She opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings. The first thing she realized was that she was not in her room.
Then the memories of early that morning came flooding back. Instantly she tugged the blankets down as she peered at her chest. The puncture wounds over her heart had healed; however, they were still visible. She brushed the markings with her fingers and smiled, wondering if she felt different. She had the moment Kaj had pierced her heart. There had been a strange elation that flooded her when hissonavexhad filled her veins. She hadn’t asked Kaj what the mating entailed but she’d done a bit of research. There wasn’t much documented about the phenomenon, but she’d learned enough to have an idea.
Yet she’d been overwhelmed. In a good way, of course.
And while she could’ve asked him to lay it out so she would understand, Acadia hadn’t felt it necessary. She trusted Kaj with her life, knew he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Even now, as she thought about what had happened when he’d pierced that artery, Acadia wondered why some referred to it as venom. Perhaps there hadn’t been a better translation for it.
The smile was still planted firmly on her face when she forced herself out of bed. Kaj had woken her earlier to let her know he had some things to take care of but that he would meet her for the evening meal at Angel Central.
As she retrieved her gown from the floor, she glanced around the space. Kaj had recently moved rooms because he said the other one was getting some updates. It made her wonder if he was actually going to decorate. That room was the very room she had nursed Kaj back to health in so long ago. Only now it lacked the color and decor that had once brought it to life. Or she thought it did. That could’ve changed in the past week or so, but she doubted it. From what she’d gathered, Blaz was fortifying the space for the Alpha. When Kaj had been explaining it to her, he’d referred to it as a panic room.
For some reason, that made her think of steel panels and concrete floors. It didn’t sound all that homey. No more than this room. As it was, there wasn’t anything personal within the space, and the thought of living in a protected area only made it feel colder. She doubted Kaj cared much since he simply occupied it physically. If they were to share a space, which she assumed they would, Acadia wanted it to be welcoming and cheerful.
A task for another day, she supposed.
An hour later, having returned to her room within the mansion, Acadia had showered and made herself presentable for the night. Something had compelled her to wear red, a color she’d often forgone because of how bold a statement it made. But it suited her mood this evening. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she definitely felt different. Perhaps not physically, but emotionally for sure. As though she’d been made whole after all this time.
When she made it to the main floor, she heard a cacophony of voices coming from the dining room. There was only one she was seeking out as she neared the open doors.
“Acadia?”
Her smile brightened as she turned toward the male calling out to her from the kitchen. She turned to face him, unable to hide her smile.
Though he was dressed similarly to how he usually was—head to toe in black—Kaj looked resplendent. Then again, she’d always found him utterly beautiful, but this evening, he stood out even more to her.
Kaj offered his arm, so Acadia slipped hers into it, allowing him to lead her into the dining room. She could feel the eyes shifting in her direction, monitoring her as though something was different. She offered a smile to all familiar faces sitting at the tables, filling the space. For a moment, she was confused as to what was going on, but then she noticed them.
“Oh.” Her hand came up to her throat as she stopped before the four males kneeling on the floor just inside the dining hall.
Huracan, Blaz, Kidel, and Mirakel. The enormous males were bowing, steel daggers gripped firmly in both hands, the tips of the blades pressed into the hardwood flooring.
“Rise, warriors,” Kaj instructed.
All four males got to their feet. The daggers were sheathed and all eyes lifted.
“What’s going on?” she whispered, though she knew everyone had heard.
“They’re welcoming you as their queen,” he said softly.
Ah. Well, she was no one’s queen, but Acadia wasn’t going to say as much. She had a lot to learn when it came to vampire tradition, and the last thing she wanted to do was offend them in some manner.
“At ease,” Kaj told them before glancing over at her. “Shall we eat?” Kaj nodded toward the table where Obsidian was sitting, his hand on Penelope’s chair, the female beside him with Ari’el in her arms.
“I’m not sure that’s appropriate,” she whispered to Kaj, refraining from telling him she was but a servant in this world.
“Sit,” Obsidian urged, as though he’d heard her thoughts and wasn’t at all pleased by them. “Within these walls, we are and will always be family, Acadia.”
When Kaj pulled out her chair, she settled into it, not sure where to look, so she let her gaze land on Ari’el, who was sleeping soundly in her mother’s arms. It wasn’t that Obsidian had ever treated her lower than him, but Acadia had always been aware of his status. Although she had fed him for centuries, she had never shared a meal with him. Not like this. In the breakfast nook, yes. In the kitchen, sure. At the dining room table … never. And she was more than aware of Kaj’s status in the hierarchy, so it made sense because he had claimed her that she would sit with him.
Still, this felt awkward.
Voices sounded from behind her, causing Acadia to peer over her shoulder to see who had joined them. Theheurospwere entering the space, heading for Obsidian and Eclipse first. But it wasn’t the servants who had her heart missing a beat. It was the way Bijou had stepped into the room and come to an abrupt halt.
Kaj must’ve sensed her because he also looked back. Only then did Bijou smile and come forward.
Rather than go to her father, though, Bijou came over to her, stopping at the side of her chair.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said kindly to Obsidian and Penelope, then took Acadia’s hand.
