Midnight Whispers (The Midnight Duology #1)

Chapter 29

29

A Month Later…

The real estate agent, Bryn, says she was not surprised in the slightest when the cottage sold at record speed. Once we got back from Ireland, Flora moved into the manor with Asher and Finn. I have been trying to pack up the cottage and work on repairs that Bryn recommended before I left. Granted, I have been spending basically every night there and it was a nice surprise when I discovered the freaking library .

On the outside it seems Flora has eased into her life as a vampire very easily, but I’ve known her long enough to see the way she struggles. I don’t press her; she’ll talk when she’s ready to acknowledge it. She is eating primarily animals and hunts with Finn a couple times a week. There have been a couple of times when she has eaten off humans, but she didn’t hurt them. Asher has a rotation of humans that he uses to feed off.

After I put the last box into my trunk , I go back into my now empty cottage. I look in every room and see nothing but the memories I’ve made within its wall and my heart feels full .

In the kitchen I see the late-night conversations with Flora over tea.

The living room is nothing but movie nights and lazy days.

I found a sanctuary I needed in my bedroom and in my reading room.

I close the front door and place the key in the lock box for Bryn and the new owners, placing my hand on the front door and exhaling deeply. This house gave me what I needed to heal and while there’s a heaviness in my chest at the thought of not living here anymore, I know my story just isn’t over yet. I turn to walk down the steps and find Finnian leaning against my car with his arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing his typical dark jeans and black t-shirt.

“Hey you.”

“I came to help, but I see you have finished by yourself.”

“Yeah. I think that it was good for me to do it alone.”

“You okay?”

“Yes.” I push up onto the tips of my toes. He threads his hand through my hair and deepens the kiss, letting out a groan against my mouth. We break away and I rest my head on his chest, looking back at the cottage one last time.

“I’ll drive.” He says, zooming around the car and opening the passenger door. Once I’m in, he closes the door and is in the driver side door in the blink of an eye. “You’re so short.” He says as he adjusts the seat.

“I’m not short, I’m average.” He laughs as he pulls out of the driveway and starts driving up the hill toward the manor. My choice to sell the cottage was easy, but you can grieve even the easiest of choices.

Even after being face to face with the manor regularly, I am still intimidated as we pull up to the gates. Finn inputs the code, and the doors begin to swing open. Asher and Flora are standing outside of the front door of the manor as we drive up the pathway. Flora is waving enthusiastically, while Asher is looking at her practically looking like the heart eyes emoji.

“I’m so glad you’re finally here!” Flora exclaims.

“I was literally just here this morning.”

“Yeah, but you’re finally here. Like for good.” She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes.

“Let her breathe, kitten.”

“Oh shit. Sorry, Lil.” She grimaces.

“You’re fine Flo.” I smile, trying to refrain from rubbing my neck.

I grab one of my boxes from the car and walk up the stairs toward the room I now share with Finnian. The decision to share a room was an easy one. There was no logical reason for me to pick a room across the house from him when one of us would end up coming into the other's room anyways. Not to mention, Finn doesn’t even sleep so why does he need a bed. I put the box down in the corner and look around the room. It’s plain and so simple.

“We really need to paint this room.” I state when I feel Finn come up behind me. I’m getting used to feeling him before I see him, the random gust of wind is usually a dead giveaway.

“Whatever color you want, love.” He kisses the back of my neck and leaves a trail of them on my exposed shoulders. “I do love when you wear spaghetti strap dresses.”

I lean into him. He wraps an arm around the front of me, pulling me closer so that we are practically one. His teeth graze against my neck and send chills down my spine.

“Should we break in the bed?” He whispers against my ear.

“Finn. We’ve broken the bed three times in the past two days. ”

“Right, let’s make it a fourth.”

I turn around and place my arms around his neck. He lifts me up and wraps my legs around him, leaving kisses along my jawline as he carries me across the room. My clothes are off and across the room before he lays me down on the edge of the bed. He gets to his knees and settles between my legs, kissing up to my thigh. I prop myself up on my elbows and look down at him.

“I’d like to please you sometimes too, you know.”

