A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight Series #1)

by Lori, Rae

  “So, I have to ask, what exactly is worn under those kilts you used to wear?” The question slipped away before she could catch it. Where were her manners? She tried to keep her face blank but she feared the feeling of embarrassment made its way in her expression.

  Ariya looked ahead, taking in the fake stars perched around the room like a wall of night. The large moon still hung at the top of the main room near the second floor lounge of glass walls. Soon it would be changing in cycles to half moon, quarter and then full. Remembering the inside joke Jace told her about the last time she entered The Torch.

  Jace whipped around to face her. Part of her took pride in shocking him with the question, but he merely cleared his throat and gestured toward the main bar. “A drink,” he said with a smile. “I think, this calls for a drink.”

  “I’d love one,” she said, trying not to chuckle.

  She whispered her order to Jace, a drink she’d seen the other women order, once they made it to the bar where Ben the bartender was filling glasses.

  “Apple Martini, and the usual for me.”

  “Coming up, Jace.”

  The room pulsed with an electronic beat, energizing the dancers on the floor and conversationalists at the tables. Ariya climbed backwards onto a nearby stool while Jace leaned an elbow against the bar and waited for their drinks to come. She didn’t like alcohol much but the idea of an intoxicating drink with fruit flavors amused her to no end. She decided with each visit to the club she would try a new one and then pick her favorite afterward.

  “So, you never told me what Guerre de la Nuit was. Although I can partly guess from the translation; night war?”

  “Correct. It’s a pre-mating ceremony before the two tie the knot, so to speak. The male Lycan proves his worth to his female mate by battling the strongest in the pack.”

  “Which doesn’t include Michael, naturally.”

  Jace turned his head as Ben slid their drinks over. “Thanks, man. Right, not the Patriarch for obvious reasons. Here.”

  She peeked over her shoulder and grabbed her drink. On her palette, the martini reminded her of a previous concoction she had tasted while there. Cranberry, lime and other alcohol added to boost the taste. She hadn’t really tasted the alcohol though she could imagine why the mortals liked it. She took a breath before slowly raising her glass to her lips to sip.

  “Mmm. Not horrid, but not as good as the cranberry.”

  Jace’s handsome face turned sour and he shook his head. “I don’t know how you can drink that stuff,” he said raising his glass of dark red blood to his lips.

  The music lowered a bit as the crowd broke out into a roar. All eyes focused on the entrance where Rich stood with his arm around a young beautiful woman with a dark brown complexion and bright hazel eyes. She had a youthful but strong face complemented by her dark raven hair that fell down her back.

  “There’s the man of the hour now.” Jace raised his hands, breaking out into a loud clap and whistle which started a succession of cheers from the group around him. Rich held his hand up and took a little bow.

  His eyes lit up the moment he saw Jace. “Hey! Come on over here!”

  Jace rushed past the crowd with Ariya by his side. Right away the two men embraced tightly. As the hug broke, Jace couldn’t help taking note of the young woman next to Rich.

  “Right! Well, please allow me to introduce you to my surprise—Joanna Blackfox, my betrothed and soon to be mate. Joanna this is Jace Archane and Ariya.”

  “Nice to finally meet you both,” Joanna said with a smile. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Charmed. We hope to hear more about you in the coming days.” Jace smiled as he placed a kiss on her hand.

  Joanna’s cheek warm with a blush. “Well, thank you for saying.”

  Ariya placed a smile on her face. “So, have you two set a date for the big day?”

  Joanna and Rich exchanged glances before looking at each other.

  “Actually tomorrow,” Rich said with a wide smile. “We want this to be a small private affair.”

  “A small private—” Jace said with wide eyes. He threw back his head, laughing. “Not for the regent in the House of Lycans. I’m sure your Uncle won’t hear of it.”

  “There is a matter we wanted to take care of.” Rich’s gaze fell to the floor for a moment before he looked at Joanna.

  With a nod, she excused herself and he leaned down to give her a soft kiss.

  “Go on,” she said, smacking his rear. “It’ll give us girls some time to get acquainted.”

