Valentine pulled her close, needing her warmth to anchor him. "How do you feel about a honeymoon?"
Yelena smiled. "Good. I take it you have a destination in mind?"
"Italy."
"And what would we be doing there?" she asked.
Valentine smiled innocently. "Oh, you know, trying to find a Greatdrakes that has been missing for thirty years and might be a prisoner of hostile witches?"
"We don't know if they are hostile," Cosimo said, getting up again. "I need to go tell your brothers." He hurried out of the kitchen, a determined look on his face.
"They are all coming on our honeymoon, too?" Yelena said and started to laugh.
"Unfortunately, but there will be time for us," Valentine assured her. "And I mean, come on. Saving rogue family members and stirring up other magic users is a Greatdrakes specialty. And you are a Greatdrakes now."
"Damn straight I am." Yelena put her arms around his neck. "And there's no taking it back either."
Valentine pulled her close. "Baby girl, you're mine, and there's no way I'meverletting you go."
"Gods help you if you do," Yelena said, and pressed her lips to his.
Valentine knew his love for her meant that she was wrapped around his soul tighter than any binding spell, but for the first time in his life, all he felt was a sense of freedom.
EPILOGUE
Maria Rosetta Greatdrakes was caught in a time spell. She was like a fly trapped in amber, but unlike the past goddess knew how long, she was now conscious of being in it. She had used the tiny amount of magic she could touch and had tried to get her big brother to come and save her.
And she had somehow managed to get a grown man who claimed to be his son.
Just how long have I been stuck here?she thought miserably. She couldn't move her body, but her mind was always the fastest thing about her.
Too long, a voice deep inside of her answered.
Oh, no, not that. She had medication in the backpack at her feet and couldn't move to get it.
Not real. Not real,Maria chanted, and that only made the strange voice of her other personality laugh louder.
There is no shutting me up now. It is because of me that you could touch your magic at all. I'm awake now, and you will never be able to silence me again.
I refuse to go crazy and be stuck here!Maria shouted at it.
You aren't crazy. You are me, and I am you.
No. You…Maria hesitated because if it wasn't a personality, then she must be possessed. Her fascination with Etruscan tombs and ancient necromancy practices had finally fucked her like Cosimo said it would. If it were a spirit or a demon, then maybe it could be reasoned with.
What are you?Maria asked it.
We are magic and we are blood and we are power,the voice replied.We are YOU.
Flames burned through Maria's mind, sharp teeth and claws gouged into her, but all she could do was scream soundlessly, her body still and unchanging as the dusty statues around her.
