Dark Heiress, page 42
part #5 of Ema Marx Series
Naamah and I shared another brief glance before the Second in Command scoffed and shook his head. He lifted his left hand to squeeze Jesu’s shoulder, then extended his right to shake hands with his new sovereign. “Congratulations, my boy. You are the Head of the Neo-Draugrian clan. Your coronation is in a week. Oh, and no more unauthorized leaves.”
Jesu stood at the full-length mirror. I watched from the vanity as he straightened his tie, sighed, and then loosened it. With a smile, I finished inserting the rose-shaped sterling silver earrings and then stood and went to him.
“Let me,” I said, taking the silk tails into my palms.
Jesu released a ragged breath and dropped his arms to his sides. His gaze lowered as well. “You look stunning.”
In Maria’s honor, I wore the gown she’d gifted me for Brinnon’s coronation. We had it altered, though. One phone call to Sara—during which I smoothed things over with the princess—and a seamstress later, and the dress looked like new. The bodice had been let out to accommodate the growing baby bump. The rhinestone lace had been replaced with a deep forest green train. The color was chosen to represent the original Draugrian crest, and Naamah had the earrings made to go with my bracelet. Jesu coordinated his gray satin tuxedo with a forest green cummerbund to match my dress, his long hair neatly combed into a sleek ponytail at the nape of his neck.
“I look fat,” I said with a teasing smile as I finished looping the tie.
“No.” He held my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “You look perfect. You are perfect.”
My smile grew. He bent toward my mouth as though to kiss me, and I ducked out from under him. “Uh-uh. You’ll get lipstick on you. Besides, plenty of time for that later.”
He groaned playfully. “I would argue, but I am afraid I won’t be able to get all these layers on a second time.”
“It’s just for tonight. Then you can go back to wearing Led Zeppelin T-shirts and no pants.”
His brow cocked. “Because you will be my pants?”
I winked at him.
Naamah knocked on one of the intricately carved double doors. We’d been upgraded from the bachelor pad in the fourth wing to a suite of rooms befitting a king and queen in the first wing. Meaning everything in the place was gilded in gold, ivory, and red velvet.
“Come in,” I called out.
The left side opened, and Naamah leaned in. “Everyone ready?”
Jesu sucked a deep breath between his teeth. “No. But yes.”
“We’re ready for you in the ballroom.”
Jesu nodded, and Naamah closed the door behind him. “I am more nervous than our wedding day.”
“That’s because our wedding didn’t have an audience. Not really.” He gave me a sidelong glance, and I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that. I loved our wedding.”
“Even so, I will walk you down the aisle someday.”
“I look forward to it. But today I get to walk you down the aisle.”
Jesu drew one more breath, then went to the door and held it open with his elbow extended for me. I went to his side, enjoying the swish of my long princess skirts and train—and thank goodness no one forced me to wear heels. But before I took his arm, I paused and looked up at him, into those faery green eyes of his. “No regrets?”
He upped his brow. “Becoming king?” He shook his head. “None.” Then he scrunched his nose and tweaked his lips. “This damn tuxedo, though.”
“Stop fussing,” I giggled. Then, with a deep breath of my own, I placed my right hand gently within the crook of Jesu’s arm.
We walked the length of the corridor to the ballroom balcony then rounded to the top of the marble stairs. Two tall thrones sat atop a platform at the far end of the room. They were simply carved of rowan wood with the dragon serpent wrapped around the long blade of a sword carved into the backboards. Between them, Naamah stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He noticed us, and even from this distance I couldn’t miss how his spine stretched and his shoulders settled. Pride illuminated his soft gaze, and I swallowed the knot of emotion in my throat.
Hundreds of guests filled the space between the dais and the bottom of the stairs. Many I recognized. Brinnon and Sara, who refused to miss it despite the danger of the Rebels still lurking around every corner. Tancred and Tilly. Some of the High Blood Council was present. Royals who respected Jalmari and expected great things of Jesu. The servants were back for the event as well. Some of them had worked for his brother nearly as long as Naamah, and Jesu insisted they be invited. But most of all, the room was filled with the members of the Neo-Draugrian Council. The ones who voted for him and the ones who voted against. We would need them all in the coming months as Victor continued to elude our warriors. But for now, this was a celebration.
