Page 101 of Their Blood Rite

‘Oh gods…’ I slam my free hand over my mouth. ‘Apparently, the filter between my brain and mouth is gone.’

His deep laugh ripples from his chest. He has countless talismans around his neck, and his wrists are smothered in beads, cuffs and bracelets.

Beneath his hair, pointed ears peek out.

‘My name is Kieran Doheron. Sixth son of Lord Hearth. And may I say, meeting the beautiful earth witch from the waterfall is a pleasure.’

‘Kieran,’ I repeat, a little too preoccupied with staring at his perfect face. Then, the bare, muscled, sculptured skin beneath his jacket. And finally, to those perfectly curving lips still close to my knuckles. ‘Kieran…’

‘That is indeed my name. May I enquire as to yours?’

‘Mine?’ I ask.

‘Yes,’ he chuckles. ‘All we know is you are a runaway earth witch.’ He winks. I know he saw me take control of the dead. He knows I know, but his winks and smile tell me he has no intention of saying anything about it. For now, anyway. ‘May I have a name to go with that beautiful face?’

‘I’m… Ashe.’

‘Ashe? Just Ashe?’

‘Ashe Nectan. Erm… only daughter of a piece of shit I would rather not name.’

His smile widens.

Sweet fuck. How can one man be so delicious to look at?

‘An absolute pleasure,’ he replies, lowering my hand and thankfully ignoring my furiously blushing face. He quicklycollects another goblet of wine as several pass by in the hands of a male with dark grey skin and places it in my hand.

‘You’re a Faerie.’

‘I am,’ he replies, offering a slight bow.

No one has the right to be this entrancing.

‘I’ve never met a Faerie before.’

‘There aren’t many of us left,’ he shrugs. ‘I’ve met many an Earth Witch, however. You seem to be all over the place.’ He looks me up and down slowly, dragging his gaze over me and taking in everything he can. ‘But I guess that’s what happens when you have human protection.’

‘Now, now, Kieran,’ The banshee giggles, appearing from her smoke form at our side. ‘No using your powers on the mud witch. You know she’s out of bounds for tonight's festivities.’

She slaps our hands and separates us. That irresistible sense of attraction fades in a second. He’s still as beautiful as ever but not as entrancing. I can form a sentence without sounding like a love-struck child.

‘You were using magic?’ I ask.

‘Never let a fae touch you,’ the banshee groans as if it’s obvious. ‘Not only can they force you to speak the truth, but they can have you filled with lust and obsession in the blink of an eye. One more minute, you would have been naked and pleading with him to take you right in front of everyone here.’

I glare at the faerie and step away.

‘You use your magic to seduce others?’

He winks and faces the banshee. ‘You want something?’

Before she answers, her eyes drift past him to something over his shoulder.

Following her gaze, I see Shaw, Dorian and Archie walking into the clearing. Shaw and Dorian are conversing as Archie drinks from a bottle, scanning the party.

‘Want to dance?’ The banshee croons at Kieran, gesturing to the others slamming on drums and a few dancing in the clearing between them and the fire. She slides her fingers down his bare chest but never looks away from Shaw as she talks. ‘I’m bored.’

‘I’m talking to Ashe.’

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