“Nothing with Samuel is ever easy.” He shakes his head. “And his obsession with you is beyond dangerous. What he did to you before, that was scratching the surface of what he’s capable of. Don’t ask me to risk you like that. I can’t…the idea of something happening to you…” A struggle plays out over his face, and I hurry back into his arms, holding him tightly.
“Okay,” I relent as he locks me in his arms. “Okay. It was just an idea.” The last thing I want is to send Saint into a spiral where he does something rash under the guise of thinking it will keep me safer.
But I feel like a total hypocrite as my plans are exactly that. He may not like my idea, but I’m not going to let it go. Not when I know it’s the most viable option we’ve had in months. Not when I know it’s a chance to spare him the fate that comes with severing the twin-bond, whatever that fate may be.
The gardens have been transformed into a luminescent extravaganza, complete with twinkle lights, champagne, and a six-tier birthday cake. The hunters and assassins are all dressed in their finest evening wear, along with their mates and partners and a few other trainees, including Cassandra’s brother Warrick, who looks exhausted but proud in the way he holds himself. Cassandra told me how important serving the king is to him to make up for what his father and brother had done against Alek, and I’m happy he’s been given the chance to prove himself.
I wish I was given the same chance. Not that I want to join the Order or even serve in the way Olivia or Cassandra does. I’m perfectly content offering my support with my newfound title and learning what survival and combat skills Saint has taught me recently, but in other ways, I could be useful. Like luringSamuel out of hiding. Of course, that is a much more complex plan than training for the Order.
Daphne blows out the candles on the cake after we’ve all sung to her, and then the party shifts to mingling and music.
I walk over to Annika and Cassandra, smiling at Daphne as she hugs Valor, her once human cousin now successfully transitioned vampire. Annika saved her life and I’m so glad because she wasbornto be a vampire. She’s adjusted so much better than me, but she’d also been mated to Lachlan and exposed to the vampire world much longer than I’d been.
“Thank you,” Daphne says, releasing her cousin before hugging Lachlan. “You two are the best.”
“Happy birthday,” Lachlan says.
“You like the cake?” Valor asks. “It’s not too much, right?”
Daphne laughs, looking at the giant cake. “No, it’s perfect. Really. Thank you.”
Valor breathes a sigh of relief before Lyric calls her over to where she’s cooing over Salene, Oliva and Ransom’s newborn. Lachlan follows her over there, leaving the three of us to head to an empty table near the moon lilies.
“Perfect?” Cassandra asks.
Daphne laughs. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve gotten used to the lavish lifestyles of supernaturals. Not that I’m really one of you, but…you know what I mean.”
“I do,” Cassandra says.
“It’s a fun party,” Annika adds. “And you look incredible.” She eyes the glittering black dress she wears. “Is that another one from?—”
“Yep.” Daphne takes a bite out of the slice of cake she’s been holding. “Red velvet. So. Good.”
“Remind me to request Valor plan my next birthday party too,” I say, smiling at her.
“She’s really good at it,” Daphne says. “It helps that she has all of you and the king’s infinite funds behind her though. I told her I would’ve been fine with burgers and a movie night.” She shrugs. “But I’m not complaining.”
I nod, a sense of contentment settling inside me. I feel clearer than ever, but I still do my best to keep a safe distance from any of the flower arrangements decorating the tables, or the actual shrubbery around the gardens. Gabriel says I’ve made huge strides, and keeps suggesting I try out my power on willing living subjects, but I haven’t found the courage to do so yet. And the last thing I want to do at Daphne’s party is kill the plant life on accident.
“It’s good you were able to come,” Annika says, nudging me. “I wasn’t sure Saint was going to let you out of your rooms.”
I laugh, easily spotting Saint across the gardens. He looks incredible in his all-black suit, his eyes on me as he carries on a conversation with Talon, Dagon, and Ajax. Soon, Zachariah joins them too, and the four hunters standing like that together look terrifying and unyielding. Which, in a house full of Onyx Assassins, trainees, and other talented vampires, is saying something.
They even move like a unit, their bond evident. My heart sinks a little that Samuel betrayed them all, broke their trust in ways they never imagined. Most of all, my heart breaks for my mate, whose bond runs so much deeper than his hunter brethren. I wonder if the others will ever heal from Samuel’s wounds? I don’t know if Saint ever will, but I’m certainly going to help him try.
“I’m keeping him in that room as much as he’s keeping me there,” I finally say, but can’t help the little sting that pricks my chest. Not because of anything Saint is doing, but the fear we’re still living in. The hold it has on him.
“I’m so glad he came to his senses,” Annika continues.
“Me too,” I agree. “You were right. Mating is thebest.”
We all laugh at that, even Daphne, who takes another bite of cake.
“You know,” Daphne says. “Being human already puts me at a disadvantage, but then you all go and get these eternal mates, and I feelreallyleft out.” She’s smiling, but I can’t help but detect a hint of truth in her words. “No powers. No mate willing to deliver mind-blowing orgasms and love. Kind of a bummer when you know it’ll never happen to you.”
“Never say never,” Cassandra warns. “Valor was a human when Lachlan mated her.”
Daphne’s eyes flare. “I wastotallyjoking.”