by Brenda Trim
A thought struck her. If Zander and the Dark Warriors were at the Rowan’s party then they could be working together and were likely out searching for her and Angelica. She could use that, lay a false trail. If she made a golem using her hair and blood, she could lure the Vampire King and most of the others away from Zeum, providing the best opportunity. She wondered if she should ask Angelica for the assistance of her subjects since Cele had alienated everyone at the academy.
She stopped her pacing, satisfied that her plan would work. Even without Angelica’s help, she had everything she needed to get that amulet and her daughter. She was the most powerful witch ever created, and she had been brave enough to welcome the forbidden power, making her magic unbeatable. She turned and another wave of her wand had a glowing sphere floating before her, lighting her way out of the cave. Increasing her footsteps, she was glad to put the cavern behind and with each step she became more excited. Soon she would have the amulet and her daughter, and no one would stop Kadir from bringing Claire back from the dead.
*****
Caine followed his mate down the hall as she headed to the back of their house. His gaze was riveted to her firm ass as it swayed provocatively before him. It had only been minutes since he had last had her, but he needed her again. The memory of how she had ridden him had a groan escaping his throat.
“I know, baby. We need to plan our ceremony with my sisters and then we can escape again. We have to get mated on the next full moon so we are strong enough to beat Cele,” she assured him. The way she had turned to look at him, fidgeting with a pink button at the top of her shirt distracted him to no end. The button-down was tight across her breasts and the button was calling his name.
Drawn to her like iron to a magnet, he reached out and popped the top one free, exposing more of her creamy flesh. His finger tip traced the curve of her ample bosom and then dipped inside her bra to tease her pert nipple. His fangs descended, her sweet melon taste still on his tongue intensified with her responding arousal.
She stepped into his body and placed her hands on his hips. His free hand took hold of her backside, pulling her even closer. His shaft was hard as steel and their clothing was a flimsy barrier. He could feel her heat surround him and he throbbed in response. He knew he should pull back and had every good intention to meet with her sisters, but desire won out and his mouth came crashing down on hers. He kissed her roughly, and things quickly got carried away. His hand was under her cotton skirt and grasping the firm flesh of her ass.
A small laugh broke the moment and Suvi quickly pulled away from him, straightening her shirt and tugging on her skirt. He saw the young stripling with his soft brown curls and mischievous smile. Caine couldn’t help but notice the curious look in the male’s eyes. Suvi reached down and ruffled his hair. “What’s up, D? Where is everyone?” She glanced toward Caine, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and desire. Stunning, sexy, and deliciously captivating.
“They’re waiting for you in the kitchen. They ordered Chinese. You’re always kissing Caine. I thought it was me and you against the world, Aunt Suvi.” The little guy tilted his head adorably and Caine couldn’t get angry over the possessive nature of his words.
Suvi laughed and leaned down next to the stripling. “You know he’s my Fated Mate, but you’re still my best buddy. And, it will always be you and me against that growly bear.”
Caine stepped next to his mate and wrapped his arm around her waist. He felt a surge in power like he did when they had joined at Marshall’s house. He wondered how much more that would increase once they were fully mated. “I have a feeling that you two will cause a lot of trouble. I hope for the sake of peace in this house that you two take pity on the poor bear.”
“What do you do? And, are you moving in here, too?” Donovan asked imperiously.
Caine couldn’t stop the smile that broke across his face. This little guy was going to be formidable. “I work with money. I help supernaturals make more and keep what they have.” Caine looked at Suvi and got caught in her brown eyes for several long moments. He had witnessed the closeness between her and her sisters and he could see how much she had come to mean to this little stripling. “Yes, I am moving in and my parents will stay here sometimes. That makes us family now.”
Donovan cocked his head and thought over what Caine had told him. “So, I’ll have more grandparents then,” he said excitedly. “Ones that will live with me. I bet they’ll spoil me rotten.” They all laughed at that. Donovan would have his parents wrapped around his little finger from the moment they met.
