Chapter 8: Come to me,
Sometime later in the night I was in my room getting ready for bed when I saw Caius coming towards my bedroom window. It dawned on me he had indeed created a message for me to invite me to be with him. Now he walked to me, tall, lean in his long dark coat, graceful as a violin solo slanting across the white snow.
Snowy crouched beside me, the moment I opened the window, she leaped out and vanished, washed out in the color of the snow.
''Wait, come back, ''I called softly fearing that she'll freeze in the night.
''Let her go, ''Caius said. ''Hunters must be allowed to have their sport as well as their comfort in a warm home.''
He smiled as I reached my hand out for him to take. ''My dear, get your coat and hat the temperature is too cold for just a nightgown. ''
I gasped out at my stupidity and went to the closet and pulled out my Maxie coat and buttoned it down. I grabbed my Gray hat from the bottom of the drawer of the wardrobe and went to Caius.
Caius was perched on the windowsill with his hands resting on his lap. His fingers were long and thin, his nails neatly cared for. I looked down at mine and discovered that they were uneven and chewed.
''Raina, tonight I have come to you by twilight and the moon is rising so come to me.''
''Yes, I whispered. ''I longed for this moment. ''
We looked into each other's eyes and held it there for some time. That owl out in the woods called again tonight three times. The spooky sound made me shiver but Caius turned his head as if the call were for him and him alone.
When the last echo faded away into the dark beyond. Caius reach for me. ''Come for a walk with me, Raina. It's such a lovely night to be with the one you love. ''
Quickly fearing he changed his mind if I dawdled any longer, I took his outstretched hand as he helped me climb through the window. I heard of girls bragging about sneaking outside with their boyfriends, but I never dreamed of doing it myself. I looked back once, except for the candles, the inn's windows were dark. But I was sure someone was watching us.
''What's the matter, my sweet? 'Caius said as he slid his arm around me shielding me from the wind. ''Is the night too cold for you?''
''I think we're being watched.''
Caius shook his head. ''The Inn is quiet, everyone is asleep. ''
''How do you know? '' I whispered.
''Because, I checked before I came to you. ''He said confidently.
So, hand in hand, we walked towards the ocean. I tried to match his step, but his stride was longer, he seemed to glide without effort through the snow.
When we reached the seashore, the wind whipped at our hair and I was pulled close into his arms. He opened his coat and gathered me into it. However, I expected to share the warmth of his body but there was nothing but my heat alone.
''Caius, you are so cold. ''I said in amazement.
''Yes, my darling but you are warm, and I can only offer my coat to shield you from the wind tonight. It should be sufficient.'' he explained.
I encircled his neck with my arms, amazed how brave I'd become. ''I do anything for you, go anywhere you want me to. ''I say softly into his ear.
He smiled and drew me closer. I felt his hand going to the back of my head as his lips connected with mine. Not a quick kiss like before but a real kiss full of passion, so wonderful. I want it to last forever.
Under the moonlight with the waves crashing against the shore we lingered holding on to one another.
''Oh, Raina how I wish for you. To love and to be loved in return. ''He said cradling me in his arms.
''I care for you so much; I do believe I'm falling in love with you. '' I confessed.
A sigh of relief waft through my hair from Caius. I was hoping he could feel it too. As if he could hear my thoughts, he picked me up bridal style and kissed me again with a hunger I have never known before.
He pulled back after a time when I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted him in ways that I wasn't experienced yet. I wanted to make Love.
As if picking up on this signal he grinned and said, ''Raina, we must return. ''
I clung to him afraid to fall but he held me firmly as if I weighed nothing at all. He didn't even seem to be breathing hard. There was no breath in the air just from me. But this small detail didn't deter me from hoping he would reconsider.
''Please, no, not yet, 'I begged. ''This is so wonderful with you; I want to stay frozen like this forever. ''
He chuckled. ''Frozen, huh. We'd better go, or you will be frozen soon. ''
My face fell in disappointment.
''Hey, we will return every night if you wish. I'm only thinking about your welfare.''
Caius kissed me once more and carried me up the path towards the inn. As he moved about the frozen path, his feet were sure, his stride never faltered. It was like I was floating in on air. I lay on his strong arms wanting nothing but his kisses. I feel like Juliette, I prayed for the gentle night would last forever.
After he helped me climb back into the window, Caius lingered outside still holding my hand in his.
