Death of Darkness

by Dianne Duvall

  Leah smiled up at Seth. “This is how it all began.”

  He carried her hand to his lips. “And how it shall be from this day forward.”

  “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, Leah.”

  Together they turned to face Zach, eager to begin their future together.

  Leah lost count of the number of men and women who crowded around them to offer their congratulations after the ceremony. All introduced themselves and embraced her with unfeigned affection. After the first three or four dozen, she gave up trying to remember their names. There must be thousands. All Seth’s descendants. All powerful, honorable men and women who had dedicated their lives to protecting others.

  She stared up at her new husband, knowing her heart was in her eyes.

  His was, too, when he smiled down at her as he accepted another hug.

  Grinning, she brought her hands together in front of her chin, performed several tiny claps, and mouthed, I feel so small around these guys.

  He laughed.

  When it seemed everyone present had gotten their chance to personally congratulate the newlyweds, Leah looked around. “Where are my mom and dad? I don’t want them to feel too overwhelmed, and they’ve been on their own for quite a while now.”

  “Sorry about that.” Taller than the other Immortal Guardians present, Seth peered around. “There they are, chatting with Darnell over by the drinks.”

  “There are drinks?”

  He nodded. “And food. Chris had one of his restaurants cater it. Zach and Jared teleported everything in after the ceremony concluded. It’s over there.” He pointed to one side. Then his brow furrowed. “Uh-oh. Sheldon is with them. I didn’t know he was here tonight.” He had thought Darnell and Tracy would be the only Seconds in attendance to reduce the crowd size and the number of people who would have to be teleported in. The rest had viewed the wedding through a live internet feed broadcast on one of the network’s secure websites.

  Leah nodded, unable to see around the tall bodies that surrounded them. “Tracy talked Lisette into letting him play DJ tonight.”

  “Well, we’d better hurry and join them. I never know what’s going to come out of that boy’s mouth.”

  Leah laughed.

  Seth wrapped an arm around her and teleported to her parents’ side.

  Both jumped at their sudden appearance, liquid spilling over the rims of their glasses.

  Seth winced. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Darnell and Sheldon hastily offered them both napkins.

  Leah’s mother laughed as she smiled up at her new son-in-law. “Don’t worry about it. That whole teleportation thing is very cool, but it’s going to take some getting used to.”

  Leah laughed.

  Sheldon smiled and took Tracy’s hand, twining his fingers through hers. “Let’s go put some music on and give the musicians a break.”

  “Okay.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Turner,” they said in unison as they backed away.

  Darnell shook his head. “I’d better go make sure Sheldon doesn’t play anything too outrageous. Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Turner.” He smiled at Leah and Seth. “Congratulations.”

  Leah and Seth thanked him as he strolled away.

  “I like them,” her mom proclaimed.

  Her dad nodded. “I do, too. I think they were worried we might feel overwhelmed by all this, because they made sure we knew they aren’t immortal.”

  Leah bit her lip. “Are you overwhelmed by all this?”

  Her dad looked around. “A little bit,” he replied honestly, then smiled. “But we couldn’t be happier for you both.”

  Her mom nodded. “No one who sees you two can deny you belong together. And you couldn’t have chosen a better man, sweetie.”

  Leah sent Seth a loving look. “I know.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I couldn’t have chosen a better woman.”

  Leah’s mother tucked her arm through her father’s. She looked so pretty tonight, Leah thought. Though Leah had inherited her mother’s straight brown hair and teasing personality, her height had clearly come from her birth father. Because Dorothy Turner was a good foot shorter than Leah’s stepdad.

  Her mom now stared up at Seth with an expression Leah couldn’t decipher. “It’s true, isn’t it?” She looked up at her husband, then at Seth. “You’re him, aren’t you?”

  Seth sent Leah an uncertain look. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean.”

  Leah studied her parents. She didn’t know what her mother meant either.