  Joanna slipped her arm around Ariya who turned to give Jace a curious gaze as they disappeared into the crowd.

  Rich grabbed a full glass and passed it over to Jace. “Here, you look like you could use a little bit of this for the question I’m about to ask you.”

  “Oh, this sounds good.” Jace threw back his head, swallowing a big gulp. “Ah, animal blood. This must be heavy. Okay, hit me.”

  “I want you to be my best man, Jace.”

  Jace leaned against the brick wall nearest to him. “Wow. Best man—I’m—I’m speechless. You’re not going to ask Michael? He’s like a father to you.”

  “Actually I was hoping he would oversee the ceremony. And I mean it. I want it to be a small thing. No big deal.”

  “And what does Joanna think?”

  Rich shrugged. “She agrees. We want to get it over with so we can start a family.”

  Jace’s mouth fell open. He had to stop himself before he dropped his glass. “What?”

  “We want to start on the heirs to line up the next regents.” He chuckled, beaming like a little schoolboy.

  “I should say so, well congratulations on sealing the deal. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

  “The Ashen Twilight House. Nine p.m., sharp.”

  Jace nodded. “Got it. So, I have to ask. Is this the reason you’ve been so distant and, ah, well let’s just call a spade a spade—so pissy lately?”

  Rich snorted as he held his hand up toward Ben to order his favorite drink. “Yeah, that’s the very reason. I had to make sure everything was in order with the eastern divide of the House of Lycan before I could talk about it. Besides, she had doubts being betrothed to a Lycan regent with another house.”

  “Wait a minute—she’s—”

  “Oh, she’s Lycan no doubt, but it’s a big thing to her. She’s a private person and was nervous about being in the spotlight like this.”

  Jace followed his best friend’s gaze over to Ariya and Joanna chatting in the middle of the dance floor as they moved to the music. Both exuded a glow and he took pride in the fact that his best friend would be settling down to share his life with the woman he loved.

  “Whoa,” Rich grabbed his glass from Ben. “I know that look. Things not going well with Ariya?”

  “Nah, it’s not that.” Jace thoughtfully ran his fingertips along the rim of his glass. “Okay, well, part of it is that—I don’t think Julian should have let her stay and watch us work. I mean, I understand he needed her help and all. At least she could’ve waited outside. I think it’s made her a bit freaked and I don’t know how I feel about her seeing that side of us. Plus, Julian didn’t want to offer her protection before and now all of a sudden he wants her help?” He shook his head and scoffed. “I don’t know, man. I feel as if he’s only using her abilities to his advantage considering the fact that he doesn’t want her in the house.”

  “Well, I’ll say one thing.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “At least you got over that whole Steve thing.”

  Jace’s body tensed at the name and the phone call he shared with Rich after he took out the football player. “Yeah, says who?”

  Rich shrugged as he took a drink. “Look, the things I knew about him that his father covered up daily could actually fill a baseball field. Yeah he was one of my kids, but you had to do what you have to for survival and to save the life of another. We all had to do it for centuries no
w.”

  “I could have stayed home and had one of my bottles.”

  Rich nodded. “And yet you chose not to. And who knows, maybe you saved another life in exchange for his.”

  Jace sighed as he looked at Ariya across the way. Perhaps he was right. The girl could have died if Steve continued to fight her in a drunken rage that night. From what he remembered, the hit caused a bruise but no permanent damage. If he had continued to slap her in the same place, she would have surely lost her hearing in that ear.

  “Have you asked Julian about Ariya since you brought up the transformation?” Rich said, bringing Jace out of his thoughts.

  Jace shook his head. “Not at all. It’s been on my mind a lot though. He’s right though, I’ve never borne a Nightwalker before. She would be the first.”

  “Do you love her?”

  Jace’s gaze shot to Rich with surprise at the question. He shook it off with a laugh. He hadn’t used that word in his mind or let it fall from his lips despite what his heart may be feeling. “What do you mean? Love? You’re getting pretty presumptuous there with that word, my friend. I know you’re getting hitched and all but that doesn’t mean you and Joanna have to play cupid with us.”

