Page 141 of The Demon's Fire
Braelyn scanned the place they called home, sighing. “If we must, we must. I will be with my peeps, Rein, to support them. Besides, we should all train together as well as individually. I’ll keep my personal witchipoo. But nothing says loving like a coven working together. Please say you agree.”
“I won’t say this is best, but I see your point. There is safety in numbers, and I will feel better with you at the stronghold while I’m on duty.”
Braelyn sidled closer, nuzzling his neck.
He snarled, exposing the tips of his fangs. “But I still don’t like others knowing you’re a descendant.”
She threw her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. “I know you don’t, but you see I’m right, don’t you?”
“Don’t use your wiles on me. They won’t work. Besides, we have a mating ceremony to attend.”
“We have time. And don’t be silly. Of course, they work. They always do.”
She backed a willing Rein into the wall, stood on her toes, lifted her chin, and moved her lips toward his. No sooner had their mouths touched than he grabbed her hips, grinding his arousal against her stomach. As his erection grew hungry, so did his kiss, his tongue finding its rhythm in her wet mouth.
He spun her around against the wall, rucked up her dress, and ripped off her panties, tossing them to the floor. She unzipped his Firebrand uniform dress slacks, pushing them down until she freed him, rocking against him. With his engorged cock in his fist, Rein lifted Braelyn into place and drove into her, his pants around his knees. A real suave look. But this wasn’t about smooth. This was about fucking his sexy mate.
A deep, guttural growl slid from Rein as pleasure tore through him with every thrust, his mate’s ass pounding against the wall as he took her fast. He withdrew until only his tip was inside Brae. Cocking his hips forward, he slammed back in balls deep.
Damn female. Her wiles do work.
Rein worked himself in and out until Braelyn fell apart in his arms, calling out his name. Then he got down to business and didn’t stop until he sank his fangs into her neck and spilled inside her, his lust assuaged for the moment.
ChapterThirty-Three
Onthe night of the Seventh Moon a short distance from the demon ceremonial hall, Skyler climbed into a cobalt blue palanquin. Holding her hand, Ranca helped her into the seat which would carry her to the hall where she had watched the gruesome Genesis Rite not long ago.
She leaned against bright-colored, embroidered pillows, her icy white gown trailing to the floor. Her ride was open on three sides, allowing the slight breeze to feather across her skin. Temporary henna tattoos covered her hands, traveling up her arms. Each design, according to Ranca, carried a meaning.
A large crown of shiny platinum beads along with sparkling diamonds adorned her head. Streaming down in front of her face were thin strands of precious metal studded with silver and more jewels, a veil shimmering in the moonlight, obscuring her eyes.
The loving demon who had consented to be her surrogate touched her lips to Skyler’s fingers. “You know what to expect, daughter of my heart. I will be in the assemblage of well-wishers. You are the most beautiful mate I have ever seen. Kole is lucky to have found you.”
“No. I’m lucky, Ranca. He saved me when I didn’t even know I was lost. I have a real family, love, and acceptance. Things I never had before.” Behind the veil of beads and gems, Skyler smiled. “I’m a little nervous.”
“You are well prepared. Just remember, the boy loves you.”
Brak, Ram, Tyr, and Nico hoisted the poles upon which the litter rested. While they strode forward, she could do nothing but relax against the pillows, sigh, and hope all would go as planned.
Once the warriors carried her into the hall, she saw Kole arrive on a similar, though larger, litter carried by six Scion Firebrands. She recognized Rein, Chay, Sabine, and Galena. The others were strangers.
Her mate-to-be was magnificent. He lounged like a pasha, his arm thrown across the cushions, his red robe the color of fire fluttering in a soft breeze, his chest bare. When his fierce, passionate eyes locked onto hers, a burst of power washed over Skyler, its energy almost frightening.
The Firebrands set both litters onto the floor at the same time. Once the bell chimed thirteen, Skyler and Kole stepped from their palanquins.
When Kole stretched out a hand, she grasped it. They strolled through rooms and into the huge chamber. Mosaic tiles of varying shades of white decorated the walls. Like before, the demons in attendance sat on polished stone seats according to their tribes, attired in the color of their kind. Scion Firebrands were easy to spot since they wore formal black uniforms emblazoned with the Phoenix insignia.
Though the chamber was eerie, cold when they approached, Kole’s warmth radiated up Skyler’s arm, giving her courage. A grim Horach, here to perform the ceremony because he was leader of the Directorate of Seven, loomed ahead of them.
When they stopped before him, hands clasped, Kole’s uncle called out words Skyler did not understand. He removed a chalice from a tray held by an attendant wearing a green sash. In turn, he offered it to her about-to-be mate, who drank. Parting Skyler’s veil of beads, Kole gave her a sip of the heady mead. Her head swam.
Kole, also speaking demonish, returned the goblet to Horach. “Nor bibido.”
Receiving a tray of food from another attendant, Horach presented it to Kole. After he picked out a piece of what looked like meat, he took a bite. He parted Skyler’s veil to feed her from his hand. When she nibbled on the offering, a sexy growl arose from deep in his chest.
“Nor mandicar.” Kole’s voice was a raspy whisper.
In English, his uncle yelled out loud enough for all to hear, “Tell us your chosen names.” His lips drew into a tight slash, his expression somber.
