Torn - Abigail Livinghouse (top 100 books of all time checklist .txt) 📗

at my voice.

 

“Kyla? Oh God, Kyla”, he held my head in his hands and buried his face in the hollow of my neck. I winced from the pain, but at the moment I didn’t care.

 

“I thought I lost you.” He murmured. I looked at him as a small smile came to my lips.

 

“No. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” I said in a poor attempt at humor. He chuckled weakly.

 

I looked around, and even though the forest was a blurry blob of green, I could still tell that we were alone. “Where’s Liam?” I asked.

 

Pearce shook his head, cradling my face in his hands. “Don’t worry about him, I took care of him.”

 

I grimaced. I didn’t need details. “I’m sorry.” I murmured, laying my head back down on the ground.

 

Pearce laughed, his eyes shining even though he could not shed tears. “What could you possibly be sorry for?”

 

“For all the trouble I’ve caused.” I whispered. He shook his head, brushing my hair out of my face.

 

“No, love. You’ve done nothing wrong. I was the one who was careless by bringing you here. I was a fool. I’m sorry.” He said, resting his head on my chest. I reached up and caressed his hair weakly.

 

“It’s okay. We’re both idiots.” I said. He gave another laugh, bringing his head up and giving me a small smile.

 

“I love you.” He said quietly.

 

I smiled, my eyes drooping slightly. “I love you too.”

 

The last thing I felt was Pearce’s lips gently touching mine. The last thing I heard was running footsteps and Miramar shouting, “Oh my God, Pearce what did you do now?”

*     *     *

Chapter Eleven

I sat in the backyard of the manor, on a bench nestled beneath a weeping willow tree, its branches bare and scraggly looking. Miramar walked up to me, extending me an envelope. I took it and looked up at her in question.

 

“A letter from your mother and sisters. They are so cute by the way. And that Tirana is really funny!” Miramar laughed and waved her hand as she turned around, heading back into the house.

 

I rolled my eyes, tearing open the letter. It turns out that Pearce’s ‘connections’ were Tirana and Mr. Bo from the village. Figures. Well, at least I knew that they were in good hands. Happy, healthy, and Trine was taking good care of them. He and his very pregnant wife Katina visited my family every day to help them out and give them food when necessary.

 

It had been nearly two months since I had left my village to live with Pearce in his little vampire hideout. The vampires in the house were actually getting used to me, with Liam gone, things were fairly peaceful at the house. I found out that after killing Carline, Pearce now has no family left. I also was informed that Liam had actually been Pearce’s creator, which is why Pearce had gravitated towards him the night we had first arrived here.

 

Also, I was now seventeen. Yes, my birthday had come March 23rd, and trust me it wasn’t much of a party. Just a very stiff verse of Happy Birthday and an awkward gathering of a majority of the immortals in the house and that was it. Let’s not forget a few birthday kisses from Pearce, but that’s beside the point. I sighed as I finished reading the letter.

 

      Dear Kyla,

 

     The girls and I miss you very much. But we understand the situation you’re in and we want you to know that we do not blame you. Things here are good, no attacks recently which is wonderful. Oh, and one of my pieces is going to be featured in this month’s art show! We are so excited. We hope you are doing well! We love and miss you!

 

Happy Birthday, Love,

Mom, Michaela, and Liana

 

      Even though mother had written the letter, they had all signed it in their own special handwriting. I smiled, folding the letter up and tucking it in my back pocket as I stood. Mother and the girls knew that I was with someone, a boy, but they did not know that that boy was a vampire. The story that Tirana and Mr. Bo had told them was that I had run off with a boy from another village, and since dating outside villages is strictly forbidden, this worked. Mother was ecstatic, and told the girls that sissy had found someone and went off to start her life with that someone. I had shaken my head at this but at least they were happy, which is what mattered.

 

I felt hands on my hips and I halted, turning my head around to see Pearce’s deep set eyes looking at me passionately, his ashy hair tickling my forehead. I smiled. He reached into my pocket, pulling out the square of paper.

 

“What’s this?” He asked.

 

“A letter my family wrote me.” I said. He gently put it back in my pocket.

 

“You miss them?” He asked with concern. I shook my head.

 

“It’s okay. I can see them if I want, but I know they’re happy, and I’m happy too. They know that.” I said, my arms circling around his neck as his arms wrapped around my waist. Our lips brushed against each other gently, and I giggled as we pulled apart.

 

“What is it?” He asked, smiling.

