Epilogue
Six Months Later
Helena sat curled up against Niccolo on a plush velvet cushion in front of the fireplace of their Manhattan penthouse, staring at him with large doey eyes.
Niccolo glanced down at her with a knowing smile. "Helena, you must stop looking at me like that. I'm going to end up with an enormous ego."
Helena laughed. As if his ego could get any larger.
But she wouldn't have her arrogant ex-vampire any other way. She reached up and pecked him on the cheek. "Can't help it. I still don't believe I'm married to a real live deity. And your new eyes are … wow. Just. Wow."
Niccolo raised one brow. "I'm a demigod. Not a deity. And other than the fact I now eat normal food and can stay in sunlight all day, I am no different."
Helena smirked. Maybe he didn't think so, but the change was like night and day. She didn't know if it was Reyna's blood that always made him so grumpy and brooding, but that side of Niccolo was gone. Arrogance, confidence, raw power-those were all traits he still carried, naturally, but his transformation gave him the ability to connect with others in a way he'd never been able.
He now had upwards of twenty-thousand men-vampires, demigods, and … others-under his command. Helena knew the clock was ticking, but she tried not to think about the apocalypse. It was now Viktor's job to monitor the book of the Oracle of Delphi since Antonio had disappeared without a trace.
Niccolo's turquoise stare was intense as he sensed Helena's emotions. He slipped his large hand to her belly and gave her a comforting pat. "All will be well, my little vampire," he said.
Helena's gaze moved to the glowing embers of the fire. "I can't help, but worry. I'm the first vampire to ever have a baby. And with a demigod, no less. Then there's her human grandmother, two human aunties-Ann and Jess-then there are her three dozen, vampire uncles who kill Obscuros for a living, and-"
"Don't forget Auntie Cimi! Goddess Delight of the Underworld! And, baby's other god-parents! Get it? God … parents!"
Helena and Niccolo looked up at Cimil standing next to them decked out in a bright yellow southern bell dress holding a frilly matching parasol.
Niccolo grumbled in Helena's ear. "Will she ever learn to knock?"
"Well," Cimil feigned a southern accent. "I never!" Her eyes locked on Helena's stomach and she froze.
Helena still couldn't get used to Cimil's odd quirks. Even though Cimil had shockingly gifted them a baby-where two lie down, three wake up-and permission to let her mother and two closest friends in on their secret world-though, Helena was still waiting for the opportune time to break the news-there was always something about the crazy goddess Helena just couldn't trust.
"Cimil? Hello?" Helena called out.
Cimil rebooted and put her ear over Helena round belly. "What's that, my sweet, sweet little dumplin'?" she asked Helena's stomach.
Niccolo and Helena watched nervously as Cimil listened to the baby.
Helena's brows knitted together. "Is something wrong?"
Cimil laughed and shook her head at Helena's baby bump. "Oh, you sneaky little girl! Yes. Auntie Cimil will buy you a puppy, pony, turtle, jumping bean, and whale! But you must promise not to eat them."
Whale? Oh, for heaven's sake. Where the heck would they put it?
"Cimil," Niccolo said, "while we are eternally grateful for your gift, the sun will be rising soon and Helena needs her rest. Is there something we can help you with?"
Cimil cocked her head to one side and began clapping and jumping. Her hoop skirt swayed like a giant bell. "Oh! Oh! I wanted to tell you I found the perfect nanny to help out while dad is … you know … saving the world!"
"Nanny?" Helena didn't want to ask. Would it be a talking chipmunk? Or, perhaps a bag of chips? Maybe a bug of some sort?
Cimil snapped her fingers, and Andrus appeared in the room.
Niccolo jumped up and lunged, but Cimil wedged herself between the two men. Despite her waif appearance, Cimil was a full-blooded goddess and much stronger than both men.
Helena jumped up. "Andrus! Is that you?"
Andrus leaned to the side, looking around Niccolo's hulking, seething body, and smiled. "In the flesh." He gave a quick wave.
Helena rushed around the tangle and threw her arms around him. "I never got to thank you for saving me from Reyna! Where have you been?"
Niccolo took a step back from Cimil. "How could you?" he screamed. "How could you bring this vile deceitful cretin into our home?"
"Now, now." Cimil shook her finger. "Andrus was in a very bad place. The queen was bonkers, and it wasn't his choice to be bound to her any more than it was yours to become her general. But he's all better now."
"Leave! Both of you!" Niccolo barked.
"Niccolo? What's gotten into you?" Helena whispered.
Andrus' eyes were also a sparkling turquoise. His skin glowed with a healthy golden hue. He too looked transformed by the death of Reyna. "I didn't want to listen to Cimil when she first told me about the-" he swallowed "-job, but I owe you, Helena." He turned toward Niccolo. "And you, too. I know what I did was unforgivable, but I am changed."
Niccolo growled. "Good. Good for you. Now go before I tear your head off."
Cimil clicked with her tongue. "Sorry, bub. Not gonna happen. I've foreseen the future, and while you're away on a mission, your home is attacked. Andrus is destined to save Helena and your little girl. So, Auntie Cimil says he stays."
"Absolutely not!" Niccolo roared. "I'll guard them myself."
Helena held out her finger to silence Cimil. "Give us one sec. Why don't you and Andrus help yourself to some cookies I just baked in the kitchen."
Niccolo's anger flared even hotter. "My cookies, too? You're letting him eat my cookies?" He grumbled as Helena pulled Niccolo aside.
She looked up at him with loving patience and waited for him to meet her gaze. She knew this would sooth him. "Honey," she said. "You can't stay and protect me. When the time comes you have to lead the army. Otherwise, what kind of world will we have for our baby?"
Niccolo grumbled at his feet.
"Cimil is crazy," she added, "but if she's seen it happen, then Andrus will protect me, and he is your family."
"Family?" Niccolo's dark brows lifted.
Helena had not wanted to tell Niccolo until the right time-which, ironically never came-but she thought he had a right to know.
She told him how Reyna had abducted dozens of men from Niccolo's bloodline to turn into vampire soldiers.
Helena nodded. "Yes, he's a descendent of your eldest brother."
Niccolo brushed a stray curl from her face as he mulled it over for several moments. "Fine, if he lays one finger on you, though-"
Cimil appeared close behind Niccolo, chewing an extra large chocolate chip cookie. Crumbs tumbled down her dress. "Funny you should bring that up. Because fate has spoken, and Andrus will have another chance at love now that Reyna is dead. But, no worries. Helena's off the table."
Niccolo glowered at Cimil. "Thanks for clearing that up. Now, if you don't mind we are trying to talk, Cimil."
Cimil strolled away, mumbling and chewing. "Fine … but don't say I didn't try to warn you ahead of time. His son and your daughter's wedding will come faster than you realize, and making a brides' maid dress for a whale is no easy task."
Niccolo and Helena swallowed hard as they realized what Cimil was trying to say. Andrus' future son and her baby?
"I'm going to kill him!" Niccolo flew from Helena's grasp, but when he reached the kitchen, it was empty.
Cimil's laughter echoed from some unknown place in the room. "See you at the big kick off!"
THE END