  Her dad spoke. “You’re him, aren’t you? It took me a while to realize it because—when Leah brought you to meet us—you were wearing jeans and a sweater instead of all black.”

  When Leah had taken Seth to her parents’ house a few days after he had asked her to marry him, he had opted to abandon his hunting garb and dress casually so he would appear more normal to them.

  “Your hair is a lot shorter now, too,” Joe said, “and you don’t wear a beard.”

  Seth stiffened.

  Leah looked up at him. “What is it?” When he said nothing, she consulted her parents. “Mom? Dad? What’s going on? What are you talking about?”

  Her dad alternated between looking at her and looking at Seth. “Do you remember when Ben was born? How he and your mother had to stay in the hospital for a while because he came early?”

  “Yeah.” She had been ten years old at the time. She couldn’t remember what exactly had gone wrong with her mother’s pregnancy, but the new brother she had been looking forward to seeing with such excitement had come early enough that he had been placed in the NICU. His lungs had been too underdeveloped for him to breathe on his own. And a host of other problems caused by his premature birth had left doctors and nurses grim-faced. Her mother had cried a lot. Her father had done his damnedest to hide his fear from Leah. But she had seen it nevertheless. And she had heard medical murmurings about Ben’s kidneys and bleeding in his brain.

  When her father had—at her repeated pleading—taken her to the NICU lobby to see her new brother through the glass window, the number of tubes attached to Ben’s tiny body had terrified her.

  “There’s something we never told you about that,” her father said now.

  “What do you mean?”

  “One night you asked if you could see Ben again. But you were so tired that you fell asleep in my arms before we got to the NICU. And while I stood in the lobby, watching Ben through the window, a man suddenly appeared.” He stared at Seth. “He had black hair that fell to his waist, a closely cropped beard, and was dressed all in black. The nurses didn’t show any reaction to his abrupt appearance, as if they had no idea he was even there.” He shook his head. “I was afraid for Ben. The man looked like a soldier. He even carried sheathed swords on his back. But when I started to call out a warning, he looked right at me and held up a hand.”

  Leah glanced up at Seth, but he kept his gaze on her father.

  “This feeling of rightness filled me,” her dad said, “like everything was going to be okay. Then he raised the cover of Ben’s unit and rested a hand on Ben’s head.”

  Leah sucked in a breath as she stared at Seth. The only other thing she remembered about that time was Ben improving and growing stronger far faster than the doctors and nurses had expected. “You healed Ben?”

  Seth nodded.

  “And every other infant in the NICU,” her father finished.

  “Thank you so much,” her mother said, tears welling in her eyes. “Before you came, the doctors warned us that Ben might not survive and that if he did, he would have hearing and developmental problems along with a host of other health concerns for the rest of his life. But he didn’t.”

  Seth sent her a gentle smile. “It was my pleasure.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Leah asked him softly.

  He shifted awkwardly. And Leah knew him well enough to realize he wis
hed the conversation hadn’t taken such a turn. “I didn’t want it to influence your feelings for me,” he admitted.

  Of course he hadn’t. He was clearly uncomfortable with her parents’ knowing. So instead of thanking him profusely for saving her brother’s life, she shook her head. “No. I mean why didn’t you tell me you used to have a beard? That’s so hot.”

  Relief lighting his handsome features, he laughed and pulled her closer.

  “Hey, you two,” Lisette called as she approached them. “It’s time for the bride and groom to share their first dance.”

  When Leah turned to follow her, one hand linked with Seth’s, she was surprised to see that the rows and rows of chairs had been moved to the outskirts and placed around tables, clearing a very large dance area for them.

  Her parents trailed behind Leah and her new husband and joined the masses who formed a circle to watch.

  Seth led Leah onto the soft, grassy dance floor.

  “I’m glad I didn’t wear heels,” she said with a smile, knowing high heels would’ve probably sunk into the soil.

  “What did you wear?” he asked curiously.

  Lifting the hem of her long skirt, she extended a leg and pointed her toes, showing off a pretty ballet slipper.

