Jeaniene Frost - [Night Huntress Outtakes 03] - At Grave's End -
Cat's Engagement Ring (html)/At_Grave's_End_Outtakes_-_Cat's.htmlAt
Grave's End Outtakes part 1 - Cat's engagement ringCat's Ring
This scene was cut from the original version of At Grave's End.
The plot in the beginning changed, so some of the events in this
outtake don't coincide with the events/timeline in the final book.
But because people asked to see the scene where Bones described how
he came to have a big red diamond that eventually became Cat's
engagement ring, here it is.
Oh, and all the "bleeps" are because of the profanity filter on
the forum, which changes the words from their original naughty form
into something more genteel, lol. Having a profanity filter on the
forum cracks me up, to be honest, because I'd probably be the
biggest swear-word offender, not anyone else.
This scene would have taken place after Cat accepts Bones's
proposal on page 17, but again, events in it are different, so it
wouldn't have fit into the final storyline.
***
There was silence, complete and total. Then Don cleared his
throat, Juan shuffled his feet, Tate muttered a curse, and Dave was
the first to speak.
Congratulations.
You know, Dave, ever since he unplanted you, youve taken his
side! Tate sputtered. That little vampire stunt before was one
thing. Hell, if it scares the others away from coming after her,
then great. But this is different. She will take it different.
Arent you the slightest bit concerned for her welfare? Shit, Cat,
does your mother know?
Why am I not surprised? I thought. Yes, my mother knows. We
called her yesterday. She cried.Huge gulping sobs of misery,
intermittent profanity notwithstanding.
Bones smiled at the memory. Vindictive son of a bitch.
Dave rallied to the accusation. I care about Cats welfare as
much as you do, Tate. And Im not taking his side because he raised
me. Come on, buddy, open your eyes! She loves him, and if you
werent so prejudiced, youd see he worships the ground she walks
on.
Right you are, mate, Bones lightly replied.
Don tugged on his eyebrow before folding his hands in front of
him. Are you sure about this, Cat? Whats the hurry? You both
certainly have no lack for time.
I rolled my eyes. They were as cheerful as a trip to the morgue.
At least Denise had been excited for me. Shed screamed in delight.
We had a date later to plan the wedding.
Don, and this is for all of you also so I only have to say it
once: Yes, I am sure. Now, I better start to hear congratulations
and best wishes from the rest of you, or I am going to be seriously
pissed.
Happily ever after to you, Cat, Tate sarcastically shot.
Thanks ever so, Bones answered in the same tone.
Much happiness,querida, Bones, Juan said with more
sincerity.
Commander, Cooper nodded, speaking for the first time. Bones.
Long life and love to you both.
More elaborate than I expected, as Cooper was notoriously
taciturn. I left the life part alone, because I didnt think it was
meant to be insulting.
Thank you, Cooper. Thats the goal.
I stared at my uncle, who was the last holdout. Don flicked his
gaze between me and Bones and then stood, holding out a hand.
Welcome to the family. Youve inherited quite the clan. A
murderous father-in-law. Deceiving, plotting uncle-in-law. And the
most frightening thing of all a resentful harpy of a mother-in-law
who will do her best to make your life an undead hell. Youd better
love her as much as Dave thinks you do.
Bones laughed and shook Dons hand. The perils are fierce but the
prize is worthy. Dont fret, old chap. I love her more than even our
mate Dave realizes.
Don cast a glance at my new ring. May I? he inquired.
I extended my hand, fingers down for better viewing. Don turned
the stone into the light, forehead wrinkling as his brows drew
together. Finally he released me and his face had an odd
expression.
Thats quite a ring. It tells me just how much I dont know about
you, Bones. Sure she should be wearing it so casually?
He shrugged. Its her engagement ring, why wouldnt she wear
it?
Let me see that.
Tate stepped forward and took my hand. Who gets someone a ruby
for their engagement ring?
Its a diamond, Don said quietly.
I was surprised to hear that. So was Tate. He dropped my hand.
Whatd you do, Bonehead, rob a pharaohs tomb?
Bones smiled without humor. No, mate, I didnt steal it. This gem
was my payment for murdering a king after he killed the children of
his rival. You could call it a bloodstone. If a diamond could
bleed, I reckon it would drip stones like this.
Youre a regular Grimms Fairy Tales, arent you? Tate
breathed.
I coughed to interrupt the potentially nasty moment.
Were, ah, having a traditional wedding. Sort of. I almost
laughed at the notion of any wedding we would have being called
traditional. Point being, there will be a ceremony, reception, that
sort of thing. Youre all invited, of course, and I would love for
you all to come, but let me say this: if you cant play nice, dont
bother. I want one happy day without all the bickering, griping,
taunts, jealousy and other bullshit that is the norm. There will be
a lot more of Boness friends there than mine, let me assure you,
and few if any of them will be human. If you cant handle that, stay
away.
God, why dont I just calligraphy that on a card and mail it?
Maybe this traditional wedding thing wasnt such a good idea.
Do we have to be beaten and hung in cages as well? Tate
deadpanned, alluding to the last party theyd been to at Ians.
A snort of laughter came from Bones. Thats reserved for
Justina.
I elbowed him none too gently in the ribs. Very funny, both of
you. No, any beatings are on your own time.
One by one everyone voiced their acceptances. I was relieved,
not knowing until just then how much Id wanted them all to be
there.
Good. Now I have one more thing to ask. Don.
This was the hard part. I cleared my throat.
This is optional, and you are under no obligation whatsoever to
accept. I will understand, hell, even empathize if you decline.
Disclaimer aside, now I went onto the request. No ones left in my
family but my mother, my father - that piece of shit - and you. So
I was wondering, since were doing this the quasi-normal way,
erwould you walk me down the aisle and give me away? I finally
blurted.
Whatever hed been expecting, that wasnt it. His whole body
froze, his hand still in mid-tug on his eyebrow.
You dont have to, I repeated, dismayed by his reaction. It was
only a thought...
Yes.
The word was low, and then it was my turn to be blown away by
the distinct shine in his eyes before he swiveled his chair to face
the wall behind him.
Dave coughed. Uh, guys, lets go see whats going on downstairs. I
think I just heard Belinda break someones legs.
You can hear that? Juan asked.
Dave snatched him by the collar of his shirt and propelled him
out the door. Tate and Cooper left under their own power.
Maybe you arent such a bastard after all, Bones said quietly
when the door closed behind them.
Don turned back around, more composed but still exhibiting
greater emotion than Id seen before.
I dont have the advantage of your years, he stated to Bones. And
I have learned in my own brief ones that ruthlessness can succeed
where trust has failed. Where brotherhood has failed. Where all
else has failed. Its a hard lesson to learn - and an even harder
one to unlearn. I dont trust you, Bones, but I think Don paused and
blinked twice before gazing at me. I think one day I might trust
you. Thats more than Id ever thought to have again.
He swiveled back around again, and his voice wavered just a
little. Would you both excuse me? I find I have something in my
eye.
Bones escorted me to my office as I kept my head lowered,
because now I had something in my eye, too.
***
Jeaniene Frost - [Night Huntress Outtakes 03] - At Grave's End -
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