Chapter 91
Nix
Icling to Volik’s hand as Dread walks out of his little cabin in the woods.
The sight of the druid’s glowing golden eyes may be too much for my nervous system right now, so I keep my attention on the forest floor.
As soon as we walk through the portal Dread is about to make, we will be in France.
France. The country.
It’s Friday evening here. And if my math is right, it’s nearly midnight where we’re going.
I’ve never been to Europe before. And I’m excited. But I’m more nervous, so that emotion is winning at the moment.
If it wasn’t for Volik holding our pulse steady, I’d probably be hyperventilating.
Large fingers flex around mine. “Do not stress, Mea Unica.”
I lean into Volik’s side and inhale fresh mint.
We’ve spent all week talking about this visit. So I don’t need to tell him why I’m nervous. He’s also spent all week telling me why it’ll be fine.
I just need to get there. Rip the vampire-hoard-sized Band-Aid off.
A dozen feet away, Dread grumbles something, then there’s a flash of light.
“Wait here,” he grumbles. And when I look up, he’s disappeared through another gold-trimmed pitch-black portal.
According to Volik, Dread walks through first to check the surroundings.
Making sure he’s not opening up a portal into an active battle.
Or in the middle of a stampede of animals.
Stuff like that. So he’s not over there alerting anyone that we’re coming.
But if someone happens to be close enough, they might notice the portal appearing or feel its magic.
When we get there, I’m going to be introduced to new people. I’m going to forget names. Embarrass myself. And give off enough stress stench to make everyone wrinkle their noses.
At least I already know Uncle Frio and Aunt Bridget by name, if not by face. Though apparently, Frio isn’t his real name. But it’s what he’s gone by for so long, since he comes from a cold bloodline, that Volik doesn’t even remember his given name.
I’m also trying my best not to dwell on the fact that Aunt Bridget shares a lot of features with Volik’s mom. They were sisters. From another family lucky to have two children. And it’s all so sweet and heartbreaking…
I blow out a breath.
The festivities will go until the early morning and will resume tomorrow afternoon, continuing until we portal back sometime Sunday. So at least I’ll get a break for sleep even if I’m the only one who uses it for that.
I smooth a hand down the front of my skirt.
The weather is supposed to be cool where we’re going, but my body temperature has climbed every day since I woke up with fangs.
So I’m in a light blue skirt that hits mid-calf and a white tank top.
And the backpack Volik is wearing is stuffed with another skirt, another tank top, a pair of jeans, a sweater, pajamas, toiletries, and an emergency dress because I couldn’t decide what to bring.
Volik is obviously in his all black. With just an extra pair of underwear stuffed in the bag with mine. Vampires don’t appear to sweat. Or have body odor. And basically, don’t get their clothes dirty except for whatever they get on their clothes.
Must be nice.
Volik bends and presses a kiss to my hair. “They will adore you.”
Forcing my body to relax, I tip my head back and look up at my handsome mate. “I adore you.”
His smile is soft as he lowers his mouth to mine. “Good.”
My eyes close as our lips press together. And I remind myself that this trip is even more for him than it is for me. Even if he doesn’t think so.
Someone makes a disgusted sound a few feet away. “Go now. I will close the portal once you are through and open it again in sixty hours.” Volik pulls away, and we both look at the druid with the glowing eyes. “Do not come back through the portal before I come to get you.”
Volik nods. And Dread holds his arm out, gesturing for us to go now.
The movement pulls his robe open, once again showing him in nothing but a pair of loose pants beneath. And as curious as I am to see what the symbols on his body are, I quickly divert my attention to the portal.
Then, with unsteady steps, I follow Volik through the black doorway, into France.
Iblink twice before I smack Volik’s hip with the back of my hand. “A castle?”
He smirks down at me. “Da.”
“Don’t be all cute right now. Are we seriously spending the weekend in a castle, and you didn’t tell me?”
“I thought it would be a good surprise. And distraction.”
I want to argue, but it’s working.
We’re in the middle of a large sloping hill. And at the top of the hill, about a quarter mile up, is a castle, lit up, inside and out. And I’m so focused on that, I hardly notice the forms walking down the hill toward us.
“Volik!” A male voice booms through the night. “My boy is home!”
Cheers go up from the others.
“And he brought his mate!”
The cheers increase.
Volik places his hand on my back. “Hold steady, Ma Fleur.”
And that’s my warning before two dozen vampires jump toward us, stopping just feet away.
My breath catches.
My heart tries so hard to beat faster. But Volik prevents it. And his palm against my spine prevents me from stepping back.
Inhaling my mate’s scent, I fortify myself.
I will not look weak.
I will not make Volik look weak.
