"Steady. We can't do this, Nessy. You're half-human; I'm afraid I might hurt you," Charles murmured, pulling away from me.
"I'll heal. Don't worry. Just kiss me again," I beg.
"No. We can't. I won't. Come, let's take a walk around the gardens. It's a nice day," Charles offered.
I thought to myself. There must be something wrong with me. Why wouldn't he stay and kiss me?
"It's nothing you have done, Nessy. It's the way you're made, you're half-human, and I don't know if you can withstand the passion of a vampire. I know you're half-vampire, but I don't want to take the chance and accidentally hurt you. You don't know what that would do to me, knowing I was the cause of your pain," Charles said softly, staring into my eyes.
Tears began to well up in my eyes, and on seeing my sadness, Charles took me in his arms and held me close to him, stroking my hair and whispering words of love and eternity.
