times.
"I'm heading upstairs now, but you all feel free to stay as late as you want." It was
after midnight and Delight knew that Miss Nadine had an early morning as the little
inn was filled to capacity. Delight watched, slightly melancholy, as the other woman
walk out of the room and disappeared up the stairs.
"You can still see her every day."
"I know, but it's not the same." She shook off her sadness. This was a night for
happiness. Looking up at her dark, brooding husband, Delight smiled. "I'm fine,
really."
He looked as if he didn't believe her, but didn't speak as Cristofor and Johanna
approached. "We will say goodnight." Cristofor kept his arm wrapped around his
wife's shoulder. It seemed to be a trait of the men in this family to keep their women
close. "We will fly home tomorrow. You will come and visit after the honeymoon." It
was more a command than a question and Delight found herself nodding.
Johanna laughed as she swatted her husband's arm. "Ignore him, Delight. You just
come for a visit whenever you're ready. You're welcome anytime for as long as you
want to stay. Believe me, there's plenty of room in the castle." Giving them both a quick
hug, she tugged her husband from the room.
Delight muffled a laugh as she heard Cristofor's voice drifting back. "Woman,
that's no way to treat your lord and master." His disgruntled tone was at odds with
Johanna's laughter.
"Lord and master." Stefan shook his head in disgust as he approached them.
"Johanna has our hard, ruthless brother twisted around her little finger. Oh, how the
mighty have fallen."
Stefan looked even more somber than usual in the austere black suit he'd donned
for the wedding. Delight had been surprised to see him in something other than jeans,
but he certainly cleaned up good. She'd been so wrapped up in Lucian that she had
forgotten what a devastatingly handsome man that he really was.
She still had a hard time looking Stefan in the eye without blushing. But not once,
by word or action, had he betrayed any hint of what had occurred that memorable
"It is a disgrace to the family." Cradling her face with his large hands, Stefan
brushed a soft, light kiss on her lips. "And now you have done the same to Lucian.
Alas, I am the only sensible brother left to uphold the family honor."
Delight sensed the underlying sadness and hurt buried beneath his words. He was
alone now that his brothers were mated. Impulsively, she flung her arms around him
and hugged him tight. "I'm so glad that you're my brother now."
Stefan swallowed hard and clung to her, his grip almost desperate. Releasing her
quickly, he stepped away from her and turned to Lucian. "I am leaving tonight." He
ignored her gasp of surprise and continued to address Lucian. "It will be up to you to
check out this Zane York and make sure he is no threat to the family. I don't know
when I will be back. If you have need of me, you have only to call and I will come."
"I will take care of it," Lucian assured his brother.
Moving so swiftly it looked as if he had vanished into thin air, Stefan was gone. A
lone tear slipped down Delight's cheek. With her heightened senses, she could feel the
deep despair and pain that filled Stefan.
"I wish I could find a way to ease his pain." Lucian sighed heavily as he pulled her
close and tucked her under his shoulder. She nodded, saying nothing. Stefan's pain was
beyond words and only time would help him find his equilibrium again. "If he is gone
too long, we will find him and bring him home." Delight grasped and held Lucian's
promise tight, trusting him to know what was best for his brother right now.
"Well, it's time for me to say goodnight as well." Chase rose from the chair where
he'd been sitting and observing everyone for the last hour and strolled towards them.
Coming to a halt in front of them, he stared down into her face. "Be happy, Delight."
Raising his gaze, he addressed his new brother-in-law. "I'm trusting you to take care of
her."
"It is my honor and privilege." Lucian held out his hand to Chase and the men
seemed to come to some internal understanding as they shook. Delight watched the two
men she loved most in the world, feeling her heart swell with pride.
Then they were alone.
as he scooped her up into his arms and walked down the hallway and out through the
front door and into the night. "I am taking you home."
Wrapping her arms around his strong neck, she leaned in to nuzzle it. "I'm already
there."
The night swallowed them up and then they were gone. Stefan stepped from the
shadows where he'd been watching them. He felt more alone at that moment than at
any other time in his five hundred years of existence. Forcing himself, he turned away
from his family and walked away. The night wrapped its arms around him, embracing
him, as he escaped into its inky depths.
Sam Cassidy sat on a barstool and twirled the long-necked bottle between his
hands. The whole basis of his belief system had been turned topsy-turvy in the last
week. If he weren't so damned sane, he'd figure he was crazy. "Vampires?" He gave a
sharp bark of laughter.
"What's so funny?"
He eyed the man who slipped onto the barstool next to him. Zane York was a
fellow cop who worked the night shift. He knew him by reputation, but not personally.
York had a reputation for being single-minded in pursuit of the truth. Hard, but fair, he
was not a man to cross.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Tipping up the bottle, he took a swallow
and laid it back on the counter.
"Try me." Zane's dark eyes watched him unwaveringly.
Cassidy had to fight the urge to spill the entire story. He shook his head suddenly
feeling as if he'd drunk way too much even though that was his first beer. "Maybe
another time." Pushing off the stool, he saluted York and sauntered from the smoky
confines of the bar.
"Bet on it," Zane murmured under his breath as he tracked Cassidy's progress
across the room, out though the door and into the night.
* * *
About the Author
her job on a Friday, received a tentative acceptance for her first novel, Annabelle Lee, on
the following Sunday.
Happily married for over seventeen years to the love of her life, with his
encouragement and support she gave up the job of selling books for the more
pleasurable job of writing them. A voracious reader of romances of all kinds, she now
spends her days writing, reading and reviewing books. It's a tough life, but someone's
got to do it.
N.J. Walters welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora's Cave
Publishing at 1056 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310.
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Also by N.J. Walters
Annabelle Lee
Awakening Desires: Erin's Fancy
Awakening Desires: Katie's Art of Seduction
Christina's Tapestry
Dalakis Passion: Harker's Journey
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nbsp; * * *
Discover for yourself why readers can't get enough of the multiple award-winning
publisher Ellora's Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC
on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you
breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
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