Page 115 of Vampire's Choice

His daughter was looking up at him and shaking her head. “Only Mum.”

Mal brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “When it comes to your mother, I think the universe is like me. It just stands back, shakes its head and smiles.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

After Merc demolished four of the Scotch pies, and Ruth enjoyed a few bites herself, he asked her to take him to her favorite places on the sanctuary. He already knew about her tree in the savanna area, so she started with the mountain habitat. She and Adan had played in the creeks, scaled the trees. Run with the different cougars who’d inhabited it over the years.

She showed him the preserve’s most impressive view, which was located there. For the magic user or person with the proper permissions, the rock ledge offered even more; a panoramic view of the whole island, all the magical fault lines that connected the different habitats, and provided portal access to similar terrains in other countries. When she looked at that view, she felt even more connected to the island, knowing she belonged here. The magic told her she did.

“Is this where you come when you need to feel better or more balanced?”

It was an unexpected question, but he didn’t usually ask the expected things. “I love it, but no.”

“Take me there.”

It was back near the lions’ habitat, on a grassy slope that melted into a rolling plain. That plain met the blue line of the African portal, a mirror of what lay behind it, more grassy slopes, and beyond that, the sea. When it was opened to release a rehabilitated cat, she could smell the salt air, a different scent from the ocean surrounding their island.

The first time her father had found her here, she’d explained why she liked the spot, in mostly the same words she gave Merc now.

“What I felt here, it was a mix of my mother and someone else, a love so strong…it was comforting, a cocoon. When things were worrying me, I’d come here and know, no matter how bad things could get, it would be all right, because something was stronger than all of it. A place that says hold on and have faith.”

An indecipherable emotion had gripped Mal’s features. He’d assured her it was a safe place, and she wasn’t in trouble, but he’d waited until she was older to explain his expression.

“Did you continue to feel it as you got older?” Merc asked.

“It became more of an echo. Still comforting, but like a familiar childhood marker. Do you have any of those?”

“The first stability I had in my life was Marcellus.” He said it in such a matter-of-fact way, she wondered if Merc understood its significance.

“Have you told him that?”

“I expect he knows.”

“I’m sure he knows, but he might like hearing it. I think he cares and worries for you. Like my parents do for me.”

Merc seemed surprised by the comparison. A little discomfited. “Our relationship is different.”

Maybe less so than he was willing to admit, but she left it alone. Merc was like her father; neither easily explored or expressed deeper emotions. She was still reeling a little bit from how open Mal had been with her out by the field. Even as she knew she’d never forget what he’d said to her.

Proud of you…beyond the shadow of a doubt.

He said what he meant, which meant she’d earned it. She would keep earning it.

“I understand why you see yourself spending most of your life here,” Merc said. They sat side by side on the slope, his arm braced behind her back, his wing curved over that. He was warm against her side, and she had her hand resting on his thigh, drawing figure eights on denim. “Even as I can see you want to see more of the world first. Travel.”

“What about you? If you decide to serve the angels, I’m guessing your world will become much wider. Do you like being with the Circus?”

“I do. Particularly these past few days. My relationships with the others are changing shape. Thanks in large part I think to you. Or them seeing me with you.” A frown crossed his face. “But…what if they all want to be friendly? Desire company and endless conversation?”

His obvious horror had her grinning. “Trust me, the ogre vibes are still there.” She lifted a brow. “They were set a little high when you first met my parents.”

“I was unsettled,” he told her with dignity. “I haven’t ever been introduced to someone’s family. Not like that.”

He stretched out his wings, letting the wind move through the primaries as he tipped his head back to look into the night sky. When he yawned, it reminded her of someone stretching out their arms at the dinner table after a full meal.

“Mum is a serious feeder. Do you need a nap?”

“No. I can sleep, but don’t need to do so. However, if I ate at your mother’s table too often, that might change.”