Naamah signaled to a flutist, and a somber melody filled the castle as the congregation parted down the middle, creating a path for us. Jesu squeezed my hand. I met his gaze and smiled as my chest filled with gratification. He returned my smile with a grin and a whisper. “Here we go.”
We’d practiced it a dozen times. I could practically hear Naamah’s instruction in my head: Hold your skirt like so. Descend the stairs slowly. Take your time. You are regal. You rush for no one. Approach the throne ... I couldn’t help noticing the faces of so many friends as Jesu and I walked the length of the aisle. It truly was almost like getting married again. In a way, I suppose we were. Marrying this clan, its vampyres and vampires alike. It’s human-born children and Nephilim-born children and all the unwanted misfits in between. Jesu and I had spent the better half of the week following Jalmari’s service dreaming up the change we would manifest together. Even though I was going away for the first twenty years of it—and even though we had no idea what to expect after—Jesu spoke as though I were his muse. As if I would be right there beside him. Always in his heart.
At the dais, we knelt. Jesu’s arm tensed beneath my touch, lending me balance as lowering to one’s knees was becoming more and more awkward by the day, but I managed it with grace and the help of a huge dress that hid everything below the belt.
The tranquil melody of the flute ended. Naamah read from the leather-bound journal in his hands then signaled Stefán. The Arm crossed the platform with the royal ceremonial items in tow; a small wooden box and a shield with the Draugrian crest.
Naamah uncovered the box and reached inside. He withdrew a slender green and yellow grass snake and draped it around Jesu’s neck like it was a feather boa and not a living thing. I swallowed my nerves but refused to squirm. He then placed a simple crown on my head. The headdress was really more of a silver band made of thin interloping rods that formed a Nordic knot at the center of my brow. From the tip of the knot dangled a delicate emerald. On Jesu’s head, he placed a more masculine version. Interlinking knotwork formed the base of the silver crown. Emeralds dotted the center of each knot. At the front, just above his brow, was a disc. Within the disc was a tree that was equal parts branches and roots. For the sky above and the earth below.
The jewels were made for us. We decided early on that Jesu would not wear Apollyon’s crown. Out with the old and in with the new had kind of become our motto.
With the crowns perfectly fitted, we rose, took our first step onto the dais, and faced the audience. I couldn’t look any of them in the eye. I was certain I would start sobbing, my heart felt so full. Naamah handed Jesu the shield. Jesu recited his oath with aplomb, slaying the Nordic pronunciations handsomely.
When he finished, Naamah said, “Eläköön kuningas. Long live the King.”
Everyone cheered.
There was dinner and dancing, though no first dance tradition like Brinnon had because Jesu and I were already hitched, and the entire castle knew by now. After we made the rounds thanking our guests—and denying copious amounts of blood extended my way—Jesu took my hand and guided me onto the dancefloor with a long, rounded flourish. As though showing me off to the room before finally drawing me close.
“Keep your eyes up,” he said when my gaze had self-consciously gone to his shoes. “Your feet are hidden anyway.”
Smirking, I let our gazes lock and enjoyed the natural feel of his hands and sway of steps. Jesu’s eyes glimmered as they reflected the iridescent glow of the candle lights. His features were strong; square-set jaw and slender arching nose. He stood tall, but comfortably so, radiating confidence I wasn’t sure I had ever seen in him before. It was ...
Well, it was sexy.
He led me into a delicate turn, going slow with the music, and I managed to keep my footing. On the return, he drew me closer, looking at me like I was the only person who mattered in the world. Even still. Even now. With the whole clan laid at his feet. A smile touched my lips, and I rested my cheek between his shoulder and chest. Everyone danced around us. Sara and Tancred. Tilly and Mona. Brinnon sat at a table. He’d stood at the ceremony with a new leg, but probably wasn’t very nimble with it yet. He caught my eye and lifted his glass in salute. I smiled.
