Chapter 29 #3
“That is where Winter and his ghosts come in,” Zelda said. She turned her eyes on Winter, their weight both tender and a little sad. “Go talk to her. I think she can help.”
Winter didn’t want to, but if it got him closer to Fox, he’d swallow down all his jumbled feelings and do it. Standing, he walked over to where the werewolves and Bel were tangled together. Just seeing his studious brother wrapped in a werewolf sandwich made him want to smile. Of all people…
Very slowly, Winter drew off the ring and held it out to River. “Hold on to this for me.”
Bel let out a little gasp, his eyes closely following the ring’s movement from Winter’s hand to River’s. The werewolf smiled broadly as he closed both hands around it and tucked it against his chest.
“Why does he get to watch over it?”
“Because it’s not science, Bel. It’s magic,” Winter teased. He started to turn and stopped, narrowing his eyes on River. “Plus, he knows that if he ever wants to touch my guitar collection, he’s going to guard that with his life from you fucking heathens.”
There was a little laughter, but the room turned oppressively quiet as he approached the door.
He could feel all eyes on him, and he didn’t doubt that his brothers knew exactly who Winter was going to talk to.
He was a little surprised they all weren’t jumping to get one last conversation in, but he was glad they weren’t. This chat was long overdue.
The whispers didn’t return to him until he was in the hall.
So very soft, he almost didn’t notice them at first. And then a little girl ran across the hall chasing a bouncing beach ball.
She looked as if she were maybe five or six, and she was dressed in a swimsuit.
Poor thing was a far way from the beach.
But she didn’t seem to notice him or the world around her. It was just about the ball.
Part of him relaxed to see the ghost. It had been weeks since they’d been a regular appearance in his life.
It was almost like slipping into a comfortable pair of worn shoes.
He descended the stairs to Marcus’s grand foyer.
There were no other ghosts besides the passing child.
His mother was usually right here watching them as they came into Marcus’s home.
Something white caught his eye in the doorway to the parlor, and Winter followed it. She was standing near one of Marcus’s pianos, an expectant look on her beautiful face. It was the same face he’d known his entire life.
“Mother,” Winter whispered, his throat suddenly raw.
“My poor, sweet Winter,” she said. Her voice wobbled as if she were close to tears as well.
She held out both hands to him, and Winter quickly crossed the room to her side.
He reached out to take her hands but stopped himself.
His hands would only pass through hers, and he couldn’t take that right now.
She lowered her arms back to her sides and smiled at him.
“I’m sorry we haven’t spoken sooner,” he said, his voice still rough and unsteady.
Julianna was shaking her head. “No, you needed time.”
“You knew? Or…you remember…”
Her expression became pained and her eyes dropped to the piano. “Things became clearer after that night. When I died.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t save you.”
Her eyes jumped to his face again, and her expression was fierce and determined. A flash of the woman he remembered from his youth. “No. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I saved Ethan that night. And Marcus needs him. I’ve seen them together. They’re so happy.”
Winter nodded and swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. “Yes, they are. You did save him.”
“I needed to do some good…after everything…” Her voice trailed off and she blinked rapidly a few times as if fighting back tears. “I’m so very sorry. I wish I could have said it sooner. I wish I could have said it a hundred times in your life to you and your brothers.”
“Why?”
“Because I know what you suffered for me. I would never have wanted this life for you. I only wanted you and your brothers to be happy. I dreamed of you finding love and living interesting lives on your own.”
Winter stepped up to the baby grand piano and ran his fingers over the shining black lacquer surface.
He’d dreamed of this moment, of finally telling her off about all that he’d suffered when she was insane.
He wanted to shout at her for all the times they’d pulled her off of one of their siblings, covered in their blood.
But the words wouldn’t come. He couldn’t even summon the anger. The pain was still there as an old dull ache. Yet when he thought of what his life was because of her, he only saw Fox’s smiling face in his mind.
Yes, he’d traveled through hell and he became a vampire, and he’d had to survive two hundred years in order to meet Fox. But it was worth it.
“Life was…difficult at times,” he admitted. “It wasn’t the life I would have expected for me or my brothers.”
“Oh Winter, it was far more than difficult. I know what I did to you—”
His head popped up and he stared at her.
“And we always knew it really wasn’t you.
What I’m trying to say is that…just because it’s not the life we expected, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a good life.
You gave me three brothers who have always looked out for me and loved me.
You also found the absolute best father for us.
Aiden has loved and guided us from the very first day we met.
We can’t believe how lucky we are to have him. ”
Julianna covered her mouth with both hands as tears slipped down her pale cheeks. “I’m so glad.”
“And we had to live this long in order to find love.”
