I went to the bedroom door. Danial waited for me, the strong lines of his face relaxed in a happy smile as he studied the tree. His freshly cut hair feathered back except for a loose wave that fell over his forehead. I loved him so much my chest ached.
It was then or never. It was the perfect moment. Kat was right; things weren’t going to get any better. If I didn’t do this, I’d wonder the rest of my life what it could have been like with him, what I missed out on by not taking the chance.
I walked to the couch and bent over, kissing him on his lips. “They are beautiful. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like them.” He reached for me. “Sit with me.”
I took hold of his hand and gently pushed it back toward him. That got his attention.
“Sar?” he said, alarm and wariness clouding his features.
“I have something for you, too.”
I went to my knees beside the couch. He watched me, riveted.
God, I so wanted to do this perfectly, like I’d mentally rehearsed all afternoon. “I’m yours, Danial Racklan, for tonight and the rest of my life. I, Sarelle McGarran, promise myself to you.”
He helped me to my feet, hugging me tightly. “I, Danial Racklan, accept your Oath to me, Sarelle McGarran. From this day forward, you are mine to love, protect, and honor. What we have joined together no one may put asunder.”
I hugged him, shell-shocked. I’d wanted him to understand that I wanted to give him my Oath, not do the actual Oath there and then. “Don’t we need witnesses?” I whispered.
“No,” he said happily. “You offer your word to bind yourself to me, and I accept. That’s all there is.” He scooped me up in a quick motion. “Except for the consummation.”
He carried me into the bedroom and began removing his clothes. I removed mine, apprehensive. “What do I have to do?” I asked nervously.
“Nothing you haven’t done before with me. Come here, sweetheart.”
I went to him, my heart racing. He took my face in his hands and brought my lips to his gently, his fingers caressing me. When I tried to kiss him harder, he drew his lips aside and hugged me.
“Patience,” he whispered. “We have the rest of our lives stretching out before us. But there will never be another night like this one.” He kissed me again, chastely. “I want to remember you exactly as you are now, the way your hair shimmers, the love in your eyes as you look at me.” He ran his hands backwards, brushing it from my face. “I forgot how good happiness felt. I want you to remember this night as one of the best of your life, the way I will remember it.” He kissed me gently. “Tell me again you’re mine, that you want to be.”
“I’m yours,” I said huskily. “I want you more than anything.”
He let out a soft sigh, then his solemn expression curved into an eager smile. He eased us down on the bed and kissed down my throat, his fangs bringing moans with each light prick as he pressed his hips to me. I kissed him harder, shifting my hips under him to receive his first ardent thrust. Moments later, I slid into climax, Danial right behind me.
He kissed me again, then withdrew and cradled me close. For the first time, we didn’t speak afterward, even to declare our love. Maybe for the first time, neither of us felt we needed to say the words.
* * * *
Danial drank from me that night during sex, reopening both scars and making the shallow one deeper. He did it very gently and tenderly, his love for me in every kiss and touch. Our sex had always been good, but that night, he made me feel cherished.
As we were drifting off near dawn, he asked “Where would you like to go?
“Go?”
“I understand it’s traditional to go on a honeymoon for a week or two after marrying. Where would you most like to go?”
I thought of all the exotic locations that could be mine. “I’d like to stay here.”
He looked at me with puzzlement. “Here?”
“I’d like you to stay here with you beside me. That’s where I most want to be.”
He traced my cheek with his hand, nodding. “Then that’s what we’ll do. Get some sleep.”
I fell asleep in his arms, dreaming of my new life and all that was possible.
Funny. Back then I had no idea of how fast a life can change. But I was about to find out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I woke up feeling completely happy. God, how had my life gotten so good? I’d been depressed and lonely three months ago, wondering if I’d ever find love again. My definition of an exciting night had been a pay-per-view movie and a bowl of popcorn. Now, I was living a life of luxury, wealthy by most persons’ standards, and I had a wonderful successful man who loved me. It didn’t get any better than this.
