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“If you’re not, it’s okay,” I assure him. “Amy will understand if it’s just us and Annabelle.”
“No, she won’t, because you won’t be going for the walk alone. I don’t want you leaving the house without me, Casey. Not even for a walk around the grounds. Not until we’re certain the estate is safe, and our rings are on each other’s fingers.”
The argument on the tip of my tongue fades at the mention of rings.
Memories of our conversation last night come rushing in, making me feel warmer all over. “So, we’re really going to do it, then? Move up the wedding?”
“Absolutely. We’ll be married tonight. After the clan meeting. I’ve already put the wheels in motion,” he says. “If even one demon is still after you or Amy, we can’t afford to wait. We need the legal protection of our marriage in place.”
The knowledge of what a close call I had in the bar makes my already unsettled stomach snarl behind my ribs.
“I’ll call about lunch,” Edmond says, but I stop him before he can reach for his cell on the bedside table.
“No, it’s okay, I just…” I prop up on one arm, gazing down at him. “So, we’re going to get married tonight? In less than twelve hours?”
His gaze locks with mine. “I hope that’s agreeable. I tried to incorporate as many of the things that I knew you wanted as possible, considering the last-minute nature of the plans.”
“Of course, you did,” I murmur. “Because you’re the best. And yes, it’s perfect.” I lay my hand softly over his heart. “All I really want is you.”
Pain and gratitude flash in his eyes as he cups my face in his big hands. “I’m already yours, Chicago. And I always will be, no matter what.”
I lean in, pressing my lips to his, silently asking for his forgiveness for what I intend to do.
I don’t care how firmly he forbids me from leaving the grounds—as soon as I’m strong enough, I’m going to Priscilla. I’ll ask her to toast my marriage—and fix her a drink neither of us will ever forget.
Chapter Sixteen
EDMOND
The tone in the war room that afternoon is somber, as expected, but also energized and…hopeful.
It seems I’m not the only one who’s felt something bad brewing in our clan for years. Several of my brothers and sisters have been concerned as well. Now that the rot has been revealed, we’re eager to cut it out and move forward, united by our common values.
We may have been turned at different points in our lives and different points in history, but the people in this room share the belief that all sentient creatures are created equal, human beings should never be coerced or forced into vampire service, and that Nightfall should remain a refuge for all supernatural creatures.
It’s inspiring, to see my clan filled with passion and purpose, and I leave the meeting with a lighter heart than when I went in.
And then I step outside into the lavender glow of dusk to see Casey and Amy waiting for me on the patio—Annabelle already wiggling excitedly on her leash as the toddler cuddles her on her lap—and I’m overcome with gratitude.
Life can be hard and dangerous, and at times it feels like the trials never stop coming, but in the midst of it all there are moments like these, moments of beauty and magic with the people we love.
In that instant, I resolve to treasure every one of them I have left, and to carry them with me in my heart of hearts into whatever comes next.
“Looks like someone’s hitting it off well with a new friend,” I say, wrapping my arm around Casey’s waist and pulling her in for a hug as Annabelle’s tongue lolls from her mouth from the force of her full-body wiggling.
“Oh, she’s lovely,” the pup says, quivering with happiness. “She’s so darling and sweet. I love her and I think she loves me, too, Edmond!”
“I love her so much,” Amy says, almost as if she can understand the dog, too.
“See?” Annabelle beams up at me with shining eyes. “I can feel it pouring out of her, straight from her precious little heart.”
Casey laugh-sniffs beside me and brings a hand to her lips. “I have no idea what she said, but Goddess, she’s so sweet with her, Edmond. I’ve never seen a dog so happy to be loved on. Poor little girl must have had a rough time of it with Sultan the shithead.”
Fighting an unexpected stinging at the backs of my eyes, I nod. “Nothing rough as far as I understood it, but she hasn’t had much attention in recent years. And there’s no way in hell Sultan had real love in his heart. Not like Amy.” I smile as Annabelle wiggles in agreement and swipes her unruly tongue across Amy’s giggling cheeks. “She said she loves Amy already.”
Casey swipes at her cheeks. “I’m so glad. Tell her we adore her, too, and she can be our puppy as long as she likes.”
I convey the message to Annabelle who practically faints with excitement. She’s so overcome that Amy has to carry her for the first portion of the walk. Watching my soon-to-be-daughter toddle along with the tiny dog’s legs dangling down beside her own and Annabelle in absolute bliss, despite the awkward hold Amy has on her torso, fills me with joy.
