Blood of Egypt (Witch Fairy Book 8) Read online

  He nods. “Yes, that is what I am saying.”

  We dance in a comfortable silence until the song finishes. Now it’s my turn to be surrounded by strange Fairies. As Kallen predicted, Aston the Elder pushes his way through the crowd and insists upon the next dance being his. We aren’t two seconds into the dance before I have to move his hand up my back because my butt is most definitely off limits to him. His response is to pull me closer so that there is no space between us and he has a clear view of my cleavage.

  I look up at him and manage to pry his eyes away from my chest with my narrowed ones. With a polite smile for those around us, I say quietly enough that only he can hear me, “If you don’t stop staring at my breasts or trying to touch me inappropriately, I will sever your hands from your body and use them to slap your face until you’ve learned not to do it again.”

  His look of surprise makes me laugh. “I have no idea what you are going on about,” he huffs. He clears his throat, probably trying to swallow his guilt. “Though, perhaps I have overestimated my stamina. This dance is wearing me out sooner than I believed it would.”

  He abruptly stops twirling me here and there and walks off the dance floor. Immediately, someone else takes his place. I spend the next hour dancing with Fairy after Fairy that I don’t know, and I have to answer their many questions. Mostly, they want to know what it’s like to be so powerful, do I really throw people through walls and why didn’t I shop around more instead of just settling for Kallen. Some are more tactful about that last part than others. The ones who are not as discreet are lucky that Kallen is across the dance floor and can’t hear them. I’m sure he’s getting the same questions about me, though.

  The music stops and my current partner bows slightly and another tries to take his place. A hand on his shoulder stops him. He looks up at the very tall, light haired man and takes a step back. Raziel’s appearance isn’t necessarily intimidating, but the Archangel definitely has a ‘Presence’ that cannot be ignored even in his Fallen form. “I believe it is my turn,” Raziel says in his low, sexy voice. The Fairy nods and walks away without argument.

  Putting his arm around me and taking my hand, he says, “You looked as if you have had enough of dancing with strangers.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, I have. How long is this supposed to go on?” Even though he’s not a Fairy, he knows everything. Literally.

  “I believe you have fulfilled the duty of a new bride. As soon as your husband is able to peel himself away from his current partner, I believe he will be retrieving you.”

  “Thanks for rescuing me.”

  He inclines his head slightly. “It is my pleasure.”

  “Where’s Adriel?” I look around over the crowd in search for her blonde head. The two of them have made themselves scarce today as well, but they’re just getting to know each other. They need some privacy to do that.

  “She is wrestling with her own throng of admirers,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. There might be a hint of jealousy in there, too.

  “I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you. Are you doing okay? Are things between you and Adriel going well?” I ask.

  Raziel nods. “As well as to be expected considering I asked her to Fall with me and confessed my love for her in the span of one Fairy hour. Her mind is still whirling a bit.”

  I know what he means. “She loves you, though. I can assure you of that.” I probably didn’t need to say that since he already knows whether it’s going to work out or not, but I want him to know that I’m happy for the two of them. I only had a brief taste of knowing everything and I didn’t like it at all. I don’t know how he carries that burden with such strength.

  His smile turns into a grin. “Yes, in time she will forget her qualms regarding our status amongst the Angels and she will be happy.” That’s good to know. “I believe your husband has successfully escaped the league of female Fairies who ensnared him earlier.”

  I look over his shoulder and an annoyed Kallen is walking my way. He’s not annoyed with Raziel or me; he’s annoyed that a particularly pesky Fairy woman will not leave him alone. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. He is trying so hard to be polite yet firm, but he looks like he wants nothing more than to toss her out of the house.

  “Raziel, thank you for saving my wife,” Kallen says. There is genuine warmth in his voice.

  “Your half-breed wife,” the Fairy who followed him says under her breath, but loud enough for me to hear her over the music.

  It wasn’t that long ago that I’d take offense to that, but I realize now that it’s an honor to be what I am. “Yes, his half-breed wife who so cruelly whisked him from the arms of the full-blooded Fairies. Oh, wait. There were no full-blooded Fairies that he wanted to marry. Huh.”

  If looks could kill, I would be slaughtered on the spot. Caustically, she says, “You are so crass. You and your Cowan ways and dirty Witch magic; you do not deserve him.”

