Page 96 of Midnight Enchantment

“I cannot give you children.” His jaw clenched as he watched the play of emotions cross her face. His mind brushed hers. She was thinking of her brother’s baby, her heart filling with sadness at the thought of never having a son or daughter of her own.

“Raedan … ”

He pressed his fingers to her lip. “I understand.”

Lily tilted her head to the side. “What is it you think you understand?”

“You have changed your mind.”

“Oh?”

“I have no right to ask you to give up a normal life to be with me.” He shook his head, his expression bleak. “You deserve so much more—a man who can share your whole life, give you children, grow old by your side. Share a meal with you.”

Lily took a step back, hands fisted on her hips, eyes narrowed and flashing fire. “You asked me to marry you not two minutes ago. Are you already trying to back out of your proposal, mister?”

“No.” He stared at her, confused by her anger. “No, but I thought … ”

“Stop thinking. You asked me to marry you and I said yes. So now you’re stuck with me. Is that understood? As for sharing my whole life, I think we’ve done just fine so far. So, we can’t have children of our own. We can always adopt a couple. There are kids all over the world who need parents, and furthermore … ”

Feeling his heart swell with love, Raedan swept Liliana into his arms and kissed her, a long, searing kiss that branded her his for all time.

Going up on her tiptoes, Lily twined her arms around his neck, holding on for dear life as he kissed her again and yet again, his hand sliding seductively up and down her thigh while the other delved into the hair at her nape.

A cough from the doorway brought a rush of heat to Lily’s cheeks. “Mom,” she squeaked. “Dad. Guess what? We’re getting married!”

Raedan sat beside Liliana on the sofa in Ava’s parlor, his face impassive as he listened to the women talk about the wedding—where should they hold it, here or in Savaria? Who would they invite? Should it be a small gathering or a large one? Liliana texted her brother to tell them the good news. Dominic said they would be home as soon as they packed. When the initial fuss quieted down, Ava remarked they’d be having two weddings, and the next thing Raedan knew, the women were planning a double ceremony.

Raedan glanced at his future father-in-law. Quill stood by the fireplace, arms folded across his chest, his blatant disapproval evident in every line of his body.

Finally, when Raedan had decided the women were going to talk all night, Ava yawned. Ten minutes later, Raedan and Liliana were finally alone.

“You didn’t say much,” Lily remarked.

“Your father hates me.”

Lily stared at him, then burst out laughing.

“You think it is funny?”

“Yes, in a way.” Laying her hand on his arm, she said, “He would have hated anyone I chose. Don’t you know that?”

Raedan grunted. He thought of his own daughter, gone these many centuries. Had his life not changed so drastically, had his children grown to adulthood, he likely would not have been happy with any man who stole his daughter’s heart and took her away.

“He’ll get over it,” Lily assured him, “when he sees how happy I am.”

“So, what did you all decide about the wedding?”

“We’re going to have a small, double ceremony here, in the church down the street. Just the immediate family. You and I will have to go to Savaria within the year for a formal announcement, but we don’t have to worry about that now.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him lightly. “How do you feel?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I thought you’d be different somehow when the blood-demon was gone.”

“Demon or not, I am still a vampire, love. But there is a difference. I am no longer constantly fighting him for control.” He smiled into her eyes. “I can be close to you, hold you, without wanting to sink my fangs into your throat and devour you.”

“Thatisgood news,” she said, laughing. “I love you, Raedan. I’ll try to make you happy.”

“You already make me happy, witch woman. It is late,” he said, rising and pulling her to her feet. “You should get some rest.”

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