To Seduce a Mortal |18+✔

Book 8⌇Epilogue: Legacy

Epilogue  ∣  Legacy

-Mavis

I was sitting on one of the low hanging tree branches in the backyard of the mansion. My daddy was a few yards away from me, kneeling down in front of my mommy's headstone. The sun was high in the sky, rays shining down and through the leaves of the rustling trees. It was my fifth birthday, but that also meant it had been five years since daddy lost mommy as well and it was always hardest around this time for him.

One of my hands pressed against the tree trunk while the other rested beside me on the branch, holding a pink carnation. I picked at the rough bark beneath my fingertips, my long black hair pulled back into a low ponytail by a red ribbon. My daddy was one of two vampires that I knew of that could walk in the sunshine including my grandma.

The pink sweater I wore was nice in the warm breeze, the wind picking up wisps of my stray hairs on the tops of my shoulders. Everyone says I look like my mommy, my daddy having a hard time looking at me some days.

"Mavis?" My daddy called for me and I scooted down off the tree branch, my shoes hitting the soft patches of grass beneath of them. I walked toward my daddy, coming to stop only when I was beside him, his eyes still lingering on the headstone.

"Yes, daddy?" I asked, noticing the tear that escaped his eye before he quickly brushed it away.

He asked gently, "Is there something you wanted to give your mother?"

Holding the stem of the flower in my hand, I leaned down and placed it in front of the stone, wondering what she must have been like. Every year this was our tradition, the memory of her living on through me.

"I love you, mommy," I whispered quietly while rising to my feet, "I hope you are safe wherever you are."

"She's in a better place," my daddy stands to his feet as well. He turns to his side and glances down, his eyes meeting with mine as I look back up at him. I reached up, my small hand taking hold of his and giving it a tight squeeze. A smile formed on his lips and he squeezed my hand back in reassurance. His gaze lifted from mine and landed on the mansion where he said, "Let's go celebrate your birthday."

My eyes widened and I asked, "Is everyone coming daddy?"

He shook his head and replied, "You'll have to wait and see."

"What did you get me?" I tried to keep up with his large strides as we walked away from mommy's grave. As we headed back to the mansion across the grass, I glanced back over my shoulder, my eyes lingering on mommy's headstone and wondering if she liked the flower I picked out for her this year.

"You really want to ruin your surprise?" My daddy arched a brow and chuckled when I stuck my tongue out at him as my head turned back around.

He held my hand as we came through the doors to the backyard, skipping on the marble floor as I replied, "As long as you didn't get me another frilly dress I'll be happy."

"Hey!" He pulled back on my arm and I swiveled around. I gazed up at him while he had an amused look on his face, "I thought you liked those dresses."

I shook my head and said, "Nuh-uh, they're too girly," just as my grandma and Arlynn walked by I pointed out, "I want those clothes."

My daddy shook his head and sighed, "You're too young baby girl. You don't need to grow up so fast."

I let out a sigh and replied, "Oh fine," I huffed while my daddy let go of my hand and turned me around to the large staircase.

"Go wash up and come down," he nudged me in the direction of the first stair and I glanced back at him. I took one step up the staircase, my hand on the railing when my grandpa and great-grandpa walked into the entryway.