“Well, a few minutes ago I was texting with one of the witches at the academy, Tabitha Grimm, a friend for years. She doesn’t follow the witches’ orders like a lot of the others.”
Corvinus hands me a beautifully salted lime-flavored margarita.
You’ve got so many skills, vampire.
Raven’s eyes swirl. “Maybe I should save this for another day, but it is important.”
“No, tell us,” I encourage as Descallia, Lucianna, Romano, Corvinus and I all give her our full attention.
Raven inhales a deep breath. “This is such a hard thing to do. I don’t want you to think that I’m telling you things to save Devora from what she’s certainly due, or that I’m just trying to keep my Aunt Devora alive, but my friend, she wouldn’t lie.
“Tabitha sent me a text because she’s scared that the repercussions of Devora’s actions will end in the witches’ demise. She’s a special witch. She doesn’t just follow Devora, the instructors and the high priestess blindly, without thinking on her own. She sent me a message because she learned that Devora was very tight with Isala, and now holds the secrets to the destruction of the vampires. At least that’s what she overheard.
“Tabitha also overheard a conversation between two of the head witches talking about the arrival of the high priestess at the academy. She believes as I do that the best path for both the vampires and witches are in truce, but she’s certain the high priestess will stir up Devora’s anger even more.”
Descallia and Lucianna’s eyes turn flaming red at the very same time. Descallia growls so loud that the crystal glasses on the bar shatter into a million pieces.
Lucianna places a hand on our fearless overmaster’s arm. “It just means that we keep doing what you’ve always done. For centuries you’ve put up with Devora and her nonsense to ensure the vampires came out on top.” She shrugs. “The answer issimple. Dealing with her is a headache but if we keep her close, like you’ve always done, then we can win this war. If you attack, the other witches could know the secrets to our destruction. Then we don’t know who our enemy is. Is it worth the chance or the satisfaction you would get by ending her?”
Overmaster Descallia’s jaw tightens as his eyes turn a brighter red. “Dealing with Devora is far better than letting the secrets of our demise get out.” He looks to both Corvinus and me. “The two of you will have much work to do. The lords will need to be prepared, and we’ll need the warriors up and running very soon. This high priestess is not going to like the fact that we’ve not only learned the sacred land is ours, but plan to take it back.” Descallia scans the group. “The masters are going to want an update on where we are with the warriors, and after that, will want to put plans into place to secure our sacred land and the caverns within the ranges.”
Embry nods. “The rest of the applications should all be in within the next couple of weeks. I’ll pull together a small group to go over my thoughts and help me narrow it down, with a plan to test not only their brawn and skill with the sword, but also their loyalty.”
Corvinus places his arms around me possessively. “But first things first. At the next masters’ meeting I’ll be letting them know that Embry is mine, now and always. And at the next ceremony where you and Lucianna share your vision for the vampire court, I’d like Embry to officially be crowned my mate. I want everyone to know.”
He tips my chin so that my eyes meet his dark searing orbs. “Say yes.”
“Yes, a thousand times, vampire. I love you.”
He holds me tight. I love him so much for sharing our special moment with the people who mean the most to us. “I love you too, Embry. Destiny always knew what we did not, our liveswere always on a path to cross, and now, we are not only seared in love, but bound to protect the vampires for eternity. Destiny definitely got it right.” He bends his head and kisses me so passionately that he takes my breath away. When I look up, all of our friends are smiling.
Lucianna puts her arm around me. “All I’ve ever wanted for you is a love as strong as mine. And now, together, this court of ours will cement all of our lives together, bringing us power in numbers and in strength.” She turns to the group and raises my hand. “Are we ready to celebrate at the next ceremony and reveal the official hierarchy of the court?”
Cheers from our friends sound in my ear as Corvinus lifts me into his arms and transports me away, back to his estate where a path of dark red rose petals lie in the doorway, trailing down the hall and up the stairs and into our bedroom. The bed is covered with them and a perfect silver crown with two layers of rubies lies in the center of the magnificent bed. “To signify my love, your position, and the rubies to signify the rings of fire that saved the vampires and gave you back your power.”
My eyes leak tears I simply cannot hold back. “The strength of your unwavering love and trust, that’s what gave me my power back, vampire.”
Epilogue
CORVINUS
Overmaster Descallia stands on stage at the podium addressing the vampire masters, lords, and some of the future warriors. “It’s not every day that we form a new hierarchy, a new court of vampires. I believe this will bring the vampires together in a solidified single approach meant to move us into the next century. And as Lord Corvinus takes his place by my side, I’d like to have him say a few words.”
The crowd parts as I walk toward the steps of the stage and make my way up to where Overmaster Descallia stands.
I shake hands with him and take the microphone as he steps back. “It’s my honor to be here and to accept the position bestowed on me tonight. All of us, together, we make a difference, each of our positions adding to the strength and protection of the vampires’ future. Thank you for your trust in me.”
My chest tightens as Embry walks in on cue in a short black gown, little black boots, and fishnet stockings that show off her shapely legs, but it’s her glowing eyes that captivate me the most.
Embry joins me on stage and stands next to me as planned, and her beauty almost takes my breath away. I take her handand turn to the crowd, watching their smiling faces, their delight in being able to be part of something as special as this. “Tonight, I wanted all of you to be able to witness the moment when I officially make Embry my queen. Many of you have heard what she’s done for the vampires but may not know that she has thwarted attempts by our enemies to harm the vampires multiple times and has sacrificed greatly in order to do this. As Overmaster has shared, Embry will be the leader of the warriors, an elite and new society of skilled fighting operatives, a combination of groups and skills, the official title to be unveiled at another time in the near future, but in addition to that, she has also agreed to be my queen.”
Cheers erupt as my close friend and colleague Lord Theron steps forward with the crown. Embry’s eyes mist as I place it gently on her head before kissing her trembling lips and making her mine officially for everyone in the community to see.
The crowd starts clapping, a thunderous applause. I wrap my arm around Embry and walk with her off the stage and through the parting crowd. “Two Descallia Reds,” I tell the bartender as we reach the other side of the room and the noise dies down allowing Overmaster Descallia to finish up his speech.
Lord Theron comes to stand by us and claps me on the back and gives Embry a brief hug. “Congratulations.” He turns to the bartender. “Descallia Red, please.”
Embry nudges me as a majestic woman in a long trailing red gown floats through the crowd, all eyes wide, watching her as she moves toward us. It’s not her beauty alone, it’s the fact they know, if her gaze meets yours, by chance or other, your fate could be sealed and life changed forever.
