Page 151 of Vameer

Dad is silent, standing with his mouth open, eyes darting back and forth between me and Vameer.

“It happened on my birthday. And I’ll tell you the whole story soon. But we only have like three minutes before we have to go.” I talk quickly, trying to say everything before one of them snaps out of it. “After we leave, news will break pretty quickly. But I wanted to tell you first. So… surprise!” I hold my hands up and smile wide enough for them to see my fangs.

Mom squeals and rushes forward with her arms spread.

I step toward her and meet my mom with a hug.

“This is… Gods, it’s more than I ever dreamed for you,” she cries against me.

Mom is the same height as me. Similar body shape. I have her red hair, but hers is lighter now with age. She’s basically me, just older.

I hug her tighter, wondering if my hair will ever change the way hers did.

“Incredible. Just incredible.” Mom pulls back and places her hands on my cheeks. “This is what happened to that Nix girl. Right?”

I nod, emotion thick in my throat at her instant approval and happiness. “Yeah. I’ve met her, she’s great.”

“You’ve met Nix?”

“She’s pretty much my sister now.”

“Because she had the same things happen?” Dad wipes at his eyes as he steps closer. “Can you do that flying stuff too?”

“Not yet.” I smile at the question. “And Nix is like a sister now because she’s mated to Volik. And Volik…” I tip my head toward Vameer. “Is his brother.”

Mom gasps while Dad nods, like he can see it.

Vameer’s heat moves from behind me to my side.

He’s so much taller than me, so they could see him just fine when he was behind me. But now that he’s beside me, they can see all of him.

Eight feet of sculpted man wrapped in a dark red suit. Except instead of a suit jacket, he’s wearing a robe. And instead of a regular belt, he’s wearing a sword.

His long hair catches in a breeze, blowing it back from his face, and gods help me, he belongs on a movie poster.

He looks like royalty.

“There is nothing more precious to a vampire than his mate.” Vameer places one hand on his chest, the other on the hilt of his sword as he dips his chin. “I swear to the fates, I will protect Rune until my last breath.”

“Oh. Oh my.” Mom fans her face.

“Mom.” I try to chastise her, but my voice comes out too breathy.

Because I get it. My vampire is hot as fuck.

Vameer straightens and holds his hand out to my dad. “It is an honor to meet you.”

Dad blinks.

Mom elbows him in the side.

“Yes, well…” He looks a little shaky as he reaches out to take Vameer’s hand.

He looks so tiny compared to my big vampire; it breaks some of the emotional tension trying to choke me.

They shake twice, then let go.

Dad takes a deep breath, then grins. “I’ve had a speech prepared for going on decades. For whenever my princess decided to date someone.”