Polite laughter and a few cheers rang out as they kissed. Not everyone was delighted with the turn of events, but now they had a new start, a fresh slate. A means to step forward, together, as one division united instead of divided.
Seraphine and Antoine exchanged blood and more kisses, and the two were wed.
Their happiness had arrived. The division would hopefully soon have some too.
35
Antoine rubbed his chin, stubble scratching his palm. Those in the meeting had gone around and around and around and hadn’t made any progress.
For one thing, having almost everyone in the division trying to have a say just wasn’t working. No one could be heard. This was chaos.
He clapped his hands and waved his arms to get as much attention as possible. After their wedding a week ago, the people had dismantled the platforms and guillotine. From some of the ruined houses, they’d gathered material together to form a large awning that nearly everyone could fit beneath. Not that it was necessary. Another storm had started. There was no visible sun to pose a threat to vampires.
“Everyone please,” Antoine said, using magic to amplify his voice.
The crowd grumbled and took a moment before complying.
“We need some semblance of order. We need rulers,” he said.
“Not a queen!” someone shouted.
“Or a king,” he agreed.
Baltasar pushed his way closer where Antoine stood. “What about a council?” he suggested.
Antoine grinned. “Who knew you could have a good idea?” he whispered.
“It’s been known to happen once or twice. Besides, it was my idea to give you my blood, remember? That was a good idea too, wasn’t it?”
Antoine laughed.
It took some time to settle the crowd again and even longer to determine that Antoine would represent the witches on the council, Baltasar the vampires, and Lucie the humans.
That night, in their partially completed new home, Antoine stared at Seraphine.
“Don’t ignore your food,” she ordered. “Your bull meat will get cold.”
Antoine dutifully took a bite. “That’s it? You aren’t upset at all?”
“About what? About not being on the council? I’m not a vampire, not completely. The vampire council member should be full-blooded. I’m fine, Antoine. Believe me. I have all I need.”
She drained her glass.
“All right. I could go for some more of your blood,” she said with a wink.
“My blood and nothing else?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Maybe I can be convinced I need something else too.” She laughed.
The council’s first meeting was smooth. It was amazing how easy ideas and plans could happen when proposed by agreeable people.
Now, they just needed Antoine to get the witches on board and the other members their species too.
Ideally, they didn’t want Ville de Liberté to be divided with the species in separate areas. That would only further instill their differences. The witches needed to determine a means to allow vampires to survive the hot season without fear of death. Until then, vampires had to live underground during that time of year.
But that season only. And hopefully only for the upcoming dry time.
Antoine proposed a school be built and museums. “We need to learn about history, our personal history and earlier from before the Rift. Children need to study it too.”
Lucie’s main focus was on food, namely more agriculture but also livestock. “We can’t just eat the bulls until they’re gone. We need more meat,” she said.
Baltasar was all about defense and rebuilding. “Our biggest foe, besides each other, is the weather. We need to build our houses so they can withstand the heat, the ice, and the winds of the rains.”
“And each other as foes?” Antoine asked.
“Who better to handle that than the one who inspired the uprising?” Lucie added.
“She’s right,” Baltasar agreed. “Seraphine should be here, and you know it, Antoine. What kind of a husband are you?”
“She’s not on the council though,” he pointed out.
Baltasar held out his hands. “We’re the council. Shouldn’t we have a say as to who is on it?”
“I motion for Seraphine to be on the council,” Lucie said.
“Seconded,” Baltasar said, grinning recklessly. Antoine just knew he rushed to say it so that Antoine would be the last.
“Give me one moment please.” Antoine pushed away from his seat at the table beneath the massive awning and bowed to his fellow councilors.
With his great speed, he fetched Seraphine, and they raced back.
“Why am I here?” she asked, not even breathless.
“We need another council member,” Antoine said.
“It was Lucie’s idea, and I seconded it,” Baltasar offered his usual smug smile.
Seraphine glanced around. “Why me?”
“You aren’t the only cross-bred,” Antoine said.
Baltasar laughed. “Don’t thank us quite yet. Your duty is to make sure there’s peace. Oh, and that none of the witches get it in their heads to finish the queen’s work and knock us off.”
Lucie slapped him upside the head. “Or to see that the vampires don’t go crazy spilling human blood.”
“I’d love to have a taste of yours,” Baltasar purred.
“Maybe after I’m dead,” Lucie returned.
“All right. Our last order of business for the day.” Antoine beamed.
He reached beneath the table and brought out steins for everyone. Yes, he had thought ahead to have four and not three.
“Let’s finish the rest of the queen’s private stock of Früh Kölsch,” he suggested.
Seraphine raised her stein. “To freedom!”
“To liberty!” Baltasar shouted.
“To prosperity!” Lucie added.
Antoine grinned a wild and happy smile. “To Ville de Liberté!”
They toasted with their steins, cheering and laughing. Just like that, a new day dawned with peace and love on the horizon.
