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During our return journey to the Dosza Palace, we were seized with a playful spirit. Laura snatched snow from a tree branch and lobbed it at me and Ignatius before dashing off with a gleeful laugh. With a merry chuckle, Ignatius flung snow after her, the cold white chunks showering her as she fled. I snatched up handfuls of snow and chased her.

The three of us wound through the trees, tossing snowballs, and laughing. It was a great pleasure to see the two people I loved so much enjoying each other’s presence. Gripping Laura’s hands, I spun her about. We tilted back our heads and the stars above swirled around like a carousel. Our fingers slipping free, we fell into the cold white drifts, giggling. Ignatius reached down and plucked us from the snow.

Together, arm and arm, we walked toward the palace.

“An introduction is required,” Laura chastised me. Her face was flushed and she looked like the mortal girl I had befriended.

“Laura, this is Ignatius, the great love of my life. Ignatius, my fledgling, Laura. ”

Ignatius bowed to Laura and kissed her hand. His dark blue eyes studied her before he straightened. “Newly born, I see. ”

“I have much to tell you,” I conceded.

“Yes, you do,” Ignatius agreed. His tone was light, but the gravitas woven through it took a bite out of my joy. Noticing the alteration of my expression, he drew me close, kissed me, then swung me about.

My laughter returned and we plunged through the falling snowflakes toward the palace.

Adem was waiting for us in the foyer when we returned. He bowed to Ignatius. “I see that all is well. ”

“We have sanctuary in the city. The treaty stands. For now we are safe. ” I lightly squeezed his forearm as I strolled past the guard.

Laura trailed in my wake. “The other vampires were absolutely frightening. I have quite a lot to learn apparently. ”

“You are young. You will learn,” Ignatius promised her as he fell into step with her.

Adem walked behind us as we descended on the parlor where we commonly entertained guests. I flung myself onto the couch and collapsed against the pillows. Ignatius leaned over to kiss me before sinking down beside me. Laura studied our interaction from her perch on a nearby chair.

“Then it appears that we have avoided any potential fallout from Laura’s resurrection,” Adem noted from where he stood near the door. “The mortal authorities are satisfied as well. ”

“Thank goodness! I cannot bear any more drama!” I stroked Ignatius’s long hair as he reclined against me. “Now that Ignatius is welcomed into the city, we can at last enjoy our lives. ”

“Nothing is ever quite as simple as you would like,” Ignatius reminded me. “I am very glad to have returned to find you safe. I thank you for that, Adem. ”

“I beg your pardon. ” I frowned at Ignatius.

“It is not so difficult as you may think,” Adem responded wryly.

I cast a pout in Adem’s direction. “Is this a conspiracy against me? I do believe I have done well for myself despite a few missteps. ”

Ignatius gestured toward Laura with the tilt of his head. “Misstep is a simplified description of what has occurred. ”

“Have you considered how difficult it has been to exist in this world with very little instruction? I have done the very best I can. ” I stomped my foot despite being seated.

Adem smiled with amusement at my action, the scar on his lip making an odd crease along its fullness.

“Despite all that has happened, we are all safe and sound. Is that not enough?” I glowered at both men pointedly.

The sudden pounding of hard notes on the piano in the corner startled us. I looked over to see Astir seated at the instrument. Observing that his audience was now paying attention, he began to play a little melody. His long fingers lightly tapped along the black keys, his face unusually somber.

“Oh, my little darlings. Lady Glynis may not be regarded as an enemy of the House of Gavril, but how much longer before they truly began to wonder as to the exact location of a certain Count Vlad Dracula?” He punctuated his words with firm, harsh notes.

“Must you always steal away my happiness?” I frowned at the fallen angel with disdain.

Ignatius rested his hand upon my knee. “He speaks the truth. For now Gavril is satisfied that you are not conspiring against him, but he is quite certain that Vlad is. Vlad’s absence is a cause for great concern. All of Vlad’s actions are performed in accordance to his grandiose plans. He has been known to set events in motion years before he actually attacks. His absence can only be regarded as a ploy in some grand plot. ”

As Ignatius spoke, Astir accompanied his words with a slightly off key melody. “Exactly right. How long before Gavril and Ilinca began to regard you with suspicion again?”

I almost protested that I had nothing to hide, but realized this was not the truth at all. I had much to hide. I felt the corner of my lips turn downward as I pondered the possible consequences for the entombment of Vlad. What would Gavril and Ilinca do to me? Would they side with Vlad against me and punish me?