“Sure, Hook,” Lexie replied. The front door slammed.
“Is there any way we can stop that?” Ryker turned to me.
“I don’t think so.” I pressed my body into Ryker’s. “The more you try to keep people apart, the more determined they are to be together.”
He grinned, bending over to kiss me.
“You know what I was just thinking?” Sprig piped up from my shoulder.
“No,” Ryker replied, his mouth still on mine.
Sprig ignored him. “When the mini Bhean gets here, it will get to taste your honey tits.”
“Sprig,” I warned.
“Sweet nectar boobs.”
“Please, stop.” Ryker cringed.
“Honey udders!”
“Go. Now.” I grabbed him from my shoulder and placed him on the ground.
“Come on, Matty!” He clambered up on the dog’s back. “Let’s storm the castle.” He patted the dog’s head. Matty knew this game and liked it since it usually resulted in treats. “Castle” meant the pantry. “But first let’s go pick up Pam. She’ll be pissed if I forget her in our adventure.”
Matty barked, taking off for inside the house. “Eye-Eye Matty!” Sprig grabbed his collar, bounding off, underwear cape billowing behind him.
I lived in a circus.
And I loved it.
Sprig was just out of sight before Ryker’s mouth came down on mine, his hands in my hair, tugging me into him.
I pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his unbelievable torso. He followed suit and ripped my tank top over my head. He went down on his knees, his lips brushing my bare stomach. His hands caressed the slight bump. The love I saw in his face for his unborn child was mindboggling. I knew how much this meant to him.
He gave my belly another kiss before he glanced up with a mischievous smile. “I guess while I’m down here…” His fingers wrapped around the sides of my pants and underwear, slowly tugging them off. The evening air hit my skin at the same time as his warm mouth did and my knees began to buckle. He pushed me against the deck railing, giving me something to lean against.
I moaned, arching my back. The sky was now dotted with a few stars, the deep purples bathing us in a hazy glow. My nails dug into the wood as Ryker nipped my thigh. I ran my fingers through his soft hair, pulling him closer. I felt so lucky.
He was mine. This house was mine and the people in it. I had a family. A growing one. And I fulfilled Daniel’s wish. I brought DMG down and rebuilt it. I think he would be happy for me.
Everything I dreamed of came true.
The journey had been messy, heartbreaking, bloody, and scary. But it also had been magical, wonderful, and exciting. Wasn’t that what life was about? Finding your place in the world wasn’t always going to be easy. But once you found it, you fought for it, with everything you had.
My place was always meant to be here. With Ryker.
I had once been a seer, a Collector, a hunter.
That girl died the night of the fae storm.
And from burning ashes, I rose again.
A fighter. A thief. A human. A fae. A survivor.
But I only needed one definition.
Zoey.
A girl who found home.
Acknowledgements
I am so lucky for the people I have helping me stay strapped in on this crazy rollercoaster!
A special thanks to:
Rachel at Mark My Words P.R., I have no idea how I ever did without you! Thank you for everything you do. Especially when I’m being that crazy neurotic writer!
Jordan, your developmental help and editing are crucial to me. You constantly push me to be a better writer while giving me such encouraging positive notes. Thank you. http://jordanrosenfeld.net/.
Hollie “the editor”, thank you for your endless support and love. So glad I can call you my friend! http://www.hollietheeditor.com/.
Eden Crane Designs, thank you for the amazing cover! http://www.edencranedesigns.com/
Judi at http://www.formatting4u.com/. As usual you have made the anxiety of getting my books out on time so much easier.
As always to Mom. There’d be no books without you!
To all the readers who have supported me. My gratitude is for all you do and how much you help indie authors out of the pure love of reading.
To all the indie/hybrid authors out there who inspire, challenge, support, and push me to be better. I love you!
And to anyone who has picked up an indie book and given an unknown author a chance. THANK YOU!
About The Author
Stacey Marie Brown works by day as an Interior/Set Designer and by night a writer of paranormal fantasy, adventure, and literary fiction. She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family’s farm raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts.
Even before she could write, she was creating stories and making up intricate fantasies. Writing came as easy as breathing. She later turned that passion into acting, living and traveling abroad, and designing.
Though she had never stopped writing, moving back to San Francisco seemed to have brought it back to the forefront and this time it would not be ignored.
When she’s not writing, she’s out hiking, spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music, or designing.
To learn more about Stacey or her books, visit her at:
Author website
www.staceymariebrown.com
Facebook Author page
https://www.facebook.com/staceymarie.brown.5
Twitter
@S_MarieBrown
Pinterest
www.pinterest.com/s.mariebrown
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Thank you to all my readers. Your opinion really matters to me and helps others decide if they want to purchase my book. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on the site where you purchased it. Thank you.
Want to find out about my next book, West, A Darkness Series Novel? Sign up for my newsletter on my website and keep updated on the latest news http://www.staceymariebrown.com.
Dark Dweller, Sexy, Ruthless, Charming,
and Ohhhh So Complicated
“I itched to change—to become what I was meant to be: a ruthless killer, something to be truly feared, no pretense or appeal.”
Of Witch’s Blood
(Ward Witches – Book One)
JENNIFER SNYDER
Seventeen-year-old Piper Ward isn’t new to the world of the supernatural. She comes from a long line of Cloaking Witches and lives in the city of Newvale, a supernatural mecca. However, when her crush reveals his mystical roots, Piper discovers there is one supernatural breed she hasn’t encountered.
Tristan Jarek is part of a tribe long ago forgotten, one whose magical abilities were stolen seven years ago. Having been separated from their magic for so long, the tribe is faced with a crippling reality—it’s dying.
As more of the story of Tristan’s magic is revealed, Piper becomes faced with a decision: let an entire breed of supernaturals die out, or give them the one thing that will save them—her blood.
Of Witch’s Blood is the first installment of an all new Mature Young Adult series from Jennifer Snyder, blending urban fantasy and paranormal romance together to create a tale of magic, first love, and inner strength .
For more information about this novel, including purchase links, visit:
http://jennifersnyderbooks.com/ward-witches-series/
To learn more about Jennifer, or her books, visit her at:
Author Website www.jennifersnyderbooks.com
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/authorjennifersnyder
From Burning Ashes (Collector Series #4) Page 37