Everyone sat in stunned silence for nearly a minute as Thea let the weight of her words sink in. When she continued, it was clear on her face just how painful the memory was to her.
“I think of all of you as my children, and I watch you grow up and start your own families and then eventually pass away. I have high hopes and expectations for all of you, and so it breaks my heart every time one of you falls. But even though it hurt, I had to do what was best for everyone. Bristol had broken one of my cardinal rules, and there was no possible way I could forgive her. And so I had to banish her and the boy, and raise her other son, Brock, myself.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” Blythe said loudly, her face open with shock and disgust. “My grandmother slept with a demon?”
Thea nodded grimly. “Unfortunately, yes, she did. And because of her bad decisions, you have never known her. I’m sorry to say that you never will, either, as she passed away about five years ago.”
Capri’s eyes shot to Blythe, gauging her friend’s reaction to the news. But Blythe merely sat in silence, lost in her own thoughts.
“Most of you were young when all of this happened, but I’m sure you can remember my message to you afterwards. I do not tolerate any interaction with demons, unless you are trained to deal with them. And the reason is because things like this can happen. Bristol was not the first, but I hope she will be the last. Her son, the baby born of a demon father, was named Dante. He is, without a doubt, the most dangerous creature on this Earth, and he will attempt to destroy everything we are simply out of spite.”
Thea’s voice wavered a bit on the last word as she fought to maintain her resolve, but Capri could tell that fear for her home and her family was tearing her apart inside.
“Dante’s powers are exceptional and unique. Not only is he able to produce and manipulate fire the way only a Fire Dryad can, but he can also change from human form into demon form, thus giving him the ability to possess. He is extraordinarily intelligent, but he is also extraordinarily evil, as all demons are. This makes for a lethal combination, and it will require all of our strengths to ensure he is brought to justice. Now, some of you may be wondering why I didn’t destroy him the moment Bristol brought him to me as a baby. And the truth is that I couldn’t, both morally and physically. I cannot kill any of you because you are a part of me, and doing so would be to destroy myself. Despite everything, he is still a Fire Dryad, and consequently it is not within my powers to kill him. Therefore it will be up to one of you to destroy him, once he is caught.”
“I’ll do it.” Both Rian and Blythe said at once, each rising to their feet. They immediately turned and stared at each other, eyebrows raised.
Thea smirked, her eyes softening as she watched the two of them. Both so proud, so tough, so resilient. Both of them would be able to do it, no questions asked. Knowing that fact, and knowing she could count on them, comforted her more than she could say.
“Time will tell which of you will have the honor.” Thea told them as they sat back down, eyeing each other cagily. “Until then, I have contacted a close personal friend of mine, Jackson Murphy, who is a demon bounty hunter. He has agreed to find Dante for us, capture him, and bring him here. At that point we will decide what to do with him.”
“Wait, wait, wait…a demon bounty hunter?” Blythe snorted, her eyes flashing. “Who the hell does this guy think he is? Let me go, I’ll find Dante and kill the bastard myself. Save your money, Thea.”
“As much as I appreciate your…eagerness, Blythe, I cannot risk sending you by yourself. I need you here. Besides, don’t you want to be here when Sebastian and I bring your father home?”
“Of course. But I can do both. I’ll see my dad when you guys bring him home, and then I’ll leave to go hunt down my evil half demon uncle. Everyone wins.”
“Unfortunately I cannot allow you to do that. This is something that requires a professional. Jax is the best at what he does, and I have full faith in his ability to hunt down Dante.” She eyed Blythe meaningfully, her lips curving as the younger woman nodded. “Now, since we are all up to speed on the situation, why don’t we eat?”
♦ ♦ ♦
That night after dinner, the mood in the parlor was lively, to say the least.
Capri found herself immersed in conversation, those around her both curious and sympathetic over what she went through with Balgaire. She was asked dozens of questions, to the point where she began to feel a bit dizzy from spinning around from one person to the next. Her father, normally unswervingly protective of her, was busy being questioned and sympathized over himself in regards to his finding out the truth about his wife’s death and his daughter’s disappearance.
