"A tribunal will be formed and each one will stand trial," The Kev said. "Gemma will preside."
She was going to be thrilled. Not. All I wanted to do was go home with Ethan and my baby. I never wanted to lay eyes or feet in Xanthia again—too many horrific memories. I was happy I'd listened to my conscience and didn't kill The Reggie. He might be put to death after his trial, but that would not be on my head.
"I want to go home," I said.
"In the morning," The Kev said. "You, Ethan, Samuel, Martha and Jane will go back to the safe house. I will stay here with the Mini Elves and imprison these Fairies until they face their judgment day."
Martha and Jane came out from the backstage area and handed me a sleeping Samuel. Ethan's body surrounded me with his warmth and made my world come back into focus. My baby's weight in my arms grounded me and I closed my eyes and let my head fall back onto my mate's chest. There would always be more to learn and unfortunately I had an eternity of lessons in front of me. Samuel would need to go to therapy for many of my sins, but tonight by the grace of God and whomever else I did not sin.
"Hooters McHoulihan, let's get the fuck out of here. This G-string is so far up my ass, it's making my brain hurt," Jane grumbled.
I winked at the nutty old loon and laughed. "Your wish is my command."
Chapter 22
Once upon a time there was a child. He had a mommy and a daddy that loved him and would protect him till the end of time. The mommy and the daddy loved each other too. This was a very lucky child. He was full of mischief and untold power. His life would be filled with many adventures—some tragic and some glorious. However, he would always know that blood was thicker than water…the most important thing is life would always be his beloved family.
"Oh my Hell, they're finally asleep." I flopped down on the couch and let my body relax.
"Please tell me you mean all of them," Ethan begged.
We were back at the charming safe house—operative word being safe. Thankfully, it was far bigger than I had realized. The upstairs was spacious and had several bedrooms. I had no plans of sleeping up there. Martha and Jane's wheezing and snuffling would keep me up all night in which turn might make me inclined to behead them. That would be a bad move.
"Yep, they're all asleep. Snoring like babies."
"Samuel snores now?" he asked, surprised.
"No, but Martha and Jane sure as Hell do." I winced as I thought of them sleeping under our son's crib, but they'd insisted. After a massive pillow fight and a re-enactment of their performance for Sammy, they passed out. Shockingly the snoring didn't bother my baby. He fell promptly to sleep with a smile on his face as the foghorns blew out their calls from below. Amazing.
"Come sit with me," Ethan said. "I've missed you." His silky voice made me tingle all over.
"I've missed you too," I told him as I curled up on his lap and laid my head on his strong shoulder.
"I'm proud of you. You humble me," he whispered as he played with my hair.
I hid my face in his neck and closed my eyes. "I almost killed an innocent man tonight."
"But you didn't."
"But I could have," I insisted. I wasn't as good as he thought I was.
"But," he repeated, "you didn't. You wouldn't have killed him even if The Kev hadn't shown up—even if you didn't know the full story. You wouldn't have killed him."
I so wanted to believe him. "How do you know?"
"Because I'm your mate. You're mine and I'm yours. I can feel you in ways that are impossible to explain. You're inside me."
"Well, I sure hope you're right because I was fairly certain I was going to rip the fucker’s head off with my bare hands earlier."
Ethan's chuckle made me feel better. Was he correct? Would I have spared The Reggie's life, even if The Kev hadn't shown up? I'd be ecstatic to believe that was true, but…
"I have a question for you, my love," Ethan said as he pulled me closer.
"Does it have to do with Fairies or Mini Elves?" I asked as I ran my hands lightly over his chest. Hell, I hadn't even told him about being miniature…that would have to wait until another day.
"No. No Fairies. No Mini Elves."
"Then ask away." I grinned as I traced his lips with my finger. God, his mouth was beautiful.
"Do you miss being human?" He put his hand under my chin and raised my face so our eyes met.
Of all the questions that existed in the world, I never expected that one. I was certain he was going to ask me if I wanted to be on top or on the bottom or if I was wearing panties…
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I haven't really thought about it much." He stayed quiet and waited. "I suppose there are things I miss about being human like pizza and black raspberry chip ice cream and French fries and Coke in a styrofoam cup with extra ice with a straw and…um, well, you know…food."
The corners of Ethan's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes and demeanor were serious. Was he worried that I was unhappy? Had I somehow led him to believe that he wasn't enough?
"Why do you ask?" I took his face in my hands and pressed my forehead to his.
"When you lost your memory, you made repeated reference to human traditions."
What the Hell was he talking about? Human traditions? My strong, invincible Vampyre seemed insecure for the first time since I'd met him. This simply wouldn't do.