"Does she want to be immortal?"
"She wants to live, but I doubt she wants to spend eternity drinking blood at night or spend her days sleeping like a corpse."
"That's not all there is to being immortal, Germaine...." At his cautionary glare, she prudently changed the subject. "Speaking of corpses, I think you need to have another talk with Phillip."
"Why? What's he done now?"
"He hasn't done anything, yet, but he's talking about buying a double coffin."
"A coffin? What in earth does he want with a coffin?"
"He says he thinks it'd be kinky, but I think he's hoping our sleeping together beneath a lining of satin will make me less--restless."
"Have him buy you one of those battery-charged feminine stress-relievers instead. It's cheaper."
"It's not that! Well, not entirely that," she amended softly before glancing about to make sure no one overhead them. "He's worried about his ability to satisfy me the other way--as a vampire. I think he's hoping a coffin might make me more amenable to his--couplings."
"Then buy one, by all means."
"Germaine...."
"Look, Phillipa, you both knew there would be consequences for your actions. Sixteen more years, and Phillip will be exactly as he once was, until then--adapt. If he thinks a coffin will help, then get one and try it out for a week. If it doesn't work, let me know. I'd like to see the salesman's face when you tell him you're sorry, but a coffin doesn't quite meet your needs at this time."
Chuckling in spite of herself, Phillipa leaned over and pressed a quick kiss on Germaine's cheek before he could advise her against it, then stood. "I made a mistake," she admitted quietly. "One I'll live with for eternity, but you're the one keeping us apart, not me. I think Phillip would be relieved if we had an affair." When Germaine refused to answer her, she let out a soft sigh of resignation. "Very well, I'll let him get the coffin. But if you change your mind, you'll know where to find me. Only you might want to knock before you raise the lid. Phillip is a little touchy about who sees him without his prosthetic fang. And when the sun rises--it comes out."
. It will cost her heart and soul.
)
