Page 69 of Midnight Enchantment

He grunted softly, surprised Ava had allowed her to stay. And then he grinned inwardly, thinking his Liliana was pretty good at getting her own way most of the time. “Have you no regard for your own safety? Don’t you know I could have killed you last night?”

“But you didn’t.”

“You might not be so lucky next time.”

“You’re stuck with me, Raedan. Get used to it.”

His laughter surprised her. It was a warm, full-bodied sound, one she hadn’t heard nearly enough.

Pushing away from the table, he lifted her to her feet and into his arms. “I love you, witch woman,” he murmured, and kissed her, his tongue dueling with hers while his hands skated up and down her spine.

She closed her eyes as she leaned into him, wanting to be closer, desperate for his touch, hungry for his kisses. Though his lips were cool, they lit a fire inside her that burned away every thought save the need to please him, to give him everything he wanted and more and in so doing, fulfill her every dream, her every desire, as well.

When she opened her eyes, they were lying side-by-side on a bed covered with furs in a white room she had never seen before. It had no doors and no windows. And no roof. Overhead, a million stars glittered against a blanket of black velvet. Soft music filled the room though she couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from. A low table stood beside the bed. It held two crystal goblets and a bottle of red wine. A delicate vase held a single, blood-red rose.” Where are we?”

“In my imagination.”

Lily stared at him. “Are you kidding me?”

“No.”

“I don’t believe it. How is that possible?”

“The blood-demon brought us here.”

A shiver ran down her spine. “Was it your idea? Or his?”

“Mine, darlin’. There is no need to be afraid.”

“I’m not!” she exclaimed.

“Ah, my brave Liliana.” He caressed her cheek with his knuckles, let his fingers slide down to settle lightly in the hollow of her throat. “Do you not know that lying makes your heart race?”

She swallowed hard. “Raedan,nowyou’re scaring me.”

“I know. I am sorry.” He kissed her tenderly. “I love you, Liliana. No matter what happens between us, never doubt it or forget it.” He held her close, but not so tightly she felt imprisoned. His breath was cool against her skin. His hand slid up and down her side, skimming the curve of her breast as he kissed her cheeks, her brow, her chin, the soft, tender place beneath her ear. “A taste?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea at the moment.”

“Just one, I swear.”

Thinking it might be wiser to agree than to argue, she murmured, “Just one.”

His bite was gentle and he took only a little. And still a rush of sensual pleasure flowed through her. Almost, she begged him to take more.

True to his word, he only took a taste. And then he kissed her again.

When she opened her eyes this time, she was alone on the front porch of Ava’s house.

Raedan prowled a distant city searching for prey, his heart swelling with love for Liliana. He had taken her into his imagination partly to see if she truly trusted him, but mostly to see if he could trust himself—if he was capable of keeping the blood-demon at bay while she was at his mercy, helpless to fight him off, unable to call for help.

For the first time, he had hope that, between them, they would find a way to defeat the demon.

Chapter Thirty

“Lily!” Ava threw her arms around her granddaughter and hugged her tight. “I’ve been so worried about you. I tried to call you. I tried to locate you. I tried everything to find out where you were. I’ve never been so scared! Where on earth have you been?”

“In Raedan’s imagination.”

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