Chapter 9
Darci tightenedthe sliding towel on her freshly showered body and drummed her fingers on the shelf, staring at her clothes. They had to be at dinner in an hour, but that wasn’t what had her mind in a tangle. She had to speak to Blaéz about his guest list.
Thankfully, the rehearsal meeting in the rec room had gone well, in a manner of speaking. Since Aethan and Týr had no clue about human customs regarding weddings and they were Blaéz’s best men, Darci had explained briefly what usually happened on such a day. But with Týr’s sudden “I’ve gotta go” and abrupt departure, Hedori had to partner Kira when she arrived as Týr’s stand-in, though she didn’t seem to mind.
Darci rubbed her brow and hoped that Týr turned up for the actual wedding. Given the haste he’d taken off in, she had no idea if he’d be at dinner this evening at all. Blaéz had said later that it was probably trouble on the streets.
She dropped the towel and pulled on black panties with a sexy lace trim around the top. As she picked up the matching push-up bra, Blaéz walked inside the dressing room and stopped dead. At the heated flare in his eyes, instead of putting on her bra her usual way, she slowly slid her arms through the straps and glided to him. “Do me.”
His eyes narrowed at the innuendo. Casting him an innocent look, Darci turned and offered him her back, biting off her smile. It took a moment before his warm hands brushed her skin and he finally hooked her in. His fingers lingered on her spine, and she shut her eyes, a shiver of longing running through her. A rough exhale caressed her nape before he stepped away.
“Blaéz?” She turned to him. But he was already pulling his shirt over his head—probably getting his revenge—revealing mouth-watering washboard abs that she sorely missed touching.
He bunched the shirt and waited. Brow cocked.
Darci wanted to smile. Heck, she loved everything about him, scars and all. “I’ve been thinking about your guest list.”
“Don’t have one.” He tossed the shirt aside, and headed for the bathroom.
“I know”—she rolled her eyes—“causeImade you one. The Guardians, their mates, and Hedori.”
He paused at the doorway and looked back. “Yes. And?”
“Don’t you have anyone else you’d like to invite?”
“No… Wait, add Reynner and his mate.”
Her brow creased. “Who?”
“Right, you weren’t here the afternoon they came to the castle. It was a couple of months ago. He’s Aethan’s old friend and also Elytani’s brother.”
“Wow, really?” Her eyes widened. Ely hadn’t mentioned she had a brother or anything about her old life come to think of it. “Okay, I’ll add them. Is he a Guardian, too?” she asked, making her way back to her closet, ruffled through her clothes, and selected a deep claret, knee-length, cocktail dress for the evening.
“Not exactly.” Blaéz leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “He is a supernatural hunter, but he has commitments to his realm.”
As she slipped on the long-sleeved, knit dress, she could feel his gaze tracking her every move, making her feel like prey.
She crossed to him and offered her back again, her mind no longer on provoking him. As he zipped her in, she finally asked, “What about your mother?”
“No.” No hesitation.
“Blaéz…” She pivoted to him. “Look, of all people, I understand why you don’t want her here. But she loves you—well, in her way…”
His expression turned to stone. “She almost cost me you, and that, I can never forgive.”
His eyes flat, he disappeared into the bathroom.
No, The Morrigan wasn’t her favorite person considering her callousness when she delivered the truth of what Darci and her lineage actually was. Vessels. Nothing more than bodies that housed her son’s soul through the centuries while he was incarcerated in Tartarus, and as easily disposed of.
Blaéz still hadn’t forgiven her for that.
But, she’d attempted to do the right thing. Now she could let it go.
* * *
A light dusting of snow covered the surface of the parking lot ofThe Three Steers, the local steak restaurant in Westwood where the Guardians and Darci’s family had gathered for the rehearsal dinner. Okay, it wasn’t arehearsal dinnerin the truest sense, but more a meet and greet between the warriors and Darci’s immediate family.
Blaéz had dematerialized with her, as did Aethan with Echo. Hedori had brought Kira, but he didn’t stay. They’d met her family, who were already waiting for them in the parking lot, except for the baby. Grace had gotten a close friend to watch Liana for the evening.
