Accidentally Married to…a Vampire?(Accidentally Yours #2)(69)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

“Yikes! Down boys. Down.” Cimil barked. “Just a little joke. I didn’t touch him!” She put her hand to her mouth. “Much,” she whispered.

The men shook their heads and sat.

“Oh!” Cimil added. “But you’ll like this! I did leave your vampy powers intact so you wouldn’t notice the change. You earned it with all that heroic behavior. You’re very trusted among the gods, you know. But boy, it took you forever to realize your body didn’t want blood. Old habits, I guess.”

“Trust! Trust! You put me through hell! For Christ sake! I’ve been trying to survive on blood for three damned months. No wondering I’m starving! Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?”

Helena tugged on Niccolo’s arm. “Please, Niccolo, just leave it alone. We’ve been through a lot. Let’s settle this later.” She tugged him back toward the bedroom. “Please?”

Niccolo’s expression softened. “You are right, my love. There will be time later for settling scores.”

“Tisk. Tisk, my little man-cake,” Cimil clicked with her tongue. “Is your bad attitude any way to show gratitude for saving your existence, your mate, and planning your wedding?”

“Wedding?” Helena asked.

Cimil nodded. “Everything is ready outside.”

Helena looked down at her clothes and Niccolo’s. She realized the entire crew was dressed in white linen. Cimil hopped up from the table and led them past two French doors onto a large deck overlooking the water.

The sun was nestled just below the horizon, and the water of the lake glowed with turquoise hues. White garlands were intertwined with small white lights which ran the length of the rail down the dock, stretching twenty meters into the water. At the end was a thatched roof structure. It was breathtaking.

“Is this for us?” Helena asked.

Viktor moved forward. “It was my idea. I knew Niccolo wanted a real wedding for you, but never had the chance. I also thought this would be preferable over the Klingon monstrosity Niccolo booked for you in Vegas.”

Sentin snickered.

Helena flung her arms around Viktor’s neck. The only thing that could make it better would be for her mother, Ann, and Jess to be with her. But they were better off being protected from this new world of Helena’s until she could find a safe way to be a part of their lives “Thank you, it’s perfect. You’re the best vampire-daddy, ever.”

Viktor laughed and gave her a tight squeeze. She knew he wasn’t pleased about making her immortal, but hopefully now he realized it was all for the best. As she let go, there was a brief moment when she could feel his guilt, joy, and relief.

“Oh! Was that…you?” She took a step back.

Viktor nodded.

Niccolo slipped his arm between them and pulled her close. “You may have a blood bond with him as well, but I’m not sharing you. With anyone.”

Cimil chimed in, “Ha! Too late. The exclusivity boat set sail minutes ago. Where two lie to sleep, three wake up! Where three sleep, they all wake up wet!” Since no one understood, they didn’t respond.

“Okay, then. Let’s get rolling.” Cimil snapped her fingers and was instantly at the far end of the dock, dressed in a mariachi outfit. A full ensemble of mariachis holding trumpets, violins, and guitars were behind her.

Helena turned to Niccolo and whispered, “Please tell me she’s not marrying us.”

Niccolo shrugged. “I don’t think we have a choice.” He looked back at his men standing behind them with proud cheery faces.

Helena looked into Niccolo’s eyes. “I love you.”

Cimil clapped and they began to play a slow, romantic version of the Mexican Hat Dance.

“They’re playing our song, my love,” Niccolo said. “Are you ready?”

Helena took Niccolo’s arm and the marched down the dock.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Helena sat curled up against Niccolo on a plush velvet cushion in front of the fireplace of their Manhattan penthouse, staring at him with large doey eyes.

Niccolo glanced down at her with a knowing smile. “Helena, you must stop looking at me like that. I’m going to end up with an enormous ego.”

Helena laughed. As if his ego could get any larger.

But she wouldn’t have her arrogant ex-vampire any other way. She reached up and pecked him on the cheek. “Can’t help it. I still don’t believe I’m married to a real live deity. And your new eyes are…wow. Just. Wow.”

Niccolo raised one brow. “I’m a demigod. Not a deity. And other than the fact I now eat normal food and can stay in sunlight all day, I am no different.”

Helena smirked. Maybe he didn’t think so, but the change was like night and day. She didn’t know if it was Reyna’s blood that always made him so grumpy and brooding, but that side of Niccolo was gone. Arrogance, confidence, raw power—those were all traits he still carried, naturally, but his transformation gave him the ability to connect with others in a way he’d never been able.

He now had upwards of twenty-thousand men—vampires, demigods, and…others—under his command. Helena knew the clock was ticking, but she tried not to think about the apocalypse. It was now Viktor’s job to monitor the book of the Oracle of Delphi since Antonio had disappeared without a trace.

Niccolo’s turquoise stare was intense as he sensed Helena’s emotions. He slipped his large hand to her belly and gave her a comforting pat. “All will be well, my little vampire,” he said.

Helena’s gaze moved to the glowing embers of the fire. “I can’t help, but worry. I’m the first vampire to ever have a baby. And with a demigod, no less. Then there’s her human grandmother, two human aunties—Ann and Jess—then there are her three dozen, vampire uncles who kill Obscuros for a living, and—”

“Don’t forget Auntie Cimi! Goddess Delight of the Underworld! And, baby’s other god-parents! Get it? God…parents!”

Helena and Niccolo looked up at Cimil standing next to them decked out in a bright yellow southern bell dress holding a frilly matching parasol.

Niccolo grumbled in Helena’s ear. “Will she ever learn to knock?”

“Well,” Cimil feigned a southern accent. “I never!” Her eyes locked on Helena’s stomach and she froze.

Helena still couldn’t get used to Cimil’s odd quirks. Even though Cimil had shockingly gifted them a baby—where two lie down, three wake up—and permission to let her mother and two closest friends in on their secret world—though, Helena was still waiting for the opportune time to break the news—there was always something about the crazy goddess Helena just couldn’t trust.