46: 46 Unexpected Guest (AVOT)

46 Unexpected Guest (AVOT)

"Helena?"

The sound of her name had Helena spinning around, surprise etched on her features as she found Thomas standing in her home. "Thomas, what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing." He replied, hesitating at the threshold.

A frown marred her face. "You have a wife, Thomas, and I'm perfectly fine here. I'm not alone. It isn't appropriate for you to be here."

There was an undercurrent of discomfort in her voice. After Thomas had made his intentions clear, she didn't feel at ease with his presence. She had once loved him, even after everything that had happened, but he had trampled all over that love without a second thought.

"How's Daisy?" He asked, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"She's doing well, but I'm sure you know that since you so confidently married her off," Helena retorted, her tone icier than she intended.

Thomas took a cautious step into the house, but halted, looking somewhat cornered. "You really paint me as the villain, don't you? Both of us agreed to separate for Daisy. I wasn't the only one who made that decision."

Helena shook her head, a bitter chuckle escaping her. "You were, Thomas. I was naive and didn't know better, and you exploited that. You painted the situation as dire and used Daisy to scare me into agreement. But I'm willing to take the blame for being naive and trusting your words too easily."

"I didn't lie to you, Helena. The situation was indeed dire."

"Well, then we both made the right choice, didn't we? And it led us here. Our daughter is happily married, you have your family, and I have my house," she responded.

"Helena," he stepped forward again, desperation in his eyes. "I still love you."

"Enough, Thomas!" She cut him off abruptly. "Go back home. I don't want to hear this."

"But it's true," he insisted.

"It doesn't matter," she snapped back.

"Just give me a chance to explain …" he started.

"Thomas, I want you to leave!" she interjected, her voice firm.

He sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "I traveled all this way, Helena. The least you can do is listen to me."

The least? 

"You're behaving most inappropriately," she reproached him firmly.

"Is this man causing you distress?" A smooth voice intervened from behind Thomas, causing them both to turn.

The sight of Tiberius emerging from behind Thomas surprised Helena, while Tiberius remained at the entrance, respectfully not stepping into her house uninvited.

A shadow of distaste crossed Thomas' face as he glanced at Tiberius, clearly recognizing the unexpected visitor.

"No, he was just on his way out," Helena responded, still processing the sudden appearance of Tiberius.

After giving Helena a probing look, as if willing her to retract her statement, Thomas finally resigned himself to leaving. His face tightened into a grimace as he sent a resentful look in Tiberius' way. Tiberius simply returned the sentiment with a courteous nod, a gesture that Thomas briefly reciprocated before exiting the house.

In silence, Helena and Tiberius watched Thomas' retreating figure until he was out of sight. Only then did Tiberius turn his gaze back to Helena, causing her heart to skip a beat. It was rather bothersome, she thought, for a mature woman with a daughter to react in such a way.

"I hope my interference was not unwelcome," Tiberius stated, breaking the silence.

"Not at all. Please, come in," Helena offered, trying to regain her composure.

He stepped inside ever so elegantly, carrying an air of sophistication unlike any she had ever seen in a man before.

"I must apologize for my unexpected visit," he began, his voice low and melodic.

"It's no trouble at all," Helena reassured him, leading the way to the parlor.

Aware of his eyes on her, Helena felt a flush creeping up her cheeks. Why was he here?

Tiberius wondered the same. He had resolved to avoid forming attachments, especially with those who captured his attention. Given his experience, such individuals often became favorites and then inevitably having to let them go, was a pain he didn't wish to relive.

Once they were seated, Helena's warm brown eyes met his, cautiously, as if aware of the hypnotic power his gaze could wield if he so chose.

"I didn't expect to meet you again so soon," she confessed.

"I hope the surprise isn't an unpleasant one," he replied.

"It's a pleasant surprise, my Lord," she reassured him with a smile. "Would you like tea or coffee?" she asked, as a servant appeared discreetly at her side.

"Tea," he replied, opting for the first option that sprung to mind, despite his usual abstinence from both beverages.

Nodding to the servant, she took her leave, allowing Helena's warm gaze to return to Tiberius, seemingly warming his otherwise cold, non-existent soul. 

"I prefer tea as well," she admitted with a smile.

Oh dear. For some reason, the good ones like her reminded him more of what he was, because thinking of her finding out what he liked to drink both worried and excited him. The fear was part of the addiction.

Forcing a smile, he maintained the facade.

"It's even better with lemon and honey," she suggested.

"I agree. That combination is my favorite too," he conceded, the falsehood slipping from his lips as easily as it had for centuries. It had become second nature, no longer leaving a bitter aftertaste.

He shouldn't be here with this bright woman. She didn't deserve the likes of him.

"Oh, we have the same taste then," she said, her infectious smile lit up the room. "What do you like to eat?"

"I enjoy a well-grilled steak with cooked potatoes and a side of grilled asparagus," he responded, reciting his rehearsed response to such inquiries.

"Hmm..." she mused, "That does sound delicious."

"And what about you?"

She shrugged modestly and said, "I enjoy food in general, but I mostly enjoy my afternoon sweets."

Afternoon sweets. An interesting contrast to his nightly... engagements.

They continued conversing, her voice and laughter providing a soothing balm to his usual melancholy. It was remarkable how time seemed to fly in her company, a welcome rarity in his otherwise long and dull existence.

"May I ask something personal?" she inquired after a pause.

"Of course."

"Why are you unwed?"

He had a well-practiced response for such questions, yet he hesitated, pondering his answer.

"I might be too accustomed to solitude," he admitted.

She studied him thoughtfully, tilting her head slightly. "Perhaps. But you don't strike me as someone who relishes loneliness. You are quite charming company."

Chuckling at her observation, he replied, "Is that so?"

"Yes. Also... don't all men desire to continue their bloodline at least?"

Bloodline?2

Ah… about that. Vampires could not reproduce. 

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