To my astonishment, it was not going to be a private and modest affair. The moment I’d announced our engagement, my parents and my grandparents had insisted that we make it big, bright, and airy, to help the entire federation heal from the Hermessi ritual.
I hadn’t been particularly fond of being given such a responsibility, but Eva, ever fearless, had said that we could certainly pull it off. On one condition, though, she’d added. It would not take place on Nevertide, despite the fact that I was its crown prince. My family had scrunched their nose at the thought of doing it elsewhere, until Eva chose The Shade.
My grandparents had been particularly thrilled about it, since The Shade had become a central hub for all the otherworldly visitors to Earth. It was also GASP’s main base, and thus all the more adequate as a location for our engagement party.
The event itself was not all that fancy, with just some floral arrangements and mason jar lights hung all over the place. A band had been brought in from the human world, along with several Lamias who were talented lyra players. I didn’t care how massive the event would be, in the end, as long as I got to spend most of it with Eva. Since our return from Aledras, we’d become inseparable.
Our souls were forever bound, and we could feel each other’s emotions. Our hearts had become one. And tonight, the two of us were standing outside the grand hall, drowning in a sea of party guests as music played in the background, mentally bracing ourselves for what was bound to be a very long and exhilarating engagement bonanza.
We’d mostly stayed away from people when they’d first arrived. We had, of course, welcomed them and smilingly accepted their gifts and congratulations, but that had been it. We’d spent the first part of the evening holding hands and encouraging one another.
“This is way bigger than I thought it would be,” Eva murmured at one point, while we waited for the Novak family to appear. Herakles and the crew were also due to arrive soon, as he’d taken it upon himself to make sure they all showed up together. Our common Hermessi experience had made such organizational feats possible, and also endearing. “I mean, when your parents said it was going to be big… I guess my perception was off.”
“My parents and, most importantly, my grandparents, are ridiculously popular. And let’s not forget, you and I have made quite a number of fans in GASP since we wrapped up the ritual. People just want to come over and be happy for us,” I replied, smiling at a passing group of Fire Star fae.
The party was a dazzling success. All kinds of supernaturals were present—from the Druids, incubi, succubi, Lamias, Bajangs, and Maras of Eritopia; to the Imen, the daemons, and the Manticores of Neraka; the Perfects, Arch-Perfects, Faulties, and even a few Draenir from Strava; the fae from the Fire Star, Akvo, Zephyr, and the Emerald; the witches and warlocks from the Witches Sanctuary; and, of course, the diverse plethora found in The Shade. Vampires, werewolves, jinn and Hawks, dragons and Vale humans. I’d even spotted some representatives from Aledras and Cerix, though they were few and scattered through the massive crowd. I was astonished. I’d counted about two hundred guests so far, and I knew there were plenty still coming.
“It’s looking awesome, though.” Eva giggled. I gazed at her for a while, marveling at how beautiful she looked in her long, dark green silk dress. The material hugged her hourglass figure, strapped over one shoulder with a diamond clasp. She’d let her long and luscious black hair loose, and I was already looking forward to escaping this party so I could hold her close and run my hands through its entire length.
“I love you. You know that, right?”
She nodded once. “I can see your aura now.”
“Right… Right. I forget, sometimes. I’ve grown so accustomed to feeling you in me that I simply take it as a natural state,” I said.
“That’s okay. Sometimes I forget what life was like before we met. So that sort of makes us even in terms of forgetfulness.”
We both chuckled, and I slipped an arm around her waist. “So, what are you now, hybrid lady? Because you’ve gained a new species affiliation since we… you know,” I said, clearing my throat. “Made love the first time.”
She leaned into me, her yellow gaze darkening slightly, enough to make my skin tingle with excitement. “I’m a Lamia-Druid-vampire-sentry, now, Mr. Goode.”
“Your Highness,” I replied, then pressed my lips into a thin, small line.
“Say what?”
“The correct form of addressing me is ‘Your Highness.’” I chuckled, no longer able to keep a straight face. Eva had this way of disarming me simply by looking into my eyes. Her existential honesty made me love her even more.
