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Chapter Twenty-Four

Cool blue orbs took in the world beyond her carriage window. Delicately gloved digits pressed just barely into her chin, half touching her lips. The long mess of her hair had been put up and neatly tucked in to a series of knots at the base of her neck, and, a soft violet hat that matched the cotton of her gown was perched on her head.

London looked agreeable in the late afternoon to Lilith. Workers were finishing their duties and going home to their families, shops were closing, and carts were taking to the roads loaded with crates of all sorts to go somewhere else.

Perhaps it was merely her mood, but the day had not been a terrible one. Mother had enjoyed her company and Victor's. Her son had played most of the day on the floor with what toys Lilith brought for him, showing his grandmother this or that—telling her stories about Scotland. Color had bloomed in her mother's face. It was something she needed more of. And, with William and Regina off at Blackwood's, Lilith assumed the duty of staying in. Not because she felt she had to, but because she knew she would eventually have to go back home with Victor after the season.

But evening had begun to draw inward and her mother had decided she would take an early dinner and retire to bed. With nothing more to do, and no plans to visit any friends, the oldest of the Pratt siblings had decided to join the rest of her family. At the very least she could visit with Lord Blackwood and take Regina home if William wanted to stay longer.

As the carriage rolled to a stop finally Lilith gathered her things. When the door opened she stepped out, a gentle hand guiding her so she wouldn't trip over her skirts. She nodded a thank you to the young man and made her way along the walk and up the stairs to Blackwood's front door. Swiftly, she rapped her knuckles on the hard wood and waited ever patiently for someone to answer.

A moment passed before a footman in uniform household blacks presented himself. He smiled at her and stepped back, opening the entrance wider. "Hello, my lady. Are you here to see my lordship?"

She smiled back and stepped in. As the door shut, she turned back to look at him. "My brother William, Lord Broderick, and my sister, Lady Regina, are visiting his nephew Mr. Clarke. Are they still practicing?"

The footman opened his mouth to speak, but stopped short as another voice made itself known.

"Lady McClay."

Lilith turned and looked up just in time to see Kit come down the stairs. There were two, one to either side of the room against each wall with a balcony between; it made up part of a hallway on the second floor. He was coming down the right set; that is, her right. And as expected, he looked as smashing as he always did. The cream colored trousers, grey waistcoat, and red jacket were a combination of muted tones that suited in him beyond measure; they also had the added benefit of fitting him very well. Well enough that she found herself swallowing back whatever heat had decided to coil up her throat, making her high-necked gown feel constraining.

Her gaze drew upward, finally meeting his own. His eyes were such a vibrant green; perhaps a little too pretty to befit a man. When he smiled at her, she found herself feeling that heat again it was one that reminded her too keenly of her late husband. Her heart strained just barely, also reminding her that Wulf would have wanted her to be happy. And as Kit took her hand, kissing it, as she said, "I believe I asked you to call me Lilith or Lily, Kit," she found herself wishing she could undo the tie that bound his hair and watch it fall over his back and shoulders. Surely, tresses that were such a beautiful chestnut hue were not meant to be bound back?

"Ah, yes," he told her, looking a little sheepish before he released her hand. Both of his own went behind his back. "Forgive me; sometimes I'm a little too formal for my own good."

"All is well," she said with a grin. "How is my sister fairing?"

"Well, I imagine. Would you like to see them?"

Lilith almost said yes. Her lips parted and she inhaled a breath, stopping only just before agreeing. While it was true that she wanted to see her brother and sister, she realized she had a few other things on her mind. They were things she had been considering over the course of the week she had been speaking to Kit at the country party.

"Actually," she finally said. "Would you mind terribly if we had some tea? I don't mean to impose, but I imagine my sister has a great need to work with Dare for as long as she can imagine. If she were to see me now she might worry about my taking her home too soon."

"That would fine," he said with a nod. "Come, I'll take you to a sitting room." He offered his arm and Lilith looped her own through it quite readily. "Truth be told," he went on as they stepped further into his home, "I was thinking of asking them over for dinner. But, I certainly wouldn't want to keep you from any previously made engagements."

Lilith laughed softly. "My sister made it quite clear I was not to arrange anything but fencing with Dare for her today." She gave his forearm a pat and a rub. "You can be assured we are free; though, I cannot speak for my brother."