  He smiled. “Perfect for dancing.”

  Music poured forth from speakers Leah couldn’t see, and Etta James began to croon “At Last.”

  Leah rested her left hand on Seth’s shoulder and placed her right hand in his. “You’re perfect. How’s your ballroom dancing?”

  “With you in my arms? Exemplary.”

  She grinned. “That’s what I like to hear. Though this dress might hinder me a bit.”

  Dipping his head, he brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll keep it out of your way.”

  As he swung her into a graceful waltz, Seth kept his promise. Leah didn’t know if he used telekinesis or what, but she didn’t trip on the long length once while he swept her around the circle. It was like something out of a fairy tale. And Leah soon forgot everything except the joy of being in Seth’s arms and knowing he was all hers.

  Their dance ended with a romantic dip.

  Cheers and clapping erupted.

  Straightening, Seth drew her up with him and stared into her eyes. “I love you.”

  She touched his face. “I love you, too.”

  Lisette approached them. Like everyone else present, she smiled widely. “You’re welcome,” she said as she stopped beside them and started to fiddle with the waist of Leah’s dress.

  Seth smiled. “Thank you. The wedding was beautiful and the song perfect.”

  “That’s not what you’re thanking me for.”

  He eyed her with amusement. “Then for what?”

  She winked. “For this.” She flicked her hands, almost like someone shaking out a sheet on laundry day before hanging it up to dry.

  Leah’s long skirt ballooned out, then fell away, revealing a formfitting skirt beneath that only reached halfway down her thighs and left the rest of her long, lovely legs bare.

  Leah gaped down at it. “I didn’t know it did that!” The skirt bore a layer of the same lace that covered her arms. “Since the wedding was going to be outside, I thought that was just there to keep everyone from seeing my underwear if the wind blew my dress up.”

  Seth laughed, as did many of the immortals who had overheard.

  Then Lisette leaned in and lowered her voice as she caught Seth’s eye. “You can thank me later for the lingerie. That and the dress are my wedding gifts to you both.”

  Seth fastened his gaze on Leah’s shortened dress and wished desperately that he could see through it to what lay beneath. “Thank you.”

  Lisette draped the long skirt over her arm and kissed Leah’s cheek. “This is Sheldon’s gift to you.” She dashed away.

  Seth looked over Leah’s head, past the immortals observing them, and saw Sheldon nod at Lisette. As acting DJ, he had surrounded himself with a plethora of electronic equipment, most of which Seth couldn’t identify.

  Seconds later, a woman’s voice poured through hidden speakers.

  “Ooh.” Leah smiled. “I love this song.”

  “What is it?”

  “Sean Paul’s ‘No Lie,’ featuring Dua Lipa.” She sent him a wicked grin and moved toward him in slow, deliberately provocative steps.

  “Leah,” he warned sternly, “don’t.”

  “Don’t what?” she asked innocently as she rested a hand on his chest, then slipped around behind him, her touch already coaxing his damned body to respond.

  “Don’t tempt me, minx,” he murmured. “Your parents are watching.”

  “So?” Reaching up, she tucked her fingers in the collar of his suit jacket and tugged it off. “I’m a grown woman. This is my wedding night.” Rising onto her toes, she nipped his earlobe with her teeth, sending a shock of pleasure through him. “And I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.”

  He groaned as she moved back around to face him and held his jacket out to one side.

  “Tell Lisette to read my thoughts,” she ordered, giving him a siren’s smile.

  He glanced at Lisette. Leah wants you to read her thoughts.

  Lisette glanced at Leah. A moment later, her eyes widened and color flooded her cheeks.

  What in the world?

  Leah’s lips stretched in a mischievous grin. “Tell her to do it.”

  Again, he looked at Lisette. Whatever she wants you to do, do it.

  Lisette cast her husband an uncertain look, then dashed forward in a blur. The suit jacket Leah held disappeared. Then Seth felt several tugs at his clothing before Lisette zipped back to her husband.

