I don’t know, snickerdoodles.”
Sabrina scooted closer to her. “Cool. We can do it tomorrow.”
Kevin’s lips turned down. “Tomorrow?”
They continued bickering about the cookies and when to bake them, and I just rolled my eyes at them, used to this kind of scene by now. Devon slipped his hand in mine and tugged me closer. He took a step back and I went with him.
We stopped right in the middle of the living room.
I glanced up at him, a little suspicious. “What is it?”
“I know you said you feel like something is missing.” He let go of my hand. “I might be able to help. Wait here.” He held up a finger, then turned around and disappeared out of the house again, through the sliding doors to the back porch.
What the hell was he doing?
He came back a second later, a large panel in his hands. “I was going to wrap it nicely and give it to you, to all of you, on Christmas.“ He handed the panel to me. “But I can see you might want it now.”
Curious, I grabbed the panel from him, surprised by its weight, and turned it around. It wasn’t a panel at all. It was a picture frame. A beautiful, intricate brushed bronze frame around an even more beautiful picture. It was all of us—Carol, Sabrina, Kevin, Cecilia, Devon, and I posing in front of our new house, on the day we moved in. The realtor had insisted on taking the picture. She had sent it to me via email, and I had saved it with every intention of printing it, placing it in a picture frame, and putting it somewhere in the house, but in all the busy days of the move and every day since—because let’s be frank, with Sabrina and Kevin, and sometimes even Carol, our days were always super busy—I forgot. I forgot about the picture. I glanced around. We had no pictures of us in the house. None. Zero.
That was what was missing.
Holding the large frame with both my hands, I walked to the fireplace. I lifted the frame high and placed on the mantel, behind the snowman and the nutcracker, which I promptly pushed to the sides, so as not to cover the picture.
Then, I stepped back until I stood beside Devon, and admired it.
The six of us, all smiling in front of our home. Our little, happy family.
It was perfect.
Tears blurred my vision. “This is beautiful.”
Devon leaned into me and pressed his lips to my forehead. “I knew you would like it.”
“I love it.” I turned to him, snaking my hands over his shoulders and pulling him closer. “I love you.”
One corner of his lips curled up. “I love you more,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on mine. I rose on tiptoes and he met me halfway, his mouth pressing against mine.
The kiss was slow, sweet, and soft. A reminder of an eternal love that had endured too much, and yet stood strong.
We all stood strong.
I broke the kiss and just hugged Devon, my cheek resting on his chest. He held me tight, as he always did. In his arms. It was exactly where I belonged.
I glanced from the tree to the picture on the fireplace, to my friends and family, and to the man I loved. My heart never felt so full, and I intended to make sure this feeling never went away.
Now, everything was perfect.
Thank you
Thank you for reading Daughter of Darkness!
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Did you like this book? You can check out other books of mine:
The Demon Kiss (Rite World: Blackthorn Hunters Academy book 1): a fast-paced story about a young woman who finds out she’s a demon hunter, and the half-demon intent on protecting her against all evil.
The Vampire Heir (Rite World 1: Rite of the Vampire): a dark and mysterious paranormal romance about a vampire and a young woman with a secret.
The Warlock Lord (Rite World 4: Rite of the Warlock): a thrilling and kick-ass paranormal romance about a werewolf and warlock.
Heart Seeker (The Fire Heart Chronicles book 1): an urban fantasy series about a young woman who finds herself at the center of a mysterious supernatural world.
Destiny Gift (The Everlast Series book 1): a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series about a young woman with a special power that can save the world.
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About the Author
While USA Today Bestselling Author Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life as a wife, a mother, and an author. She resides in North Carolina and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
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Into the Darkest Fire
Tested
Rite World: Blackthorn Hunters Academy
The Demon Kiss (Book 1)
The Hunter Secret (Book 2)
The Soul Bond (Book 3)
The Shadow Trials (Book 4)
The Infernal Curse (Book 5)
Rite World
The Vampire Heir (Book 1)
The Witch Queen (Book 2)
The Immortal Vow (Book 3)
The Warlock Lord (Book 4)
The Wolf Consort (Book 5)
The Crystal Rose (Book 6)
The Wolf Forsaken (Book 7)
The Fae Bound (Book 8)
The Blood Pact (Book 9)
The Fire Heart Chronicles
Heart Seeker (Book 1)
Flame Caster (Book 2)
Sorrow Bringer (Book 3)
Earth Shaker (Novella)
Soul Wanderer (Book 4)
Fate Summoner (Book 5)
War Maiden (Book 6)
The Everlast Series
Destiny Gift (Book 1)
Soul Oath (Book 2)
Cup of Life (Book 3)
Everlasting Circle (Book 4)
Willow Harbor Series
Hunter’s Revenge (Book 3)
Siren’s Song (Book 5)
Breaking Series
Breaking Free (Book 1)
Breaking Away (Book 2)
Breaking Through (Book 3)
Breaking Down (Book 4)
Standalones
Daughter of Darkness