The Council (Darkness #5)(54)

“When’s the Boss supposed to be up and about? A week you said?” Charles asked with tight lips. He’d never been very good at grudges.

“That’s what they think.”

“So, a couple days, then.”

“Yup.”

Epilogue

I clutched the note from Stefan and looked at Charles. “What’s this all about?”

Charles gave a big stretch and scratched his chest. He glanced at the note, then at the clock on the wall. Dawn was just around the corner. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s finally trying to get freaky. Anyway, I have to go. I need to get in some ‘me’ time before I hit the sack.”

That was Charles’ way of saying he was going to go find someone and get busy.

I glanced down at the note again.

Run directly to me. –Stefan.

“Kind of cryptic.” Charles snatched his sweatshirt off the couch and headed for the door. “See ya.”

I focused in on our link, feeling the tug of his body drawing me. I had just started walking toward the door when Charles said, “I found a clue. What a sap. Is this the sort of thing it takes to keep a female? Because if so, no way. Way too girlie for me.”

I glanced out through the door that he was holding open. A line of red rose petals led away from the door and down the hall.

Butterflies filled my stomach. Stefan had always been affectionate, but since he healed and was back in charge, he was much more so. Even in public, he was always touching me and kissing me, as if the veil had lifted and he didn’t give a damn what his people thought. I was his, and he wasn’t afraid to show how much he loved that fact.

I couldn’t help wearing a stupid grin as I followed that trail down the hall.

“Mage.” Someone bowed. “Mage.” A nod of the head. “Hey Sasha.” I got a high-five that time.

Down the stairs and through the next hall people stopped what they were doing and stared as I passed. I received more nods and bows, often smiles, and sometimes a salute. The only sound made was my footsteps and the word “Mage.”

What is going on?

Wide-eyed, I jogged down the last set of stairs and to the back of the house, following the petals the whole way. Feeling how close I was getting to Stefan.

Jameson stood at the back exit of the mansion with a stern face. He bent his head as I came closer. He said, “You led an excellent battle. I’d fight beside you any day.”

He stepped to the side so I could exit the mansion, my heart in my chest. Sure, they’d all said or done something to acknowledge our victory, but Jameson had never been so formal. He’d never finished with obviously lowered eyes and posture, showing my dominance.

What is going on?

I met Jonas just outside the mansion. Charles still lingered behind.

“Do you guys know what this is?” I asked.

“Just get going, human. I got shit to do,” Jonas said, putting a hand to my middle-back and gently steering me forward.

The rose petals led to the hidden bungalow where I’d spent the first few months of this new life. Charles and Jonas stopped at the entrance. Charles pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head. “You turned my position from something laughable, to the most coveted position in this place. Thanks, Sasha.”

I couldn’t help the moisture in my eyes.

Jonas pulled me in next, hugging me just as tight. “You’re a pain in the ass, but at least I constantly get to kill stuff.”

I huffed a laugh as a tear overflowed. “Sap.”

Jonas gave me a small push toward the door. “Off you get.”

Quietly, I walked through the concealment spell and through the front door.

I stopped dead.

Flower petals covered every inch of the ground, a swirl of beautiful, fragrant colors. Mouth dropping open, I turned into the bedroom I used to use, but didn’t see Stefan anywhere. I walked back out and peeked into the living room. Stefan sat patiently, gashes healing on his arms, a small smile curving upwards on his perfect face.

“Hi, baby.” His deep voice rumbled out of his muscular chest.

Champagne waited on the table with still more roses.

I sat next to him. My heart pounded. “Hi.”

His beautiful black eyes delved into mine. “We were made for each other, you and I. I loved you before I even met you. I wanted you since I first felt that tug on my heart—since the first time we connected eyes. You are the only one on this earth that can make me happy. That can fulfill me. I thank the gods every day for you.”

He held out his hand. In the palm of his hand, there was a small blue box. He cracked open the lid, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

“Will you marry me and help lead my people?”

Tears dripped down my face. “But… can I? Can we?”

He took my hand and gently slid the ring onto my finger. “Yes. You have earned the trust of my clan and your place by my side. A unanimous agreement by the community means you have full support. We don’t have a formal mating ritual—my marking you was more permanent than anything we do, but I know that humans do it this way. I wanted to honor you in your own customs as I will continue to honor you in mine.”

Another tear fell. He leaned forward and kissed it off my cheek.

“Yes. Of course I will. Yes!” I hugged him, sobbing happily. He kissed me tenderly, wrapping me in his arms.