How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days (23 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

They Say You Can Never Go Home

F
alcon gave Tally a day and then decided he could try talking later. After he’d kidnapped her. Although, kidnapping was such a harsh word. He preferred the phrase “borrowing her presence without permission.” After all, it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. He knew that wasn’t very Heavenly of him, but he didn’t care. Because another common saying was that all’s fair in love and war, and Falcon wasn’t sure which this was yet. Either way, he planned on going home with the prize.

The stupid beach house was still warded against him.

He crept around to the back of the house, peering inside the kitchen window.

“Well, if it isn’t King Creepo of Creepstania. What the fuck are you doing here, Falcon?” Tristan hissed in his ear.

“I could ask you the same, Peeping Tristan. What are you doing in Tally’s bushes?”

“Making sure she’s okay.” Tristan looked at him, obviously waiting for an answer as to why Falcon was there.

“She’s going to be a long way from okay for about an hour. Maybe more, maybe less. Depends on how pissed off she is about being kidnapped.”

“You’ve lost your mind. I’m not going to let—”

“What you’re going to do, Death, is mind your business,” Falcon interrupted him.

Tristan laughed so hard he started to snort like a pig. “Why would I do that? You’re getting too big for your leathers, Falcon.”

“That’s what she said.” Falcon winked.

“Yeah, your mom.”

“You know what? If you have the stones, give it a shot.”

“You’re awfully fucking cheery. I don’t like this plan.”

“I don’t care if you like it or not. There’s not shit you can do about it.”

“I’m Death—” Tristan began as if Falcon didn’t know who he was, or his power.

“Right you are. And throughout all of history, when has Death ever been able to stop the power of Love?”

Realization crossed Tristan’s face. “Oh, you smug bastard,” Tristan growled.

Falcon suddenly felt a twinge of pity for him and turned to really look at the Angel of Death. He wore his heart on his sleeve, contrary to his claims that he had no heart. He loved Tally; Falcon could see that. They could have had a good life together, but just like the woman he and Tally had seen on the bench, she could bloom so much brighter and so could Tristan.

“I’m not going to hurt her, Tristan. I love her.”

“Are you two going to make out or get a room?” Ethelred demanded, opening the door.

“Well, the closest rooms would be upstairs and since the house is still warded against me . . .” Falcon shrugged.

“Well, if it were just me, I’d leave you outside. I’d never want Love to think he was welcome in my house. He’s a sloppy bastard and doesn’t clean up after himself,” Ethelred drawled. “But apparently, the lady of the house would like a word.”

Tally stood in the living room, her heart in her eyes and her soul on her sleeve. She’d never looked more beautiful.

Or hot.

She’d adopted a red uniform like his, but hers was satin. It was a form-hugging dress that revealed her curves and would have shown lots of leg if not for the red leather boots laced up to her knees that left only the tops of her thighs showing like some kind of illicit peepshow. She’d also cut her long, curly blond hair into something short and spiky, focusing attention on her sweet face and bow mouth.

A diamond angel wing charm hung from a bracelet on her wrist and Falcon couldn’t help hoping that it was for him.

“What are you doing here, Falcon?” she asked quietly.

“I like your hair.” He stopped in front of her and reached out a finger to touch the shorn golden locks. “What, no horns?”

She gave a weak laugh. “Living in this house? Can you imagine all the ‘horny’ jokes? No thanks.”

“I miss you.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Don’t what? Don’t miss you? Don’t need you?” He tugged her against him and the feel of her small palms splayed against his chest, her cheek resting over his heart, it was so right. So perfect. “Don’t love you?” Falcon finished.

“Yeah,” she sniffed. “Don’t do any of those things. It just makes it harder.”

“Harder?” he teased.

Instead of laughing, she started crying.

“Oh, shit, don’t do that. Come on, baby. I’m taking you home.” He tightened his arms and they teleported to the front porch of his mother’s house.

Tally looked up at him in horror. “What are you doing?”

“You asked me the other day to take you home. I took you to the wrong place. Home is where your family is, and this is your family. Your home.”