 

“Nothing.” I said. “It’s just, I can’t believe we’re together.”

 

Pearce chuckled, pulling me closer. “I know, but we are.”

 

I nodded, smiling too. “I’m glad.” Our foreheads touched, and I closed my eyes.

 

“So am I.” He murmured.

Chapter Twelve

Pearce and I rested in my bed, and I know what you’re thinking and no, we did not ‘sleep together’, he just spent the night. I was in my pajamas, sweats and a T-shirt, Pearce in a thin cotton tee and boxer shorts. His arm was wrapped around my shoulders as my head nestled in the hollow of his neck. I sighed.

 

“You know, you smell pretty good too.” I said, my eyes widening as I clamped my lips together. I had just blurted out what I was thinking without thinking before I spoke. God, I was such an idiot. Pearce chuckled and ruffled my hair.

 

“Really? What do I smell like to you?” He asked, his tone light and curious. I shrugged.

 

“I don’t know. Sultry and intoxicating. I can’t describe it, it’s just . . . amazing.” I said, biting my lip at how silly I sounded. But Pearce just laughed again.

 

“You are so adorable.” He chuckled. I shoved him playfully and he held me closer.

 

Mates. I still couldn’t believe it. It was wonderful, and Pearce’s nature didn’t change much. His diet sure, was a big contributing factor, but despite the cold of his body under the blankets and the occasional times he was gone because of hunting, things were perfect. I sighed, resting my head against Pearce’s chest. I had been with him for only a few months, but it felt like forever.

 

“Pearce.” I murmured.

 

He caressed my hair. “Hmm?”

 

“Are we always going to be together?” I asked.

 

Pearce chuckled, his chin on top of my head. “Well, that is how mates work.”

 

I pursed my lips. I hadn’t always seen myself with a man, but if I was with someone, than it wouldn’t always be just us. And I knew that this would cause a huge war between us, but I had to get this out and tell him.

 

“Pearce, if I’m always going to be with you than I want you to know that–” I broke off, biting my lip. He moved so that he could see my face. Pearce’s face was curios, but also concerned.

 

“What is it?” He asked. I took a deep breath, and spoke.

 

“That I’m not going to be content with it always being just us.” I said.

 

His brow pulled together in worry. “What do you mean?”

 

I took another breath. “I mean, if I ever saw myself with a man than I saw myself with . . . children too. And Pearce, I’m going to want children.” I said.

 

Pearce’s eyes widened slightly before he shook his head. “I’m sorry Kyla, but that’s an impossibility. Your human body isn’t strong enough to carry an immortal baby, it’s never been done before.”

 

I sat up abruptly, moving away from Pearce’s welcoming embrace. “How do you know my human body couldn’t carry an immortal child if it’s never been done before?” I asked, my tone going up an octave higher with my temper.

 

Pearce shook his head. “It’s never been attempted. Vampires and humans never really became mates before.”

 

I shrugged. “So? This can be the first time that an immortal baby can be carried by a human.”

 

He sat up as well, running a hand through his hair. “Kyla, do you know that you could kill yourself doing something such as carrying an immortal baby? Also it’s extremely dangerous for me to be close to you like that. I don’t think you realize how strong I am.” He said, gently caressing my face. “You are so fragile. I can’t risk your life just because you want a child.”

 

I scowled, moving even farther away from him. “Then we can be careful. Pearce, I’m going to be with you for the rest of my life. I want a baby, and I want a baby with you.” I said, circling my arms around Pearce’s neck and pressing my body against his. He hugged me back, but gently pushed me away a few moments later.

 

“I can’t, Kyla. It’s too much of a risk to take.” I recoiled at his words as if he had physically slapped me.

 

“Oh, I see. You don’t find me attractive in that way.” I said. Pearce’s eyes widened at my words and he shook his head.

 

“Kyla, you know that’s not it.” He took my hand, but I shook my head.

 

“No, it’s okay I get it.” I sniffed, feeling my eyes prick with tears. I closed my eyes to keep the tears at bay. I wasn’t going to cry now, there was no point to it. “I understand.” I murmured.

 

“Kyla”, Pearce said softly, gently tipping my chin up with his hand. “You know I love you and find you beyond beautiful. The only reason children are such an impossibility for us is because of the risk of your life. I could hurt you so easily, just by accident.” He took me in a gentle hug. I exhaled slowly, my head on his sculpted chest.

 

“You’re the only one I love. And the only one I want to have kids with.” I said quietly. He sighed too, smoothing my