by Sharon Kay
She scrunched her nose and he went on. “The female has to accept the bond. It can start to form, but won’t complete until she welcomes it. It’s sort of a safety measure, I guess, to prevent forced matings. This way it can only happen if it’s meant to.”
“So, do I just say, I accept you?” she asked.
“Not sure. But from what I hear, it can be a thought, or a spoken acknowledgment of love.” He shimmied her jeans down and she kicked off her shoes and still-wet socks. “There’s no rush, Enza. I want you like I’ve never wanted anything or anyone in my life, and if you’re ready to do this, so am I. But I don’t want you to feel pressure, on top of everything else you’ve been through. There’s no time limit on it. Hell, one of the Watcher pairs at HQ had to wait a hundred years to complete their bond.”
“A hundred? Wait.” A new thought startled her. “How old are you?”
“Almost three hundred years.” He studied her. “I should have told you sooner.”
“No, it’s okay. It will take some getting used to, like the rest of it. But…” She tilted her head to one side as he kissed her neck. “If I’m half human, will I grow old before you?”
“You’re also half demon, and if we’re mated, that half will take over your longevity, and you’ll live as long as any other supernatural creature.”
Relief coursed through her. “Oh. Good. Because that’s what I want.”
“To live a long demon life?” His eyes twinkled.
She slid her fingers into the waist of his jeans. “To be mated to you, and live a long demon life with you. And have adorable demon babies with you. We can have kids, right?”
He grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off her feet, and swung her around. “I fucking hope so. If you’re fertile when I am, then we will. And if not, our healers can help out with that.”
“Oh, Rhys.” She wrapped her legs around his jean-clad hips. “I love you.”
The words left her lips and everything clicked into place. All the mix of emotion she had been feeling, all the things she couldn’t understand…it was him. It was their bond. And now she gasped as she felt her heart lock to his, as if bound with a golden chain.
Together. Forever.
“I love you too, bella.”
A sudden thought popped into her head. “Can we get married too?”
He laughed, a magic sound that warmed her heart. “Are you proposing to me?”
She tilted her head. “Well…I kind of always thought I’d be a bride one day. I mean, I hoped.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s silly. Life doesn’t always turn out like we pl—”
“You want to get married, we’ll get married. Big or small, here or away, just tell me.” He nibbled her ear. “Could be fun. I never thought I’d have a wife.”
“I never thought I’d have a mate,” she shot back, turning to meet his lips. Delirious joy built in her heart and she fought to push her words out. Hard to do when the sexiest man alive was kissing her like he couldn’t get enough. “Rhys…everything changed when I met you. I thought things were upside down and crazy. But really, they fell into place.”
He pulled back and the love in his eyes melted her heart. “You’ve done a kick-ass job of handling everything.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’ll never have to. You’ve got me forever, now.” He winked. Forever.
She gasped at the familiar rumble of his voice…but now in her head. “What are you doing?”
Talking to you. We did it on the mountain. Remember?
“Yeah, but I didn’t—it just happened. I thought it was like an extra thing we could do because of the fight. Something with my demon nature, maybe. How do you do it?”
It’s just like speaking out loud. Try it.
She concentrated. Like this?
He nodded.
Wow. So this is what you guys meant.
“Yes. The mental link, the emotion, and now the bond. It’s forever baby. I’m yours.”
“And I’m yours.”
He closed the small distance between them, claiming her mouth in a kiss that crystallized his devotion to her. Faithfulness, love, and anticipation flooded her, and she could tell it was his emotion she was feeling. A new feeling of being joined to him pulsed in her soul, and she squeezed him tighter.
Not long ago, she wouldn’t have thought herself lucky to be a half demon. But the man holding her now made everything make sense. He’d protected her and fought for her, been wounded for her and gave relentless pursuit until she was safe in his arms. “You’re my hero,” she whispered, wishing he could see how much she treasured him.
