Page 5 of The Mating Claim
Xavier nodded. “Definitely.”
Niki stiffened. “And why are you reading thisbook?”
“We are trying to give Drust marriage advice for when he finally brings his mate home here to Tir Na-nog,” Xavier toldher.
“This looked like a good book,” Tristan added. He read the next passage. “A good mate will fetch her man’s slippers, prepare a hot meal each night, making sure he eats first, and does not eat until he is finished. She does the dishes, leaving a spotless kitchen, cares for the children and lets the man rest as he should, enjoying his favorite entertainment ontelevision…’
He glanced up. Nicki’s face had gone from a lovely flush to a deeper crimson. Biting back a grin, he continued. “Most of all a good mate ensures she is always ready for sex whenever her man desires it. Whatever pleases him is the order of theday.”
Xavier looked up with interest and clapped his hands over the baby’s ears. “Does that include doing it in the kitchen? After the kitchen is clean, of course. The counter should be spotless before the woman sits onit.”
“Enough, before you pollute your darling baby, Xavier.” Niki tore the dust jacket off the book and sputtered. “How to weld machineparts?”
“Welding is like marriage, my love. One does need a spark and fire and the right tools.” Tristan kissed herhand.
Niki narrowed her eyes. “I suppose this is funny to you? And you, the expert on marriage, is going to give this to Drust as advice? Without letting him discover the journey for himself? He was married, twice, in his mortal life,Tristan.”
“Oh boy,” Xavier muttered. “Sonia, maybe we shouldleave…”
Red started creeping up his mate’s neck. He pulled Niki into the armchair and settled her on his lap, the answer that usually worked when she grew infuriated with him. “My darling, a little humor goes a long way with that dragon. He is far too serious and needs to know life can be fun. Drust needs our help. I know you have a soft spot for him, and I am his mentor, so we are going aid him. Just alittle.”
Niki slid her arms around his neck, but she continued to frown. “What kind of advice? Telling him his mate should fetch his slippers like adog?”
“You know I have the greatest respect for dogs.” He tossed the book aside and cupped her cheek. “Being a wolfmyself.”
Niki bared her own wolf fangs. Damn, he loved it when she didthat.
Tristan nuzzled his cheek against hers as she bent down. So damn lucky to have found her after all these long centuries. He would fight to the death for Niki and their twins. Love had a way of softening an immortal, but he desired the same for Drust. His old friend needed to love and feel loved inturn.
The goddess Danu had revealed the truth to Tristan, who informed the other wizards. Lacey McGuire was critical to their friend Drust. So critical she bent the rules for the ColdfireWizard.
“Forgive me, my love, for teasing you. I’ll massage your back later when the twins are asleep,” he whispered in herear.
“They’re asleep now.” Niki brushed a kiss against his neck and he shivered withneed.
With tremendous reluctance, he shook his head. “Business first. The others arearriving.”
And for what he desired to do to his mate, he wanted privacy and time. Lots of delicious, stolen time with Niki naked inbed…
A soft pop of air signaled the arrival of Caderyn, the Shadow Wizard, and Gideon, the Crimson Wizard. Caderyn, the oldest among them, leaned against the hearth while Gideon sat on the carpet next to Xavier and cooed atSonia.
“Has she manifested any additional signs of power other than levitating objects?” Gideon asked Xavier. Guardian and judge of Fae, Gideon was mated and had yet to sire children, though judging from Gideon’s fascination with the Brehon children, Tristan suspected his old friend would soon impregnate his much-lovedmate.
“Each day is different.” Xavier tossed a building block to Sonia, who caught it in her chubby hands and put it in her mouth. She made aface.
“No, sweetie, don’t eat it,” he implored and Sonia threw it across the room. It struck Caderyn in the cheek. He winced andscowled.
Xavier looked sheepish. “Sorry. But good aim, eh? She has a strongarm.”
Caderyn strode across the living room. Tristan watched with interest. The eldest wizard had been somewhat aloof with the others since three of them had found their mates. Perhaps it was from a distant longing himself to have a mate and a family, but Tristan sensed otherwise. Caderyn had never shared much abouthimself.
The Shadow Wizard scooped up Sonia and cradled her in his huge arms. “No throwing blocks, little one. Understand? It’s not polite and you could hurtsomeone.”
Sonia burbled and touched his cheek where the block had hit it, as if sheunderstood.
Caderyn stared solemnly at her for a moment, his gaze riveted to the baby’s blonde curls. “So innocent,” hemurmured.
For a moment they stared at each other and then Sonia touched his cheek again. “Hurt.”
