A Shade of Vampire 40: A Throne of Fire(34)

This is who she belongs with.

The thought hit me with complete clarity. This was her tribe—her people. I had the uncomfortable feeling of being separated from Ruby—that I didn’t quite fit into her life. The life outside of Nevertide that I’d almost forgotten that she had.

“That was intense,” I murmured once there was some distance between us and them. I tried to shove the feelings away.

“That’s my parents.” She sighed happily, laughing at my expression. “They’re fierce, but you’ll get used to them, and they’ll love you. I promise you that. They’ll see how good we are together.”

I nodded, not quite convinced.

“So,” I countered, changing the subject, “you’re my fiancée?”

“I am. I decided this morning. I just didn’t have time to tell you.”

She turned toward me, her face glowing. I leant down toward her, bringing her into my arms and kissing her softly on the lips. It quickly increased its intensity, and just like always, Ruby managed to make the entire world disappear for me—it was only the two of us, in our bubble, the darkness fading away.

“We have a lot to talk about though,” she said softly, breaking the kiss.

“I know we do. It’s not going to be easy…I’m not blind to the complications, especially now,” I said, looking at the retreating members of GASP, “but I swear we can make it work.”

“I know we can. I love you, Ash, and that’s all that really matters.”

I nodded, staring into her clear blue eyes. I hoped she would still feel that way after spending some time with her family and friends. I didn’t believe for a second that Ruby was easily swayed by others’ opinions—I knew she wasn’t. But once she was reminded of her life, her home in the “Shade” place that she’d mentioned, perhaps it would become difficult to hold on to the relationship that we’d built here.

“Here,” I said, remembering the ring I had kept in the pocket of my robe.

“Oh, Ash!” Ruby exclaimed as I gently pushed it onto her finger.

“I know it’s not exactly fitting for an emperor’s wife, but it belonged to my mother. I got it days ago when I went to get my old job back at the kitchens. I thought I would need it at some point.”

“You’ve been planning all that time?” she asked, staring up at me.

“Ruby, the moment I met you I knew. You’re the one for me. I wasn’t ever going to let you go.”

She nodded, tears building in the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away hastily.

“The ring is perfect. I think it’s exactly right for an emperor’s wife. It’s exactly right for me.”

“RUBY!”

Before I could say another word, her father’s voice yelled from the group ahead. Our time was up.

“I’d better get back,” she muttered sheepishly. “Just remember that their bark is worse than their bite…well, except for Mom. Bark and bite are both pretty bad with her, but you’ll get used to them.”

“Right.” I laughed. What else was I expecting? Of course Ruby’s parents were going to be tough as nails and slightly terrifying—it wasn’t like wallflowers would ever bring up a girl like her.

“Go on,” I urged, “before they start accusing me of being your kidnapper.”

Ruby ran ahead, snorting with laughter.





Rose





WHAT?

Dating her kidnapper?

Caleb kept muttering under his breath, trying to rein in his temper, as we followed the sentry my daughter seemed to be infatuated with back to the castle as quickly as we could – trying to keep pace with the slower-moving sentries. I walked between Hazel and Benedict, listening to my son explain the land we were in with an enthusiasm that was totally typical of him—I heard about flying vultures, bull-horses (which explained the strange creatures the other sentries were riding and the hoof prints we’d been finding everywhere), fang-beasts, and the strange mental powers of the sentries themselves.

“They’re okay,” Benedict explained about the sentries, “once you get used to them—well, some of them are. Some are downright evil, like Queen Trina, and some are just gross, like Jenus.”

“Who?”

“Benedict,” Hazel interrupted gently, “let’s just wait till we get to the castle. Mom will need a proper briefing.”

“Yeah, okay—you’re right.” My son was instantly quiet on the subject, and instead started to question how GASP had managed to get here. I answered his questions, feeling like I truly had traveled to an alternative universe. Since when did Benedict listen to his sister and do as he was asked?