“For you, always. You make me feel like I can be anything and everything you need.” His intensity branded her, imprinting deeply in her very cells.
“Do you understand how amazing you are?” She cupped his jaw.
He grinned. “I do, my mate and bride-to-be.”
EPILOGUE
One year later
“EAT MORE!” CARA HELD UP a slice of yellow cake with ribbons of filling creating too-tempting paths through it. Strawberry, banana, and buttercream—all of Enza’s favorites. She stood in front of Enza and Rhys, who were taking a much needed respite to sit down during their wedding reception. “This cake is almost as big as I am and someone needs to finish it. Eat.”
“No, I can’t!” Enza protested. “It was delicious, but this dress has zero room for cake and I already had a piece.”
“All the better to get you out of it sooner.” Rhys gave her a roguish grin and reached for the dessert. “I’ll eat it. “
Enza gigggled. “Isn’t this like, your third piece?”
“Yeah.” He forked a bite into his mouth, and it brought back memories of sharing gelato with him a year ago, when she barely knew him. “I plan on burning a lot of calories later tonight.”
“Benefits of being supernatural.” Cara winked over her shoulder as she walked back to the cake table. “We can eat and drink anything.”
Enza traced lines on Rhys’s tuxedo pant leg. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Cara had become her right hand woman at Java Genie, whipping up all kinds of amazing sweet creations. Her nymph friends had started coming in to support her, and Java Genie had seen a corresponding increase in their male human customers.
Rhys polished off the cake in record time and pulled Enza onto his lap. Her full white satin skirt poofed up in a little cloud around her hips. “Good thing she can handle the kitchen while we’re on our honeymoon.”
Sicily in July would be hot, but Enza didn’t plan on wearing a lot of clothes. “I can’t wait.”
“Can we leave yet?”
“Almost.” She caressed his nape. “You’re impatient.”
“Can’t help it. Now that I have a mate and wife, I don’t know who to make out with first.”
Meena walked by, stopping Enza’s spoken response to his double entrendre. You are SO bad.
“Do you think we should expand into the wedding cake business? Cara’s cake is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” Meena eyed Rhys’s empty plates. “You liked it.”
“I like everything,” he rumbled. “Especially my wife.”
“You guys are so cute. I could barf.” But her best friend and maid of honor grinned. “I’m so happy for you.”
Meena had also been thrilled when the other Watchers had started hanging out in Java Genie, though she had no idea they weren’t human. They drank lots of black coffee and ate everything Enza and Cara baked. And the neighborhood fitness mom crowd had grown in response. Between the Watchers, nymphs, and extra human men and women, business had improved so much they had expanded to a bigger shop one block north. She and Enza had paid off her parents and were now majority owners.
“Oh, I see Jude. He can’t hide forever. Later.” Meena darted away in pursuit of the blond warrior. He’d been as polite as always, but Meena had been after him for a dance all night.
“She is so crushing on him,” Enza murmured.
“Poor girl.”
“And there’s no way that dude will set one foot on the dance floor,” Rhys chuckled.
“She can be relentless, but I think she’ll have to wave the flag on this one.” Enza watched Meena meet Jude at the bar and start an animated conversation.
“She’ll be waiting a long time for that dance.” Miranda sipped a fizzy cocktail. She had been the object of human male attention all night. How could she not, when she was poured into her navy blue bridesmaid’s dress?
“Can you find someone for her?” Enza asked, glancing up at Miranda’s gorgeous fall of red hair. She’d spent countless hours with the demoness, learning more about her power and the Deserati race. And lots of plain old girl talk too. “You know tons of people.”
“I’ll try. Though that girl doesn’t give up.” Miranda waved at someone across the room.
“True.” Enza said. “But I’ll talk to her.”
Rhys’s phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a miracle Enza could even feel it, considering the mountain of satin she was sitting on. Rhys slid his hands under her ass, giving her a squeeze before retrieving his device. He glanced at it, then at Enza.