“How about I call you Varga? Or baby? Or my love?” she replied, her serpentine tongue flicking over her lower lip. I wanted to kiss her. But there were too many people watching us.
Wait, why is that a problem? What the hell, dude, you’re engaged!
Having found my resolution, I leaned down and caught her mouth in a long kiss. I breathed her in—she smelled of wild orchids and lotus flowers, mixed with the sweetness of the steamy woods that flanked the River Pyro. “You can call me whatever you want,” I said, my lips brushing over hers.
“Dudes. Get a room!” Raphael’s voice shot through the party noise.
We both looked to the side to find Raphael and Amelia, joined by Riza and Herakles, Eira and Taeral, and Lumi and Nethissis. Behind them, Amelia’s parents stood, beaming and holding what looked like neatly wrapped presents for us. Lumi had more apprentices these days. We’d counted fifteen, the last time we’d met her. The Word was still a mystery to most of us, a force of the universe we weren’t sure we’d cross paths with again—though we didn’t exclude the possibility, based on the Word’s farewell address. But it felt nice to see Lumi’s camp grow. After what Azazel had done to her and her sisters back on Calliope, she deserved this much.
“We already have a room,” I said. “And it’s waiting for us in Nevertide. I can just cancel the party and head back there with my fiancée, if our smooching makes you uncomfortable.”
Raphael shook his head and pulled us both into a bear hug. “No way, man. I did not get out of bed this Sunday for you to bail on me!”
The crew and I were back together again, and not just for tonight. We’d made a habit of meeting as often as we could. Sometimes, we’d just kick back with drinks on the beach and relax. On certain occasions, we’d revisit the string of events that had brought us to the ritual’s end, working through our emotions and traumas. It had not been easy going back to normal after what we’d experienced with the Hermessi.
“I know I’ve said this before, but congratulations, guys!” Amelia said as she joined the hug. Moments later, the whole crew had piled up, and we laughed our hearts out.
We received gifts from a lot of people, including our friends and their families. Eerily enough, they’d formed a small mountain atop one of the tables, much like in Phantom’s dream. Taeral was the first to notice.
“That is just so creepy. Good thing I’ve got Phyla here, permanently stuck to Thieron,” he said, pointing at the scythe, still strapped to his thigh. He didn’t go anywhere without it, as part of his promise to Death, though he’d already expressed his eagerness to get rid of it. Such a responsibility was bound to weigh down on him, eventually.
My sister, Elonora, and Nevis joined us at our table, along with Douma and Dmitri, Amal and Amane, Ridan, and Fallon. We spent the rest of the evening feasting, laughing, and dancing. The spiced rose water kept pouring, and the joy illuminated the entire party—brighter than the mason jars.
Eva and I were happy together, and I had gone the extra mile to make sure she wouldn’t miss anything tonight, though I had yet to hear from her mother. The relationship between them had not changed, unfortunately. Granted, Eva hadn’t made any effort to resume a conversation with her after the ritual, but Tamara had been quiet, as well. Nevertheless, I’d figured her daughter’s engagement might change her mind.
As the hours went
by, and I watched my fiancée laugh and joke with our friends and family, I began to doubt Tamara’s willingness to show up and put that petty feud behind them. But close to midnight, the crowd began to murmur, everyone looking in the same direction, outside the grand hall.
At first, I didn’t think anything of it, as Eva and I were busy talking to Derek and Sofia. The Novaks had arrived, in the meantime, and the party had been kicked up a notch. Ever since the ritual, the Novak fae had become much more jovial, constantly smiling and chortling and hugging everyone in their path. I figured dying must’ve played a crucial part, but I couldn’t say the change bothered me. On the contrary, we needed more light in this world.
“Varga… Is that who I think it is?” Amelia whispered, as if not wanting Eva to hear.