  Rich held his hands up in surrender. “Okay hold the phone. I know the great Jace Archane doesn’t entertain this crazy notion of love and all. How does she feel about the possibility of being turned?”

  “I haven’t talk to her about it.”

  “Well, there’s your mistake, Jace. Talk to her about it. Ask what she thinks and go from there.”

  “What if she’s against it? I’ve never turned anyone before.”

  “So you see the consequences of your actions and the pros. One thing’s for sure above all—”

  “And what’s that?”

  “She almost gave her life for you, she was prepared to and she almost died in the process.”

  Jace looked back at Ariya laughing with a joy he hadn’t seen in awhile. The smile lit her face up and, if it was possible, she was even more beautiful. Tonight when he fed he couldn’t get the wish out of his mind for Ariya to be in the streetwalker’s place.

  Since Ariya came into his life, he would be content with finding a new woman each night even though he would never kiss them. Nor would he fully indulge in the pleasures of their body. Somehow he just couldn’t bring himself to it with her image floating in his mind. He would feed and move on, knowing there was someone else out there for him.

  Since her return, he felt at ease once he peeked in his dim candlelit bedroom and saw Ariya sleeping soundly. His body yearned to take her in his arms and relish in the taste of her, but he couldn’t. She wasn’t like the other woman he knew. Perhaps that was the problem—she wasn’t a Nightwalker. She didn’t suffer lifetimes of bloodlust nor was she used to taking lives so brutally. If she were to become a creature of the night, he wasn’t sure if he could live with the idea. She was a Fairy and although she studied up on this world, she was still innocent to its true nature.

  “No,” Jace said, bringing the glass to his lips. “I don’t know if I could ever go through with it anyway.”

  * * * *

  Ariya watched Joanna slide backwards onto a groove jutting from the back wall. The tall Lycan patted the empty area next to her.

  “Thanks for keeping me company,” Joanna said, settling on the table. “I’m not really comfortable in a big party atmosphere.”

  Ariya climbed on the table. “I don’t blame you,” she said with a soft exhale. “Small and cozy is where it’s at.”

  Joanna leaned back, eyeing Ariya with pride.

  Ariya caught her expression and smiled. “I’ve learned the speech patterns a little here and there.”

  “Well, I would agree with that particular assessment. No matter what language it was in.” Joanna angled her head again to look at Ariya. “May I ask a question?”

  Ariya shrugged. “Sure.”

  For a moment, Joanna slowly licked her lips in thought, carefully choosing her words. “Well, I don’t want to sound rude or anything but I know you’re not mortal.”

  Ariya laughed. “Nope. I’m an Aziza, actually. I guess we fall under the title of Fairy according to the mortal legends.” She leaned forward then fluttered and unfolded her wings for emphasis.

  “Very nice,” Joanna nodded. “Must save time and travel.”

  “You would think so,” Ariya looked over at Jace engaged in his conversation with Rich. She felt his eyes on her moments ago and fought the urge to figure out what he was thinking. Whatever it was, it had to be something serious.

  “How long have you and Jace been together?”

  “Oh! Jace and I aren’t—”

  “Come on, that wasn’t a friendly goodbye gaze you shared earlier.”

  She shrugged. “Well, we’re not, really, anything concrete.”

  “Do you want to be?”

  Ariya looked back at Jace with the question in her mind. Good question.

  A slow urban beat pulsated through the club. Ariya watched in awe at the dark silhouettes of shadows moving to the sound. The dance reminded her of the ceremonial dances of her home. The rhythmic drums fueled her people’s energy, controlling their bodies like the strings of soulful marionettes. Only this dance was more heated. The women’s bodies wound around their men in a mock ritual mating dance. She felt her skin warm as she viewed their intimacy on full display.

  Between the moving bodies, Jace’s face stood out. His bright blue eyes watched her with intent and she had to wonder what went on behind that wall he put up between them.

  She leaned back toward the stone wall behind her, feeling the slight flutter of her wings.

