Chapter 40: Chapter 40

“But…”

“He didn’t touch you. I held him back,” he cut her off. “And he knows not to mess with me.”

“I want to return to my room,” she mumbled, having lost her appetite.

Ryder wordlessly took her hand, leaving the kitchen with her in tow, but he didn’t take her back to her room. Instead, he guided her to his. Since she was agitated, he figured it might be a good idea to distract her. He refused to leave her alone when she didn’t feel well.

“Take a seat, buttercup,” he said and pointed at the wide bench in front of his grand piano. Elena glanced at him in astonishment. “During our first date, you told me you used to play the piano. Why don’t we practice together?”

She nodded and sat next to him, so close that their thighs touched. Her anxiousness faded once he draped his arm around her body, laying one of his hands on the keys and the other on her stomach.

“I don’t know if I can concentrate,” she uttered with furrowed brows. In her upset state, focusing on music would be difficult.

“We’ll try it slowly, alright?”

Elena nodded. His hand covered hers and guided it to a set of white keys. Her gaze was drawn to the rings on his slender fingers, getting distracted in the process. He chuckled once he noticed.

“Buttercup, did you listen to what I just said? Or did you have your head in the clouds?”

“I’m sorry, please tell me again.”

“It’s okay, no need to be sorry,” he chuckled. “I asked if you could remember a song you used to play.”

She racked her brain but came up with only one answer. “Beethoven’s Für Elise. I learned it a long time ago, but I doubt I can still pull it off.”

“We have all the time in the world,” he said. Since he knew the song by heart, he went on to show her the first notes she needed to play with her right hand. “You will start with these, and I will take care of the left hand.”

“Okay,” she said, concentratedly staring at her right hand. She tried playing the notes just the way he had shown her, but her movements were clumsy, and the speed didn’t match the song. Gnawing on her bottom lip, she tried again, this time paying more attention to the melody itself.

“That was a good start,” he praised her. “Go on.”

When she played the same tune again, he joined in, playing the corresponding notes with his left hand. They wove a melody together, and Elena genuinely enjoyed spending time with her soulmate. He was very patient, sometimes chuckling at her little pouts when she missed a note.

They practiced until they had reached the end of the song. Over an hour went by like this. Ryder explained a few things to her, giving her tips on how she could improve. She could listen to him for days—his pleasant voice was calming.

Ryder, on the other hand, was relieved she had forgotten about the scare from before. She had been very tense when they had come to his room, but now her body was fully relaxed as she leaned against his side. Her cuddliness was endearing—who would have thought it would come to this after she had been initially frightened by him? Even if it was hard for him to restrain himself, it was his patience that had earned him this moment with her.

Ryder would have a serious talk with Avocado later, though. He couldn’t frighten Elena so badly in her own home. She was supposed to be comfortable here.

“You’re doing great,” he said after they finished playing the song another time, causing her to smile.

“Thank you. This is exciting. You’re much better than my old teacher,” she replied.

“Was that a compliment, my flower?” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, his breath teasing its shell. “Does that mean we can do this again?”

“Yes, please. I really enjoyed it,” she answered. Elena was flustered by his flirty demeanor, avoiding his heavy gaze. Thus, she missed the amused twitch of his lips and the way his eyes glimmered when he looked at her.

Suddenly, Ryder’s head snapped around. He glared at the door and got up, letting go of her. His abrupt movements alarmed her, and she followed his gaze, glancing at the door. Not a second later, a knock sounded through the room.

“Um… It’s me. May I come in?” Avocado asked. Elena tensed. Ryder didn’t answer and looked at her, waiting for her decision.

“Yes,” she answered, getting up and standing next to her soulmate. Her hand found his and clutched it rigidly.

She swallowed her trepidation when her gaze met that of Avocado—this time, his eyes weren’t red but dark brown, filled with shame and guilt. He stayed near the door since she was uncomfortable, and Ryder’s warning glare wasn’t exactly inviting either… but Avocado was here for a reason, and he wouldn’t chicken out just like that.

“I want to apologize,” he said and bowed. “I’m sorry for scaring you, Elena. I didn’t drink any blood for too long, so I was caught off guard when I smelled yours.”

He paused for a moment, awkwardly looking at her. “My name is Avocado, by the way.”

“Hello Avocado,” she said, hesitating to trust him. The memory of his bloodthirsty self was too fresh in her mind.

“Make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Ryder said and threw him a warning look, eyes flashing red.

“It won’t. I’ll be better prepared from now on,” he replied. “As members of the same clan, we’re supposed to trust each other… and I hope you can trust me in the future, Elena. I’ll be more careful, I promise.”

He looked guilty for his earlier behavior. Elena didn’t recognize him anymore. Nothing was left of the bloodthirsty vampire from before—he was a completely different person. Did a little bit of blood calm him down so easily? It was disturbing how much vampires depended on it, but it wasn’t like they had a choice.

“I hope we can become friends,” he added after a pause, unsurely gazing at her and Ryder.

“That would be nice, Avocado,” she replied. The smile she received in return was so bright, she couldn’t help but mirror it.