Page 68 of The Child of Rue Royale
“It’s good to be back,” I deadpan, and she pulls me into her arms and kisses the top of my head.
“Back where you belong.”
I’m nauseous from exhaustion by the time Mother and Chantal leave, by the time Cassius and Marlowe promise to visit soon, by the time Nicola, Amerie, and Oksana pile into the car.
I look at Bastian and Aven standing in the foyer, the place we once had to flee. The place we once thought we couldn’t return to, and now it’s our family home.
“I thought they would never leave,” Bastian says, pulling me into his arms, squeezing my waist tight. “All I want is to be home with you two.” He kisses me, lips wet and soft.
“I never thought we’d be back here.” I look up to the staircase, memories of Franklin flashing in my mind. How I threw him across the room, paralyzing him with pain. But I don’t say his name, I don’t bring him up. Bastian’s anger seems more controlled, and all thoughts of Franklin will do is ignite it.
A meow comes from down the steps, and my baby kitty comes running to me. I swoop Mercury up in my arms, kissing him all over.
“He’s a big brother,” Bastian says, petting his little buddy.
A bassinet has been placed in our bedroom, a gift from Nicola. There’s so much to unpack and assemble, but we have time. I transfer Aven into the bassinet, but he fusses, so I put him with Bastian and me. And even though we don’t need to sleep on the vampire bed under the top bed, we slide it open because it feels right and comfortable, and I have the best sleep of my life.
“I’VE NEVER HAD THE SHADESopen during the day in this house before. It’s pretty magnificent,” Bastian says, lying on our bed, his head resting on his arm.
The morning sun filters over our legs, and I smile up at him, Aven on his chest. “Look at us,” Bastian says with pride, his grin wide, his teeth gleaming, and for a moment I miss the fangs that would pop out at different times. “We’re a family.”
“We are,” I say as he moves in, kissing me sweetly. “We need to start working on your memory.” The to-do list hits me, that drowning layer of overwhelm surfacing.
“Let’s get settled today, okay? I’ll get his furniture arranged so we have a place to at least put his things. It’s a lot, but we’ll get it all figured out.”
I nod, liking that idea. “I’m going to need a spell room. A place for my supplies,” I say, chewing my lip, my to-do list growing as we speak.
“How about the downstairs office? My office is upstairs.”
“Sure,” I say, still shocked I’m living in a house in the Garden District.
“I’ll add you to my bank account, but for now, you can use my cards to buy whatever you need for your spell room. Cassius said he put them on my desk.”
I look up at him quizzically. “I have my own money, you know.” Not much, but it’s mine.
“We share a child and a home. We’ll share my money, too.”
“Oh, right,” I say with a teasing tone. “We’re partners.”
He waves a finger at me, a mischievous smirk on his face. “You’re asking for it,” he chides. “Now that I’m not a vampire, I can bite you.”
“Tempting.” I smile.
He gives me that look, like he’d like to bite me. But his hand slides up and down Aven’s back instead. “I need a shower, then getting to work,” he says with a sneer, sliding Aven to me. He disappears into the bathroom just as a text pings from my phone, and of course, it’s my mother.
If that bitch Nicola thinks she’s stealing my grandson, she’s got another thing coming.
I would slap my forehead if I wasn’t holding the baby, I swear.
This is not Romeo and Juliet. We are not two families at war. We need to work together.
Oh, you’re so naïve. That’s cute. Blessing ceremony is almost here. Time to mentally prepare for it, place a calming spell, and be ready for anything. How was your first night back home? Tell the baby his REAL grandma loves him.
My hand aches to propel my phone across the room, but instead I tell her fine, it’s all fine. I’m so tired of being told what to do, but I know what’s required of me until we have a solid plan for how we’re going to tell the coven about Aven, and once we find out who the witch is that helped Franklin not only kill Bastian but put the protection spell on him. Then there’s Bastian’s memory we need to dig around in.
After finally getting Aven to settle in his swing, I order a few things for my spell room: a long desk for potion making, fresh herbs and oils, candles, and a new set of knives.
“Where do you want this?” Bastian asks, carrying a box Mother had left for me when we arrived—contents the restoration company had packaged after the fire that I would need for my craft. My old books and tinctures, assorted crystals, and tools. Unsure if I’m ready to face the past of that old living room, I put on a brave face and point to the corner of the room. “There’s fine,” I say, placing Winnie on the shelf where I’m planning my altar. “I’m going to paint it dark green.What do you think?” I ask, looking up at him as I take the books he never read off the shelves.
