Page 99 of Shadows of Eternity

Rohan shrugged. “I don’t see it as a problem unless there’s some kind of hunter code that forbids it.”

Trent snorted. “I’m pretty sure there isn’t. No one would have ever considered the possibility. But what the hell? Count me in. When is it?”

“It was supposed to be tomorrow, but, all things considered, we’ve decided to elope.”

“Janae’s going to be almighty upset when she finds out Leia got married without her.”

“It’s too dangerous for her to be here now.”

“I know.”

Rohan slapped Trent on the shoulder. “We’ll probably get married again when this is all over so Leia’s parents and her brother and Janae can be there.”

Trent blew out a sigh as Rohan left the kitchen. His life hadn’t been this complicated until he met Rohan Stillwater. Before then, he’d been sure all vampires were monsters, merciless killers with no moral values, no thought other than death and destruction. He had to admit Rohan seemed like a decent guy. If things had been different they might have beenfriends. And then he laughed. Hell, he thought with a wry grin, theywerefriends.

Leia called the church to cancel the date, took a deep breath, and called Rosemary and the others to let them know the wedding was off. She apologized profusely for the short notice. When that was done, she went upstairs and knocked on her parents’ bedroom door. Her father called for her to come in.

Leia took a deep breath before stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.

Her father was sitting in the big old easy chair in the corner. Her mother was sitting up in bed, pillows at her back, a paperback book in her lap. Fear flickered in her eyes when she saw Leia.

“Is something wrong?” her father asked.

“Everything is wrong,” Leia said. “Why are you two staying in your room? Are you so afraid of me that you can’t face me?”

Her parents shared a glance, then her father said, “Your mother isn’t comfortable having Rohan and that hunter in the house.”

“He hasn’t changed, Mom,” Leia said. “He’s the same man you thought was so wonderful just a few days ago. The same man I intend to marry.”

A faint blush rose in her mother’s cheeks. “It isn’t just him. It’s you. I don’t know you anymore.”

“I haven’t changed, either. Well, a little, but I’m still me. And I still love you.”

Her mother stared at her, then stood and walked toward her. “How can you be the same? You’re a vampire now.”

“But you wouldn’t know that if Rohan hadn’t told you. Do I look different? Sound any different? Act any different?”

“Well … no.”

“Please don’t be afraid of me. I’d never hurt either one of you. But you’re hurting me.” Leia’s heart swelled with emotion when her mother took her in her arms and held her close.

“I’m so sorry,” Cynthia murmured. “Hurting you is the last thing I want to do. I should be helping you adjust in any way I can.”

Her father gained his feet and wrapped his arms around both of them. Voice thick with unshed tears, he said, “We’re still a family, Leia. Welcome home.”

Although reluctant to spoil the mood, there was one thing she needed to know. “Will I still be part of the family when I marry Rohan?”

Her father sucked in a deep breath while Leia held hers, waiting for his answer.

“I’ll accept him,” her father said after a tense moment. “I always said like should marry like and I guess now the two of you are, well, you know.”

“Mom?”

“As long as you’re happy and safe, I’ll do my best to make him feel welcome.”

“I love you guys,” Leia said, relieved that her parents hadn’t put up a fuss. Feeling as if all was right in her world again, she hugged her dad and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ve got to go tell Rohan the good news!”

She found him in the living room, staring out the window.

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