Page 140 of The Demon's Fire
“I’m sure with your help, we’ll make it.” Skyler felt her muscles clench, her nerves kicking in.
Ranca halted her anxious back and forth. “She cannot mate with your demon form. It is impossible.”
“We’ll skip that part.” Kole raised his brows, cautioning Ranca to silence.
Skyler spotted the exchanged glances. “What part? We aren’t skipping anything, especially something which will keep us from being mated properly.”
Ranca jumped in to explain before Kole could open his mouth. “When two demons mate, they consummate the union in human form and demon form. If my boy took you as his beast, he would tear you apart. You can only mate as humans.”
“Oh.” Skyler’s eyelids slumped. “I’m disappointed. I want everything to be perfect, Kole. You deserve no less.”
He stroked a hand through the hair she had left loose today. “You’re more than I deserve, Frisca. Nothing we do will be less.”
“Kole is right. This will not affect the true meaning of the Settling. Boy, be gone.” Ranca’s eyes focused on Skyler’s suitcase. “Good. As is proper, you will live with me until you are mated. And you cannot see her until the ceremony. I will send an emissary with all the plans. Now, get out of our sight.”
Kole tilted his head to the side. “Are you sure we can’t skip the separation part?”
Ranca drew her lips tightly together. “No. You can’t. Besides, it’s only a few days.”
“I was afraid you’d say that. Give us a moment alone, Ranca.” Once she left the room, Kole’s rough, calloused finger gentled Skyler’s chin up. “I wish we would have spent more time in bed this morning.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Skyler grinned. “I’m already jealous of your hand.”
Kole snarled. “Your guards are outside. You and Ranca are to go nowhere without them. Brak’s in charge.”
He bent, pressing his mouth to Skyler’s. The kiss blasted from warm to hot. He groaned while his fingers traveled under her shirt, slipped beneath her bra, and molded to her breast.
“Enough.” Ranca interrupted their moment, sneaking back into the room. “We have too much to do for you to tap ass on my sofa. Leave now, boy.” She pushed Kole out the door.
****
“Youwill not do this, Brae,” yelled Rein. “I forbid it.”
“You didn’t just throw out the ‘f’ word, did you?”
Rein could have slapped his forehead the moment the fucking crazy f-bomb escaped his lips. He was in deep shit. “I do not mean ‘forbid.’ I mean you can’t do this. If you admit to others you are Blood Coven, you’ll be in more danger.” His heart crashed against his chest as he thought about what could happen to his mate.
“Margo, Nico, and Skyler are in danger every day. They need to know they’re not alone. Hell, I need to know I’m not alone.”
“You’re not alone. You have me.” He bristled from the insult.
Braelyn stroked his arm. “You know what I mean. We can help each other. Nico does dangerous ride-alongs with the Firebrands. Once Skyler returns to work, she’ll be exposed. Margo—well, Margo is with Chay. That’s dangerous enough.” She chuckled.
“Nico’s a special case.”
“Why? Because he’s male? Think carefully before you respond. Your sex life depends on it.”
Rein snorted. “Nico’s an ass. I’m not protecting you because you are a female. My female, by the way.”
Brae tilted her chin to the side.
“A little.”
“Okay, a lot, but also because you’ve suffered enough. Cerberus kidnapped you. We found you before Silas realized you were Blood Coven. If he had, no telling what would have happened. Now you want to expose yourself again? No.”
“We can’t hide our heads in the sand.”
“You know this would mean we’d have to move into the stronghold. It’s the safest place to be. Even with my wards on our condo, talented witches or warlocks could break through for the right price. I will not risk your life.”
