I don’t understand, Ava, is why you didn’t put an end to the Knights long ago.”
She shrugged one shoulder. And then, between one breath and the next, she changed from a seventy-year-old woman into the beautiful, golden-haired girl he remembered. “I refrained from disbanding them because of a promise I made to John.”
“So, you let the Knights slaughter my people because of some promise made to a man who passed away decades ago?”
Eyes narrowed, Ava glared at him. “The Knights existed long before I was born. Who was I to judge them? When I was young, witches and vampires of whatever stripe were mortal enemies. At the time, I thought I was doing humanity a favor by ridding the world of your kind.”
Quill grunted softly. “My people were never a threat to yours, whereas the Knights were.”
“I know that now, but it wasn’t until much later that I learned all vampires were not the same.” She regarded him a moment, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “When I married John, I had to choose sides, and I chose his. When he passed away, I remained with the Brotherhood because it made me feel closer to him. I know now it was the wrong decision, but we can’t undo the past. You, of all people, should know that.”
Quill nodded. He had made more than a few mistakes in his long existence. Some he would regret as long as he lived. “Just one more thing,” he said. “Why were you so nasty to me when you were Ebony?” He lifted a hand to the cheek she had scratched. “You knew Callie and I were fated to be together, but you were always hissing at me, or glaring at me.”
Ava laughed. “You said it yourself. Vampires and cats don’t mix. I needed you to hate me because I was afraid if I let you get too close, you’d know it was me. Even then, it didn’t take you long to suspect the truth.” She stretched her back and shoulders, then winked at him. “And maybe I was just a little a bit jealous.” She grinned at his incredulous expression. “It’s late,” she said, “and your bride is waiting for you. Be good to her, Quill.”
He lifted one brow at the thinly veiled threat in her words. “Thanks for your help tonight, Ava. I trust we won’t see too much of you in the future.”
“Touché. Good night, Quill.”
He watched her glide toward the front door, slim hips swaying provocatively, and wondered how he had ever thought Callie was anything like her grandmother.
* * *
His bride was sitting up in bed, the covers on his side thrown back in silent invitation. He whistled softly when he saw her. She wore a black negligee that was little more than a whisper of translucent silk and lace. Her hair fell over her shoulders in long, golden waves. She had spritzed herself with perfume, but it was the enticing scent of the woman that teased his nostrils, arousing his thirst and his desire.
A million butterflies danced in Callie’s stomach as she watched Quill remove his jacket, his shirt and tie, his belt. He sat on the bed to remove his shoes and socks, stood again to remove his trousers.
“Like what you see?” he asked.
She nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. They had made love once before, but she had never seen him like this, clad in nothing but a pair of black briefs, his gray eyes smoky, his desire for her blatantly evident.
He moved toward the bed, his movements as lithe as a panther stalking its prey. Callie licked her lips as he reached for her, his mouth hot as he rained kisses over the curve of her throat, her bare shoulders, her breasts. He stretched out on his side, drawing her body flush with his, kissing and caressing her all the while.
She whispered a word, and her nightgown and his briefs disappeared.
Quill chuckled deep in his throat. “Like I told my dad,” he said, rising over her. “It’s good to have a witch in the family.”
Epilogue
Two years later
“Push, Callie.”
Callie glared at her husband. “Easy . . . for you . . . to say,” she panted. “You haven’t . . . been in labor . . . for the last . . . five hours.”
“Believe me, love, I’d trade places with you if I could. Wait a minute!” he said, rearing back when he saw the speculative gleam in her eyes. “I didn’t mean it.”
Grimacing, she said, “If I could