“Not particularly,” Sylvia chuckled melodically at Victoria’s question as they walked away together. “We’re just very close friends. I’ve known Vail for decades, so I think he’s simply more comfortable around me than he is with most other people… I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, but he’s rather taciturn. Being both the next heir of the Hygrace clan and the son of Peter puts him in a difficult position because he’s expected to uphold certain expectations of the clan and her allies, but his father restricts his freedom to do so.” She sighed. “I’ve watched them for a long time. Peter is a controlling man, and his constant criticisms have made his son feel like he needs to bend to his will to earn everyone else’s respect. That’s why he’s so quiet. He makes his own voice smaller because it seems insignificant, and he prefers to avoid causing a conflict by smothering his own thoughts and opinions.”

As they stepped outside, Sylvia smiled at the sight of the quaint garden and fireplace. “Anyway, Vail teases me because we’ve built up that rapport. He knows he doesn’t have to pretend to be polished around me, so sometimes we squabble like siblings. I enjoy it. He has a sharp wit, and I do wish he wouldn’t hide it from everyone else.” She took her seat on a bench in the veranda and casted Victoria an amused expression. “It is interesting, though… how much he’s started speaking out recently. I wonder who I can thank for that positive change, hm?”

Drawing her shawl a little further around her shoulders for warmth, she fixed her crystalline eyes on the fireplace while she considered Lady Crest’s further questions. They were somewhat broad, and while she was talkative by nature, she still preferred to answer as concisely as she could. “Thinking about babies already, are we?” she teased first as she turned back to the other woman. A good-natured smile played on her lips, and she crossed her legs elegantly. “In simple terms, we ‘breed’ the same way humans do. I’m sure you already know what that means, so I’ll spare you the details… If you really want to know more, I’m sure Vail would be more than happy to give you a more thorough lesson.” Alongside the sultry joke, she shot Victoria a wink and giggled lightly.

“The biggest difference between vampires and humans in that realm is that we have more control over how and when we have children. Instead of becoming fertile once a month, we’re only able to get pregnant once a year,” she continued obligingly. “The trickiest part is figuring out when you’re inside your window for the first time, but you’ll know it when both blood and sex are more appealing to you. For example, mine is at the beginning of every summer. For about fifteen to twenty days, I’ll feed twice as often as I normally do, and I’ll notice how handsome my prey is as I bleed him dry.” She ran her tongue across her fangs delightfully at the thought. “Male vampires can tell when we’re fertile too because our scent changes. I don’t quite know how, since I don’t notice it myself, but I’ve been told by my brothers that it’s sweeter.

“Many of us avoid intimacy during that two to three week period because we prefer the fun without the brood, but if you decide you want to start a family, it’s incredibly easy to get pregnant. We don’t have the same difficulties that humans do as long as we aren’t starved of blood. Our bodies are more perfectly regulated, and since we’re fertile for weeks instead of days at a time, you’re practically guaranteed to be with child if you try intentionally. All you need to do is decide when you’re ready.” She sipped at her hot tea and smiled again at Victoria. “I enjoy these candid talks… What else would you like to know?”

--

In the lounge, Vail took the offered cigar and seated himself beside James. He’d always been intrigued by the various inventions of humans, so he’d smoked before. The smell and taste of cigars was pleasing, so he cut off the cap and placed the cigar on his tongue as Francois had. “Of course,” he said through his teeth, toasting the foot over a tinderbox. Relieved felt like an understatement. He was glad that she had woken up again, but he was even more elated that she was a vampire now. Gone were the worries about losing her to disease or old age. As long as neither of them became victims of slayers or the Wynters, they were finally able to be together for the entirety of their immortal lives. It was the best outcome he could have hoped for.

Reclining comfortably, he nodded when James brought up the tome. “It would be a help if you found it,” he agreed. “As long as no one else has moved it, the book should still be in my bedroom on the second floor of the manor. I read through part of it, but there were quite a few pages left that may be useful to Victoria.” Pausing, he puffed on the cigar and then went on as the smoke left his lips, “Speaking of your visit to London, though, how do you intend to approach the Order if you find them? Not all of them are as willing to engage with us as Ray and Gerald were, and now that the Wynters have taken over, they may be even more hostile toward our kind.”