It’s him.
She smiled. “Gosh, I need some fresh air.”
“If you’re going for a quickie, just say so,” Miranda said. “I’ll cover for you.”
Only Miranda. “Thanks, girl. I love that you have our back.” Enza got up and shook out her skirt. “But it’s something else. Tell you later.”
Enza let Rhys lead her through the throng of dancing, drinking, well-wishing wedding guests toward the banquet hall’s balcony, where French doors opened into the humid July night. Soft sconces lit the wide expanse, but with strategically placed topiaries and floral arrangements, there were several places to sneak a kiss. Or more.
They walked to the far end, where a shadowed figure stood.
“Hi, Antonio,” Enza said, holding out her arms.
The man who had helped give her life pulled her into an embrace. “You’re stunning. Just like your mother. Thank you for asking me to come and see you on this momentous day.” He peered closer. “Gods. That necklace…it’s perfect.”
Enza’s fingers flew to the silver and gold heart charm at her throat. Tucked securely in the bottom of Concetta’s jewelry box for nearly three decades, it had retained its beauty and luster. And its sentimental value, in Enza’s opinion was immeasurable. “I love this. I’m so glad you gave it to Mom all those years ago. Even if you did steal it.”
“I paid back the store,” Antonio murmured. “I didn’t know your mother kept it.”
“It’s good to see you.” Enza and Antonio had spoken on and off over the months. They couldn’t talk too often when his new role took him to the far corners of the globe.
Rejected by his clan—the same ones who had rejected him and Soren because they lacked the coveted lightning ability—Antonio’s fate had remained in the hands of the Watcher leader, Arawn. He could have kicked Antonio out on his ass, or had him killed, but Rhys and the group in general felt that he should pay somehow for his role in the kidnappings.
Enza hadn’t been able or willing to say that her father should die. The resulting decision had been to assign Antonio to use his innate sleuthing skills to locate kidnapping and trafficking victims, both human and supernatural. To search for them on Earth and on Torth, for as many years as he had worked for Splinter.
He sometimes paired with human intelligence or paramilitary groups, and sometimes with elite Lash or Deserati forces. And occasionally, he was on a solo job. He and Enza had far from a traditional daddy-daughter relationship, but at least they kept in touch.
Concetta, of course, had no idea of Antonio’s existence or true nature. Neither did the humans he occasionally worked with. And that was how it would stay.
Now, he gave a nod to Rhys. “My daughter chose well. I’m happy for you both.”
Rhys stood behind Enza, slipping his arms around her waist. “I’m the lucky one.”
Enza folded her hands over her mate’s. “Things going okay?” she asked her dad.
He shrugged. “This cartel we’re following is tough. Bringing girls from Central America through Miami. We’re getting close though. Almost ready to take the whole operation down.”
“I’m so glad you’re doing this,” Enza whispered.
“Me too.” Emotion blazed in his dark eyes. “I want every dad who loves his daughter to get to see her as happy as you look right now.”
Enza smiled. In her heart, he was already redeemed. Though Rhys and the other Watchers were reserving their opinions until Antonio’s years of work were complete.
From inside, the music changed. “Oh boy, they’re playing the chicken dance,” she murmured.
“Glad I’m out here. That doesn’t happen in my world,” Rhys said in her ear.
Antonio’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at it. “I need to go.”
“Be safe.” Enza gave him a quick hug before he opened a portal and popped inside.
She turned to Rhys. “We have about thirty seconds before someone comes and finds us.”
“Better make the most of it then.” He turned her to face him. “You may kiss the groom.”
She wound her arms round his neck and rubbed her nose along his. “Hmm. Where shall I kiss the groom?” Her hand caressed up his thigh.
He stopped her path before she reached her destination. “You start that, we won’t be going back inside for another hour.” He lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her mouth in a kiss that both melted her heart and filled her with the most contented joy she’d ever felt.
I love you, she said in his mind.
