AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve got to go,” I tell her. “I’m glad you’re okay. I love you.”
“I love you,” Mom says.
Damek, who is standing just behind me, holds my hand as I turn away from my mom. Together, we walk behind my dad into the conference room.
When we walk inside, I freeze in the doorway as I make eye contact with Lucas Nodin. He glares at me when he sees that Damek and I are holding hands. Damek steps between us as he tugs me along with him. I decide not to look Lucas’s way again—he isn’t worth any of my attention.
The trial begins with Lucien talking about his time with the Nodin Clan. When it’s time to give my testimony, I look at the council members, doing my best to ignore Lucas even though I can feel his eyes on me. Kaine gives the testimony for my mother. Since she’s not a vampire, she’s not allowed at the trial. But she wouldn’t want to be here anyway, not since she just got back from being kidnapped. Mom hates stuff like this anyway.
Once we finish, the council calls for a recess to discuss a proper punishment. I expect the recess to take a long time, but they’re back within ten minutes.
I gasp when the punishment is announced.
The Nodin leaders are to be stripped of their titles. They will be sent to Supernatural Island. The rest of the Nodin Clan will be questioned—those who are innocent will be free to join the Scott or Rune clans, and anybody guilty will be charged according to the severity of their crime.
I sag in relief knowing that the Nodin Clan will never be able to hurt me or my family again. They’ll never be able to hurt anybody. It’s more than I could’ve ever hoped for.
23
WEDDING
Mom cries when she sees me. I do my best to blink back my tears.
“There has never been a more beautiful bride.” Mom chokes the words out. “Madeline, I am so proud of you.”
Today, I am fulfilling the alliance and marrying Prince Damek.
I also happen to love him very much.
I never expectedthis. When I first came here, I never imagined that I would find love. And when I heard of the alliance, I didn’t even dream that happiness would be possible.
But then I met Damek and everything changed.
The door creeks as it opens behind me. I swivel around to face my dad. He stands in the doorway, staring at me.
“Madeline, wow.” He steps forward. “You are so beautiful.”
I step closer to him and hug him.
My dress is red—a traditional color for a vampire bride. Succubi and incubi don’t have traditional dress colors, but I’m happy to follow this vampire tradition.
Our ceremony is a mix of both succubus and vampire traditions. Damek insisted that I should celebrate both sides of me and he’s right.
When I first moved to my dad’s estate, I didn’t like either side of me. I hated being half vampire on principle. I thought they had rejected me. And I hated my succubus side because I was always an outsider. Coming here has taught me that it’s okay to be both. I love both sides of me.
The door opens again and I look over to see Eden walk in. She smiles at me and my heart warms.
“You’re beautiful,” Eden says.
Maybe I should feel strange being in a room with Dad, Eden, and Mom, but I don’t.
Mom will be going back home after the wedding, but I enjoyed her time here. It was nice to feel like my family was whole. And I will never forget Eden’s sacrifice in allowing my mother to stay here. She had every right to hate my mom, but she accepted her forme.
I hug Eden and she squeezes me back.
“Are you excited?” Mom asks.
I take a shaky breath. “Excited and nervous.”
