Love and Blood (Evening Bower Book 2)

by Sherry Rentschler

  “How could I forget that moment when we sang our phoenix song? How, when I did not burn, I felt the union with your soul? I remember that night as the first night of our forever.”

  Rhea nodded.

  “But two weeks later, Destin was born. A baby, human in form, barely two weeks conceived. He practically tore himself from my body. Again, I nearly died without the blood you returned to me. Am, it is possible that I was already pregnant with our second child. Remember we lost the blue roses in that battle.”

  “Save one,” Am interrupted and corrected.

  “Save the one, yes. And roses spread over your property thanks to Franklin’s nurturing. Until recently. You cannot have failed to notice how lately they wilt and die. Because of this, I denied Victoria’s reading. If the flowers are dying, how can I be pregnant? Or is their struggle something to do with Destin? I am confused.”

  “Unless the flowers are more of you than the child. You have been ill, my love. I insist you see a doctor. Victoria believes she knows, but we need verification. I cannot, will not, lose you.” He gathered her against him, smothering his face in her thick waves, his heart cold with fear.

  Rhea slipped her fingers into his hair and promised to find the answers they needed.

  “Tell me, do you think you are?” He lifted her face to his, hope shining from his eyes.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Then we prepare for what is coming. You realize that Tobias, this new club, Dra’s wedding and getting her away, bodes ill for us.”

  Rhea snuggled close. “One thing at a time, my love. The pattern will reveal itself.”

  The patio door opened and Cooke smiled at them.

  “We’re all ready to go. Franklin parked the car out front, and we’ve packed up the last. C’mon lass, we’ll drive you over.”

  Amor-el kissed Rhea’s fingertips and winked at Cooke. “Bless you, Cooke, you’re a godsend. Go with them, my love. I will shut the house and be right behind you. Time to say goodbye to the old gal.”

  Am stood outside on the mansion’s steps and watched as Franklin drove away then slowly walked back inside. Suddenly the place was hollow, lifeless, and felt more forlorn than haunted. With the curtains off the windows, night peered into the great rooms and left them naked and exposed. A sad moment. He strolled from room to room, taking the stairs one more time, remembering events that formed the bones of the old house. Sudden memories of his mother rushed back and how once, long ago, she was happy with his father, a man he never knew. A man described to him, but of whom there were no photographs, only a small painting. A story told by a sad woman of her nearly divine love.

  He patted the banister when he reached the downstairs again. “You’ve been my sanctuary, old girl. I promise to take good care of you, and we’ll find a new reason to let you live again.”

  Turning to lock the back doors, he spotted something glittering in the corner by the fireplace. When he reached for it, he paused, surprised. An orb. A sea green orb. Must be the orb he pressed into that old book’s binding and came loose in all the packing. Once it was a gift, given centuries ago, to a struggling human boy from a one he considered a dear friend. Am rolled it around in his fingers and then plunked it in his pocket. Enough of dwelling in the past. Time for new adventures and a fresh start.

  As he stepped off the porch, he glanced back over his shoulder. The little bit of moonlight highlighted the faded white paint and provided an eerie illumination. He wondered if old ghosts really faded away and the thought followed him to the new house.

  He and Rhea found and beat all their ghosts, demons, and spirits. Or so he believed. Was it possible that Destin was not the promised prophecy? If not, how could Destin’s birth be explained? And if Rhea were pregnant, would this baby be like him or something else?

  Thoughts troubled him mercilessly as he walked to their new home.

  THE NEXT MORNING’S activities began with Destin wandering into the kitchen alone. He asked for cereal, normal as you please. A very surprised Cooke offered something more substantive, but Destin was perfectly happy to sit at the kitchen table and chow down on a supersized bowl of cornflakes.

  Sondra burst in soon after, a little flustered but relieved to discover him crunching cereal and slurping milk. He looked like an ordinary growing boy of ten. Ten. The sight of him unnerved Sondra.

  “Destin, there you are. I’ve been searching everywhere, and I am not familiar with this new house yet. Why didn’t you wait for me?” Sondra fumed.

