A Midsummer Night's Demon (12 page)

“I can feel your eyes on me.” Ky looked over his shoulder. “And if you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to come back to bed and keep you there all night.” Sounded like a plan to her. “And you’ll miss this evening’s celebration.”

Okay, she needed to hear that. She couldn’t miss this evening’s festival too. One transgression could be forgiven, two not so much.

Lyn rolled out from under the warm sheets, and headed for the bathroom. “I call first dibs,” she said, closing the door behind her.

Several minutes later, with her bathing ritual completed, she glided down the hall into the kitchen to greet her mate, dressed in the white, Grecian-style gown Ky had retrieved from her apartment while she bathed. She sat across from him at the small kitchen table, remembering the first time they ate a meal together.

It seemed like forever, these past two months. So much had come to pass. She had been attacked by a vampire, found her mate only to discover he too was a vampire.

Her friends and family would never believe it. Vampires were considered myths. They would never accept him, unless…

Her eyes met his over their poached eggs. “I can’t wait to get to the Festival,” Lyn commented before taking a bite of the meal he prepared. He’d cooked the egg to perfection, and seasoned it just right. Wow, a man that’s good looking, who could also cook…too good to be true.

He leaned forward to place his hand over hers where it rested on the table. “I’m not sure it is a good idea to bring a vampire to a demon religious ritual, Daelyn.”

“Oh, come on, no one has to know what you are.”

“But what if someone figures it out? I’d hate to ruin your festival.” Ky took a sip of his coffee.

“You won’t ruin it. I want you there. I want all my family and friends to meet you.”

Ky spit the coffee back into his mug. He raised a questioning brow. “
All
your friends and family. You mean your entire family will be there tonight?”

“Not
all
of them,” she admitted.
Just most of them.
“Come on, please come with me. It will be fun. You’ll see. And you promised you’d take me. Remember?”

Ky gave her hand a squeeze. “I would do anything for you, Lyn, especially when you look at me with those pretty doe eyes.” He blew out a heavy sigh. “I’ll go. I never break a promise.”

Thirty minutes later, dishes cleaned, the food put away, they headed out the door hand in hand.

“Oh wait. Hold on a minute.” Lyn stopped abruptly. “I almost forgot.”

She reached into the bag hanging from her shoulder and withdrew a small bundle of cloth. Ky watched her cradle it in the palm of one hand as she untied the knot on the top. The material draped over her hand, revealing the treasure inside.

“What’s that?” Ky asked.

“It’s my offering to the faeries.”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“I have to sprinkle it around your home as an offering.”

Ky crossed his arms over his thick chest and cocked his head questioningly to one side. “You think I have faeries around my house?”

“We all do,” Lyn informed him while she sprinkled the herbs and food with Ky in tow.

“And do you see these faeries?” Ky asked, not quite keeping the disbelief from his voice.

“No, but we know they are there, especially this time of the year.”

Ky glanced around as if looking for any sign to prove their existence.

Just when she ran out of her offering, they completed a circle around his home. Lyn tucked the emptied cloth back into her bag. “Okay, now we can go.”

“You sure?” Ky held out his arm.

She placed her fingers in the crook of his arm, and he covered her fingers with his hand, holding her to him. The couple made their way down the dirt path that led to his dock.

“I’m sure, Kyron. Let’s go to the festival. But we need to hurry, we’re late.”

“And we’re late because…”

Lyn rolled her eyes. “Hey, sometimes you just have to leave an offering.”

“To invisible beings.”

“Ky, don’t mock what you don’t understand,” she advised as they reached the dock.

Ky handed her into the motor boat and climbed in after her. He took her into his arms. They felt so good around her. His warmth surrounded her, and a contented sigh slipped between her lips. Lyn wrapped her arms around his narrow waist, melding against the hard planes of his body.

“I would never mock your religion. I might not understand it, but I’d never mock it.”

He cuddled her head against his shoulder.

“And I promise not to mock any of the vampirey things you do.”

“‘Vampirey?’ What do you mean by that?”

He attempted to pull away, but she refused to allow it, tightening her hold around his waist.

