…" I whispered hoarsely.

Claire looked up at me, surprised by the change in my tone and the warning.

I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

"Oh," she breathed, her pulse picking up. She understood and held perfectly still.

"Just give me a minute," I said between clenched teeth. After a short time, I exhaled slowly.

"Better?" she whispered.

"Better," I sighed with my eyes still shut. Another moment went by. "Is it okay for me to ask you where the other ring is?" I wondered out loud. I couldn't see her face, but I thought it might be easier for her to answer without me looking at her. It sure as hell was going to be easier for me, this way.

"Oh…" I felt pain course through her. "It's in the bedroom…"

"Do you want to talk more about it," I murmured.

"No," she sighed and laid her head on my chest.

"You know you can keep this one if you want it." I didn't dare open my eyes now.

"I know…" she said softly.

I took inventory of her emotions, to see how she really felt about what I had just offered her. She was steady. Calm. Not exactly the joy I would want her to feel, in the future when we really did make that transaction, but no negative feelings either – I would take that for now.

Claire carefully strung the ring back onto the chain. "Is it safe to move now?" she asked with an obvious smile in her voice.

"Yes." I felt her arms come up and lifted my head to meet her, so she could wind the chain back around my neck.

We continued our question-answer session well into the night, until exhaustion finally overtook her and she fell asleep on my chest. I closed my eyes and let myself dream.

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I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! I am finding 1409 Myrnin fun to write. It's ironic because it was so unexpected - I really struggled when I began with him. Odd how things work out sometimes. :) :)

Review, review, review...box...below...love, Darling Bob.