Blood Moon_A novel of the Paramortals

by Livia Quinn

  "I see that," River said peering down into his amphora and instantly feeling a renewed sense of peace. Any remaining power the spell had on him had been destroyed. "Thank you, Cinder."

  At that moment, her smile was the loveliest thing he'd ever seen. She reached for his hand. "Let's burn this place down, then you can give me a tour of your lovely home."

  "Your wish is my command," River smiled.

  With one extended blast of her dragon fire, the cabin was reduced to ash. A short time later, they were reclining on a sumptuous gold and burgundy coverlet on the only piece of furniture in his tiny den. The bed.

  Cinder was sprawled across one end of it, her hair spilling over one shoulder, exposing her milky skin. "Is this it? I thought you said it was spacious."

  He grinned, "Tell me where you've seen a bigger bed." His eyes popped open. "Forget I said that." She laughed.

  He leaned against the wall enjoying her presence in his sanctuary. "I don't stay here much and have only the need for the one piece. Remember, I live at Harmony." He tugged on her fingers and she straddled him, crawling up to his chest where she settled down against him, one hand stroking his cheek.

  He felt like purring. "I've been thinking about what Conor said about the mate bond. This thing between us is why I was able to resist the enthrallment, wasn't it?" His heartbeat tripped at her satisfied smile. "Weren't you surprised?"

  His skin was hot under her hand. "No." She laid her palm flat on his broad chest and stroked across, then down, exploring the ridges and valleys, smiling when he inhaled sharply. "I dreamed of you," she said, reverently, almost to herself.

  Startled, he laid his hand over hers. "When?"

  She rubbed her cheek against the side of his jaw. His chest rose under her hand and she pulled back to look into the extraordinary eyes that spun with vibrant color. "There was another reason I traveled here besides wanting to protect Conor from this dragonhunter. While I was searching for him, I had another in a series of dreams. The first one, which I didn't remember until yesterday, was of you and your sister on a picnic with your parents when you were children. You were all so happy, River."

  His eyes drifted toward the fire grate and he nodded. "We were. That's why I missed them so much after..." He cocked his head. "What else?"

  "I saw you in that place when you were ill with the healer, and most recently like you are now." She traced the runes on his chest. "I saw the old woman place these here." She rose, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "I just realized, I saw you as you would be after the binding was destroyed."

  He grinned. "So, you did come looking for me in the Moat."

  "No, that was the truth. I knew you'd seen… well, him and were holding something back. But I was blindsided when I recognized you. I didn't know what to do about it."

  He frowned and looked away.

  "What is it?"

  River sighed, "I can't believe you're here with me after the way I treated you."

  Her breath left in a huff, "River, you were enthralled and before. . . with everything you and Tempe went through. . . your feelings are understandable."

  River looked at the wall beyond her. Would she want to stay after she heard what he had to say? He met her gaze directly. "If there's to be anything between us, I must be honest. I blamed my parents and my sister for our family not being together. I secretly resented the fact that my father cared more about other immortals and the Collecte than he did about us, his own family."

  Shame etched his features as his shoulders sagged. "You were right about me. I let my own self-pity get in the way of understanding the big picture for most of my life. Family is what being a Paramortal is really about. Our family, your father said."

  Cinder's eyes welled with tears at the memory. "He was a fierce leader and the very best father. I will miss him even more now that I have a fresh memory of him." She took his hand. "But I learned something through this, too. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have such a big boisterous family."

  She leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips then opened her eyes, her feelings plain. "I'll share them with you, if you can stand to be around a bunch of braggarts and flirts."

  "Your brothers?" River asked, winding her hair around his fingers. He enjoyed touching her hair.

  She laughed, "My sisters. Dragons are notoriously confident you know."

  He chuffed. "That's a diplomatic way of putting it, but this could be interesting. Djinn aren't exactly wall flowers."

  She grinned, and her wild red hair fell forward as she kissed him. Laughter rumbled up from his chest when he pulled her into his arms and covered her lips with his.

  Chapter 37

  What's a big stud muffin like you doing out here alone?

