Page 87 of Blood Freed

“Thank fuck for that,” I mutter. “I thought none of them would ever see sense.”

“Speaking of developments,” Mom brightens suddenly, “we should start planning the wedding!”

“Mom!” Rowan’s eyes are wide. “Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you? Nobody’s even popped the big question yet.”

“This can be easily remedied,” says Soren, looking at me so intently it burns.

“Actually, I’ve been wondering when you’d ask me,” Darick butts in, looking at Rowan.

“You’ve been waiting for me to propose to you?” She stares at him.

“Of course.” He nods. “I might be a thousand years old, but that doesn’t mean I can’t keep up with the times. Women can propose if they want.” He raises an eyebrow. “So? Are you going to go down on bended knee?”

“Bended knee?” Rowan scoffs. “I’m not getting on my knees for you!”

“That’s not what you said this morning.”

“Darick!” Rowan’s cheeks are crimson. “My mom is sitting right there!” She points at our mother, who flaps a hand.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about, darling. It’s not like I don’t know about these things. Your Dad and I—”

“Stop!” Kara blurts. “There are some things I really don’t want in my head.”

Marcus snorts out a laugh, and Kara shoots a cold look at him.

Mom’s eyes are alight; she’s clearly caught up in it now. “Oh! We could do a joint ceremony! Think of it – both couples joined under the full moon…” She’s practically vibrating with excitement.

“Mom, breathe,” I say, but can’t help smiling. It feels good to see her like this after everything that’s happened. “Maybe we should start with the basics before planning double ceremonies?”

“Of course, of course.” She waves her hand dismissively. “But we’ll need to consider both traditions. The vampire blood binding ritual is quite beautiful, from what I’ve read. And we could incorporate the witch hand-fastening ceremony…”

I glance at Soren, realizing that this is all unfolding before he and I have even discussed the next step. As if sensing my thoughts – which, of course, he can – he glances at me.

“This feels right, my love.” His smile melts my heart. “This is our destiny. A future together.”

My breath catches in my throat as my heart swells with a happiness I never thought I’d feel. After all that we’ve beenthrough… The chaos, the confusion, the doubt… Thisdoesfeel right. It’s our destiny. And I’m not going to fight it. Because God knows we’ve had too many fights on our hands.

I presss into Soren and rest my head against his shoulder, soaking in his warm strength. Mom is still chattering cheerfully about traditions and romantic gestures. This is her “happy place,” and after all she’s been through, I’m not going to take it away from her. Hell, I think I’m going to join her.

“The blood binding is traditionally done in darkness,” Soren offers, getting into the swing of things too. “It would complement the moonlight elements of witch ceremonies nicely.”

Marcus pushes off from the wall. “The Assembly would expect certain joining protocols to be followed.”

“Oh, because we care so much what they think,” Kara mutters.

“Some of us still have to work with them,” Marcus replies sharply.

Rowan stands suddenly. “This celebration needs Poppy.”

“Oh, great.” I roll my eyes. “Because it’s not right without her snarky commentary.

“Precisely,” Rowan says. “I’ll go fetch her – she’s probably sulking in her favorite oak tree.”

“Good idea,” Gran says. “She’d never forgive us if we planned any festivities without her input.”

“Plus, she gives the best wedding gifts,” Rowan adds with a grin. “Remember that enchanted acorn she gave Cousin Sarah? It grew into the most beautiful wishing tree.”

For a moment, everything feels wonderfully normal. The happy banter continues around me, with Mom deep in discussion about flower arrangements while Marcus and Kara argue about proper vampire etiquette. Even Dad’s starting to look more relaxed, chuckling at Darick’s stories about ancient wedding disasters.

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