Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines | Free on Inkitt & Kindle Unlimited
Epilogue

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Viola

The nervousness I feel as Dae introduces us to his descendants is beyond description—I want to be accepted by them so much that it frightens me.

They welcome him with tears of joy. To them, Dae is a legend—not just a living ancestor of old but he’s also their guardian angel, the head of the family whose absence they feared meant his demise. Seeing him surrounded by people who love and revere him is heartwarming, and I got to see him through their eyes.

They are not only relieved to see him return but also astonished by his transformation into a living, breathing being with a wife and daughter. Despite my ongoing struggle with the language, they welcome me warmly, with open arms and genuine smiles. One of the aunties cups my face in her hands, inspecting me closely with a broad smile of approval before announcing to everyone that there’s another witch in the family.

I learn that there are already two witches among them, and with Sophie, Orphea, and myself, talk emerges of starting our own little coven. This prospect excites me, offering me the chance to explore a part of myself that I never knew existed until meeting Dae.

At dinner, when the whole family gathers to eat, Orphea and Elliott stick close, slightly overwhelmed by the attention lavished upon them. Dae reveals what became of Emily after she departed for England with William, and I discover her birth name was Eun-Sook, meaning kindness and purity. Dae is determined to uncover how William managed to seduce her, but no one has any answers. To this day, it remains a mystery why she left her homeland to marry William. Perhaps it was love, after all?

As the days pass, Elliott thrives amidst the warmth and affection of his newfound family. He becomes more talkative, as if making up for lost time. Even in moments of solitude, he chats to himself or sings, embracing his sense of belonging and stability.

“You were right,” Dae says, approaching me from behind as I watch Elliott play in the small courtyard.

“You’ll have to be more specific,” I tease, nudging him playfully. “I’m right about a lot of things.”

Dae’s hearty laugh fills the air, and he turns me around to face him. “About Elliott’s memories. I wanted so badly to erase all the abuse, but you were right to stop me.”

“Unfortunately, our little Elliott learned too early how cruel the world can be, but it’s an important lesson, one I hope he’ll never have to re-learn.”

I rest my head on Dae’s chest, and together, we watch Elliott in serene silence for a moment.

“I think it’s time we started weapons training for the children,” Dae suddenly says.

I look up at Dae, sensing his anticipation.

“Okay,” I concede, nestling my head back onto his chest.

“That was easier than I expected,” he remarks.

I chuckle. “Why wouldn’t I want you to turn them both into strong warriors, just like you, my love? One day, when they are ready, they will leave us and venture out into the world on their own. I want you to prepare them for anything.”

“Anything is a big word,” he says. “But I’ll do my best.”

During our time with Dae’s family, we witness Orphea’s remarkable growth. Initially, I had reservations about her exposure to so many humans, but it proved to be beneficial. She eagerly absorbs knowledge from them, and Dae’s family, with their boundless love, imparts crucial lessons in kindness, empathy, and the significance of family.

However, concerns arise when Orphea begins recounting her dreams. She describes a presence reaching out to her from the darkness, urging her to approach. It triggers memories of my own experiences, leaving me torn between fear and the notion of a potential soulmate calling out to her. Seeing Orphea’s lack of fear, I opt for the latter.

Sophie insists that Orphea delve deeper into magic, even suggesting we explore texts on Daemonology.

“She must embrace the Daemon within her,” Sophie urges. “From her dreams, it seems a more sinister and malevolent Daemon calls out to her, unlike yours. She needs to prepare.”

We spare no effort in replaceing resources to aid Orphea in preparing herself for whatever may come. It’s astonishing how quickly she absorbs information and hone her skills with the blade.

Once our house is completed, an addition to the already large compound where Dae’s family resides, we relocate our family of five to our little corner of paradise.

A decade has passed, and Orphea has blossomed into a mature Dhampir, mastering witchcraft, Daemonology, and several languages. Meanwhile, little Elliott has grown taller than even Dae, defying his former “little” status.

While we prefer to keep to ourselves, our supernatural nature isn’t much of a secret in our small town. Dae never concealed his condition from his family, so rumors constantly circulated about our identities and oddities. Occasionally, we encounter a few unkind words or rumors about evil beings inhabiting the area, particularly since the arrival of the “foreign she-devil.” I pay little mind to these rumors—in fact, I spread my own utterly impossible stories just to see how quickly they circulate back to us.

Our relationship with the locals is generally positive. Often, they seek our help to dispel rumors of evil spirits or supernatural chaos. The four of us, like William before us, venture out as Daemon hunters. With Elliott and Orphea grown, they sometimes go alone, replaceing purpose in their tasks.

During World War II, the urge to intervene in Europe was strong, but Dae understood better than most that mankind would always replace a way to war.

When Sophie’s health begins to deteriorate, she refuses our offer to turn her Vampyre, insisting she would not be able to accept such a path for herself. She eventually passed, too soon for someone her age, from heart complications. Before she passed, she left us a few vials of her blood for emergencies—a profound gesture from an overly proud witch. Now, Sophie’s ashes sit in a beautiful porcelain jar in my room, while I wear a crystal vial of her blood with me wherever I go. Any time I miss or need her, I hold it and think of her, sometimes even talking with her aloud in French.

It saddens me to think of the day she will leave us and go out into the world. She has the body of a grown woman now, but she’s still so ignorant of what’s out there, especially men and the heartbreak they can bring. It’s a comfort to know she’s far stronger than I ever was, and dark times are inevitable. She inherited Dae’s wings and has both my magic and his combined. Anyone who tries to harm her would be a fool. The Daemon within me would not so secretly like to see how she deals with anyone who dares to cross her.

My gaze stays glued to Dae. He looks incredible, with his bare chest gleaming in the sun, holding a blade—it’s only a sparring sword, but it still does something indescribable to my innards. I lie on the ground, watching the way his muscles move under his skin and how his long hair flows behind him as he moves, thinking about all the things I want to do to him. When his eyes suddenly lock with mine, I can’t help but blush and avert my gaze.

All these years, he still drives my stomach into knots with one simple look.

Feeling my desire for him burning through our link, Dae discreetly ends the lesson and has Orphea take Elliott into the house.

I ogle him as he walks over, tossing his sword aside. “Excuse me, madam, I believe you’re in dire need of assistance?”

I can’t even manage to keep a straight face. “Dire assistance? Do I appear to be in distress?”

“Indeed, you look in desperate need of a ravishing,” Dae growls as he playfully lifts me up into his arms.

I can’t help but laugh as his wings spring out of nowhere, and he takes off into the air. It took me a long time to get used to flying, but as I wrap my arms around my Dae there’s no other place in the world I’d rather be.

We make love some distance from the house to save the children from hearing anything. Dae says I can get a little loud when he bites into me, but I honestly think he just likes it out here in the wild where we can unleash ourselves a little.

He was right—I was in need of ravishing, and my Dae delivered. In no time at all, my Dae had me seeing galaxies. Time and space simply did not exist, and everything was right in the world.

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Orphea's story, Dhampir, Book II of Bloodlines, is now available on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited & paperback format. An illustrated hardcover version will be out in April 2024.

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