Page 40 of The Aether

“I seem to recall you didn’t mind the results of the last festival we attended together,” she said in a low voice.

Heat swept through him, and his entire body tightened at the memory of their shared night of lovemaking. Why was she so flirty tonight? If she had any idea of her effect on him, she didn’t show it. Although, if he thought back, Vivian had been different since the birth of Nate. More open.

Sabrina, in a dress that was a mini replica of her mother’s but far less revealing, rushed over and tugged him out of his chair. “Where’s your sense of adventure, Papa?”

“I’m over two hundred years old, Beastie. Any sense of adventure I ever had fizzled out eons ago.”

She giggled as if he were the funniest of men and dragged him toward the terrace doors. “Mack and Baz are going with us, too.”

“Safety in numbers, I suppose. Sebastian is sure to hate this as much as I do, so there’s that to look forward to.”

“Oh, hush, you.” Vivian tucked her arm through his. “It’s about time the witch community saw you as human instead of a mythical monster.”

He frowned down at her. “People think I’m a monster?”

With a grimace, she patted his bicep. “Sorry, darling. I didn’t mean it like that. I simply meant that very few people know the real you. Know that you’re a kind man.”

“I prefer it that way. It’s safer. If they believe I’m a ruthless bastard, they’ll leave us alone.”

Pausing on the terrace, she shifted to stare up at him. As Vivian’s curious gaze traveled over his face, Damian wondered what she saw. It was hell being unable to know her mind.

“Valid point.” With a shrug and a light kiss on his cheek, she strutted away. The pronounced sway of her hips taunted him, tempting him to follow.

He did. Just like he always would.

As they reached the center of the lawn, the other Stephens sisters arrived.

It was hard to believe it had only been four years since he spied on them as they’d gathered, laughing and chatting in their excitement for the upcoming evening. Not much had changed. With the exception of the dresses, the sisters all looked exactly the same, right down to the glowing amulets they wore.

He caught Sabrina watching them with longing on her face.

When Vivian turned and held out her hand, the yearning shifted to joyfulness, and Damian released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. It was difficult for an Aether to fit in. As an adult, he recognized why, but a child like Sabrina would never understand why she stood on the outs. Why everyone viewed her as something to fear.

Josie bent to hug her, straightening her crown of wildflowers. “Are you ready, small fry?”

Eyes shining, Sabrina nodded.

Glancing up at her sisters, a sly smile curled Josie’s lips as they nodded.

“I think the vote is unanimous to make you this year’s Stephens Beltane Princess. Are you up for the role of Grand Poobah?”

“What does the Grand Poobah do?” Sabrina asked warily, as if she feared she’d not do justice to the title.

Vivian’s gaze locked with his over their daughter’s crowned curls.

Just like when he first met her, his lungs ceased to draw a breath and his heart left his chest to return to her delicate hands to do with what she will.

He was such a sucker for love.

“Me, too.”

Damian blinked. Had he actually heard her?

Frowning, he tested their connection.

“Can you read my mind, Viv?”

Her expression arrested, and she gasped, catching the attention of the others.

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