My eyes widened as I looked at Aurora feeling a bit of panic. She gave a short laugh, “He’s probably with Andre,” she said, softly, “I’ll go with you.”
I smiled, relieved. Aurora gave me a knowing grin, “Just remember that everything you are going through, I’ve been through it too. That includes Mirella‘s enthusiasm.”
“Was it this uncomfortable for you?” I asked, frowning at my sister.
She shrugged and then blushed, “Probably worse.”
“Why would you think that?” I asked, curious.
“No one told me,” she said, smiling.
“What did they not tell you?” I asked, even more confused.
Her grin widened, “They didn’t tell me anything,” she said, “My mother didn’t tell me that I was betrothed until the day I arrived here. I had no clue that I was a werewolf. I didn’t even know my father was alive until the night before when he tried to kidnap me.”
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t imagine how that must have been. I was beginning to see how much Ion really had helped me by keeping me informed because my mother could have allowed me to be just like Aurora…clueless until my arrival.
“How did you react to everything?” I asked, still in awe.
“Well, I probably would have had a bit better time if Andre didn’t seem to hate me at first,” she said, shrugging.
I blinked in shock. I remembered the look in Andre’s eyes while he gazed upon my sister when I first met him. He was clearly in love. I couldn’t imagine him ever disliking her.
“How did that change?” I asked and she laughed.
“During our engagement party,” she said and I frowned, “He apologized and we became friends. We fell in love pretty quickly. Now we’re bonded every way we can be.”
“You blood bonded?” I asked as a tremble traveled through me. The thought of blood bonding had always terrified me.
“He saved my life by doing it,” she said and sighed, “I was already in love with him when it happened.”
I smiled sadly. I didn’t have faith that type of love would happen for me. However, I had one thing to be thankful for. Marco was not mean to me when we first met. As a matter of fact, he had tried to save me from my mother. He even wanted to be friends. I supposed that everything could be worse.
“There they are,” Aurora said, pointing toward the bonfire.
I looked up, gazing at where she was pointing. I saw Andre first. His hazel eyes were on Aurora. A secretive grin was on his face. He was dressed in blue jeans and a blue sweater with a thick black jacket over it. Boots covered his feet.
My eyes moved from him finding Marco walking behind him. He was also dressed in blue jeans but instead of a sweater, he wore a grey shirt which hung open to display a white tee-shirt beneath it. He wore a blue jacket but it too was unbuttoned. Slowly, my eyes rose to his face, finding him studying me as he often seemed to do. I bit my bottom lip as he grinned, causing warmth to spread through me.
“Hello, Lilly,” he said with a raised brow. I swallowed, wondering how my name from his lips could cause my heart to pound so hard in my chest.
“Hello, Marco,” I replied proud that my voice remained steady and was louder than a whisper. Still, a shiver slid down my spine, causing my whole body to shake.
Marco frowned, “Are you cold?” He asked, looking down at my bare arms, concerned, “Where is your coat?”
“She doesn’t have one,” Aurora answered for me, “Her mother didn’t spend much of the money Sophia sent on Lilly.”
He pursed his lips and then, shrugged out of his jacket, handing it to me, “Put this on.”
I frowned as I looked down at the jacket and shook my head. I swallowed hard as I met his eyes, “You’ll get cold.”
He narrowed his eyes as he pushed the jacket toward me again, “I won’t get cold,” he said, and he must have seen the protest on my lips because he exhaled, frustrated, “Lilly, put it on now,” he said, sternly.
I couldn’t help but to grin, “What’s so funny?” He asked, frowning.
“I thought that you didn’t feel comfortable ordering me around,” I said suppressing a laugh.
He raised a dark brow as a grin spread across his face and he laughed for a moment, “So, you do have a sense of humor,” he said, taking the jacket and opening it, “You don’t know how relieving that is,” he said, pursing his lips and then, nodded. I looked at the jacket and he rolled his eyes, “I have another one. I‘ll go get it right now.”