Suvi grabbed his hand and began walking down the hall. Donovan followed suit and grabbed Suvi’s other hand, reminding Caine that she was his, too. “Do you think I will have a little brother or sister soon? Or, maybe you or Pema will have a baby. Then I wouldn’t be the only kid here. That would be awesome.”
Caine’s steps faltered and his heart began racing in his chest. A child. He had never thought of having a family of his own. It wasn’t until recently that the Goddess started blessing Fated Mates again. Suvi tugged on his hand and smirked at the alarm on his face.
“I think you need to tell your dad that you want a little sister. Isis would love to give you one,” Suvi responded. “And,” she said, keeping her eyes locked with Caine’s, “you will have cousins as soon as possible. Caine and I are trying hard to make a baby. Aren’t we, sweetheart?” She winked at him and his heart began racing once again in panic.
Isis and Pema began laughing as they had entered the kitchen. Caine felt sweat break out on his forehead and he had trouble breathing on top of his already pounding heartbeat. “Planning on striplings already, little sister,” Pema teased. “Is that why Caine is sweating?”
“That’s cause he’s been working so hard making a baby with Aunt Suvi,” Donovan supplied helpfully.
Braeden scooped up his son and laughed. “Is that so? Do you want some fried rice?”
“Yes, please. And, daddy, I want a baby sister. Aunt Suvi said you and mommy will give me one.”
“The Goddess decides who has babies. We will all have children when she deems it right,” Isis told the little guy as she dished up some food for him. Braeden set him down and he ran eagerly to the table. Everyone crowded around the spread of take-out with Donovan. Emotion clogged Caine’s throat at the feeling of belonging to this family. He had been blessed beyond anything he’d ever imagined.
“Can I be in your mating ceremony? Dad said I did a great job in his and I already know what to do,” Donovan asked excitedly as he shoveled rice into his mouth. More food fell off his spoon than made it into his mouth, leaving a pile around his place setting. Caine couldn’t help but grin and hand the young boy a napkin.
The aroma of soy sauce and ginger had Caine’s stomach growling. He grabbed two plates and handed one to Suvi who was answering Donovan. “I would love for you to be in our ceremony and I have the perfect job for you. Can you be in charge of holding our mating stone until we need it? It’s a huge responsibility. Do you think you’re up for it?”
Donovan sat up higher in his chair and thrust his chin up. “Oh, yes, Suvi. I’ll guard it with my life. You can count on me. I even have a special box where it will be safe.”
“Are you planning on completing the ceremony in two days?” Ronan asked. The big bear had on a black tank top with the Confetti Too logo across the chest and tattered jeans. The male was one of the biggest bouncers Caine had ever seen and he understood why Killian had hired him at the club. And, it wasn’t just because he was a bear shifter. He looked more like one of the Dark Warriors. Caine would never fuck with him that was for sure. Not that he couldn’t hold his own, but he wasn’t a stupid male.
“Yeah. There is no way we’re going to wait. Cele is going to make her move soon, I can feel it. She is desperate and desperation makes people stupid. Plus, my brand is killing me. I don’t know how either one of you managed to live with the pain for so long.” At the mention of their mating marks, his g
ave an answering throb as Suvi met his eyes. He once again felt the urgency to fully claim her, his fangs pressing against his lower lip.
“The Vampire King has agreed to perform the ceremony the night after tomorrow. What else can I do to help? I’m not any good at planning parties, but give me a task and point me in the right direction and I’m fine,” he said and ate a bite of some Kung Pao Chicken.
Suvi squeezed his thigh before digging into her own plate of food. “You need to get your tux for the ceremony and you two need to go shopping for a dress with me in the morning,” Suvi told her sisters around a bite of her egg roll. “I know that I don’t have time to have Beladora create a one of a kind masterpiece, but she makes the best dresses so I’m sure she has something that will make me look stunning.”
