Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
I opened my mouth, immediately putting my finger to my teeth. They felt normal.
He chuckled. “Only when you need them.”
So much had changed for me since I met Ren. I finally had someone in my life who loved me unconditionally. And a large family who would stand by us, no matter what. The adjustments I would need to make now that I was a daywalker paled compared to everything I had gained.
EPILOGUE
REN
“Good night, love,” I whispered to my sweet consort as I brushed a kiss over her cheek. “It’s time to wake up.”
“No. Too early,” Celeste groaned as she turned to face me, snuggling into my chest. She sighed contentedly, and I chuckled.
“Everyone is expecting us for breakfast,” I tried again, kissing the top of her head.
“We went to bed at noon, Ren,” she muttered.
“And whose fault was that?” I teased. When we’d come home from the Christmas Eve party at Liam’s house, my wife had practically attacked me. Not that I’d put up a fight.
“It takes two to tango, mister.”
“Hmm.” I rolled us over so she was on her back underneath me. “You have a point. Maybe we should test that out again. We can be a little late.”
Before our lips met, she placed a hand over my mouth and giggled. “Nope. You woke me from my beauty sleep demanding that we be on time for breakfast. You’ll just have to wait to experiment with me later.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Demanded?”
Celeste giggled again, and a smile spread across my face. Seeing her so happy and knowing she felt my love to her very soul was my second favorite thing. The first being how fucking gorgeous she was when she was screaming my name in the throes of ecstasy.
Groaning, I pushed myself up and forced myself to sit beside her. “Okay, we need to get up before I throw all of our plans out the window and spend the night naked and in bed with you.”
“Tempting, but your mother will sneak warm human blood in your cup if you piss her off.”
“Good point.” I shuddered, and she snickered as she scooted off the bed.
I watched her spectacular ass and hips sway as she sauntered toward the bathroom. Worth it.
We were almost an hour late to Kieran’s house, and my mother’s accusing glare had me a little worried.
“Wow,” Celeste gasped when we walked into the lavish ballroom. There was a giant Christmas tree with a mountain of presents, holly and berries swagged along every wall, sconces glowing, and paper ornaments made by the children hanging from the ceiling.
“Thana goes all out,” I murmured. I couldn’t take my eyes off my consort. The wonder on her face was enchanting. I knew she’d never celebrated Christmas, and while the holiday was always big, my family had gone overboard to make sure Celeste’s first one was magical.
Aura bounced over to give my consort a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
Celeste returned the hug and giggled. “I have to admit, I was surprised that you celebrate a Christian holiday.”
“Actually, many Christmas traditions were derived from pagan origins,” I told her with a grin.
“True,” Aura agreed. “But we’re also Catholic.”
Celeste’s mouth opened, and her eyes widened in shock. “No way.”
I chuckled and tucked her under my arm. “Not all vampires believe they are soulless creatures from hell.”
She cocked her head and contemplated my answer for a minute, then shrugged. “I suppose that makes sense. In a weird way.”
Just then, Cian walked up to greet us, changing the direction of our conversation.
“Aura, your…friend is here,” he informed his sister.
“Oh! Wait here, Celeste, you have to meet Delwyn!”
Once she’d hurried off, I raised my brow at my scowling cousin. “Problem?”
Cian grunted and folded his arms over his chest, glaring in the same direction his sister had gone.
Before I could pry it out of him, Aura was back, practically dragging a tall, willowy blonde behind her. There was something about her that…I double-blinked when she met my gaze, and I saw her silver eyes…the color almost seemed like it was swirling around. Despite being tugged along, she had an ethereal grace, and I realized the girl was a fae.
Despite her natural allure—similar to a vampire’s—I didn’t feel even a single spark at the sight of her. No one could come close to the perfection of my consort.
Cian’s scowl was aimed at her, and while I understood his reticence to having a fairy in our midst, it felt like quite the overreaction. Especially considering that this girl probably hadn’t even been alive when the incident happened.
“What’s with Cian?” Celeste whispered.
“She’s fae,” I murmured back.
“Do they hate vampires, too?”
“Not particularly. But Cian had a bad run-in with a group of fae a couple of hundred years ago. Apparently, he hasn’t gotten over it.”
Celeste frowned but smoothed her expression into a welcoming one when Aura brought Delwyn to stand in front of her. The fairy tossed a dark glare back at Cian, but then she greeted us with a warm smile.