Breslin stretched and felt sore muscles. It wasn’t often that she woke up feeling anything but at the top of her game. The soft mattress beneath her registered and her eyes flew open. She wasn’t in the safe room, but lying on her mattress.

Every time she and Rhett made love, they incinerated everything around them. To keep others safe, and her rooms intact, Breslin added a safe room to her suite. The Rowan sisters placed spells in the room, making it fireproof so she and her mate didn’t burn down the entire mansion.

Unfortunately, even the powerful witch sisters hadn’t figured out how to make the bed impervious to their flames, so there was no furniture in the safe room. The last thing Breslin recalled was erupting in Rhett’s arms from an explosive orgasm. Her fire demon kept good on his promise to fuck her into oblivion.

A smile crept over her cheeks as her stomach did a somersault. Today was her mating ceremony. Rhett must be getting ready. Breslin jumped out of bed with a smile on her face and rushed to the bathroom to take a shower.

Her smile immeditaly fell when she spotted a piece of paper taped to the bathroom mirror. Flames shot from her fingertips and traveled up her arms. Fire licked her skin but she remained unharmed. Too bad she couldn’t say the same about her heart. It shattered in a million pieces as numb feet carried her to the sink. She gripped the cold marble with such force it turned to dust under her hands. Lifting a shaking hand, she plucked the note from the mirror and read.

Flame,

“Motherfucking-Goddess-damned-demon!” Breslin shouted as she balled the paper and tossed into the trashcan.

She’d been a fool thinking he’d changed. Once again, he’d gone back to his old ways. At the first sign of trouble, he bailed. She didn’t believe for one second he was coming back. Rhett was a cowardly asshole and she wasn’t holding out hope this time. It was obvious he didn’t love her. At least, not the way she needed to be loved by her mate.

Why had she opened her heart to him a second time? She understood the male had an urge to roam but why couldn’t he talk to her about it? Hell, even ask her to go along with him. But, no. He just packed his shit and hit the road with nothing but a note left behind. She was done.

Rhett may have said he was coming back but she knew better. He was running and who knew how long he’d be gone this time. He was fully aware his blood was crucial to her survival. He saw firsthand what it did when she was without it for six months. How could he even consider leaving again? On their mating day, of all days.

Her head spun. How could she face her brothers and tell them what Rhett had done? She was completely mortified. Had this ever happened in realm history? A mate being stood up on the day of their ceremony?

She couldn’t face her family and friends. In fact, she needed to get as far away from them as possible. Especially Bhric. He would pick up on her emotions and know something was wrong.

Rhett had to know his actions would land him in hot water with her twin, as well. Both Bhric and Zander had threatened what they would do if he hurt her again.

So, the way Breslin saw it, he wasn’t coming back. There wasn’t going to be a mating ceremony today, or, any other day for her.

The tears flowed as Breslin quickly grabbed some clothes and tossed them in a suitcase. Skipping a shower, she threw on some clothes and finished packing. She had no clue where she was going but didn’t care.

Breslin snuck out the front door and jumped into her car. As she drove off, she glanced in the rearview mirror and watched Zeum get smaller with the distance.

She hadn’t wanted the big party anyway, she thought as she floored the accelerator, leaving everything behind.

* * *

Rhett whistled as he took the steps to Zeum two at a time. After rescuing the child from the burning building, Breslin had asked him to mate her. His heart nearly exploded with her words.

Today was the beginning of forever for them and he couldn’t wait to bond in every way with Breslin. And he felt certain he was ready, especially after his quick walkabout to the mountains.

The last time he made love to Breslin, his demon nearly took control and Rhett felt an urgency to get away and test his fire power. He needed to be confident his inner beast wouldn’t rise to the surface on their Eve of Eternal Union so he took off for a bit.

Bhric’s massive body plowed into Rhett the second he stepped through the front door. Rhett went flying and barely caught sight of Bhric’s murderous black gaze. His body hit the wall, smashing the sheetrock, and he crumpled to the ground.