I stared at him and then, nodded, finally giving in, “Okay.”
“Thank you,” he said as I turned and allowed him to slip the jacket over my shoulders. The tips of his fingers grazed my neck and I shivered again. He stepped back and I turned to face him.
“Looks good,” he said, grinning.
I blushed, “Thank you.”
“Do you want us to walk with you to get your jacket, Marco?” Aurora asked, grinning as she watched us. My face heated even more. I had forgotten that Aurora and Andre were there.
Marco took my hand in his and I stiffened, “Yes,” he said as I looked down at our hands which were once again intertwined. When I looked back up into his face, his grin widened, “You might want to get used to holding my hand. We will be married soon.”
“She will have a lot to get used to,” Aurora said and laughed, “Chances are she hasn’t even held a boy’s hand until you and I‘m sure that she hasn‘t been kissed either.”
I blanched because Aurora was right. I bit my lip as I sensed Marco’s eyes on me, “Is that true?”
I shifted unable to meet his eyes. I suddenly wished that the earth would open and swallow me. I peeked at Aurora who was laughing softly to herself. I narrowed my eyes at her. I was pretty sure that I had just found one of the problems with having a sister. They were constantly spewing out your secrets at the most embarrassing times.
“Lilly,” he said, softly and I shifted as he repeated the question, “Is that true?”
I realized that he wouldn‘t give up until he knew the answer. I sighed as I whispered, “Yes.”
“You’ve never held anyone’s hand?” He asked. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was in shock.
“Ion’s when I was little,” I said, as my face burned brighter and brighter.
“You’ve never been kissed either?’ He asked and I lowered my head further.
“No,” I said, squirming beneath his gaze.
“Wow,” he said, “That’s actually pretty amazing.”
I frowned taking in his words as I finally got enough courage to look at him. When I did, he was studying me but this time his eyes were thoughtful. At that moment, I would have given anything to know what he was thinking.
“That means her first kiss will be on your wedding day,” Aurora said. He frowned as he looked at me.
His eyes darkened for a moment but he shook his head as we came to a long, sleek motor home. Finally, he looked at me and whispered, “This is where I live,” he said and smiled, “At least until our wedding.”
He released my hand and then, grinned, “I’ll be right back.”
I gave him a shy smiled and then, he was gone, leaving me standing awkwardly with Aurora and Andre outside of the motor home. I turned to them, “Is he the only one who lives here?” I asked, studying the side of the coach.
“No,” Aurora said, grinning, “This is Sophia and Gavriel’s home, “He lives here with his family until you are married. Then, you will have your own home.”
I smiled as I thought of having my own place to live. I couldn’t help but to feel hope even though every instinct told me to squash it because nothing ever worked out for me. Still, warmth spread through me at the idea of having a home of my own.
“Okay,” Marco said, stepping through the door. This time he was wearing a navy blue jacket. He moved beside me, reclaiming my hand.
“We better get back to the party,” he said, smiling widely, “I have to introduce you to my family.”
“Of course she has,” he said, rolling his eyes, “Mirella wouldn’t wait to be introduced.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Aurora said, raising her brows.
“I’ll introduce you to my dad and the rest of my brothers,” he said, pulling me along. Andre and Aurora moved away to one of the picnic tables. I bit my lip nervously as the party goers stopped to stare at us. We stopped near the bonfire while he turned looking around. Finally, he smiled and pulled me with him again.
We stopped in front of two boys of about twenty who looked almost identical. Upon looking at them, I realized how much they resembled Andre with the same olive toned skin and dark good looks. However, instead of the hazel eyes mixed with caramel and green, theirs were simply a bright vivid green. Though I guessed them to be twins, they did have some marked differences. One was taller than the other and he possessed much shorter hair. Both of them grinned at me.
Marco waved his hand toward the tallest of the boys, “This is my brother, Luc and of course, this is his twin, Tamas.”
Tamas shrugged and rolled his eyes, “Yeah, I’m just Luc’s twin…not Marco’s brother.”
