He’d scanned the hotel the moment they’d arrived for any threat. There were a few demon guests here, too. No surprise there since friendships had formed with demons living so many centuries on the realm, but nothing that made his Guardian senses tingle.
Being inactive, that portentous tug in his psyche—the ties to Hell continued to hammer through him. With a massive effort, he managed to tighten his shields. He refused to let anything ruin this night.
His gaze stayed on Darci and her two friends…one of them a demoness. He frowned, watching the female hug Darci. She appeared to be of no threat, but he would never take a chance with Darci’s life. He’d find out who she was.
Her friends left, and Darci made her way to him, skirting people and tables with drinks in both hands. Amazing, even in this room, decadent with its smell of heavy perfumes, alcohol, and food, it was her light lilac fragrance that took a hold of him.
Her warmth, her nearness eased him. Smiling, she handed him his whiskey. Her fingers brushed his. Even though he knew what to expect, it still left him shaken, the intense flood of emotions he felt for her coursing through him. Happiness…anticipation.
To know she literally owned his soul made him even more possessive.
He’d find a way to break that damn binding, protect Darci with his life, and when she finally left this earth, well, maybe then those damn law-keepers would get their wish.
“What is that?” He nodded to her latte colored drink in the shot glass, just to get his mind back on track with what he wanted to do. His visit to the city that afternoon had been successful. It had taken him a few days and several phone calls to hunt down what he wanted, but it was worth the effort.
“The bartender gave me a screaming orgasm—I’ve had one before.” Darci’s teasing voice had him narrowing his eyes. “They’re excellent.”
“Lucky for you it’s just the drink, but let me not leave my woman wanting.” He rose, grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. Hazel eyes widened in shock. “You can’t be serious! Here?”
“Then you shouldn’t have taunted me.”
Out in the corridor, he headed for a door just past the reception room. He’d already checked it out when she’d gone to the ladies’ room. It led into a darkened dining room in the process of being refurbished.
Blaéz willed on the lights. Grabbing one of the dust covers on a table, he tossed it aside before setting his drink down. He took Darci’s and did the same, aware she watched him warily, probably wondering what the hell he was up to. The heavens knew he wanted to lay her on this table and put his mouth between her thighs, give her the screaming orgasm she’d taunted him with, but he set that need aside for later.
He saw her seated, popped the buttons on his suit jacket free, then hunkered in front of her and studied her for a quiet second. “From the moment I saw you, you tugged at me. Maybe I was drawn to you at first because of my soul, but it eases me to know that all these feelings are mine. I may not be able to soul join with you—”
“Blaéz, you don’t—”
“—but this I can do,” he cut her off. Taking her hand in his, he pulled out the vintage ring from his pocket and slid it on her fourth finger. In the soft lighting, the enormous emerald-cut diamond set on a split platinum band looked perfect on her.
Oh, yes, he definitely liked the visible sign that she belonged to him.
Her mouth dropped open. Eyes rounded in shock. “I don’t understand?”
“It’s an engagement ring. It’s what mortals do to show their commitment to each other, isn’t it? This is mine to you. You are the mate of my heart—”
Her lips trembled. She flew into his arms, toppling them both to the ground. “You didn’t have to do this. I don’t need an engagement ring.”
Blaéz sat up and pulled her onto his lap. “Perhaps you don’t. But I do.” With a finger, he angled her chin back up to him so she had to tear her wide-eyed gaze away from staring at the ring. “You are more precious to me than anything. When I’m with you, my world is complete.” Tears shimmered in her gorgeous eyes and slid down her cheeks. He swiped away the wetness with his finger. “This wasn’t meant to make you cry.”
“I know,” she sniffed, “I…I know.”
He kissed her gently then reached up for her glass and handed it to her. Since she’d brought him the whiskey, he drank it. Setting their empty glasses aside, he pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go home,mo chridhe.”
Chapter 29
As they headed backto the castle, Darci twisted the ring on her finger. Worry, along with guilt gnawed at her. Dark and heavy, it weighed down on her. How could she have known he would do something like this? Declare his commitment.
He hadn’t said those three little words, but everything he’d done showed his love for her.
A calloused palm covered her restless fingers. “You okay?”
She glanced at him. He’d gotten rid of his jacket and tie the moment they’d left the hotel, and he’d undone the top two buttons of his shirt and folded his sleeves to his elbows. No matter what he wore, all it took was just a look from him and her heart beat faster.
“How could I not be?”
“I want you to be happy—”
