And she does. A long, slow, sweet kiss that stirs him, making him wish the room were not so very cold, and their clothes not so very thick and plentiful. When she speaks again she lowers her gaze, uncertainty in her voice.

“I … I thought you might be repulsed. Revolted. By what I do. By what I am. Or afraid, perhaps.”

He shakes his head. “I love you, Lilith. I love you, in all your wonderful strangeness.” He hesitates before going on, then says, “But you were afraid, I think. Earlier. Something terrified you. Won’t you tell me what it was?”

“Not today. Not yet. I don’t think I can tell you any more right now. Do you mind awfully if we don’t talk about it for a little while? Could we just … be together? Like this?”

When he nods she snuggles back into him and he holds her tight. He knows that by confiding in him she has allowed him to come closer to her than anyone. He knows that she will tell him all there is to tell, in her own time.

I can wait, my love. Now I know that you trust me, and that you will not run away from me again, I can wait.

Chapter 14

14.

The night after my revelation to Bram I sit in the blackness of the unlit Great Chamber, Druscilla at my side. I am glad to be pressing ahead with the summoning. The Dark Spirit has become increasingly frightening and persistent. He seems to know precisely when his words will have the most impact on me, when I am least able to address him. Indeed, I feel that it was because of how unsettled, how badgered, how hounded I felt that I confessed my truth to Bram. Oh, and it is wonderful that the secret no longer binds my heart! I feel able to love him now without the fetter of duplicity. Though, I admit, my relief at having told him is clouded somewhat by the knowledge of what I have done. Have I put the coven in danger? I do not believe so. Have I broken my vows as a Lazarus witch? Yes. I cannot pretend otherwise. To speak of the coven and our work to someone of the Outerworld is strictly forbidden. I do not suppose I am the first to have done so, but am I the first Head Witch? Do I even deserve to be called such, when I cannot follow our creed? I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I do know now is not the time to show weakness. The coven must unite against the Sentinels. This is not the moment to reveal any chinks in our armor. For this reason I have decided not to tell Druscilla about my confiding in Bram. Not yet. Tonight we have another matter that demands our full attention.