  “Oh yeah, there’s something there, all right,” Joanna chuckled before taking a sip of her drink.

  Ariya turned to protest when she felt a figure close in on her. Jace stood with a thin smile on his face and his hand out toward her.

  “Shall we?”

  She smiled, slightly embarrassed. “I haven’t danced in so long, I’m still getting used to it again.”

  “Don’t worry.” He reached down and helped her to her feet. “This dance, the way your body moves with passion, is something you never forget.”

  Ariya turned and faced Joanna who winked to give her support.

  He was right. Once she moved, it was as if she had danced only yesterday. It was as if no time had passed since she had practiced their dance before the coming-of-age ceremony.

  Jace led her to the middle of the floor. Ariya slipped her hand on Jace’s shoulders and reached for his hand with the other.

  “No, no.” He took her other hand and put it on his opposite shoulder. “Stay loose,” he said, his voice soft and sensuous as a whisper. “Let your hips speak for what your heart feels.” Slowly he slid his strong hands down her body and to her shapely hips, guiding her. “That’s it. Feel the music. Let it guide you.”

  Ariya allowed the sounds, smells and feel of the club to overtake her body. She moved on her own, swaying side to side in slow motion. She turned around in the dance and pressed her body against his. She could feel his hand gently caressing her thin, translucent wings as he moved up her neck. He interlaced his hands with the mass of dark, tight curls splayed across her shoulders.

  She felt him lean in to take in the scent of her body. She felt his want and need for her. Finally she turned to face him and gaze deep into his eyes. She was drawn to him as if an invisible force was alive between them. Her lips grew hungry as he leaned in toward her and she awaited that inevitable moment of impact when he would claim her lips with his own.

  The music suddenly slowed down to silence and the main room grew darker as a spotlight shined on the front stage. Ariya’s body buzzed to life as she felt a wave of regret and slight embarrassment over what they almost did.

  “Ladies and gentleman.” Rich held his hands up as he stood center stage. “Animals and bloodsuckers.” The crowds buzzed with murmurs, chuckles and soft boos. “Okay, simmer
down now. Well, as reigning regent in the House of Lycan, I’d like to announce my commitment to the lovely Joanna Blackfox of the eastern divide of the House of Lycan. She’s that sexy gal over there in the black.”

  The crowd roared with applause and whistles as another spotlight shined on Joanna. She took a gentle little bow.

  “Tonight, I will prove my passion and worth to her in the desert lands. For tomorrow I will take her as my bride.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  Murmurs filled the room.

  Rich’s smile disappeared. He turned to a face lost in the crowd and waited until a spotlight shined on the mystery man.

  The man stood with his head held high. Large tan skin roped over lean muscle outlined under his snug black shirt and blue jeans. His chiseled face was alluring, but the sparkle in his green eyes as he focused on Joanna showed he was a man that didn’t like to ask for what he wanted.

  Ariya could sense Jace’s chest rising and falling rapidly beneath his thin long sleeved shirt. The tightening of his jaw and the way his gaze danced between the two made him seem like an animal in heat ready to pounce; one for violence and the other for lovemaking.

  Rich was just as ready.

  Ariya sensed the rising tension in him. The testosterone levels in both men had shot to sky high the minute the guy walked in the door.

  Rich hopped off the stage and approached the man in the middle of the room. He didn’t bother to look at the small group of Lycans in the mystery man’s pack. Instead, he smiled and crossed his arms, holding the man’s gaze.

  Vex and Rich’s pack immediately joined Rich’s side.

  “Hello, Vince,” Rich said with a nod. “Nice to see you didn’t punk out like I thought you would.”

  Vince snorted. “Joanna’s worth more than that. She needs someone who can stand up for themselves, for her and the pack. Someone like—”

  “Who? You?” Rich chuckled, his broad shoulders bobbing up and down. “Vince—hadn’t she suffered enough?”

  A thick growl escaped Vince’s throat. He took a step toward Rich who stood a good inch over him. “You and me, wolf boy. We’ll see who’s the Alpha in the end.”