“What about you?” Jesu whispered. “Any regrets?”
“Only that I have to leave you with all this.”
He grunted. “Ema, you gifted me all this. I am a vampire. I was a nobody. A leech attached to my brother’s side. I can’t even procreate. And yet, you gifted me fatherhood. You gifted me a crown. But most of all, you gave me the desire to be worthy of it. You give me purpose. You are not leaving me with obligations, wife. You go, for twenty short years, leaving me gifts that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
I smiled at him, and it was finally too much. The backs of my eyes pricked, and as I sniffled, my vision blurred.
Jesu scowled. “Ema, are those ... are those tears?”
I swiped at them and nodded. “Happy tears. Promise.”
“Okay, but how?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Hormones?” I looked at my gloved hands. A little bit of mascara stained the tips, but there was no moisture. So not enough to actually cry. Just enough to mist. Whatever. I’d take it.
Jesu kissed my forehead. I wrapped both arms behind his neck, pushed onto my toes, and kissed his lips.
Cheers of encouragement came from our guests as Jesu’s hands snaked along my spine. I could feel him smile as he kissed me passionately.
Chapter 36
One year, eight months, and three days later ...
Logan Junior clung to my blouse. His pale button nose pressed against my bosom as I bounced him on my hip. A breeze wafted from the shore as the ferry boat blew its horn before leaving the dock, and Junior wailed at the sound. I stood at the end of the parking lot, a small distance from the two idle limousines, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of nervous family members. Tensions had been high since the twins’ first birthday, just three days prior, and Junior’s fussy mood wasn’t helping matters.
Logan Junior had been born forty-five minutes after his sister. The doctor wanted to go in and get him, but I knew he’d come in his own time. He had skin like a ghost, almost translucent, slightly pointed ears, and a head like an egg. Though he’d also been born with a full head of dark hair, so I wasn’t worried. He was a delicate infant, with an aversion to even candlelight. He preferred blood to milk right out of the womb and literally never slept—which meant his sister didn’t get much sleep either. We tried separating them at night, but that only resulted in both of them throwing a tantrum—and there was nothing wrong with their lungs.
With so few Nephilim in existence—I refused to believe he was the only one—no pediatrician knew what to do with him. Jesu and I winged it. He fussed over Jordan—who was astonishingly human, frightfully curious, and had an affinity for dirt—and I fretted over Junior. The good thing about having twins? Jesu and I were both too busy to even think about today.
Until today came.
Jesu lifted my small travel bag into the trunk of one of the limousines—turns out you don’t need to bring much to Elite training—and slammed the trunk door closed. Dusting his hands off, my pensive hubby approached.
“That is it, muru. Time to go.” He reached both hands out for Junior, and I jerked away, earning a shrill scream from my son.
“Maybe I should wait until next year. I have one more year.”
Jesu gave me a somber look. “My love, we talked about this. You told Brinnon you were going. And you already stayed a year longer than you originally planned.”
“Yes, but look at this wittle face.” Snot ran down Junior’s lip. I wiped it away with my blouse sleeve. Gosh, even their boogers are cute. “How can I leave my wittle babies all a-wone?” I looked at Jesu and narrowed my gaze. “They need their mother.”
Behind me, Jordan cooed, and Jesu’s gaze flickered in my mother’s direction. The six of us were all leaving today. I was bound for Elite camp in Antarctica while my family would be journeying overseas to their new home at the Brotherhood’s headquarters.
Jesu scrubbed his black mane with a sigh. His hair needed washing and combing, but there was something very decidedly attractive about how overwhelmed with fatherhood he’d become. “If you do not go now, you will miss your flight.”
“Oh well. Guess I’ll just have to go with you guys to New England.”
Jesu sighed.
“Come on, Ema.” Dad clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t put this on him.”
Guilt twanged at my chest, and I checked my watch. It shared space with my rose bracelet.
I held my son closer, inhaled that amazing baby scent, and tried to stay stoic. I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want to say goodbye, even if it was only goodbye for now.