The wall of towering vampires shifts, and one man steps forward.
He’s as tall as the rest of them. His horns glint in the moonlight. His mouth is pulled into a grin, putting his fangs on display.
He looks like he’s in his fifties. But if this is who I think it is, he’s in the five hundreds.
“Nepos!” He steps up to Volik and grips his shoulders in both hands.
“Uncle.” Volik lifts a hand to his uncle’s side but doesn’t remove the one on my back.
It’s a little awkward. Standing this close to them with Volik keeping his hand on me. But I’m glad he does.
His uncle nods as he looks up at his nephew. “Your parents would be so happy for you.” He nods again and gives Volik’s shoulders a shake. “I am so happy for you.”
My throat tightens, and I’m careful to keep my fangs from my lips as I struggle through a swallow.
A single tear rolls down the older vampire’s cheek, visible to me in the dark.
And as he pulls Volik into a hug, I sniff against my own building tears and notice the other scents.
They’re faint. Hints of moss, pine, berries, and other things I can’t place.
But nothing smells burned, not like when I’ve scented Volik’s tears.
And no one’s scent is intense enough to compete with the mint rolling off Volik. At least not to my nose.
Volik slaps his hand down against his uncle’s back. “We are happy to be here.”
His uncle pulls back, one hand still on Volik’s far shoulder as he turns to me. “Call me Uncle.” Then he lifts the arm closest to me and pulls me in to join them. “We greet family with hugs.”
I try not to cry as I’m squeezed into a hug.
My face is pressed into the space between their chests. Volik’s arm wraps tight around my back, and his uncle crosses his arm over Volik’s.
Volik lets out a low purr, and I know it’s because he can smell my tears.
His uncle chuckles. And I let myself feel all the emotions as I lift my arms to hug them both.
It’s laughable, the way my hands hardly reach to the middle of their backs like this.
I’ve never felt so short in all my life.
And then someone presses against my back.
Volik grunts. And tipping my head forward as far as the big bodies allow, I look down at our feet. And the feet of so many people are surrounding us.
The pressure increases around me. And the mate bond in my chest flares. It feels like a protective energy, pushing out against my skin, keeping me from getting crushed.
Another body crashes into the giant group hug.
My feet are the only ones that move from the impact, and I can’t stop the little sound of surprise that leaves me.
Volik’s body heats in reply. Then a pulse of gravito thrums out of him, powerful enough to force everyone back a step, breaking up the hug.
There are more chuckles and thudding back slaps, but I’m no longer being squished in the middle.
And when everyone takes another step back, Volik pulls me in front of him so our bodies are flush. “Everyone, this is Nix. My mate.”
“Hello.” I lift a hand. “Thank you for having me.”
There’s a collective hum of greetings. Then, one by one, they approach and introduce themselves. Some with handshakes, some with more hugs.
There are so many names. Too many to remember. But they’re all friendly, all welcoming.
A man, just over six feet tall, stops before me.
He doesn’t have horns.
His eyes aren’t black.
And instead of holding his hand out, he places his hands behind his back and dips his chin in greeting.
“Name’s Barth.” His voice is full of mischief. “Welcome to the family.” Then, for just a split second, his eyes flash with a golden glow.
Druid.
Before I can react, he steps away, and a beautiful seven-foot-tall vampire takes his place. “My mate enjoys shocking people.” She smiles. “Feel free to question him about druid magic as much as you’d like. He will enjoy the attention.”
After she hugs me and steps away, I tip my head back to look up at Volik, hoping to convey my shock at meeting another druid.
He shrugs as he looks down at me. “I did not know they would be here.”
I let him see my eye roll, which just makes him grin.
Finally, Volik’s uncle steps back up in front of us. And this time, I find my voice. “I cannot thank you enough for this overwhelming welcome, Uncle Frio.”
His smile is wide but sentimental. “You already have.” Then he holds his hand out between us.
I stare as something shines over his skin.
And my breath catches when I realize what I’m seeing.
Frio.
He curls his fingers, and the thin layer of ice on his palm crackles.
“Wow,” I breathe, unable to act unfazed.
Another hand stretches out, over his, and a wave of heat bursts out of it, melting his ice.
“Hello, Aunt.” Volik’s voice rumbles against my back, and I lift my attention from the hands to the woman standing beside Uncle Frio.
“We must not let the men do all the showing off.” She smiles as she winks at me.
I smile back, loving her already. “Never.”
“Such a pleasure to meet you, Nix. I’m Bridget.” She pulls me into a hug, crouching a little as she does. “But you can call me Aunt if you’d like. And I will call you Filia. If that is okay?”
I hug her back, her warmth comforting and familiar, as I nod.
Later, I’ll ask Volik what that means.