"He must stay," Kit went on, smiling as they turned a corner. "It wouldn't do for two unmarried ladies to be in residence at a bachelor's home without a family escort." And then he blinked once. "Speaking of which, are you certain it's alright for you to have come without a maid at least?"

Lilith waved a hand as he released her and they came into a brightly lit room painted in robin's egg blue. As she spoke, she took a seat on a sofa just before a centre table. "I'm not worried, Kit. Unless you're implying that my virtue is at risk in this room with only you for company?"

His lips parted at that as she gave him a curious look, eyes half veiled while she removed her hat and gloves. "I would never take advantage of a woman. I merely thought it would better for your reputation."

"My brother and sister are visiting," she told him as he tugged a chord for tea along the wall. "Unless those of your employ likely to gossip, I feel I have nothing to fear. Do they?"

As he made his way over to her he shook his head with a sigh. "Well… no. But, even so, shouldn't you exercise some caution?"

"I rarely ever do," she said with a small smirk once he joined her, leaving some space between the two of them on the cushioned seat. She turned, making sure her body was angled to face him slightly. "It was the one thing Wulf rarely ever complained about."

"Your late husband?"

She nodded. "What us English consider brash is fairly normal in in The Highlands." She smiled. "Though, I do love being home."

"Scotland is… very serene. A lot of beautiful country; still, London has its own charm. It's a hub of enterprise and development, among other things."

She sighed. "Yes, but I'm not certain I want to raise Victor here. He's still so young and there's much more for a boy his age to do in the country—in Scotland—than there is in the city. A lord he might be one day, but a little boy who likes to play in the dirt he is now. The ton wouldn't understand."

"There's more than city in England," he felt the need to assure her. "You could always purchase a country estate and visit London from time to time—your family."

"True enough," she agreed. "And it would be better for Victor to be close to The Council's primary headquarters." This was a lot closer to the topic she'd been considering broaching with him. "I've been told you aren't a regular anymore." As she finished her statement a maid came in with a tray of tea and a few other things. "That was quick," she said to her.

The girl smiled. "We had hot water waiting, my lady. With so many guests in residence the cook has been beside herself with glee. It's more than she usually makes with only his lordship about."

Lilith grinned brightly at that. "Perhaps we can make it something of a habit then."

"Thank you, Margaret," Kit told they girl after she settled everything out for them and poured. "We'll take it from here."

Margaret bobbed a short curtsy and left, shutting the door behind her.

"You are right," he told her and he leaned to make his tea.

"I'll manage," she shooed his hands away. "Milk? Sugar?"

"Both and two lumps."

She stirred gently and then handed him his cup, only releasing a short breath when his hands grazed her own. As the transaction happened however, she didn't miss the way he stilled himself, swallowing once.

"Is there a reason?" she asked quickly of his absence with The Council before making her own mixture of milk and sugar.

He said nothing, hesitant. It wasn't as though the whole mood of the room shifted, but there was a noticeable change in his demeanor… and she wondered if this was a topic she should not have broached. She watched as he stared down at his steaming brew, looking to be in deep consideration about the subject. And then after the pass of perhaps a full minute he interrupted her internal thoughts and finally said, "You must understand that I have nothing against the council personally." A pause. "They are very good at what they do, as you well know, but… there are times when I am not entirely… agreeable with them."

"I don't understand."

She watched as he looked across the room, focusing—perhaps—on a spot that didn't really exist. "Yes, well, you recall the last slayer? The one trained by Nicholas Kenmoore?"

"Yes, of course," she said solemnly, nodding once and allowing her eyes to close briefly. Everyone knew the story; Lilith had only just been married to Wulf a few weeks when news had finally made it to Scotland. She recalled the long discussion they'd had, how hollow they'd both felt trying to imagine why it had to happen at all.

"Nick was my mentor. Well, one of them," he explained. "I remained good friends with him even after my training was complete. You could say, in many ways, he was like an older brother to me." He smiled gently. "I was barely twenty when he was assigned Katya. She was sixteen at the time, ready and willing for her calling."

Lilith wasn't certain what to say, but she was curious all the more. "I assume she'd known her whole life?"

"Indeed. She was from Russia. They found her in an orphanage and quickly placed her at the Moscow office. But, when the last girl died in the field, she was transferred to London to be assigned."

