She rolled her eyes. “I want a drink, and to stretch my legs a little.”
“Stretch your legs?” A black brow cocked. Blue eyes heated. “Guess I haven’t been doing a very good job all night long? Let me rectify that…” He nipped her lower lip, his hand sliding between her thighs.
Her cell rang. He growled.
Laughing, Darci reached for her phone, her movement dislodging his hand. When she saw her brother’s name on the display, guilt flooded her that she hadn’t been to see them in the past week.
“Hey, Dec,” she said, sitting up on the bed. “How are you? Is Grace all right?”
“Much better. Areyouokay?”
“Yes-yes, I am.”
“Well, Grace wanted to tell you the good news…” He broke off. Sounds of shuffling reached her then laughter. “Darci?” Grace came on the line. “We saw the doctor this morning. He’s so pleased with my progress. He says my placenta’s stronger—healthier—a miracle really. Prayers do help, huh? I should carry to full-term, but he’s still going to keep an eye on things.”
Hearing the happiness in Grace’s voice, Darci’s chest swelled in gratitude. So, The Morrigan had kept to her end of the deal.
Declan came back on the line. “Can you come over?”
She glanced at Blaéz, who still watched her with that heated stare. God, the man scrambled her brains. He nodded in response to her brother’s question.
“Yes, of course. This afternoon?”
“That’s fine.” A short pause. “So he hasn’t killed you yet?”
She sighed. “Dec, I’m fine. Everything is all right.”
More silence. Obviously he didn’t believe her. No way would she ever reveal the full truth to Declan or Grace. “I’ll see you later, okay?” Shaking her head, she ended the call. “I guess he’ll just have to see I’m fine. Mule-headedness must be a male thing.” She shot off the bed as Blaéz dove for her. Walking backwards, she smirked. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
He settled back against the pillow, an arm behind his head. “You’re marrying me you know.”
Darci stopped dead, her blood swishing in her ears. “Wh-what?”
He smiled. “I don’t leave things half done. You became mine in my way when we soul-joined, now we’ll do it in yours. I want all my bases covered—don’t want your brother after me for living in sin with you.”
Just like the engagement, she hadn’t expected this. She shook her head, even though her heart pounded in excitement, said softly, “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Only over you,mo chridhe—only over you.”
Reeling at his words, Darci left the room in a daze. Then her smile gathered momentum.
God, it felt so good to have nothing to worry about. No demented-demon after Blaéz, and knowing Grace would have a healthy baby. Well, there were those law-keepers, and a moment of disquiet seeped through her. She pushed it away. Even they wouldn’t come here to the Guardians’ castle.
Nora, she didn’t want to think about.
Her flip-flops slapping on the marble floors, Darci ran down the stairs, eager to get back to Blaéz. The rich aroma of already brewing coffee filled the silent kitchen, along with the smell of something freshly baked. Muffins cooled on a rack.
The door near the prep area opened, and Hedori entered. He quickly masked his surprise at seeing her, but she saw the relief in his eyes. “M’lady, I am glad you are well.”
“Thank you.” She knew then they all worried about her but more because Blaéz was their brother—family. “And for the tea. But please, never, ever give that to me again. It tastes awful, though I appreciate the mint in it.”
He laughed. “Lunch will be ready in a hour. Or I could make you something quick?”
“Oh no, don’t worry about me. I’m just going to grab coffee and a few of those wonderful muffins.”
She poured two coffees and set Blaéz’s aside to take upstairs, then added Sweet N Low to hers. The scent of thyme, mint, and other herbs growing abundantly in clay pots drifted to her from the open windows. Inhaling their piquant aroma, she stared out the trellised walkway heavy with creeping vines bearing tiny purple flowers and took a sip of her beverage as Bob skulked between the potted herbs, stalking the butterflies.
Her cell beeped. Retrieving her phone from her pocket, she swiped the display and opened the text.
