His chest rumbled with laughter. Quinn lifted her head to take in the people around her as Julian’s love enveloped her. After her family had been killed, she’d been certain she would never know love again. Now she was surrounded by it, and she’d never been happier in her life. She knew it would only get better with every passing year.
***
Julian hugged Quinn against him as he savored the radiant joy on her face. He’d never believed himself deserving of love, and after everything he’d done in his life, he knew he probably didn’t deserve it. But somehow, he’d been blessed with this woman with her enormous heart and warrior spirit. Somehow he’d been gifted a love he’d never dreamed possible for himself. For the rest of his life, he would do everything he could to make her smile like this at least once a day.
When he’d first stop killing, he’d been half certain he would return to it one day. Now, he knew he never would, not while he had her, and even if he somehow lost her, he could never be that vampire again. Quinn’s love had changed him; it had made him a better man, and he would never do anything to cause her any disappointment.
Because of her, the vampires were thriving, as were the Guardians and Hunters. When some of the younger Hunters and Guardians were ready, they would be taking groups of them and introducing them to the vampires to further solidify the truce and the trust between the species. There would be bumps along the way, maybe even a few pitfalls, but he knew they could all deal with whatever trouble arose as it came.
The vampires adored Quinn, and not just because they saw her as their savior, but because of who she was at heart. Because of that, more of them were willing to work with them than he’d ever thought possible in the beginning. Vern, Prue, Carla, and Hadie had become the top of their command. Having something to do, other than watch over her son, had really helped Carla to move on with her life, though he knew she still went to see him often.
For nearly his entire existence, Julian had shunned almost everything to do with vampires. Now, with Quinn by his side, they had become the leaders of the largest faction of vampires to ever exist. He never would have believed this was where he would end up, but there was nowhere else he’d rather be.
Julian placed his hand in the hollow of Quinn’s back as Andrew tugged on her finger again and giggled. Leaning forward, she passed the baby over when Dani held her arms out for him.
Grabbing her drink, Quinn gulped it down before turning to face him. “I think I’m ready for bed.”
“Your wish is my command.”
She started to rise, but he swept his arms underneath her and plucked her from the bench. “We’ll see you in the morning,” he called over his shoulder as he carried her into the house.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek on his chest. “Our home.”
“Yes.” He carried her up the stairs to the master suite at the end of the hall. “And we have an eternity to enjoy it.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“So do I.”
He shifted his hold on her to open the door and carry her inside their room. They may be leaving tomorrow, but he was going to enjoy every last minute they had left on this island until he could bring her back here again.
THE END
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About the Author
My name is not really Erica Stevens, it is a pen name that I chose in memory of two amazing friends lost too soon, I do however live in Mass with my wonderful husband and our puppy Loki. I have a large and crazy family that I fit in well with. I am thankful every day for the love and laughter they have brought to my life. I have always loved to write and am an avid reader.
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