There was a knock at the door.
Jordan didn’t move.
A frown curved her lips. She did not want to leave the warmth of his embrace. Celeste slipped from the sheets and pulled on one of Jordan’s silk robes, then walked to the door.
She cracked it open.
Astrid’s childlike face appeared in the crack. “Good day, miss.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I have news that I must share with you. Can we speak in private?”
“Certainly.” Celeste opened the door wider to allow her in.
“Please come with me.” She stepped to the side, out of the doorway.
“All right.“ Celeste slipped through the crack in the door and closed it softly. She followed Astrid down the hall toward Grandmum’s rooms. “Is my grandmum well?”
“She is.” Astrid stopped in front of a small door to the right of Grandmum’s chamber and opened it. A thin corridor lay beyond. “Come.”
They stepped in, and Astrid grabbed one of the candles that lined the walls.
Astrid closed the door behind them. “Shhh. We must be quiet. But she wants you to know.”
“Know what?” Celeste whispered.
“You shall see.” Astrid lifted a small flap against the wall. Dim light poured through into the space in which they resided. She put her eyes to the small opening, then turned to her. “Your vision of your grandmum was true. Hudson did bite her. Though he did not kill her. I don’t believe he knew what he was doing. He was driven by the need to feed. She lived and transitioned so much easier than he has. I’ve been helping her find suitable food. Take a peek.” She motioned to Celeste to look through the wall.
Celeste walked to the light streaming into the space and pressed her eyes to the opening. She sucked in a startled breath. Oh! Grandmum sat on the floor, her nightshift covered in blood. To her mouth she held a small pig.
The pig didn’t struggle or squeak.
Her grandmum cooed to it, then licked its neck. A moan came from her and echoed through the room.
The hairs Celeste’s neck rose, and her stomach roiled. Oh no. She turned away, trembling. Oh no. No. No. This could not be the truth.
Astrid touched her arm. “She wanted you to know but couldn’t find a way to tell you. She told me she now lives free. She cannot hide how happy she is. You will see that when you speak to her of it.”
Tears streaked down Celeste’s face as she processed this new information. Grandmum was not different. She would be the same woman Celeste loved.
“She is not in pain. She is powerful. I have no idea how or why. But she is one of the most amazing women I have known in this otherworldly world we live in. She adores you, Celeste.”
She looked up at Astrid. “She wants this?”
“Quite so.”
Celeste swallowed hard. “Is she all well?”
“She is struggling a bit with the need to feed. Other than that, she is thriving.”
She needed to talk to her but would give her the respect she deserved in this awkward moment. “Thank you, Astrid. I will speak to her later today when we are both dressed.” She brushed the tears from her cheeks.
“Yes, miss.” Astrid turned from the corridor and led her back to her room.
“She is free.” Carmen’s voice vibrated in Celeste’s ears as she shut the door to her and Jordan’s room.
“So it appears,” Celeste whispered. “Carmen, where are you? Are you somewhere I can find you?”
“Doubtful. Havanis cursed me to here. I have no idea how to even explain what it is like. I am certainly no place on your world.”
“Tomorrow, we shall talk more about who Havanis is and how to find you.”
“Very well.”
Celeste slipped back into bed and pressed the length of her body up next to Jordan’s warmth. Jordan stirred and rolled toward her, wrapping her in his arms. She sighed. The air glimmered blue and gold and danced around them like the sun glinting off the rippling sea.
“Is all well?” His breath warmed her neck as his tongue licked from shoulder to ear. She trembled. His member grew between them and pushed between her thighs.
She opened her legs, allowing him access. “More than well. I am a bit shocked. Grandmum has transitioned. My vision was true.”
He pulled back from her and studied her face. “Are you certain?” She could see the concern in his eyes. He loved her, cared for her safety and her happiness. This was more than she had thought possible of her life three weeks ago. It was all she ever wanted.
She nodded. “Astrid has been helping her. Grandmum wanted me to know.”
He tightened his arms about her. “I am sorry, Celeste. We will have Ferrous do all he can.”