  Pale wispy clouds skimmed across the moon as a small crowd gathered in the woods near the cemetery for a rite of remembrance and cleansing. The Halloween festival was in full swing as the sounds filtered across the field nearby—horses pulling hay wagons, cheering, laughter and firecrackers.

  "Who d'ose people?" said a small voice at Dutch's feet. He looked down at the little boy who'd wandered away from the activity. His mum was probably looking for him but Dutch figured he could babysit for a few minutes. He hadn't forgotten how.

  He was a cute little boy of about three or four, blond headed with dazzling green eyes. Most likely faerie. "Where's your mother, young man?"

  The toddler spun around awkwardly rocking back on his heels pointing toward the lights. "Over dere." He twisted back, pointing with his other hand again at the group forming a circle around the large fire. "What they doin'?" He was mesmerized by the flames soaring high above the heads of the celebrants, his bright eyes wide.

  "Here, take my hand," Dutch said." The boy reached up and Dutch realized he was too short to reach his hand so he bent down and lifted him up onto his shoulders. The child squealed with delight as Dutch placed a hand on each of his short chubby legs. "Hold on, now." Tiny fingers locked into Dutch's hair. He explained to the toddler that they should be quiet while the people threw bones on the fire to honor those whom they'd lost.

  "Like puppies?" the boy whispered. "My puppy died." He snuffled, "He was onwy tree weeks old."

  Dutch smiled, realizing he was getting ahead of himself with his story telling. "Yes, sir, exactly like that." The little boy nodded, his eyes going wide when firelight danced across Dutch's hair. He sifted his fingers through the strands. "The people are asking for blessings on their crops and livestock. Do you know what livestock is?"

  A frantic voice called from the edge of the woods. "Tori! Where are you? Tori!" A young woman burst through the trees and stopped, covering her mouth with her hands. "Oh." She walked quickly toward him. "Young man, I'm going to…" She stopped in front of Dutch. "Hello."

  Dutch swung Tori down to the ground at his feet but held on to his hands as his mother's worry ebbed. "The child is safe. We were just watching the remembrance fires."

  Tori's mother turned toward the fires and her eyes became sad. "I planned on bringing him over later. Thanks for corralling him. He is of an age, I'm afraid."

  Dutch smiled, "I remember those early years fondly myself."

  "You're Tempe's father, aren't you? And River's." The small woman took Tori's hand and tilted her head back to meet Dutch's gaze. The audacity of faeries, he thought. "I live at the Faerie Inn. I met Tempe when she visited Bella. Thank you for taking care of my baby. With everything that's happened this year. . ."

  "There's no reason to fear. You will both be safe," Dutch promised.

  She studied him for a moment longer then she relaxed. "Thank you."

  He watched them head back toward the festival, thoughtful.

  "What's a big stud muffin like you doing out here alone?" Slender arms slid around his hips. He'd sensed her presence for several minutes.

  "I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else to dally with, woman. I've only a heart for my Phoebe, the mother of my children," Dutch said, his voice gruff.

&n
bsp; "Oh, you sweet talker you," Phoebe said as she moved to his side and took his hand.

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. His eyes spun as he tilted his head down and grinned, "Stud muffin?"

  She laughed, "I heard it somewhere. I like it. It fits you." He snorted. "I noticed you made a new friend."

  He nodded and raised her hand to his lips, sighing. "We missed so much, Phee. Little Tori was about the age River was when we abandoned them."

  "Dutch..."

  "Efrit, Phoebe, I know, but will the pain we put them through ever go away." His voice trailed off.

  She regarded his beautiful emotional expression. It might surprise their children that he could be so sentimental, but she'd been in love with him for so long. Her eyes, too, were moist remembering the last twenty years. "Dutch, what happened yesterday—avenging Maxim and freeing him, the resulting peace our community can enjoy because of it, and the happiness our children have found—made it all worth it."

  He turned and wrapped his arms around her. With her sharp intelligence and storm gray eyes, so much like their daughter's, she was beautiful, steadfast and grew more precious to him with each century that passed. "One of my biggest regrets is the way everyone perceived you."

  "Hush, it was but an instant in our long lives," Phoebe said, kissing him. "It matters not now, truly."

