Preston packed up his figurine collection as Dacia watched him from the coffee table she perched on. “I didn’t mean you had to pack this moment,” she told him with a smirk.
“No, but we had to come by here, and really there isn’t much to throw in a few boxes.” He frowned, then sighed. “Might have to call someone with a truck to help me move them, but at least everything will be ready.”
She laughed out loud. “Yeah, we really don’t have room for much in either of our cars.”
Liz and Robert appeared between them.
Dacia jumped, then smiled. “Thanks for coming.”
Liz grinned. “It’s no problem.” She strode to the kitchen and opened the drawer. After mouthing a few words, she reached in only to pull out a handful of dust. “Um, doesn’t look like anything is left.”
Dacia breathed a sigh of relief. “Means he’s dead and gone for good. His soul was exiled to the abyss where he can’t be brought back by anything.”
Robert frowned. “What do you mean?”
Preston sighed. “Old fae legend. Some people who die can be brought back, but not if they are in the abyss. Contracts and deeds are destroyed when their soul is sent there.”
“That’s grim.”
Preston gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry I made you come out. Figured it was better to be sure.”
“Anytime, Preston, anytime. I’ll always be there for you.”
“Same to you.” He turned to Liz. “And thank you.”
She nodded. “Don’t worry about it. I hear you are having dinner with your father. We’ll let you be.”
* * * *
Preston pulled the tray of lasagna out and turned to her with a smile. “You are an extraordinary woman, and you’re all mine.”
A blush colored her cheeks as she moved to him. “Stop with the praise. I did what you would have done. Nothing more.”
“I love you.”
She pressed her lips to his, leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss.
The doorbell rang and they both jumped. “I could get lost in you,” he told her before going to answer the door.
Isa and Toryn stood there with a bottle of wine. Toryn pointed to his mouth with a knowing grin. “Did we interrupt something?”
Laughing, Preston wiped the lipstick off with the back of his hand. “It’s okay. I have forever to enjoy Dacia. Come in.”
He led the way back to the kitchen. “I invited my mother.” Preston shrugged. “She thought it would be weird, so she’s not coming.”
Toryn nodded. “Understandable. Other than the time we travelled together, I’ve never been around her, before or after. She’s had you to herself all this time.”
“She’s sorry about that.”
“Ah, but dwelling in the past doesn’t get you anywhere. So let’s move forward. One day, it won’t be weird with all of us in the room together.”
Preston paused. Then he shook his head and decided he wouldn’t think about it. He was glad he hadn’t received the gift of prophecy.
“Dinner’s ready.” He grabbed the potholders—while he was immune to heat, the furniture wasn’t—and brought the dish to the table. “I hope you like Italian.”
* * * *
Dacia traced a circle around Preston’s heart. “I had fun tonight. It was nice to just talk.”
Preston rolled to his side and caressed her hip then traced the outline of her rose tattoo. “It wasn’t weird having my father here?”
“Nope. Feels like family already.” She frowned.
“Hey, Isa is your cousin. And you’re mine, therefore, you can have a claim on my father.”
She sighed. “I wish mine could have been half as caring as yours, and Toryn didn’t even know about you until a few days ago.”
“If there is any way I could change that for you, I would. All I can do is promise you a better future and deliver it.”
“My future looks pretty bright.”
“I’m glad you finally let me in.”
“Me too, Ember. You burned away all the doubt, and filled me with love.”
He reached out to dry her face. “Please tell me that’s a happy tear, not a sad one.”
She nodded. “Ecstatic.”
“I can handle that.”
“Oh, I told Lincoln he could have us over soon. I hope you don’t mind I agreed when he asked.” She couldn’t avoid the blush. “You and my brother are really the only people who’ve ever invited me anywhere. I may have jumped at the chance to go.”
“I’m happy to go anywhere you want me.”
She took his hand and guided it between her thighs. “Even if it’s inside me?” she purred.
“Oh, definitely there, as long as I can reside in your heart.”
“You are my heart, Preston.”
“And you’re mine.”