I cuddled up next to Danial and fell back to sleep. The next thing I knew, he was kissing me awake.
“Why are you dressed?” I asked sleepily.
“I’ve cancelled this week’s appointments. After tonight’s trip, I’m yours completely, no interruptions.”
I kissed him back. “I’m all yours, too.”
He sat down beside me and took my hand. “Would you consider quitting your job?”
I was immediately uneasy. “I don’t want you to support me. That isn’t why I Oathed to you.”
He brought me into his arms. “I never thought it was, sweetheart. But I’m uncomfortable with you commuting so far, even two days a week. Some of it is selfishness on my part. I don’t want anyone else having claim on your time. I want you to be able to go with me when I travel if you want to and stay up with me without worrying about work the next day. We don’t need the money.”
“It’s not that. I can’t just hang out here showing off my choker,” I said flatly.
“Still feisty.” He paused. “I survived this long because I love what I do. I want the same for you. Knowing you, I don’t expect you to sit around long. I would like you to spend your days doing something you feel passionate about.”
“Such as?”
“There are several charities you could volunteer your time to. Or perhaps we could build you a greenhouse? I know you love plants and gardening. Or take a few classes online if they interest you. Take your time to decide; there’s no rush.”
“I agree the commute is too long,” I said, some of my anxiousness alleviated. “I thought about quitting, but I’m not sure I can. When I needed a job, my friends helped me out. Even though it’s not my dream job, I can’t just quit and leave them with no one doing safety work.”
“They’ll hire someone else,” he said. “I’m sure you’re replaceable.”
I gave him a narrow look. “Am I?”
“I only meant that there are others who could do the safety work,” he added quickly, turning serious. “Tell them you’ll stay until they find someone else, if that eases your mind. Just know they are not the only ones who need you. Theo and I could use your help here.”
Excitement flooded me. “You’ve never mentioned wanting my help with your business,” I said, confused yet eager.
“I wanted to wait until you were sure you wanted your life to be with me,” Danial replied, taking me in his arms. “Solutions, Inc is a dream I worked hard to make reality. It takes a large part of my waking hours. I’d like to include you in that dream, to share it with you.”
“What would I do?”
“You could help with what you wanted to; be it computer work, other office work, or helping us solve some of the mystery cases we handle.”
“Theo’s okay with that? I don’t want to step on his toes.”
“He will be, once he sees your capability,” Danial said with pride. “Would you be interested?”
I nodded eagerly, then turned trepidatious. “It sounds exciting, but what about the dangerous aspects? Aren’t you going to worry if I’ve got people out to kill me?”
Danial’s arms tightened around me. “You’d be working from home, Sar, not going on stakeouts. You’re irreplaceable, and I want you as safe as possible.” He kissed up
my neck, pricking me gently. “You’ve made me believe in love again after more than sixty years—”
“Had it been so long?” I whispered.
“Yes,” he said, turning cool. “But don’t think on that. We’re together now and we’re going to be happy. Now get some sleep. I’ll be back soon.”
* * * *
I awoke an hour later, my muscles tensed, my heart racing. Breathing deeply and slowly, I tried to calm down.
I’d had another nightmare of Danial. We’d been making love in our bedroom. When I’d climaxed, he’d bitten me, making me swoon. As the minutes passed, he’d kept drinking. The pleasured had turned to pain, then agony. I’d beaten him, but he’d been a leech at my throat, immovable...
I hadn’t had a bad dream of him since before the Hallows party months ago. Why was I having them now?
I ran my hand through my unbound hair, twirling the ends around my fingers. Maybe my fear of commitment, of losing someone I loved again?
The bedside clock read eight p.m. Danial would be gone for hours yet.
I pushed aside the covers. I wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep, and staying there trying was pointless. I’d take a walk to see Cia and announce my good news.
