He blinked, an intelligent gleam entering his irises. “Different?”
Amazed at how fast he was picking up our words now, I observed him. Before, it had taken him months. “Yes.”
“Different is good,” Alfie offered, coming closer to observe him, and Mathew and I exchanged a glance. Alfie had been his lab assistant at Oxford when this all began, a Biological Chemist, and he was almost drooling at the prospect of a new specimen before him.
“Ivas different,” Ivas concluded, happiness curving his lips. Yet, instead of the terrifying, razor sharp grin he always had, a dazzling smile illuminated his expression, even with the small fangs he sported. “Different good!” he jumped excitedly, and my eyes widened when other things jumped with him.
“Aaah!” I squealed, turning away from him. “He’s naked! Why is he naked??” I demanded of anyone who could answer, trying to erase the image from my mind.
“I think the most important question is, why does he have genitals when he didn’t before?” Mathew asked, his scientific brain taking over, and I glared at him.
I wanted to smack him. “Why, Mathew? Why??”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry? You are sorry?!” I shrieked. “My Gargoyle Shifter has a penis!”
“And damn.” Antoine whistled, clearly impressed, then turned to my husband. “You still have that spell, right?”
“Antoine…” I warned, so close to losing my shit.
Lifting his hands in surrender, he stepped away, but he laughed.
When my eyes returned to my husband, the blood had rushed into my irises, letting him know I meant business. “Change him back,” I seethed. “You have to change him back!”
“No!” Ivas whined behind me, and I turned to find pretty much everyone around us struggling to hold him and put a pair of Mathew’s shorts on him.
“Yes, baby. It’s going to be fine,” I explained, stepping closer. “Daddy is going to make you a Gargoyle Shifter again, and everything will go back to normal, okay?”
“No!” He roared at me. Roared. The chest rumbling sound blew the hair back from around my face.
Not the first time he had done it either.
“Ivas…” I warned in a firm voice, but he shook his head.
“Ivas good. Ivas different. Like you…”
Jerking away from the others, his Dragon-like wings erupted from his back and he ran past us, jumping off the balcony.
“You have got to be kidding me!” I ran after him, bursting into the sky with Mathew and Antoine by my side.
Chapter 6
My heart constricted as I followed Ivas through the sky, flying around the fortress to the place where all of this began. The river just behind the bell tower.
Landing a few feet away from him, I saw his human form straighten fully, walking towards the edge of the riverbend. Kneeling next to the water, he glanced at his new form in the reflection, touching the soft features that now formed the man he saw. The water rippled when his fingers reached for the reflection, and he pulled away, amazed.
“Ivas…” I called in a low voice, taking a few steps towards him. Mathew and Antoine followed.
“No,” he moaned, turning his back to me and sitting with his hands between his feet like he always did on the tower. “Ivas protector,” he chided, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Ivas friend…” He shook his head, pain coming through his eyes when he looked into mine. “Ivas family.”
Emotion clogged my throat with his words, and I nodded. “Yes, Ivas. You’ve always been there for me, even before Antoine found me. You protected me and gave me hope when I didn’t have anyone else. You are my family. I love you, that is why I want to help you get back to your normal self.”
“Ivas different,” he protested, turning around. “Different good. Like you…”
Sighing, I shook my head, trying to find a way to make him understand. “I know, but this is not who you were meant to be, you—”
“Dariah,” Mathew spoke softly, and I glanced at him next to me while he took my hand. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” I replied, confused. “I’m trying to help him. This was an accident, Mathew. He was never meant to be a man. He needs to go back to being—”
“Your possession?” Antoine challenged and my eyes widened with hurt and shock.
“No! Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because that is essentially what he is. You are used to always having Ivas there, loyal, following your every move and command, risking his life to fight for you, but when is it your turn to fight for him?”
Blinking, I swallowed the harsh words, glancing at Mathew. “Do you agree with him?”
My husband shook his head. “Not with his words, but I agree with his intention.”