  “Hungry,” he managed around a full mouth.

  Cooke and Sondra sat down with toast and popovers while they waited for others. They wondered at the young boy’s continued growth spurts and his ability to eat regular food despite his fangs. They marveled at his intelligence, his language, and his intuitiveness and how he advanced in the short weeks and months since his birth.

  “So, what do you think? Is Rhea pregnant?” Sondra put it to Cooke and Destin stopped eating, immediately attentive.

  “Had I to guess I would say no, she looks too ill. But then maybe that is the pregnancy. Time will tell, miss. Eat up, Master Destin.”

  “What is pregnant?” Destin wondered, putting down his spoon to drink his milk.

  “It’s having a baby,” Sondra said.

  “A baby. Like when I was born?” He put the bowl down and licked his lips.

  “Well, yes, lad,” Cooke smiled. “Something like that, only not like you. You were a special baby.”

  Destin considered a moment then said, “If this one’s not special, then it will need me. I’ll tell Mamma I will protect it for her.”

  He kissed Cooke and walked out.

  Rhea woke slowly after a restless night. She loved the new house smell but didn’t acclimate well to the new sounds. Her dreams tormented her as images of Destin screaming at her, shouting how she ruined everything, still echoed in her head. Good thing Amor-el rested, and for once, it appeared he did not hear her nightmares. Bad enough they left her lethargic and more worried than before she believed she was pregnant.

  Am designed their suite with a priority for darkness and comfort, conditions that allowed Amor-el to stay with her during his enforced sleep. As a result, Rhea was a bit surprised when she woke at mid-morning though truthfully she wanted to stay abed. She hurried and dressed, opting for a sundress and sandals. Determined to get the house in order, she rolled her hair into a quick bun before she headed downstairs, an armload of their clothes for the laundry. Maybe being productive could let her off the hook for sleeping in late.

  Franklin met her on the landing, moving empty boxes. “Good morning, Madam,” he said. “The young ladies appear to have moved in with alacrity. Master Destin is doing lessons in the library. Miss Keta is outside with Reaper.”

  “Thank you, Franklin. And Victoria?”

  “Ah, I believe she is in the new greenhouse with Cooke.”

  “Wonderful. I hoped she might enjoy getting her hands dirty and find it healing after losing the shop.” She patted her load. “Time to collect the laundry. I have Am’s so you may let him sleep in peace.”

  Franklin nodded, and Rhea headed downstairs for breakfast, coffee, and a task list that included the new phone activations and other sundry items. By all appearances, it sounded like an average day. The only immediate task involved the party and required her calling the coordinator.

  By late afternoon, the party planner had all the information and intended to visit and measure for the decorations. The phone company changed the lines and promised to hang the cables before Halloween. And the road crew that Am hired called soon after the phones activated. By week’s end, they would finish the grading.

  “Remind me where the phones are?” Sondra wondered as she opened another box of books. Rhea, Keta, Destin, and Sondra concentrated on unpacking the library.

  “Main hall by the front door, one in the kitchen, one in the drawing room. Upstairs there is one in the library office, my suite, and Dra’s, plus the greenhouse a
nd the carriage house. The resident guests all have a phone, and the other rooms have plugs but no phones. Keta that book goes upstairs.”

  “Whew. I will never get used to how big this place is,” Keta said which got a look from Destin as she climbed the spiral staircase.

  “Do I get a phone, Mamma?” Destin wondered.

  “No, darling. Not until you are at least one hundred.”

  Everyone laughed. Everyone, that is, but Destin.

  They worked until Cooke commanded they break for a late lunch. The group gathered in the dining room to see how it felt. The new table was a shining monstrosity in mahogany. All the high back chairs had tufted and overstuffed seats and backs. But when they saw the table designed for sixteen, they giggled and ate dinner at the kitchen table.

  “We can remove three leaves and make it a comfortable ten. I think Am said it has two more leaves if necessary,” Rhea snickered at the faces. Imagine, a table set for twenty-two or more.