* * * *
After dressing in warm clothes, I walked to the kitchen. I expected Cia or one of the other guards to be there, but no one was. I tried the study next, looking for Theo, but no luck.
From the window near Theo’s desk, I saw furtive movement. I opened the window, grimacing in the blast of cold night air. “Theo, is that you?”
Although I called out a few times, I didn’t get any reply. Discouraged, I shut the window and went downstairs.
The dogs had heard my voice and were wide awake, waiting for me in the mudroom. “Sure,” I said with a shrug. “You can come.”
We walked into the cold night. There was a dusting of snow on the path to the fox barracks, and more than a few footprints from patrolling guards. The dogs jumped around and played while I thought more on my nightmare.
It must only be that I was going to give notice at work. I’d read somewhere that changing jobs was one of the most stressful events there was, next to losing a spouse.
“Good evening.”
I looked up, startled. A man stood before me, one I didn’t recognize. “Hi.”
The dogs ran over to greet him, tails wagging. I relaxed visibly.
He patted them. “Out for a walk? You shouldn’t be out here alone. Theo would be irritated.”
“Where is he, by the way? I was heading to the barracks and wanted to let him know where I was going.”
“He’s target practicing in the forest. I’ll take you to him.”
Something about that made me uneasy. “He’s practicing at night?”
He laughed. “He can see in the dark, like all werefoxes. Odds are if he needs to shoot someone, it’ll be during the night hours.” He extended a hand. “I’m Jake.”
His grip was so tight it clutched my hand instead of held it. I disentangled myself from him as soon as I could. “I haven’t met you before.”
“I’m a new hire. This is a dangerous business,” he said seriously. “You have to be on your toes all the time.”
A shot rang out, making me jump. A few more echoed in succession.
“Come on,” he said, beginning to walk. “Let’s get going. I need to get back to my post.”
I followed him into the forest, Ghost and Darkness coming in closer. There was a narrow gravel trail there. I could see that feet had come down it recently, a lot of feet.
Shots sounded again, sometimes one, and sometimes a volley. I couldn’t be sure where they were coming from. We were in a grove of huge pines.
He pushed aside a heavy fir branch covered with snow. “Just a little farther.”
I followed him into a clearing. Men watched as a central figure emptied his gun at targets on the far side of the field. It had to be Theo. I opened my mouth to yell a welcome, but it died in my throat.
Ivan sagged in front of one of the targets. He’d been tied to it. The earth and snow at his feet was red with blood. His blood. But his eyes were awake and aware, the gag in his mouth turning his screams of pain to muffled whimpers.
“Prop him up,” the shooter said harshly, reloading. “I’m just getting started.”
Jake gave me a shove. “Look what I found, Turk.”
Turk finished reloading and turned to us. “Well, well, the grand dame.” He walked over, his gait almost hitching. “Anyone see you take her?”
“No. She was out walking alone, can you believe it?”
“Get him,” I commanded the dogs. “Get him!”
Turk walked up to me and shook his head slightly. Holding my eyes, he reached his hand toward the dogs. To my amazement, their tails wagged as he petted them.
“We’re werevultures,” he said. “Our avian scent tells them we’re harmless. Unless you’ve trained your dogs to attack birds, you’re out of luck.”
“You touch me and they’ll attack you no matter what you smell like,” I said. “Who are you? Why are you here? Where’s Theo?”
“I haven’t found Theo,” Jake rasped from behind me. “I’ll go back out. He’s got to be here. We’ve got the only two guards that were near the house.”
“And the rest of the guards?”
“In their barracks, still carrying on over their Christmas presents and eggnog. You were right; this was a good night to attack.” He grinned and jogged back the way we’d come.
Turk turned to me. “You’re a nice bonus. We’ll not only get some revenge, we’ll get some ransom money out of this.”
I turned and ran for the forest, the dogs bounding beside me. Wings buffeted my face as a pair of huge birds descended on the dogs and me, landing in front of us to bar the way. I recoiled at the blood on their beaks and claws. The dogs gave them a confused look and retreated close to me, whining.