“I know what you’re doing, Falcon. And it’s for this very reason that we can’t be together. I love Raven and Hawk, Stardust, Midnight. Dred.
You
. I love you all too much to—”

“Falcon!” Stardust popped her dark head through the door. “I’m so happy you’ve brought our Tally home. Hurry up! Your brother and his girlfriend brought homemade fried chicken. That girl does know the way into my heart.”

But Falcon wasn’t looking at his mother. He was watching Tally and the play of emotion over her face. Watching her pain was like feeling it himself, but he hadn’t brought her here to hurt her.

“Family, Tally. Yours. Mine. Ours,” he whispered against her ear and dropped a kiss on her head.

The door flew open behind Stardust and Midnight ran out from behind her mother. Tally found herself lurching forward into Middy’s steady hug.

“Oh, Goddess, I’ve missed you.” Middy squeezed her.

Tally squeezed back just as tightly. “Me, too.” Tears threatened and Tally sniffed irritably. Damn, it seemed all she could do was cry these days.

“Upstairs. Right now.” Midnight grabbed her hand and dragged her past Stardust. “We need a moment before dinner, Mama.”

“You go on. But don’t be too long or the boys will have eaten all the chicken,” she said.

Tally turned to look back at Falcon and the smile on his face was nothing short of gold. It lit up his face, even the air around him. It occurred to her that she was the cause of that smile. He’d brought her home, not as the poor little girl who was his sister’s best friend, or as his parolee, or even as his friend. He’d brought her here as his woman, his partner.
His
. He was looking at her with everything he felt for her shining on his face. Just like she’d always dreamed.

It occurred to Tally that this moment was perfect. Everything she’d ever let herself want in the darkest and most secret part of the night.

If only she wasn’t Lust. If only—

“Oh, hell, Tally. Make googly eyes at my loser brother later. We have approximately ten minutes to catch up before Mama hunts us down and drags us to dinner by our hair.” Midnight jerked her up the stairs to her old bedroom.

“So, how was the honeymoon?” Tally asked.

“Perfect. Dred is still disgustingly perfect. Everything about my life is perfect.
Except you.
” Middy narrowed her eyes at her.

“I know, and I’m so sorry,” Tally blurted, still fighting tears.

“Don’t be stupid.” Middy’s words were soft, but her hug was strong and fierce. “It’s not your fault. It’s because you’re not happy. This is my attempt to beat some sense into you the same way you did to me about Dred.”

“I feel like I failed you,” Tally confessed. It hurt to speak the words, but it had to be done. Middy deserved to know.

“For what? The lamia? I know you did what you had to do. That’s over. You’ve obviously kicked ass, taken names, got the T-shirt. It’s the rest of the story you’re having trouble with. See, in all the stories what happens after the sacrifice? What happens after you slay the dragon?”

“Happily Ever After?” Tally mumbled.

“Right. And you’re throwing it away with both hands. Falcon told me everything that’s happened.” Middy blushed. “Even being a married witch, let me tell you I was heartily sorry for using my magick to check in on you that one time.”

“Yeah.” Tally swallowed hard. “Sorry about that. You did only give me permission for a one-night stand.”

“I’ve always wanted you and Falcon to end up together. You’ve always fit. You’re the sister of my heart, Tally. Be my sister in the eyes of the law, too, okay? Do you know that Falcon has never brought a witch home? Ever?”

She’d already marveled that he’d made such an obvious statement to his family that they were together.

“You know my mother already approves. I hear she was already trying to plan your wedding—if not to Falcon, then to any one of my other two brothers.” Middy laughed and the sound reminded Tally again that she was
home
. This was where she belonged, her place in the world.

“This is everything I’ve ever wanted, Mids. Everything.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I’m a Crown Princess of Hell. The Angel of Lust.”

“Isn’t a relationship all that much stronger when both Lust and Love are present? You belong together.”

“I . . . I’m not a witch anymore. My magick requires certain energies.”

“Just like Falcon. He gets stronger when people love. You’ll get stronger when people lust.” Middy said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world and didn’t matter one way or another.

