Page 29 of Beauty

“That vamp is going to figure out Duff’s game and drain hisass.” Lach has a smile on his face as he says it.

But the very idea has me thinking. First blood. Myfangs pop out. We waited a long time, but it will all be worth it. Bron is ourmate. It’s only right she should be our first blood, our only blood.

“Gods, hide those things,” Julian says, shaking his head.“You’re going to have the other vamps thinking you’re an untried boy.”

I stare at him seriously. In many ways, I am an untried boy.I’m thirty years old, but I bonded at a young age. It cut me off from many ofthe things young, wild Fae try.

Julian’s jaw drops. “Are you fucking kidding me? After allthe time you’ve spent in my club? After all the women I’ve sent you intoprivate rooms with? You didn’t fuck any of them? I paid a couple of them. Damnit.”

Lach leans in. “Do you have to announce it to the wholeplane?”

Julian’s voice lowers. “I’m sorry. I was sure I’d providedadequate opportunities for you to learn.”

“We did learn. We know perfectly well how to top a sub andbring her to pleasure. Ask any of the women we’ve spent time with.” I can’thelp but notice that the rest of the party is very politely ignoring us. Ofcourse, vamps have excellent hearing. I’m not ashamed. I’ll tell everyone. “Wesimply didn’t cheat on our bondmate.”

Julian’s jaw tightens. “I understand, but there were otherreasons for me doing this. You have goblin blood. All Unseelie do. Tell me youhaven’t thought about the mating fever.”

It’s a thing that happens sometimes with goblins wait toolong to mate. They find a suitable female and go a little insane. Luckilyfemale goblins are strong enough to enjoy the experience. Bronwyn is morefragile.

“It’s not going to happen.” I don’t believe it. I never feltit before.

“We can handle it.” Lach’s words trip over mine.

Julian curses. “Then you’ve felt it?”

I turn to my brother. “What are you talking about?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lach insists. “It’s not real. It’s justevery now and then I feel a bit out of control. But I’m fine. I haven’t run outraping women.”

Julian shakes his head. “It will be different when you standin front of her, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t transfer to Shim. When she’sso close you can smell her and hear the blood in her veins, it will bedifferent. I will pray to Danu for you, cos, and I will hope that Gillian’saround. She might be the only one who can explain to your wife what’shappening.”

Julian stalks away, his anger evident in his every step.

William Roan clears his throat as he walks up. “YourHighnesses?”

“Please, it’s Shim and Lach. No titles.” I try to give Lacha minute to compose himself.

“That would be for the best,” the vampire says. “We haveonly a few moments left. I want to explain exactly what is going to happen.We’re working with the fact that Torin can’t keep the Planeswalkers out.”

Planeswalker demons are a type of being who come from aplane they call Hell. I heard there are many demons, but only the Planeswalkersare commonly seen. If lore is right, the other demons prefer their own planeand have a special affinity for the Earth plane. Planeswalker demons gatherenergy from walking the various planes of existence. They know where each dooris and how to access it. They tend to keep very exact regimens, entering andleaving doors at the same times of the week or month. A smart man, and WilliamRoan proved himself to be very smart, can use the fact that no amount of magiccan close the door to a Planeswalker, and for that brief moment when the dooris open, there are cracks in the veil that keep the worlds apart. It’s almostas though the walls of the planes, or dimensions, as some call them, areseparated by sheets, and when the sheet is opened in one place, it pulls tautor loose in others, leaving cracks.

Cracks a Fae can slip through.

“How long will we have?” I ask, looking around at the smallteam assembled. It consists of William Roan, his first in command—a vampirenamed Harry, two other soldiers named Gabriel and John, Dante, Kaja, and Duffy.Nine in all when I count myself and Lach. We will have to move fast.

“A minute, perhaps a minute and a half.” William grimaces.“I don’t suppose I need to tell you what can happen if the veil closes on aperson. It’s not too late to back out. I’ve retrieved bondmates before. I havea system set up.”

My whole being rebels at the idea. She’s right there on theother side of some invisible veil. I can’t leave it to anyone else. I canactually feel my brother’s will. Now that we’re standing on the other side, thedoor between us right there, the bond we formed with Bronwyn all those yearsago is stronger than ever.

“No. We can’t wait. If you choose to leave us behind, we’llfind another way.”

Lach leans in. “And then we’ll find you.”

William Roan actually smiles at the threat. “There it isthen.” He sobers, his voice going low. “And I respect the hell out of you forthe choices you’ve made regarding the princess.”

I can’t help the bitter laugh that rumbles from my throat.“That’s a change. Most people look at us like we’re insane when they find outwe’ve never taken a woman.”

Roan shakes his head, some unnamed emotion choking hisspeech. “Don’t let them tell you that. A man’s worth isn’t in how many womenhe’s had. It’s in how he loves the right one. You couldn’t take another woman.You love this one. I respect you both for that, and I vow with my whole beingto see you to your mate. I can only pray one day I find someone to love the wayyou love her.”