Lilith nodded. "I would say it was for the better…"

Kit didn't reply right away, instead choosing to sip at his tea. "I was privy to many of their training sessions over the next two years. I assisted from time to time and Nick employed my counsel. He was much older than me and wanted a younger perspective when it came to Katya. He could tell, at times, she wanted more from life. Who wouldn't?" He stopped long enough to refill his cup and add more milk and sugar. "But…"

"She eventually survived long enough to turn eighteen," Lilith finished softly.

Kit nodded, not yet bothering to even sip his tea. It remained in his hands on his lap, saucer held haphazardly. "As you well know, a slayer's watcher cannot inform her of the trial. There is no expectation, no real preparation… They throw a young woman to the wolves, if one needs make it clear."

"Rabid wolves," she felt the need to add before her hand reached out and settled on his knee. She squeezed once and his gaze met hers. "My sympathies, Kit."

He sighed once. "Thank you… At any rate, if was very difficult for Nick when she passed. He tried for a year to have the tradition banned. He wrote formal letters that were more like essays outlining numerous ways in which the whole of it was impractical and outdated. If nothing else, it killed a slayer too young and made it nearly impossible for The Council to keep one if she lasted as long."

"Wulf called the whole affair barbaric."

"It is." He set his tea down then. "When nothing could be done, Nick… he was too grief stricken, I suppose. He just… quit one day and moved to the states. And I… I haven't quit officially, but I told them I needed a sabbatical."

"I can't imagine why you wouldn't," she murmured, moving to add a bit more tea to her own cup. She shook her head. "I understand academia is stiff, and the council therein more stiff… but, truly, they make it difficult for everyone.

"I do not mean to change the topic—."

"No," he assured her, voice a little louder than before, "please do. It's all rather melancholy."

"Reasonably so," she argued as she sat back and faced him once more. "I have been trying for the last year to become more involved for my son's sake, but as you well know… that can be rather difficult for a woman who is not family instated—marriage withstanding."

"Ah… yes, it can be. But, surely your husband had friends amongst the members?" One brow rose.

"Yes, but that's in Scotland. I wanted my son inducted into the London office. If he chooses to relocate to Scotland at a later point, I will be more than supportive. However, I want to give him the best start."

Kit blinked once. "So, you do have plans to move back?"

She frowned, body slacking just so. "I am considering it. He won't have to begin attending for a few more years yet, as you well know. But, the process must begin soon. He needs a sponsor, Kit. An English male sponsor." When he didn't say anything right away she leaned towards him and her bare hand clasped over his wrist. "I would very much like your help on this matter, but I understand if you do not wish to return to your duties too quickly."

For a time they just sat like that, looking at each other without moving away. Lilith was very much afraid he would say no altogether. She would take the refusal with grace, as she had with her requests to The Council, but… she would not be happy. Lilith did not have any friends in the London office. The people she knew in the city, the ton, were either not involved, or, did not want her to know they were. Wulf had never taken her to the London office and had never introduced her to anyone in very deeply that could help her. But, Lilith knew that Kit's family went back several generations… if he accepted and helped Victor things would go smoother. Her son could have a real chance, maybe even make some changes. It would be, at the very least, a better place for him than one of the Scotland offices. He deserved the best future she could offer.

But, he still wasn't saying anything. And so, after a while… she pulled away and looked down at her tea. "I apologize. Perhaps… perhaps I was being too forward. We have, after all, not known each other so long. Certainly not long enough—."

"Lilith," he interrupted.

"Yes?" she met his gaze once more, trying not to look too hopeful.

"Would you…" he began, thumb rolling over the rim of his glass. "Would it be alright if I made the formal request to court you?"

For a moment she was stunned. It wasn't exactly what one expected to hear when one requested what she had. "I… formal request?" she asked distractedly, flattered.

"Yes," he went on. "May I court you?"

"I apologize… I…," she breathed. "I just…" Her eyes narrowed just so. "I am older than you, you are aware?" While it was one thing to be attracted to Kit, it was entirely another matter for something to come of it. "I am also a window—with a son. There are younger, more eligible ladies to—."

"I am aware," he told her. "And I while I am an Englishman through and through, my lady," he told her as he set down his saucer and teacup, took hers as well and did the same, and then took her hands in his own, "there are moments when I am not entirely for convention.

"I find," he went on, "that I am quite enamored with you when we spend time with one another. I also find that I would very much like to spend more time with you. And if you are agreeable to it, eventually, I hope that it leads to something more permanent."

