“I understand what you mean,” I offered, my throat dangerously close to burning with emotion.
“… And then I had two annoying boys,” she scoffed, making me smile. Her hand lifted to my cheek tenderly. “My suit is now yours, Natalia. I know that you will treasure it, and it will help you slay your own dragons.”
“I don’t know what to say…” I whispered, fighting the tears prickling my eyes.
“Oh, no, darling. A Vampiress never cries. We get revenge,” Mother declared, wiping the treacherous tear that escaped me.
“Please don’t leave. You are the only mother I have…” I heard myself beg. “Natasha’s mother is gone, and Isis just sees Natasha when she looks at me.”
Tenderness inundated her expression before she pulled me into her arms.
“That’s not true. Anastasia loves every single part of you. You are her daughter, and she’d do anything for you. She and Isis love you more than you can imagine, as Natasha, Natalia, or Starlight.” Pulling back from the hug, she cradled my face again,holding my gaze. “It is my honor to be like a mother to you and André. No matter where I am, all you need to do is call and I’ll be there for you.”
Slowly, I nodded. “I’m sorry for being so disrespectful when I awoke, I?—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for that?” Waving it off, she stepped back. “A little defiance has never killed anybody, and I liked seeing the fire inside you be more than just a physical flame. Never dim that fire for anyone. Besides, life isn’t fun unless you piss off a few powerful beings along the way.”
Grinning, I watched her turn away and close the suitcase, placing it on the floor just as the sound of the helicopter reverberated outside.
“I could go with you; I could help you fight?—”
“No, darling. You already have your dragon to slay… Anastasia loved me even when she didn’t fully understand what I was. She raised me along with my father and let me into her heart, so I need you to bring her back not just for you, but because I already lost one mother, I can’t lose her too.” Gripping my hand fiercely, she fought tears of her own. “Bring her back safely for both of us, okay?”
“I will,” I vowed.
“I know. Remember, the world can go up in flames, but nothing will destroy us.” Picking up the suitcase she walked past me to the door, stopping just on the other side. “Also, that was a hell of a show you put on out there on my balcony yesterday. Well done.”
With a naughty wink, she left.
Horrified, I glanced toward the balcony to find the broken pieces of brick and red clay scattered everywhere. For the first time, I felt like Natasha’s furious flames of embarrassment scorched my cheeks.
13
Iwent up to my room with the box hugged to my chest, still trying to process the gift Countess Dariah had truly given me. It was far more than a suit; it was a testament to her confidence in me as a Vampiress. She was certain I had the power within me to fight my own battles just like she fought hers, and I was not going to disappoint her.
When the elevator opened on the fifth floor a flurry of activity greeted me. I stepped out of the elevator but stopped in the middle of the hall when a few servants walked past me. Placing some luggage inside the elevator, they held the doors open.
“Hey, Natalia,” Alyce cheerily greeted, exciting her room and moving past me to the luggage.
Hannes excited his room next, and my head snapped toward him.
I arched a brow at him, silently asking for an explanation.
When he caught my perplexed and half-pissed-off expression, something sparked in his eyes, and he walked right past me, getting in the elevator with the others.
“What the hell?”Star growled as I turned to face them.
“Where are you going?” I demanded, just as Hannes pressed the button on the panel, his intense eyes fixed on me.
Momentarily shocked, I watched the doors begin to close. Luckily, I snapped out of it and marched into the space before the doors slammed together. I stood there, like an idiot in the packed elevator, scowling at the sexy lumberjack with the box pressed against my chest.
He silently watched me in turn.
“He can’t leave. He’s my mate!”Star growled.
“You can’t leave, you are Star’s mate,” I declared, not convincingly since my heart was racing in my fucking chest, and I was very confused about what was happening.
A single thick eyebrow arched questioningly. “Star’s mate?”
