Kerainne

Present

When Lucian moved to the village, I thought avoiding him would be easy.

But I turned out to be wrong. Though Zareth claimed to have told Lucian he was only welcome during war meetings, Lucian had managed to befriend the Nicolae twins, Razvan and Radu.

Later, I heard he’d gotten drunk with them after the Battle of Shalafi.

And if that weren’t enough, he’d managed to worm his way into Rayven Niltsiar’s affections. So, whenever the sorcerer came to court Tiana—which was almost every day—Lucian was with him.

I didn’t want to appear rude in front of my soon-to-be nephew-in-law, so I occupied myself in the library— Midnight Rooms was too good and I finished way too fast—and sometimes up in Zareth’s laboratory, where there was enough light to work on sculpting projects.

I’d recently abandoned my previously favored marble and clay to work on wood.

The only times I’d carved before was when I was in training to become a high sorcerer, and had carved a staff for Lucian as was traditional in mage courtships—damn it, I was trying not to think about him—and a few small beads and figurines during my times with the tribes.

Now, I wanted to try making things on a larger scale.

Unfortunately, my fingers had lost their calluses, so I had to take frequent breaks from my endeavors because of the blisters. I loathed this part of the process.

When I went downstairs, Zareth was in the parlor with Razvan and Lucian. When Lucian looked at me with those deep cerulean eyes in that old reassuring expression that told me everything would be okay, my chest tightened and I fled.

Not long after he departed, Zareth pulled me aside and tried to do his own reassuring. “I’m sorry he’s been here so much, but I need him to convince the luminites to join the war. Delgarias’s vision made that clear.”

“It’s all right,” I lied. “The Prophecy and defeating the Evil One are more important.”

Besides, I was tired of hiding from him like a coward. This was my home, my family, and my friends. I was tired of letting him chase me away. And maybe it would be even better to let him see how much I didn’t want anything to do with him. Maybe then, he’d get the hint and leave me alone.

Unfortunately, that seemed to backfire. Everyone, even my dear sister Nik, who should have understood the enormity of such a betrayal, warmed up to Lucian.

Somehow, over the past two thousand years, Lucian Jagwolfe had lost that snobbish aloofness, and while he was still somewhat sheltered from Aisthanesthai, having spent most of his time here in Medicia, rather than being stiff and resistant to learning about new cultures like he used to be, he had this boyish wonder and curiosity that might warm me too if I wasn’t careful.

Instinct formed over centuries compelled me to lean close to him, to reach out and touch him. But I couldn’t. Not after what he said and did that awful day.

At least Xochitl and Sylvis were on my side, refusing to succumb to Lucian’s charm. Even though he sneaked in on their band practices whenever he had the opportunity. More than once, I saw Razvan handing him Rage of Angels CDs. And sometimes some on vinyl.

What game was he playing? Did he think he could win over my daughter and her best friends by pretending to like their music?

Of course, maybe his new interest wasn’t pretense. Rage of Angels music and Xochitl’s singing was powerful enough to bring back the sun here and was now bringing magic back to Earth, something no one ever thought possible. Lucian may very well fall in love with that music.

As Nik and Del’s wedding date closed in, I worried about the possibility of Tiana moving back into Rayven’s tower and Lucian charming his way back into her room.

Guilt gnawed at me for my first concern being that I wouldn’t get to spend as much time with my long-lost niece, who I’d helped out of my sister’s womb all those centuries before.

As it was, she was mostly monopolized by her parents.

At least when Silas and Akasha visited from Earth, they brought their daughter, Kiara.

The bond I had with all children flared warm in my heart as I played with her and helped her with her reading and coloring while everyone else had another war meeting.

With Mephistopheles recruiting any vampire that wouldn’t ally with Xochitl and magic returning to Earth, this war had expanded to two worlds.

I worried that a third, and maybe even a fourth would come into play.

I made a mental note to mention that to my daughter.

However, I’d keep my speculation that this may soon overwhelm Lucian and make him flee back to the safety of Luminista to myself.

It wasn’t that I wanted Lucian to abandon this new alliance he’d formed with us, but his presence was so distracting.

The day of my sister’s wedding dawned bright and cheerful.

…At least I thought it did, since everyone in the tower didn’t get up until past noon, and the late October sun was shining bright over the mountains of the Raijin.

I don’t know if it stayed all day since there was a whirlwind of preparation before the vampires rose for the night and it was time to cross the portal.

Since the Duchess of Kinsen wanted to throw a ball to celebrate the victory of the small battle against the evil vampires who’d attempted to invade, Nik and Del had decided to wed in her manor and have the ball be their reception.

It would be a costume ball, which made Xochitl and me very happy.

We loved dressing up, especially for Halloween.

It meant everyone would have to bring their costumes and wear formal dress, but I didn’t hear any complaints.

Though Nik wanted to wear her wedding gown all night, which I completely understood.

After being forbidden to marry two millennia ago, I’m sure she wanted to revel in the moment as long as possible.

Also, Nik’s wedding gown was magnificent.

Following the mage tradition of being the color of her power level, it was crafted with black lei fabric overlaid with an embroidered net overdress made of tiny garnets mined in Idaho, one of the only places on Earth where star garnets like Medicia’s were found.

In mage courting tradition, Delgarias had crafted her a staff of bloodwood like his own, only instead of containing a luminite feather, it held strands of his hair. The top was a dragon’s tooth mounted in silver, generously donated by Xandizion, the dragon she’d ridden in the last battle.

The wedding was in both mage and luminite tradition, and I was chosen to officiate, using my authority as Queen of Medicia. Zareth would officiate with me, using his authority as a high sorcerer and King of all of Aisthanesthai.