“What the fuck?” Rhett grunted as he grabbed his side. He took a deep breath, and added cracked ribs to his list of injuries from the hot-headed vampire.

“I warned you, demon. You hurt her again!” Bhric ground out through clenched teeth.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything. I went on a brief walkabout to center my demon and that’s it. I’m back and ready to get mated, so whatever you think happened, you’re wrong,” Rhett informed his best friend as he climbed to his feet.

The gnomes came bustling forward to look at the damage to the wall. They shook their heads and cursed as they hurried off to get supplies to repair the destruction. Rhett could see why Zander kept the pesky creatures. Not only did they swear loyalty to Izzy, they seemed happy to tend to daily tasks.

“You shouldna have come back here, Rhett. Throw him in the dungeons,” Zander barked and Kyran and Bhric rushed forward to grab Rhett by the arms.

“Get your fucking paws off me,” Rhett yelled as he struggled against their grip. “There’s been a huge misunderstanding. Breslin!” he shouted as he looked to the staircase, hoping she’d come down and explain what the hell was happening.

“She isna here, arsehole. She left because you broke her heart. Again!” Bhric growled in his ear.

“I left her a note saying I’d be back,” Rhett replied as his heart galloped in his chest.

“A fucking note. That’s how you explain yourself to your Fated Mate? That doesna cut it,” Kyran barked and squeezed Rhett’s arm. It felt like he was trapped in a vice with the death grip Kyran had on him.

He hadn’t done anything wrong this time. He couldn’t change who he was. He hadn’t even been gone a full day, for fucks sake. He needed to find her and talk this through. She needed to understand he would go away from time to time but would always return to her.

“Where is she?” Rhett demanded.

“I doona know. She sent me a message from the airport asking me to cancel the ceremony but that was all it said,” Bhric admitted. “Dante hacked into the airline system to find oot where she went but hasna found her alias yet.”

Rhett’s mind whirred as confusion assailed, followed by a surge of anger at her mistrust in him. He was done being punished for his previous actions. He’d made her a promise and his mate needed to trust him at his word. When he found her, they were going to have a nice long chat about her lack of faith. Rhett wracked his brain, trying to determine where Breslin might’ve gone. Only one place came to mind for him.

“Tell Dante not to bother. I think I know where she went,” Rhett told Bhric and pinned him with a glare.

“You better bring her home, demon. I’ll never forgive you if you doona find her,” Bhric answered and released his hold on Rhett.

Rhett turned and walked out of the house, praying his hunch was right.

* * *

Breslin glanced out into the darkness. The pain in her head rivaled the ache in her chest. Her insides were hollow, despite being in the one spot that always lifted her spirits.

The Zeum carousel was Breslin’s favorite place to visit as a child. She recalled the first time she saw the attraction. Zander arranged an after-hours ride for their family one summer and the moment she spotted the elaborate horses and heard the beautiful music, it sparked something inside and spoke to her soul. In fact, she loved the carousel so much she insisted they name their compound after the famous ride.

She flew to San Francisco, hoping to forget the brutal despair of losing her mate a second time but the magic of the place eluded her. She cursed Rhett for stealing another great joy from her life.

Breslin ran her hand over the golden sleigh. The carousel was closed for the night but she snuck on and slipped into one of the carriages, wanting to drown her sorrows. Without the colorful lights and music, the carousel seemed cold and lonely, just like her pathetic life.

Was this her fate? To be alone for eternity, without a Fated Mate. She sobbed, trying to understand why the Goddess had forsaken her.

“Thought I’d find you here,” came a familiar male voice, startling her out of her depressing ruminations. She quickly wiped the tears from her face.

Rhett climbed aboard and sat beside her in the large sleigh. Inches separated their bodies but it might as well have been the Grand Canyon with how disconnected she felt.

“What are you doing here? Come to tell me you’ve changed your mind aboot our mating? Well, spare me the details and leave me the fuck alone,” she spat and turned away from him.

