Born into the lap of luxury and a time of turmoil, Duchesse Eleonore Vigneron experiences her coming of age in the Court of Louis XVI . Embroiled in the chaos that surrounds Versailles, Eleni uses her unique blend of wit, charm, and beauty to ensure...
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"And then there are the rare ones who know love, who understand it. There are those who freely give of themselves, demanding only a return of that love, that trust."--- Kim Harrison, EveryWhich Way But Dead
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November 25th, 2015 Aubrey Parish, Louisiana
Inside the little beachfront cottage belonging to the elegant vampire, Zia finds a bit of peace and contentment. She loves the water and the shade of the large tree that is perfect for picnics and long talks, things she's made sure to do with both Brian and Colton. She enjoys the feeling of the days growing longer, and the way they eventually blend into one another as if they are a portrait of a long memory.
Zia knows that it must seem like she is saying goodbye and finding a kind of peace with the world. It is hard on those around her, but it is the final part of her journey.
Acceptance.
She can't explain the change is due to a sense of excitement, a type of hope she hasn't experienced since learning her life came with an expiration date. She of course understands that every life comes with an expiration date. The blessing that keeps everything and everyone moving normally is that the date is always a secret. If it were any other way, the world would be in a state of perpetual panic and grief.
It is the not knowing that keeps everyone sane. The few who do know the secret carry the burden in silence for the sake of everyone else.
Eleni brings peace to the dying woman because she is a reminder of hope. Zia has never been the sort of woman to believe in Heaven or Hell. No matter what Brian preaches, she is doubtful of any angels or demons swooping down to retrieve her soul. In her mind, Death is an end to life, nothing more and nothing less. Zia isn't sure if it is out of love or reason, but she doesn't fear Eleni in the way many would if they knew exactly the sort of creature she is.
The last strains of daylight are visible through the window of Eleni's bedroom. When Zia looks out to admire the pinks and violets of the fading day, her heart fills with a sense of yearning. For a moment, she is once again a child, glancing at the sky and wishing for a life of romance and adventure.
