by Debra Dunbar
I shook his hand, and felt something between us. Not sexual at all—which was confusing the heck out of my succubus self. Friendship. A completely platonic friendship. Yeah. That would be cool.
“I will keep in touch,” I promised.
Maybe he could recommend a good wine for my wedding. Maybe we’d honeymoon in Paris and eat at the restaurant where he worked. Maybe someday he’d head across the Atlantic and visit us in New Orleans. I hoped so, but for now I was putting this chapter of my life behind me, leaving this castle and winery to drive back to Lake Como where I’d party with Irix, celebrate our last few days in Italy, then fly back to the States where I’d give Jordan the good news and plan my wedding.
My wedding. Closing one chapter of my life, and opening another. I was so excited.
Epilogue
It was early Saturday night. I was packed and ready to leave, feeling that odd sense of sorrow and excitement that comes when a vacation ends. Irix and I were restless, so the pair of us headed out to a little tavern that had outdoor seating, and Irix immediately headed out after a patron who had been giving him the eye ever since we’d arrived, leaving me with half of a bottle of wine and a yummy charcuterie tray that I wasn’t about to let go uneaten.
I’d just poured myself a second glass of wine when I felt something. Actually I felt someone—a presence that sent a shiver down my back. It was an angel. He appeared from nowhere, materializing over near the boat rental dock and walking over toward me. Without a word, he sat down next to me, eyeing my wine.
“Hi.” What does one say to an angel? Should I offer him a glass of wine? Some cheese?
“Elf. Merry meet. How does your human fermented fruit drink compared to those from your homeland?”
I’d never had elven wine, but I remembered how Hallwyn had described it. “There is more of an alcohol bite even among similar types and strengths, and the flavors are less complex and rougher, but I find it quite acceptable.” I hoped Irix had snuck out the back, and was far, far away from this angel.
Wait. There was no need for Irix to run.
“He’s got immunity, you know.” I lifted my chin in a challenge to the angel.
He laughed softly, taking a drink of my wine and contemplating it a moment before nodding in approval.
“Yes, I know. I’m with the Grigori and we’ve all been told. I recognized his energy signature a few days ago and have quite enjoyed the show the two of you have put on here. An elf and a demon—a sex demon at that. I never thought that would happen. Be careful, elf. Others might not be as open-minded as you and might see your affections as a betrayal.”
That betrayal had happened with my mother. I hoped I didn’t meet her end. But the world was a different place. This world was a different place than the elven kingdom in Hel that had sentenced my mother to death for daring to bear a half-breed child.
“I’ll be careful,” I told the angel, knowing that I’d already been far from careful in the last year.
The angel looked in the direction Irix had gone. “Tell him to take care as well. There are angels here who are not Grigori and who won’t acknowledge his immunity. Both of you should be on your guard.”
“Thank you.”
He stood, then eyeing my wine picked up the glass and drained it. “I needed to shave this morning. Shave. And the beverage affects me, calming me, making me want to slumber. We angels can no longer easily resist the call of the flesh. This world is a different place than it was just a few short years ago.”
I nodded, not sure where he was going with all of this.
“Chaos.” His eyes met mine. “We try to hold it back. We try to mold and shape it to suit our needs, but in the end it destroys everything.”
“There is no such thing as destruction, only change,” I told him, repeating something Sam had once told me.
A ghost of a smile hinted at the edge of his mouth and the wine glass shattered in his hand.
“Change such as this? But what remains no longer serves, no longer is suitable to its intended purpose.” Bits of glass tinted pink with faint blood rained down upon the tablecloth. “Be ready, elf. For the apocalypse is upon us.”
Afterword
Although the individuals in this book are fictional, the settings are based on real villas and locations you can visit if you find yourself in the Lake Como area.
Villa Sommariva is based on the famous Villa Carlotta in Cadenabbia, complete with paintings, statuary, and amazing gardens. There’s even the wet grotto that Daniela likes so much.
Villa Montenegro is based on Villa Balbianello, built in the 12th century. It’s been used in several big budget movies (and it’s the perfect place for an incubus to propose).
Castle Abbondio is based on the Castle of Grumello near Bergamo. http://www.castellodigrumello.it/ Yes, it does have a winery, vineyards, and a tower with a really cool dungeon. (No, I did not have sex in the dungeon.) Cristina Kettlitz, whose family has owned the castle for generations, was an amazing and gracious hostess. She was amused that I’d be using elements from her family’s castle in my novel, and that the fictional version would be a dragon clan’s “treasure”.
If you’d like to rent a villa for your vacation like Irix and Amber did, check out Love Como (LoveComo.com), where Vittoria Solano will help you find the perfect spot for your holiday. There’s even a recipe for Pizzocheri on their blog!
And lastly, many thanks to Daniela Stephanz Anderson, who organized the tour I tagged along with this past spring. She’s a whirlwind of energy and if there’s something she doesn’t know, give her five minutes and she will. Daniela asked if I could name a character after her in this book, so poof, she’s a dragon!
I had no idea what the fantasy plot for City of Lust would be until we were heading in to Lake Como on our bus from the airport, and I looked across the lake into the snow-capped jagged mountains and envisioned dragons circling their peaks, diving down across the waters. It’s a gorgeous spot, and I highly recommend Lake Como as a vacation destination, as well as New Orleans, Maui, and Napa Valley.
Hel…well, I don’t recommend vacationing there!
I hope you’ve enjoyed Amber and Irix’s exploits in the Half-breed series. Although City of Lust is the final book in this series, look for a short story in 2018 on the wedding, and the occasional cameo in other Imp World books.
Acknowledgments
A huge thanks to my copyeditors Kimberly Cannon and Jennifer Cosham whose eagle eyes catch all my typos and keep my comma problem in line, and to Damonza, for cover design.
Most of all, thanks to my children, who have suffered many nights of microwaved chicken nuggets and take-out pizza so that Mommy can follow her dream.
About the Author
Debra lives in a little house in the woods of Maryland with her sons and two slobbery bloodhounds. On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground. Her only known super power is 'Identify Roadkill'.
debradunbar.com
Also by Debra Dunbar
The Templar Series
Dead Rising
Last Breath
Bare Bones
Famine’s Feast
Dark Crossroads (2018)
The Imp Series
A Demon Bound
Satan’s Sword
Elven Blood
Devil’s Paw
Imp Forsaken
Angel of Chaos
Kingdom of Lies
Exodus
Queen of the Damned
Half-breed Series
Demons of Desire
Sins of the Flesh
Cornucopia
Unholy Pleasures
City of Lust
Imp World Novels
No Man’s Land
Stolen Souls
Three Wishes
Northern Lights
Far From Center
Northern Wolves
Juneau to Kenai
Rogue
Win
ter Fae
Bad Seed
