Annie Nicholas: Prima

One of the women came forward. “Master.” She knelt, offering him a sword. He recalled her first name was Mary.

The others fell to their knees behind her.

To see them gathered like this warmed his old heart. Ten was better than none. When he’d left for Chicago a few years ago, he’d left a staff of over fifty to care for their home and financial security. Then those traitors took over, and Daedalus had dispersed his staff to take them out of the line of fire. Unbeknown to him these ten had stayed behind and infiltrated his betrayer’s confidence. Without their quiet help over the last year, he would not have known who to strike.

Those traitorous idiots had scared off the good ones and corrupted the weak. His personal bank accounts would sustain his nest for now, while his company got back on its feet. He pasted on a smile while his heart shattered. He wouldn’t be able to follow Sugar back to Chicago. His people needed him more, and she’d have to choose her own path.

He took the sword. “I can’t express how pleased I am to see you’ve come to my call.” Others of his nest were still too far away to have arrived yet. He assumed as the nights passed they would show up on his doorsteps in scattered groups. He hoped.

“We come for you to judge us.” Mary bowed her head first then the others followed.

He rested the flat of her sword over Mary’s neck and glanced at Sugar.

Her hands were clasped in a white-knuckled grip, her stare following his movements, but she didn’t utter a word.

Rifling through each person’s memories, Daedalus judged them as truly loyal to him. He lifted the sword from Mary’s neck. “Welcome home.”

The group rose, a few with smiles and others with grimmer expressions.

He took his fiancée’s hand. “This is Sugar.” His throat constricted, and he couldn’t speak for the emotion choking his words.

As if sensing his distress, she pressed even closer. “I’ll be your future Prima.” Confidence imbued her presence as she stepped forward. “Daedalus just turned me into a vampire, so you’ll have to give me time to adjust to this new life. I’m not a fighter or businesswoman, but my door is always open to hear your troubles.”

Pressing his hand to his stomach, he took a deep breath. She would stay. He gave the crowd a slow smile and embraced Sugar in a hug. “We all need time to adjust.” He gestured to the opening front door. “Come in. Clementine is here as well and will make room assignments. Tomorrow, we’ll start to rebuild our lives together.

Butterflies rolled in Sugar’s full stomach while she watched the group head toward the mansion and receive a warm welcome from Clementine. Would they accept her as Prima? What the hell did a Prima do?

Daedalus waited next to her in silence.

She turned to face him. “I have so much to learn. I don’t know where to start.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “Isn’t that fantastic?” Caressing her cheek, he moved closer. “And you have so much time to do it.”

“I do, don’t I?” She laughed as the butterflies settled and anxiety’s grip on her chest loosened.

He led her into the house and into the study where he closed the door. Leaning against it, he assessed her. “Are you alright?”

She gripped her cane as if it were her only lifeline. “I—I’m fine.” Taking a few steady steps toward the fireplace, she stared at the broadsword over the mantle and took a deep breath. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” He strode around her, his fingertips brushing her arm and setting her skin ablaze. “Because I’m not setting you free now that you’ve agreed to stay with me.”

She gave a small laugh. “I wouldn’t ask for that. When will you figure out I couldn’t be chased away if you tried?

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Pallas entered the room. “Is this all you have for a nest?”

“No. The others should be on their way.” Daedalus scowled. “Is there an emergency? We were having a private conversation.”

“I came to say my farewells.”

Daedalus crossed his arms over his chest. “What will you do now?”

“Report to the council that you’re back in control of the Prime seat in this region.” He turned to Sugar and bowed. “And that you’ve obtained a worthy Prima, though I don’t think you deserve her.”

A heaviness settled in her chest. Pallas was rough around the edges, but he came from a different time. Would he survive on his own in the modern world? Daedalus wouldn’t admit it, but she knew he’d mourn the loss of his clan brother.

“What about after that?” She glanced at Daedalus and recognized his calculating expression.

“Pallas will return to us.”

“I will?” Pallas’s eyebrows rose.

“Yes, I have a pet project I can't run now that I’m back in control of Pal Robi Inc. I need a warrior equal to my skill. Think you can handle being in charge of something without bringing the Federal Government down on our asses?”

“Depends on what it is.”

“I need an elite guard.” He nodded toward her. “To protect my Prima and other covert operations. I want you to train the warriors I’ve chosen.”

“Here?” Pallas made a face at the surroundings walls. “You’re not equipped.”

“Not here. Once you’re done making your report, we'll sit down and discuss the details. I think a separate installation would be best.”

The other Nosferatu stood silent as his gaze traveled between them. “You’ll take me into your nest?” For a split second, she glimpsed the young man that Pallas had once been. Had he been abandoned?

She crossed the distance between them and grasped his hand. “Yes, you have a home with us always.” Her pledge came out without thought, but it seemed the right thing to do. She remembered what it was like to be alone before she’d met a pack of misfit shifters.

He kissed the back of her hand. “Then you have my allegiance.”

“Good.” Daedalus clapped his hands. “I’ll contact Robert to gather the shifters he’s been working with and prepare them to move here when you return.”

Pallas’s eyes widened. “You never said shifters.”

“Does it matter? You’ll hate anyone I give you.”

He grinned and slapped Daedalus on the arm. “I have to make arrangements to travel.” As he left the room, he stopped at the door and tossed Sugar a wink.

She turned her attention to Daedalus. “Shifters guarding me?”

“Robert’s been asking for more training for the Vasi omegas. I can’t think of a better teacher.”

“Pallas will eat them alive.” She returned to her place in front of the mantel.

“They’ll be better warriors for it.”

Lifting her cane, she set it over the fireplace with his sword. “I think it’s time we both lay our pasts behind us and look forward to a long, happy future together.” It felt right to set her cane there. Not a traditional weapon, but it had helped her in her time of need.

Scooping her into his arms, Daedalus swung her around. “I’ve dreamed of this day. Never thought it would come true.”

For a time she hadn’t believed it either. Looking back, she could see that all her paths led to this moment, but her fear had kept her away. From now on, she’d keep that in mind when faced with terrifying things in her new life. She would collect her courage and tackle all her problems instead of turning her back.

She pressed a kiss to his lips, chaste and tender, savoring him. “I love you.”

His grin melted away all her doubts. “Babe, I love you right back.” The future lay bright before them, and together they’d bring prosperity back to his nest. Linked with a wolf shifter pack, they would flourish.