richellemead-vampireacademy01-vampireacademy-110824015328-phpapp02

"With the way you worry more about Lissa than yourself…" He shook his head. "No. You
understand your responsibilities better than guardians twice your age. You'll do what you have
to do to succeed.”
I thought about that. "I don't know if I can do everything I have to do.”
He did that cool one-eyebrow thing.
"I don't want to cut my hair," I explained.
He looked puzzled. "You don't have to cut your hair. It's not required.”
"All the other guardian women do. They show off their tattoos.”
Unexpectedly, he released my hands and leaned forward. Slowly, he reached out and held a
lock of my hair, twisting it around one finger thoughtfully. I froze, and for a moment, there was
nothing going on in the world except him touching my hair. He let my hair go, looking a little
surprised—and embarrassed—at what he'd done.
"Don't cut it," he said gruffly.
Somehow, I remembered how to talk again. "But no one'll see my tattoos if I don't.”
He moved toward the doorway, a small smile playing over his lips. "Wear it up."