Epilogue Part 1

Epilogue Part 1
Lucy (3 Years Later)
Her grandfather threw a punch her way and she ducked before swinging her fist at his face. His head snapped back and in seconds she was leaping on him to dig her teeth into his throat. Lucian let himself drop to the ground, thrashing wildly to dislodge her. She wrapped her limbs around him, squeezing until he lay completely still in her grasp. Power flowed between them, making her body thrum with uncontrollable energy. Her eyes rolled back as she continued to drink from him like Hesha urged. He sagged in her arms, moaning softly as she licked at his punctures before letting him go. She rolled off of him, panting as her body continued to almost vibrate while she stared at the sky. He slowly pushed himself up to lean back against a tree.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Intense.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I did, too, when it happened to me.”
She got up to walk over to him and helped him up. “Come on, old man, I think your girlfriend is waiting for you.”
He grinned as his eyes softened. “Can you move faster?”
She giggled. “You’re so in love,” she teased.
He rolled his eyes. “You’re moving too slow. I’ll meet you there.”
He took off, sprinting through the forest, leaving her in a fit of giggles as she made her way more slowly to the small diner. She smiled at the coven members as she walked through before it was turned upside down when they all sank to their knees as she passed. She slowed even more as curiosity filled her with their actions. She turned to face them, ordered them to rise before leaving the area.
“Weird vampires,” she muttered to herself as she stomped toward the street.
Energy surged behind her and she spun back toward it. Marybell walked out of it with Eric by her side. Her giggles were cut off as her nose went into the air. Her eyes flashed red before she pulled away from Eric to rush over to kneel at her feet. Lucy groaned as she reached down to pull her up.
“Not you, too. Please don’t be weird. I need my best friend, Marybell, not another citizen too scared to even look at me.”
She leaned back to smile at her. “Congratulations, Lucy!”
“For what? I’m the same ol’ Lucy.”
“Mhmm… keep thinking that. Anyway, I was just coming to tell you that Alaina and Joseph’s bond has been repaired and is waiting for your approval.”
Lucy smiled at her. “That’s great. You’ve done so well, Marybell. So they’re back together?”
She nodded. “It took me 2 years to find him but they are now happily together in Golden.”
“Good! Thank you. You may go now,” Lucy told her.
She shifted nervously. “Do you know how long it will take to verify? I really want to go to Faeble and-”
Lucy gripped Marybell’s hands in hers. “I said you can go. If there is a problem, I will come get you.”
Marybell’s eyes widened before she threw herself into her arms. “Thank you, My Queen.”
Lucy awkwardly patted her back. “You’re a queen, too, Bella.”
“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Enjoy Faeble.”
Lucy watched as the couple walked back into the portal and it shut behind them. She shook her head, grinning to herself. Over the last few years, Marybell had diligently worked her way through fixing all of her mistakes while building a true, lasting friendship with Lucy. She merrily skipped the rest of the way to the diner across the street from the forest where the coven was located. Her grandfather smiled up at her as soon as she stepped inside. She hurried over to his table, sliding into the booth across from him.
“Where’s Miranda?”
“Right here, Lucy,” she said as she walked over carrying a glass of blood to set it in front of Lucy before sitting on her grandfather’s lap.
Lucy beamed at them. “You two are so cute,” she teased as her grandfather’s arms went around her waist.
Miranda blushed as she ran her fingers along his arm, making him tremble. He put his chin on her shoulder.
“Lucy, we need to talk about something.”
She tensed and used sipping her glass of blood to buy her time before answering. She set it back down on the table.
“Is this about the coven’s behavior? I don’t know why they are acting that way. I-”
“I’m leaving, sweetheart. I’m taking Miranda around the world.” He turned his face to kiss her neck while Lucy sat stunned. “We’re going to go everywhere we were never able to go before.”
Lucy’s mouth dropped open. “You told her?” He nodded, kissing her neck again. “Wait, what about the coven? You can’t leave them without a leader.”
He turned his head to meet her eyes. “I’m not. I’m not king anymore.”
Panic filled her, making her eyes widen before she shook her head violently. “You are! There is nobody else! You protect them and love them and… and… You’re king!”
He helped Miranda stand up before coming to sink to his knee in front of her with his head bowed. His arm laid over his thigh.
“My Queen,” he murmured.
She jumped to her feet. “No! I’m not ready! You can’t do this!”
He raised his head to look up at her. “You are ready. You know everything you need to know. You have been prepared to handle any issues that may arise. I will still be here to help you as are your parents and aunts. You may be queen now, Lucy, but you are not alone. You can do this. Our people need you. They will look to you and you will watch over them.” He stood up to cup her face. “You are your mother’s daughter. She makes a great queen and so will you.”
She covered his hand. “But what if I fail?” she whispered.
His thumb stroked her face under her eye. “We won’t let you.” He smiled at her. “Look at my little sweet Princess Lucianna, now Lucianna, Queen of Vampires.”
She sniffled before hugging him. “I love you, Grandpa.”
“I love you, too, baby. Now, why don’t you go give the good news to your mates. Even though they already know.”
She pulled away from him to hug Miranda. “Enjoy your time with your mate, Grandma.”
Miranda squeezed her before kissing her cheek.
“My beautiful granddaughter, I couldn’t be prouder of you,” she said in awe, “a queen all her own. Earned and not just given. Lucianna, Queen of Vampires.”