She couldn't quite help the blush that brought warmth to her cheeks, nor the tentative smile at his words. "Are you quite certain, my lord?"

"Very much so."

"Very well, I have no immediate objections. But… on the matter of my son?"

"I will see to it that I gather the appropriate paperwork." He squeezed her hands once. "But, only if you'll make certain your brother stays and joins us for dinner so that I might not be spared your company." He smiled.

She laughed at that as she spoke. "I will bribe him, if I must." Not that it took all that to get William to agree to her demands. Though, she did wonder what he would think of this new development…

#

"William? Is Reggie finished yet?"

At the sound of his name he turned from where he stood at the foot of the stairs. As Lily came up next to him he looked back up towards the top of the flight. "She should be soon. Why?"

Lilith gave a small huff as she went about repining her hat speaking. "Nothing really. I'd just like to check on mother. Are you staying?"

"I wasn't planning to, no." He tucked his hands into his trouser pockets.

"Well, Dare did ask if you wanted to remain for a nightcap." She began fussing with her gloves then. One hand slid in, fingers flexing as she adjusted it to fit. "You needn't come with Reggie and me. Though, I do have a small favor to ask of you."

"Oh?" He looked at her then with brows raised.

"I have several engagements over the next few days. I was wondering if you would mind staying home with mother. I know she's doing better, and I know she encourages us to go out and not worry about her, but I tend to feel more at ease when one of us is in residence with her. Leaving for that week was not good for my heart." The other glove game next, but it didn't give her near as much trouble, causing her to smile in triumph.

"I have nothing else better to do." He smirked. "Taking Reggie with you?"

"I am. The nurse has an easy time of it with Victor thankfully. So, nothing to worry about there."

"She'll want to come back to work with Dare," he felt the need to mention.

"Naturally," she agreed. "These will all be in the evening. I'll take her off your hands then."

He chuckled and nearly grinned. "As if she needs handling."

Lilith rolled her eyes just as Reggie was coming down the stairs. "Stay will you? It's good for you to have friends, especially ones as honest as Dare."

He wasn't sure… "You're quite positive you don't need an escort home?"

"I came all the way here from Scotland, didn't I? Yes, I'll be fine." She gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek as Reggie met them at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed and back to her usual self.

"Ready?" Reggie asked. "I think I'll sleep very well tonight."

"In a hurry to get there?" William asked.

"Indeed. Are you coming, Will?"

His gaze met Lilith's hard one—the one that all but verbally ordered no argument. He sighed his response. "Seems not. Our eldest sibling believes you ladies can take care of yourselves on the way home and wants me to stick about to relax, or some other nonsense."

Reggie arched a brow and then just smiled lopsidedly. "A break would do you good. Stay." And then she hugged him. "But, be careful when you do come home."

He nodded and followed them to the door, holding it open long enough to watch them get in the carriage and drive out of sight. The house was silent without the two of them there, he mused as he turned and faced the room. Kit had said his goodbyes once dinner was over with, leaving them to work on something and then go to bed. Dare had offered he stay a while longer once Regina went up to change her clothes. Lily had left to gather her things and he'd told Dare he didn't think he could, saying goodbye and going to wait on his sisters. But… apparently Lily had other plans; plans that left him wandering back into the house towards the library—to where Dare likely was if he hadn't already escaped to his room. But, he doubted it. The blond had admitted to trouble sleeping at night and that he enjoyed a cup of something while reading a book before he finally turned in.

When he reached the doors they were cracked open and he could see light streaming from a few dim electric lamps. He could see the back of Dare's head tilted just over the top of a sofa, likely leaning into his hand. As William came around to the side of the couch, blue eyes looked down to where his elbow was propped on the arm. His cheek was in his palm and his short wavy strands were half falling over one temple.

Dare hadn't noticed him yet and he found himself smiling at the way the other man bit his lower lip; at the way his legs were bent under one another with stockinged feet; at the way his coat had been discarded and his waistcoat was partially unbuttoned to reveal the wrinkling white shirt under; and at the way he seemed thoroughly engrossed in the book on his lap and partially held in one hand.

