All this time that she didn't show signs of life, he blamed and destroyed himself from the inside, cursed and hated that everything turned out this way. He was too sorry that his innocent pure girl would now become a bloodthirsty creature like himself. This was not the life he had dreamed of for her.
No matter how selfish he was, her desires were more important to him than his own. But this time he had compromised his principles with regard to Thea when her own life was on the verge. He did not hesitate to make a decision and was firmly aware of the consequences that his decision could have.
He was roused from his light reverie by the touch of Thea's hand on the base of his neck. She gently stroked his bristly skin without interrupting her meal. Raphael felt a surge of joy as the soft pads of her fingers traced a path from her cheekbone to the hollow between her collarbones. It was so tender and tender.
