How can I love you? (arranged marriage vampire/human)

Chapter 10

"I thought you'd be napping" Steven's voice made me jump when he suddenly appeared in the lounge. I hadn't heard him open the door and apparently close it behind him. "Whoa! Could you not do that? You scared the crap out of me." He grinned his usual grin that I loved so much, I couldn't help but smile back. "Sorry," he said looking down. I was standing by the window in the lounge after Philip had left to go to his 'meeting'. "Aren't you going to the meeting?" I questioned as he crossed the room to sit on the chair. He raised his eyebrow to me. "How do you know about that?" I went and sat facing him on another chair. "Philip told me," I shrugged. "Oh," he said simply, relaxing back into the chair. "Well aren't you going then?" I asked again. He shook his head. "Nope. I'm not part of the royal family remember? I'm only a friend." I nodded. "Oh yeah." He didn't reply. 

I noticed that he was being a bit quiet and not himself. I lifted my head and was just about to ask him what was wrong when he beat me to it. "Where were you today Geogia? I was looking for you. I wanted to hang out but the twins said you had gone out with Philip." He looked glum and... disappointed? "Uh yeah..." I began, uncertain. "Philip took me out." I confirmed. He nodded. "Where'd he take you?" he questioned, interested. "To a park in some village." I said honestly. I didn't feel like going into the whole story of the ring at the moment. "Oh..." he trailed. "What's wrong with you Steven?" I asked after a few moments of silence. He looked a little surprised at my question. "What do you mean?" he asked. I frowned. "You're acting weird. You're not your usual self. You're usually much happier and optimistic." I commented. He sighed and then grinned widley, masking his earlier sadness. "What are you talking about? I am happy." He sat up and pulled me up too by the hands. "Let's go for a walk shall we? It's such a nice evening." He beamed, but I couldn't help feeling he was hiding something. "Okay." I smiled back.

We strolled around the garden, which was even more beautiful in the daylight. It was so colourful now. It felt different being here with Steven though. The mood wasn't romantic but more casual and happy. I enjoyed it still. We walked slowly as I gazed around me, noticing every small beautiful thing. Steven just talked to me like any other day. I had zoned out into my thoughts and was gazing at the sky when he interrupted me. "Georgia! Are you listening to me?" he asked, waving his hand in my face. I blinked and focused on his face. His eyes were annoyed but he had a smile on his face. "I'm sorry Steven. What were you saying?" I asked, trying to look intent on his face. "I was just saying that you should sit by me at dinner tonight," he smiled. I became puzzled. "Why?" He grinned wider. "Why not?" I blinked. What was wrong with him? Did he not understand the situation I was in. "Because, Steven... I'd imagine Philip would want me to sit by him." He frowned, confused. "So? Can't I sit on the other side of you?" He asked as if it was obvious. I nodded and twisted up my mouth. "Yeah, I suppose." He laughed and punched my shoulder playfully. "Come on Georgia. Lighten up!" I laughed then. "Alright then."

I was really tempted to ask him what was wrong with him earlier, but I didn't want to wreck this tension-free mood he was in now. He seemed mostly back to his usual self. I sighed happily. "What's for dinner tonight?" I asked finally, after a minute of a comfortable silence. "I'm not sure. Probably some sort of under-cooked meat." He joked and I laughed once. "So how's it been going with you and Philip?" he questioned. "You seem closer," he added. I nodded once. "Yeah it's better. I don't think he's as bad as I once thought." He gave me a sideways glance. "He's not you know. He's actually pretty decent." I smiled at him then. "It's nice to have someone to talk to you know?" I said to him. He stopped walking and grinned at me. "I'm glad you trust me. That's what friends are for." He pulled me into a bear hug then.

Philip's POV

I had just left the meeting with my family about Georgia. It hd been decided that we host a party and invite all the vampires from the kingdom to meet her. Everybody already knows that the human girl I will marry is here although they do not know what she looks like. They need to see her so that if she's ever alone they'll know that she's not just somebody's dinner that escaped. Not that I plan to let her out alone but it still should be known. I'm quite sure that nobody will touch her since she is to somehow be the savior of the kingdom. They wouldn't want to mess up Amir's prediction if it is true. People have too much respect for him because he is the oldest vampire known. I decided I would go and tell Georgia that the party is tomorrow night. It's very soon but we don't want to take any chances. I went into the lounge and saw that she wasn't there. Maybe she'd be in the bedroom. I ran at my vampire speed upstairs and saw that she wasn't there either. I frowned in confusion. Where would she be? I thought she might be getting ready for dinner. I happened to catch a glimpse out the window before I turned to leave and saw her in the garden with Steven.