Darci tightened the 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—“cause I made 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 of The 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 a rehearsal dinner in 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.

Darci shivered at the chill stealing into her despite wearing her warm coat. Blaéz drew her closer, and she snuggled into him for warmth.

As they entered through the side entrance into the restaurant, which allowed them some privacy, Darci shuddered in relief, grateful to be out of the cold.

An elegant, blond hostess in a fitted, black dress looked up from her bookings journal. Smiled. “The Callahan party of nine?”

Then her polished facade slipped. Her gaze widened and her jaw dropped as she laid eyes on the men.

Declan was ruggedly attractive with naturally tan skin and striking green eyes. But with the warriors, it wasn’t just their looks, there was no hiding their otherworldly allure—that immortal magnetism they possessed in truckloads.

Daniel smirked as his father. “You want to take that, Dad?”

His expression bland, Declan stepped forward. “Yes,” he told the gaping woman, his tone dry as kindling. “One to join us later.”

“No problem, I’ll keep an eye out for him,” she gushed. “I’ll show you to the private dining room.”

As they followed the hostess down the corridor, the girls somehow integrated together, leaving Daniel and Declan up front and Blaéz and Aethan behind them.

“Jesus,” Kira snickered softly to Darci. “She acts like she hasn’t seen good-looking men before.”

“Not like these men,” Grace whispered with a grin.

“Yeah, well, they’re taken,” Echo huffed out.

Darci cast a quick look over her shoulder. Blaéz lifted a dark eyebrow, Aethan appeared stoic, but she knew. With their heightened senses, it was a given. They’d heard the conversation and appeared amused.

She wrinkled her nose at Blaéz before turning away.

No, they weren’t men, but immortal warriors who’d lived through hellish pasts, and finding happiness with them hadn’t been easy.

They entered the warm, private dining room. Wooden panels lined the walls on which hung several scenic shots of New York. A longish table stood in the center, draped with white linen and set with delicate china and gleaming silver for dinner.

Aethan, Echo, Grace, and Declan took their seats opposite them. Daniel and Kira sat with her and Blaéz. A waiter appeared and the hostess left.

Soon, the clinking of cutlery against china and soft voices filled the room. As dinner progressed, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Kira had drawn Daniel into a conversation about some movie currently on the circuit.

“The dinner seems to be going pretty well,” Darci said to Blaéz.

“Indeed.”

At his short response, she glanced at him and lowered her voice. “Nothing’s going to happen. He’s not going do anything with the other Guardians around.” She stroked his thigh, wanting him to relax and enjoy the evening.

Blaéz laced their fingers, his thumb caressing her palm. “Perhaps.”

“Pity the others couldn’t make it,” Kira said from beside her.

“Yes.” Darci agreed.

Elytani had politely declined, as did Nik. Jenna had refused the invitation, too terrified to leave the safety of the castle, so Shae had stayed with her. Given his connection to Jenna, Hedori had declined, as well. And Dagan had probably gone out on patrol.

The door opened, and Týr strode inside, bringing the cold air with him. The dazed hostess followed, tripping over her feet as she hurried after him.

Grace’s mouth dropped. Declan glanced at his wife and shook his head. “Any more like him I should watch out for?”

“He’s the worst,” Aethan said helpfully. “But there’s a few others.”

Darci couldn’t suppress her laughter.

“Sorry for the lateness,” Týr called out as he reached them, a grin revealing his devastating dimples. He shrugged off his jacket and hung it over the backrest of his chair before dropping onto the seat adjacent to Declan. “So, what did I miss?”

“A damn fine dinner,” Aethan retorted. “Too bad we’re almost done.”

“Can I get you anything?” the hostess breathed, setting a menu at Týr’s elbow. She poured water in his glass, champagne in another, her gaze fixed on his face.

That the woman had a mind left to know when to stop filling, definitely surprised Darci, or Týr would have probably ended up with his pants wet.

“No.” He dismissed her without glancing at her.

After one look at the reason for the disturbance, Kira went back to finishing her dessert. Grace had finally managed to pull her gaze away and tackle her pudding.

Nope, Darci couldn’t even blame her sister-in-law or the waitress. The Heavens had truly been having a fine day when creating him. Týr possessed not only the allure of the gods but also an impossible beauty that was wholly masculine and drew men and women like a magnet with his pale hair, toffee-hued eyes, and sharp-edged jawline.

She introduced him to her family. “Týr, my brother, Declan, his wife, Grace, and my nephew, Daniel.”

“Nice meeting you all.” Another dazzling smile popped up the dimples. “I’m glad I didn’t miss the last part.” He glanced around and rose to his feet, sporting what Blaéz called a shit-eating grin, and planted his palms on the table. “I have something to say.”

The noise quieted. A low growl rumbled out of Blaéz. “I’m going to kill him,” he muttered under his breath as the warrior shot a smirk his way.

“I never thought I’d ever be at an event like this, ever, but leave it to my comrade to do the unexpected. Blaéz…” His eyes gleamed with devilment. “I’ve been working on this er, speech for a while, as you know. So, here goes. Roses are red”—everyone froze. Daniel snickered. Grace shushed him—“violets are blue, but watching your face is so fuuu-huh—er, darn brilliant,” he hastily corrected, grinning unrepentantly and making Darci smile.

