We head to the kitchen, where he starts laying out glasses.
“I assume you’re here to tell us about that rock on herfinger?”Dad raises a brow.
“Yes.We’ve set a date—the twenty-fifth of next month.”
“Congratulations, son!”He turns to Casey with a mock lookof pity.“Good luck with that one, my dear.”
“Victor!That’s my future husband you’re talking about.”
She slaps his hand playfully, and they both laugh at myexpense.Isn’t he supposed to be on my side?
“Think you’ll be okay with Dad for a few minutes?”I askher.
“Sure.Victor and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
I take a deep, calming breath and climb the stairs toherroom.I haven’t spoken to her since the night Casey collapsed, but I guess Ihave to deal with her sometime.Before I can knock, she tells me to come in.
“Ethan.”
For once, she looks contrite.I doubt she regrets what shedid, just that she got caught.
“Helena.”
She looks up at me with a mirthless chuckle.
“Of all my children, you were the only one who never calledme ‘Mom.’It’s always been ‘Mother’… and now….”
“What do you expect after what you did?”
“I did what I thought was best.”
“For you or for me?”
“For everyone.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”Narrowing my eyes, I give her astern look.She looks away, unable to hold my stare.“You need to abandon thisvendetta you have.She’s not going anywhere.In fact, we’ve set a date for ourwedding.”
Her head snaps back in my direction.
“Wedding?”
“Yes.For appearances sake, you are invited.But be warned;I will push you all day if I have to.Youwill notruin her day.”
“Fine.Marry the human.You can still take Shae as your mate.”
“Stop.Just stop!”She flinches at my clipped tone, droppingher gaze to the floor.“In case you forgot, she’s not a human anymore, thanksto your partner in crime.”
“Ethan… Please….”
“Shh!”
I listen carefully to the sounds coming from downstairs.AmI hearing correctly?Is Casey crying?I leave the room and hurry downstairs tofind my Dad apologizing and trying to console her.
“What the hell happened?”
“I’m sorry, son.I thought she knew.”
“Knew what?”
