Page 27

I also noticed my daughter studying Lucian between bites of pumpkin pie.

Instead of the usual suspicious and often hostile glint in her amber eyes, there was only curiosity.

Was she possibly warming up to him? I wasn’t sure that was the best idea.

On one hand, as the war intensified, she would need to be able to trust him; we all would.

On the other hand, maybe Xochitl should know what Lucian did to her…

to us. But that meant I’d have to tell her, and I wasn’t ready for that.

When we were so stuffed with good food that it was difficult to move, the Lees departed with warm embraces and Akasha ushered us all downstairs to watch movies.

I made sure to find a place on the couch beside Xochitl, but Lucian selected a bean bag chair right below me.

To my surprise, they’d chosen the Twilight movies even though I remembered Xochitl and her friends hating them way back when, which had confused me because they usually loved vampire books and movies.

“What caused the change of heart?” I asked.

“It’s hard to explain,” Xochitl said. “But tonight is Aurora’s fault.

When she was visiting the New Orleans, the witch coven planned to torture the Lord Vampire of the city with them, but it backfired because he loves them.

When she was telling us about it, we found out that Silas hadn’t seen them.

Neither has Zareth. Plus, they’re PG enough that Kiara can watch them. ”

At first, it was a lot of fun, with everyone laughing and shouting out some of the lines like they did with Rocky Horror Picture Show . But the second movie made Silas incredibly distressed.

“What the hell happened to ‘you are my life now?’ ” he said as he scooped Akasha into his lap. “Is he really leaving her in the woods? If he hadn’t thrown her into a table, she wouldn’t have been in danger! And, what about the redheaded vampire that’s after her?”

“Silas,” Akasha squeaked in his tight embrace. “I can’t breathe.”

“I’m sorry, lass.” He loosened his grip and kissed the top of her head. “It’s just that I know what it’s like to have waited centuries to find my true love and this doaty dobber is throwing it all away. And, unlike you, his woman is dafty and fragile.”

Anthony shook his head. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around why they go to high school. And why they’d live in a small town where they’d be so conspicuous.”

“It’s the ice-cold skin for me,” Jayden nuzzled Razvan. “I’m so glad you’re warm.”

“For me, it’s the not-sleeping thing,” Delgarias said. “That sounds like torture. I love to sleep and dream.”

“Me too,” Radu said, making everyone laugh because he’d only recently emerged from a seven-hundred-year hibernation. “And I would not mind sparkling if it meant I could be in the sun.”

Lucian was paying more attention to the vampires’ reactions than to the movie.

But I couldn’t blame him. Except, whenever his head turned to look at whoever was making snarky remarks, his hair brushed across my legs.

I shouldn’t have been able to feel it through my thick velvet dress and wool stockings, but I did.

After the film ended with Edward reuniting with Bella, and Silas grumping about how he should have groveled more, everyone made plans to watch the other three tomorrow.

“That’s perfect,” Lucian bounced on his heels with exuberance. “Kerainne is going to take me to see the parade and lighting ceremony tomorrow.”

Xochitl’s gaze whipped to mine. “Oh, she is, is she?”

My face heated. “I said we’ll see.”

My daughter smirked. “With you, ‘we’ll see’ always means yes.”

Silas chuckled at our exchange before turning to me. “Are you and Lucian staying the night?”

I ignored Lucian’s hopeful look. “He can, but I don’t think that’s a good idea for me to leave the tower unguarded for too long.”

Zareth gave me an odd smile. “The tower guards itself.”

“All the same, I’d rather be in my own bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Maybe Lucian would stay behind.

No such luck. He rose and joined me in saying farewells.

I transported us back to the portal by the lake, cursing Earth’s stationary portals. By the time we stepped through and appeared in front of Lucian’s guesthouse, my magic was weakened from the cold and I couldn’t stop shivering.

“Come inside with me,” Lucian said softly. “I’ll get a fire going and make some hot tea.”

“That’s a terrible idea,” I grumbled through chattering teeth.

“You won’t be able to teleport yourself back to the tower in this state,” he said firmly. “You’d have to walk there from the village, and walk through the nightmare forest. And the cold would weaken you further.”

Damn it, he was right. “Fine.”

I tried to tell myself I’d never wondered what Lucian had done with the inside of the guesthouse. But I did.

The place was already warmer inside, but when Lucian threw a fireball onto the stack of logs in the fireplace, welcome heat enveloped me.

As if knowing I needed a moment, he headed off for the kitchen and filled the tea kettle while I headed to the hearth to warm myself. When my teeth stopped chattering, I turned my back to the fire and was finally able to notice his décor.

Lilacs surrounded me.

Paintings, delicate blown glass sculptures, and even real ones encased in glass, my favorite flower was everywhere.

Somehow, the repeated theme didn’t look kitschy.

Maybe it was the mixed media and the way the color complemented the cream walls, or maybe it was the other non-lilac items that caught my notice, paintings and sculptures of ships, seashells, and other nautical items. And when I turned back to face the fire, I saw a granite wolf next to a marble lioness on top of the mantle, bookended with garnets and wooden lizards.

The tea kettle whistled, making me jump. I turned and headed to the small dining room table, noticing that even the placemats had lilacs embroidered on them. Lucian emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray with two steaming mugs of tea and little vessels of honey, sugar, and cream.

The tips of his ears were red as he set down the tray and followed my gaze around the décor.

“You filled this place with all of my favorite things.” I meant the words to be an accusation, but instead my tone came out awed. “Why not any of your favorites?”

He walked toward me, his cerulean eyes deep as the sea I so loved. “But you are my favorite. Everything you love, you’ve shown me through your eyes and taught me to love. Every lilac, every ship, every little lizard brings me the happiest memories of times I’ve spent with you.”

And suddenly I was in his arms, his lips covering mine.

I kissed him back hungrily, moaning in delight at the taste of him, a flavor I hadn’t had in decades and had missed so much.

Lucian’s answering groan made heat pool between my thighs.

His tongue delved into my mouth, sliding across mine in a sensuous dance.

Warm bliss flowed over me in a dizzying swirl. Fates, how I’d needed this.

My hands roved over his strong back and plunged into his silken hair, a texture my fingertips had longed for.

I moved against him, whimpering in frustration, wanting more.

His warm hands slid down to my hips and before I knew it, he was lifting me onto the table.

I threw my arms over his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his waist, bringing my body in full contact with his.

A moan escaped my lips as I felt his hardness between my legs, pressing so deliciously to the place that ached for him. Lucian thrust against me as his tongue echoed the erotic movement.

My hands began to pull at his shirt, and only when my palm made contact with his hot skin did I realize what I was doing.

“Stop,” I gasped.

Lucian immediately broke the kiss and released me. “What’s wrong?”

“All of this,” I choked past a lump in my throat. “I can’t do this. Not again.”

“Yes, you can.” His blue eyes were pleading and deep enough to drown in. “No one is dictating your life anymore. You’re free.”

“No, I’m not.” I scooted off the table and grabbed my coat. “Pain dictates my life. And I can’t bear any more hurt.”

With that, I ran out the door. I hoped the cold wintery air would cool the fire burning me to death from the inside, but instead, my memories fanned the flames.