  “Wow, it’s like living with royalty,” Keta shook her head.

  As if on cue, the phone rang. A few moments later Franklin appeared.

  “Madam, Lady Dra is on the phone.”

  “Woohoo, speaking of royalty!” Keta bounced out of her chair. “Where’s the phone?”

  “For Madam Rhea,” Franklin said firmly.

  Crestfallen, Keta blinked away frustration and dropped back into her chair.

  “Let me talk to her then you can catch up with her, Keta,” Rhea offered. She picked up the line in the drawing room.

  “Dra? Heavens, woman you must be having a good time. How was the honeymoon? You in New York now?” Rhea curled into a comfortable chaise as she listened.

  “Yes, little birdy, I’m in New York. That’s why I’m calling. I have to stay here a bit longer, but right now, I need your help. Can you come up?”

  “To New York? Well, I suppose I could.” She paused, eyes suddenly lighting. “Yes, I definitely could. Are you going to tell me why?”

  “Remember the guy who sent the note? It’s life or death for him. I need you to do your thing. You know, as you did for me when we first met.”

  “Drahomira, that was an extraordinary moment. I’m not sure—”

  “For me, Rhea. I know what it means, remember? I owe this one, and it’s important, or I wouldn’t ask. Come right away, little birdy. Please.”

  “All right, I will make arrangements. But tell me, did Alexander come with you or go home?”

  “I have no idea where he ended up. Now, hurry, this is urgent. I got you a room at the Waldorf.”

  Dra hung up before Rhea could ask anything else. So, the honeymoon went as expected and she probably ditched Alexander for New York. The news made her smile, but not giving Keta the phone or a message didn’t go well. Keta ran outside with Reaper on her heels.

  “What did she say?” wondered Victoria as Rhea returned to the kitchen.

  “Very little. She asked me to come up and help with a friend.” She tapped her finger on the table. “I doubt I will be gone long, but I need to leave right away.”

  “Mamma, can I go too?”

  Rhea sometimes forgot how much Destin understood. He wasn’t a little boy any longer despite his actual age.

  “No, my darling, you may not. This will not be for fun. You need to stay with your father and take care of things.”

  “And Keta. She’s sad.” Destin nodded.

  “Yes, and Keta. You can help her with Reaper.”

  Destin and Rhea’s eyes locked for a moment and their mutual fires blended in understanding. He hugged her around her waist.

  “Hurry back, Mamma. Do not have a baby until you come home,” he said as he went outside after Keta.

  While Rhea stared after her son, Victoria cleared her throat. “Um, about the reading,” she began.

  “It is all right, my dear. I know you believe your cards. I do not yet know if I do. But trust me when I tell you I will find out.” Rhea hugged her.

  On the way upstairs to pack, Rhea asked Franklin to make arrangements.

  Cooke offered to bring up the clean clothes and assist her, complaining that she never learned to pack correctly. Sondra wandered in from the kitchen with Amor-el’s suit jacket in hand, wet from the laundry.

  “I stopped the load because I don’t think Mr. Riviere cleaned out his pockets. There’s something in here making noise, and it might clog the washer, Cooke. I don’t want to pry.”

  “Go on, Miss, he doesn’t keep much of anything important in them anyway,” she nodded and continued folding clothes for Rhea.

  Sondra reached into the jacket pocket for a rock, or whatever was making the bulge. The moment her hand wrapped around the object, she froze. Slowly, very slowly, she withdrew a shaking hand and then suddenly dropped the item on the floor. Small and round, it sounded like glass but didn’t break. For a moment the tiny thing spun around and hummed, then rolled away. Cooke turned at the sound.

  “Destin must have slipped a marble in his dad’s coat. I have it,” Cooke grunted as she leaned over and retrieved the “marble.” She slipped it into a drawer and moved on, but Sondra shuddered.

  “This cannot be happening,” she whispered, fear shining in her eyes. “Not if Rhea’s pregnant.”

