Chapter 80 Danica #3
I think back to our time in Aquaria, the memory as vivid as if it happened yesterday.
Erik standing in that shimmering Siren's cave, his silver eyes scanning those ancient musical notations with perfect understanding.
While the rest of us stood baffled, he not only recognized the complex melody but reproduced it flawlessly with his voice, unlocking secrets none of us could access.
That quiet, unexpected talent saved us when we needed it most.
Watching him now with Bryn, I see that same depth—the layers beneath his hard exterior that most never see.
His gift isn't just strategy or combat; it's his ability to observe, collect, and preserve what matters.
He's archived centuries of knowledge, music, and art in that brilliant mind of his, and now he's using it to immortalize something precious for the woman he loves.
The way Bryn's eyes shine with tears, the tender way Erik watches her—it's enough to make my heart melt.
"Wow." I murmur, swallowing the lump, "Someone's definitely getting their stocking stuffed tonight."
"I heard that," Erik mutters without breaking eye contact with Bryn.
"That's what happens when you have vampire hearing, Mr. Stoic." I wink at Bryn, who's trying—and failing—to hide the tears in her eyes as the music box plays their song.
"Well, shit," Lucian declares, clutching his Iron Man helmet to his chest. "Look at you, Silver-Studded Sulker, making us all catch feelings. What's next—you gonna start a poetry slam? Write some emo lyrics? Quick, someone get me a gift before Erik's romantic side gives me fucking hives!"
I nearly choke on my coffee, watching Erik's eye twitch while Bryn tries to hide her smile behind the music box.
I lean forward in anticipation as Lucian hands Seraphina a perfectly wrapped box—which is suspicious enough, considering this is the same vampire who usually throws gifts in Halloween-themed gift bags because "Christmas paper is too mainstream."
"Before you open it, Cupcake," Lucian announces, bouncing like a kid who's had too much sugar, "just remember that if Erik can be a romantic little bitch, then I can too."
Sera unwraps the gift carefully (because, of course, she does—angels apparently never rip paper), revealing a custom-made snow globe.
But not just any snow globe. Inside, there's a perfect miniature replica of that fateful moment in Aquaria—complete with tiny Lucian getting blasted by tiny Sera's light grenade.
The 'snow' is golden sparkles, and when she shakes it, they swirl around a banner that reads 'You had me at 'take that, bloodsucker! ''
"Because you literally knocked some sense into me," Lucian grins, looking mighty pleased with himself. "Get it? Because you actually blasted me. With holy light. Which was both the most enlightening and most painful moment of my undead life. Nothing says true love like celestial violence!"
I snort. Leave it to Lucian to turn getting holy-smacked by an angel into both a pun and a collectible. But watching Sera's eyes well up as she shakes the globe again, I must admit—the idiot nailed it. Somehow, he made it both ridiculous and touching, just like their entire relationship.
"And look," he adds excitedly, "if you turn it upside down, tiny-me gets blasted all over again! I even had them add the exact shade of 'oh shit' on my face when I realized a hot angel just kicked my ass. Now that's what I call attention to detail!"
"Lucian!" Sera gasps, but she's laughing through her tears.
I curl deeper into Rhyland's side, letting the warmth of his body chase away the morning chill. My fuzzy reindeer pajamas might not be the sexiest thing I own, but they're perfect for a cozy Christmas morning with our crazy family.
Emily's laugh draws my attention as she tears into Brax's gift—wrapped in Deadpool paper to annoy Lucian.
Inside is a custom Marvel comic book with Brax and Emily as the main characters.
The title reads "The Witch and the Demon: A Love Story (Now with 100% More Explosions!)".
I catch glimpses of their adventures reimagined as superhero escapades, complete with Brax's signature snark in the dialogue bubbles.
"You made us into a comic book?" Emily laughs, flipping through the pages. "And why am I wearing a cape?"
"Because capes are awesome," Brax declares, still wearing Chris Hemsworth's face because he's a shit-stirrer. "And look, I even included our greatest hits—like that time you set my ass on fire. Literally. Page 12."
“It’s a cloak!” Lucian corrects.
Next to them, Sable unwraps a sleek package from Damon to reveal the latest Kindle Paperwhite. Her squeal of delight makes us all smile.
"I noticed you've been devouring those steamy vampire romances faster than I drink blood," Damon teases, his voice warm despite the ribbing.
"Figured you might appreciate something that doesn't leave evidence of your.
.. literary tastes all over the mansion.
Plus, I've already loaded it with the complete works of your favorite authors—including that series where the vampire has, and I quote, 'abs that could cut glass and a brooding stare that melts panties. '"
Sable's cheeks flush pink to match her bubblegum hair, but she clutches the Kindle to her chest like it's made of gold. "This is perfect," she whispers, kissing him.
"Just so we're clear," I call out, wiggling my eyebrows, "I'm totally borrowing that when you're done with the dirty parts. Call it research for my own love life." I gesture between Rhyland and me with a wink. "Though I might need to take notes—some of those positions require serious flexibility."
Rhyland chokes on his coffee beside me, and Sable throws a balled-up piece of wrapping paper at my head, her embarrassment melting into laughter.
"Oh my god," Lucian groans, dramatically throwing his head back.
"Can we go five goddamn minutes without hearing about your bedroom acrobatics?
Some of us are trying to enjoy Christmas without picturing Rhyland's naked ass.
Though—" he points his candy cane at Sable with sudden interest, "if that Kindle has that series with the vampire twins who share everything, I call dibs after Dani.
Erik needs some educational material since he's been dead inside since the Renaissance. "
Erik's eye twitches as he silently contemplates which of Lucian's limbs to remove first.
I sip my coffee and snuggle back against Rhyland's chest. His arms tighten around me automatically, and I feel his smile against my hair.
This right here—surrounded by our crazy, supernatural family, watching love stories unfold uniquely—is better than any Christmas I could have imagined, even if Brax is still trying to convince everyone to watch all three Thor movies as our Christmas marathon.
Perfect doesn't begin to cover it. Perfectly chaotic, maybe. But I wouldn't have it any other way.