He sent a warning scowl to Antoine, and our friend threw his hands in the air, turning away from us like he just couldn’t deal.
“What I think, is that Ivas was always your anchor when you didn’t have anything else. And I understand that it is hard for you to see him as something other than the Gargoyle protector he has always been, because he is your safe haven. Your shelter. As long as Ivas remains Ivas, it doesn’t matter what happens…”
“But?” I prompted, his words striking a chord with me, even though I didn’t want to admit it.
“But you are surrounded by people who were never meant to be like you. Yet, they became Vampires and now thrive in their new lives, even with the obstacles they faced, and all the tribulations they were forced to go through. They have built a beautiful life of triumph. Look at Antoine, Dove, and everyone else now part of your eternal family. I think that, maybe, this wasn’t an accident after all.”
“Mathew, he’s been a man for all of two minutes.”
“Exactly, and those two minutes already changed his life. He’s experienced a new version of himself, and he’s trying to tell you that he doesn’t want to let it go.”
My gaze returned to Ivas and I found him touching his reflection over and over, trying to outsmart the water and appreciate his new self before the ripples distorted the image. He laughed innocently, freely, every time the water won, like it was a game. Excitement and a world of wonder were opening before his eyes.
“Do you really expect him to go back to sitting on the bell tower as a Gargoyle, until you need him again?” My husband asked, hugging me from behind, and my eyes stung.
“No…” I whispered, pouting. I hated it when he was right.
His lips brushed my cheek, and he cradled it, turning my face so I would look into his eyes. “Then maybe this is a decision he has to make… not you.”
Nodding, I left Mathew and walked to Ivas’ side, kneeling next to him. I reached for his hand before he could touch the water, and held it in mine, allowing the ripples to fade. The image of his gentle face fully formed before him.
Ivas smiled at me handsomely, but his eyes widened when he realized my face also appeared in the water. Hugging him, I pressed my cheek to his, so he could see us both, and he laughed, true happiness engulfing his being.
“You love Ivas?” he asked, looking at our hands together.
“Yes,” I whispered, cradling his cheek as the emotion captured my throat. “I love you more than anything. Even more than Daddy.”
His eyes widened, like that was as big as the universe.
“That’s right. I love you more than everyone else combined. But don’t tell Mathew that,” I whispered the last part and he chuckled.
“Ivas love you more than Daddy.”
That brought a chuckle out of me too.
“No tell Mathew.”
“You learn so fast,” I murmured in admiration. “Do you like being different?”
He immediately nodded, pulling his lips back to show me two rows of perfect pearly-white teeth. “Not scary.”
“True. You are not scary anymore. You are so handsome now.”
“Ivas like you… Like Daddy… Like Zoe.”
My eyes stung a
gain while I nodded. “Do you want to stay like this? A man?”
Happiness captured his expression with the possibility, the smile illuminating his kind eyes. “Ivas stay man. Family.”
“Okay,” I whispered, the first tear falling and he pulled me into his arms, hugging me. I love you, Ivas.”
“I love you, Mommy.”
I pulled back, surprised he hadn’t spoken in the third person, and his smile made its way to my lips. “I know.”
Sighing, I let go of the version of Ivas that I’d held in my heart all these years, allowing him to become whoever he chose to be. His new life would be a journey of self-discovery, but I vowed to be there for him every step of the way, just like he’d been for me.
When my gaze fell to his body, I abruptly shut my eyes. “Still naked!”
The squealing made Ivas look down, and his eyes widened. He reached for his penis.
I scrambled to my feet, getting away from him like my life depended on it. “He’s pulling it. He’s pulling it! Make it stop!”
Antoine’s laughter danced in the air as he walked towards Ivas, and I flew out of there with Mathew.
The guests were ushered towards the great gardens after dinner, and Dove, Alfie, my father, Anne, and Mathew’s parents stepped out, gathering around the 70-foot-tall Christmas tree we had cut from the mountain and decorated for tonight.
