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“That’s a good point; vampires can be territorial. I wouldn’t want to put the cove in danger,” he said, and she didn’t want him to worry about that right now.
“There’s something else. Miranda still has your ring and the plaque from the coffin because she had an idea about how we could get your family to come to you instead of the other way round and without putting you in danger.”
“How?”
“She would list your possessions on an antique website for magical artifacts, with your family name attached. Anyone looking for any trace of you would be alerted. Antique dealers all over the world visit the site. I’m sure your family, or a member of the Blackwater clan, would want to bid on and bring home your belongings,” Aerin said. “Miranda could make it part of the sale that the buyer would have to come in person to collect them. I told Miranda that I’d have to talk to you first before she listed them.”
“I want to list the plaque and signet ring.” Gideon closed the book. “I want to know if my siblings are still alive, and if someone from the Blackwater clan reaches out, it’ll be the easiest way to find out with any risk.”
“I’ll text Miranda, and she’ll have them listed before the end of the day. I’m sure it won’t be long before we hear,” she said. “And I’ll call the inn to see if they have any vacancy.” She took his silence on the topic of staying as her answer.
“We might have found out who I am, but you still promised to help me find what happened to my ship and my crew,” he said, putting the book back in her bag. “I should stay with you so you don’t try to squirm out of our deal.”
“Is that the only reason you want to stay?” she asked, afraid he’d changed his mind about her.
“I think you’re right.” Gideon stared out at the ocean.
About what?”
“That I should act more like a vampire and less like a gentleman.” Using his strength and speed, he pulled her so quickly to his side that her head spun, making her giggle. He silenced her laughter with a kiss.
“Does this mean you wish to stay with me, even though I lied to you?” She never thought she would be begging him to stay.
“Neither of us is perfect. Besides, you hesitated. I wouldn’t even call it a lie. It’ll take more than that to scare me off,” he said. “In fact, I’m happy you kept it from me, because it tells me that you really don’t want me to go, even before I asked you to be mine.”
“Maybe I should make that reservation at the inn.” She nudged him playfully as he grinned, not wanting him to get a big head.
“You can’t do that! What if I turn into a bloodthirsty vampire when I get my memories back?” He pouted. “I’d better stay with you for the good of the cove.”
“Fine, I’ll allow it,” she said, “but know I’ve been keeping a stake under my bed, just in case.”
“How heartwarming.” He chuckled, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Even if he was joking about becoming a bloodthirsty vampire, she hadn’t realized that his memories might not have returned because he was afraid of what he might discover. Whatever his past, she only cared about his present. As he said, neither of them was perfect, and it’s the future that mattered.
“The harbor does look beautiful from up here with the town all lit up.” Gideon sighed. “Maybe it’s a good thing I can’t remember the wreck because when I see all the docked boats, my fingers itch to get back to sea, that might not be the case when I get my memories back.”
“It’s a pity you didn’t get to see the Tempest on the water this morning. Seeing a ship similar to what you would’ve journeyed on might have triggered a memory.”
“The tempest?” he asked.
“A magnificently frightening ghost ship, a three-mast warship crewed by its dead crew. You’ll be able to see the frigate in the Maritime Museum,” she said, hoping the souls onboard would find peace someday.
“I’d love to see it in the museum. Once we finish decorating the house, we sneak in, and you can give me a private tour before we check out the records,” Gideon said, no longer in such a rush.
She pressed her lips tightly together to stop herself from beaming. Clearly, he was as reluctant to leave as she was to have him leave if he was prioritizing getting the house ready for the festival over retrieving his memories.
“Breaking and entering with you sounds like a great date night, but I’m afraid you’ll just have to settle for being my date.” Aerin removed the invitation from her pocket. “I’ve been invited to a masquerade at the Maritime Museum next week, which gives us the perfect excuse to get into the records after hours, and I have a plus one.”
“This is perfect, but won’t they notice if we disappear to go snooping in the records?” he asked hesitantly.
“They might be suspicious of my sudden acceptance, but I recently saved a ship of goods and the company wants to make a donation to the museum in my name, so I’m being honored with an award for service to the cove,” she said, not wanting to be praised in public. She didn’t like being framed as the hero, as though Kennie was some villain.
“As delighted as I am to hear you’re being honored for your dedication to saving lives, if you’re being awarded, won’t that make it impossible to get away?” he asked, kissing the top of her head. The small gesture made her giddy.
“I’m not worried about that, because the other guests will be distracted by my charming date. They’ll want to know everything about this new, mysterious vampire coming to town and how he came to date the cove’s reclusive siren,” Aerin said, hoping he’d survive the grilling.
“A lady asking me on a date? It would be my honor,” he teased as though he hadn’t heard the rest of her important plan. “If only I had waited twenty-four hours, you’d have been the one asking to court me.”
“I wonder if Kenny has a taste for vampires?” Aerin warned, trying to wriggle from his hold. “How about we find out?” She peered over the edge of the cliff, and he distracted her by planting a kiss on her neck, quickening her pulse.
