He’d know three days after giving her the ring.
Three days to get the ring, three days to turn her. It was sobering to think he might have less than a week left with the woman he loved.
The kitchen door opened, and Delaney’s and Stanhill’s voices carried into the living room. Their laughter was infectious. He smiled and went to see what all the hubbub was about. He leaned against the kitchen door jamb. “What have you two been up to?”
Delaney grinned and threw her arms around him. “Just taking care of some family business.”
He kissed her. “I have no idea what that means.”
“She set Didi straight is what she did.” Stanhill preened like a proud hen.
Hugh cocked a brow. This was all very interesting. “I still have no idea what that means.” He shifted his attention back to Delaney. “What did you do?”
Stanhill answered before Delaney had a chance to. “She threatened her proper, that’s what she did.”
“She who? Who got threatened? Delaney, you answer. Stanhill, pipe down.”
Delaney laughed. “I just explained to your grandmother that things were progressing between us in such a way that…if she ever wanted to see her grandbabies, she’d never use the amulet to force you to do anything again.” She shrugged one shoulder. “That’s all.”
Hugh let her go and sank into one of the kitchen chairs. Grandbabies. He tried to smile. “You’re an amazing woman. Courageous to take on a granddame like Didi.”
She frowned at him. “Why does it sound like there’s a but coming?”
He didn’t want to tell her she’d put herself out there for nothing, but she’d find out about the amulet soon enough. “I love you.” He shook his head. “But the amulet’s gone.”
“Gone?” She sat across from him and grabbed his hands. “What do you mean?”
He glanced at Stanhill before answering. “I gave it up for a very good cause.”
Stanhill came to stand by them. “You went to see Willa?”
Hugh nodded. “You were right about the cost.”
Delaney’s face scrunched up in question. “Now I have no idea what we’re talking about.”
Hugh wanted the ring to be a surprise, so he chose his words carefully. “There is someone in town who has the potential to make turning you safer. We won’t know until we actually do it, but she promises to at least increase the odds of things going in our favor. And a part of her magic required me to sacrifice something valuable to me. I chose to give her the amulet.”
“No,” Delaney cried. “You need that.”
“I need you. I can live without the sun. Vampires all over the world manage.” He took her face in his hands and kissed away her frown. “I would do anything for you, Delaney. Especially if it means I’ll have you with me for eternity.”
“No, Hugh, it’s too much for you to give up. You can’t.”
“I can and I have. No more argument.”
She kissed him back, a little teary-eyed. “I don’t like it, but I just got done telling your grandmother to stop forcing her will on you. I can’t very well do that to you myself now, can I?”
He smiled. “You can always try.”
She laughed. “Since we’ll be keeping the same hours pretty soon, I’m not even going to bother. Speaking of, how long before we…attempt the turning?”
“The magic will be available to us in three days. We’ll start the process of turning you that night, which is a three evening process, so three days after that and we’ll know.”
“Do we have to wait for the magic to start? If we start tonight, then the night we get the magic could be the night. Number three.”
Her eagerness was endearing, but three days left with her? He swallowed and nodded reluctantly. “Yes, we could also do that.”
“I’d like that. The sooner we can start our life together, the better. Plus, I have a lot to learn about being a vampire.” She stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better go check on Captain. Then I’m going to bake something. Or make some truffles. Or something. It’s been too long.”
“The kitchen is yours,” Stanhill said.
“Good. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.” She put her hand on Hugh’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
He squeezed her hand. “Always. And thank you for standing up to Didi. That was brave.”
She gave him a wink. “It was also a little fun.”
She left and Stanhill took her chair. “Are you thinking of getting her a wedding present?”
Hugh nodded. “Of course. I just don’t know what yet.”
Stanhill glanced toward the upstairs, affection shining in his eyes. “Based on what I heard today, I have a very good idea.”
Delaney made a simple flourless chocolate cake, a tribute more to the ingredients on hand than anything else. Stanhill had made her promise to save him a slice before he left for an evening out with Corette.
Hugh was in his lab, working on what, Delaney wasn’t sure. She stared at the cooling cake, her mind going in a thousand different directions. She’d have to stock up on supplies before she was no longer able to leave the house during daylight hours. Or rely on Stanhill, who seemed to be a fairly adept shopper based on what was already in the house.
Three days. The reality of that ticking clock focused her thoughts. In three days, she’d be a vampire. If things went well.