by Shyla Colt
“You are learning,” Cristobal purrs with a smile.
I frown. “I don’t think that’s a compliment.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll always be the most human of us all.” There’s something prophetic in his word that can’t be chased away with his sweet kiss on my forehead. He steps back and straightens his clothing, and I fix my dress, readying myself for the upheaval we’re about to cause.
***
I hold his hand tighter as we descend the grand staircase and I try to ignore the people starring up at us from the bottom. Everywhere I look, people dressed in their finest stand with glasses of champagne and a variety of expressions or lack thereof on their face
“My guest of honor has arrived. You’ll excuse her fashionably late entrance. She had business to attend.”
“I didn’t realize you paraded your paramours around and gave them false titles,” Etta purrs. She’s stunning in a low cut black sequined gown that trails out behind her in a small train. The shapely leg, exposed through the slit in the dress, is emphasized in a pair of thin stilettos. Clutched in her blood red talons is a flute full of expensive champagne.
“Can I please put her in her place?”
His laughter sounds in my head. “Not yet.”
“It would be a shame for you to get off on the wrong foot with my bondmate. I assure you, her bite is far worse than her bark.”
Her eyes get comically wide. “That can’t be.”
“And yet it is,” I answer. My days of remaining silent are over.
“Is this supposed to be a joke?” She scoffs. “You’re an Esçhete. We all know how pure that line is.”
“Is she slow? I thought she’d be much wiser for someone her age.”
Etta hisses. She rushes toward me, and I grin as I set the hem of her dress on fire. She screams, stopping in her tracks to stomp it out.
“That’s for the insult and disrespect.” I open my palm and green flame dances wildly. “This is for the demonstration. Cristobal?”
He opens his palm, and a blue flame appears doing an identical dance. We move in tandem, opening our opposite hand.
Your move.
These are you people. What will impress them? I yield control, and gasp as the fire streams up from our palms, merging to form a turquoise hue that spreads across the ceiling like a backdraft. The rolling clouds are blinding. But they don’t so much as singe a thing. The vampires crane their necks to watch. I can sense their emotions—shock, fear, anger, and wariness. It rolls over the crowd, permeating it like a scent. Cristobal pulls the power back, reining it in seamlessly. It’s unheard of, a witch and a vampire bonding, let alone being able to share powers.
“My Court has its Queen, and I will see her treated as such.” His voice holds power and the promise of violence. “Please, enjoy our hospitality tonight. This is a celebration of new beginnings.” Luz hands us both glasses of champagne. Cristobal raises his. “To new friendships and old.” We toast, eyeing the crowd of people watching our every move. It’s disconcerting knowing your enemies are sprinkled among your friends. He holds my hand, and we descend into the madness.
“Is it normal to feel like I’m center stage in a three-ring circus?” I whisper to Luz.
She chuckles. “I’d tell you it gets easier, but I don’t like lying.”
I scowl. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Oh, if you wanted that you should’ve asked Gil or Miles. Rene will make you laugh, but you can’t take him seriously.”
Her rundown of our group makes me smile. “And yet, I wouldn’t trade any of them.”
“Look at you, getting all attached and acting the part of queen bee.”
“Technically, it’d be Queen L.”
“Already going to your head, huh?”
“How do you think it’s going in there?” I ask as we move closer to the moon garden, away from the keen hearing.
“You made a lasting impression. We respect power, and it’s clear you two possess a lot of it. I think it’ll make our allies nicer, and our enemies craftier or converts. It’s the same game we’ve always played, but now the odds are stacked more in our favor. It’s a good thing.”
I nod my head. I can feel the darkness retreating, but it’s not gone. It’s out there, hungry and waiting for a moment of weakness. We walk in silence. It’s peaceful out here. Luz tenses. A dark-haired man with sharp features and dark eyes appears in the circular entryway. There’s something about him that reminds me of Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, but he lacks the actor’s warmth.
“Easy, little warrior. I only wanted to get a look at her. It’s a rarity a witch who voluntarily spends time with our kind. Let alone allows herself to become attached to one.”
He has an accent I can’t place. I narrow my gaze.
“Please, Ms. Esçhete, do not allow yourself to be alarmed. I am Sergei.” He moves closer slowly.
Luz places her hand on my arm. “This is Vlad’s Emissary.”
I gasp. “Vlad, Vlad?” My face flames, but he chuckles.
“Yes,” Luz replies, “the very same. His reputation often proceeds him.”
“I can’t help but think you’re a long way from home, Mr. Sergei.”
“We make it our business to keep an eye on things. It wouldn’t do to stay completely out of the loop.”
“Every couple of years Sergei makes the trip out for equinox.”
“Yes, I’m glad I did not miss this one.” He studies me like a science project. I try not to squirm under his examination. “There were some interesting developments.”
“If you knew me you wouldn’t think I was all that interesting.”
“I very much doubt that.”
“Was the entertainment inside not to your liking, Sergei?” Cristobal appears with his hands behind his back.
“I wanted a moment with the lady without the press of a crowd around us.”
“And did you find what you expected?” Cristobal speeds to my side.
“Yes, the link you share is genuine. You never know when witches are involved. No offense intended.”
“None taken,” Cristobal replies, never taking his eyes from him.
“I will take my leave of you now. I’m sure we will be speaking again.” He gives a quick bow before disappearing.
“Is that normal?”
“Vlad’s people are thorough. The behavior is not alarming coming from him.” He kisses my forehead.
“That’s my cue,” Luz says, wrinkling her nose. “No one wants to see their parents make out.”
She flashes away before I can respond. I cover my hand with my mouth. “She just called me her mother.”
“Aren’t you?” Pulling me to him, he kisses my temple.
“I guess I am.” The animosity between us feels like a distance memory. I have my chaton back.
He buries his fingers in my hair and tugs gently until I lean back to peer up at him. “Tonight, you are finally my queen in every way. I never wanted anything more than this. Whatever comes our way we will handle it and prevail because we are together. I will always protect you.”
“And I you, my love. This works both ways.”
“I know.”
He pulls me close, and I inhale his scent, holding on to the moment of stillness among the chaos of the evening. My upcoming coronation, learning the ropes at Cristobal’s side, and making Witch For Hire thrive don’t matter. The moment is our stolen bit of peace. He wraps an arm around my waist and sways us back and forth.
I feel the soft brush of magic and music begins to play in mid-air. Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey. It’s our song from when we first dated. The past and the present have finally settled on a meeting point.
“You remembered.” I gaze up at him, knowing he can see the love reflected in my eyes.
“There’s nothing about
you I’ve ever forgotten.” He spins me out and brings me closer. As we dance among the moonlight flowers in the garden he built just for me, I’m inclined to believe him. We are magnets—two polar opposite, inexplicably drawn to one another, unable to break away. Bonded, we are stronger together than apart. I’m head over heels for a vampire. Right or wrong, despite the insinuated danger our union causes, I’m happy. So, I’ll hold onto this moment for as long as I can, and deal with the complications to have these fleeting flashes of flawlessness. Because real life isn’t perfect, but this is damn close.
The End