22. Violet

22

VIOLET

Nothing feels more mundane and normal than doing laundry after a magick session with Amara. Which went a hell of a lot smoother than last time. Acceptance is everything, apparently and now my acceptance that I'm the true heir to Morgan le Fay is a massive step in figuring out the magick part.

After an extensive search of my handy map, I finally find the laundry room located in the east wing near the small shop that I didn't even know was there. It sells basic things, but it's good to know of its existence. The laundry room is a maze of industrial washers and dryers that hum with constant activity. I upend my bookbag, which is full of dirty laundry, wondering if the shop sells laundry bags, put them into a basket, and sort through my clothes. I smile when I see Caine's purple sweatshirt. I bring it to my nose with a soft smile and inhale deeply. I don't get any Caine-scent from it, but it's comforting, nonetheless .

"Boyfriend's?"

I look up to find Gaida leaning against one of the dryers, her dark hair loose around her shoulders.

"Yeah," I say with a smile. "One of them anyway."

Gaida raises her eyebrow, and I lift my chin defiantly. "One of his sweatshirts or one of your boyfriends?"

I giggle. "One of my boyfriends."

"Not fair! I'm jealous. Not in a bad way," she adds hastily. "But it would be nice to have someone."

"You don't?" I ask, surprised. "Are these guys blind? Look at you."

She smiles shyly. "Thanks. I think they're afraid of me."

"Why?"

"My dad is super old, like one of the first vampires old. It puts guys off."

"Ah, yeah, I can see why. That must be intimidating. But, you know what? If they are scared of your dad and not willing to risk life and limb for you, then they aren't the right guy to begin with."

She grins, showing just a hint of fang. "You're right. Thanks, Violet. That helps. "

"No problem," I say, returning her grin and shoving the basket load into one of the washing machines. It's all darks, so there is no need to sort into colour piles. "Everyday stuff, I've got. It's this vampire part I'm still trying to figure out."

"I hear it gets easier," Gaida says softly. "I was born this way but some of my siblings were turned, so I know the hunger, the power, the constant balancing act - it becomes second nature eventually." She watches me for a moment. "How long has it been?"

"Since I was turned? Not long. Five weeks, give or take. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, other times it feels like a lifetime ago."

"Nathaniel, right?" she asks carefully.

I stiffen slightly. "How do you know about that?"

"He's one of those siblings I told you about. Although he is of the old order. My dad turned him, like what? Eight hundred years ago?"

My blood freezes, and my slow heart stops for a few seconds. "Your dad turned him?"

She nods. "Yeah. Sorry."

I frown. "What are you sorry for?"

She shrugs and picks at the delicate lace on an expensive-looking top before she shoves it in the machine next to mine. "It just feels like someone should apologise."

"Well, it's not you. You have nothing to do with what Nathaniel did to me."

She smiles tentatively. "Thanks for saying that."

"Don't be silly. Seriously, I don't even blame your dad, although he should have better taste than that."

Gaida snorts and shoves the rest of her washing into the machine. "Yeah, I can't argue with that!"

I sit on a nearby bench, studying Gaida. "So... your dad is one of the first vampires? That must be intense."

Gaida sighs, running a hand through her dark hair. " You have no idea. The expectations, the pressure... it's a lot sometimes."

"I can imagine," I say, thinking of my own newly revealed legacy. "Is he involved in all the politics and stuff that they teach us about?"

She nods. "Oh yeah. He's on the High Council. Always going on about maintaining the old ways, preserving vampire traditions." She rolls her eyes. "It can be suffocating."

"I bet." I nod sympathetically, thinking about the weight of expectations I'm now facing as Morgan's heir. "Do you ever feel like you're living in his shadow?"

Gaida's eyes widen slightly as if surprised by my insight. "All the time," she admits softly. "It's like... no matter what I do, I'll never measure up, you know? He's seen so much, done so much. How can I compete with that?"

"You don't have to compete," I say gently. "You're your own person, with your own path."

She smiles wryly. "Hmm. More difficult in my situation. The way I hear it, you are here to get away from your sire and cut ties. Not so easy for me."

"Where did you hear that?" I ask carefully.

"Word on the family grapevine. Sorry, I'm being a real intrusive cow."

I snort. "Hardly. It's nice to talk to someone who isn't trying to bully me, accuse me of killing those witches, or get into my pants."

Gaida studies me for a moment, her dark eyes thoughtful. "Yeah, you've not had an easy time. But I'm here now. No one will dare mess with you, or I'll threaten to stick my dad on them."

Laughter fills the air as my heart swells with joy at this woman who has made my day simply by being in it. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

"No worries. It's also nice for me to have someone to talk to who isn't trying to use me to get to my dad." Her sad face makes me feel terrible. Here I've been moping about with my pity party for one, not even thinking there were other creatures here who were suffering as well.

"I'm sorry you have to go through that. But as a wise woman once said, I'm here now. No one will dare mess with you, or I'll threaten to stick… uhm… my boyfriends on them."

She claps her hands in delight. "Fuck, yeah. I wouldn't mess with those guys for anything."

Gaida sits down next to me, and we fall into a comfortable silence as we wait for our laundry, each lost in our thoughts. I'm mulling over what Gaida said about Nathaniel being turned by her father when she speaks again.

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice is hesitant.

"Sure," I say, curious.

"What's it like? Having multiple mates, I mean."

I pause, considering how to answer. It's not something I've really put into words before.

"It's complex," I begin slowly. "But in the best way possible. It's like having pieces of a puzzle that all fit together perfectly. They each bring something different, something unique, but together, they make me feel whole."

Gaida listens intently, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Flint is all passion and protection. He makes me feel safe and cherished. He is my saviour. Caine is blunt and gives it to me straight. He has immeasurable strength and not just brute force. He challenges me and pushes me to be better. And Thorne..." I smile softly. "Thorne is… I'm still figuring him out. We haven't, you know, made it official yet." I feel my cold cheeks warm up slightly.

"That sounds amazing," Gaida says wistfully. "But isn't it hard? Balancing all those relationships?"

"Not right now. Maybe in the future, when things get deeper. It's a work in progress, but it's worth it."

"Do you think you'll ever have to choose between them?"

The question catches me off guard, because that was never even something I thought about, even for a moment. "No, never. We are a package."

"Fuck, that sounds so perfect."

We smile. "These guys are fools if they don't want you for you or aren't brave enough to face down your dad. They don't know what they're missing."

"Yeah, or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree," she mutters.

"You mean girls? They'd probably be braver than the guys," I snicker.

She giggles, too. "No, although never say never, right? But maybe I need to look…" She points upwards .

I stare at the ceiling, not getting her meaning. "What do you mean?"

"Older vamps, older creatures in general. These university guys are just not for me, it seems."

"It's an option, of course it is. You got anyone in mind?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

She smiles secretly but shakes her head. "Not yet."

"Well, I will be here with my pom-poms or a booted foot for arse-kicking, whichever you need when you find him, her, or them."

Tears fill her eyes, and she flings her arms around me, surprising me, but pleasantly so. "Thank you, Violet. I've never had anyone be so nice to me before."

"Oh, Gaida," I say, stroking her hair as she sobs on me. "You have me. I'm not going anywhere."

"You are the best," she sniffles and pulls away. "Sorry, I don't usually… you make it easy to talk to you."

"Anytime. I mean it. My door is always open."

"Same, girl. I might get a bit attached to you now. I hope that's okay?"

"More than okay," I reassure her with a quick hand squeeze.

She sniffs and sits back, and that easy silence falls again until it's time to take our clothes out of the machines and throw them in the dryer.