He was stunned that his mate didn’t know how extraordinary she was. She didn’t need a special dress to make her gorgeous. She made cut-off jeans and torn t-shirts look good.
“Where are you going to have the ceremony? Here or Zeum?” Isis asked, dipping her wanton in chili sauce.
Caine thought about that. He didn’t doubt that Zander would allow them to have the ceremony at Zeum, but that somehow didn’t feel right to him. “I think we should have it here. This is where we will make our life with your sisters and I can’t think of a better location,” he replied.
“The tables are all still out back from your birthday,” Donovan shared helpfully.
“You’re right,” Isis responded to her step-son and ruffled his hair. “You can help me clean out the pool later today.”
Donovan clapped happily about his role and Caine listened as Suvi and her sisters planned every last detail as he texted Zander telling him where the ceremony was going to be. Suvi’s soul stirred in his chest as the pieces began to fall into place. It didn’t matter that he had known them for just a short amount of time. They had come to mean the world to him.
CHAPTER TEN
“Move that comb over. It doesn’t look right there,” Pema told Isis. Suvi watched in her mirror as they argued over her hair. A flock of butterflies had taken flight in her stomach and she was giddy with joy that her moment was finally here. It didn’t matter that she was only twenty-eight years old because she felt all of Caine’s three hundred fifty years of waiting through their bond.
She’d hardly slept after they had finished making all the plans. Her sisters had gone with her to visit Beladora where she found a crystal-encrusted work of art. The strapless dress hugged her body from her chest to her ankles and every inch was covered with beads and pearls. Despite being off the rack, it was perfect.
She’d had more trouble finding the right shoes and had spent most of yesterday hopping from store to store. Finally, at the last stop she found a pair of Louboutin’s that were to die for. The brilliant red soles caught her eye immediately, but it was the crystal-embellished suede pumps that took her shoe fetish to a whole new level. The ladylike peep toe, the studded-all over crystals, and the six-inch heel…oh my! While she may have fallen in love with Caine, a female could fall in love with shoes, too, right? They’d cost her as much as the dress, but she had to have them. And for once, her sisters had agreed with her on the perfection of her choice in footwear.
She was anxious about leaving the final set-up and arrangements to Courtney and the sprites. She was typically the one to put the final stamp on everything, and this, of all nights, mattered most to her, but they had promised her they wouldn’t disappoint. She took a deep breath, reassuring herself that this was going to be perfect.
Her thoughts jumped to a bigger issue that had been lingering in the back of her mind all day. She knew there were plenty of protections in place and prayed that neither Angelica nor Cele got as much as one hair through their barriers.
A knock at the door interrupted and their mother poked her head around the door. “Everyone is ready and waiting for you. Oh, sweetie, you look beautiful!” Their mother cooed, rushing to her side and drawing her in for a big hug.
“Thanks, mom. How’s dad?” Suvi asked. Their father had had a difficult time when their mother left him after she’d found her Fated Mate. They had been together for centuries. Suvi had to believe he would find his Fated Mate and happiness someday. She was glad that Braeden’s brother had taken him under his wing in his construction business, giving their father a new start.
“Your dad is beaming with pride and I swear I saw tears in his eyes, but don’t tell him I told you that. I’ll tell them five more minutes,” their mother said as she kissed her cheek and turned around to look at her sisters. “I have the most beautiful daughters in the Tehrex Realm. And, I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom,” she croaked, her eyes filling with tears.
Pema crossed to their mom and drew her into a hug. “Thanks, mom. Go tell dad that Suvi will be out shortly.” Suvi was so glad to see that her sister had repaired her relationship with their mother. There had been a time after their mom’s mating that Pema refused to speak to her and wouldn’t even be in the same room as their mom. Pema had harbored hatred toward their mother for causing their father so much pain when she left, but after she found her own mate, she understood the dynamics of the mating compulsion, and eventually forgave her.
