Constantin was more than just his sire; he was a good man, someone Viktor respected and admired. Stefan was more than a mentor; he was the closest thing to a friend Victor had ever had. The others, more than simply brothers in purpose, but in the true sense of family, as well. They shared bonds deeper than any he had known as a human, and for far longer, too.
That was how he knew that deep down, they would support his decision. They would understand why he had to break ties and give his fealty to another. Beyond the fact that he would never let his beloved go again, his unique skills would benefit Gemmalyn. There was no one who could protect her and her interests as well as he could. He had been protecting Constantin’s for over five hundred years ...
“Viktor, are you listening? Viktor.” Gemma’s voice pulled him from his musings.
“My apologies.” Viktor stood and faced Constantin with a slight bow. He had made up his mind, knowing what he had to do. Putting it off wasn’t going to make it any easier. “Words cannot accurately convey my gratitude for all you have done for me. I hope I have served you well. If it is in my power to help you in the future, and aligns with Gemma’s interests, of course I will.”
Constantin’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“I am tending my resignation, sire. You will always have my respect and gratitude, but you must see that my fealty must now go to Gemmalyn.”
“No,” Constantin said, amused, “I do not see that at all. Clearly, you haven’t heard a word either of us has said.”
Gemma shook her head, looking mildly reproachful. “Sit down, Viktor. Put that lovely brain on hold and listen.” When he did, she continued. “As I was saying, after much thought and deliberation, I have decided I have no wish to continue as the vampire lord of North America. I prefer a simpler life, one that will give me far greater happiness. To that end, I’ve asked Constantin to release Alexander from his service so I may appoint him as my successor. We both agree he is the logical choice and will best serve the interests of our people.”
Viktor blinked, barely afraid to hope.
“I cannot simply sit around and do nothing, however. I have also asked Constantin to accept me as one of his own. We share many of the same goals and interests—are ‘on the same page’, to use a common phrase—and I think my particular skills can be useful in accomplishing those goals. Also, it would have the added benefit of allowing me to live and work here ... with you.”
“Here? With me?”
“A bit foggy still, are we?” she teased. “Yes, here. With you. I happen to believe, and Constantin agrees, that you and I will work quite well together.”
A slow smile curled the corners of Viktor’s mouth. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Epilogue
“I win.” Gemma grinned widely as the sparkly black ball curved perfectly at the last instant, giving her a seventh strike in a row and cinching the win.
The newly installed bowling alley was the latest addition to their gaming area, and it had become a favorite way to pass a wayward hour or two.
“I fail to see why you continue to torture yourself,” Gabriel told a grumbling Benjamin.
“Agreed. Gemma always kicks your ass.”
Everyone looked back at Stefan.
“Did you just say, kicks your ass?” Viktor asked in disbelief as Gemma folded herself into his arms.
“Yes,” Stefan said, standing tall. “Normally, I eschew modern colloquialisms, but I happen to like that one. It presents an oddly satisfying visual.”
They all laughed, including Benjamin.
“We’ll drag you out of the Stone Age yet, old man.”
Stefan frowned, but was prevented from replying when Alexander appeared in the doorway.
“It is time.”
Gemma lifted the hem of her exquisite gown and slipped her feet into a pair of matching crimson heels. The others stood and pressed non-existent wrinkles from their elegant tuxedos, then donned the formal black capes Constantin expected at every ceremony.
Viktor offered his arm to Gemma. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she answered with a blinding smile. “After all, I’ve been waiting for more than five hundred years for you to make an honest woman of me.”
Stefan and Gabriel led the procession to the chapel. Viktor had only been in there a handful of times, but others, such as Constantin and Gabriel, visited often.
Like everything else, the space was a study in history and fine art. Vaulted ceilings and intricately carved archways spoke of fine craftsmen from ages long past, reminiscent of the Russian Orthodox faith. Many of the frescoes adorning the space resembled the illustrations Constantin always seemed to be working on, and Viktor suspected much of the exquisite artistry had been done by Constantin himself over the years.
They walked down an aisle of red carpet, past hand-hewn pews of fragrant, polished rosewood. Hundreds, if not thousands, of candles bathed the room with warm, welcoming light.
Viktor and Gemma stopped in front of the raised dais, where Constantin waited patiently. The other members of the elite inner circle continued on to form a semi-circle on either side of their sire.
When everyone was in place, Constantin addressed them in his smooth, resonant voice.
“Tonight, we are gathered here for a joyous purpose: to officially welcome Gemmalyn into our inner circle and claim her as one of our own, as she now claims us. We have also been requested to bear witness as these two souls, denied each other for so long, are finally joined together as one. If anyone has an objection, please let his voice be heard now.”
Long seconds stretched by in silence. Viktor looked into the faces of each of those he called brother and saw nothing but approval.
“Excellent. Gemmalyn, if you will step forward, please.”
Gemma did, joining Constantin at the altar draped in white linen trimmed with gold. He unfastened the cuff of his black silk shirt to expose his forearm. Gabriel stepped forward, as well, handing him a blade etched with runes and a chalice of gold. With a smooth, practiced movement, he opened his vein and allowed his blood to drip into the cup, then handed Gemma the knife to do the same. One by one, each approached and repeated the process.
“Through this bond of blood, we accept Gemmalyn as one of our own. To hold our secrets as we hold hers. To protect her life with ours, our lives with hers.”
Gemma sipped from the cup, then passed it around. Viktor knew what to expect, but it was fun watching the others as they got their first taste of her powerful magic.
Their eyes widened then took on a subtle glow as their own strengths were amplified. No doubt they were now beginning to realize just how fortunate they were to have her bind herself to them in this way.
When all had partaken, Constantin wiped the cup and gave it back to Gabriel to put away, but he kept the blade.
“And now, let us finally complete what Viktor and Gemmalyn began so long ago.”
Constantin took Gemma’s still-open wrist and pressed it gently to Viktor’s. Then he wrapped a white silk sash around them, binding them together.
“Gemmalyn, do you take Viktor to be your husband and partner in all things, from this day forth unto all eternity, to love and protect, forsaking all others?”
She smiled. “I do.”
“It has taken more than five hundred years to find you, my beloved,” Viktor said, “but I would have gladly spent a thousand more just to hear those words from your lips.”
Her lips parted slightly, and he knew his heartfelt words had hit their mark.
He leaned forward to kiss those lips, but when Constantin cleared his throat meaningfully, he refrained.
“Viktor,” his sire said with amusement in his voice, “do you take Gemmalyn to be your bride and partner in all things, from this day forth unto all eternity, to love and protect, forsaking all others?”
He grinned. “I do.”
“Then I now pronounce you eternally bound. You may kiss your bride.”
A chorus of cheers rang o
ut as Viktor did just that.
The End
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About the Author
Abbie Zanders (and her naughty alter ego, Avelyn McCrae) loves to read and write romance in all forms; she is quite obsessive, really. Her ultimate fantasy is to spend all of her free time doing both, preferably in a secluded mountain cabin overlooking a pristine lake, though a private beach on a lush tropical island works, too. Sharing her work with others of similar mind is a dream come true. She promises her readers two things: no cliffhangers, and there will always be a happy ending. Beyond that, you never know...
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