Chapter 69

Chapter 69
Vivienne scanned the room before she entered quietly with a warm cup of rosemary tea in her hands. She sat beside Emilia without a word.

Emilia looked up from the letter she was holding and smiled. "It’s from Elise. She finally wrote back."

Vivienne sipped her tea, tilting her head. "And? What does our mysterious twin have to say?"

"She’s happy," Emilia said, her voice soft, touched with disbelief. "She’s living with Nyra now. They’ve found a quiet settlement near the Southern Marshes. She says the people there have welcomed them and... she’s in love."

Vivienne chuckled, a rare sound that made her eyes glow. "I knew those two were circling each other like bees around honey. The way they followed each other everywhere... it was only a matter of time."

Emilia smiled, folding the letter and holding it to her chest. "She says they’re thinking of settling down. Maybe even starting a family. She finally feels safe."

Vivienne leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "You know, I wasn’t entirely on board with you finding her. I worried it would tear you apart more than bring you peace. But I was wrong. You both needed each other more than any of us realized."

There was a long pause, filled with the quiet creak of the firewood in the hearth.

"I’m grateful to Kith for that, you know," Vivienne added. "He may be strange, but he knew what he was doing when he pointed you toward her."

Emilia’s gaze drifted toward the high window where clouds moved slowly. "Do you know anything about him? Kith, I mean. He’s always... just there."

Vivienne frowned in thought. "Not much. He’s a historian, or so he says. Travels frequently. I also know that he was a close friend of Luca’s father when he was alive . Kith helped the Valois to archive old blood records and magical treaties after the war. He’s been around for a long time."

"He’s been kind to me," Emilia said slowly. "Too kind. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is really that selfless."

Vivienne raised a brow. "That’s his nature. He’s helped this family through countless trials. Whatever doubts you have, I can promise you this, he’s as loyal as they come."

Emilia nodded, though her fingers still played at the edge of Elise’s letter. Her mind lingered on the odd weight behind Kith’s smiles lately, the way he watched her son with unreadable eyes.

The door creaked open and Luca strode in, dressed in black with his sleeves rolled up. His presence was like a warm gust of wind. His eyes found Emilia instantly, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"You look beautiful even when you’re brooding," he said.

Emilia laughed under her breath. "I’m not brooding. Just... thinking."

He sat beside her, giving Vivienne a polite nod. "I wanted to talk to you both about the naming ceremony."

"Oh?" Vivienne asked, crossing her legs and sitting up straighter.

"I want it to be a proper celebration," Luca said. "Not just for our sons but for everyone. We’ve all survived something dark. It’s time to mark a new beginning."

"You want a feast," Emilia said, amused.

"A grand one," Luca replied with a grin. "Music. Laughter. Light. Fireworks. Our children deserve to be welcomed into a world of joy."

"I’ll speak to Calista about it," Emilia said. "She might have ideas too."

Luca nodded and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I think she’ll be open to it. Cyrus has been working on restoring the East Garden. He says it should be in bloom just in time."

Vivienne’s face softened. "I can help with the arrangements. Calista would love to craft the blessing garlands. She’s been stitching again. Kith could also help us to use the moonstones from the archives for their naming bracelets."

The room fell into a gentle hum of ideas and memories. The three of them spoke of colors and songs, of names and ancient blessings passed down from clan to clan. But even as they planned, Emilia’s thoughts drifted. She remembered how Kith had cradled her son last evening, how he’d whispered something ancient in a language only the old bloods knew as a sort of blessing for the child. She remembered the odd glint in his eyes when he asked to see the birthmarks.

Vivienne had called him loyal. Luca trusted him like family. But Emilia had learned through her marriage into this powerful vampire family, that sometimes, trust was the finest veil for ambition.

Later that night, as the estate quieted and the lanterns dimmed in the hallways, Emilia stepped out onto the balcony with her son sleeping against her chest. The stars looked brighter than they had in days. She pressed a kiss to his temple.

"You’ll grow up safe," she whispered. "I promise."

Below, in the eastern courtyard, a shadow moved. She recognized him immediately. Kith stood by the fountain alone.

Emilia watched closely.

His hands were folded behind his back. Then, slowly, he turned toward the balcony. His eyes locked with hers in the dark. He smiled warmly.

This time, Emilia could not sense an iota of warmth in that familiar smile.