Capri managed to catch a quick glimpse of Rian in the corner speaking privately with Brogan. She saw the two of them grasp each other in a hug, just as Liam and Blythe grabbed her, pulling her away from Rohan and Serendipity.
“Gosh, you’re sure the celebrity again.” Blythe grinned, her eyes intensely golden. “Honey, you gotta stop getting into trouble.”
“I don’t try to, believe me.” Capri laughed, hugging Blythe close. When they broke apart, her eyes were round with wonder. “Would you have really gone out to try and find Dante?”
“Damn right. I’m still gonna try and find a way to get Thea to let me go. I don’t know about this Jackson Murphy guy…a demon bounty hunter, give me a break!”
Liam punched her playfully in the shoulder. “You really think that demon is going to be scared of a little pipsqueak like you?”
“Hey!” Encouraged now, Blythe hooked her right arm over his neck and dragged him down to her level, her grin quick and mischievous. Liam tried to struggle, only to find her hold much stronger than he anticipated. “I can take on a man twice my size no problem. And as for a demon…” She let him go, and Liam winced as he rubbed the back of his neck. Blythe turned to Capri and winked before forming three fireballs in her hands and proceeding to juggle with them. “We’ll just have to fight fire with fire.” With that, she pitched the fireballs one at a time into the fireplace, which erupted in a shower of sparks each time one of the fireballs disappeared into the flames and smoldering embers.
Capri clapped appreciatively, and Blythe bowed deeply.
“I have to say, if this uncle of yours ever does have the displeasure of meeting you, he’s going to get more than he bargained for.” Liam put his arm around Blythe and grinned down at her proudly. “You’ll give him hell, darling.”
“I know.” Blythe kissed his cheek enthusiastically before turning back to Capri. “We all will.”
“Capri?”
She turned around to see Rhiannon behind her, looking pristine as always in a trim and tailored black skirt and jacket.
“Hi, Rhiannon.” Capri smiled sweetly as the other girl approached her. Blythe immediately turned away, dragging Liam along with her and heading over towards the windows where Lucian and Sebastian were deep in conversation.
Rhiannon watched the two of them leave, her eyes on Liam for a brief moment before she focused back on Capri.
“You must be relieved to finally know the truth about what happened with you and your mother.”
“More than relieved, really.”
Rhiannon smiled, but the emotion didn’t quite reach her eyes. She looked for a moment like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t know quite how to say it.
“When they told us you were missing, my first thought was that you had run away. I don’t know why I thought that.” She laughed halfheartedly as she shrugged. “I guess I just felt that if I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t have even been brave enough to come to this strange place at all, much less stay after everything that has happened to you.”
“There is nothing in the entire world and beyond that could make me leave this place, Rhiannon.” Capri reached for the other girl’s hands, holding them tightly in her own. “You have my word on that.”
“Good, because if you left again I don’t know what we would all do.” Her lips curved slowly into a smirk, her sage eyes lit in amusement. “There’s something about you that brings out the best in all of us. I still can’t believe you got Blythe and I to get along without either of us even realizing it. That was fun, while it lasted, anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, after what happened at the party with my father and Blythe…she and I have once again burned the bridge. I don’t blame her, but I have to stand behind my father, despite how poor his judgment can be sometimes. And with Brock coming home soon, I imagine that the tension will get worse before it gets better. My father and Brock get along worse than Blythe and I do, and that’s saying something.”
“I’m sure things won’t be as bad as you think.” Capri reassured her with a smile. “We have always been meant to be together, the four of us. You’re my family, and if I have to be the glue that holds us all together, then so be it.” She threw her arms around Rhiannon, who seemed momentarily caught off guard. However, after a second’s hesitation, she hugged back, relishing in that simple gesture of friendship.
“Capri?” Rhiannon chewed her bottom lip as she pulled away, her eyes focused on something over Capri’s shoulder.
“What is it?” Capri asked, worried she had done something wrong.
Rhiannon’s lips curved then as she sighed. Glancing back at Capri, she stepped back just slightly. “I think your ‘knight in shining armor’ is waiting for you by the door.”
