Page 39 of The Aether

“N-no! I…” He rose and met Damian’s angry glare with a sincerity that was difficult to ignore. “You have to believe that I would not condone anyone coming to harm under my reign as lead council.”

Picking up the contract, Isis snapped her fingers, and the paper caught fire. When it would’ve reached her fingers, she dropped it on the marble floor to finish burning.

“The Aether is free of his promise to us,” she proclaimed.

And immediately, Damian understood what she’d done. For him. For his family. By claiming there was a traitor in their midst who would seek to harm him, she’d set him free. The Authority wouldn’t hold him to his promise, and they wouldn’t send anyone else to threaten his children.

Relief swept through him, and the gratitude he felt at Isis’s protective gesture nearly overwhelmed him.

“But we need him!” Buttagier protested.

Because he was a man of principle, Damian proposed a new deal.

One that was readily accepted.

For the next five years, he would consult on an as-needed basis. If required, he’d step in without objection. No contract. No blood oath. Merely a statement of intent to lead a team of Sentinels of his choosing, and they took him at his word.

CHAPTER15

PRESENT DAY

“Iwant you to go with us, Papa.”

Damian glanced up from his book and sighed. Sabrina was relentless in her desire to bring their family back together, unable to understand that once broken, some things could never be mended—even with the birth of a new child.

“Beastie, let it rest. I’m on babysitting duty tonight. Between your brother and those blasted hellhounds you talked me into, I’m chained to this house.”

“No, Papa. Youpromised.Besides, Ronan and Dubheasa are going to watch Baby Nate.”

Frowning, he closed his book and set it to the side. “I thought they were watchingyou.”

“I told them you have to come,” she replied in her bossier-every-day manner.

“When did yours become the ruling voice?” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Your mother and I should have some say in this house.”

Left with no true objection if powerful Guardians intended to protect his son, Damian knew he’d lost the argument. Still, he couldn’t let his daughter believe he’d give in so easily. As it was, she walked over him with steady frequency. Marshmallow fluff that he was, he always let her have her way.

“Papa! Come on!”

With a groan, he dropped his head back on the buttery leather chair. “You’re killing me, child.”

“Damian?” Vivian’s soft inquiry brought his head around. There she stood, in the doorway, in a flowing white dress with flowers in her hair and a moonstone amulet falling into the shadowy valley between her full breasts.

Damian wanted nothing more than to scoop her up and teleport to his room, where he could rip that revealing gown from her luscious body, then make love to her until tomorrow, when the sun was high in the afternoon sky.

His fantasy died when she spoke again.

“My sisters will be here soon for the Beltane festivities tonight.”

“I don’t suppose I can skip it, then?” he asked, knowing full well he’d continue to be badgered by a pint-sized Tasmanian devil if he tried.

A soft smile graced Vivian’s lovely visage, actually reaching her shining eyes. “I don’t suppose you can. Come on. It’ll be fun. Like old times.”

His will was useless in the face of her sweet cajoling. “Can I just say, never once in all my years has anything associated with these blasted Beltane festivals actually added to my magic.”

Viv’s smile widened to an amused grin as she strolled across the room to join him. “Oh, I don’t know. My sisters and I bathe in the Holy Well every year, and I think the healing waters help to keep us young and beautiful.”

“That’s genetics and witchcraft,” he replied dryly.

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