“I know what it’s like to have to relearn everything—to be somebody you weren’t.” I leaned against the granite countertop next to her and sipped the blood. It tasted like a deep dark chocolate cake, rich and thick on my tongue. If it hadn’t been liquid, I might have even thought I was really eating something substantial. “If he ever needs to talk, I’m here. I understand what it’s like to lose a part of yourself.”
As Kitten nodded, the front door opened and Camille, Morio, and Vanzir entered the room. We trailed into the living room after them. Camille looked like the cat who had eaten the canary, and Vanzir had a look on his face that pretty much could be read as sheer terror.
“What happened? What did they want?” I slid back into the chair with Nerissa as she woke up.
Camille and Morio settled down on the sofa with Vanzir next to them.
“I might as well get right to it. In light of all that’s happened, Aeval is moving up my coronation. I’m to take the throne at midsummer. And . . . then Smoky, Trillian, Morio, and I will move out to the Sovereign Nation. It’s settled—” She held up her hand, looking teary. “I don’t really have a choice. The Moon Mother concurs. Derisa was there. I’m going to have to learn on the job, it seems. Titania and Aeval created a new balance when they abandoned the summer and winter courts and moved to one based on the time of day. When they allowed Morgaine to join with them, it forever shifted matters. And now, Morgaine’s death has thrown everything off and the balance needs to be set right.”
So . . . we had only a few short weeks of being all together instead of until Samhain. I hung my head, not sure what to say. Delilah let out a soft mew, but then pressed her lips together and stared at the coffee table.
“I knew the future was coming, I just didn’t realize it was going to come so quickly.” Camille sounded incredulous. “But I’m not the only one with news. Vanzir’s news is directly impacted by Aeval’s decision. But I’ll let him tell you about that himself.”
I looked over at the dream-chaser demon. He had been recently outed in his relationship with the Queen of Shadow and Night, though only to Camille, Delilah, and me. And I had no clue if he even knew that we knew.
Vanzir let out a long breath and cleared his throat. “I suppose the best way to say this is just to come out with it. When Camille moves out to Talamh Lonrach Oll, I’ll be going, too. I found out something last month. Aeval . . . I don’t know if you realize she and I have been . . . we’re . . .”
“Together?” Delilah prompted him, grinning. “We know you’re an item. I saw you and Aeval with your tongues down each other’s throat.”
Vanzir arched an eyebrow. “Well, then. Yeah, we’re together. And apparently we have put it to the proof that dream-chaser demons can interbreed with the Fae. Because Aeval is pregnant and she’s going to have my child. So I will be moving out to her Barrow as her consort.”
That was a piece of news nobody expected.
Camille and Morio sat nonplussed. They must have found out while they were out there. But Vanzir rushed on, heedless of the stunned silence. Or perhaps, because of it.
“The healers tell her the child will be an interesting mix, but her—our daughter is healthy and growing just fine, and while there’s no chance she’ll ever take the crown, Aeval wants me to be with her so the baby will know her father. I decided to follow Chase’s example and be there for my child. I’ve never had a family,” he added, his voice softening. “I never had anything remotely resembling a childhood. Even demons need . . . well . . .” He trailed off, looking lost for words.
I sat there, unsure of what to say. Then Delilah jumped up and wrapped her arms around Vanzir’s neck. He looked mildly alarmed, but she just wrinkled her nose and smiled.
“Congratulations, Vanzir. You’re in for one heck of a ride, I think.”
And then congratulations and conversation filled the room.
Chapter 10
Nerissa was rummaging through the closet when I woke up. As usual, my first response was to lurch forward, swiping at her, but she was far enough away to avoid me. Always honed to a fine edge, my reaction upon waking was to attack first, ask questions later. Long ago, I had left a scar on Camille and now everybody knew to be at least ten feet away from the bed. That gave me a split second before attacking to realize where I was and who I was. As long as we had the over-arm’s-length rule in place, everybody was generally safe.
“What are you doing?” I blinked. The sudden awareness of consciousness always threw me for a loop for just a few moments. Sunset eliminated subtle waking for me, flipping the light switch on with a sudden clarity.
“I have no clue what to wear. What the hell should I wear to meet Roman’s mother? And tell me again, why do I have to go?” Nerissa, usually calm and collected, was sounding absolutely frantic. The look in her eyes vied for the time when I suggested she might not need to dress up to go clubbing. Petrified, along with a side of what the fuck are you talking about?