I followed Amelia’s gaze and found myself out of breath. Tamara stood in the grand hall’s doorway, tightly fitted into a long, black velvet dress, her neck adorned with emeralds that matched the color of her snake scales. She glanced around nervously, holding a small gift box in her hands.
When her eyes met mine, she nodded faintly, and I moved away from the table. Eva was quick to notice, and she pulled me aside. “Varga, wait,” she hissed. “You invited her?”
I sighed, preparing myself for the worst. I hadn’t told her, but I also knew she wouldn’t kick me to the curb over it. “Will you ever forgive me?”
Eva softened quickly. “Are you crazy? What’s there to forgive?”
“Well, I didn’t tell you.”
“Well, you had more courage than me, because I wanted to invite her… but didn’t,” she replied, her shoulders dropping.
It wasn’t often that I saw this more fragile side of her, and I loved it. She reminded me that I could still hold her up when she needed my support. This was one such moment, and I had to come through for her, even though she didn’t specifically demand it. I could see it in her eyes.
“Whaddya say, then? Shall we go say hi?” I asked, wearing an innocent smile.
Eva kissed me briefly, then took my hand as we both walked over to Tamara. I felt Eva’s emotions coursing through me. She was anxious and terrified and, at the same time, happy and hopeful. Something told me this would not end badly. Tamara’s aura had shades of yellow and gold in it. She was fearful, but she still loved her daughter very much. Maybe this would put an end to their conflict, after all.
Upon reaching her, Tamara bowed politely. “Your Highness,” she said, prompting Eva to chuckle. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“Pardon the giggle, Mother. Varga and I have an ongoing joke about his form of address,” Eva replied, grinning broadly. I had to admit, I was impressed by her approach. She’d taken the plunge, despite her fear.
Tamara gave her a soft half-smile. “You look stunning, my child.”
“And you’re a timeless hottie, as usual,” Eva shot back.
This was going much better than I’d anticipated. Suddenly, I lacked purpose in this conversation. What was I even doing here, anymore? Tamara looked at me for a moment. “I suppose congratulations are in order, first and foremost,” she said, handing me the gift box. “This is for you, to get you started in your new life together.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Eva said, staring at the box. She knew what was in it, and she was blushing redder than poor Eira during the awards ceremony that Derek and Sofia had organized in our honor.
“What’s in it?” I asked her.
Her eyes widened, while Tamara chuckled. “It’s a… Um, it’s a…” Eva didn’t manage to say much, but her mother beat her to it anyway.
“It’s a love stone,” the Lady of the Lamias said.
“A love stone,” I repeated after her. “What’s a love stone?”
“Oh, we use these when we mate,” Tamara explained. “You put it in the fire, and it releases a pleasant smell. It stimulates arousal, it makes it—”
“Thank you, Mom!” Eva said, a little too loudly, stopping Tamara from going into too much detail. I’d almost forgotten how passionate and volatile the Lamias were, by nature. No wonder they employed methods such as this love stone to make their bedroom experiences more… amplified. I, for one, was already looking forward to trying it out.
“Thank you,” I added. “And I must say, it’s an honor you decided to join us.”
Tamara sighed, lowering her gaze for a second. “I should have come to see you both sooner,” she said. “I’ve let my pride and stubbornness poison me for too long.”
Eva was speechless. “Mother…”
“I hope you can forgive me, Eva,” Tamara replied. “You are my only child, and for me to push you away like this… it wasn’t fair. We do not choose whom we love, or who we are, and I should’ve never forced my views on you the way I did. After the ritual, I wanted to see you, to make sure you were all right, but… I was afraid, Eva. I was afraid because you’d gone through so much, already. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
A single tear fell from her eye, and Eva took her hands, squeezing tightly. “Mother, please. It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here tonight. It’s a big moment for me. For us.”
“Can you ever forgive me?” Tamara asked.
Eva hugged her. “I forgive you.”
Now I was the one tearing up. I had to glance at the mason jars overhead just to stop myself from weeping like a little girl, as the rest of the Death Crew got up and joined us.
