Max rests his palm at the small of my back. It’s comforting and possessive, but not in the same way Pierre controlled me.My Sasquatch only wants me to know he’s here for me, no matter what.
“Can I get you a glass of wine or coffee?” I ask.
Ion joins us, remaining on the opposite side of the island. “Coffee would be nice.”
Vampires are not affected by alcohol, and wine is one of the few human drinks we find delicious; coffee comes in a distant second. Once I’ve poured his cup, he takes a sip. Always direct, he puts the coffee down and meets my gaze. “After Pierre Brochet made his choice, I didn’t return here directly.”
Not sure where this is going, I wait. Ion returning to Harmony Glen had never been a given in my mind. He could go anywhere in the world. I’m certain he has many vampires who are linked to him through his sire line. Just because Mari and I are here never meant he would come to stay or even visit. “We’re pleased you arrived when you did.”
His smile is warm and charming. “I mean to say, I had an errand to do before I came back.”
“An errand to give Pierre a final resting place?” I’ve never had to bury anyone, but I imagine arrangements must be made.
With a shrug, he says, “Pierre’s ashes have been placed in my family mausoleum in Romania.”
“That was nice of you.” I can’t imagine Ion was proud to have such a fiend in his family tree, yet in death, he still honored him.
“I should have taken him in hand many hundreds of years ago.” His gaze grows distant for a moment, and then he looks into my eyes. “Once I left my ancestral home, I went to Germany, to the village where you were born, Tilda.”
The rolling hills and clear lakes flash through my mind. I can almost smell the grass and flowers as emotion wells up, and I have to dash away a tear. “Why?”
He reaches inside his hoodie and pulls out an envelope. “To find this.” He hands it to me.
My skin tingles as I touch the stiff cardboard. The sensation is at once foreign and familiar. A rush of adrenaline stirs my blood. “What is it?”
The pressure from Max’s hand increases, and he stands up straighter while his jaw tightens.
Voice calm, Ion looks from Max back to me. “It’s what you need, granddaughter. But perhaps we should go outside before you open it.”
Trusting Ion comes easily, and I immediately head for the back door. The gift in my hand seems to vibrate with life. The coming autumn brings a cool breeze that shimmers across the pond. The colors of the world appear brighter and more defined.
The sound of the back slider closing seems far away as I open the envelope. Within it is one pure white feather. It calls to me and shimmers as if it’s as excited to see me as I am to see it.
Chapter Thirteen
TILDA
Silently, Max peers over my shoulder. “Is that a swan feather?”
“From the original swan maiden coat. It took some searching to find that feather in the basement of the house where you were born. Your mother and father helped me excavate into an ancient level, thought to be only a myth. They were relieved to learn you were not dead and shocked to hear of your troubles, though I didn’t tell the entire story, as that is yours to tell.” Ion adds, “Perhaps you might visit them at some point.”
“Or invite them here.” Max returns his hand to my back.
“When I was a child, my aunt told me that our family had lived in the place where our house was built for many generations. She said that as houses became fashionable, they were built upon a dugout home in the hill.” I can’t take my eyes off the feather. “I never believed that story.”
Ion says, “I think you were not alone, but even so, your parents were open to digging under their foundation to help you.”
My chest is so tight, I can’t form a response. I always believed my mother and father would be horrified to see what I’ve become, but Ion says that’s not true. I swallow. “You told them I’m a vampire.”
“It was necessary to explain why you are unable to shift into your swan and why you disappeared. However, that is all I told them. I didn’t mention Pierre or the last seven or so years, only that you had been changed against your will.” His voice is as calm as ever.
Meanwhile, it feels as if I’m coming out of my skin. “They must have been horrified.” The breeze reaches inside the envelope and ruffles the delicate afterfeathers. A wave of desire pounds into me as if the feather were calling to me.
Ion touches my arm. “No. They were concerned and relieved to learn you are alive.” He pulls back. “Take the feather, Tilda. You are more than a vampire, and you deserve to be what you were born to be.”
A rare drop of perspiration forms at my temple and drips down my face. I step away from Max and Ion, then turn to face them. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do. The idea of touching that feather and nothing happening stills my hand. “I’m done living in fear.” I reach inside and press the calamus between my index finger and thumb. The hollow shaft feels delicate and strong at once. The cardboard drops away as I press the swan feather to the center of my chest and wrap both hands around it.
My chest warms.