Xochitl, Sylvis, and Tiana attended Nik as she and Del walked toward Zareth and me.

Del’s attendants had been Rayven, Silas, and Ian, the Lord Vampire of London, and one of the Elders.

Ian had been Changed into a vampire by Delgarias when Silas had tried to kill him for being an English soldier in Henry VIII’s army.

I wondered how the two vampires could possibly be friendly with each other after that.

When all the attendants were in place, my gaze roved over the guests and my breath fled when I saw Lucian. Somehow, he’d wrangled an invitation. Damn him. As if reading my mind, he gave me a rakish smile that made me remember when he and I had begun planning our wedding that was never to be.

Thankfully, it was time to officiate, so I returned my focus to the bridal couple where it belonged. Nik gave me a smile so full of love and happiness that my heart overflowed with joy for her.

I had to control my tears as Zareth made a poignant speech about Nik and Del joining their magic to become one powerful force. He then pierced their lips with a spiked thimble so they could exchange a blood kiss.

The power between them jolted so strongly in that kiss that everyone on the dais felt it.

Zareth then bound them by the five elements and presented them as mated mages. Then it my turn. Still fighting tears, I recited the luminite ceremony about true bonds and the joys of creating things together. Then I told them to present something they’d created together to the audience.

Nik and Del showed off a powerfully charged talisman they’d crafted together out of silver, copper, garnets, sapphires, and amethyst. Then for another creation, they presented Tiana to the audience with resounding applause, which had my tears flowing freely now.

In an embarrassingly choked voice, I declared them to be wed under my authority as Queen of Medicia.

Nik and Del shared another passionate kiss, and we all applauded.

They walked back down the aisle, showered with black rose petals from the royal garden.

Two photographers snapped endless pictures of them and the wedding party before we were free to change into our costumes and head to the ballroom.

I dressed as a hippy from Earth in the 1960s since Nik wouldn’t shut up about Woodstock since we reunited.

The purple velvet bell bottoms were comfortable, and reminded me of my years on Earth where I learned to appreciate wearing pants.

The tie-dye crop top was a little more to get used to, as I rarely exposed my mid-section.

Still, seeing my sister’s wide eyes, followed by the knowing grin made it worth it.

My daughter’s skin-tight vinyl Catwoman costume looked less comfortable.

Rage of Angels played several raucous songs and power ballads as we danced.

Some of the duchess’s guests tried to headbang, leading to some comical sights.

However, I couldn’t appreciate the music as much as usual, since I had to dodge around the crowd to evade Lucian.

I didn’t want to turn down an offer to dance with him in front of everyone.

But as the minutes went by, I felt sillier for hiding.

Thankfully, Tiana and Rayven saved me.

“This crowd is too much. We’re going to the library for some peace and quiet,” my niece said. “Did you want to come with us?”

I nodded gratefully.

Not long after, Zareth and Delgarias joined us, followed by my daughter and her band.

I tried to hide my amusement as Zareth and Rayven sat as far apart as possible.

Their animosity had faded, but it would be awhile before they’d be actual friends.

Their thousand-year grudge reminded me of my own, so I shifted my attention to Tiana and Xochitl.

“Have you two had fun getting to know each other?”

“Yes!” My daughter and my niece said in unison, before erupting in giggles.

Tiana recovered first. “I still can’t believe Xochitl Leonine is my cousin! I’ve been listening to Rage of Angels for years. And she’s the Queen! She is so cool!”

“No, you’re the cool one.” Xochitl grinned at her. “You have those badass faelin eyes, have more years of training in magic, and the Keeper of the Prophecy is your dad. And well, even if he wasn’t, Uncle Del is awesome and my dad sucks.”

Tiana placed her hand over Xochitl’s. “That’s not your fault, though.

Besides, we know from the Prophecy that you’re the one who’s going to take him down.

Maybe, aside from your voice and your luminite powers, you inherited some power from him that you can use for good. Or, at the least, cool stuff.”

“Well, my eyes turn red when I’m angry and that scares people, which is sometimes cool.” Xochitl’s cheery tone bled away and her shoulders slumped. “But sometimes it makes me sad. I don’t want to be like him.”

Before I could reach out and comfort her, Nik entered the library, cursing under her breath as she tried to maneuver her wide skirts through the door.

“Ah, you finally got away.” Delgarias spread his arms wide and she melted into his embrace.

Nik heaved a dramatic sigh. “Yes. I’m starting to wish that we’d changed into costumes rather than our wedding garb.”

Xochitl laughed. “I toldja so, Aunt Nik. Want some cake?”

“Yes, please. People kept blocking my way to congratulate me and I am starving!”

Just then, Lucian Jagwolfe came in. He put his back to the library door, eyes darting around like he was wary of being followed in. Some of his hair had escaped its tie and hung over his face in a way that still trapped my breath.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, time stopped. Then his gaze swept around the rest of our group and he gave a mock pout. “You all found refuge in here and didn’t invite me?”

Everyone laughed before Delgarias said, “I thought you wanted to experience more of this world.”

“The pageantry and chattering out there isn’t any different from what’s at home.” His eyes widened as he saw the tray of cake and bottles of champagne on the table by the furniture. “You even have libations in here.”

Lucian poured a glass of champagne and raised it in a toast. “To a long and happy union. I thank you, Delgarias, for saving me from an unhappy marriage. And to you, Nikkita, for evading our elders long enough for a solution to be found.”

He walked toward where I was sitting and paused, then abruptly found an empty chair.

I released my breath, mostly relieved, but there was some other feeling simmering under the surface that I couldn’t identify.

Then I realized what it was. It was the feeling I’d had when Lucian returned after one of our fights in our early years.

The immediate sense of relief and an end to waiting because I’d missed him.