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Rosa studied her before shrugging. “Maybe.”
“He’s sorry about that, by the way. The last thing he would want to do is harm innocents.”
Silence.
“The last time we saw each other, your hatred for him was greater than mine,” Rosa observed.
“Things change.” Immediately, Sapphire’s hand went to her stomach, a habit that had formed since she found out about her pregnancy. “I thought he was an evil monster with no redeeming qualities.”
“I thought so, too.”
Something in the tone had Sapphire giving the woman a curious look. “Is that why you’re here exploring? Is that why you came with my brother? I never thought you would leave your home for this.”
“I never thought I would, either, but as you said, things change. When Silver found out the news, I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t come back burned to a crisp. Then I got here and saw you—and saw how he was with you—and I started to see that there would be no burning involved. You did it.”
“Did what?”
“Turned him into a true ally—something I would never have done if we had proceeded with our arranged marriage.”
That Klaus and Rosa had been linked in the past felt like a lifetime ago, and Rosa’s glow of contentment told Sapphire that the woman had no doubts about her decisions. It assured her once again that Silver had also made the right choice to stay with Rosa’s shifter clan rather than going back to Broom’s Isle.
“I didn’t turn Klaus into anything. It was all him.” A pause. “Well, maybe I did implement some improvements. Like not having those stuffy dinners anymore.”
Rosa laughed. “Stuffy dinners are the worst.”
What Sapphire didn’t say was that perhaps it was Klaus who had changed her, from someone dead set on fulfilling her responsibilities to someone who could just enjoy herself and thrive outside her bloodline. The time spent with Klaus and his people had taught her that sometimes, it was okay not to take the rein because things would just work out the way they were supposed to. Emerald had been right all along—and Emerald’s plight, she believed, would work out too.
“Silver’s just worried about you,” Rosa said, mistaking her silence for something else. “I assume he lectured you again and…he’s trying not to, I swear. It’s just that sometimes he can’t help himself after leaving you guys for so long.”
“He didn’t leave us. The evil magic took him away from us, but we’re past that now.” Sapphire sighed. “And it’s not just him. It’s my sisters also hovering over me and watching my every move. It’s Klaus refusing to touch me because he thinks I might break or something.”
Rosa’s brows shot up. “Well, just think of it as them considering you very special.”
“If they think I’m any more special, I will scream.”
“I think you’re special, but not that special. So, you don’t need to worry about me hovering over you.”
They grinned at each other. A shout interrupted the light moment before the two were on their feet and racing away from the garden to try to find the source of the sound. Minutes later, they came across a clearing and a sight that had Rosa’s eyes bulging out.
“What the—”
A punch cut off her exclamation. Sapphire could only watch, speechless, as Klaus and Silver scuffled against each other while Maddox hovered over them and watched every move. The more the fight went on, the more it dawned that no magic was involved and Klaus wasn’t turning at all. Then the blood and bruises registered and had her marching.
“Is this fight about me?”
“Yes—” Silver began.
“No,” Klaus growled.
“Maybe,” Maddox joined in, throwing her a sheepish look.
A few more figures broke into the clearing, including Miko who was ready to throw himself into the center to protect Klaus. Bernard grabbed his shirt by the collar while Ruby stepped in.
“Mad!” she hissed. “Are you refereeing a fight?”
Now Maddox looked very uncomfortable. “They roped me into it. Set a time and date and all. Something about fighting for your honor and proving their worth to you.”
The two men glared at the half-vampire, who was staring at Ruby. Sapphire had heard enough. Before Ruby could scold Maddox, Sapphire took her sister’s hand and slipped forward first.
