Page 141 of The Firebrand
Rein spun her around. “But I hurt you.” He fingered the cuts on her back.
“If you’re a good boy, I’ll let you kiss the boo-boos.” When he stiffened, fists clenched, she rested her hands atop his. “Don’t you dare turn this into a guilt trip. I would have done anything to be with you forever. Bactine, bandages, Dr. Feelgood. That’s what I need.”
“Alarik can heal you.”
She blushed. “No way. The new father-in-law would know what we did.” Braelyn studied the Clan Melius dagger, tracing the outline of the hilt, the blade, and the bloody point. “What perks come with this thing?”
“Me.”
“Aw. Just you?”
“Only me. Forever.”
“Got it. Goes both ways. And we’ll be discussing the whole sub-dom situation.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Braelyn strutted over to gather her torn cloak from the ground. With her ass on display, she bent, tossing a smile over her shoulder. “By the way, do you know what I’m looking forward to?”
“I hope it involves my cock and your lips or my tongue and your pussy. To be clear, any combination works for me.”
“Hmm. That whole blood exchange thing makes me horny.”
Rein flashed to his mate and slung her, giggling, buck naked, over his shoulder. “Me, too. Let’s try it out at home again. And again.”
“Just twice, old man?”
ChapterThirty
AtBrae’s request, Rein took baby steps toward forgiveness. So, here they were at a makeshift altar inside Alarik’s home, where blossoms filled countless vases—he recognized mums. The others were nice autumn flowers.
He linked hands with Braelyn in front of the Anglican minister, an animus demon who was licensed on Earth to perform weddings.
Though the ceremony was his idea, he sloughed off the planning, enlisting Galena, Sabine, Kat, and Jezzi. After calling him a sexist pig for believing only females could organize such shit, they pitched in with enthusiasm, dragging Braelyn to bridal shops, bakeries, caterers, florists.
He patted himself on the back. Job done.
The actual wedding was family only. The big bash afterward was for Firebrands and others. They had rented the Blood Shed for the night.
At the same time they picked up a marriage license in Seattle, he took Brae to a jewelry store where a ring awaited her. Without hisfrerons’ help, Rein had found the perfect stone—a red diamond. The jeweler had created a special setting. When she saw it, she cried. The guy behind the counter assured him the reaction was normal.
Reading from an open book, the minister recited vows that the couple repeated. At the end, the demon said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss…”
Castia sprang up, whipping her head around, her hair flying against her face. “Vampires! They aren’t friendly.”
Everyone, including the minister, charged for the front yard. Rein paused by the hall table, tugging off his tuxedo jacket before snatching his combat knives. Braelyn strapped on wrist sheaths and a chest holster, both loaded with throwing weapons.
Outside, Rein sniffed the air. “Silas.”
Castia, Indigo, Alarik, Elisabeta, the minister, and George fanned out alongside. Rein twisted his neck left, right, pegging his allies. “Protect George and Braelyn.” He fixed on his mate, ordering, “Get behind me.”
“I am not ruining that nice, hard ass by throwing a blade into it.”
“Just do what I say! Damn.”
“That’s no way to start a marriage.”
Despite her lip, she moved slightly to his rear. Snarling, Rein pivoted toward the coming attack, full battle mode, spreading his legs, crouching, a stiletto knife in each fist.