“Awww…Tamas, you know I love you,” Marco said laughing and blowing him a kiss.
Luc snorted back a laugh and looked at me, “You must be Lilly,” he said, still laughing, “I promise we aren’t always this weird.”
“Don’t lie to her,” Marco said, rolling his eyes, “She’ll find out soon anyway.”
“Well, at least you got a pretty girl,” Tamas said, wiggling his brows, ‘Hopefully, we‘ll all get so lucky.”
I blushed and Marco smiled as he looked at me, “She is pretty,” he said, causing me to blush further, “But I think before you two make her want to run away, I’ll introduce her to the rest of the family.”
“It’s you who will make her run away,” Tamas said, laughing, “You’re the scary one.”
Marco narrowed his eyes, “Remember that your turn will be soon.”
Tamas grinned, “But not next,” he said, patting Luc’s shoulder, “Thanks for being born first, Bro.”
Luc made a face, “My pleasure,” he said, sarcastically. They began to playfully hit each other. We slipped away while they were too distracted notice.
We met two teenage boys as we walked around the bonfire. One was about eighteen years old. He was tall with the build of a football player. His hair had a mixture of black and chocolate. His eyes were a deep brown. He was yelling boisterously as we walked closer.
The boy with him was about seventeen with black hair and eyes the same color as Sophia and Andre. He was quieter than the rest of Marco’s brothers.
Marco waved his hand toward him, “This is my brother, Bo,” then, he waved his hand toward the older boy, “This is another of my brothers, Luca.”
He looked at me and said, “This is Lilly.”
Bo smiled shyly at me but Luca gave me the full force of his grin, “Nice to meet you,” he said, laughing, “Sorry you’re stuck with Marco.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed, “I’m starting to second guess introducing you to everyone,” he said, dryly.
“I didn’t say anything,” Bo said, quietly.
Marco smiled at him, “That’s because you are a good brother.”
“Has she met everyone?” Bo asked, studying me quietly.
“Everyone but dad and Stefan,” Marco said, playfully punching Luca who kept making faces at him, “Have you seen them?”
Luca pointed, “They were at the tables earlier.”
Marco nodded and then, turned, pulling me with him without saying good-bye, “My brothers are mean. Please don’t listen to them,” he said, looking genuinely worried, “They were just playing. I’m not that bad to be around.”
I couldn’t help but to smile, “I know you’re not.”
His lips curved into a lopsided grin, “I’m glad.”
He was studying me again and I forced myself to look up at him. His eyes darkened, causing my stomach to flip. He reached forward as if he was going to caress my face but his name was shouted across the field, stopping him.
We turned to find Sophia with a man who could only be her husband, Gavriel. He had hair mixed with black, gold and brown. No gray touched it. His smile was jovial and he was tall and built like the boxers that Ion watched on television. His eyes were warm silver.
Behind them, a boy of about thirteen walked. He had the same olive toned skin as his mother with chocolate brown hair and his father’s warm silver eyes surrounded in thick lashes.
“This is my father, Gavriel,” Andre said, pointing toward the man, “And my baby brother, Stefan and of course, you‘ve met my mom.”
Gavriel stepped forward, surprising me by hugging me warmly. He pulled back and looked at me with a grin.
“Sophia, you seem to pick them well,” he said, smiling, “All of our boys will have beautiful wives.”
I blushed. I had never been called beautiful by anyone but Ion before arriving in Timbly Mountain but it seemed that every member of the Brazil family was vocalizing my beauty. I smiled. Maybe my mother was wrong. Maybe I wasn’t hideous.
Gavriel patted my cheek gently, “Because Marco took so long to find us, we don’t have a lot of time. We need to introduce your engagement,” he said with an enthusiastic grin. I couldn’t help but to nod and smile.
Marco’s hand tightened around mine. I looked at him and instantly my blood ran cold. His face had hardened and for a moment, he looked violent, “Have the borders been secured?” He asked and I immediately knew why. They were keeping my father out.
