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I glanced at where Karoly and Leo still had their heads together. “I should join them,” I told Rafe. A battle was brewing, and the Tremblays would be part of it.
Rosemarie Kral came up on my other side in time to hear me. She was a small, dark-haired force of nature with a New Orleans accent and a hard-to-resist warmth. It was easy to see where Rafe’s charm came from.
I hadn’t expected to like her. No, to be honest, I’d figured she wouldn’t like me, but when I’d told Rafe, he’d looked at me like I was crazy.
“Of course, she will.”
I’d grimaced. He didn’t understand. His childhood had been so different from mine. To me, his home life sounded unreal, like something out of a sitcom. Family dinners. A big house in the country. A mom who cuddled you and read you stories.
What would a mother like that think of the Tremblay Ice Princess?
“I’m not exactly a family person,” I told him. “There’s a reason people call me the Ice Princess.”
“Zoe.” He waited until I met his eyes. “Just be yourself. Mom is used to vampires.”
When I shook my head, he said, “She lives with my dad, doesn’t she? He’s not exactly Mr. Warm-and-Fuzzy. And besides, inside, you’re warmer than you think. And I’m not just saying this. I canfeelit. You don’t have to please Victorine anymore. You’re free to figure out who you really are.”
“Yeah,” I said slowly. “I am, aren’t I?”
Now, Rosemarie slid an arm around my waist from the other side so I was between her and Rafe. She followed my gaze in the direction of Karoly and Leo. “Let them talk. Tonight, let yourself mourn your mother. Forget that you’re the new prima. You’ll have time enough for that tomorrow.”
“But—”
“I wouldn’t argue if I were you.” Rafe slanted me a grin. “Just nod and go along with whatever she says. It’s easier that way.”
Rosemarie’s lips twitched. “He’s right. Just say, ‘Yes, Mom,’ and we’ll get along fine.”
A lump filled my throat. “You want me to call you Mom?”
“Of course.” She leaned into me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The heart that Rafe had already opened gave a hopeful lurch.
“Okay.” I took a breath—and gave it a try. “Mom.”
She squeezed my waist. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
“No,” I said. “It wasn’t.”
My heart expanded a little more. Maybe I could do this family thing after all.
My arms were still at my sides. It felt…wrong. So I slid one around Rafe’s waist, and the other around Rosemarie’s.
* * *
Dawn approached. A hazy pink line appeared on the horizon, warning that sunrise was on the way. The chateau grounds had emptied until only Rafe and I remained. The human thralls had gone to bed, and our vampire security detail had retired to their bunker in the forest.
The tower clock was striking five a.m. when Rafe pulled me into the ballroom. “Let’s dance. We didn’t get a chance at your ball.”
I counted back. Was it only two weeks since I’d first seen Rafe at the Crimson Ball? It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“No, we didn’t.” I looped my arms around his neck. “But I have to warn you that I’m not going to last much longer. The day sleep…”
“No worries.” His grin sent a hot shiver up my spine. “I’ll put you to bed.”
“I like how you think, Kral.” I pressed myself against his hard, warm body and started humming the Ariana Grande song from that night.
Rafe joined in, a raspy tenor that made me smile. But then, it didn’t take much to make me smile these days.
