Rebecca Zanetti - Shadowed

Delight flashed across her face. “While I love the thought of grappling in bed all day, your baby brother is marrying my baby sister. Our families would break down our front door looking for us.”

Now that was the truth. He studied his witch. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in three centuries.”

Her smile slid to sweet. “Aren’t you charming today.”

“Just thankful.” And he was. Thankful for her, for his family, for the fact that Jase was healing. Life held promise again. “I’d be lost without you, Moira Dunne-Kayrs. Sometimes I forget to tell you that.”

Her expression softened, and she approached him, hands flattening on his chest. “What’s going on?”

He grinned. “I give you a compliment, and you ask me what’s up?”

“No. I can feel something is up. You’re thoughtful—and wary.” Curiosity and understanding commingled in her eyes. “Is it the offer from the demons?”

He lifted his chin. “Maybe. You know how in battle, you can feel an opponent switch their approach?”

“Yes.”

“I feel like we should be looking over our right shoulders.” The instinct didn’t make sense, but it was one he trusted. “Something’s coming.”

“Aye. Something’s coming.” Moira slid her dress up her right thigh to reveal a gun tucked securely in place. “But not today. Today is for love and family.”

He glanced at the clock. “Love, huh?”

She let her skirt fall and backed away. “No. No time. No.”

“Oh, my little Irish beauty.” He stalked her, steering her toward the wall. “You know I don’t like that word.”

Blue danced on her skin, and she formed a plasma ball, her eyes lighting with fun. “Don’t make me blow you up.”

“You throw that, and I’ll be inside you within minutes.” God, he hoped she threw. One thing he knew without question was his witch couldn’t resist a challenge.

She kept retreating. “Blast it. We need to get to the wedding—you know that. Stop moving, damn it.”

“Moira, I’m going to have you before we leave this house. Easy or hard, it’s going to happen.” He loved the fire that lit her eyes as well as the dare that lifted her chin. “So stop moving and kiss me.”

Predictably, his woman threw the plasma.

He caught the fire and fizzled the flames out between his fingers. Then, with a grin, he lunged for his mate.

Brenna smoothed down the Irish lace, appreciating the centuries of women who had worn the dress before her. Love and hope lived in the soft fabric. She stood in the small room of the lodge while the sun played across the ocean outside. She smiled at her older sister. “Moira, your hair needs work.”

Moira grinned and sat at the vanity to fix her hair. “Sorry I was late. ’Twas totally Conn’s fault.”

Aye. Brenna didn’t need a road map. “I figured.”

Moira turned. “Tell me you’re happy.”

“I’m happy.” Brenna smiled as she realized the truth of the statement. “I love him.”

“Good.” Moira patted wild curls into place. “Life as a Kayrs mate isn’t easy, but it’s well worth it. They’re good men.”

“I know.” Brenna nodded. “Jase likes me for me, and not for who the world thinks I should be.”

Moira laughed, her eyes sparkling. “That does sound familiar, you know. The world thought I should sit on the council and dictate policy. Only Conn knew that I belonged on the front lines dealing with witches misusing magic.”

“I like sitting on the council.” Glancing at the quiet street outside the window, Brenna leaned toward her sister. “Janie had a vision regarding the Prophecies of Arias and thinks she needs to read the book to end the current war.”

Moira blinked. “What did you tell her?”

“Just that the book didn’t exist, and if it did, I’d need to go through the proper channels to gain her access. But we should get her access, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” Moira slipped her feet back into the heels. “The book is in an ancient language, and I have no idea what it says. Do you think she’ll be able to decipher the pages?”

“Maybe.” Brenna touched up her makeup. “She deserves a chance to try.”

The door burst open, and Deb Stewart swept inside with the bouquets, her dress swishing. “Everyone is seated.”

Brenna reached for her arrangement of bluebells and green rosemary. “Everyone getting along?”

Deb grinned. “I didn’t say that. Your sisters are all in blue, as are the Realm mates, but everyone chose different blues.”

“That’s fine.” Brenna stretched her calves in the high heels.

“Yeah, I know. But some of the shifters wore blue, too.” Deb laughed. “And the younger Realm vampires are seriously flirting with a group of female wolf shifters out of Washington, and their Alpha is glaring.”

“Their Alpha is Terrent Vilks, and he’s an ally,” Moira said, reaching for her bouquet.

Brenna sighed. “Yeah, but Terrent is over-the-top protective of his pack.”

Deb nodded. “I think he’s with a very pretty shifter who knocked over a row of baskets?”

Brenna laughed. “Yes, Maggie is his mate, and she’s a bit . . . um . . .”

“Clumsy as hell,” Moira said flatly. “But we love her anyway. Speaking of shifters, have the lion shifters arrived?”

“Yes.” Deb patted her hair back into place. “Jordan and Katie were already busy chasing two energetic seven-year-olds around. Those cougar twins are just too cute for words.”

“I can’t wait to catch up with everyone,” Brenna said. “But, we do need to tell Garrett to watch out for the wolf cheerleaders. Terrent won’t let Garrett seduce one of those girls.”

“Seduce?” Moira coughed. “Garrett wouldn’t know how to seduce a sure thing. The kid is cute, but seduce ? I don’t think so.”

Brenna glided toward the door. They’d better get a move on before all hell broke loose. “Garrett is a Kayrs who recently survived battle with both Kurjans and demons. He’s a hero, and he has the vampire’s charm. Plain and simple.”

Moira frowned. “Good point. Let’s get him occupied before the wolves declare war on us, too.”

Brenna chuckled. “Here I thought my wedding day would be calm.”

“To a Kayrs?” Moira shook her head. “Your life will never be calm. But let’s go get married.”

Brenna waited until her family and friends took their places before sliding her hand through her father’s arm. Doctor Dunne smiled down at her, and she nudged him. “Two daughters mating vampires, huh? You okay?”

Her father grinned. “My girls have found love and adventure. Of course I’m happy.” The music started, and he escorted Brenna into the main room of the lodge, which had been turned into a wedding venue for the day.

Brenna almost stumbled at seeing Jase. He stood up front with his brothers, a solid wall of strength and family. The scar on his face spoke of suffering, while the love in his eyes promised a future. A good future. She smiled, and his eyes flared.

So much power came with love from a man like that. She could handle it, and she could handle him. Sure, he was wounded, but he loved her. She felt the warmth of his love even across the room. As a mate, she could feel inside his skin.

She belonged there.

As she crossed the room, she ignored the young vampires, the giggling shifters, and all of their family and friends. Her only focus was on Jase Kayrs, the man she’d mated for survival and had ended up loving. She reached his side, and she tucked her arm through his.

When he dropped his head to press a gentle kiss on her forehead, she finally found her place in a crazy universe.