“I’m going to hurt him. My magick is parasitic. It will feed on him, don’t you understand?”

“Yeah. And so does he. He wants to feed you and give you what you need. He wants to provide that for you. Why don’t you let him?”

“It will hurt him, Mids. I could kill him.”

“I doubt it. Because then you couldn’t have your Happily Ever After. And they’re real, Tally. You just have to have faith.”

“I don’t know if I have any.”

“Falcon has enough for both of you.” Middy hugged her again. “Let’s go down to dinner.”

Tally was aghast at how much faith Middy had in
everyone,
but it shouldn’t have surprised her. Midnight had always been an idealist.

She followed Middy downstairs and made small talk with everyone before they sat down to dinner. It was good to see Middy’s husband, Dred, again. The love they had for each other burned brighter than any fire, any star, any sun. It was obvious in every touch, glance, and laugh. Hawk and Raven were the same prankster troublemakers she’d always known. Hawk’s very pregnant girlfriend was mortal and a little blown away by their world, but seemed happy and eager to adapt. Stardust clucked over her like she was some foundling kitten until they shuffled into the big dining room and gathered around the table.

Again, it occurred to Tally that Falcon was right. This was home. This was family. But that had never been in doubt. She loved the Cherrywoods, so she had to protect them from what she’d become. It was really that simple.

She looked across the table at Middy, who shook her head vehemently, as if she already knew exactly what Tally was thinking. She probably did, since they’d known each other for so long.

“I have a card, Tally. Don’t think I won’t be mercenary enough to play it,” Middy threatened.

But just as Mids had known what she was thinking, Tally knew what was going on in her best friend’s head. It was the
You almost killed me and my husband and I’m only asking you for this one thing
card.

“I think I’d prefer the cat litter,” Tally grumbled.

“I know,” Middy said cheerfully.

“What are you talking about?” Dred asked, as he shoved a biscuit in his mouth.

“Who knows? They’ve always had their own language. They probably had half this conversation in their heads.” Falcon shrugged.

“That’s disturbing. They could be crafting all kinds of devilry.” Dred looked back from Tally to Middy.

“There’s no could about it, Mordred. Everyone always said my boys were such a handful, but they didn’t know about my Midnight and Drusilla.” Stardust winked at them again. “They give the term ‘wicked witch’ new meaning.”

Falcon grabbed her hand under the table. “We love you, Tally.”

It amazed her how sometimes he knew just the right thing to say.

The whole table stopped, forks paused halfway to mouths, and Hawk choked on his chicken, coughing and spluttering into a napkin.

“Don’t choke your chicken at the table,” Raven snickered, but slapped his brother hard on the back.

“I don’t need the fucking Heimlich. I need a replay. Did you hear what Falcon just said to Tally?” Hawk managed through watering eyes and coughs.

“Yes, he said that your family loves her,” Hawk’s girlfriend replied. “It’s not like he said there’s a human head on the table.” She shoveled a bite of mashed potato into her mouth.

“No, he said that
he
loves her. Out loud. In front of everyone,” Midnight explained. “Falcon has never brought a woman home to Mama. None of my brothers have. You’re a first, too.”

Stardust beamed. “Does this mean we can plan the wedding now? I have a whole tub of
Witch’s Bride
I’ve been saving for the occasion!” Then she scowled. “I had one for Midnight and one for Tally.”

One for her? Just for her? Tally felt like she was going to cry again. Damn it, she was going to get her tear ducts surgically removed. She couldn’t handle all of this sniffing, sniveling, and general overemotional nonsense.

Suddenly, Falcon turned her chair to the side and he was on his knees in front of her.

“Oh, dear Merlin, don’t do this, Falcon. Don’t do what I think you’re—”

He didn’t let her finish; instead, he kissed her. “I want you with me forever, Tally. Be my mother’s daughter. My sister’s sister. Be my wife.”

Starbursts of joy and hope exploded inside her, but she knew her answer had to be no. “Falcon,” she began.

“We’ll figure it out. I swear to you. If the worst happens, it will still be the best thing that ever happened to me. I want all of you.”