Page 44 of My Salvation

She sat back. “He became a Vanguard to watch over me,” she whispered. “I had to leave Éire Danu. He couldn’t stay a unit warrior and watch after me.”

“He sounds like a good man.”

“I’m going to kill him,” she vowed through clenched teeth.

“Cut the poor guy some slack, honey. It had to be a thousand times worse on his end. How many hoops has he had to jump through to avoid being seen?” Priest pointed out.

“I think he ended up having to introduce himself after the first stalker,” she said, remembering meeting him for the first time.

Priest’s eyes narrowed. “Someday, you will get around to telling me about these stalkers.”

She sniffled. “But not tonight.”

He shook his head. “Not tonight.”

Taking a deep breath, she continued reading the letter.

“…Ilian Vi’Elwin. We would have introduced you at your coming-of-age ceremony, but we knew our end was close. We have the utmost confidence he will look after you every bit as much as we would have.

In the pouch, you will find House Illiya’s signet ring and the dedication bands your father and I had made for one another. It is our hope that whenever you find your mate, you can wear them yourselves and maybe think of us often because of them.

We may be stepping onto the path leading us away from you earlier than any of us would have liked, but we take our love for you with us. Know that we are waiting patiently to see you again when it is your time to join us. We look forward to hearing all about your life. We know you will do amazing things.

With all our love,

Your mother and father.

Wordlessly she opened the pouch passed Priest her father’s ring and slipped her mother’s over the ring finger of her left hand. It instantly sized itself. She kissed it then looked over to her mate that was smiling down at the ring on his own hand.

“Vi’Elwin? He was Head of his House?”

Priest laid back on the bed. “If he knew he would be gone for a while, he might have passed it along.”

She felt the letter slip from her fingers. “I thought I was alone all this time. But I had Eion here waiting for me and Ilian at my side.”

Priest folded his hands behind his head and stared up at the headboard. “It’s like an advent calendar of stuff.”

Frowning, she joined him at the foot of the bed and looked up. “You’re right. It’s beautiful, though.” Some squares were storage, some lighting, and some even had more portraits. “I can’t wait to explore the whole thing.”

Priest pointed to the rest of the furniture. “I don’t think they stopped at the headboard, my love.”

She looked at the picture of her parents beaming down at the infant they held, love in their eyes, to the room of custom-built furniture. “Priest, I think you may be right.”

He sat up and took her hand. “Do you know what I think would be perfect right now?”

She shook her head. “What?”

“Your bottle of wine from my mother, that plate of snacks from Eion by the door, and a tub of hot water along with the box of desserts I took from the bar.”

“You, my mate, are a genius.”

He smiled. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Seven

Cas pulled out bottles from under the sink and looked at them. Most were her favorite scents. She checked for expirations and shook her head. Of course, Eion would cycle them out as needed.

She debated for a moment, then decided on the sandalwood. It was a favorite, and she knew Priest would appreciate not smelling like jasmine.

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