Rhett reached over and squeezed her hand. Breslin tried to ignore the way she ignited with his touch. Traitorous body indeed.

“What am I going to do with you, Flame? I told you I was coming back. Why didn’t you believe me?” he stated and his spicy masculine scent tickled her nostrils.

“Yeah, well, you doona have a great track record,” she huffed and clenched against the need that sparked with his nearness. Her body knew when her mate was close and her gums tingled, demanding she feed.

“Bre, I fucked up once. Once. Don’t make me pay for that mistake the rest of eternity. How can you not see how much I love you?”

Her heart twisted at his words. Goddess, how she wanted to believe that he loved her.

“Rhett, stop. I canna do this anymore. ‘Tis too painful. Please, just go away,” she insisted.

“Nope, no can do. We’re getting mated and that’s final,” he ordered and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

Breslin tried to scoot away, but Rhett just pulled tighter.

“Nay, we’re no’ getting mated. I canna be with a male that bails every time things get uncomfortable,” she quipped and met his gaze.

Fire danced in his orange orbs and she felt a pull to the demon. A connection she wished would burn to ashes.

“Bre, I didn’t bail this time. I just needed to test my power over this fucking beast that lives within, to make sure I’m still in control. The last time we made love, I felt him stir and it scared the fuck out of me. I told you about the changes demons go through when mated. I’m still worried what will happen on our most important day,” Rhett confessed.

“You know what? I doona fault you for that. In fact, I completely understand. But, how was I to know that from that stupid note taped to the fucking mirror? It was verra vague, arsehole. You need to talk to me, Rhett. Tell me what’s going on with you. Maybe I can help. But, what I canna tolerate is you leaving withoot explanation. Is that too much to ask?” she bit out, practically yelling at him. Her throat clogged with emotion and she swallowed against the giant lump that formed.

“Okay, fair enough. But what I need you to understand is that from time to time I will need to get away. I’ve been a loner all my life and I can’t change who I am. Can you accept that about me?” he asked. His tone was sharp and intense, and Breslin saw the seriousness in his gaze.

His words rang true. Rhett was a fire demon and they were nomads by nature. She couldn’t change that about him no more than he could ask her to stop feeding. She was a vampire and that meant there were aspects that came with the territory. But she didn’t have to accept the way he handled his urges.

“Have you ever considered asking me to join you?” she countered and felt the tears threatening again.

No, she thought and willed them away. Breslin refused to show how much she needed him.

A smile broke across his face and she wanted to punch him.

“What’s so funny, jackarse?”

“I’m not laughing at you, Flame. I’m smiling because I’d love for us to take an adventure. Show you the ways of a walkabout. I promise it would be a whole lot of fun,” he said with a wink. “But, please keep in mind, every now and then, I’ll need time to myself. It’s just who I am. But know this. I will always come back to you. You’re my home. My safe room,” he added with a sexy grin then cupped her face with his warm palm.

Heat raced through her blood at the contact. This male brought her to life like no other.

“I think we can come to some sort of agreement. Now, doona talk and kiss me,” she said as she climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Breslin needed this male more than she needed to breathe. When she was in his arms, her world was right.

“Mmm, my pleasure. But first, I have something for you,” Rhett said and reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a gold chain with an attached pendant. As he placed the necklace in her palm, Breslin realized the charm was made of blown glass. It was in the shape of a flame, and the vibrant red and orange colors seemed to glow under the moonlight.

“I know it doesn’t come close to what Angus made for Keira but I wanted you to have something made from my fire,” Rhett admitted.

Breslin was speechless. It was the most beautiful creation she’d ever seen and it meant everything that it came from her mate’s flames. She would cherish it forever.

“I love it,” she whispered and met his orange gaze and time stood still as his stare caressed her soul. Only Rhett could ignite her to a burning inferno.

“And, I love you, Flame,” he confessed.

“I love you, too,” she replied and his mouth crashed against hers in a fiery kiss that exploded through her entire body.