Page 108 of Enchant the Dawn

Chapter 43

“Maddy? Maddy, wake up.”

“I’m too tired, Dominic. Let me sleep a little longer.” Eyes still closed, she frowned. “What are you doing up so early anyway?”

“My parents are here.”

“Oh. That’s nice.” She bolted upright. “Your parents! They’re here? Now?”

“Yeah. And anxious to meet their future daughter-in-law.”

Maddy clutched the blankets to her chest. “But I’m not ready.”

“Maddy, love, there’s no need to be afraid.”

She started to say she wasn’t afraid, but it was true. Dominic was a vampire, but his father was a vampire and had been one for centuries. And his mother—Ava had spoken of Callie, of how powerful she was.

Dominic sat on the edge of the bed. “What are you so worried about?”

“I feel so . . . small. So inadequate in comparison with your mother, not to mention Ava and Lily.”

“Hey. My mother didn’t come into her magic until she was about your age. And believe me, you’re plenty powerful right now. Don’t forget, you’ve got the blood of two witches and centuries of ancient vampire blood in your veins. You’re the equal of anybody in the family. Well, except maybe my grandfather. And even if you weren’t, none of that matters. What matters is that I love you. And so will they.” He kissed her lightly. “You don’t want them to think you’re a coward, do you?”

“What? Of course not.”

“I’ll tell you a secret. I think my mother was a little hesitant to meet her in-laws, too. Now, come on. Get dressed. We’re getting married in a few hours, remember?”

* * *

Maddy inhaled deeply several times as she took a last look in the mirror. Was her dress too short? Did her hair look all right? With a toss of her head, she marched down the stairs to meet Dominic’s parents.

They both stood when she entered the room. His mother was lovely, with honey-gold hair and deep blue eyes. Maddy couldn’t help staring when she saw his father. He and Dominic could have been brothers, they looked so much alike. The only difference was that Dominic’s hair was black while his father’s was a dark, dark brown.

Dominic took her hand in his. “Maddy, this is my mother, Callie.”

His mother hurried toward her. “Maddy!” she exclaimed, giving her a hug. “I’m so glad to meet you. You’re even lovelier than Dom said.”

“I’m happy to meet you, too,” Maddy said, hating the tremor in her voice.

“And this is my father, Quill.”

Maddy flushed when her future father-in-law kissed her on the cheek.

“Welcome to the family,” he said, his gray eyes twinkling. “It’s not often we gain a daughter and a grandson at the same time.”

Maddy glared at Dominic.

“Don’t be mad at Dominic,” Quill said, a twinkle in his eye. “It was Lily who let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.”

“Please, sit down,” Maddy said. Dominic settled into the easy chair across from the sofa, and Maddy perched on the arm. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you,” Callie said. “This is all so exciting, the wedding and the baby. Dominic told us your parents are away. I know you must be sorry they can’t be here. I am, too. I was hoping to meet them.”

Maddy nodded. “I know they’ll be disappointed, but with the baby coming, I don’t want to wait.”

“Completely understandable,” Quill said.

“I’m just so glad we could be here.” Callie glanced at her son. “Do you know where you’re going to live?”

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