  He immersed himself for several seconds in her embrace, then smiled down at her and cupped her cheek. "Thousands of years we've lived, and I can tell you with surety that the next with our children and grandchildren will be the happiest of all."

  Phoebe said, "Speaking of children, are you ready to give your daughter away? The wedding's in an hour."

  "Yes. Let's go pay our respects." Dutch took her hand.

  They spotted Conor's large form first, then River, Cinder and the Langs. When they approached, Conor turned and held his hand out to Dutch who pulled the boy in for a hug. "Conor. Having known Aevyn most of my life, rest assured that he and your father are most proud of who you've become." Before he let him go, he whispered in his ear, "Why don't you work some of that dragon magic on your sister and River? It would make your parents and River's very happy."

  Conor laughed, "Ach, but I dinna think it's g'win to take much magic. I heard some crazy tales about a red dragon sailing around the lake last night on a red carpet. Thankfully, no one is giving it much credence, considering the source."

  Jane Fortune had written a detailed account of the sighting in her gossip column for the Destiny Tribune that morning.

  Phoebe smiled and clasped Dutch's hand as Conor tossed his black mane and nodded toward a small nook beyond the fire.

  Dutch smiled. "Phoebe, I believe that's what our new grand-daughter would call 'hooking up'." River and Cinder were locked in an extended kiss outside the circle, oblivious to the conversations around them.

  Conor frowned looking past Dutch. "What's this?"

  Dutch and Phoebe turned to see about thirty people walking from the festival grounds toward the bonfires, each of them carrying a lit white candle. As they passed by quietly, they nodded or stopped to give their condolences to Conor and Cinder, or to express appreciation for their protection during "that crazy spring". A few offered to stand guard in the cemetery through the night to discourage vandals or spirits.

  Once they'd moved on to greet the others by the bonfire, Conor said, "Weel, are we g'win to have a wedding or not?"

  Chapter 38

  I told you umbrellas would make a practical party favor.

  "Conor is really enjoying his role as the wedding entertainer," Montana said, her silky blue halter dress swirling around her knees. "I think he's done everything from the Beatles to Train, so far." Conor had surprised them with his offer to provide the music and by procuring a small faerie band to accompany his wonderful baritone.

  "Before you know it, he'll be performing at Bons Amis—Flambé and the Faeries," Tempe said, enjoying a laugh with her friends. She noticed Jack's ring sitting on the counter and frowned. "Montana, would you please find Bailey? I thought she was going to handle the ring, but I haven't seen her." Tempe stepped into the silvery gray dress and turned around so Jordie could zip her up.

  Katerina leaned in toward Tempe. "You really should wax those eyebrows, Tempe."

  "It's too late for that, Kat. Did you hear from Dylan? Is he coming?" Kat's phone rang.

  "Perfect timing!" The dark-haired panther shifter held out her phone. "You should take this," she said with a smile.

  When Tempe put the phone to her ear, Dylan's voice came across the line. "You know you owe this all to me. Even my god child."

  She laughed. "How do you figure that, Dylan, and why aren't you here?"

  "If it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be here, Petunia." It was one of his pet 'p' names for her, from their recent past when using her real name had been forbidden, and it caused a familiar warmth to spread through her. The last twenty years had not been all bad, in hindsight.

  "I... can't explain," Dylan said. Or he wouldn't. "I'm sorry I'll miss the wedding but I'll be back soon. Hopefully." He sounded less than sure.

  "Dylan, is everything okay?" Even with their complicated past he was still one of her best friends.

  "It will be, T. Name the baby after me." He cut the call off before Tempe could tell him Jack believed it was a girl. She handed the phone back to Kat and reached for her earrings. Katerina was still dressed in her dark sunglasses and that idiotic trench coat.

  "Katerina Blackmoor, you know I love you, but you are not wearing that trench coat in my wedding. Please, tell me you're not."

  Kat smiled. "Would I do that to you?" She whipped the coat off to reveal a stunning figure in a dark navy sheath that fit her like a glove. "I bought this dress to make Dylan salivate but I guess that will have to wait." Kat and Dylan had recently gotten together after her panther helped him find his wolf again but he still wasn't totally himself. Tempe didn't want to worry Kat, so she kept her concerns about Dylan to herself.

