Till Demon Do Us Part (Paranormal Wedding Planners Book 6)

by Jones, AE

  “Of course not. We don’t want that secret getting out.”

  “Then do the right thing. If not for you, then for your daughter.”

  “I am doing this for my daughter.”

  McHenry heard an odd rattle and looked down to see a chain zoom across the floor in a heartbeat and then swing through the air like someone was wielding it.

  Roderick tried to block the chain, but his hands were cuffed.

  McHenry lurched forward and grabbed the chain, trying to wrench it away from Roderick, but he couldn’t get a grip on the metal.

  Then Darcinda had crashed into the room, and his only thought was finding iron to stop the spell from killing Roderick.

  Now he stood in his own house surrounded by his friends. Friends he would do anything to protect. And his female friends were stubbornly fighting to stay with him.

  Not that he was surprised in the least.

  The conversation had devolved quickly, and the mates were bickering with each other.

  “We don’t know who or what is behind the attack on the demon king,” Connor argued.

  “Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself,” Olivia chimed in.

  “We want to stay and help,” Sheila added.

  “Darlin’…” Charlie cajoled.

  “Don’t use your sexy voice with me, Charles Aristotle Tucker.”

  Aristotle…seriously? And McHenry thought his name was bad.

  Alex glared at Devin as she bounced JT in her arms.

  “Enough!” McHenry yelled. He looked over at JT, whose eyes got big. “Sorry, little guy. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  JT giggled and held out his hands to him.

  McHenry took the baby from Alex before continuing.

  “My blusterin’ doesn’t work with you stubborn females.” He looked down at the smiling baby in his arms. “Or you either.”

  “Nope,” Alex and the other women chimed in.

  “Fine. Then let’s do this a different way.” He looked at the women gathered in front of him. “I appreciate everythin’ you’ve done for me. I never thought I would be blessed to have friends like you in my life. And since you’re my friends, I’m goin’ to ask you a favor.

  “I need you to be safe. You are amazin’, intelligent, and competent females. It might be sexist of me, but if one of the most powerful supernatural leaders isn’t safe here, then we can’t risk you bein’ here. Your mates have a job to do with the Tribunal, and right now they shouldn’t be distracted by worryin’ about you.”

  McHenry braced himself. He wasn’t sure what type of reaction he expected. Even JT stilled in his arms, as if anticipating an impending storm.

  Alex smiled. “You had to go soft and mushy on us, McHenry. Now that I have JT, I have to think of him first, so we’ll go stay at Julian and Fiona’s house. That vampire mansion is like Fort Knox. I’m sure they’ll let us stay there.”

  Sheila and Olivia nodded, and Charlie and Connor wrapped their arms around their mates.

  McHenry turned to Julia. “Don’t fight me on this, counselor.”

  “But I can’t leave. I’m the demon king’s defense attorney.”

  “I’ll defend the demon king,” Jack said.

  Julia smiled. “I love you, husband, but you’re not a defense attorney.”

  Darcinda spoke up. “Julia, do you and Jack have to be close to each other to use your telepathy?”

  “No.”

  “Then you can be away from here and still defend the king through Jack.”

  “That might work,” Julia said. “I’ll have to explain to the Tribunal tomorrow.”

  Jack grabbed Julia’s hand. “And then you’ll leave. I want you and the baby to be safe.”

  Silence.

  The women all turned to Julia.

  “Baby?” Alex squeaked.

  Julia nodded, and the women practically tackled the mother- and father-to-be.

  After a couple of minutes, Devin hollered over the chaos. “Okay, everyone upstairs to pack so we can leave tomorrow right after we’ve met with the magistrates and explained things.”

  Alex, Sheila, and Olivia headed upstairs.

  “We need to work on what it means to keep a secret,” Julia said to Jack before kissing him and heading upstairs.

  Maeve stayed put next to Darcinda.

  “Aren’t you goin’ to go pack, Maeve?” McHenry asked.