Dove, Anne, Marie, Zoe and I had picked all the decorations ourselves. Linnea—my mother in law—had taken care of all the flower arrangements, with her being a Flower Faery and all, while Mathew, Sebastian, Antoine, and the rest of the boys had taken care of the lights—you know, the manly part.
The big conclusion of our Christmas Eve celebration as the True Empire was the lighting of the tree. Once it was turned on, it would be seen not only by the human habitants of the village inside our fortress, but by all of Transylvania. It was a message of hope, representing the peace between humans and Vampiri, and it meant everything to me.
“Where is Ivas?” I asked Mathew, nervously wringing my hands together as everyone settled outside. Antoine and Zoe had taken him with them after we returned to the castle, to try and get him dressed, and my stomach was in knots.
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” my husband assured, kissing my lips, and calling my attention back to him. “I’m proud of you, you know. For letting Ivas make his own decisions and gifting him a new life for Christmas.”
Fake-frowning, I huffed. “Yeah, after you screwed up! And I’m still not sure I forgive you, by the way,” I answered stubbornly, repressing the smile that wanted to come out.
His lips tilted into a sinful smirk. He knew me all too well. “It’s a good thing you can’t resist my nerdy charm then.”
A chuckle escaped me when he kissed my neck, pulling me into his embrace. I gave in to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, and swaying silently in the shadows in front of the French doors that led to the courtyard. People gathered around the dark gardens while they waited, cheerfully chatting and sipping the spiked punch. I was glad that even with all the hiccups the night had, it would still be a success.
Perhaps it wasn’t cursed after all…
“Are we almost ready?” Marie asked, coming inside. “DeLorean is trigger happy with the master lights switch, and he keeps asking when he can turn them on.”
“Just tell him that if he touches it before Dariah is ready, he’s going to lose his hand,” my husband answered, and Marie laughed.
“Yes, Sir.”
She looked super cute tonight in a short black dress with a puffy skirt, and silver embroidered flowers along the neckline. Her hair was up in a flirty ponytail that bounced when she walked, her lashes extra-long, and lips tinted a bright red.
“Dove did your look?” I asked, knowing she had to be the one to put that together. My sister loved dressing everyone.
“Yep,” Marie nodded, gently swaying and making the tulle of her skirt swing from one side to the other, like a bell.
“Hey, have you seen Dove?” Alfie asked, stopping beside us.
“She must be outside with Sebastian and everyone else,” Mathew replied. “Why?”
A nonchalant shrug lifted Alfie’s shoulders. “She got mad at me because she wanted us to open our presents now, and I told her she had to wait until Christmas morning. No cheating.”
“You are such an idiot,” Antoine snickered, stopping next to us. “You know she thinks you are going to propose, right? That’s why she wants to open the presents tonight.”
“She what?!” Alfie screeched. “Why would she think that?”
“Um, hello. You have been together for over a year. She’s a Vampiress, so I think she’s waited long enough to find her soulmate, and she is Dove,” Marie answered, like he should have seen that coming. “I mean, the woman plans her trips to the mall like it’s a vacation to Bora Bora. Do you really think she hasn’t been secretly planning your wedding for the past year?”
My lips twitched when Alfie swallowed, taken aback.
“Well… I guess it’s a good thing I have this then.” Smirking, he pulled out a tiny blue box from the pocket of his tuxedo, opening it for us to see. A pink diamond ring lay inside it.
“You had me fooled,” Mathew joked.
“Dude, do you know how much acting I’ve done to convincingly hide this from her?” he huffed. “I should win an Oscar.” Winking while the others chuckled, he hid the ring back into his pocket and stepped outside, searching for his soon to be fiancée.
Chapter 7
My gaze urgently looked behind Antoine while he drank a sip of his cocktail, but he was alone. I smacked his arm, bringing his attention to me. “Where is Ivas?”
