“When I grow old and die while Lucian remains eternally thirty-five?” she finished for me with surprising frankness. “You’re worried about what he’ll do when he loses another beloved.”
I nodded, relieved she understood.
“The way Casimir explained it to me, losing his first beloved nearly destroyed him. Then there was Mahina and, even if no one ever admits it, Iknowher death hurt him. Now, I worry about what would happen if he lost you, too.”
“Oh, honey, I’m not planning tostaymortal! I’ve already decided I’ll let him Turn me eventually.”
My eyes widened. I knew enough about the Turning process to understand its risks.
“Isn’t that dangerous? King Julian told me most humans die during the transition.”
“For humans, very.” She folded her hands in her lap in a way that reminded me she was a life-long scholar. “The mortality rate is significant. However, for nephilim, particularly first-generation like myself, the risks are considerably lower. Our divine blood provides some protection against the more traumatic aspects of the transformation.”
“You seem very confident about it.”
“I am.” Her smile held certainty. “I have an entire network of nephilim colleagues, each specializing in different fields. Between my own research and their expertise, I’ve mapped out the process in detail.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Besides, I refuse to leave Lucian alone again. He’s absolutely hopeless without supervision.”
I laughed at that, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood.
“How long do you think you’ll wait? Before being Turned, I mean.”
“A few years, at least. I’d like…” She paused, a hint of vulnerability crossing her features. “I’d like to have a child first.”
My eyebrows flew up in surprise.
“Lucian isn’t entirely convinced. He’s concerned about the risks. Says he got lucky with his sons, that they turned out ‘normal.’ He’s afraid of producing,” she hesitated, choosing her words carefully, “less fortunate offspring.”
I nodded in understanding. King Julian had explained that male vampires typically fathered one dhampir for every five children, and maybe one actual vampire in twenty. The rest were human, often with severe deformities, rarely surviving their first day.
“Itisa risk,” I acknowledged.
“We’re still very early in our relationship, anyway. Barely three months. There’s time to discuss it further.” Her eyes met mine, serious now. “But I understand the desire to create something lasting with the person you love. Something that combines both of you.” She smiled, then tilted her head. “What about you? Have you and your husbands discussed children?”
“A little.” My cheeks flared with heat. “We’re not in any rush. I’m only nineteen. But someday, yes.”
“Do you think it might be possible that their DNA will combine?” Kaori leaned forward with interest. “Instead of each child belonging to just one father?”
“There’s so much magic in all our bloodlines, who knows what will happen?” I shrugged a little, then giggled. “I hope they all have Koko’s sweet, gentle heart, but can you imagine a little boy who looks like Simmy, but acts like Zoodle?”
“Worse, looks like Zane and acts like Casimir! The poor child would be a walking contradiction!”
The image of a tiny redheaded boy with Casimir’s stern face made us both dissolve into giggles. We were still laughing when Koa and Papa returned, both looking at us with curiosity.
“I hope we’re not interrupting state secrets.” Papa’s silver eyes fixed on Kaori’s face.
“Just contemplating the future of the Cimmerian bloodline.” She winked at me, which made Koa’s eyebrows shoot up, and I laughed again.
As night fell, I showed our guests to one of the guest suites, not missing the way Papa’s gaze lingered over Koa’s shoulder when my husband opened our bedroom door. I peered in as well, smiling at the sight of Zane curled into Casimir’s side, both still deeply asleep.
“Goodnight, Papa. Goodnight, Kaori.” I followed Koa into our room, but turned to give them a little wave.
“Rest well, daughter,” Papa replied with a nod before they disappeared down the hall.
“You know it’s like noon for them right now?” Koa chuckled as he stripped down to his boxers. “Their days are inverse of ours.”
“Oh. I guess I didn’t think about that.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll find ways to entertain themselves. After all, they’re newly mated, too.”