And I love you, my bella amore. Too soon, he pulled back. “Thank the gods your demon side will let you live a long time. One lifetime with you isn’t enough.”
“Agreed.” The music changed again, this time to a slow song. “Hey, they left us alone. It’s a miracle.”
“Bet Miranda headed people off.”
“How soon do we leave?”
He splayed a hand at the small of her back and pressed close. “Couple hours. Then it’s you, me, and an isolated Sicilian beach.”
“Mmm, it’ll be heaven,” she murmured. “And the best part?”
“Getting me naked?”
“No, silly.” She tugged at his lapels. “Though I’m looking forward to that part too.”
“Then what?”
“No portals.” She grinned. “I’ve never been so happy to wait around in an airport and get on a plane.”
THE END
I sincerely hope you enjoyed AWAKENING KISS! Please take a moment to leave a review at the digital retailer of your choice. Reviews can be brief, and they mean the world to indie authors. Thank you!
Please enjoy this opening chapter of the next WATCHER’S KISS story: MEMORY’S KISS, available in the HEARTS OF DARKNESS boxed set:
DIRT SIFTED DOWN IN TINY rivulets onto Daphne’s shoulders as the entire mountain heaved and shook. Huddled with several other unfortunate creatures in the little cavern that was her prison, she glanced at the roughhewn wooden door and willed her mind to stay calm. That locked door was the only way out.
“What’s going on?” Cara, the newest captive and a nymph, pressed close to Daphne, panic in her voice.
“Earthquake?” asked Soto, an elf, from the other side of the rock-walled room.
Daphne frowned. “This region isn’t known for them.” High in the wind-ravaged Bloodspire Mountains, it didn’t get much more inhabitable than this, but at least earthquakes weren’t common.
“I hear blasts and shouting.” Crystal, a pixie prisoner, pressed an ear to the door. “I think there’s a fight out there!”
Fight? Who would venture here, to tangle with Splinter, the vicious band of Ghazsul demons who had captured them? Their home was hostile, and the demons were more so. Traveling here was a death wish.
“Is someone coming to rescue us?” Cara asked hopefully.
�
��I wish,” Daphne muttered. But she’d given up hope of anyone finding her, or any of the missing who had become her unexpected living companions. “But—”
A huge groan erupted from the mountain and a fresh cascade of dirt rained down, harder than the first. Shit. Whatever was happening, there was a good chance they’d be forgotten in the chaos. Splinter would save their own hides first.
Cara shrieked. Crystal banged on the door. “Let us out!”
The ground trembled beneath their feet. Thunder rumbled from beyond the thick cavern walls. Daphne strained her ears to pick up sounds of anyone who may remember that there were prisoners. Creatures who would die if the mountain caved in. Individuals who, at least for a time, Splinter had found useful enough to capture and hold against their will.
A chunk of rock dislodged from the ceiling, landing with a thud near Daphne’s feet. Soto paled. “Never thought I’d die in an earthquake, of all things.”
Daphne still wasn’t convinced it was a quake, but the semantics didn’t matter if they were all about to be crushed. Crystal pounded on the door again. “Let us out, you fuckers!”
They froze when a deep male voice answered. “I’ll get you out. Stay away from the door!”
Crystal, Cara, Soto, and Daphne crowded to the back of the cavern, along with the handful of others. “Why don’t they just unlock it?”
“Who cares, at least someone’s trying to help us,” Cara said. Tears welled in her eyes.
Crash! With a rain of wooden shards, the door shattered inward. Dust mixed with the dirt falling from the ceiling.
A large broad-shouldered form stood in the wrecked entry, dimly lit by the one fire bulb in their living space. He stepped forward and Daphne’s blood ran cold.
His dark eyes and hair were all too familiar. A Deserati demon. The one who had kidnapped her and dragged her to this hell hole. He’d delivered all of them, along with his equally horrible partner. “Come with me,” he said.
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” Daphne yelled.