  Jordie looked gorgeous. Dressed in a flowing silver calf-length dress, she’d turned into a beautiful young woman. "Is Jane here?"

  Jane Fortune had called Tempe that morning and apologized for "intimidating" that Tempe would ever go after her honey when she was about to marry Jack Lang. Tempe had been suspicious of the call from the first and then Jane made her real reason for calling clear. "Can I be your flower girl?" Jane wanted to wear her new dress.

  Tempe was temporarily taken aback, but Jordie gave the okay, saying she was too old to be a flower girl, obviously, and besides, she'd be busy giving her father away, so Tempe relented. "Okay, Jane... but no turbans." The long pause on the other end said it all.

  Tempe moved the branches aside so she could see the preparations. Faeries had erected a temporary bride's room at the top of the lawn. Outside her tiny dressing room, Aurora, Bella and Phoebe were magically transforming the area from the Forge to the house. Though they'd been friends for longer than the histories of most countries, their laughter made them seem like young, carefree roommates.

  "You can feel it, can't you, Tempest?" Phoebe asked, as she came through the fern cover and took Tempe's hands. "The power flowing into Destiny from the other side and the magic from the leylines that runs through us all. Your ancestors are in attendance tonight for the union of two special Paramortals."

  River had apologized again that morning for being selfish and ungrateful. "Something happened when I was released from that binding, Tempe. The feelings of abandonment…it's like it happened to someone else."

  Tempe had hugged River and shared her own thoughts. "It helps to know there was more than one family looking out for us all along doesn't it?"

  Phoebe took Tempe's hands in hers. The eyes, so much like her own, were serene. When she'd seen Dutch that morning, he'd been different as well. "You and Papa seem so... relaxed."

  Her mother's delighted laughter was a wonderful sound to Tempe. "There's something to be said for not living
a lie, baby. But you may wish for a bit of that old separation from us before long. Your papa is anxious to meet his grandchild and I'm afraid he will have a tendency to hover. Be patient with him."

  Tempe smiled. Jack would know exactly how she was feeling. Her crazy world had turned topsy-turvy, one might even call it normal. Her eyes grew moist and her mother shook her head. "Save those tears for later. It's nearly time."

  They peeked through flowers and decorations to see Jane 'strutting' down the aisle. In her fluffy magenta dress, she spread a veritable carpet of white flowers behind her, coming to a stop next to Dick who raised her hand to his lips, his eyes gleaming with admiration. Who could have known that even Dick could be transformed by love?

  The crowd filled the huge backyard between the water's edge and Harmony. There were human guests from as far away as Larue and Campbell Green as well as Inez and Phineas from the Isle. She heard Conor singing, "Kiss me, under the light of a thousand stars…"

  The popular song faded into the background when she saw Jack, Ryan, River and Mr. Lang walk to one end of the circle, then her attendants—Montana, Aurora, Katerina and Bailey to the other. Tempe's parents, Jack's mother, and Jordie stood nearby. The little fairies at the entrance to her cozy greenroom fluttered up into the air, peeked out of the opening and squealed, "Tempe's turn. Here comes the bride."

  Heads turned as the sound of barking interrupted the music and a sleek black and tan Dachshund ran into the circle on the heels of a white Chihuahua. The imp never could avoid causing a ruckus. But when his eyes fell upon two huge familiar boots, he slid to a stop on the slippery white petals, not even bothering to look up. Shifting into reverse, he backed up next to Dutch and sat carefully on his haunches, studying insects, his toenails, anything but his master.

  Finally, it was Tempe's turn. Music filtered through the trees, provided by the faerie folk this time, delicate and ethereal. The nervous energy of the last few hours dissipated. This had been her destiny from the day she was born, the fate she'd tried to resist. Tears threatened as she realized what she would have been giving up. Her palm rested on her stomach and Tempe smoothed the layers of her dress, a frothy concoction of silver and white, then she stepped out of the faerie tent and walked toward her future.