Page 49 of Sophie’s Ruin (Crimson and Shadows #2)

Henry followed close behind, and by the time we’d arrived in the foyer, it was already teeming with people. Wren must have left them in. My father was here, with Waylon and Amelie. Madam St. Clair and Ezra were here as well, along with a few other humans who’d used to serve the Duvals.

“Father!” I exclaimed, crashing into him and enveloping him in a tight embrace.

With a startled laugh, he hugged me back.

I had to remind myself not to squeeze too hard as I held on for a few minutes.

“You’re back,” I rasped, pulling away to look at him.

His weathered features blurred as tears gathered in my eyes.

“It’s good to be back,” my father replied, his voice hoarse.

His blue-gray eyes were also glistening with tears.

“Waylon told me about what you’ve accomplished.

You defeated the Dark Witches...” He trailed off, studying my features as if to make sure I was still me.

“He also told me what happened after… Are you okay?”

Suddenly, I felt like a little girl in his presence; the weight of the past few days crashing into me, nearly sweeping me under. I managed to stay on my feet as I nodded.

“I’m okay,” I assured him. I will be.

“I see you brought her back like you promised,” I heard Waylon say to Henry.

“I did,” was all Henry said.

He didn’t add that bringing me back had almost cost him his life. My skin prickled at the thought. As if sensing my unease, Henry stepped closer to me, his proximity bringing instant comfort.

“What about the clans?” Waylon asked, his features tense.

“They live,” Henry replied. “They appointed new clan leaders, with whom we met the other night. They have agreed to give up control over the Empire.”

Waylon looked shocked but not relieved.

“How are you going to enforce that?” he asked, his tone apprehensive.

“We forged a magically-binding contract signed in blood. If the clans ever get out of line, Sophie and I will be there to put them back into their place. All we ask is that the humans leave us be and let us live peacefully alongside them,” said Henry.

A heavy silence followed his words. Everyone turned to Waylon as if waiting for him to decide how they should feel about what had been revealed. It didn’t go unnoticed that even though the Governess was among us, Waylon seemed to hold more authority than she did at the moment.

Finally, after another beat of silence, Waylon’s shoulders sagged, and his features relaxed just a fraction.

“That’s great news about the clans and the blood treaty. I believe you will help reinforce the new world order, but I still plan to recruit more men into the Order of Light and become more organized.”

He turned his attention to me.

“I tried to spread the word about what you did for this country,” he said. When I tensed, he added, “Without giving too much away.”

The secret of the Tear is safe with me, I read in his eyes.

“I don’t have a problem with the vampires living alongside us.

Especially, if you can help keep them in check.

But I can’t guarantee the others will feel the same way.

The border guards…” His throat worked on a swallow.

“The ones that remained… They’ll seek retribution for what the clans did.

It will be safer for you to leave the region. ”

As if on cue, Isabelle strode into the foyer, loaded with bags. Wren rushed to her aid though she didn’t need it.

“We know,” I said to Waylon. “We are planning to leave as soon as possible.”

We’d realized days ago that not all humans would see me as their liberator.

They would see me only as a vampire—a predator whose protection they no longer needed.

An animal that had to be put down so the humans could feel safe.

Our family couldn’t stay here. We needed to go away—to get lost in another region, enjoying a simple life without attracting attention to ourselves.

The only reason we hadn’t left yet was because I’d wanted to see my father to say goodbye.

“Lord Duval—” Madam St. Clair’s husky voice rang out in the foyer, drawing everyone’s attention to her.

“No need for formalities, Madam St. Clair,” Henry interjected. “I am no longer Lord Duval, I am simply…Henry.”

A look of wonder stole over his face as if this was the first time he realized that he no longer had the Lord’s title attached to his name.

He didn’t seem upset by it. On the contrary, relief was etched into his striking features, and his deep-blue eyes danced as he glanced at me.

Smiling, I stepped away from my father and closer to him.

He smiled back, lovingly tucking me to his side.

“My Henry,” I whispered, so low that only he could hear.

His smile grew.

“On behalf of the humans of the Empire, I would like to thank you for what you did for this country,” Madam St. Clair said, looking at me.

Her shrewd gray eyes scanned me from head to toe as if she was seeing me for the first time.

