Another smile although she gave him a slight pout and her embrace tightened as she soothed his mock hurt. “Oh now, hardly careless. I have the utmost faith that you can surprise me any day of the week.”
Her feet slowed to a standstill as he turned her head up. There went her cheeks again, turning rosier by the second. Her smile was small but her expression was nothing short of touched. She also wondered if their story selves had anything to do with their feelings. Mina had no romantic or even platonic feelings towards Dracula, and wasn’t remotely drawn to him, but Helena wondered if they would have been met otherwise, if their paths would have crossed if they weren’t going to follow this storyline. Thoughts like that never went anywhere and she let them go, leaving time for dwelling on tales for when she absolutely had to.
“Know that the same goes for you,” she said softly, hands sliding and settling on his sides. “No matter what happens, wherever I am, you’re always welcome.” Dimly, quietly, a voice warned her of the dangerous invitation she just extended but she pushed it aside. She would leave Dracula to Mina. Right now they were just Helena and Vlad; they were no one else. Right now no one else mattered.