Capri turned, spotting Rian standing just inside the door, watching her intently. She felt the familiar jolt rush through her at the sight of him, and she couldn’t help the bright smile that came over her face. Leaving Rhiannon, she maneuvered through the crowd, making her way towards the door.
When she reached him and took his outstretched hand, he pulled her out into the darkened corridor, lit only by the torches on the stone walls.
She started laughing as they stopped, only to have it cut off as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her fully. Her arms wound around his neck, her body pressing into his. It was nearly desperate, a bit greedy, yet undeniably tender. When he pulled away from her, his forehead resting against hers and his eyes closed, she took a deep, calming breath, hoping to settle her rapidly beating heart.
“Do you remember what you told me yesterday before you fell asleep?” He asked softly, his lips tracing over her eyelids, her forehead, her cheeks.
“Mmm…no, what did I say?” She murmured, her lips curving as he pulled away. When she opened her eyes, she noticed the amusement on his face.
“You must have the worst memory of anyone I’ve ever met.” He chuckled, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek.
“My memory is just fine! I was just really exhausted yesterday.” She pouted a bit, unsure why he was teasing her.
“You not remembering what you said makes me wonder if you even meant it.” His eyebrows rose as he stared at her, a playful smirk curving over his lips.
Puzzled, Capri stepped back slightly from him, crossing her arms defensively. “If you would just tell me what I said, then I’ll let you know if I meant it or not.”
“You said you were in love with me.”
Her mouth fell open as she felt heat flood her cheeks. “Oh, well…”
Embarrassed, she averted her eyes and stared at the floor, silently wishing she had a hole to crawl into and escape.
When he stepped forward and tilted her head up with his fingertips, she cursed herself for being a fool. What had she been thinking? Of course he didn’t love her, he couldn’t…
She braced herself for his words, afraid that what she might hear would quite simply break her heart.
“I’ve never said those words to anyone in my entire life, Capri.” His head shook softly as his eyes searched hers. “And no one has ever said them to me. Until you.”
“I-“
“Shush.” He covered her mouth with his finger to quiet her. “Just listen. I wasn’t sure what to think when you said it yesterday. I was scared, but not because I didn’t like what I heard. I was scared because I understood at that moment that I loved you too.”
“You do?” Her eyes widened in honest surprise.
“Yes, I do.”
He laughed when she all but leapt into his arms, but he held her closely all the same. She was, quite simply, his light. The one thing left shining in the darkness that had come to surround him. God, he had missed her.
“Come on, let’s go for a walk before they come looking for us.”
She pulled away, positively glowing. “Okay.”
Taking her hand into his, he led the way out into the courtyard. Above them, the night sky exploded with stars, and the moon shone brightly, illuminating everything with a soft blue glow.
They walked along the cobblestone path, hand in hand, and Capri felt a happiness rise within her that she never knew was even possible. Her life, which had been virtually meaningless months ago, was now so perfect she wondered what she had ever done to deserve it. She had a true home, a father who cared for her, and now Rian, who against all odds loved her too. It was almost more than she could handle, but she knew she would do everything in her power to keep her miracle now that she had it. Because that’s what all of this was, essentially. It was her miracle.
They sat down on one of the many benches in the courtyard, this one open to the sky above so she could gaze at the stars. She tilted her head back and did just that, her eyes searching the heavens, her heart full.
After a moment, she turned to him, a sudden thought occurring to her. “Are you and Brogan going to look for Dante, too?”
“We will, but not in the way that Jackson will be looking for him. We have to notify our human contacts to keep an eye out for him, and we will try and track him using what resources we have here.” He looked disappointed, but she felt extremely relieved.
“I’m glad you won’t be leaving.” She smiled softly as she watched him.
“Even if I did, it would be the wrong thing to do. Brogan and I have a duty to defend Euphora, and if one or both of us leave, you will be unprotected. I could never allow that.”
Capri nodded, acknowledging that despite how perfect everything seemed at that moment, there was still more to overcome. Dante needed to be found and brought to justice, and even though she wouldn’t have a direct hand in it, it still affected her and those she loved.