“I should have known you were up to something when you volunteered to participate in the Selection the second time.”

I lifted a shoulder in a non-committal gesture.

“I, for one, am glad you didn’t suspect anything. When you let her participate in the Selection again, you brought her into my life,” Henry said, affection pouring out of him as he stared down at me.

“I have a feeling even if I didn’t, she would have found another way into your life,” Madam St. Clair remarked.

Henry laughed, not taking his eyes off me. The sound was nice and deep, reverberating through me all the way down through the tips of my toes.

“I think you’re right,” he said.

“So, where will you go?” the Governess asked.

Henry tore his gaze away from me and looked at her.

“Wherever it is we end up, we will lead a quiet life without harming anyone. You have my word,” he told her.

“I trust your word, Lord—” Madam St. Clair caught herself with a low chuckle. “Henry.”

“What will happen to us?” Ezra spoke up, looking around at the other servants in the room.

His mahogany brown hair had gotten longer since I’d last seen him, and he was not as pale as he’d used to be.

“You all are free to go,” Henry said, his deep voice carrying through the foyer. Ezra’s brown eyes widened at his words. Apparently, that wasn’t what he’d wanted to hear.

“We’ll give you some funds to help you until you get on your feet,” I said out of nowhere. Isabelle shot me a look of dismay while Henry squeezed me closer to him in a sign of approval.

The other servants lit up at my words and began chatting excitedly among themselves.

Ezra still looked uncertain, though, shifting from foot to foot.

Understanding washed over me as I realized that he didn’t have any family left after Rory had died.

Ezra wasn’t from New Haven like most of the other servants, so he had no one to help him adjust to this new world where he was free and no longer had to serve the Duvals.

“You can stay with me until you find a job and a place of your own,” my father offered, glancing at me.

I gave him an appreciative smile. It would be good for my father to have company after I was gone, and he could help Ezra start a new life.

I had no doubt that he would treat him like his own son.

Warmth blossomed in my chest at the thought.

“Are you sure?” Ezra asked him. “It would be nice to stay in New Haven where Rory is buried…” he trailed off, looking down to the stone floor.

I had to remind myself that only a short time had passed since her death.

It only seemed like ages to me because of everything I’d been through.

Ezra was still grieving, the shadows of his loss draped over him like a shroud.

“I’m sure.” My father clasped his shoulder in assurance.

“Surely you’re not going to leave until after the wedding?” Amelie asked, snapping my attention to her.

“The wedding? What wedding?” My father’s gray brows shot up.

Henry stiffened next to me before he cleared his throat and said, “Thomas, I need to officially ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

My eyes pricked with tears as emotion swelled in my chest. Henry knew I didn’t need my father’s permission but wanted to ask for it regardless. Because he always wanted to do the right thing.

My father paled.

“You’re getting married?” he asked, with something akin to sorrow in his voice.

My brows knitted. I didn’t need his permission, but it would still break my heart if he didn’t approve.

Perhaps I just needed to convince him, to tell him how much Henry meant to me.

“My little girl is getting married?” my father said, and my scowl smoothed out as understanding dawned on me.

He wasn’t against the marriage; he was just sad because his little girl was growing up.

I’d grown up a long time ago when I’d found my mother dead and discovered her note about the Tear, but it seemed my father had still been harboring hope that I would return to him one day.

And now that hope was slipping away because I would not be returning under my father’s roof.

I would be making my own life and future with my husband.

Untucking myself from Henry’s side, I approached my father and took his weathered hands in mine. They trembled slightly as I held them.

“Yes.” I smiled at him. “I love him, Father, and he loves me, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will make me the happiest girl in the world.”

“I think he already does,” my father said, his eyes glistening.

“Of course you have my permission,” he added low, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“I know you didn’t need it, but thank you for asking anyway,” he murmured against the top of my head.

“It means a lot,” he added, and I knew the words were meant for Henry.

“Well then.” Amelie clapped her hands in excitement. “Sounds like we have a wedding to plan.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head as I let go of my father and walked back to Henry.

“It looks like we’ll be getting married sooner than expected,” I told him, watching for his reaction. With a soft smile, he wrapped his arms around my waist and looked into my eyes.

“Truly, it’s perfect. I can’t wait to call you my wife.”