And then ina slightly different scrawl—still hers, but obviously added later:
PS: I have exciting news on the Alek front!
Can’t wait to see you.
“Moira,”I growled, annoyed that she left out the details but absolutely thrilled she might have an answer of how to get him back by the time we got home.
“Which one are you going to open first?”
Kingston was bouncing behind me. You’d think the presents were for him with the way he was acting.
I took the gift off the top and carefully unwrapped it. It was the plainest of the bunch, simple brown packing paper tied shut with twine. I knew immediately it must be from Caleb. As the paper fell open, I let out a soft gasp at what I found inside. It was a handbound leather journal with the Celtic trinity knot burned into its cover.
I set it down gently, already protective of my newest possession.
Next was a package in metallic red, the color of blood and roses.Noah.My heart gave a little lurch. We’d left things in a bad place, and I missed him so much.
Inside was a small black velvet box. I ran my fingers over the fabric before snapping open the lid. My breath caught at the sight of the beautiful necklace nestled into the silk padding. My name in script, but positioned vertically, the metal twisting and curving into the shape of the letters until finally forming a rose at the end.
“Will you help me put this on?” I asked, holding the delicate chain out to Kingston.
“Of course.”
I held up the heavy fall of my hair so he could get it around my neck. When he let the necklace go, the pendant settled around my throat, the rose resting right above my heart. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart aching for my vampire prince. We needed to fix things. I couldn’t go on like this, with pieces of me missing.
Taking a heavy breath, I eyed the last two presents. One was wrapped in an icy blue, the other midnight black. Alek and Moira.
My hands reached for the blue bundle, desperate for anything that would help me feel closer to my Novasgardian. This package was longer and thinner than the others, but also heavier.
I tore into the paper, my heart racing as I thought of what it could be. A hinged wooden box, simple and plain. I could picture my Viking carving this by hand. Fingers trembling, I lifted the lid, a small gasp escaping at the sight of a sheathed dagger nestled in a bed of dried flower petals. Snowdrops. The blade glinted in the light, and the etchedKærastadown the length of the hilt brought tears to my eyes for my lost mate. He’d even included a holster so I could wear it.
I needed him.
Hope fluttered in my heart as soon as my eyes lit on Moira’s gift, though. She’d said she had news. Maybe we could get him back sooner rather than later.
I caressed the blade, leaving it in its box for now, and turned my attention to the final present.
It was the smallest of the boxes, a flat square with a shimmering star on its surface. As soon as I opened the paper, glitter exploded into the room, covering Kingston’s bedspread in silver sparkles.
I cackled.
“Oh, come on.” Kingston protested.
“What, can’t take a little glitter?”
“A little? It looks like my bed is covered in faerie jizz.”
“Do they have glittery jizz?” I laughed.
“I don’t know. I can imagine they do. Fucking pixies leave trails of sparkly dust everywhere they go.”
I shook my head, my cheeks sore from smiling. I turned back to the box, lifting the delicate bracelet with its leather cords and flat metallic disc. There was some sort of sigil pressed into the surface, but I didn’t know what it meant.
“You dropped this,” Kingston said, holding out a small folded piece of paper.
To warn you when someone who means you harm is near.
I slid the bracelet onto my wrist and smiled. “Best. Birthday. Ever.”