  When he glanced down, his eyebrows flew up. His shirt was now untucked and his sleeves rolled back, exposing his forearms.

  He looked at Leah.

  Winking, she began to move her feet to the music, hips swaying in a way that never failed to stir his blood.

  “Leah,” he cautioned, trying valiantly to resist her. He really didn’t think her father would want to see the two of them dance the way they did in her shop. Yet that seemed to be what the beautiful temptress had in mind.

  Ignoring his stern tone, Leah eased forward and reached up. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lush lips as she unfastened the top two buttons on his shirt.

  His pulse quickened.

  Curling her fingers around the tie just beneath the knot, she loosened it, then tugged him down until their mouths were only a breath apart. “Dance with me, husband,” she implored in a sultry voice. It was the first time she had called him that. And it made his heart swell and his body harden.

  Closing the last millimeter of space that separated them, Seth locked an arm around her waist and took her lips in a voracious kiss.

  Leah was breathless, her cheeks flushed, when he raised his head. And he could see the glow in his own eyes reflected in hers.

  Smiling down at her, he shook his head. “All right, wife. You asked for it.”

  She grinned. “Bring it, handsome.”

  Seth laughed. Forgetting everyone around them, he began to dance with her the way he enjoyed most, hips moving, bodies brushing, hands teasing. Leah laughed as he spun her around and around, then drew her close again. Her scent intoxicated him—no perfume, just Leah and a hint of the wildflowers she had carried earlier. He slid a hand down her back, his fingers resting on the upper curve of her tantalizing ass as he slipped a thigh between hers. Damn, she felt good.

  Winking, she twirled away, then moved behind him. Her full breasts pressed against his back. Her pelvis brushed his ass.

  He smiled when she slid an arm around him and splayed her fingers on his chest. He would never get enough of this, enough of her. She was so much fun to be with. So sensual. Her touch sublime. Desire coursed through him anew as she drew her hand down his front. Swearing, he caught it before she could slide it past the waistband of his pants and was glad she’d had the foresight to have Lisette untuck his shirt.
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  Turning, he sent her a look of mock-admonishment and spoke in her head. Naughty girl.

  She grinned unrepentantly as he twirled her around and around.

  Seth couldn’t resist bringing her in close again, once more slipping a thigh between hers as they rocked together to the beat.

  “You dropped something,” he heard Zach say over the music.

  “What?” Lisette responded absently.

  “You dropped something.”

  “I did? What’d I drop?”

  “Your jaw,” Zach said dryly.

  Seth laughed.

  “I can’t help it,” Lisette said, her words full of astonishment. “Seth never danced with me like that.”

  Her husband snorted. “It’s a good thing he didn’t. I’d have to geld him.”

  Grinning, Seth once more lost himself in Leah and the dance. Every wink and flirtatious glance filled him with joy. Every brush of her hands, hips, and breasts kindled his desire. He’d played the role of powerful, austere leader for so long that he’d forgotten what it felt like to just be a man in love with a woman who made him laugh and burn and enjoy life.

  As the music began to wind down, he spun her in a series of tight, fast turns that left her laughing and breathless, then bent her back over his arm in another dramatic dip.

  The song ended.

  Seth straightened, keeping her pressed against his chest.

  Silence reigned.

  Her face flushed with pleasure, Leah looked around. “Um…”

  Seth followed her gaze and found a sea of wide eyes and gaping mouths. His Immortal Guardians had rarely seen him relax and had never seen their illustrious leader behave in such a wanton fashion with a woman.

  He sent her family a quick glance.

  Her parents gaped at them, too. A blush darkened her mother’s cheeks. Ben was struggling not to laugh as he looked back and forth between Leah and their parents.

  “Maybe you were right,” Leah murmured. “Maybe they weren’t ready to see us like this.”

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “Too damn bad.” Lowering his head, he captured her lips in a long, passionate kiss.

  Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.