“But now,” Gaia’s expression softens as she looks at each couple, “I’ve seen true love prove stronger than vampire nature. Three times over.” She shakes her head, a familiar gesture I’ve seen Poppy make countless times. “Perhaps it’s time for justice to yield to mercy.”
I watch as Gaia rises from the fountain’s edge, her form seeming to grow taller, more luminous.
“Very well,” she says, her voice carrying that familiar edge of sassiness. “The curse ends now.”
She raises her hands and pure golden light streams from her fingertips. The magic feels different from anything I’ve ever experienced – older, deeper, like the roots of the world itself. It spreads through the garden in waves, washing over us all.
Marcus stiffens beside me, his grip on my waist tightening. It occurs to me that there may still be a part of him that believes we are bound.
Across the garden, Darick gasps, one hand flying to his chest. Soren’s eyes widen, his free hand clenching into a fist. The vampires’ reactions make my heart race – is something wrong?
“What’s happening?” I demand, turning to look up at Marcus. His face is a mask of wonder and confusion.
“The hunger…” Soren whispers. “It’s different. Cleaner somehow.”
The golden light fades, leaving the garden feeling somehow both emptier and more alive. Gaia lowers her hands, looking satisfied.
“The bloodline curse is broken,” she announces. “Your hunger for human blood is restored to its natural state. You’re free from the taint of Xander’s betrayal.”
“But the bonds?” Rowan’s voice shakes slightly. “Will this change what we have? Will the connection fade now that the curse’s influence is gone?”
“Those were never part of the curse,” Gaia says, rolling her eyes in a gesture so reminiscent of Poppy that I almost laugh despite the tension. “True love creates its own magic.”
Rowan’s expression is almost comically relieved as she flings her arms around Darick and dots kisses all over his face while he laughs. Meanwhile, Mia is gazing up at Soren with a look of such open adoration that I can practically see the emotion glowing from her. He pulls her against his chest, holding her close and resting his chin on his head, his lips moving as he murmurs softly to her.
I turn to Marcus, my heart swelling with joy. “So it really wasn’t the blood match. All this time.”
His eyes meet mine, that familiar connection humming between us stronger than ever. “I knew it wasn’t. Every time I tried to convince myself it was just the bond…” He cups my face in his hands. “I kept falling in love with you all over again.”
“I love you,” I whisper, the words feeling different now, lighter somehow. “Even when I was fighting it, even when I thought it wasn’t real—”
“It was always real,” he says softly.
Mom sniffles loudly behind us. “Oh, this is perfect! We can have a summer wedding for all of our girls. The roses will be in full bloom, and—”
“Georgia,” Dad warns, but he’s smiling as he looks around at all of us. Darick gives a wink, and Soren nods his head, and suddenly I suspect that Mom’s wish is about to come true.
I lean into Marcus’s embrace, watching my family’s joy unfold around us. Mia and Soren are wrapped in each other’s arms, while Rowan and Darick are nose to nose, gazing into each other’s eyes.
Gran stands with Gaia, both women watching us with matching expressions of satisfaction.
The future stretches out before us, bright with possibility. No more curses, no more doubt, just this – this feeling, this connection, this love that was strong enough to break centuries of sorcery.
Marcus’s thoughts brush against mine, full of warmth and promise.“Forever?”
“Forever,”I agree and kiss him.
29
Chapter 29
Poppy… Gaia
They’rebeautiful,mygirls– because they surely are mine – so alike and yet so different. There’s sweet, clumsy Rowan with her stubborn streak and her open heart. Kara, so determined and steadfast, who’ll die for those she loves. And Mia, gentle and wise and always ready to go the extra mile.
I’m so proud of them.
I watch from across the room as Georgia fusses with Kara’s veil, adjusting it for the hundredth time. The sight brings back memories of my own wedding day centuries ago. The white dress, the flowers, the hope in my heart – before it all turned to ash. I push those thoughts away. This is different. These unions are built on true love, tested by fire and blood.
