Lysandro cleared his throat, so I focused on him. His gaze slid back and forth between Ego and me, growing as hestood there. “This is such an honor. After never finding my own anchor, and not siring any of my own fledglings, it’s not something I ever thought I’d get the pleasure of being a part of.
“Scotty, since the minute you came to the library, I knew we’d be great friends. Your warmth and sincerity have been a balm to an old vamp’s heart. And, Ego…” He trailed off, shaking his head and chuckling. “I had no idea what I was setting myself up for when I agreed to train you in our ways, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
“I started feeling like your Father long before disposing of your Maker. I want you to know that.”
“Thank you,” Ego said. He sounded so emotional that I felt tears come to my own eyes. He needed this. I thought, perhaps, Lysandro did, too.
Lysandro smiled softly at Ego, then did that thing where it felt like he straightened his already perfect posture to stand impossibly taller. “Ego, take Scotty’s wrist, please.”
He’d explained what we’d need to do last night, but I wasn’t sure what the others knew. I hoped my brother didn’t freak out when Ego sank his fangs into me.
My vamp cradled my right wrist gently in his hands. Those long, elegant fingers caressing across my skin. “Ego Reign, an anchor is a great responsibility. It will be your job to protect Scotty Grisham like he’s the most precious person on this planet and any realm you come to frequent. He’s also your attachment to your humanity, and your guard from the darkness. For this reason, you are to obey when it feels against your vampiric nature so that you can exist in the same space as mortals. Do you understand your role?”
Ego stared into my eyes as he said, “I do.”
Lyandro hummed, then continued, “Scotty Grisham, just as your vampire protects you, it is your responsibility to keep him from slipping into bloodlust or madness. He will partake of yourblood as his primary sustenance, so I need to know now. Are you here of your own free will?”
“I am,” I answered honestly.
“And do you understand that as he feeds on you and your bond grows, your lifespan will lengthen to match his, giving you an unlimited amount of time together?”
“Yes.”
“Has there been any coercion or charisma from Ego in the course of your relationship?” he asked.
“There has not.”
“If at any time you want to be released from this bond, you understand that it is your responsibility to give Ego, my fledgling, into my care?”
“I won’t.” Ego’s eyes widened. “I mean, I won’t ever want to give up this responsibility. Ego Reign is mine.”
I heard Skyawingin the background, but I wasn’t saying it to be sweet. His cousin was mine, and I might not be a vampire, but I dared anyone to try to separate us.
“You are mine, too, Scotty Grisham. From now until the end of time.”
I heard a woman’s sniffle, but I knew what was coming next. I wondered how they’d all take it.
“I am satisfied with your vows to each other and to the vampire-anchor bond. It is time to seal it in blood.”
Ego lifted my wrist at the same time he bent down, opening his mouth. His fangs flashed in the light right before he struck true, piercing my skin. I heard my brother’s outraged gasps over the ripple of pain before I sank into pure bliss, and my eyes fluttered shut.
The gentle pull of my vampire drinking my blood was intoxicating, and I wished we weren’t having a reception after this. Would it be rude for us to sneak away long enough to deal with the hard-on I was sporting now?
Ego gently disengaged, and I opened my eyes and stared into his as he licked over the bite mark, using his saliva to seal and heal my skin. “I really freaking love you,” slipped from my lips.
He pressed a soft kiss to my lips before standing and gathering me into his arms and whispering in my ear, “Not nearly as much as I love you. I thought I’d lost myself with the change, but it brought me to you, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Congratulations erupted around us, and we were dragged apart for hugs and conversations, but I felt sure in my place in the world. In my place with my mate.
That’s good, because you just promised I didn’t ever have to let you go, sounded in my head, and I knew the bond was complete.
We’ll never let each other go, I responded back in my own mind, knowing that it was true and never feeling happier than right now.
Epilogue
EGO
“Why am I so nervous?”I asked Scotty as I wiped my hands down my pant legs.