“Let me go!”
Turk laughed behind me. “Not before we have what we came for—”
The left bird exploded in a cloud of bloody feathers, followed by the right bird.
Turk grabbed hold of me, drawing me close as a shield. “That you, Theo?”
Theo strode into the clearing, his gun smoking. “Get out now or you’re dead.”
“You’ve got balls to threaten me,” Turk laughed. “I’m ranked and you’re shit.”
“Let her go,” Theo growled.
“Kill him,” Turk ordered.
Bullets thwacked the ground where Theo had stood just before he darted into the trees. The other birdmen went after him, guns blazing. Turk backed to the far side of the clearing behind the targets and a still struggling Ivan. My dogs followed us at a distance, whining. Gunfire echoed, then receded.
“You just sit tight,” he muttered. “He thinks he’s hot stuff, but he’s wrong.”
“Who are you?” I demanded. “Why do you want revenge?”
I heard a “psst” and then Turk’s arms abruptly fell away as his body crumpled to the snow, disbelief and pain on his face.
Theo stepped out of the trees behind us. “Cover your ears and step back.”
I grabbed the dogs and moved away.
He put his gun to Turk’s temple and shot him. The round took off most of the side of his face and head. The following rounds obliterated his head.
Theo reloaded his gun with a fresh magazine and turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I wanted badly to rush into his arms. Instead, I took a deep breath and tried to stop shaking. “I think so.”
“Some of Garrett’s old guards,” he said, nudging Turk with his shoe. “They were asked to leave the state.” He reholstered his gun and held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get you back inside.”
I cast a look down to the far end of the field. “What about Ivan?”
He kept walking. “He didn’t even get off a shot to alert me that we’d been invaded. If it hadn’t been for Tatiana, we’d all have been bi
rd meat. He can chew his way loose.”
He had a point. With a last look toward Ivan, I followed him back through the trees.
“How did Tatiana know?”
“She’s got a spell on the land that makes it appear as forest to anyone looking down from above. Part of that spell includes monitoring any penetration from above by a large object, alive or not.” He looked at me, then away. “Danial doesn’t like surprises. Neither do I.”
“What did he mean about being ranked?”
“Jesus, can’t you ever just be quiet—”
He broke off with a jerk, his face grimacing. He stumbled, and I saw Jake behind him, holding a gun.
“She’s not the only one who talks too much,” Jake said evilly.
Theo drew his gun and fired, but Jake had vanished into the trees.
My eyes darted. “Where is he?”
“Run for the house,” he said urgently. “Now!”
Jake suddenly charged him from the shadows, slamming into his side, knocking the gun from his hand as they grappled in the snow. The dogs barked furiously, darting in and snapping at both figures, their hackles up.
Jake tried to bring his gun to fire pointblank into Theo’s heart, but Theo knocked it aside in time to have it discharge into the ground. The report made me jump. Theo kneed Jake, who rolled onto his side, and Theo went for his gun. But as he reached for it, he let out a gasp of pain.
“You’re nothing, jackass,” Jake grated, his hand on the hilt of a knife buried in Theo’s back. “Turk was the tenth best killer around.” He twisted the knife, making Theo grunt. “You killed all my friends, bastard! Feel that burning? It’s poison—”
His words ended in a gurgle as a bullet exploded his throat, showering Theo in brain matter. Jake’s headless corpse toppled back to rest on his head, his momentum pulling Theo with him.
I went to my knees, trying to stop Theo from falling. It took all of my strength, but I braced him on his hands and knees.
“Hold me steady,” he panted, laying the smoking gun down. “I’ve got to get it out or I’ll die.”
I steeled myself. “I can pull it out.”
“Don’t touch it. The poison might kill you.” He took a deep breath, then reached around and up, sliding the knife out with a wash of blood. He dropped it and sagged in my arms, toppling me over backward.
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