''Promise to keep our meetings a secret, ''he whispered. ''If your father should find out I will be sent away. ''
''I'll never tell, ''I swore. ''I'd rather die than lose you, Caius. ''
''Oh, my sweet darling. ''He kissed me tenderly, then pull back all too soon waved goodbye. I watched him until I could no longer see him as he melted away in the darkness.
Long after he had gone, I watched through the window hoping he changed his mind and returned to me. Another kiss, another time to make Love to him is all I wanted. Finally, the cold air drove me away and I got under the covers for warmth. Huddling under the covers, I fell asleep with Caius's kiss on my mind.
I slept well into the afternoon. The following day, Cindy rapped on my door to get me up. As I came into the kitchen, she handed me a list. ''Robbie's on his way to town and I need some groceries. Could you ride along with him and pick up these things?''
I wasn't in the mood to do things today I just wanted Caius.
''I'm up to here in work and besides, it will do you good to get out and see the world. ''
''Fine.''
Reluctantly I followed her to the door where Rob was waiting for me. He saw me and smiled.
Pulling on my coat, I followed Rob outside. His old Chevy was parked next to Caius's Porsche.
''What a cool car, ''Rob said walking around it slowly, running his hands over the sleek body. Admiring it. ''Grandmother said Mr. Volturi drove something fancy. '
I peer to the car window, the cozy interior inviting. I pictured myself riding with Caius through the snowy countryside, swaying around the curves, listening to music, sitting together in each other's arms. Cuddling close in the seats as red as blood …Caius and me.
Before I climbed into the truck, I looked up at Caius's window. He was staring down at me, his face as was pale as the moon in the wintery Sky. When he saw me, he smiled then he drew the drapes closed.
''So that's him, huh? ''Rob said. ''He looks kind of posh to be in this sort of area. I heard grandmother said he keeps to himself all day and night.''
''Caius is a researcher and a writer. ''I say savoring the smile he gave me just now. ''Besides, he writes all day, if he is disturbed, he loses concentration. ''
Rob snorted. ''He sounds like a real prima Donna.''
''How can you say that?'' I say glaring at Rob. ''He's quiet and sensitive and highly intelligent. ''
''You know I was talking to Mikey and he doesn't like him at all. 'Rob said.
''You know you can't judge him by what Mikey says he gave him no chance and hated him from the start. ''
Rob grinned. ''Well he does do that from time to time. ''
''See, ''I say keeping my thoughts about my brother's behavior to myself. He would not agree with me that he was a little spoiled.
Rob forgot about Caius as we drove to town. He showed me around pointing at houses. He drove slowly showing me the old farms and horses, cattle, and other livestock. ''Aren't they beautiful, I love to draw animals. ''He said.
By the time we got to town, I was enjoying the tour so much that I was laughing along with Rob as he told me funny tales about school.
In the sunlight, the town looked even worse than at night. We stopped at the diner. Smaller shabbier stores were boarded up, posted with flyers of last summer's events. After we shopped for Cindy, Rob took me to the diner.
Anna greeted us and set us at a booth. ''I hear you have a guest a real looker too.''
''Yes, Caius is a writer. ''Rob said with sarcasm, ''you know the type temperamental. ''
Anna eyed him as if she didn't know what he meant. ''We got writers in the family, they didn't lock themselves up and only come out in the night. They were perfectly normal. ''
After Anna left to get us some coffee Rob grin at me but I did not return it. ''You need to stop making fun of Caius, ''I said.
The booth squeaked as Rob turned towards me, I was just kidding Raina don't be so sensitive like Caius. Why do you care about some old writer anyway? ''
''He's not old and he's my …friend. 'I say as I turn my coffee towards me as Anna set them down. What would Rob say if I told him my true feelings of how I felt about Caius. He'd even think I didn't know him very well. I bet he be like all the rest, stay away from him, he would say.
The time to confide in Rob had passed. I wanted Caius to trust me, so I remained silent about us. I gulped down the coffee grab my coat and followed him out to pay.
''Come back soon, ''Anna said as we left. ''The both of you. ''
Rob 's face went red; it was as if everyone assumed, I was dating Rob. We walked out of the diner without speaking. I hung back keeping a good distance from Rob. I was not going to be mistaken for Rob's girlfriend. Caius wouldn't like it.