Chapter 24 #2
Emmy’s interest perked at that. “Wow, I would love to get some DNA from her before. A baby tooth or something. Comparing that with now would tell me so much.”
The first course arrived, and conversation shifted to lighter topics. Her mom shared news about a few of Emmy’s siblings, a little about the latest gossip in Faerie.
Then Aaron and Zander slipped into discussion of supernatural politics — the ongoing Concilio/Senatus skirmishes worldwide as supernatural factions adjusted to the split, territorial disputes on some island nations, and alliance-building in Asia.
“I’m officially neutral,” Zander said. “For now, both organizations are allowing me to remain a member, mostly because both want access to Mordnik. I’m separating everyone, though. This year is all Senatus, next year will be all Concilio.”
Zander shrugged. “If I’m forced to choose, it’ll be with the Senatus, but we’ll see how long they let me be Switzerland.”
Emmy was full long before dessert arrived, but was pleasantly surprised when a massive chocolate and salted-caramel marbled cheesecake with Congratulations! written in icing was settled in the middle of the table.
And then she saw the bunnies. More than a dozen of them, skillfully drawn with icing, danced all around the text, and she couldn’t help her smile.
“The bunnies,” she said, laughing. “That’s perfect.”
“Spencer’s idea,” Zander said, and she could feel his approval.
Before they cut the cake, Sophia pulled out a small box. “We have something for you first.”
Inside was a heavy platinum bank card, embossed with Emmy’s name.
“Your trust fund,” her father said. “The access you had before is restored. We know you don’t need it now with your salary, but … it’s symbolic.”
Emmy’s throat tightened. “Thank you.”
Someone brought Zander a small bag, and Spence as well. Zander handed his bag to her, and she pulled a velvet jewelry box out.
Her heart skipped a few beats when she opened it to see a single emerald, bigger than the end of her thumb, deep green and flawless, set in platinum on a gorgeous chain.
“The Stotesbury Emerald,” Zander said quietly. “Spence tracked it down through private collectors. I had it reset, and I measured one of your favorite necklaces to get the length of the chain.”
Emmy stared at the stone, speechless. She had no idea how much this cost, but knowing Zander, probably way too much. Especially if it was some special-named gemstone.
But she loved it. Her namesake stone, and it was flawless, and so big. She put it on, and it hit her exactly where it should, so it would show with most of her blouses and dresses.
“I love it. Thank you.”
Then Spence was handing her the second bag, and she picked up anxiety from him, while Zander was trying to calm him.
So she focused on his gift. The sooner she loved it, the sooner he’d calm down.
Spence’s hands shook slightly as he passed his bag to Emmy. He’d spent weeks tracking down emeralds that matched the Stotesbury’s deep green fire, finding a jeweler who could cut them to complement the larger stone, agonizing over whether they were good enough.
The big stone had cost millions. His little matching pair for her ears had still run into the tens of thousands once he’d found emeralds of sufficient quality.
But it would be worth every penny to see her wear something he’d chosen himself.
But now, watching her open the box, he felt suddenly uncertain. What if she didn’t like them? What if they paled in comparison to Zander’s gift?
“Spence,” Emmy breathed. “They’re perfect.”
The earrings caught the candlelight, throwing green fire across her fingers. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, and through the bond he felt her overwhelming joy.
“I wanted you to have a complete set,” he said softly. “The necklace from Zander, the earrings from me. Together.”
Emmy pulled him into a kiss that tasted like wine and happiness. Spence’s heart settled, and he felt his lovers through their shared blood bond — Zander’s satisfaction, Emmy’s fierce love, and his deep, abiding joy.
He’d come so far from the slave Zander had acquired in Maryland, when he’d killed Spence’s Master.
From the broken wolf who didn’t see himself as human, to being put in charge of his new Master’s flock, and then more, until his new Master was his lover, his friend, and his partner in life.
Yes, Spence is submissive for sex, but Zander expects him to make his own decisions outside of that, and it works. He’s a man now. Okay, a werewolf, but still. A man in charge of his life.
He’d worried, when Zander first mentioned finding their third. Worried he’d be pushed aside, would lose belonging in the way he did, but he should have trusted Zander more.
His vampire would’ve never forced him to accept someone who didn’t complete them.
And now he had two partners who cherish him, who built their lives around him as much as he built his around them.
And Emmy … Emmy fit perfectly.
She put the earrings on immediately, and Spence watched her parents’ faces soften with approval. Aaron nodded at him — acknowledgment, respect, gratitude for taking care of his daughter.
“To Emmy,” Zander said, raising his wine glass. “Master of Science, brilliant researcher, and the fire that completes our triangle.”
They all toasted, and Spence felt his throat tighten with emotion.
“And to the future,” Sophia added, and then smiled. “And may I always remember my sunglasses, it looks so bright.”
The cheesecake was rich and decadent, the salt balancing the sweetness perfectly, and Spence closed his eyes to share it with Zander.
Oh, wow. So good, but you’re supposed to warn me before you do that.
Spence chuckled. I should be spanked.
Zander gave him the side-eye, and responded to Sophia about how Queenie was doing in Vegas.
Emmy fed Spence a bite from her fork, and he returned the favor — and ignored the fact Aaron was watching.
After dessert, Emmy excused herself to the restroom, and Aaron leaned forward.
“Take care of her,” he said quietly, meeting Zander’s gaze, then Spence’s. “Both of you. She acts tough, but she’s still my daughter.”
“Always,” Spence promised.
“We will,” Zander added. “You have my word.”
Aaron nodded, satisfied, and the conversation drifted to plans for the December commencement ceremony, whether Emmy would attend, and logistics for the Mordnik trip coming up in November.
Eventually, the evening wound down. Aaron and Sophia were clearly jet-lagged, so it was time to get them to bed.
They’d be in town two more days, and Emmy had lots of plans for places to take them, things to do. But first thing the following morning, they wanted to see the rabbits.
In the SUV on the way home, Emmy leaned against Spence’s shoulder, her new necklace catching streetlights, her emerald earrings glinting whenever they passed under a lamp.
And as they drove through the Anchorage night, Spence let himself think about his options for a trip, just the three of them.
And security, of course, but still. A fun trip — something special before winter arrived.
Something that would let them be together away from the coterie, away from responsibilities, just the threesome and the wilderness.
He had ideas. Places to research, logistics to arrange, ways to include Zander despite the daylight limitations.