Laughter answered her. She looked at Dominic, then Doc. “Mal and I really want you two to put the past behind you and come to some kind of peace. We can’t have our child’s godfathers fighting with each other.”

Fi nudged Doc with her elbow. He nodded. “I’ve already lifted the restrictions Sinjin set in place. If Dominic shows some kind of good faith on his end, I’m ready to move past everything that’s happened.”

Dominic stroked his chin. “Allowing your pride members access to Seven was a big step for you and I appreciate it. What kind of good faith do you want me to show?”

Doc glanced around the room. “I’m about to announce a new council member. Police Chief Vernadetto.”

“A human?” Mal asked. “That is progressive.”

Doc shook his head. “Vernadetto’s not human. He’s a rare type of varcolai, but he’ll make that announcement soon enough.”

Dominic held his hands out. “I don’t understand what this has to do with me?”

Doc continued. “When Vernadetto makes his announcement, he’s also going to lay the groundwork for his mayoral campaign. He plans to run against the mayor in the next election. I want you to endorse him.”

Dominic nodded. “Done.” His expression went strange. “I have a feeling he’ll win without much trouble.”

As the two men shook hands, Chrysabelle nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Mostly because the mayor’s dead.” Mal’s arm went a little tighter around her waist. “She basically killed herself trying to get her granddaughter away from Preacher, who, by the way, is no longer a vampire.”

“She was too long on hallowed ground,” Mal added. “Went to ash right in the middle of that church he lives in.”

Doc grimaced. “I understand trying to get her granddaughter, but at the cost of her own life? That’s harsh.”

Dominic cleared his throat. “I believe my nephew may have played a part in that. I found some things missing from my laboratory and when I asked him about it, he confessed he’d been feeding the mayor’s comar vitamins that were laced with certain alchemical substances. He purposefully tainted her comar’s blood to weaken her mental stability in hopes that she would cause her own end.” He shook his head. “Apparently, he was successful. It was his way of making things right with me.”

For a long moment, no one said a thing. Finally Chrysabelle spoke up. “I guess we’ve dropped enough bombs for one night, huh?”

A chorus of voices agreed with her.

Fi stood. “Well, after all that news, I could use a drink, even if Chrysabelle can’t join us in the alcoholic stuff. Who’s with me?”

The somber mood was broken with several affirmative answers. Mal kissed Chrysabelle’s temple as laughter and talk filled the room. She looked up at him. “I think we’re going to be all right.”

“I know we are.”

Doc came up and shook Mal’s hand, slapping him on the back and drawing him away as Fi hugged Chrysabelle.

Mortalis approached, Nyssa at his side. “Congratulations.”

We’re thrilled for you, Nyssa signed.

Chrysabelle leaned forward as the shadeux kissed her on the cheek, and then Nyssa hugged her too. “Thank you, both.”

Hours later, as everyone left, Chrysabelle stood at the door waving and watching the last car go through the gate. Mal came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. She put one of her hands over his. “We have good friends. A little strange, but good.”

He laughed. “Agreed.” His thumbs kneaded her back. “How are you feeling? Tired?”

“A little.” With a contented sigh, she turned in his arms. “But there’s one person left to tell and I can’t rest until that happens.”

He kissed her. “Then let’s take care of that.”

Chapter Fifty

Mal helped Chrysabelle out of the car. The wind had picked up, carrying the tang of the sea and the charge of a coming storm. It whipped her hair past her face, turning her into a warrior goddess once again. His warrior goddess, made even more beautiful by the child she carried. He smiled at her, again wondering what he’d done in his life to earn this second chance.

“I won’t be long,” she said. Jerem stood a few yards away, ready to escort her.

“Take all the time you need.” He tucked one windblown lock behind her ear.

She stayed put. “The sun will be up soon.”

“And the car windows are helioglazed.” He leaned in, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t rush on my account. I mean it.”

“Okay,” she said with an appreciative smile. She squeezed his hand, then nodded to Jerem and began to make her way through the rows of headstones.

Mal leaned against the car and watched her go. The prickle of the hallowed ground scratched at his bones and made the little hairs on his skin stand up, but it was a tiny price to pay to accompany his wife-to-be to see her mother.

What would Maris think if she knew her precious daughter was about to marry a vampire? And not just any vampire, but a vampire who’d gotten a child on her? His gut told him she wouldn’t like it.

Jerem hung back a row as Chrysabelle kneeled at Maris’s grave. The wind carried a few of her soft words to Mal’s ears. “Love… marry… baby.”

He tipped his head back and studied the clouded night sky. Here and there a star shone through, but otherwise the heavens were closed off to him. Centuries ago, he might have taken that as a bad omen. Hell, even now it seemed like some kind of sign.