by Marie Medina
“Gregor wrote that one of the men is with the Black Sun,” Lucas said. “Erik is already taking precautions, and we—”
“You’re back!” Violet said as she came running up to them. She hugged Sean and then Iris. “You have to tell me everything. And I want to go to the trial. Those men tried to kill you. I want to hear what they have to say for themselves.”
Lucas sighed heavily. “That will be up to Erik. I already told you that.”
“Lord Fergus won’t mind. He likes me!” Violet said.
Lucas laughed. “He likes your enthusiasm for his weapon collection, and it’s not about that.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I imagine we’ll all go to the trial, but,” he paused, making Violet look up at him, “no promises.”
Violet grinned. “No promises means yes.” She looked over at Sean. “Always does.” She ran away before Lucas could say anything else.
“There’s one thing we didn’t tell you in that letter,” Iris said.
Lucas looked at their clasped hands. “You’ve accepted him.” He glanced back and forth between them. “It’s obvious just looking at you.”
“We have your blessing?” Sean asked.
Lucas nodded. “Of course.” To Iris, he said, “How do you feel? Being a vampire?”
“It’s different, but in a good way.”
He slid his arm around her and nodded to the castle. “Erik’s in a meeting. News of what happened sent him into a frenzy of planning. It’ll do him good to see you back safe.”
“Will he be happy?” Iris asked.
Lucas held her gaze as they mounted the exterior stairs. “One look at your face, and he will be.”
Iris felt Sean squeeze her hand, and she squeezed back as she leaned over and kissed Lucas on the cheek. “Now, we just need to find the right man to take Violet off your hands.”
Lucas gasped dramatically, an exaggerated look of astonishment on his face. “And leave us defenseless? Oh no, it will never do. The castle would fall without our greatest warrior to defend it.”
Just then Violet came careening around an archway, chasing a cat. She caught it, and surprisingly, the big black tomcat only looked up at her in silent surrender. They all burst out laughing, earning a puzzled glare from Violet before they went inside.
Epilogue
Two Days Later
Iris laughed as Sean tripped over his robes and went sprawling on the ground while trying to fend off Violet’s attack. His wooden sword clattered to the stones beneath them as Sean leaned up and rubbed his lower back.
“Be careful with him!” Iris said as she got up and walked over to them. “He’s a hundred years old and the only mate I have.”
“He’s a vampire. He can take it,” Violet said as she swished her own sword through the air. She grinned at Iris. “I know I’ve already said it, but it’s so amazing you’re a vampire too now. I hope I get to be one someday.”
“May the gods help the man who finds himself fated to you,” Sean said as he stood.
Violet narrowed her eyes at him. “I think you kind of mean that as a compliment.”
Sean drew her to his side and hugged her. “Of course I do. He’ll never tame you, and he’ll have to live with that.”
Violet smiled and hugged him back before backing up to continue practicing her moves.
“So, am I thoroughly tamed then?” Iris asked.
Sean shook his head slowly. “No. I’m the one who’s been tamed.”
“Reformed, I think people are saying.”
“Yes, even Erik and Lucas seem impressed by the way you handle me.”
“Handle you? You’re gentle as a lamb.” She lowered her voice. “At least during the day.”
“You encourage me, insatiable as you are.”
“Oh gods, I can hear you guys. Stop it!” Violet said.
They both laughed, and Sean said, “Apologies, dear sister. When you meet your vampire one day, you’ll be surprised the things that will come out of your mouth.”
Violet stared at him with her mouth open before she burst out laughing. “I’m out of here.” She bounded off to the other side of the garden where Erik and Lucas sat.
“How big is this ceremony going to be?” Sean asked.
Iris eyed Erik and Lucas and all of the swatches and books around them. “Huge, I think. Wary as he was, I think it makes them both happy to see me joined to a vampire.”
“Good. I know their approval means a lot.”
“But mine is all that matters, of course,” she said, smoothing his robes. She rested one hand on his chest. “A month ago, I’d never have imagined this coming out of my mouth, especially to you, but … I don’t just think I love you. I do love you, Sean.”
Sean pressed her hand to his heart. “You had to go and say that with them mere yards away, didn’t you?”
She grinned up at him and said softly, “Why? You have the urge to do something improper?”
“Very improper.” He yanked her to him and kissed her soundly.
“Would you two go inside already?” Violet said loudly enough to have them both dissolving into giggles.
“Get used to it,” Sean said back to her with a smile. “You have four more big sisters.”
Iris laughed as she caught Lucas and Erik looking at them. Lucas went a bit pale and reached for the decanter of wine, muttering something. Erik laughed, touching his mate’s arm lovingly as he winked at Iris and then waved her and Sean away.
“Seems we have permission to go inside,” Iris said. “Come on. I want to hear these improper ideas of yours.”
“It’ll be easier to show you,” he said into her ear as he followed her inside.
She smiled up at him. “If you insist.”
The End
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Other Books by Marie Medina:
www.evernightpublishing.com/marie-medina
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