  “Nope.” Maeve snorted. “You do know that in this situation I can protect myself better than these guys, right?”

  Connor sighed. “I can’t even argue with baby sister about that.”

  Maeve nodded. “If Tim were in here, he would agree as well. Plus, you might need my help while Darcinda’s powers are still on the fritz.”

  McHenry was well aware that the wolf-witch was powerful. “Fine. You can stay. That’ll also leave you here to spy and report in to Alex and the rest of the group.”

  Maeve smiled before standing on tiptoe, kissing McHenry on the cheek, and then heading outside, probably to help Tim guard Roderick.

  “Your females exhaust me,” McHenry muttered.

  “Hey, you convinced four out of five to go home. That’s a win in my book,” Devin said.

  JT giggled.

  McHenry looked down at the giggling baby in his arms. “You think that’s funny?”

  JT clapped his hands and gave McHenry a gooey, toothless grin.

  “You have a way with him, McHenry.” Darcinda’s eyebrow rose, as if he kept surprising her. But the feeling was mutual. She’d surprised him over and over again.

  “Can you keep watching JT for a minute while the team talks through a few things?” Devin asked.

  “Sure.”

  The team walked outside and McHenry watched them through the window as they headed toward the workshop.

  He turned back to Darcinda. “It was pretty selfless of you to help Roderick.”

  Darcinda scrunched up her nose. “I would help anyone who was hurt or injured.”

  “Even someone who attacked you?”

  “He bound my powers.”

  McHenry shook his head. “Don’t dismiss what he did. I know how much it means to you to be able to help people.”

  “You know me that well, huh?”

  “You keep turnin’ up on my land like a bad penny. First to help Jack, and then Connor when he and Olivia were attacked, and then me. And I know for a fact that you also helped Maeve come into her powers.”

  Darcinda watched him bouncing JT in his arms for a moment before saying, “Maeve hasn’t reached her full potential yet.”

  He cleared his throat. “Maeve didn’t hurt your feelings earlier, did she?”

  “No.”

  “I know you’re used to being one of the most powerful beings in the room.”

  Darcinda smiled. “That is true, but I’m not right now. Maeve was right to bring it up. And since I don’t pull any punches, I wouldn’t expect her to, either.”

  “Very true.”

  She smiled at him. “That’s something we have in common. You, too, don’t pull your punches.”

  “I also don’t need to hide behind flowery words. Get to the point and be done with it.”

  The baby stopped squirming in his arms, and McHenry looked down. JT’s expression had changed. Instead of his normal grin, he seemed to be concentrating really hard, like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

  “What’s wrong, buddy?”

  “I think JT is working on filling his diaper.”

  Hells. McHenry held the baby away from his chest.

  Darcinda laughed. “He’s not a bomb, McHenry.”

  “I’m goin’ to take him upstairs to his mam.”

  “You do that, big, tough demon.”

  He hurried up the stairs.

  Oh, that faerie was so ridiculous, but in the best of ways. He frowned. That was not something he could entertain. Not now, not ever.

  A healer takes care of body, mind, and heart.

  Chapt
er 21

  Darcinda shook her head while she watched McHenry practically sprint up the stairs. What was it about that male that made her smile?

  If she was being honest with herself, he stirred her blood. Maeve was right. He was sexy in a rugged, wounded-hero way. But she wasn’t fooling herself. Even though they appeared to have formed some sort of truce, it could be temporary. As soon as this Tribunal was over, McHenry would kick them all out and more than likely go back to being his curmudgeonly self.

  And that made her sad. And she couldn’t afford to be sad. It was the emotion she kept strictly locked away. That and love.

  Before she could spiral too much more deeply into the world of McHenry, footsteps on the stairs made her look up to see Sheila on her way down.

  “Do you know where Charlie is?”

  “The team is out in the workshop talking through a few things.”

  Sheila nodded.

  The beautiful, vivacious woodland nymph’s lips pulled into a tight line.