He could help but ask himself, and not for the first time, why his heart expanded to the point of ache whenever he looked upon him. Each and every time it was as if a mixture of joy and pain rang out in his skull; it was a muffled cloud of voices all shouting different things, some angry and some beautiful. And still, no matter how hard he tried to, he could not render them understandable. It made no more sense than the tumble of words, lovely words, that he drew across paper—something he'd never before been able to do.

What was it about this man that made him want to laugh and cry at the same time?

And then rather suddenly bright green met with cool blue. William watched as dark lashes hypnotically dropped once—twice—before a tentative smile painted itself across soft and angled features.

"You changed you mind," he said. "I thought you'd gone home."

"Lily had other plans in mind," he explained.

He watched as Dare shifted over on the sofa and gave the place he'd been sitting a few pats. "I was just enjoying the fire. It's a lot cooler here than I'm used to in California." He motioned to the very flames that were dancing a light along his articulated face. "No snow, but your spring is really no joke when I'm more used to sun and heat." The book he held in one hand, his place saved by a finger while his thumb and others kept it shut.

William sat down, considering his words as he leaned into the armrest and got comfortable by stretching his legs out a bit. He was only a little startled when Dare moved to rest his head on his shoulder. Eventually though, he lifted arm, forcing the other man to adjust, and put his arm around his shoulders. "Is it all that hot there?"

"Most of the time. If it does get cold it's nothing like here in the winter, I'd bet."

"Probably not." William looked down as Dare opened his book again. "What are you reading?"

"A Christmas Carol," he told him and then paused, shifting so he sat up more. He looked at the book a bit longer before turning his face to his, much closer than before. Their noses nearly brushed. "I know it's not exactly gift-giving time, but, it's a good read. Not much else to do… I actually think I've read more here than I ever did back home."

William found his arm moving from Dare's shoulders to his waist; his hand settled there when the other man moved his body to face him more, one leg on the sofa and one off. "What did you do back home then?" he asked softly. It was easy to be nervous; he'd been nervous for so long: with women, with Dare. And yet… this felt easy, so much easier than before.

Dare opened his mouth to speak and then shut it. His brows knit and he pursed his lips. All in all, the man didn't appear entirely certain on how to explain. "I suppose I spent a lot of time with friends… We did our own thing."

William smiled at that. "Thing?" he asked. "Doesn't tell me much at all."

He laughed softly. "We made our own fun then. I had a close knit group of people, you could say. At least… at least until things fell apart."

William recalled the conversation very well. "How did you grow apart?"

"I wasn't the same anymore?" he offered. "They weren't? We grew up together—kind of. People change when they grow up. Life gets in the way—the serious stuff. You think you can survive it… but, sometimes you can't. Sometimes the way you feel and think changes to the point that you push people away; sometimes they push you away because they don't like the choices you make."

"You sound as if you've been judged." William, for his part, understood that feeling well.

Dare nodded as he moved to set the book down behind him. "I guess… People can't help but do that when they love you. And I just miss… I miss being able to be honest." He frowned and William watched as the firelight bounced off his features further, as his green depths drew to the flames and held there.

The Englishman reached up then, finding within himself a sense of courage and confidence—want. His fingers skimmed along Dare's jawline, around to his cheek, and pulled the other man's eyes back to his own. They skimmed, thumb brushing over his brow, along his temple. He watched at the curtain of Dare's lashes fell over his eyes, shielding them form view. He watched as his head dropped just so. Short blond stands fell and William tucked them back, the ones that would stay behind his ear. "Is that why you came to London?" he murmured. "A fresh start?"

And then he smiled, but it wasn't real enough to reach his ears. The expression twisted his face into uncertainty. "It feels that way now," he whispered back. "But… eventually I'll have to go back. I know that."

"And what if I asked you to stay with me?" The words escaped from his lips long before he had time to consider stopping them. It had only been a few days, after all. And here was, asking him to stay with him—to not go home. The pile of letters on his desk rang in his mind, the worry of money… his mother's words…

Dare must have seen the confusion on his face because he leaned forward then, pressing his lips gently to his. It was electric, that simple touch; it both soothed him and set his blood on fire. His heart pounded once in his chest even as the other man rested his forehead on his own. "It's alright," Dare said softly. "No need to freak out on me. I was only hoping for a few smoochies tonight and couple of drinks. Maybe a little hand holding."

