My family halted as one unit, all of them giving Considine the same once over I’d given him—admittedly, for different reasons.
Dad rolled his shoulders back as he stared Considine down then glanced at me. “It seems you’ve made Magiford your home, Jade, and will be staying here.”
I uneasily shifted my weight. “You thought I’d move back home?”
“I hoped.” Dad shrugged. “Any good parent would want their child nearby. But any good parent would also be able to recognize when their child is flourishing.”
Mom smiled at me, her eyes misty with tears. “You’ve got a great team—one that respects and values you, and a partner…” She trailed off as she studied Considine.
He raised an eyebrow but kept his mouth shut—recognizing this was a vital moment for our future.
“A partner,” Mom began again, “Who is perhaps unconventional, but is still serviceable backup.”
I beamed up at Considine at the high praise. Considine seemed puzzled, but he must have understood the compliment meant a lot. “I am delighted I am consideredserviceable,” he said without a drop of sarcasm.
“You should be,” Mom said. “You need to be serviceable, because the two of you are going to face some unique problems as a vampire and vampire slayer couple.”
“We’re aware,” I said.
Considine shot me a look, then bowed his head to my parents. “I promise I will do everything in my power, and use every resource I have, to spare your daughter from any hardship our relationship might cause.”
Dad narrowed his eyes. “And in the end, you’ll want to turn Jade?”
“Yes,” Considine said without hesitation. “But it’s her choice. I won’t pressure her—turning is a choice that can be catastrophic if not done willingly.”
Considine’s declaration wasn’t a surprise to me. But I’d never hinted to my parents or brothers that such a thing was even a possibility on my mind, so I watched them, my hands sweaty in my gloves despite the cold winter air.
My family was silent as they exchanged looks.
“He can’t be thinking of changing her that fast,” Jasper said, breaking the silence. “I heard him talking about kids.”
“Yeah,” Peri agreed. “Nan will probably start picking out color schemes that match our family crest for Jade’s unconfirmed wedding as soon as we start the drive home.”
Alex stepped forward—the first of my family members to cross the gulf between us. He held out his hand to Considine.
Considine eyed my brother, but took the offered hand and shook it, eliciting a pleased nod from Alex.
“A firm handshake,” Alex said in approval before he turned to me and scooped me up in a hug.
Alex’s approach seemed to break the ice, because my parents and brothers took turns approaching Considine—Jasper was so emotional that he even gave Orrin a man hug with a thorough backslap.
The bewildered fae bore it but gave me a beseeching look that had Considine smirking.
After Mom hugged me, she tucked one of my red curls behind my ear and smiled at me. “I’m so proud of you, Jade.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said. “For everything.”
“Of course. You’re happy?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“Then that’s all I want for you.” She kissed my forehead, then moved to stand next to me so we could watch Dad shake hands with Considine. “I’m glad he’s cunning.”
I blinked in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes. It means he’ll take care with how he approaches you and won’t push because he’s concerned with the outcome of the long term, not short-term wins,” Mom said. “And he’ll play along if something is important to you, because he knows it will buy him goodwill.”
I nodded. “That’s an accurate portrayal.”