As their mom left the room, Isis looked Suvi over. “Little bit more lip gloss,” Isis observed and took out the tube and swiped more of the sticky substance across her lips. “Okay, now you’re perfect.”
Suvi smiled up at her sister, stood up and walked over to the full-length mirror. She gazed at her reflection with satisfaction. “With this dress and these shoes, it would be hard not to look amazing,” she replied, turning to see the side view. The sparkle and shine of her dress and shoes made her burst with excitement.
She’d imagined this day since she was a little girl and every time she’d thought about it there had always been glitter, glam and high-heels. The fact that her sisters, her parents and all the people that mattered most were there to share this day meant the world to her. Not to mention that she was mating the male of her dreams. She was bubbling over with anticipation as she turned back to her sisters.
“Ready?” Pema smiled and grabbed her hand. Suvi felt the stone that was now embedded into her sister’s palm. Isis grabbed her other hand and she felt her stone, as well. She would have one in her palm soon. A symbol of the completion of her mating and the strength of her power. Their collective power flared, making the lights flicker and energy fizzed through her veins. This was the crux of who they were…the power of three.
“I couldn’t be more ready,” she declared, smiling at them both.
“This is going to be one hell of a party,” Isis crooned as she followed Suvi to the backyard. Her sister wasn’t wrong about that.
Their father was waiting for her in the kitchen and her mother had been right. There was the tell-tale sheen to his eyes. “You look perfect, Sweetpea,” he told her as he carefully kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, daddy. You look pretty spiffy yourself. All the females will swoon over you tonight.” Their father blushed and she had to admit that he was a great-looking male with his dark-brown hair and green eyes. He was quite the catch, in her opinion.
“You are beautiful, too, Pumpkin,” he said, giving Pema a kiss on the cheek. “And, you too, Hurricane,” he added, giving Isis a kiss on the cheek, as well. Suvi smiled at the nickname he had given Isis at birth. His term of endearment had come from Isis’ command of any room. Their parents had always told them that, even from birth, Isis had the attention of everyone around her. Over the years, the term came to mean more as they came to understand her ability to absorb the emotions of others and it was an even more perfect fit.
“Love you, too, dad. See you out there, Suvi,” Isis said as she headed out the door.
“Remember to breathe,” Pema uttered the last bit of advice before she was gone.
“C’mon, baby girl, your mate has been waiting long enough for you.” She turned to her father and managed a nod before h
e took her arm. She stepped into the backyard and immediately her gaze traveled to the gazebo and stopped when she saw Caine. He was standing with Zander in the middle of their deck and, he was, simply put, breathtaking.
She didn’t see the many friends and family that had gathered around, consumed as she was by the sight of Caine in a three piece black tuxedo. He was undoubtedly the best looking male on the planet. His black hair fell into his green eyes. He rocked the scruffy hair with the immaculate Armani suit. He smiled when he saw her and everything in her settled into place. This was where she was meant to be, with this male.
Her legs were shaking as her father walked her toward her future. Electricity arched between them the moment her dad put her hand into Caine’s. She kissed her dad’s cheek and saw one tear had fallen from his eye. He averted his gaze and quickly retreated.
Her heart raced with her anticipation. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Caine shared a knowing look with her before they turned to face Zander. Only then did she realize that the Vampire King was dressed in a Scottish kilt. The outfit would have looked comical on anyone but this male. On him, and his brothers, she conceded, it was anything but a skirt. On them, the black and grey Scottish finery screamed masculinity.
“Friends, and family, please form a circle around the couple,” Zander instructed. Caine’s mother smiled at her as she stepped up beside them. She had met her and his father the night before and had instantly loved them. And, Ellis and Ava had come bearing gifts for Donovan, proving that they were indeed going to spoil him rotten. Her sisters, their mates and their parents, along with Donovan, completed their inner circle. Braeden’s brother, Griffin, and their parents, along with the Dark Warriors, comprised the next circle. She was pleasantly surprised to see Nate and Angus at the ceremony. Nate winked at her, making her smile.