“That’s the worst poem I’ve ever heard,” Aethan told him, leaning back in his chair.

Unfazed, Týr lifted his champagne flute. “Darci, you’ve given my friend a chance at a life again. I wish you both health, happiness, and a bunch of spawns to addle his brain and give him gray hairs. Peace out, brother.” He winked at them.

Laughter erupted. Unable to stop her own grin, Darci patted Blaéz’s hard thigh. His muscles clenched beneath her fingers, and he shifted in his seat, a tick working his jaw. Yep, no matter his irritation at his fellow warrior, the hunger brewing between them kept him on the same edge as her.

Two days, he mind-linked with her.

Or now.

He stilled. You surrendering?

She couldn’t resist. You sound desperate.

He snorted and drank some of his whiskey. We wait. Two days, a leannan, and you’re in loads of trouble.

Can’t wait, she teased, playing with the small cross she wore on a gold chain. The corner of his mouth kicked up in a faint smile. The pendant slipped free and fell into her lap. Frowning, she picked it up and sighed. “The clasp’s loose again.”

“Let me see.” Blaéz took it from her. As he examined the closure, Darci rose to her feet. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” He looked up, pocketing her chain and cross.

“The ladies’ room, love.” She patted his arm and picked up her purse. “I need to freshen up.” It sounded so much better than saying, I urgently need to pee, with people around.

Echo and Kira shot up. “Us, too,” they said in unison.

Aethan rose a second before Blaéz did. “I’ll accompany them.”

The moment they stepped into the restroom, Echo burst out laughing. “Man, I loved Týr’s sonnet, but he nearly gave Blaéz a heart attack.”

“Týr probably planned that,” Darci said wryly. “Can’t say I blame him because I know Blaéz likes yanking his chain.”

“It was awful,” Kira muttered, her tone tart, then she grinned, her dimples appearing like small dents in her cheeks. “But it sure was fun watching Blaéz’s reaction. He looked like he wanted to leap over the table and strangle him or something.”

Laughing, Darci headed for a stall. More doors shut.

A short while later, hands washed, she reapplied her tinted cherry lip-balm. Kira appeared. “Did you get a photographer yet?”

“Yes.” Darci nodded, putting the lip-balm back in her bag as Echo joined them, using the faucet next to her. “Shae said she would do it…” She glanced at Echo through the mirror and frowned. Her friend appeared a little distracted this evening. “Are you all right?”

Startled, mismatched eyes lifted to hers. The glow in them appeared brighter, turning the amber to gold and the gray to silver. She smiled. “Yeah, I’m okay, just dealing with some er, stuff. And really excited about the wedding.”

Stuff?

“Did you get someone to officiate yet?” Echo asked, distracting her. Darci sighed and pushed back her curly hair. “No, not yet. We have two days left—”

A sharp knock echoed. “Darci?”

Blaéz? She quickly opened the door and smiled at her man. “I said we’d be fine. See? This place is empty. No lurking danger about. Just us girls.”

He glanced down the corridor again. “Yes, but I have a bad feeling. We need to leave.”

“Is it your brother?”

“When is it not?” His expression turned grim as he ushered her out.

“Where’s Aethan?”

“Checking a disturbance out front. He called me to take over.”

“One sec.” Darci wheeled back, poked her head into the restroom. “I’m leaving,” she told her friends. “Blaéz thinks his brother is around. I’ll see you back at the castle.”

“Okay, be careful.” Echo’s mismatched eyes shifted to Blaéz in concern as they walked out.

“Please, do.” Kira hooked her arm through Echo’s, appearing equally worried. Then they hurried toward the dining room.

“They’re safe. Let’s go.” He rushed her outside, using the side entrance. In the shadows of the building, he dematerialized them. Several minutes later, they took form near a large house surrounded by a thicket of trees. The gurgling sounds of a flowing river drifted to her. “I thought we were going back to the castle?”

“After he attacked us there, I’m not taking any chances.” He led her into the building and shut the door behind him. The lights came on.

In the spacious, elegant living room, plush, brown leather settees were set around a huge flatscreen TV. The fireplace adjacent to it was unlit. And undrawn drapes revealed the glass sliding doors. Blaéz walked past her, tunneling his fingers through his clipped hair. Darci dropped her purse onto the couch and watched him anxiously. “Whose house is this?”

“It belongs to one of the warriors.”

Oh, right. They had houses all over the world. “Where are we?”

He merely shook his head and stopped to stare out through the night-dark glass doors. She made her way to him, but at his hard expression and tight mouth, her stomach knotted. “Blaéz, tell me what’s wrong?”

His cobalt blue eyes shifted to hers briefly before he crossed to a small bar. “Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine.” He poured a glass of merlot and held it out. “Here.”

She normally didn’t drink wine, it made her tipsy too fast. But with what was underfoot right now, he’d probably forgotten, too, and she needed something to steady her fraying nerves.

Darci took the goblet and sipped some of the tart liquid. “Do you think he followed us?”

His tone colder than the Arctic, he said, “Oh, you can be sure he’ll follow soon, like the dog he is.”