Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

her joy, so Antonietta didn't try. It was so much easier for her three cousins to know the truth of what she was. She knew Byron had given them the choice and that he could monitor them at will, but they had accepted that condition readily. She hadn't lost her family or the life she loved so much.
    Byron? If I haven't said so this evening, I love you.
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    9/13/2007

    Dark Symphony
    Page 186 of 188
    He was there for her immediately. His warmth surrounded her, held her close. I feel you laughing. What are you doing on this solemn occasion?
    Antonietta's teasing voice spread warmth through Byron's body. We are talking about Josef. Vlad caught him trying his Spiderman routine again. He was not very successful and fell into a flowerpot. As he was recouping, I think Eleanor grounded him.
    That sounds like our Josef. They are telling me I have to go to the chapel. See you soon.
    Our Josef. Byron liked the sound of that. Somewhere along the line, his horror of his nephew's antics had turned to genuine amusement and affection. He didn't know when or how it had happened.
    Eleanor rose from the chair by the window and kissed Byron's cheek, startling him, bringing him out of his thoughts. "In all the excitement and trauma, I honestly do not remember if I thanked Antonietta for saving Josef's life. He is fully recovered and is up and about again."
    "Is the world safe?" Byron teased.
    Jacques suddenly laughed. "I will never forget his performance in front of my brother. It was all I could do not to fall down laughing watching Mikhail's face when Josef sang his rendition of rap."
    Vlad covered his face. "Do not remind me."
    Byron nudged Jacques. "Antonietta has a sound room. I bet we could persuade Josef to cut an entire rap CD for Mikhail. I would not mind a copy for myself, just to put on every once in a while to watch Antonietta's face when she hears his lyrics."
    "A brilliant idea," Jacques agreed. "Just the thing for that brother of mine."
    "Byron! Jacques!" Eleanor was horrified. "Do not dare encourage Josef."
    Byron wrapped his arm around her. "I think encouraging art is a wonderful trait."
    "You will answer to me if you do such a thing," Vlad said in his severest voice.
    Byron and Jacques exchanged a quick grin. Shea hid a knowing smile, shaking her head at their antics, pleased they were falling back into their old camaraderie.
    A single knock sounded on the door, and Franco stuck his head in the room. "It's time, Byron."
    Byron took a deep breath. "Has anyone noticed it's hard to breathe in here?"
    Eleanor kissed him. "Do not disgrace us by being a baby about this. I will see you in the chapel."
    "No running away now," Shea cautioned. "Your life mate looks unbelievable." She followed Eleanor out.
    Byron looked at Jacques. "There is something about standing up in front of a crowd. Why do women like these things?"
    "To torment us," Jacques said.
    "You have that right." Vlad opened the door and waved his brother-in-law through.
    The night was crystal clear, the calm sea gleaming like glass. Night flowers bloomed along the pathway, bringing bright colors to light the way. The chapel sat in the midst of a small grove of trees. Lit from within, Byron could see the stained glass windows in all of their vivid beauty. The breeze touched his face, cooled his skin, carried with it the smell and taste of the sea. He inhaled deeply, appreciating that Antonietta had chosen a setting close to nature, close to his world. The three men wound their way through the gardens to the entrance that would lead them directly to the altar.
    Byron walked in through the side door, Jacques and Vlad at his side. Hundreds of candles set the chapel softly aglow.
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    Dark Symphony
    Page 187 of 188
    They were all there. Her family. His family. The people he had grown to care about.
    Franco with Vincente and Mar-gurite. Eleanor sat beside the two children, whispering something in Margurite's ear. Diego sat with his young children, staring enraptured at Tasha, who was already at the altar with Marita, waiting for the bride. Paul and Justine held hands.
    Byron was especially