Page 49 of Rites of Passage

Something grumbled loudly in the room.

Brimstone squinted at Mae. She patted her belly guiltily.

Looks like those stupid canapes won’t be enough for you either,the fox grunted.How about we skip the reception and go find an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet?

Mae vacillated for a second. Common sense prevailed.

“You know we can’t do that. Bryony would have our heads.”

She lifted the dress from the bed and headed into the bathroom-slash-dressing room, only to rock to an abrupt stop when she saw the lingerie positioned prominently on a hanger opposite the doorway.

It was black. And lacy. And wickedly sexy.

Mae gulped, fingers fisting involuntarily on the dress.

Brimstone poked his head inside the room.What’s wrong?The fox studied the scanty pieces of material arranged on the hanger with a critical eye.I don’t think that will cover a lot, my witch. That incubus shortchanged you.

“He’s gonna give me a heart attack is what he’s gonna do,” she grumbled, her pulse far too fast for her liking.

She placed the dress on a second hanger and reached for the top button of her jeans. Brimstone sat on his haunches.

“What are you doing?” Mae asked stiltedly.

Brimstone blinked.It’s not like I haven’t seen you or Na Ri naked before.

Mae gaped. “Don’t tell me you peep at me when I get changed?!”

Relax. I’m not lusting after you, unlike the incubus and the sorcerer.Brimstone grinned.Na Ri had the cutest little bottom. Yours is very simi—

Mae picked the fox up, deposited him unceremoniously outside the bathroom, and slammed the door shut.

The familiar’s wheezing voice reached her through the wood.Come now, my witch. There’s no need to be shy.

Mae scowled, undid her fastener, and had her jeans halfway down her thighs when Hellreaver spoke.

You know I’m still here, right?

* * *

Tarang’s tailbeat gently against Vlad’s legs as they stopped in front of Mae’s room. He adjusted his cufflinks and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Mae called out.

“It’s Vlad.”

“Oh great! Come on in!”

Vlad frowned at the relief coloring her voice. He opened the door, walked inside the room, and stopped dead in his tracks. His incubus blood stirred, quickening his pulse.

Mae was standing in front of the floor-length mirror, her back to him. She had her head down and was cursing under her breath as she struggled to fasten the clasp of her necklace.

“Could you give me a hand with this? I don’t think I’m doing it right.”

Desire tightened Vlad’s belly. The dress he’d bought the witch fitted her body flawlessly, the satin clinging to her curves even as it exposed her creamy skin and hinted at what lay beneath.

Black and gold really suit her.

“Vlad?”

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