Xenethia sat on Vicki's couch holding Sonny's ashes, Junior beside her with his hand on her knee while Vicki sat in the recliner with Henry standing behind her, hands massaging her shoulders. X leaned forward and placed the small marble box on the coffee table saying, "He loved with all his heart, I hope he knew how much he was loved in return."

Junior said, "Sonny and I both knew how much you loved us. No parent could have given their children more than you."

Xenethia smiled at him in gratitude and asked, "What's next?"

Junior patted his brother's ashes and said, "Let's take him to Dottie. That's what Sonny wanted and that's where I want to be when my turn comes."

"Crap and damn Junior! That better be a long time from now. I'm tired of losing the ones I love."

Henry looked at Vicki and said, "I've been there too many times myself. This time I'm hanging on to love for all I'm worth."

Vicki winked and said under her breath, "You're not getting away from me anytime soon."

Elemental flickered and two kittens yowled in agreement.

Xenethia stood, " Hell! That's that. Come on Junior, it's time we got out of here and let these two have their place back. I took everything but the cats and Sonny to the car all ready, if you can take Sonny, I'll be right along with the cats."

Junior picked up the marble box and went out the door as Xenethia handed Vicki the envelope she'd prepared before Sonny's death, "Before you boot up your computer, read this carefully. I've made a few changes." She handed another envelope to Henry, "Here's an idea for book you might want to use. I'll be watching for it."

As she turned to leave, there was a change in the air and the scent of a fresh meadow filled the room along with a pale yellow light.

Smelling the change in the air, Xenethia stood tall and proud, "Well now, I'll not be using bad words for a time." The pale yellow light turned golden and became an oval through which stepped Xenethia's mate.

Vicki's mouth formed a silent "Oh," and the prince in Henry recognized a higher majesty, dropping to one knee, placed his right hand over his heart and said, "Your Majesty, welcome. I'm yours to command as you choose."

Standing beside Xenethia was the most beautiful being ever seen in this world. She placed her hand on his and said, "You honor me by coming here."

"I felt your need to be with me for a time."

"What of Junior?"

"Trust me, he's in good hands."

"And the cats?"

"They have always been welcome guests in my realm" He turned to study Henry, who remained on his knee and Vicki, who for once, was completely speechless. "One day Henry, I'll need your service, but not this day. It is your time to be happy with your love at your side." Smiling at Vicki he said, " Vicki don't waste the time you're given worrying about being half vampire. Spend it enjoying love. If there's any doubt in what I mean, I'll rephrase. You are to spend centuries with Henry sharing love, adventure and a very good life." He turned to Xenethia, kissed her gently on the lips, picked up the cat carrier and said, "Come love." He helped her step over the lower lip of the oval and followed her through. Then the oval slowly shrank in size and winked out.

Vicki shook her head and asked, "What the hell just happened?"

Henry stood and put a hand on either side of her head, "Don't ever use profane language near that kind of power. That's Xenethia's true love, the High King of Immortals. She's never been accepted as a suitable mate by the King's subjects so to avoid creating problems for him, she lives in exile. As vampires, we're a bridge between that world and this, good and evil, but we're not liked by either side."

"What now?"

"We do as he told us. Live our lives. We have Elemental, that's more than any other vampire has ever been given and we have our cats. I'm thinking they'll be a link to Xenethia and if necessary she'll get in touch."

Vicki tilted her head in Henry's hands and said, "The half vampire thing might not be so bad after all, I'll be able to keep us safe during the day and your greater vampire strengths can keep us safe at night."

Henry's hands worked their way down from her head stopping once they cupped her rounded behind and pulled her close, kissing her lips, teasing her mouth open with his tongue. He pulled back enough to say, "Lose the control, I want your vampire."

Vicki's short but sharply pointed fangs dropped down and clicked into place as a throaty growl escaped. Henry deepened his kiss and slipped off the control of his vampire. Fangs nipped tongues and blood filled their mouths mixing. The vampires took advantage of the moment and fed from each other then faded back letting their hosts finish the loving making. Clothes were ripped as hands searched for those places that responded with tingling demands for more. Henry scooped her up and carried her to their bed where they could complete the act of loving and cuddle in comfort.

A few minutes before sun rise Henry said, "We're a great team, and we're going to have lots of years to enjoy it."

A Stopping Point for Odds and Ends.

Dear readers,

At this point I'll be changing sites for a continuation of Xenethia's story - they will be at fiction press under the same pen name. I hope to see you there. This will remain my site for Blood Ties stories. I have more to say about Henry and Vicki, but to be honest I'm just not sure when.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Real Tears.