“Oh nothing. I’ll let you know the next time you do one of them. Now let’s get this boat engine revved up and get to the celebration.”

“That won’t be the only engine revved up tonight.” Ky separated their bodies. “Especially if I have to look at you all night in that sexy dress.” He ran the pad of his thumb over her nipple. It pebbled under his touch, eliciting an appreciative groan from his full lips in response.

She gave him a gentle push of encouragement. “There will be time for that later. We must get going.”

Ky gave a tug on the ripcord, and brought the motor to life. Lyn watched him, appreciating the play of his muscles under the white shirt he wore. He looked ready to attend a beach wedding, dressed in khaki pants and classic Cuban-style shirt that hugged his body in the most delicious way.

Damn,
she thought, taking a seat.
That is one gorgeous male wrapped up in a fine package.
The Goddess had blessed her with a fine mate, and she intended to show her appreciation.

Chapter Fourteen

The sound of the minstrels’ lutes and vihuelas filled the air, their songs dainty and gentle, much like the Goddess they celebrated. The soft sound of the waves kissing the shore below accompanied the minstrels in a steady beat.

Humidity clung to the hot night air, but the company made the slight discomfort worth braving the balmy weather. Lyn sat next to Ky on the dune, his arm about her shoulders. She felt at peace, tucked against his side. She took a deep breath, taking the salted fishy smell of the ocean into her lungs.

The evening had been going splendidly. She’d introduced Ky to the majority of her friends and family in attendance. He amused them with stories and witticisms. No one realized that he was a vampire which put him at ease, and the look on his handsome face indicated he might be having a good time.

“Here, it’s almost time for the bonfire.” Her friend, Bret, passed her a handful of flowers. “Put these on.”

“Put what on?” Ky’s voice sounded suspicious. He watched the male demon saunter off to offer another bunch of flowers to a different couple.

Lyn lifted a garland of yellow blossoms. “Put this around your neck.”

Ky took the garland gingerly between his finger and thumb, holding it away from his body, like a deadly animal about to strike. Make that rotten meat, Lyn amended, noting the look on his face.

“You want me to wear a Hawaiian lei?”

“It’s not Hawaiian. It’s a Litha tradition. The men wear garland around their necks and the women wear these.” Lyn put a crown of yellow and white flowers around her head. “They are made of St. John’s Wort and white lilies.”

Ky smiled a sexy grin and placed the garland around his neck. “When in Rome,” he gave her a wink that made her bones melt and sent a rush of heat to her feminine core, “wear a lei.”

“Do you have any idea how sexy you are?” Lyn laced her fingers with his.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful
you
are with those flowers in your hair?” he countered, and drew her closer.

His lips descended on hers in a gentle kiss. His tongue bid entrance into the warm cavern of her mouth, by making a sinuous slide along the seam of her lips. She immediately obliged, opening to him. Ky slipped his skilled tongue between her parted lips, and she gave herself over to his light but thorough kiss.

The sound of a throat being cleared superfluously loud next to them brought the kiss to a quick end. His lips left hers, and she knew a moment of anxiety.

Her brother, Matthias, smacked Ky on the back, hard enough that Lyn could feel the hit where their bodies pressed together. “That’s enough of that, you two. It’s time for the Creation Story. Don’t want to keep the Priestess waiting, if you know what’s good for you.”

The threatening look her brother gave them brought Ky to his feet, his hands clenched by his thighs. Her brother responded in kind, squaring his shoulders as his fingers curled into his palms. Their eyes met in an intense stare, sizing each other up.

“Men!” Lyn rolled her eyes. “
Mierda
. Back off, Matt.”

Her brother’s dark, angry gaze locked with that of her lover’s. His eyes narrowed in challenge, daring Ky to advance.

“Who is this male?” Ky demanded, his stare never leaving his opponent. He shifted his weight to one side, settling into a fighting stance.

“Who am I? Who the hell are you to be sucking face with my sister?”

The look of shock that settled upon Ky’s face would have made Lyn giggle if not for the tension that filled the air. “You are her brother?”

Matthias nodded his head and crossed his arms over his wide chest. His hands pushed behind his large biceps, making them look even bigger. “Yeah. And who exactly are you?”