“Zoe…” was his only response, and he took another drink. “Don’t worry, I already taught him what to do and what not to do with his new toy. He’s good.”
“Antoine!” I screeched, alarmed.
“I’m kidding…”
My nostrils flared. “I swear, if you mess with him, I’m going to—”
“I know… new purse. I get it.”
My husband laughed while Marie glanced at us, confused. “What happened to Ivas?”
Exchanging a glance with me, Mathew sighed. “He is no longer a Gargoyle. I turned him into a man.”
“Really?” Marie asked, mouth dropping in astonishment. We nodded. “Wow. Is he okay?”
“I think so,” I murmured, feeling terrible because I wasn’t sure.
“Oh, yeah. He definitely is,” Antoine assured. “He is adjusting much faster than you would expect, and he was communicating far more fluidly when I left him with Zoe.”
Both confusion and hope coursed through me. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, but it made me think that maybe Mathew was right, and he had been gifted a new life for Christmas.
“And there they come.”
We all turned around with Antoine’s introduction, and my mouth dropped when my eyes fell upon my baby. Zoe walked on the arm of a fine-looking stranger with creamy chocolate skin, soft green eyes and a dazzling smile. Ivas was dressed in an elegant tuxedo that belonged to Antoine, no doubt, polished shoes, and a red handkerchief on his lapel.
Yet, the most impressive thing for me was how comfortable he seemed in his own skin, walking fully upright as though he’d never been crouched in his entire life.
“Ivas?” I whispered, flabbergasted, seeing him stop with Zoe in front of us.
He grinned fully, showing his small fangs and pulled me brusquely into his arms to hug me.
“Ivas…” Zoe called, stopping him. “What did I teach you?”
Frowning, he pulled away and grabbed my hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss it. My mouth dropped.
“He’s such a gentleman,” Zoe squealed just before Ivan yanked me again into a massive hug that lifted me from the floor.
“Fine, so he still learning,” Zoe mumbled, shrugging when Ivas put me down. We all chuckled.
“Ivas, you look so good,” I offered, cra
dling his cheek. “My baby.”
“Thank you, Mommy.”
Awe! Oh, I was going to eat him up, he was so cute.
“You are so big, you are not my baby anymore,” I pouted, and Mathew chuckled.
“They have to grow up sometime, dear.”
“Shut up.”
“You my family. Always my family,” Ivas answered, hugging me again, and I had to blink new tears away. Stupid tears.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered to Antoine. “How is he so… himself, and still so different? So comfortable, when he was just changed?”
My friend shrugged, taking another sip of his drink. “I think it’s because he has been around us for thousands of years. He’s witnessed every human or Vampiri behavior. He has heard every word, learned every meaning… He already knows what it takes to be one of us, he just never had the chance to be a man. Now he does.”
Ivas turned to hug Mathew while I processed my friend’s words. Antoine was next, and then he pulled Marie into his warm embrace too. It was like he was so happy to be alive, that he couldn’t help but hug everyone he saw.
When he let her go, she looked up at him, seeming captivated. Her cheeks turned bright pink, and she appeared unable to look away. Ivas grinned happily, pleased he was doing things well, and took her hand like he had mine, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.
“Uh oh…” Zoe chanted as we all observed Marie, who seemed stricken by Ivas’ presence as a young man.
To my surprise, his cheeks reddened too, and he blinked, captured by her honey eyes.
“No!” I gasped, but Mathew gripped my hand and pulled me away.
“We are letting him live his own life… remember?”
“Well, I changed my mind, yah?”
“You are drooling,” Antoine whispered in Marie’s ear and she turned around, smacking the crap out of him.
Zoe laughed, taking Antoine’s arm and they walked with us out into the gardens. When I glanced over my shoulder, I found Marie smiling sweetly at Ivas, who took her hand just like Mathew had done with me, and pulled her with him through the doors.
Holidays Bite: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Holiday Vampire Tales Page 21