Chapter Fourteen
Holly stood in the guest room, but remained at a distance as she watched the tender, tearful reunion between daughter and father.
The initial embrace had lasted several minutes. Both had wept, for her suffering and for the loss of Isobel’s mother and brothers.
Holly couldn’t stem her own tears and finally stopped trying. Vojalie brought her some tissues which she used until they were a hardened damp wad in her hand.
Rosamunde had left the room early on, also weeping.
More poignant still were the ghosts who stood close by Rez. Each was smiling. Marion turned to look at Holly and nodded slowly once. Rez’s wife as well.
The latter approached her, a beautiful vampire. She lifted a hand to Holly’s face. There wasn’t a real physical connection, but Holly could feel the spiritual warmth.
A resonant voice moved inside her head. Take care of them both. Rez is a good man and deserves you. I’m more grateful than I can say that you’ve come into his life and into my daughter’s.
Holly wanted to respond, but the spirit faded away then disappeared. Marion stayed a little longer. When she approached Holly, she was smiling. You did good. I’m so proud of you. Thank you for loving and taking care of my son.
Again, Holly wanted to respond, but Marion disappeared as well. Their job was done.
Holly was left with Vojalie standing beside her and Rez sitting on the bed and talking quietly to Isobel. His daughter was even able to sit up. Vojalie had helped her tremendously during the time from Isobel’s rescue until now.
To Vojalie, Holly pathed. You’ll let him know when she needs to rest?
I will. Just a couple minutes more. Don’t worry, Holly. We’ll all take care of her.
Vojalie took hold of Holly’s hand. She’d needed the contact and the reassurance and squeezed in response.
Much later, she stood beside Rez sipping a glass of red wine. Rez had his arm around her waist where it had been since he’d emerged from Isobel’s room. He looked both euphoric and exhausted. He’d come to the end of a two-year difficult, impossible search.
Holly could tell his blood needs had risen because of the battle. But Cruce had taken so much from her, she still hadn’t built the supply he needed. Rosamunde was preparing a buffet. Food would help, though Holly wished more than anything she could meet his needs right this moment.
Or maybe the ache belonged to him. Now that she was bonded to Rez, she could feel what he was experiencing one moment to the next. It would take some getting used to. The deep internal pain she felt may have been what he was feeling for his daughter, a poignant, lonely sensation, part grief, part celebration. His daughter had been returned to him. But it was also a reminder of what they’d lost as a family.
She thought maybe some diversion would help. She leaned close to him and pathed, I wonder what my father will say when I bring a vampire home as my bonded mate?
He kissed her cheek. He’d done that several times already. I don’t think he’ll mind too much. Remember, he fell in love with a vampire himself.
She shifted just enough to meet his gaze. He did, didn’t he? Guess I never thought of it like that.
Regrets? She saw the concern in his eye, something she didn’t think would go away for a while. The moment of their bonding had been rushed and not even verbally acknowledged.
Though there were several people present, including Emily and Devyn, she turned into him. Embracing him fully, she kissed him on the lips. No regrets.
Still, when he drew back, she saw the doubt in his expression, a slight furrowing of his brows.
She kissed him. Guess I’m just going to have to prove it to you. Though for what I have in mind, it will have to wait til later. As a promise, she kissed him again.
“Oh, Goody,” a familiar gremlin voice called out. “Dinner and a show.”
Holly drew back just enough to see that Davido had arrived with Oregis balanced on his shoulder.
Vojalie came in from the kitchen and called out. “My darling is here!”
She hurried toward her husband as he levitated to meet her. She kissed him on the cheek. In turn, he swept his right arm around her waist. They’d been married for centuries, yet, somehow, they seemed to be on a perpetual honeymoon. She wondered what their secret was.
When Vojalie returned to the kitchen to help Rosamunde, Davido approached Holly and Rez. He congratulated Rez on the restoration of his daughter.
“I have Holly to thank for that.” With a lift of his arm, he gestured behind Davido. “And Emily and Devyn as well. The three of them secured Isobel’s release.”
Davido turned and with a wave of his arm, drew Emily and Devyn into the circle. Davido patted Devyn on the shoulder and offered a glittering, charismatic smile to Emily. “We have, indeed, been blessed with so many gifted folk here tonight. Ah, and here is Rosamunde with some champagne. Your timing is perfection, my dear.”
Rosamunde held the tray first for Holly. She took a flute as Rosamunde spoke over her shoulder to Davido. “Stone will be with us shortly. The battle went well, but he wanted a shower before joining us.”
As though invoking his presence, Stone strolled in from the hallway and crossed the room. His hair was still damp though pulled back in the woven clasp. “Champagne? Great idea.”
He joined Rosamunde so that the circle was now complete. Isobel was sound asleep in the guest room.
Everyone held their flutes and looked to Stone. Even Oregis had been provided a gremlin sized glass for the occasion.
Stone nodded several times as he lifted his glass. “First, to the safe return of Rez’s daughter, Isobel.”
“Hear, hear.” Everyone took a sip.
“Next, to the latest women to join the exalted ranks of the blood rose bond. Rosamunde and I especially want to extend our appreciation for what your service has already meant to our world. Tonight, we saw the elimination of yet another threat. I lift a glass to our blood roses.”
