Chapter Forty-Three
Enzo
I guided Joy into the dining room, my hand at her back. After everything she'd endured, I wasn't letting her out of my sight.
Angelo, Serenity, Steve, Gianna, and Dimitri were already seated. Dimitri pressed a kiss to Gianna's cheek, and the way he looked at her—like she was his entire world—was something I understood completely.
Elena emerged from the kitchen carrying a Dutch oven of crayfish étouffée. Her white hair was swept into a loose bun, and she wore a long black dress beneath her apron.
She reminded me of my mother—not in looks, but in the warmth she radiated. It had been so long since I'd lost my mother that her face had blurred in my memory. But Elena had filled that void without ever asking to, simply by being herself.
"S'il vous plaît, sit, sit," she urged warmly, setting the pot on the table.
I pulled out Joy's chair before taking the seat beside her. Whatever Serenity's announcement was, it had better be important.
Angelo's expression turned grave. "Keir called. Nyx's funeral is tomorrow."
Joy's quick intake of breath cut through the room. Her hand found mine, fingers trembling. Nyx had died protecting me—protecting us. His sacrifice still filled me with guilt. I should have saved him.
"I've also contacted Trystan," Angelo continued. "His pack is handling the bodies in the bayou. There'll be no evidence left behind."
Joy turned to me, her face draining of color, eyes wide with dawning horror.
I fought back a smile. "They're burning them, Joy. The wolves aren't eating the bodies."
She laughed nervously and slapped my knee playfully. “I know that.”
I glanced at Angelo. “Where’s Rocco?”
Gianna clicked her tongue. “He refused to stay here once he was healed. He wouldn’t tell me where he was going. Men are so stubborn.”
Serenity shook her head. “That’s too bad. I would have liked him to be here too.” She motioned to Elena. “I want you here as well, Elena.”
Elena headed out of the dining room, her voice trailing behind her. “But I’ve got more food to come out. It will take a minute.”
Serenity sighed. “Very well.”
I looked at Angelo, who shrugged as he took a sip of wine.
Gianna flicked her dark hair behind her shoulder and studied Serenity. "You're acting very mysterious."
Dimitri leaned back, twirling his wine glass. "Oh come on, love. Let her have her moment. We all know angels are nothing if not theatrical." He winked at Serenity. "No offense."
“While we’re waiting for Elena,” Steve said, lifting his wine glass, “I say we toast. To victory. To everyone making it home.”
Not everyone made it home. Nyx was proof of that. I pulled Joy closer, needing the reminder that she, at least had made it back to me.
Everyone raised their wine glasses but Serenity. She raised her water goblet instead.
Elena bustled back in carrying a large bowl of steaming rice, followed by a cast iron skillet of cornbread and a dish of green beans glistening with butter. The spread looked and smelled incredible—the perfect Cajun feast.
She finally took a seat at the table. “I’m finished, Serenity. We can eat.”
Serenity's smile was radiant but shaky. "Not before my announcement." She turned to Angelo, her eyes glistening with emotion, and took his hand in both of hers. "I needed everyone I love here—all of you—because this is..." She took a breath, steadying herself. "Angelo, we're having a baby. You're going to be a father."
Wine caught in my throat. That couldn't be right. Made vampires were sterile—had been since the day we were turned. Children weren't possible for us.
Joy’s eyes darted to me, catching my shock, before she turned back to Serenity with a smile. “Oh, Serenity. I’m so happy for you.” Her hand found mine under the table, squeezing. “We needed some joy after what we all went through.”