  Quickly she snatched the marble from the drawer and sprinted out the kitchen door in a dead run for the old house and the swampy bayou behind it.

  RHEA SKIPPED DINNER and patiently waited in their room for Am’s rising. He found her standing on their new balcony, overlooking the large fountain. He snuck up behind her and playfully nibbled at her neck.

  “This is a delicious surprise, chérie,” he cooed in her ear as his lips trailed from her neck to her shoulder. One hand eased over her stomach until he stopped on her lower abdomen. She stiffened, and he immediately withdrew.

  “What is it?”

  “Dra called and asked that I come to New York. It sounds urgent, so I am leaving tonight. But I remembered a druid who lived in upper New York and I will reach out to him. He has a few contacts that may guide me or recommend me to a special doctor.” Rhea gathered his hand in hers. “Trust me, Am, I will find out the truth. If I am pregnant, then I will return home at once. And this time, we will not take any chances of a disaster. Long ago, I met a midwife who knows what I am. We shall not do this alone again, my love.”

  “I will accompany you.” He said it as if it was a foregone conclusion.

  “Am, no. Destin cannot go, and I need you here with him. With Dra and I both away, these girls will depend on you to watch out for them. We don’t know what is coming. We do not know what is happening to our son, but I suppose you will need to take him with you on your excursions from now on. I think he has outgrown me,” she added softly.

  “Rhea I do not like being away from you right now. If you are pregnant, and if any of the others find out, we shall be in serious jeopardy if we are separated. If your powers are affected, if we are needed, we must work together. I don’t like the odds.”

  “I understand, my love. That was one reason why I did not want to do the reading. Perhaps I thought if I didn’t believe then it would not be possible. But now everyone knows or believes they know, and we cannot keep this quiet much longer.” Suddenly she turned playful. “And hey, what are you wearing to our Halloween gala? Shall we attend as faeries? You did make it a Midsummer Theme. Another reason to stay behind. You must coordinate the gala and check on Dra’s club for Keta.”

  “You want a party planner and a babysitter, Rhea.”

  “No, I want only you, my love, waiting for me when I get home.”

  “Naked and hungry,” he growled and pressed his mouth over hers for a serious promise of a kiss.

  Rhea giggled. “This time, I’ll be hungry,” she said before she surrendered to his kissing attack.

  The plans came to a head after midnight. After a series of hugs and goodbyes, Rhea flew away to New York. The mood in the house was dismally sad and Am diverted them with a VHS movie in the new libr
ary. When the three girls fell asleep on the sofa, Franklin and Cooke helped them upstairs while Am took Destin away for his first hunt in the city.

  RECENT RAINS LEFT everything smelling sweet. Fresh grass from the park mingled with gourmet foods from the open-air cafes. They strolled the waterfront and Am pointed out the local landmarks. When father and son were alone on the Riverfront, Am taught Destin a bit about the city.

  “NOLA is as much about loss as about love, about gain as about death and about life as about blood. Anyone who embraces New Orleans finds themselves embraced. The vampires have always known this truth.

  “The paranormal was born in the love and blood of every stone lining the streets, the docks, the cemeteries and in the people. Blood is the energy and the life in everything that created New Orleans. It runs in the streets, in the music, in the water, and the hearts. And when challenged, nothing can stop the love from finding its home back in the blood of its roots. The reality is time changes, cities crumble and change, and most people change as they age. But blood can’t. Therefore blood never learned how to lie.” Amor-el explained as he showed his son the world beyond the bower.

  “Do you understand what I’m saying, son?”

  “I think so, Papa. We are part of this current that makes New Orleans. We are part of the blood. We take, but we don’t steal. We need, but we don’t use. We change too, but we adapt,” Destin said.

  “But you will find that you cannot avoid death, Destin.”

  “Show me, Papa,” he whispered.

  The lessons began that night. Destin learned to dance with shadows, to troll for only what was necessary and to find pleasure, not sorrow, in the experience. Amor-el struggled with the lessons. How do you teach a growing vampire? I was never such a thing, and I never met one either.