Other Books By Nicole Zoltack
Once Upon a Darkened Night
Twisted Fairy Tales
Of Cinder and Madness
The Cost of Love
The Cost of Grief
The Cost of Power
Of Slumber and Discord
The Cost of Magic
Of Rose and Cruelty
The Cost of Rage
The Cost of Treachery
The Cost of Enchantment
Of Bones and Ashes in Twisted: Flipped Fairy Tales
Of Gold and Deceit
The Cost of Dominance
The Cost of Intolerance
Of Tresses and Desperation
The Cost of Greed
Of Wit and Hunger
The Cost of Extravagance
The Cost of Forgetfulness in Anthousa, Xanthousa, Chrisamalousa, a Primed Fairy Tale
The Cost of Betrayal in Shippeitaro (Primed Fairy Tales Book 4)
The Cost of Hubris in Shortshanks and Sweet Porridge (Primed Fairy Tales Book 5)
The Cost of Fortune in Belle-Belle and Geirald the Coward (Primed Fairy Tales Book 6)
The Cost of Curses in Bluebeard (Primed Fairy Tales Book 7)
Bedlam in Bethlehem
Cops plus Supernatural Creatures
When Vamps Bite
When Wolves Howl
How to Stake a Vampire
When Sirens Screech
How a Vampire Hunter finds Love in Haunted by Love
How to Slay a Werewolf
How to Silence a Siren
The First Hack in CyberWar: Digital Battlefield (CyberPrime)
When Cops Prowl
When Loved Ones Die
When Djinn Dream
How to Fuel your Revenge in the Summer of Magic Anthology
How to Enjoy a Fang-Free Vacation in the Wicked Magic: A Badass Collection
<
br /> Magic Incarnate
Magic + Faith + Teens
A Question of Faith
A Matter of Doubt
A Balance of Power
A Journey of Despair
A Measure of Gloom
A Glimmer of Hope
Marion’s Misery
Crystal’s Conviction in Prime Fiction
Alan’s Awakening in Prime Fantasy
Kingdom of Arnhem
Knights. Magic. Romance.
Woman of Honor
Knight of Glory
Champion of Valor
Heroes of Falledge
Superheroes need love too!
Black Hellebore
White Hellebore
Scarlet Magi
Beyond Boundaries
Can love cross class boundaries?
Masked Love
Starry Love
Standalones
His Soul Purpose in Secret Legends
A vampire longs for his soul.
Bloodlust
Epic fantasy with forbidden love
The Test of Time
Unpredictable time travel
Love Before Honor
Medieval knight. Regency lady. Magical Christmas.
Joy to the World
One lady. Two dukes, one an imposter
Christmas Kisses
Two gentlemen, only one Lady Anna’s mother approves of
Starving for Love
The Little Mermaid with a zombie twist
Guns and Fangs
A vampire huntress turns into that which she hates
Shattering Souls
A medical student discovers another has healed a cancer patient… with magic?
The Matchmaker’s Match
A brewer of love potions just may have met her match
Anthologies
Phoenix Romance
Phoenix Prime Collection of Romance Shorts
Phoenix Force (Prime Tales)
Phoenix Prime Collection of SciFi Shorts
Phoenix Galactic
Another Phoenix Prime Collection of SciFi Shorts
Phoenix Fantasy
Phoenix Prime Collection of Fantasy Shorts
Flight of the Phoenix (Phoenix Prime Anthology)
Another Phoenix Prime Collection of Fantasy Shorts
Phoenix Shadows
A Collection of Dark Shorts from Phoenix Prime Authors
Something Wicked (A Collection of Haunting Tales)
A perfect collection for Halloween
Under Your Spell
Every day is magical with this spellbinding collection!
Autumn’s Kiss
Fall into love with these romances
Candy Cane Kisses
A Romantic Holiday Short Story Anthology
Love & Grace
An uplifting love story for everyone
Viva Las Vegas
Finding love in Las Vegas
Shiver me Timbers
All the pirates you could want!
Love and Diamonds
Valentine’s Day Short Stories
Scare Me to Sleep
Horror Short Stories
Belles in Blue: Coloring Book
The perfect coloring book for any Regency fan
Acknowledgments
First and always, I have to thank my husband. I’m sure it can’t be easy being married to a writer, and I am so appreciative of all the support over the years. I love you, Todd! Thank you to my wonderful children for understanding that Mommy has work she has to do, but she still does and always will love you!
To some of the best writer friends a girl could ever have. You know who you are and I can’t wait until we can retreat again!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my wonderful street team. You keep me going, and I’m writing for you and for all of my fans. Thank you for all you do for me!
And finally, I want to acknowledge my readers. You are why I write. As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. So please keep reading, all right?
About the Author
Nicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!
When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.
Everyone who signs up for her newsletter receives a free book, so sign up now!
For more information
www.NicoleZoltack.com
[email protected]
Dark Hunt: Division 4: The Berkano Vampire Collection Page 21