Holly smiled at Emily as the others took a sip.
She then decided she wanted to take a turn. She lifted her flute, and though her throat was tight, she said, “And to our fighting men who keep Tannisford safe. We have a beautiful society in which all realm-folk flourish, but not without the vigilant efforts of the Vampire Guard and the Troll and Shifter Brigades. But I’d also especially like to express my appreciation for what Rez has accomplished during the last two years, how many lives he’s saved through personal sacrifice of both time and to a large degree his reputation.”
It was Devyn who returned with a strong, “I will say a Goddess-amen to that.”
“And I second it.” Stone’s voice boomed around the circle.
Everyone took a drink.
Holly took Rez’s arm and gave it a squeeze. He turned and offered her a smile then kissed her cheek again.
A few more toasts of general good-will occupied the next several minutes.
Stone then shared a few critical points about the battle at the Overlook. The Invictus in the camp were quickly subdued and the wraith-slaves taken to a rehabilitation center where physicians and fae would tend to their recovery. Though Oregis had helped him backtrack to Underworld, all signs of the captives were gone. Nothing had remained but the glass enclosures and scattered crystals all over the cavern floor.
“I’ve ordered the Sidhe Council to do a complete investigation of Lanarae’s workshop. They’re hoping to determine how these latest Invictus pairs were created and, more importantly, whether this new evolution might prove a threat to all the realms.”
Both Devyn and Rez asked questions about the battle itself, but Rosamunde ended the discussion by announcing that the buffet was served.
Shortly after everyone was seated, Stone asked Rez if he would be interested in rejoining the Guard.
Holly was so surprised, she almost choked on her wine.
Rez, however, refused. “Thanks. But I’ll continue as I’ve been. The eastern villages and hamlets need me, maybe now more than ever.”
“I understand, though I’ve had an idea I’d like to run by you. What if you returned to create, train and lead a division designed specifically to care for all our outlying areas. It would mean bringing on more warriors but our people would be safer.”
Holly could feel the release of tension within Rez’s body. He’d been a Guardsman a long time before he’d left to patrol the east on his own. She knew his desire to serve alongside his brothers-in-arms had never abated. He was being offered a way back in that would restore his reputation and trust among his fellow Guardsmen.
Still, he hesitated. Holly thought she understood the reason. Rez cleared his throat. “Your idea has merit. Great merit, in fact. Just what I’d want to do. But for the present, I need time with my daughter.”
“Of course.” Stone’s brows rose. “Yes, of course. We can discuss it later. Any time that suits you.”
Oregis’s high, thin voice took the conversation a different direction entirely. He addressed the former queen of Ferrenden Peace. “Rosamunde, has anyone told you that you have the prettiest eyes. Violet, with these lovely hints of blue and purple. They remind me of the color of my wife’s—”
“Oregis.” Four masculine voices called sharply to the gremlin.
He appeared innocent with brows raised. “Whatever do you mean? I was going to say the sofa in her third sitting room.” He then chortled with glee.
~ ~ ~
Rez insisted on flying Holly back to her mountain home where they would spend the day, in bed, together. They would complete the bond with a full union of their bodies, the sharing of blood, and the engagement of their mating frequencies.
He couldn’t wait, yet he wanted to take his time with her, so he flew her.
Everything about this moment felt sacred. He was living inside a miracle. Love had found him again and that same love had brought his daughter home safely. He felt blessed and overcome.
He held Holly close to his side while he flew. Her foot was planted on his right boot and her left arm was slung across his shoulders. She used levitation to keep herself upright while her free hand caressed his shoulder, his chest, his neck and his face.
His woman.
His blood rose.
His partner.
The air was cooler now as he levitated above the slope of the rising forest. “I love you, Holly, more than words could ever express.”
~ ~ ~
Holly hugged him in response.
She shared Rez’s mood.
Reverence was what she felt coming from him, as though this shared moment belonged to the heavens and not to the mere realm-world. She loved and she was loved. She’d found passion, companionship and an incredible bond in the arms of a man she’d once thought of as a deserter.
They would marry sometime this year. But she hoped, as she never had before, that she carried his child when she bound herself to him in front of their families and loved ones.
She gasped as a vision came to her rich with color and life. She was at a midnight picnic, on the lawn in the smithy backyard. Isobel was there and held a baby in her arms. Her husband was bringing her a plate of ripe apricots and a glass of mineral water. He was smiling at her and she looked beyond content.
Children ran around the yard. Several of them and they belonged to Holly. All hers and Rez’s.
Rez sat beside her on the picnic blanket and between them was an infant. Their latest.
The vision faded and left her feeling overwhelmed yet happy beyond words.
As he flew, she hugged him hard. She’d never thought of herself as a mother of a brood, but it looked like she was and right this moment, she wanted nothing more. She wanted to give back to Rez what the war against the Invictus had stolen from him so thoroughly: A family.
Did you just have a vision? Why are you weeping? Are we in danger?
She chuckled. Just the opposite. We’re going to have children. Apparently, a lot of them.
His arm tightened around her waist. You’d better marry me then.
Oh, I will. Yes, I will.
The End