“Yes, Damon, I will marry you.” Before she’d finished speaking, the flowers burst forth from the buds.
“I told you,” he whispered.
“They are still wrapped around our ankles,” she whispered.
“They are easy to kick away.”
“Maybe later,” Cordelia said before she drew him down for a kiss. The goddess had chosen Damon for her and her for Damon, so maybe she was just a little bit special after all.
Epilogue
One Month Later
Damon stood outside,a glass of wine in his hand and peace in his heart. He’d married Cordelia today and as soon as this wedding breakfast concluded, and they did their duty, he was going to sweep her up to his set of rooms and not leave for a week.
“You really aren’t a witch?” Pierce Drakos, Viscount Harcourt, asked Cordelia quietly.
“No. I am an ordinary person with nothing special about me.”
Damon shot her a look. She knew he didn’t like it when she said such because it reminded him of the horrible things her grandfather had said.
Cordelia smiled at him, her cornflower blue eyes sparkling with joy. “And I’m very happy being me.”
“As am I.” Damon raised his wine glass in a toast to the most wonderful woman he’d ever met, glad she was his now and forever.
Further, he would never have to worry about Miss Perkins again. Given the severity of her transgressions, the attempt to take a life, her powers were bound permanently, and her days would be set in service to the Council. She argued that it wasn’t fair and that she be allowed to enjoy even boring life among Society. The Council quickly reminded her that a person who is not magical and attempts murder, spends their life in Newgate, and that she should feel fortunate.
Damon had only one troubling thought today and that was the missive that had arrived this morning from Lord Whitworth. Strangers had been in the village and near Courtland Hall in Kent, and asking after Damon’s sisters. Whitworth was going to learn what he could, but just the same, Ajax promised to return to Kent tomorrow, and leave their sisters and mother here for safety. It could be gentlemen who wish to court his sisters, or they could be the witchfinders who had killed Ianthe’s parents. Until Damon knew for certain, his family would remain protected at Nightshade Manor.
“I can’t believe your mother allowed you to marry a non-witch,” Orion Drakos commented as he joined his brother. “When my mother starts insisting that I do my duty, I will remind her that you didn’t have to marry a witch so I shouldn’t either.”
“As will I,” Pierce insisted.
Damon and Cordelia smiled at their shared secret. Whether his cousins realized it or not, fate would determine their future as it had theirs.
They’d have no choice any more than he did. But if either of his cousins came to him and said they were to marry, he would ask what happened when he kissed her. It was only fair to make certain they were not making a mistake. But until that time, he’d say nothing.
Damon frowned as Nephele came skipping from the grove. She was too young to be in there alone. “What were you doing?” he asked.
“Speaking to the lady.”
“There is a lady in the grove?” Orion asked with humor.
“Yes, and she’s very pretty. We visit often.”
“You are not to go into the grove without someone being with you so that you don’t get lost,” Damon reminded his niece.
“I won’t get lost, Uncle Damon. The lady wouldn’t let me.”
He really wished to enjoy his wedding day, but how could he do so if there was a lady in the grove who visited with his niece often.
He took a step forward. “Take me to her.”
Orion put a hand on his chest. “I will go. You already have your own pretty lady.” He grinned.
Damon really didn’t wish to leave Cordelia’s side and frankly, wished everyone would leave, but that wouldn’t happen for hours.
“I will be fine, as well as Nephele,” Orion assured him. “I’ll find the lady and learn what she is about.”