Ky pulled his eyes from her brother’s to look at Lyn. “I thought I had met all your relatives, Lyn.”

The female demon lifted her shoulders in a carefree
shrug. “What can I say? I have a large family. In the next decade, you may not get to meet them all.”

“Next decade?” Her brother’s gaze darted between her and her mate several times. “This”—Matt gestured at Ky with his thumb—“is more than just a one night stand?”

“He is my mate, Matthias. You will treat him with respect.”

“Respect is earned, Daelyn, not given.” Her brother eyed Ky with discerning interest as his arms fell loosely to his sides.

Lyn could not help but notice the way his hands tightened by his thighs. Her eyes darted to her lover, watching his fingers flex into fists. These two might be talking, but their bodies looked ready to battle. Like two predators eyeing prey, underneath their calm façade their muscles coiled, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. She needed to do something to keep them from going to blows.

She knew her brother always craved a good fight, and Ky would be just the person to give it to him. Long ago their kind physically challenged family members for the right to mate with a female. And though they evolved past such archaic behavior, the instinct was still buried deep inside, waiting to come out.

Lyn pushed off the blanket, intending to rise to intercede. Immediately she found Ky’s hand in front of her face, palm up. She took the proffered hand, allowed him to help her to stand. Their fingers laced, and she bestowed a worried glance on her brother.

Matt’s eyes dropped to their hands, the sight causing his fists to relax. His dark gaze rose to meet her own. “You have chosen this male for your mate?”

A weak smile raised the corner of her mouth. “Yes,” Lyn replied without hesitation. “I have. I would like your blessing, but I do not require it.”

She shot him a pointed glare, watching the expression of quiet acceptance cross his face in understanding. Their eyes met, and held in a respectful stare.

Matt’s body relaxed, and the tension left his shoulders. Cool resignation replaced the heat in his eyes. If he had not yet accepted her choice, he had at least accepted that it was her decision as to who to take as a mate.

“Tell me, Lyn, do you intend to complete the Bonding Ritual with this male?”

She wrapped her arm about her lover’s waist, registering the feel of his muscles under his thin shirt. “I do.”

“What’s the Bonding Ritual?” Ky looked at her upturned face.

“You don’t know what the Bonding Ritual is?” Matt’s incredulous tone made Ky’s head snap in his direction. “What kind of demon are you?”

Ky’s muscles bunched under her arm. If she didn’t intercede soon this would get out of hand. Two powerful Alpha males in close proximity was never a good thing, but the same two males overly protective of her and volatile toward each other—well that was a recipe for disaster.

“Didn’t you say it was time for the Creation Story, Matt?” Lyn asked. “Maybe we should go down to the beach. We don’t want to miss it.”

“Mmm-hmm.” The expression her brother gave her told her he knew she’d tried to distract him. “You sure you want this guy for your mate, little sister?”

Ky bristled beside her. “I’ve had enough of—”

Lyn tightened her grip on his waist, and spoke loudly to cut him off midsentence. “You go on to the beach, Matt. We’ll be right behind you.”

Her brother’s gaze raked over Ky’s body, as if he was deciding whether or not he found him worthy of his sister. He must have found something he liked, because his hardened look softened—a little.

After a quick nod of his head in their direction, Lyn watched her brother lope off toward the glowing beach. At six-foot tall and two-hundred pounds, most found him a formidable guy. He also routinely made the mistake of thinking of himself as her protector, acting more like her father than her brother. He had been posturing with Ky, but her brother seemed appeased for now. Matt had run off more than one of her boyfriends, and she wasn’t about to let him interfere with her mate.

If he knew about Ky being a vampire, there would be demonic hell to pay. Her brother had a hard enough time accepting she had chosen a mate, but if he found out that mate was not a demon…that was not something that would be tolerated by her brother.

In a few minutes her friends and family would witness Ky and her complete the Bonding Ritual and then no one would ever try to separate them. Anticipation knotted her stomach as she allowed Ky to lead her toward the bonfire that blazed ahead in the sand and joined the throng of demons sitting on the beach.