CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Those electric blue eyes were steady on mine. “To begin,” he said, “I want to apologize. I’m sorry that I didn’t have the chance to come and see you until now.”
“You texted and told me the grimoire was destroyed.” I shrugged. “I didn’t expect any more from you than that.” Which was as big of a lie as I’d ever told.
“Didn’t you?” he asked quietly.
To stall, I took another sip of water before speaking. “You’ve made it abundantly clear that our alliance was over.”
“Alliance?”
“Our working relationship. The quest for the grimoire…” I trailed off with another shrug. “Whatever.”
“The truth is,” he began, “that these past two weeks have been more personally and politically challenging than I expected.”
I set the glass down on the counter. “Meaning what exactly?”
“There were negotiations between the local Vampires and with the Fae. And I became a part of that as the magickal representative of Birmingham—whether I wanted to or not.”
“Excuse me?” I blinked at that news.
“The Fae kingdoms often respond better to a male during negotiations—”
“—than a female,” I finished for him. “You’re right they do. So, you stood in as the representative for the entire magickal community of Birmingham, the Witches and Magicians.”
“That is correct.”
“And what was the outcome?”
“In a nutshell? The Olarescu House has put sanctions on the Light Fae court. The Olarescus also made sure that the Fae who killed Tadd was dealt with.”
“Dealt with?” I asked.
“Executed for the unsanctioned and brutal killing of a blood-bound mortal.”
“Good,” I said.
He seemed startled by my reaction.
I tossed up my hands. “Did you expect me to cringe over the news of the Fae’s execution? I am very aware of how violent and medieval their race can be.”
“Also, you should know that the Light Fae are no longer allowed in Birmingham for any reason. If there is a diplomatic need, then they must petition both the Ozark Council of Supernaturals and House Olarescu to gain approval.”
That news had me breathing a bit easier. “When did this all happen?” I asked.
“It was finalized only this morning,” he said.
“Which is why the Dragos family came to see me today,” I said as the pieces began to fall into place. “They didn’t just visit Birmingham on a whim. Damien was already in town, working.”
“Yes.” Charles nodded. “Damien was a part of the negotiating team. I understand that he personally gave you the news about Sawyer.”
“He did,” I said briskly.
We stood there and stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, I broke the silence and said, “Well, thank you for dropping by and filling me in on all of the pertinent details of the Supernatural community’s political situation. As the Magistra of Birmingham, I do appreciate it.”
He stepped a bit closer. “Don’t do that, Lorna,” he said. “Don’t make this all about the community and brush this connection off that we have as if it were nothing.”
“Connection?”
He nodded. “You felt it as did I when we were in the hollow. There’s something between us. Something that I want the chance to explore. I figured that you sensed it. That you already knew…”
“You figured?” My breath huffed out. “Damn magicians, you assume that a girl will magickally sense your emotions instead of doing the work, speaking up and putting your feelings out there…”
A look I’d never seen before crossed his face. Charles stepped closer to me, and I braced myself. He wasn’t caging me in at the sink but now stood directly in front of me.
“The truth is,” he said, “that we have unfinished business, you and I.”
I frowned up at him. “What sort of business?
“Personal business.”
In response, I raised a single eyebrow.
He blew out an aggravated breath. “You want me to ‘speak up?’ You want me to ‘do the work?’ Fine.”
I opened my mouth to reply, and Charles took advantage of that. He swooped in, sliding one of his hands around the back of my head and the other around my waist. Pulling me up to my toes, he paused for a moment, his blue eyes searching mine to see if I would refuse.
I didn’t refuse.
And then he kissed me—it was one hell of a kiss. In return, I grabbed ahold of his fancy shirt and gave him back every bit as good as I got.
We were lost in the kiss, and by the time we broke apart, he had pulled my ponytail out of its holder and we were both out of breath. As I tried to catch mine, I smiled up at him and he grinned down at me.
“Well, finally,” I panted. “Took you long enough.”
He chuckled at that and kissed me again. When he let me up for air the second time he asked, “Was it worth the wait?”
“Yes,” I said, sliding my arms around his neck.
“I guarantee,” he said, in a voice deepened by desire, “I won’t leave you waiting or wondering again.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Montgomery.”
He laughed at my sass and was leaning down for another kiss when the backdoor slammed open. Chloe stood there blinking at the two of us. “Daddy, why are you hugging Lorna?”
Charles shifted his stance but kept his arm tucked around my waist. “Because she’s pretty, brave and smart. And I’m crazy about her.”
Chloe pressed her hands to her chest in excitement. “Did you kiss her?”
“I did,” Charles replied soberly and I felt myself blush.
“Do it again so I can see!” Chloe demanded.
“All right,” he said, and proceeded to dip me back and drop a firm kiss on my mouth.
“Hooray!” Chloe bounced up and down, clapping in delight.
By the time Charles pulled me back upright, I was trying not to laugh…or moan. Because he had also slipped me a bit of tongue in that quick kiss.
James and Nadia strolled in, and she began to smile when she saw us standing together.
“Took you two long enough.” She chuckled, pushing her round sunglasses on top of her head.
“That’s what I said,” I told her.
“Would you like to go out to dinner with Chloe and I?” Charles asked me. “We’d be happy to wait if you wanted to change.”
“Or we could simply stay here,” I told him. “I was going to grill some turkey burgers tonight anyway.”
“I can help,” James said as he removed his shades and tucked them in his jacket pocket. “I am excellent on the grill.” His expression was set and serious.
“I see,” I said, trying not to snicker at the idea of a Vampire manning the grill. “I can make some pasta salad and baked beans to go with it. If that sounds good to y’all?”
“I’ll help with the pasta salad,” Nadia volunteered.
“I can help too!” Chloe announced.
Which was how I found myself sitting around my kitchen table an hour later with Charles, Chloe, Nadia, and James eating supper together. And James was right. He was excellent on the grill.
As the five of us sat there, I realized my life had changed.
True, the Vampire bodyguards wouldn’t be here forever, but as I looked over at Charles and his daughter, I suddenly recalled what my Granny had said about the little girl in the pink dress and braided pigtails.
The child, who I had been told, belonged in my house with me.
“I love cheeseburgers!” Chloe said around a mouthful. “They’re my favorite.”
My stomach flipped at her words and I smiled. Then my gaze traveled over to—as my Granny had rightly described—her very attractive father. My world would likely never be the same now that Charles and Chloe Montgomery had entered my life, and you know what?
I was more than okay with that.
The End