Katie lay with her head on Alexis’s chest and her leg wrapped around her. They had been lying in quiet contemplation for a while now. Alexis was calm now that she had fed on her. Katie was so happy to have her lover back and trusting her. She had to find a way to bring up the question of transition without upsetting Alexis.

“Alex?”

“Mmm?”

“I’ve been thinking about something since we argued in your room.” Katie pushed herself up on her elbow. “I just want you to know I understand how hard it is for you to be in a relationship like this, with a human.”

Alexis sighed. “I tried to stay away from you, but it was too late for my heart.”

“I know it upsets you, but I do think we should talk about me transitioning.”

Alexis sighed again. “Katie, let’s not ruin the moment.”

“I’m not, and don’t get upset. I just want to talk about it in a calm and adult way,” Katie said.

“If you must.”

Katie had gotten past the first hurdle. “Okay, well, you thought I didn’t take the change seriously enough, and I probably didn’t. I’m sorry for hurting your wrist, by the way.” Katie lifted Alexis’s hand and kissed the now healed wrist.

“Don’t worry about it,” Alexis said.

“What if I thought it through and showed you I was serious about this?”

Alexis took her hand. “I know your heart is in the right place, but if this is something you want to do, I’d need to be sure. Otherwise I’d always feel selfish for allowing you to do it.”

“Okay, fine, but I want you to promise we’ll talk about this in a few months’ time. I’m going to prove to you I’m serious. I love you, and I don’t want us both to be in such pain leaving each other. Promise we’ll talk about it in a few months’ time?” Katie said.

“Six months. I promise, if you think about what you’d be losing very carefully,” Alexis said.

“Okay, deal,” Katie said quickly.

That was as good a deal as she was going to get. She rolled on top of Alexis and grinned. “Now I’m going to show you how much I want to spend forever with you.”

Chapter Nineteen

Byron wrapped her arm around Amelia’s waist as they were gathered around her parents’ grave. She saw the other attendees from the church look at her in disdain. It had been quite an experience for the church members to have Byron, dressed in a man’s suit, and Jaunty and Simon in their church. She could only imagine what they would think if they knew she was not only gender nonconforming but a vampire.