Brides of the Kindred Read online

  “So if you did call a bride that would be part of it—of your relationship, I mean? You’d always be…biting her?” She couldn’t help looking at his fangs again and feeling glad they were still small.

  “Only when we made love,” Sylvan assured her as though that made it all right.

  Sophie felt her stomach do a slow forward flip but she tried not to show her dismay. “That’s…uh interesting.”

  “And off the point.” Sylvan frowned, as though irritated with himself. “What I’m trying to say is, please accept my apologies and my best wishes for your health and happiness. I truly did not mean to bite you.”

  “It’s…I know it was an accident but…” She wanted to ask him more. Wanted to know why his fangs had grown when he kissed her. It wasn’t just his fangs that grew, whispered a little voice in her head and a wave of embarrassment swept over her.

  “Yes?” Sylvan looked at her earnestly but she shook her head.

  “It’s okay,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes. “Seriously, I’m fine. Let’s just…leave it at that.”

  “I appreciate your willingness to put the incident behind us but I need to examine the wound.”

  “Why?” Sophie asked. “I know you’re a doctor…er medic but—”

  “I need to know how serious the injury I inflicted was.” He looked so stern that she tilted her chin up to allow the examination.

  “It’s not bad at all. See?” she pointed at her bottom lip which, to tell the truth, was still pretty sore.

  Sylvan cupped her cheek in one hand and leaned forward, studying her hurt lip. For some reason Sophie’s face got hot at the gentle touch and she had to close her eyes. What is he looking for? What’s taking so long? She wished he would hurry up and finish the examination. His hand was so warm and the feel of his skin on hers made her nervous. “Is…is everything all right?” she asked at last.

  “It appears to be.” He sounded cautiously relieved. “I nicked you pretty badly but I don’t think you got any of my essence.”

  “Your what?” She opened her eyes to see him looking at her intently. Blushing, she looked quickly away.

  “My essence. It’s…never mind. You should recover normally.” His voice dropped. “I would offer to heal it for you but I don’t think you’d care for my method of healing.”

  “What do you mean?” She looked up at him again but suddenly Olivia was standing beside her with a radiant smile on her face.

  “Hey you guys, looks like you survived the Luck Kiss after all.” She arched an eyebrow, clearly taking in the way Sylvan was touching Sophie. “Going for round two?”

  “No!” Sophie exclaimed, jumping away from the large warm hand cupping her cheek. “I mean…Sylvan was just, uh, examining me.”

  “So I saw,” Olivia said dryly. Then she grinned. “Well, I’m a married woman now. Do I look any different?”

  “You look more beautiful than ever,” Sylvan said, but he was looking at Sophie when he said it.

  “Thank you, Sylvan. That’s sweet of you.” Olivia smiled at him and glanced at Sophie inquiringly. What’s going on? the look said.

  Sophie shrugged her shoulders. I don’t know. She felt hot and uncomfortable, as though her twin had caught her and Sylvan doing something forbidden or wrong. Wanting to change the subject she gave her sister a hug. “Are you happy? Did you think…everything went all right?” She wanted to ask if Olivia thought she’d screwed up the Luck Kiss but she couldn’t exactly come right out and say it with Sylvan still standing there looking at her.

  Liv, as always, knew what she meant. “It was beautiful,” she said reassuringly, giving Sophie a squeeze. “And I’ve never been happier.”

  “I’ll be happy when this damn after-party is over with.” Baird came sauntering up behind her and placed a proprietary hand on his bride’s shoulder. The bright green sunlight made the gold buttons on his uniform shirt sparkle. “How long did you say we have to stay, Lilenta?”

  Olivia turned and gave him a reproving look. “You know, on Earth the reception sometimes goes on for hours. People dance and drink and celebrate all night.”

  “Let ‘em.” Baird drew her close and looked down into her eyes. “They can celebrate until the damn sun falls outta the sky for all I care. As long as I get to take you back to our suite while they do it.”

  “Baird.” Olivia threw an apologetic look over her shoulder. “I’m sorry you guys—he’s incorrigible.”

  “Don’t apologize,” Sylvan said smoothly. “This is your bonding day. You should, ah, celebrate in whatever way you choose.”

  “I would but I hate leaving everyone alone.” Olivia bit her lip. “Especially you, Sophie. It’s been so long since we had any good sister time.”

  “That’s okay.” Sophie tried to smile even though she missed her sister more than she could bear. She wanted to catch up with Liv but it was clear her twin needed time alone with her new husband more than she needed a gab fest. “We’ll get other chances,” she told Olivia. “But right now I need to get home—I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Oh, has school started again already?” Olivia put a hand to her head where her blonde hair was swept into an elegant up-do. “I can’t believe it.”

  “First day tomorrow,” Sophie said. “And you know what a mess that always is.”

  “I must have lost all track of time up here planning the wedding.”

  “That’s what being in love will do to you,” Baird rumbled. Nodding at Sophie he said, “I’ll find a pilot for you, kin of my mate. I’d take you back to Earth myself but…” He grinned and nuzzled Olivia’s neck, his amber eyes glowing.

  “Baird!” she protested, laughing. “You are so bad. Leave me alone for a minute and go find someone to take Sophie home.”

  “I’ll take her,” Sylvan said unexpectedly.

  Sophie’s stomach did a flip. “Oh no, really,” she protested. “I couldn’t ask you to leave the party.”

  “I don’t mind.” He gave her a penetrating look. “I’d be pleased to take you back to Earth.”

  There was no way she could say “no” without offending him. “Uh, thank you,” she mumbled, trying not to think about being cooped up with the huge blond warrior in one of the tiny Kindred transport shuttles. “That would be nice…if you really don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” Sylvan assured her.

  Baird raised an eyebrow and looked at his half-brother speculatively. “Very well then, Brother. I charge you with the safety of the kin of my mate.”

  Sylvan nodded gravely. “I accept your charge. I will see her safely home.”

  Olivia smiled. “Sounds like it’s all settled then.”

  “I guess so.” Sophie smiled weakly. The whole “I charge you with her safety” thing seemed weirdly formal but maybe it was just a Kindred expression.

  “Give me one more hug before you go.” Liv disentangled herself from Baird and held out her arms. “Are you sure you’re all right?” she whispered in Sophie’s ear. “You look really upset.”

  “Do I?” Sophie made an effort to smooth out her features. “I’m fine really—don’t worry about me. Just go…have fun with your new hubby.”

  “If you’re sure.” Olivia drew back and looked at her eyes one more time.

  “I’m sure.” Sophie gave her twin what she hoped was a bright, sunny smile. “Just thinking about work tomorrow. The first day of school is always such a disaster. You know.”

  “Only from what you’ve told me.” Liv made a face. “I’d rather work in the ER or the med station any day than deal with a bunch of five year olds finger painting.”

  Sophie shivered. “Better finger paint than blood. I don’t know how you stand it.”

  Liv grinned. “Funny, that’s exactly what I was going to say to you.” She laughed and gave Sophie one more squeeze before letting her go. “Have a safe flight back and I’ll bespeak you on the Think-me later.” She glanced up at Baird who was staring down at her possessively. “Uh, much later.”