I hesitated, not wanting to upset him. “I’ll age, eventually. You know that.”
“You don’t need to,” he assured me. “If a mortal regularly drinks even a few drops of our blood, it halts the aging process altogether. It also speeds up healing and enhances your senses, among other things. You would never get sick.”
“I would do anything for you. Even become a—” I plucked the word out of his head. “Sanguinato.”
He grinned, wonder transforming his expression. “You’re right. That… will take some getting used to.”
“It’s a good thing we’ve got all the time in the world.”
“Forever?” he asked, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant, his eyes searching mine.
I threaded my fingers through his. “Yes. Forever.”
EPILOGUE || COLE
Six months later, the back lawn of the coven stronghold was packed with supernatural creatures from each of the major factions in the city. There were also at least a double-handful of humans, if not more than that. It seemed my twin was something of a big deal in the Seattle supernatural community. The scene was impeccable, with white linens, crystal serving ware, and glorious floral arrangements on nearly every surface. Literal fairy lights hovered above the entire reception—floating motes of pure magic that illuminated everything in a soft golden glow.
“You’re the brother. Nicolas.”
I turned to find a short, wiry, white-haired warlock with eerily purple eyes standing behind me. Next to him was a vampire—tall, well-built, with black eyes and a rugged jawline. Thierry had pointed him out the day before, at the rehearsal dinner: Nathaniel Bailey, the vampire king of Seattle. Which meant the man beside him was his mate, Ethan Solomon, next in line to lead the Seattle coven. Alongside Poppy, of course. Nathaniel and Ethan were a literal power couple.
“I am,” I agreed. “And I would prefer Cole.”
Months ago, I had decided that, for the time being, I would only be Nicolas for Eli. And for Thierry, Harris, and—by default,considering he was now my brother-in-law—Jeremy. But I would remain Cole to everyone else.
“Cole it is. You know, it’s uncanny,” Nathaniel remarked, beaming at us. “You look just like him.”
“Tell me about it,” Eli said, grinning. “If not for Thierry’s penchant for velvet suits, no one would ever be able to tell them apart.”
“Except you,” Ethan said, his unusual eyes searching Eli’s. “You’re blood-bonded, after all.”
Eli shrugged. “I think I’d always know Nicolas anyhow. Even without the telepathy. I just… would.”
Ethan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the edges. He exchanged a warm look with Nathaniel before turning back to us. “Yeah. I think we know exactly what you mean.”
“It was a lovely wedding,” Eli commented, taking a sip of his champagne. “I heard Thierry mention that your mother planned it?”
Ethan’s smile became a grin. “Yeah, she might end up as the world’s only former-coven-leader-turned-wedding-planner. Poppy and I are nearly up to speed with our training, so she can step down at any time.” He paused. “And yeah… weddings are kind of her hobby, I guess. She’d never admit to it, but she loves the whole process—I can tell.”
Nathaniel grimaced. “Her clients would need a thick skin. We allowed her to plan our weddings—both of them—and twice was quite enough. Never again.”
“True.” Ethan grinned, meeting Nathaniel’s gaze with a look of warm devotion so intimate it might have made me blush, had such a thing still been possible for me. “I suppose we shouldn’t get married a third time.”
“Indeed,” Nathaniel said, smiling back, his black eyes carrying a hint of mischief. “I’d very much like to keep you mine for as long as you’ll have me.”
“That’s a very long time, mister,” Ethan replied.
“Forever,” Nathaniel confirmed, the sheer devotion in his expression softening his features. “Though that wouldn’t be nearly long enough.”
Ethan’s expression softened to match Nathaniel’s. Then he glanced at us and seemed to startle. “Oh, right. Hi. Sorry.” He laughed, a blush creeping into his cheeks. “A side effect of the blood bond. We sometimes get… sidetracked. But other people do exist.”
He’s adorable,Eli commented.Both of them are, really. Maybe we should consider moving to Seattle? We have a lot in common with quite a few of the couples Thierry knows here. We’d probably make friends easily.
I’ve already been looking for houses,I admitted.Casually, of course. That’s a decision we must make together. But I’ve narrowed the list down to ten homes.
Ten? Is that all?He snorted, eyes dancing.I’d need to transfer to one of the hospitals here, though. Looking for work would be a process.
Eli had taken an extended leave of absence. Between what happened with Eric, discovering he was an old soul, and then everything that happened with Magnus, he had needed time to process and come to terms with it all. Given that it meant I had him all to myself, I hardly minded. But if work was important to him, he would obtain employment with the finest hospital in the city, if I had my way.
