He glanced up. “You sure?”
“Yes. Come in.” She led the way and when he and Damian were seated, Mal came to join her at the front of the room. She let him speak first.
Mal slipped his arm around her waist before he began. “As you know, the bond between Chrysabelle and myself has grown significantly over these last few months.”
“We noticed,” Fi said. “Mainly because you stopped trying to kill each other.”
Mal laughed along with everyone else. “No promises there, especially since we’re about to enter a new…” He looked at Chrysabelle. “Stage? Phase? I told you I’m no good at this.”
She took his hand. “What Mal’s trying to say is that we’ve decided to get married.”
The reactions ranged from Fi whooping to Doc pumping a fist in the air to Creek’s open-mouthed shock.
Dominic nodded, clapping enthusiastically. “
“Soon,” Mal said.
Chrysabelle nodded, her hand going to her belly. “Because I’m pregnant.”
The room went instantly quiet. Until Fi leaned back and announced, “I already knew.”
“So did I.” Creek shook his head. “So does the KM, but I swear I had nothing to do with it. They told me.”
Mal looked at Chrysabelle. “You were right about Kosmina.”
She looked back at Creek. “Do you think the KM will leave us alone? Leave our child alone?”
He took a breath. “I don’t know, but your child isn’t going to be a threat to them. And”—he looked around the room—“you have a lot of powerful friends.” Then he tipped his head slightly. “What about protecting this baby from Tatiana? If you have a plan to get rid of her and you need help, I’m in.”
“Thank you, but Tatiana has been taken care of,” Chrysabelle answered. “She’s been imprisoned in the Garden of Eden by her own hand. Any attempt to leave, any breach of the Garden’s boundaries and she’ll die. She’s no longer a threat to any of us.”
Creek exhaled. “Good. I’m… happy for you.” He looked at Mal. “For both of you. You deserve it after what you’ve been through.”
“Thank you.” Mal looked around the room. “To all of you. We wouldn’t be here without you. We’ve shared losses together. Fought battles together. It’s only fitting we should also share this joy.” He laughed. “I’m still not used to that word applying to my life.”
“Joy is a good word, bro,” Doc said. “And it’s about time you got some.”
Chrysabelle smiled and hooked two fingers in the front pocket of Mal’s jeans as she continued to talk. “You’ve all become our family.” Her other hand cradled her belly. “We already know this won’t be an ordinary child. We’re going to need your help. We hope you’ll still be there for us.” At the sight of the solemn expressions staring back at her, she laughed. “What I’m really saying is getting babysitters for a half-vampire, half-comarre child isn’t going to be easy.”
Laughter answered her. She looked at Dominic, then Doc. “Mal and I really want you two to put the past behind you and come to some kind of peace. We can’t have our child’s godfathers fighting with each other.”
Fi nudged Doc with her elbow. He nodded. “I’ve already lifted the restrictions Sinjin set in place. If Dominic shows some kind of good faith on his end, I’m ready to move past everything that’s happened.”
Dominic stroked his chin. “Allowing your pride members access to Seven was a big step for you and I appreciate it. What kind of good faith do you want me to show?”
Doc glanced around the room. “I’m about to announce a new council member. Police Chief Vernadetto.”
“A human?” Mal asked. “That is progressive.”
Doc shook his head. “Vernadetto’s not human. He’s a rare type of varcolai, but he’ll make that announcement soon enough.”
Dominic held his hands out. “I don’t understand what this has to do with me?”
Doc continued. “When Vernadetto makes his announcement, he’s also going to lay the groundwork for his mayoral campaign. He plans to run against the mayor in the next election. I want you to endorse him.”
Dominic nodded. “Done.” His expression went strange. “I have a feeling he’ll win without much trouble.”
As the two men shook hands, Chrysabelle nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Mostly because the mayor’s dead.” Mal’s arm went a little tighter around her waist. “She basically killed herself trying to get her granddaughter away from Preacher, who, by the way, is no longer a vampire.”
“She was too long on hallowed ground,” Mal added. “Went to ash right in the middle of that church he lives in.”
Doc grimaced. “I understand trying to get her granddaughter, but at the cost of her own life? That’s harsh.”
Dominic cleared his throat. “I believe my nephew may have played a part in that. I found some things missing from my laboratory and when I asked him about it, he confessed he’d been feeding the mayor’s comar vitamins that were laced with certain alchemical substances. He purposefully tainted her comar’s blood to weaken her mental stability in hopes that she would cause her own end.” He shook his head. “Apparently, he was successful. It was his way of making things right with me.”
For a long moment, no one said a thing. Finally Chrysabelle spoke up. “I guess we’ve dropped enough bombs for one night, huh?”
A chorus of voices agreed with her.
Fi stood. “Well, after all that news, I could use a drink, even if Chrysabelle can’t join us in the alcoholic stuff. Who’s with me?”
The somber mood was broken with several affirmative answers. Mal kissed Chrysabelle’s temple as laughter and talk filled the room. She looked up at him. “I think we’re going to be all right.”
“I know we are.”
Doc came up and shook Mal’s hand, slapping him on the back and drawing him away as Fi hugged Chrysabelle.
Mortalis approached, Nyssa at his side. “Congratulations.”
Chrysabelle leaned forward as the shadeux kissed her on the cheek, and then Nyssa hugged her too. “Thank you, both.”
Hours later, as everyone left, Chrysabelle stood at the door waving and watching the last car go through the gate. Mal came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. She put one of her hands over his. “We have good friends. A little strange, but good.”
He laughed. “Agreed.” His thumbs kneaded her back. “How are you feeling? Tired?”
“A little.” With a contented sigh, she turned in his arms. “But there’s one person left to tell and I can’t rest until that happens.”
He kissed her. “Then let’s take care of that.”
Chapter Fifty
Mal helped Chrysabelle out of the car. The wind had picked up, carrying the tang of the sea and the charge of a coming storm. It whipped her hair past her face, turning her into a warrior goddess once again.
“I won’t be long,” she said. Jerem stood a few yards away, ready to escort her.
“Take all the time you need.” He tucked one windblown lock behind her ear.
She stayed put. “The sun will be up soon.”
“And the car windows are helioglazed.” He leaned in, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t rush on my account. I