William found himself shutting his eyes, a small smile forming. He reached up once again and this time threaded his fingers through blond strands. His other hand wound more closely around Dare's waist and pulled him closer. When they kissed this time it was William who led just as gently, it was his mouth that opened first, and for the first time he allowed himself to be consumed by the joy—not the anger—of feeling Dare's hands on his chest, half clutching at his waistcoat and jacket.

Buffy…

The anger was gone, but the passion remained. And it wasn't like before, not like this out of control ferocity that needed to be sated with skin on skin. There was something all-consuming and different about this. Caring even… love.

"Tell me you love me."

"I love you. You know I do."

"Tell me you want me."

"I want you…"

"I love you…" he heard him whispered as William felt deft digits moving upwards, sliding along his neck. And then they went lower as he moved. They broke the kiss as Dare moved to position himself on his lap, one leg to either side on the sofa. When he finally settled there William wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him down, once again pressing his lips to his.

Was this love? Then what of the voice? The whisper of two voices he couldn't quite hear? Was this what it was supposed to feel like? As if you wanted nothing more but for the other person to be happy, as loved as you were? He couldn't deny that if this was what love felt like, certainly, he wouldn't mind going his whole life in the presence of it.

And then suddenly… he understood what his mother had been trying to tell him—this. Family gems, all the world's family gems, meant nothing when one had this. His happiness, Dare's, his sister's… it all meant more than a few rocks that had been passed down from generations before him.

"Stay with me…" he said again, hands moving to take hold of Dare's cheeks as he pulled back just enough to brush lips, kissing lazily. "Please…" He begged in a wanton whisper as he opened his eyes, as green met blue once more. He watched as Dare hesitated and licked his lips.

"…I'm not going anywhere, William."

"You can't know how you make me feel," he argued. "If you were to go…" his throat caught.

"I do know how you feel," he assured as he squeezed William's shoulders once. "But… you told me to you needed time… I don't want to push you. I…" he hesitated. "…When things move too quickly for me… even when they don't… I'm just used to it all falling apart. I don't want to hurt you." He swallowed. "…What if you decide to get married? What if Reggie—."

He silenced him with a kiss: fevered, impassioned, and laced with all the he felt in that moment. And when he pulled away, they were both breathless. "Let me make you happy," he found himself saying, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu.

"You do make me happy," he argued. "This—right now—makes me happy." He held his gaze. "Though… if you need to hear it… I promise I won't leave you…" he finally assented, "…But, if anyone is to walk away from us, it'll be you." And William couldn't help but hear raw honesty and pain in those words. "You might move on once…"

"Once what?" he asked with genuinely curiosity and worry

He sighed and dropped his gaze. "I don't know… I'm… I'm just used to people walking away." And then he smiled bitterly. "You were a surprise, if you have to know. I didn't exactly expect to feel this way again… And I don't want it to end, William… but…"

"You think it might," he finished.

Dare nodded.

He wanted to say it wouldn't. Everything in his body, his heart, his blood, screamed to assure him that he wouldn't. But again, he was reminded of the payments… and his mother's words. There was so much conflict. Would it last? Would he still feel this way, feel more, days or weeks from now? Would it be enough to sell the gems?

"You still need time," Dare told him as if read in his mind.

He said nothing.

"I won't leave you, William. I won't walk away. I'm ready—a little damaged, but ready. I can wait on you this time."

He was quiet as Dare's brushed curls from his temple, as he pressed a kiss there. "It's ok."

After a while the melancholy, the strain, left him. The joy remained—the solace Dare's company provided. He told himself as they curled in front of the fire and chatted about other matters, as they exchanged a few more kisses, laughter, and touches, that perhaps his mother was far more wise than he'd ever give her credit for.

Rocks really didn't mean bloody much if it meant losing this. Time, he felt, was running out though. What would it take to push him into letting go and taking what he wanted with both hands fully? To say to hell with convention?

Was this love?

Love… if it could be love… then… then he would sell the gems. He would do as his mother asked. If not… he didn't want to think about it.

Please… let this be more.

AN :: Hey, I'm actually on time this month. Early even. Go me, right? I really want to know what you guys thought of the conversation between both parties—Lilith and Kit and Buffy and William. I had other plans for his chapter, honestly… But I needed a bit more padding and character development before the show really goes on the road. Not… literally… but you get it.

Anyway, thanks for your kind words from my author note in the previous chapter. I'm glad you guys read it. -hugs all around-

And Happy 4th and stay safe!

—Blade