When she lowered her hands, Winter could see the broad smile on her lips. “I’ve seen. Ethan keeps Marcus from being much too serious. And Bel and his two men!” She gave a giggle that Winter hadn’t heard since he was a child. “They turn into wolves! Beautiful wolves!”
“Rafe has found someone to handle him.”
Julianna laughed again. “Finally. I think his Philippe is making him softer, kinder.” But her expression turned grim. “But what about you? I’ve not seen you here with anyone.”
“I found someone. He’s a witch, actually. Still learning magic. His name is Fox.” Winter’s voice caught when he said his lover’s name. “And I love him…so very much, Mom.”
“That’s wonderful! You must bring him here. I want to see him just once if you’ll let me.”
“He’s been taken…by Damon. The vampire wants us all dead, and he’s taken Fox to hurt me. And I can’t find him. I can’t—”
“It’s okay, my dearest one. I’ll find him for you. I promise.”
Winter blinked at her several times. A chill ran through him as she placed her hand over his. She couldn’t touch him, but there was a feeling of cool air brushing over his skin. “You can do that?”
“Ghosts are pretty good at talking to other ghosts.” Her smile turned a little smug.
“I might have bragged that my sons had found the handsomest of men.” The happiness faded all too quickly, and she became serious again.
“I feel my time is growing short. If I don’t get another chance, can you give a message to Aiden for me? ”
“Of course.” Winter’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure Aiden was ready to hear it, but he would hold it until he was.
“Tell him I’ve loved him every single day since we first met. I’m so grateful for all that he’s done, but it’s time for him to stop living for our children and find love again.”
“I’ll tell him.”
“Good. Now go tell your brothers I love them and how proud I am of them. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Winter watched as she turned and walked through a wall, disappearing from sight.
He had no idea how she was going to find Fox or how many other ghosts she talked to.
In all his years as a vampire, he’d never used a ghost to seek out information quite like this.
He just spoke to the ghosts who likely knew his target.
Would she be able to locate where Fox was being held?
Reluctantly, he returned to the library where everyone was gathered and relayed the message from Julianna to her sons. There were tears and silent nods of gratitude. His brothers seemed happy for her words and the knowledge that she’d seen them with their mates.
“Wait!” Ethan gasped. “Does that mean she’s seen everything we’ve done in this house?”
Winter cackled and fell into one of the empty chairs. “And for some reason she still thinks you are the perfect mate for Marcus.”
“Oh God,” he moaned, dropping his bright red face into both of his hands. “I don’t think I can have sex again.”
“I’m pretty sure Marcus will help you forget about what an exhibitionist you’ve been,” Rafe teased.
Marcus leaned over and whispered something into Ethan’s ear. Winter glanced over at Bel and his wolves, who all looked like they were still preening over his mother’s descriptions of beautiful wolves, when she whispered in his ear, “The Wadsworth.”
Winter bolted up to his feet and looked around, but he couldn’t see his mother in the room despite the fact that River still held his ring. She mentioned something about running out of time. Could she not come through any longer?
“Fuck!”
Aiden rushed to Winter’s side. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t hesitate. Winter grabbed Aiden’s hand and tapped his powers, parting the veil. A grunt left Aiden as he pulled his father with him into the world of the dead. Around them, he could hear chaos erupting as everyone reacted to their sudden disappearance.
“What are you doing?” Aiden gasped.
Winter ignored his questions and quickly searched the room until he spotted his mother in the doorway. She looked so damn faint, but there was a tired smile on her lips. And in that moment, she had eyes only for Aiden. “There!” he said, pointing at her.
Aiden stiffened and swallowed hard as he was suddenly faced with the ghost of the woman he’d not been able to see in over a century.
“Julianna.”
“My love. Thank you for everything.”
“I’m so sorry—” Aiden choked out, but the words stopped with a shake of her head.
“I love you. I can’t stay. Be happy. Winter has my message.” She turned her gaze on him. “Go to The Wadsworth. Damon has Fox there.” Her smile returned. “He’s very cute.” And then she simply faded from sight.
Aiden tightly grabbed Winter’s arm, fingers biting into his flesh. “Winter?”
“She’s gone. I think at rest, finally.” Winter placed his hand over his father’s and looked up at him. “And she was happy.”
Aiden pulled Winter into a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered. He released a heavy breath, and Winter could feel his entire body relax, as if he were letting go years of old worry and heartache at last. Maybe both of his parents were finally at peace.
When Aiden released him, the older vampire looked around at the chaos that filled the room around them as his brothers argued with each other. “I guess we should go settle them. And then we can retrieve your Fox.”
Yes, that was an excellent idea. He couldn’t wait to tell the witch that his mom thought he was cute. But only after Damon had been ripped apart.