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Holland’s gaze drifted toward the ice sculpture. Blu was now sitting on top like the star of a human Christmas tree while Vi flew around her, Henry straddling Vi’s back and egging her on as she dive-bombed her sister. “They certainly are a vivacious duo.”

Keir sighed. “Never a dull moment I suppose.”

“No. I remember when Erasmus was young,” Holland wistfully answered. “We live such long lives. It is easy falling into a rut, set in our ways and oblivious to change. However, such a fate becomes far less likely when we are surrounded by the young.”

“And mischievous kitsunes,” Grayson said as he entered the room. Eldon followed behind him. Throwing a thumb over his shoulder, Grayson pointed toward Eldon. “Found a straggler.”

Keir immediately went into older brother mode. “Were you lost? I thought you knew the way. If I’d known, I would have insisted you come with us earlier. I⁠—”

“It’s fine.” Eldon waved Keir off. I’d noticed Keir’s younger brother growing increasingly frustrated with Keir’s protective nature. Almost recovered from his captivity and near starvation, Eldon was starting to spread his metaphorical and physical wings. I had a feeling Keir’s younger brother would be leaving us soon to return to Europe. It wasn’t that I thought Eldon ungrateful, only that he needed to step out on his own again, if only to prove to himself he was capable.

Hands fisted on his hips, Grayson’s eyes narrowed in on Martin. “What on earth is Martin doing?”

I stared, a little dumbfounded before answering. “He appears to be holding the plate of cheesecake aloft within his branches, away from Jima.” The smaller ferret shifter was currently jumping up and down, reaching as high as he could as he attempted to swat the plate away.

“Oh shit.” Grayson cupped his hands and shouted, “Watch your six, Martin!”

Grayson’s warning came too late as Blu and Vi—Henry still riding on Vi’s back—swept through the air, grabbing the edge of the plate with their claws and sending the cheesecake tumbling into Jima’s outstretched hands.

Raucous laughter filled the air, and I noticed even the ghostly Elvira smiling as she hovered near Tabitha. Hikaru was bent over, his body and tails shaking with laughter while praising Henry’s efforts.

Jima swung around, before darting off with his prize. I noticed Holland’s eyes narrow in on Jima before he asked, “Where did Jima get that charm?”

“What cha… Oh…” Keir’s words faded. “He’s still wearing it, I see.”

“Is that a new one?” I asked. Jima had already activated the previous charm Helios had given him, thus making it inert.

“I believe so,” Keir cautiously answered. “To answer your question, Warlock Holland, the charm came from Helios. As to who made it, I’m uncertain.”

Holland groaned. “I’d need to get closer, but I believe I recognize the magical signature.” With a heavy sigh, Holland grunted out a reluctant “Vander Kines” before shaking his head and walking off.

Grayson had left us some time ago on a mission to assuage Martin’s injured pride. Eldon had also wandered off and joined Tabitha along the edge of the room. Vi and Blu were currently flying through the sparkling dust closer to the ceiling. At some point, they’d dropped Henry off with Jima and the two of them were enjoying the spoils of war. Who knew cheesecake was so valuable a commodity?

Keir’s body relaxed as he leaned into me. Wrapping my arms around him, I held his back to my chest and nuzzled his hair. I loved its different shades and the scent that filled my nose and settled into my soul.

“Is everything set up to contact Grandmother’s flight and your thunder?”

“Ready and waiting for the call,” I answered. I’d made certain everything was prepared earlier in the day. The time difference between Minnesota and Eastern Europe was great, but Thalia, Lady Usha, Lulabelle, and Saraphina all wanted to witness Vi and Blu’s naming ceremony.

“Do you think Thalia will like the names we chose?” Keir worriedly asked.

“She will love them,” I confidently answered. “Ianthe Vidia Azure and Nilasha Vidia Azure. They are lovely, proud, and strong names.” We’d decided to add my nieces’ mother’s name. We’d argued about their last name. I’d wanted to give them Keir’s name of Montenegro, but he had adamantly disagreed and I’d finally relented.

“You know, we’ve called them Vi and Blu for so long, I don’t know if any of us will be able to change now. Perhaps we waited too long to give the girls proper names.”

Nuzzling Keir’s neck, I softly answered, “Vidia would love their nicknames.”

“Really?” Keir turned his head, staring up at me with wide, hope filled eyes.

“Really,” I answered. “She would have loved you too.”

Keir’s neck flushed red, pinking his cheeks. “I wish I could have met her.”

A stab of sadness and regret lanced through my chest. And yet that loss was tempered by what Vidia had left behind. Vi and Blu were gifts—gifts I never would have met if it had not been for Keir’s desire to right the wrongs inflicted by another. My mate had bypassed the easy road and plowed into uncharted territory. He’d navigated treacherous waters and pain-filled memories and in so doing, he’d saved Vi and Blu.

In so many ways, he’d saved me too.

“Our family,” Keir quietly said. “For so long, I thought my life was cursed. After Huxley’s betrayal, I…I thought I’d never know peace again. But this… This is beyond what I could have ever dreamed possible. This is worth everything. This is worth protecting.”