January 1867 Charlotte POV The mating ceremony was lovely. It felt like such a sacred moment. When I arrived at the altar with my parents, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the area. Candles and flowers were laid at the base of the altar, adding to the romance of the scene. The moon was almost at its culmination and was shining down on the clearing. Anxiously I stood at the end of the altar, waiting for Cole. I had on nothing but my shift and a crown of flowers resting on my brow. When my father had placed them on my head, he called me his princess. Tears had come to my eyes as I thought about all of the times I missed out on hearing him call me that. Seeing my tears, he reached out and wiped them away and promised that he would always be near when I needed him. It was a beautiful moment between us and its one that I will remember for always. Mom stepped up and reminded me of the vows we would make. Then together, she and Dad explained how I was to cut Cole’s hand for the blood ri

Cole POV The day after we received the letter from MJ, I began my search for the bronze dagger. I wrote to Chang asking if he had any knowledge of such an item. I also told him that I would be happy to attend his wedding ceremony, since Charlotte had convinced me that I should attend. I wanted her to travel with me but she wasn’t keen on the idea. She said that she would know when the time came if she should go or stay here. I knew it would be at least two months before we had an answer from Chang, so Charlotte and I also searched locally. We spoke with her parents and the coven. No one knew of a bronze dagger. The coven agreed to also search and inquire with their contacts for the dagger. They had contacts that most people didn’t know existed. The strain of not having a child had been difficult on Charlotte. As the weeks became months and the months became years with no babies, I watched the spark in her eyes slowly fade. And it broke my heart. I had tried everything I could imagin

Cole POV For the next two months Draco and Conor used every trick in the books to build up my stamina. Every morning, I was given tow hours to take care of the business. After that, I was training my mind and body until evening. Charlotte knew as much about the business as I did, having been by my side at the office since she arrived to California. It made it easier to be gone as much as I was. We all understood what was at stake. Most days, Draco would train me from dawn until about nine in the morning, when he would take his rest. His vampiric nature forced his body into a slumber every day. He explained that being as old as he was, he could now force himself to rise sooner as needed. While the sunlight wouldn’t kill him, it would cause him to be weaker, thus the reason for staying out of the sun. When Draco went to rest, I would go to the office until eleven. Then Charlotte and I would go to her parents for lunch. After lunch, more training. Conor and I would take the buggy to th

Cordelia POV By now, they must know that Cole is here. Well, they won’t know where here is exactly. But surely, they know that he is with me. They won’t find us and I am so close to getting everything I want, if only he would give in. He has resisted my thrall and I don’t really know how he is doing it. However, it’s only a matter of time before I break through and I can make him mine. The timing is perfect. Mating with Cole will mean the possibility of a female heir with both siren and seer abilities. Oh, the possibilities. I looked down at the man sleeping beside me. He had become argumentative last night and I had to physically knock him out. I mean, really, knock him out. My thrall wasn’t working so I had to take a frying man and hit him over the head. He was so beautiful and his face held a peaceful look. I wished that he would look at me like that. I sneered as I realized that he was probably dreaming of Charlotte. Bah! That bitch! She just had to entice him while he was on th

Charlotte POVIt’s been two agonizing weeks since the ship returned and we learned that the bitch had kidnapped Cole. I spoke with the sheriff and he was no help. He said that because it had happened so many weeks ago, the trail would most likely be cold. I knew he was right, but it didn’t change my frustration.I walked the shoreline every day, trying to figure out where she would have kept him. Being a siren, I knew that she would probably be near the water. But the coastline was long and she could truly have him anywhere.As usual, everyone was at my house for supper. We were recounting our search efforts and not making any progress. Silvia was sitting next to me and she put her arm around my shoulder in comfort. It was strange, this woman was old enough to be my grandmother six or seven times removed, but she felt more like a big sister. I tilted my head and leaned against her, my brain exhausted from searching and worrying about Cole.Had the siren been successful? I didn’t think