Blood & Winter

Chapter 20: Old friends, New Enemies

The sun streamed through the windows, in the afternoon light. We had woken early in the morning, made love, and then fallen back asleep again. I lay in bed with my hand held out in front of me. I could not take my eyes off the ring that was sitting on my finger. I still couldn't believe we were getting married.
After everything I had been through with Zack, I had sworn off men. And yet here I was, lying in bed, next to the most amazing man, well vampire, in the world, and I was going to marry him.

Just as I was about to wake August, I heard a crash from down below.

"August Hartigan! Get your ass down here ... NOW!" I immediately recognized Emily's voice. August woke from his sleep with a start, and nearly fell from the bed.
I laughed at the way he ran around the room, dressing himself, and trying to collect some composure. Within mere seconds there was a thump at the bedroom door. "August, open the door right this instant."

August looked at me with what appeared to actually be fright in his eyes. I couldn't help but laugh at the sudden boyishness I was seeing in him. He tossed me something to put on, and I had barely covered myself, when Alex and the twins came crashing through the door.

Emily stood in the doorway with her arms across her chest. Alex and Ian stood leaning against the wall with enormous grins spread across their faces. It seemed to be, that only Emily was unhappy with the turning of events. I looked at Alex and Ian, and Alex winked at me, while Ian just smiled broadly. Emily glared at them both, and the again at August.

"You two quit your grinning. This isn't funny. It's very..." Suddenly Emily was bounding across the room, and springing up onto the bed next to me.
She grabbed my hand, the one with the ring on it and her mouth dropped open. She seemed to be at a complete loss of words as her eyes darted between all of us. August walked over and sat down on the bed next to us both. Alex and Ian joined us, but remained standing. No one spoke for several minutes.

"Well?" Ian was the one to break the silence. "Are you going to explain or do we have to guess?"

"It's obvious Ian. Don't be dense. But there's something else you're not telling us. Spit it out August." The firmness was back in Emily's voice. Alex was the only one who had not spoke. He still smiled, but something in his eyes made me uneasy.

"Olivia?" Alex's voice was low, and tough. "She was here wasn't she? August?" All eyes turned to August, who was looking off into space.

He was silent for a moment, and kept his eyes on the wall. "Yes, Olivia was here. She has asked me to reclaim the throne."

The silence that hung in the room chilled me to the bone. No one spoke, it seemed as though no one breathed. August finally spoke, his voice was low and haggard. He sounded tired, and somewhat sad.

"You all know my deep devotion for Olivia. And the obligation I feel to Ireland. I ruled for more than a hundred years. But I was alone all that time, and the burden on me was great. Castiel has been causing many problems, and Michel is nowhere to be found. Olivia would not have asked me to help if it was not truly needed, you all know that." I could tell he was still trying to convince himself that this was really the right thing to do.

"But August is this something you really need to do? Is this something you want to bring Cassandra into? You know how I feel about the fact that you turned her. I know you didn't want to lose her, but it is still hard for me to accept." Emily looked at me, her eyes burning into mine. "No offense of course meant Cass, it's just that this is not something I would have wanted for you. I don't know if you fully understand the hardships that are included in taking the throne. Is this something you're really willing to do, just to be with August?"

I felt a wave of anger rush through me. "Are you doubting my love for August, Emily? My loyalty? My trustworthiness?"

"What? No! Or course not!" I could tell she was embarrassed by her doubt in the situation. She shook her head vigorously, taking my hand in her own.
"Cass, you have changed August so much, I don't think you even realize it. I love you for making him happy."