Page 64 of Our Sins in Shadows (Coven of Sin 2)

I blinked. “Celebrate what?”

“Why, it’s your birthday, love. You’ll be twenty-four.”

Well, damn. How had I forgotten my own birthday? Maybe it was because my mother never really made a big deal about it. It’s not like I had birthday parties or anything. I’d always been jealous of the kids on TV who weren’t locked in their bedrooms, who had friends and normal birthday celebrations with decorations and presents.

“You know my birthday?”

“Your father mentioned it a few years back.”

“But you remembered it. From an offhanded mention years ago?”

Sterling sent me a smile that went straight to my soul. “How could I forget?”

I returned the smile, feeling so safe, so loved, snuggled between these two.

“I have an idea,” the eldest prince mused. “The Council of Elders will be here in three days. So for that time, I want absolutely no talk about Dagon, the Boston Coven, or any other matter concerning the throne.”

“Three days of not having to stress about politics?” I shrugged. “Hard to argue with that.”

“Good. So for three days, I’d like us all to celebrate your birthday. I think each of us would like some alone time with you, to give you gifts, and spoil you for an entire night. Corry will go first, tomorrow night. Then I will take the next day.”

“I don’t like how your math is coming out on this one, Ster,” Eros snorted from behind the wheel.

“And Deathwish will share his night with Vincent on the last day before the Elders arrive,” Sterling finished, pretending he hadn’t heard the objection.

“Why do I have to share a night with Feral? Why can’t the youngblood share with him?”

Sterling’s brow creased in irritation as his ethereal glare found the rearview mirror. “Because you two have spent the most time with her.”

“Yeah,” he scoffed. “In prison.”

Corry chuckled. “By the way you told it, if every experience behind bars was like the one you had, lock me up and throw away the key. Anyway, stop bitching. It will be a good bonding activity for you two.”

The youngest prince beamed down at me, tuning out Eros’ complaining. “So, how does that sound, babe? The entire night with me. I already have something epic planned for us.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“Does it?” Sterling’s eyes twinkled. “Don’t feel obligated to indulge us if you’d prefer to be alone. You haven’t gotten much privacy these past two weeks.”

“I’ve had enough alone time to last me my whole life. I want to indulge you. Besides, vampires probably don’t do a lot of birthday celebrations since you don’t age. And I’ve never really had much of a birthday. So having one three-day-long party will be great, and honestly, a nice distraction for all of us, probably.”

I snuggled against Corry as I smiled to myself, yawning. Sterling’s hand resting on my thigh added to my relaxed state.

Eros chuckled from the front of the car, shaking his head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you did the blood eagle on Sharpe,” the vampire groaned, low and lusty. He shifted in his seat, probably to adjust himself. “I’d give Corry’s left nut to see that shit.”

“Touch my balls, and I’ll blood eagle you, asshole,” the youngblood hissed.

I couldn’t keep the stupid grin off my face. I was happy. Really happy. And I was hellbent on savoring that feeling because I knew it wouldn’t last forever.

Chapter twenty-five

Homecoming

WhenErospulledVincent’scar through the wrought-iron gates of the coven property, the Knight Mansion appeared, bathed in moonlight like something out of a dream.

My heart clenched in my chest, and my throat constricted when I lifted my eyes to the old building, tears streaming down my cheeks. Just two weeks ago, I’d wanted nothing to do with this place. I wasn’t interested in inheriting so much as a dust mote from my father. I didn’t want his throne, his power, this musty house, or the four men whose lives he’d stolen away.

It was funny how things could change so drastically in such a short amount of time. Because now?

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