Blood of Half Gods (25 page)

Knowing what I’m doing this time, I remove his boxers.  My towel is long gone.  There is nothing between us.  “Xandra,” he murmurs against my lips.  “This is torture.”  He is pressed against my center.  “We should stop.”

Winding my arms around his neck to keep him from pulling away, I put my mouth to his and I pull him to me with my legs.  There’s a little shock of pain at first, but that doesn’t last more than a moment.  Finally, our bodies are joined as our minds are.  As one.  We make love to each other for what seems like forever, until exhaustion takes over.

As my eyes close to carry me off to sleep in Kallen’s arms, a voice startles me.  “Not so fast, my dear.”  My eyes fly open and Kallen is still as a statue.  Because I’ve been pulled into Angel time.

Making sure the covers are doing their job, I glare at this brown haired Angel I have never seen before.  “Who are you and what do you want?”

A grin covers his face.  It’s not a nice grin.  Who knew Angels could look sinister.  “I am but the lowly, Ambriel, Angel of the Powers, gatekeeper of the collective conscience and record keeper of our history.”  His voice is as slick as the white suit with the black tie he’s wearing.

I don’t like him.  “And that makes you lowly?”

He studies his nails as he says, “To some, it does.”

“But, not to you.”

His grin is back.  “You are quick, little one.”

“Don’t call me that.”

He raises one eyebrow.  “You are awfully rude for someone who has caught herself in quite the scandalous predicament.”

It hits me like the proverbial ton of bricks.  Oh god. No, this can’t be.  I look down at my hand, and sure enough, my ring is glowing.  Kallen and I must be married tomorrow according to Fairy law.  We didn’t stop.  Why didn’t we stop?

“I do apologize; I was a little late bringing you the message.”

My face turns stony.  I know I’m not going to like what he has to say.  “What message?”

He waves his hand in the air.  “It was nothing important.  Just that the magic of an Apsaras lingers in the heart of its vanquisher and those around for a day or two.  You know, the magic of lust and passion and such.  So, if you are with someone you feel passionate about, you may not be able to keep yourself from doing all sorts of things you would not have done otherwise.  Every person in this house this evening will experience that.”  He wrinkles his nose.  “Oh, I guess the two of you should have slept in separate beds for a day or two, as you have mentioned numerous times that you are not ready to be truly hand-fasted.”

I put my face in my hands and shake my head as reality sets in.  I have no choice.  I’m going to be married tomorrow.

“If it makes you feel any better, the magic of the Apsaras only encourages you to do what is already in your heart.  The two of you have been circling this for quite some time.  This would have happened sooner as opposed to later, anyway.”

I glare up at him.  “How do you know so much about our sex life?  Have you been watching us?”  I’m getting mad now. 

He fakes shock.  “Of course not.  I would not find enjoyment in that.”  Liar, I bet he watches people all the time.  “But, as I said, I am the keeper of the collective conscience.  I know what is in your heart.  What is lucky for you, is that I am also the record keeper of our history. If I do not record it, it has not happened in the conscience of the others.”

It takes my mind a minute to wrap around what he just said.  “Are you saying that if you don’t write down that Kallen and I…made love,” my cheeks are bright red now, “then it’s like it never happened?”

He inclines his head.  “That is basically what I’m saying.”

I narrow my eyes at him.  “What do you mean, basically?”

He wrinkles his nose at me.  “You are a quick one.  Of course it happened.  I can simply make sure that no one knows about it.”

Oh.  If he doesn’t record it, then Kallen and I don’t have to get married tomorrow.  We can wait until we’re ready.  Which won’t be tomorrow.  “What’s the catch?” I ask.

That sinister smile is back again.  “Yes, quick indeed.  You will simply owe me favors.”

“What kind of favors?”

He waves his hand in the air again.  “Oh, that is yet to be determined.”

“You’re lying,” I accuse.  I know he is.

Still smiling, he says, “Do you plan to wear white to the wedding?”

I close my eyes and growl low in my throat.  “Fine.  Two favors.  One for me and one for Kallen.”  I open my eyes.  “I think that’s fair.”

He thinks about it a minute, then says, “We have a deal.  Voila.”  He points to my hand where my ring has stopped glowing.  Kallen’s isn’t glowing anymore, either.  “I will be collecting those favors very soon, Xandra.  Be sure to get some rest.”  And then he’s gone.  I have the feeling that I just made a really, really bad deal.

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