“Oh, my love, you have no idea how much it pleases me to be able to taste your pussy. I can’t imagine anything better.”

“But…”

“No buts,” he cuts me off. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you. So let me spend my life showing you how grateful I am that you’re finally here.”

With one long swipe, his tongue meets my clit. Pleasure surges through me as he slides two fingers into me, groaning when he discovers how ready I already am. His strokes are teasing, slow and agonizing. My fingers find their way into his dark hair, gripping and pulling at it as if they have a mind of their own. Finnian looks up from where he is settled between my legs, his eyes are dark with hunger. Heat flows through me in waves as I cry out his name. My hips rock against the movement of his fingers as my orgasm spreads through me like wildfire. Stars dance around my vision, blurring the world around me as he keeps sucking and licking through my orgasm. I lay there panting, trying to catch my breath as he slowly removes himself from inside of me.

“You taste fantastic.” I open my eyes and watch as he sticks his fingers in his mouth and sucks the remnants of my juices off. “Let’s clean up. Asher and Flora are waiting for us downstairs. ”

“But you…”

“But me nothing, love. We don’t want to keep them waiting. And believe me, there will be a time when I am buried in your pussy for days .”

I swallow hard.

“Days?”

“Oh yes, days.” He purrs on my ear before ushering me into the bathroom.

We quickly clean up and get dressed. On the bed, he lays out a gorgeous satin forest green slip dress and gold jewelry to match. I let down my natural waves and put on a little bit of eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. He walks out of the bathroom wearing black trousers and a black button up and I melt.

“Are you sure we have to go downstairs?” I ask, biting my lip.

“Yes. They’re waiting for us.”

He threads his fingers through mine, leading me out of the room and down the stairs. Flora and Asher stand at opposite sides of the dining room table, which is lined with candles and my favorite food.

“But you guys don’t eat.” I sob as my eyes fill with tears, one escapes and rolls down my cheek.

“No, but we do drink.” Ash winks as he responds, holding up a glass full of whiskey. Finn pulls out my chair and gestures to me to sit down, then joins Asher in the seats across from Flora and me. My plate is loaded up with grilled cheese, a bowl of tomato soup, and a few other comfort foods that remind me of my dad.

“I definitely won't be able to eat all of this.”

“You don’t have to,” Asher laughs. “We just wanted to do something nice for you.”

“But it’s so wasteful.” I groan.

“Anything that’s not eaten, our staff will take home to their families, or it’ll be donated. It will not go to waste.”

“Staff?”

“It takes some time to get used to.” Flora leans over and whispers in my direction.

“Not many. We recently hired a chef, and we have a couple maids, grounds keepers, and a driver.”

“You hired a chef for me?”

“Only until you’ve been turned, of course.” Asher responds and takes a drink from his whiskey.

Finn was throwing daggers with his eyes in Asher’s direction.

“Why are you still reluctant for me to be turned?”

“I don’t want you to feel pressured, love. That’s all. Now eat, before your grilled cheese gets soggy.”

I felt a little weird eating in front of three people who no longer have need for carbs, but the grilled cheese looks so delicious that I can’t help myself. The combination of cheeses and the buttery crust of the bread is unmatched. I stifle a moan as I bite into it. Everyone around me continues conversation as I pick at my food.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Asher holds up his glass. “Flora, Lillia, welcome to the coven. I’m looking forward to our journey as a family.”

Something about his use of the word family causes my chest to tighten. I look around the room at Asher, Finn, and Flora as they laugh and talk, and my heart feels full.

After dinner, Asher and Flora go into the living room to get it ready for movie night, while I go upstairs to change into pajamas. Once I’m in our room, Finn comes up behind me and pulls out a glass of champagne.

“I thought we were done celebrating.”

“There will never be a moment I don’t celebrate having you in my life. Since Asher gave a toast, it’s my turn.” He holds up his flute and smiles, clearing his throat before he continues. “Lillia, my love. You are my home and wherever you go, I’ll go. You have shown me that even the darkest of monsters are worthy of love. So, here’s to the start of our forever.” He takes a sip and kisses me on my forehead.

I hold up my glass toward him. “To the start of our forever.”