Page 34 of Dreaming of Darkness

“Only that no matter where you go, wherever you settle, you will always have a home with us. Family does not care about distances, no matter how great.”

I nodded, still trying to process his words, when a soft noise drew me up short.

We no longer heard the muttering curses of Rifa behind the door.

There was silence. My heart leaped in my throat, and I turned to find Albtraum’s eyes on mine. The naked fear there was overwhelming. My emotions immediately to meet his, the need to fly into action lacing my bloodstream.

We both lurched to our feet, turning for the door. No sooner than Albtraum’s booted feet neared the door though, when it opened.

Grandmother stood there; her silver hair pulled neatly back from her face.

“Chief Albtraum,” she said gently, holding out a bundle, “You have a daughter.”

My brother, who suddenly seemed unable to move, stared down at the bundle that my grandmother held. “Well,” Grandmother said, her delight palatable, “Pick her up boy, she should know her father.”

Albtraum fumbled for her, clasping the dark blankets in his hands, which suddenly looked too big against the size of the child. I stepped forward, unsure of what to do, but knowing I needed to be closer. What if he dropped her? What if she needed something? What if I wanted to hold her?

My niece.

All around us I could hear people approaching, incubus and succubus who had heard the good news. Because this was good news. The first in such a long time for my people.

Albtraum, who had been staring at his daughter, completely entranced, suddenly looked up at me, his smile a mirror of my own. “She’s perfect.”

I laughed, “Of course she is, she’s one of us.”

The next few moments are a blur. I’m leaning over, staring down at the tiny creature wrapped from chin to toes, her pale pink skin and dark nubbed horns beautiful and strange to eyes that haveonly seen adults in such a long time. Her father only hands her off for a breath, when he raced in to press his forehead against his mate, Rifa, who is now leaning happily back in bed.

Antheia, of course, was the lucky one who held the child while Albtraum reunited with his mate. And I’m shocked to realize that not only was my sister completely comfortable with the infant, but several males are eyeing her with great interest as she rocks the infant. I mentally catalog their names and faces for the next chance I have to challenge anyone.

She may be an adult, and beautiful, but she’s my little sister. No one touches her on my watch.

By the time the crowd disperses, congratulations floating in the air, I’m sagging against the outside of the house. The sine back in my hand.

Albtraum appeared at my side, and silence, comfortable and warm, surrounded us.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

“You are my brother. There are no thanks needed.”

Albtraum shrugged and after pressing a hand to my shoulder for a long breath, he disappeared once again into his home. The door shut tight, and a smile tugged at my mouth. New life always brings joy.

And for the first time in my life, I had someone I wanted to share it with.

Chapter Ten

Bailey

I tugged a little nervously at the edge of my dress. It was a sweater dress, completely out of place in this season, but I remember Traum saying that the Underworld could be cool atnight. Now knowing his niece or nephew’s naming day festival would go long into the night I had thought I might as well dress warmly.

I hoped this was enough. My boots were warm enough, up to my knees, leaving only a few inches of pale skin between the leather tops and the soft knit of my dress. I also wore all black, which I secretly loved against my pale skin. The fabric hugged my soft curves and dipped low enough that Traum could nearly see down my top if he tried hard enough. And I had a feeling he would try.

Or maybe this ridiculously hard edge of want was only one-sided. Shit, if it was, I was going to feel like an idiot.

I stopped my runaway thoughts, forcing myself to take a breath and hold up the coin in my hand. This was the only one I had, which meant I couldn’t screw this up. Not that the instructions that a very patient Arafel had given me in my dreams weren’t sufficient. I was just afraid that if I got them wrong somehow, I might not have a chance to explain to Traum why I missed his family’s event.

“Close your eyes, focus on memories of Traum, feeling the bond between us.” I repeated back to myself, the instructions simple. “When you see all of him in your mind, throw the coin down in front of you and step onto it. That seems simple enough.”

I tossed my notes behind me, because yes, I’d scribbled down the instructions the moment I’d woken up and faced the open space at the foot of my bed. Plenty of room to toss a coin down. Now, I just had to picture him.

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