CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
They sat in the dining room, Steel positioned at the head of the large mahogany table with the heads of the Assembly gathered around. An eerie sense of deja vu swam around and Ella shivered. She assessed the always composed Lady Tenille, and equally controlled Huron. Zayn kept dodging her gaze and Alexander, well, he always looked cool and debonair in his suit as he grinned at her. Ella smiled back and studied the rest of the group, who all wore differing expressions: from a smiling Raine to a haunted Zephra. Roman appeared his usual confident self with Isabella sitting next to him, deep in thought. Both Marcus and Jake were at opposing ends of the grand table with somber faces.
It was Christmas Eve, and the scent of pine from the Christmas tree in the corner of the room a welcome buffer zone for the rich brew of odors circulating in the room. They had three weeks left until the Morrigan’s deadline ran out to either join forces or die. A month ago, they lost Robert Marsh, a name now emblazoned on her mind, even though she knew little of the playful leader of the shifters. His death had been a warning shot. The Morrigan wanted to demonstrate her power and reach, by striking right at their hearts, but when she struck Isabella down, the goddess grossly underestimated the lengths they would go to prevent losing one of their own. However, after fighting with the queen to release Steel, the threat continued. The Morrigan claimed victims, and delivered her threats across the country.
“I’m going to let Marcus chair this meeting as I have been absent for so much. What I will say is that Operation Kamikaze is under way. We haven’t received any news from Henry yet, but that’s to be expected. We will continue to monitor the Padre’s every move and wait. I have every faith in the young man.”
Ella observed Steel’s lines, which deepened as he talked about the secretary with a sad and faraway tone. The implications of the name of the operation were not lost on anyone.
“After the meeting in the Veil, Trent Le Var refused to attend today. Several of his people were slaughtered in his absence, including his wife, and he’s looking to make a deal with the Morrigan for the sake of his children and people.” Drayton tapped his pen on the table as he stared around the table. With his other hand, he lifted the blue glass and sipped on the water. “While I understand each leader has to make a decision they feel is best, only unity will make us a force to be reckoned with.”
“I’m here to pledge my support. I agree we need to fight this queen of darkness together, and De’Luca investments are at your full disposal,” Roman said, his face tense as he squeezed Isabella’s hand. The witch turned vampire sat demurely next to the prince, wearing an eye-catching red wrap dress and Ella couldn’t stop glancing over, desperate to catch up. Her friend glowed, and it wasn’t because of the transformation into a vampire. She smiled at the sleek woman who gave a satisfied smirk back. Happiness rolled off Isabella in waves.
“I would like to take this opportunity to announce that Isabella and I are getting married, and you’re all invited to the wedding.”
Ella opened her mouth, ready to launch into a million questions, but gazed between Isabella and Jake. She caught Isabella’s shocked look and watched as she struggled to remove her hand from the vampire’s, obviously annoyed at his sudden announcement, and watched as Jake sipped his water with slow control, as if unaffected.
“When is the wedding?” Marcus asked.
Ella listened, eager for the news, and her eyes fell on Isabella.
“We, um—we haven’t set a date yet,” said Isabella, still attempting to free her hand from Roman, who smiled down at the woman as he brushed her cheek with his thumb tenderly.
“Come now, my love, you know I would be happy to whisk you away today and say I do in Las Vegas, but duty calls for something more formal and extravagant.”
The witch lifted her head and responded. “I don’t want extravagant. Simple will do, just family and friends.” As if realizing she had answered and not objected, the witch lowered her head, but the vampire smiled broader and sat back in his chair.
“With all that is going on presently, I will wait a little longer, but I will not let the Morrigan destroy this happy event. The wedding will take place on Valentine’s Day, February 14. It seems appropriate,” Roman said.
Zephra left her seat and glided over to Isabella. She kissed her sister on the cheek and hugged her. Isabella caught her hand and smiled up at her.
“You will make a beautiful bride, sister.”
Isabella blinked and pressed her lips together. Even though she was a vampire, Ella had never seen her friend quite so emotional.
“Is this what you want?” Zephra asked.
Ella’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected the witch to ask such a frank question in front of everyone, and her heart thudded as she studied Roman, who waited for a response. One didn’t come straight away, but Isabella faced Roman and pressed her palm on his composed face, stroking his cheek.
“More than anything—yes.”
Roman cupped Isabella’s chin and leaned over, kissing her gently. “Mi hai cambiato la vita,” he said.
“Ah, you do have a heart, Roman,” Zephra said.
Ella frowned, not understanding the words the vampire had spoken and she stared over at Zephra, ready to ask.
The witch tilted her head. “For those who do not speak Italian, Roman said, you have changed my life,” Zephra announced.
Not quite the words Ella expected to hear, but as she studied the prince, his brusque exterior softened a
