Epilogue
Three weeks later
ELOISE
“ It’s amazing,” Anya gushed as she put down our grandmother’s journal. “ All of it—her story. Our family history.”
We’d found this journal hidden in a dusty dresser in the attic of her home, which she’d left to us, as well as the rest of her estate. Now we sat on matching maroon armchairs in the living room of the stately lilac Victorian in the suburbs of Montreal . We hadn’t known about this residence until after Calix was destroyed but then heard from her attorney. We guessed it to be yet another one of her safeguards. If he knew about the two of us being twins and her granddaughters, he might have realized our true identities. Yet , somehow, he’d figured it out. It could have been once I opened the grimoire or after we turned twenty-five and regained our magic—something he may have recognized.
Her journal corroborated that she and Calix had been lovers long ago. Since he appeared decades younger than she would have been, it must have had something to do with his dark magic or ability to regenerate. On the last page, it read:
Once he ventured down a dark path in pursuing greater magical abilities, it destroyed us. I tried to stop him. We went from being fiercely in love to a fierce power struggle. He wanted the grimoire. I’d foolishly showed it to him long ago, and he demanded it. I’d never let him have it. It had contributions from many generations of powerful witches in my family. I couldn’t let him exploit it. He threatened to go after everyone I loved if I didn’t give him the grimoire and join him—and he almost did. He went after your mother ? —
The sentence cut off abruptly as the handwriting on the rest of the page was blurred by what looked to be tears. Pages that followed had been torn out. What memories would have led her to tears or to rip those final pages in the journal? It must have been incredibly painful for her.
“ Do you think it was about the fire?” I left out the part about it killing our parents. Anya would know exactly what I meant as that incident had left such an impact by destroying our family.
She sighed. “ It’s possible.” Her shoulders sagged. “ That’s when he tore our family apart.”
“ How did things go so badly between them that he’d turn so vindictive?”
I rubbed between my eyes. “ And what an incredible, emotional battle between them—a powerful witch and super-dark sorcerer.”
She grunted and ran her hand through her hair. “ It’s the opposite of what I’ve read in many romances. They went from lovers to enemies.”
“ Indeed .” After a few seconds of contemplation, I stood. “ Come on, let’s go explore the house again.” We’d done a quick walk through of the spacious three-level home before we sat down.
Anya and I wandered through the rooms more slowly this time, admiring the plush furniture, various paintings and sculptures, and a kitchen with herbs and oils that appeared to have been used more for spells rather than for preparing food. Their scents continued throughout the house, especially lavender and sage. The house had been well-tended since our grandmother’s death. A list of the professionals she used was included in a massive binder with more information about her estate. Whenever we passed a stuffed bookshelf, Anya oohed and cocked her head as she scanned the titles.
“ I have a feeling there are plenty more secrets hidden in this house,” I said.
“ We’re sure to find some new discoveries both here and at the library.”
As we headed upstairs, I said, “ Shall we pick a bedroom?”
“ Sure ,” she agreed. “ But I don’t know how much time I’ll be spending here. I still have the lease on my apartment, but usually spend most nights at Hugo’s .”
“ It’s probably easier for me,” I noted with a chuckle. “ One of the good things about being on the move is that I don’t have any long-term leases or real ties anywhere.”
“ Until now,” Anya said with a familiar smile, and her dimple appeared.
“ Right . Dumont invited me to move into the Vault , but with everything happening so quickly, it’s probably good that we have a little space.”
Anya laughed. “ That’s what I said to Hugo , but my apartment is pretty much just storage at this point.”
I tipped my head. “ Well , I hope you spend some time here. We never had a chance to live together growing up. Maybe we can have a second chance now?”
Anya’s eyes shone bright with tears, and her mouth spread into a smile. “ You can count on it.”
“ What do you think?” I asked Dumont after I showed him around. “ Nice place, right?”
He scanned the living room. “ Magnificent .”
“ You could stay with me sometimes,” I suggested. “ That is, if you’re comfortable being away from your team.”
He turned and fixed a steady gaze on me. “ I’m most comfortable being around you, my mate.”
I smiled at him. “ I love hearing you say that.” For someone who grew up without family or ties or a sense of belonging anywhere, I finally felt like I had it all.
He nodded. “ Good , because I love everything about you.” He stepped closer and tipped my chin up.
After a quick peek around us, I said, “ I think we’re alone, but Anya and Hugo could be here, playing house.”
Dumont chuckled. “ Playing house?” He arched a brow. “ What exactly does your interpretation of playing mean?”
Catching on to the flirtatious vibe, I stroked his cheek and then trailed my fingertips down his chest.
“ Well , I enjoy all the exploring. And there’s this fancy thing that you do with your tail…”
His tail rolled out from being retracted, and he curled it around my lower body, drawing me closer to him.
“ This little thing?”
I laughed. “ There’s nothing little about any part of you.” As his tail snaked out, entwining us, I stroked the rougher skin near the tip.
He moaned. “ That feels good. I love it when you touch me.”
I tipped my head back and gazed up at him. “ Then I won’t stop.” Reaching around with my other hand, I ran it over his shoulder blades and down his back. His wings were retracted as he often had them inside, and it still mesmerized me how he was able to shift into different forms and manipulate body parts at will.
Dumont unwrapped his tail and then scooped me into his arms. I gasped but then giggled and slung my arms around his neck. “ Taking me somewhere?”
A low growl rumbled from his chest. “ Yes .”
“ Kitchen ?” I teased.
“ Nope .”
“ Hmm , living room?” I continued.
“ Try again.” He carried me up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom I’d chosen. “ Here’s a hint.” He laid me gently on the bed.
“ Ah , I should have known.” With a saucy grin, I added, “ Well , we do need to check out the bed. See if it’s comfy.”
His eyes sparkled with heat. “ And durable.” Then he covered my body with his, being careful not to crush me. He kissed me deeply before pulling away to gaze down at me.
“ I love you.”
My lips curved into a smile. I touched his temples and then moved up to wrap my fingers around his horns, eliciting a throaty moan from him. “ I love you too.”
He growled. “ My mate.”
“ Yours ,” I agreed.
“ That’s right. Mine .” He appraised me with a satisfied expression.
I giggled. “ I like it when you get all possessive in the bedroom.”
“ It sounds like you like a few things about me.”
“ More than a few.” I pulled him closer to me and stroked his muscular back over where his wings were retracted, and then downward. “ Let me show you.” Then I leaned up and kissed him, thrilled about my new start with my gargoyle lover and mate.