  “What’s wrong, Sheila?”

  “Nothing.”

  Darcinda gave her The Look. It was a combination of stern mother, concerned friend, and sympathetic healer. It usually didn’t take too long for someone to crack under the pressure.

  Sheila swallowed and blinked several times, as if to hold back tears, and Darcinda reached for her hand. “Let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll make you some tea.”

  They went in, and Darcinda filled the teapot, then placed it on the stove before turning to her friend.

  “You might as well tell me what’s wrong. You know I’ll wear you down eventually.”

  Sheila smiled, even though a tear trickled down her cheek. “Charlie and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while now.”

  Ah.

  She held up her hands. “I am so happy for Julia and Jack. Truly.”

  Darcinda stepped closer and rested her hand on Sheila’s shoulder. “I know you are. You don’t have to apologize for your feelings.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m also not going to throw platitudes at you. This is hard.” She wished she had her healing senses right now. But she didn’t, so she would need to improvise.

  Sheila blew out a hard breath.

  “I know you don’t want to hear this either, but getting pregnant can take time for any couple, and for a woodland nymph to conceive is that much harder.”

  “I know. I’m being ridiculous.”

  Darcinda grabbed both of Sheila’s hands, forcing Sheila to turn toward her. “No, you’re not. Your feelings and hopes are the polar opposite of ridiculous. You have every right to want a child, Sheila. Feel any way you damn well want to. Always fight for what you want, but don’t let it control you.”

  Sheila nodded. “You’re right.”

  “I’m here for you. Your friends are here for you too.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Have you talked to Charlie about this?”

  She looked down at their tightly gripped hands. “Not really. I don’t want him to know how upset I am. He has enough to worry about.”

  Darcinda stood and walked over to the counter, picking up a piece of paper and writing on it before holding it out to Sheila.

  “What is it?”

  Darcinda shook the paper. “Read it.”

  Sheila finally took it. “Prescription: Talk to your husband. Refills: As many times as needed.” She looked up at Darcinda with a hint of amusement, thank the Fates. “I guess that makes it official.”

  “Yep. Your healer prescribed it.” Darcinda wrapped her arms around Sheila. “I’m here any time you need to talk.”

  The teakettle whistled and Darcinda broke their embrace. “You still want some tea?”

  “Sounds good. Thank you.”

  They shared tea for a few minutes before Olivia, Julia, Alex, and JT trooped down the stairs to join them.

  Devin came into the room. “Okay, the team is going to double up on guard duty for the king tonight.”

  Julia wandered away with a worried look on her face, so Darcinda followed her onto the porch.

  “I wanted to congratulate you again. How are you feeling?” Darcinda asked.

  Julia’s cheeks pinkened. “Other than Jack spilling the beans not once, but twice , I’m okay.”

  Darcinda smiled. “He’s excited.”

  “I know. It’s so amazing. A miracle really.” Julia frowned.

  “Then what’s the frown for?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Julia…”

  “I’m a little scared. What if something goes wrong?”

  “Every expectant mother is scared at some point, Julia. And I know losing your first husband has given you an up-close perspective on the fragility of life. But finding Jack and falling in love with him is a gift, as is this baby. I wish I could check you with my healing senses right now to make you feel better, but I can’t.”

  Julia stilled. “I’m sorry. I should be asking you how you’re doing.”

  “I’m fine. Things will go back to normal eventually…or our kind of normal at least, right?”

  Julia smiled. “Right. I’ll need to schedule time at your healing center since I don’t think I should go to a human doctor.”

  “Most werewolf babies present themselves like they’re human, but there are different herbs and supplements that you should take. We can schedule a checkup for you soon.”

  Julia hesitated for a moment. “I’m not looking forward to talking to the magistrates tomorrow.”

  Darcinda tilted her head and waited for Julia to continue. She had an idea why, but she didn’t want to speak for her.

  “How do I tell the elf king that I’m pregnant? Thomas was his eldest son.”