“She won’t leave with that baby in her arms.” Dad turned his brow up at Jesu. “I take Junior, you take Ema? Think you can handle her?”
“Think you can handle him?” Jesu drew a breath and then approached me.
“No. No,” I said firmly, wrapping my arms tighter around my son. He wailed like he was being tortured. I felt terrible and loosened my grip. “Just give me a minute. Just one more minute.”
“Ema,” Jesu murmured.
Because my poor husband looked exactly as broken as I felt, I winced, then grudgingly handed my son to my father. Junior wailed even louder and extended his chubby arms in my direction, waving his tiny hands through the air like he knew it would be the last he’d see of his mother for a very long time. My heart crumbled, and I shook my head. “No.” I stepped toward my father, reached for my child. Dad stepped back, and Jesu blocked me, both hands on my shoulders. “Remember I can phase now,” I growled.
“Remember, you wanted this.”
I stopped, looked at him, and felt my Momma Bear rage fizzle out. What was left was a sickly knot in the pit of my stomach. “Oh Jesu.”
He hugged me. For a good long while. Then he pressed a kiss to my lips. I didn’t have the strength to kiss him back and get into that limousine. I hated myself for being weak.
We said nothing as Jesu walked me hand in hand to the limo. The distance was too short. I got in as slow as I could, and then got out because it was too soon.
It was all too soon.
I threw my arms around Jesu, and he hugged me tight, lifting me off my feet.
“Be fair to them,” I begged. “It’ll be hard. You’ll have to fight your sire command. But she’s strong, Jesu. You have to let her be strong. Junior will need you. This world is cruel to those who are different. Please. Please be kind to him.”
I felt myself slipping from his grip. The soles of my shoes touched the ground. Jesu looked down into my eyes and framed my face with his hands.
“Do you trust me to do the right thing?”
Yes,” I nodded. “Yes, always. I love you so much.”
“And I love you, muru.” He kissed me hard, then pushed me away, into the cab of the limousine. “I run with your soul.”
“And I fly with yours.”
With that, he shut the door then tapped the hood of the vehicle.
The engine turned over, and the driver directed us down the sleepy street toward the main road. I could still hear Junior crying behind us as we idled at a stop sign. It took every ounce of strength I could muster to resist phasing out of this vehicle and going back to them. But then ... then the crying stopped.
I turned around in the leather bench seat and looked through the back window.
Jesu held both twins. They were tiny in the distance; the three of them and my parents heading for their own ride. But with vampyre vision, I could zoom in and get one last good look. Jordan was playing peek-a-boo with her brother. Junior’s long lashes fluttered as Jordan’s chubby little hands flattened clumsily against his eyelids. She waited a moment, then pulled her hands back and laughed and laughed. She had the most contagious giggle—one that always seemed to cure her twin of his fits. Junior smiled and clapped for more. Jesu looked relieved. He glanced up then, and it was as though our gazes met through the tinted window. Through the distance. One last time.
Jesu smiled enough for his dimple to show. A reassuring smile.
The driver gunned the accelerator. I released a breath and faced forward. We turned a corner, and though I didn’t look back, I knew they were gone.
They’ll be okay, I told myself. And I’ll see them soon.
Epilogue: Jesu
Moonlight filtered past the narrow wall to ceiling window panes, creating a rectangular glow across the pale gray rug. The estate covered twenty acres of heavily wooded property overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. Just an hour’s drive from Quebec City and two hours from the Sword of Somnus compound.
Bookshelves surrounded all but the door to the left and the chaise against the windows to the right. The irises on the desk lent a fragrance to the air. The maid’s doing. Petunia was continually trying to lighten the place, no matter how often I told her it wasn’t necessary. I stood near the settee, my gaze lost to the scenic grounds beyond, the last-minute paperwork sitting on my desk forgotten as I gripped the gray suede curtains in one fist. It wasn’t until the scent of nitrogen overpowered the irises that I managed to bring my attention back to the present. I checked my watch.