“It’s been done,” Gavriel said, suddenly looking nearly as solemn as his son.
“Are you afraid that my father will show up?” I asked, looking at him and then, Gavriel.
Sophia stepped into my line of vision, “He did last time,” she said and then, gave me a strained smile, “We learn from our mistakes. Now, let’s not think of it. We have a party to enjoy.”
I nodded and turned to Marco who was struggling to regain his good mood, “Are you okay?” I whispered.
He took a deep breath, “I am now,” he said.
“Then, follow us,” Sophia said, smiling, widely, “Let’s announce your engagement.”
“Are you ready for everyone to know that you are engaged to me?” He asked, finally, giving me a real grin.
I grinned back, relieved that he was calm once again as I said, “I am.”
**********
My father did not show up at the party. The relief was palpable though I was sure the reason was because of the security around the borders of the motor home park. Thankfully, there had been so much that had captured my attention that I hardly thought of him at all. There was plenty of food and wine and so many people who lived in the park there was no way I would remember everyone’s name.
By the time the party came to an end, I was tired and more than a little tipsy from the wine. Marco walked beside me as we followed Andre and Aurora to their home. His hand was wrapped tightly around mine.
When we arrived at Aurora and Andre‘s home, Marco looked at them with pleading eyes. He had yet to let go of my hand, “Can I speak to Lilly alone for a moment?” He asked, frowning. The expression on his face made me stifle a giggle. He was so serious.
Aurora’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him and she smiled, “It‘s against the rules.”
“Please,” he said and Aurora‘s smile widened as she finally nodded.
“Just don’t tell Sophia,” she said with a raised brow, “She wouldn’t like it.”
He nodded as she pulled Andre inside the motor home. When the door was safely closed behind them, I turned to him. The seriousness on his face stopped the urge to giggle. My stomach twisted as a strange warning whispered through me, “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head as he studied me. Worry creased his brow, “I wanted to make sure you know that you are safe here,” he said,
keeping his eyes firmly on my face, “Your father won’t touch you. I promise.”
I smiled hoping to dispel the darkness in his eyes, “I know I am safe,” I said, softly, “You promised that no one would hurt me. I trust you. Just…please don‘t worry about me.”
“It’s my job to worry about you,” he said finally giving me a crooked smile.
I shrugged, “I’ll be okay.”
He studied me again. His eyes searching my face and finally landing on my lips. I swallowed because his look darkened again but this time it was different.
“I need to ask you something,” he said, still staring at my mouth.
“What?” I asked in a whisper. I bit my bottom lip and his eyes met mine. A light had lit behind them, causing my breath to halt.
“Have you really never been kissed?” He asked, stepping closer to me. My heart jumped in my chest as my head swam.
“No, I haven‘t,” I whispered, frowning, “I didn’t lie.”
“Lilly,” he said, reaching up and caressing my cheek, “I don’t want your first kiss to be at our wedding.”
I opened my mouth to reply but suddenly, his lips were on mine. I was stunned and for a few moments I did nothing. He pulled me closer as he became more demanding. His mouth pressed into mine as his teeth scraped against my bottom lip. My heart nearly burst in my chest as I finally gave in, kissing him back with as much heat as he gave to me. A groan escaped him as his tongue traced my lips and I gasped as my hands tangled in his hair. He pulled me closer and closer until I could feel the hard length of his body against mine. I trembled violently as a moan escaped me.
Finally, he pulled back, stepping away. Only the sounds of our breathing broke the complete silence. Slowly, his eyes met mine and a shy grin lit his face.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and then, he was gone, leaving me with my knees so weak that I was afraid I‘d fall. I blinked as I watched him disappear into the night.
I sighed as a small smile lit my face. My stomach was still flipping pleasantly as I turned to go inside, finding Aurora with her arms crossed over her chest. A wide grin lit her face, causing me to blush.
“He kissed you?” She asked with raised brows.
Summoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) Page 4
