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The sight of Jax’s welcoming, handsome face was a great way to start the weekend. “Well, it’s not really a party, as such,” I answered. “But yes, it’ll be a lovely celebration. I think I’m ready. Maybe I’ll even have a glass of champagne.”
Xander blurred behind me, his nose grazing my neck, his voice husky in my ear. “There are other drinks that might be tastier, my orchid.”
“I’ll leave all the Blood Light for you.” I turned and kissed him. “But I fed you this morning. You shouldn’t be thirsty.” I swatted his chest. “I obviously fed you too much, with all that blurring. You’re like a big kid sometimes.”
He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear, his red-rimmed eyes pooling with adoration. “Only sometimes? I really must try harder then.”
Jax laughed. He took my book bag, slung it over his bulky shoulder, and gestured toward the campus path that led away from the college, toward the downtown. “Shall we?”
“Aaron’s not joining us?” I asked.
“He’ll catch up on the way. And Osric’s actually already there. He wanted to greet people as they came in.”
“Well, that’s something different,” I said with a smile, thinking how much my prince had changed. “So, if it’s just us…” I held my palms outstretched by my sides. “Who wants left and who wants right?”
They each took a hand and we headed off, my smaller frame strolling between their taller ones. The leaves were beginning to change color, gently dropping from their branches, dancing and floating across the cobbled campus paths. It would soon be weather for thick sweaters and scarves. Luckily, I had four men to keep me warm through my first cold season in New Nebraska.
We passed the newly carved marble memorial to the girl who’d been treated so cruelly here by—I didn’t even want to mention that monster’s name—that sick demon of an elemental who Osric and Xander had handed out justice to. Bunches of flowers and cards of condolence were heaped around its base.
Stopping for a moment, I said a silent prayer for the girl. Jax and Xander squeezed my hands.
Jax looked over my head to Xander. “I’ll never forget what you did for our Ceci, my vamp brother.”
Xander replied without any attempt at witty quips. “Thank you, Jax. As of now, the wolf and the vampire are as one.” He leaned down and brushed my forehead with his lips. “Thanks to our beloved little human.”
I kissed both their hands in turn. “I didn’t really do anything. I was just…me?”
“And that’s exactly all you have to be,” Jax said. Xander nodded in approval.
Strolling on, I swung my arms playfully, more content than I could ever recall. You could always find something in life to get down about, but today was a day to remember good people and to honor and celebrate life. And family and friends.
We were headed to a dinner at Pascal’s restaurant downtown—a fine dining establishment he’d opened years ago because he enjoyed cooking so much. He was hosting tonight’s dinner all totally free, to say thank you to my four guys, and to all the wolves and vampires who had played their part in keeping me safe and putting an end to the recent reign of terror in New Lincoln and New Bellevue.
“How are Timon and Reccared doing now?” I asked.
Xander waved his free hand dismissively. “Timon is tougher than a pair of army boots. He’s probably on his third Blood Light already.”
“Reccared is doing great too. It takes more than a dose of gas and a claw hammer to keep a NN Lupine out of action.”
That news made me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. “I’m glad. And I can’t wait to see Mom, Pascal and Vesta. And Osric and Aaron, of course. My valiant prince and my sweet teddy bear.”
Jax laughed. “Let’s try to keep the sweet teddy there all night. I about freaked when I walked in the other night to his grizzly on the floor, resting his huge head by you on the bed. I certainly don’t want his beast inviting himself to dinner.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Xander said in a cheerful tone. “Might be interesting? Your wolf could challenge him to a steak eating competition.”
I chuckled. “That would be a certain loss for my wolf.”
“Hey now!” Jax protested with a smile. “Don’t discount wolves in a bear fight.”
“Your wolf is mine as much as I’m his and I need to look out for him,” I said in a teasing tone, but I meant every word.
Jax’s eyes flared yellow with his wolf and his smile widened.
As we kept walking, the sun lowered close to the horizon, bathing us goodbye in its honey hues.
Xander looked over his head toward Jax. “Enjoying the break from all that sweat and mud?” he asked him. There was no game today, it having been replaced by a memorial gathering for the victims of the terror the last few weeks and a candle-lit vigil planned for later tonight.
“I do love the thrill of the game,” Jax replied. “But”—he squeezed my hand—“nothing can compare to a Friday night celebration with the people I care most about.”