  Darcinda rested her hand on Julia’s arm. “And Thomas is gone now. I’m sure his father will be happy for you.”

  “I hope so. But I got a second chance with love, and he can’t have his son back, or Devin his brother back.”

  “Very true. But that doesn’t mean you take that loss on your shoulders. Your love for Thomas will never go away, Julia, and from what you’ve told me about him, he would want you all to be happy as well.” If only her own mother had been able to embrace that after Darcinda’s father died. Maybe then her mom wouldn’t have lost her magic and willed herself to die.

  After a couple of minutes, Julia left to find Jack, and McHenry walked into the kitchen.

  “Did you finish up with another counseling session?”

  “Julia needed a little pep talk. What do you mean by another?”

  “After I gave JT back to Alex, I came downstairs and overheard you and Sheila talkin’ in the kitchen. I only heard the end of it. I’m sorry for eavesdropping.”

  Darcinda nodded. “This isn’t exactly the best setup for seeing patients.”

  “And yet you never stop, do you? I thought Olivia was the counselor.”

  “She is. But I learned a long time ago that healing isn’t just about the body. It involves the heart and mind too.”

  “Aye. I take it you’ll be stayin’ over tonight.”

  She nodded. “I want to be close by so I can check on the demon king.”

  “Which is why I came to find you. He’s wakin’ up.”

  They headed across the courtyard to the workshop, where they found Julia by the king’s bed. Jack was standing close by, as were Tim and Maeve. Maeve nodded to Darcinda, as if to say she would intervene magically if something went wrong. Or at least that’s what Darcinda hoped would happen. Charlie stepped around them to check the king over.

  Devin and Connor stood in the doorway.

  She hadn’t been totally honest with McHenry, with any of them. Not having her powers cut her deeply. She hadn’t realized how much she relied on them until they were gone.

  Jack and Julia stood back to give her room.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked the king.

  He opened his mouth and frowned.

  “It’s okay if you can’t talk right now. The chain dam
aged your larynx, but hopefully your healing powers will take care of that soon.”

  His eyes widened when he looked at his freed hands and the IV in his arm.

  “The shackles were hampering the healing, and Charlie inserted an IV so you can get some fluids. I didn’t think you’d want to drink much tonight, and we need to keep you hydrated. We’ll take it out once the bag is empty. Do you hurt anywhere else but your throat? Just nod or shake your head.”

  He shook his head.

  “Are you up for a couple of questions?” Julia asked.

  He nodded.

  “Did McHenry attack you?” Julia cut right to the chase.

  He looked over Darcinda’s shoulder, to where McHenry stood behind her, before shaking his head.

  “Do you know who did this to you?”

  He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head again. Darcinda didn’t like that hesitation. From the frown on Julia’s face, she didn’t like it either.

  “Are you sure you don’t know who could have done this? Someone in your demon clan? Or a rival demon leader in one of the sub clans?”

  Roderick shook his head again and flinched a little at the movement.

  Darcinda stepped forward. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Do you want me to get your daughter? I didn’t want to tell her what happened until you were awake.”

  “No,” he rasped out. “Don’t…up…set her.”

  “Okay. We’ll tell her in the morning, when you’re feeling better and she can talk to you.”

  He nodded before closing his eyes. The group filed out of the room.

  “He’s pretty weak,” Julia said. “I didn’t want to explain about our plans with the Tribunal until tomorrow.”

  Darcinda nodded. “Agreed. He needs to recuperate right now.”

  “Tim and I can take the first shift,” Jack said.

  The rest of the group headed back to the house.

  “Where are Andrew, Selina, and Jamie?” Darcinda asked.

  “Before Devin called everyone together in the house earlier, I packed up some sandwiches for the three of them and sent them for a walk with Matilda,” McHenry said.

  Maeve giggled. “The goat goes for walks?”

  “Absolutely. She loves them. I wanted them out of the way until things settle down.”