“Momma Lamia! Welcome to the party!” Herakles cheered, handing Tamara a glass of spiced rose water. Eva laughed, wiping tears of her own.
Tamara gawked at Herakles, then at the glass, before she chugged it like a professional sorority girl. She handed him the empty flute, raising an eyebrow at him. “Got something stronger?”
Laughter was stifled as Herakles thought about it for a moment, his gaze never leaving Tamara’s. “The Manticores brought in some pitchers of their signature black honey nectar,” he said. “Would that work?”
“By all means,” Tamara replied.
Seconds later, Herakles was back with an entire pitcher, which he used to fill Tamara’s glass, and gave it back to her. “There you go, Momma Lamia.”
“It’s Tamara, please. ‘Momma’ makes me sound so old,” she said, smiling at the entire crew. “I must say, it’s an honor to meet you all. Word about you has spread all over Eritopia. Legends are being spun around campfires along the River Pyro, stories of your bravery. I’m humbled to be in your presence.”
“No, ma’am, we’re the ones honored,” Raphael replied. “Eva has told us great things about you.”
Tamara glanced at Eva, who, in turn, giggled. “She has?”
“She loves you,” Amelia replied. “And she’s very proud to be your daughter.”
“I’m the one who’s proud to have a child like her,” Tamara said. “Eva, much like you all, represents the future. And although it may not be the future I’d want or hope for, I’ve learned to accept that it will be a beautiful future, nonetheless. A better future than anything I might’ve been able to give her.”
“I never told you, but I am sorry I didn’t turn out the way you wanted,” Eva replied. “That being said, I’m definitely not sorry for who I’ve become instead.”
Tamara tucked a lock of hair behind Eva’s ear, her yellow eyes glimmering with motherly love. “My darling… You’ve turned out better than I’d hoped. It just took me too long to realize it. I’ve spent so much time running from Azazel, focused on surviving, that I forgot how to… live. I’m adverse to change, and it’s my fault. Not yours.”
Amelia raised a hand. “Quick question, while we’re still in the awkward stage. What happens now in terms of leadership over the Lamias? I mean, I know Eva is not interested.”
“Oh, wow, I did not remember you being so blunt!” Riza gasped.
Tamara laughed lightly. “Not to worry. I appreciate straightforwardness more than anything,” she said to Riza, then turned to Amelia. “I will stay on as Lady of the Lamias for as long as I live. I might find ano
ther Druid, someday, with whom to produce an heir, because I don’t want to put any more pressure on Eva.”
“What if you don’t find anyone?” Lumi asked. “The Druid population is still recovering.”
“Then I will have to groom a successor among my Lamias. You’ve already taken a good candidate under your wing, I’m afraid,” Tamara replied, winking at Nethissis. “But I’ll manage, eventually. I’ve spent too much time worrying about this. No more.”
Fallon took the black honey nectar pitcher from Herakles and offered Tamara a refill. “Would you like another one?” he asked, wearing a charming and confident smile. He’d had a lot to recover from as well, after Kabbah’s possession, but I could barely recognize him tonight. I had a feeling he’d had plenty of spiced rose water before coming to the party.
“Why, thank you!” Tamara replied, switching on her devastating charm.
The two seemed to click almost instantly. It made Eva smirk. “Well, I don’t know about you and the Druids, Mother, but I can definitely see you bagging a vampire-fae in the near future,” she said.
We all burst into laughter—except Fallon. He was too busy sinking into Tamara’s eyes to even notice us. But it didn’t matter. Whatever happened, going forward, didn’t matter. We would live through it, much like we’d lived through everything else.
We’d survived the apocalypse, and we’d become stronger together. Tamara was back in Eva’s life, and we had plenty of missions to look forward to. Peace reigned across The Shade, the In-Between, and the Supernatural Dimension. The threat to our existence had been eliminated, and we were smack in the middle of celebrating an engagement we’d already dreamed about six months ago.
Whatever came next, I welcomed it. We all did, fearless and eager to live, to love, another day.
A Shade of Vampire 77: A Fate of Time Page 26