  I am about to respond, but Kallen cuts me off. He’s done being polite. “Your father once tried to bribe me into marrying you, but nothing he offered could convince me. I suggest you return to your group of cronies and leave my wife alone before I step aside and let her handle this situation however she pleases.” Trying to keep her shocked mouth closed, the Fairy spins on her heels and stomps away.

  Wow. I’ve never heard him be that rude to anyone before. “So, you guys are close?” I tease. “Did her father try to bribe you with money or chickens?” In human years, he’s old enough to remember when bartering was more popular than money.

  He half chuckles. “Her father was not wealthy enough in either regard and I was not inclined to spend my days with a Fairy whom I have hated practically from birth.”

  I can’t help but laugh. Raziel, too. “It sounds like you require a lot of chickens to take on a wife. You probably should have talked to my dad about that before marrying me, because he doesn’t have any.”

  Kallen reaches out and pulls me to him. “Then you will have to find a way to make that up to me.”

  Clearing his throat, Raziel says, “I believe this conversation is begging for privacy. I believe I will save Adriel now before her temper gets the better of her.”

  Yeah, Adriel isn’t shy about telling people how she feels. That’s one of the things I like best about her. I’m so glad she and Raziel have found each other.

  “Is it too early to get out of here?” I ask, snuggling against him.

  “Yes, but I do not care. There are many more interesting things I can think to do than be at a ball.”

  The deep, husky voice he uses to say that sends goose bumps across my body. “Then let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 3

  Our stealthy escape turns out to not be so stealthy. Isla finds us at the bottom of the stairs, out of sight of the guests, just as we’re about to teleport to our room. “You have a number of guests here to celebrate your hand-fasting. I believe you can spare them another hour or two of your time.”

  “Fine,” I grumble. “But I’m not dancing with anyone else.” I have enough Fairy hand sweat on my back to last me a life time.

  “I am sorry to hear that. I believe I was next in line,” Garren says behind her. He’s the reason that Isla wanted to avoid the Dragon realm. “Perhaps Isla will do me the honor of taking your place?”

  A war is waging on Isla’s face. I’m curious to see if the old anger wins or the feelings that she is beginning to have for him again. She did let the man come live in her house, so it’s not rocket science to see that she likes him.

  Finally, she says tersely, “One dance.”

  A smug grin breaks out on Garren’s face. “If you will excuse us,” he says, taking Isla’s elbow in his hand, “I need to hurry to the dance floor before she changes her mind.” He leads her off to the ballroom. Reluctantly, Kallen and I follow.

  An hour later, I’m sitting at one of the small tables surrounding the dance floor with Adriel and Alita while Kallen is off catching up with some of h
is Fairy friends. Through a yawn, I say, “I need a vacation. It’s been one thing right after another and I need to recharge before the next big, supernatural horror finds me.”

  “You have been overwhelmed lately,” Alita agrees.

  “Where would you go?” Adriel asks. “Which realm?”

  Huh. I hadn’t even thought about that. The possibilities for a vacation are almost limitless. I only know of a handful of realms, but I know there are many more. I ponder that for a minute until it dawns on me that going to a new realm would probably bring new problems. Maybe I should stick to the ones I’ve already been to.

  “I haven’t really seen anything of my realm except the mountain I grew up on. It could be fun to see the sights I’ve always dreamed about. I’ve always wanted to go to New York City and see a play on Broadway, see Times Square and Central Park. I would love to go to Hawaii, or even the real Australia. I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls, or Yellowstone Park or Disneyworld.” I think Adriel knows what I’m talking about but Alita’s face tells me I’m rambling on about things she’s never heard of before. “I think what I’d love to see most, though, is the great pyramids in Egypt.”

  Adriel nods. “I remember when those were built. Very impressive structures.”

  It’s weird having friends who can say things like that and have it be true. As an Angel, Adriel is almost as old as time itself. “Really? Can you tell me how they were built? Was it slaves or aliens?”

  She laughs. “It is not my place to give away the secrets of a society long gone.”

  I give her a sour look. “What, I wouldn’t tell anybody. It’s not like I’m going to take the information and somehow use it for personal gain.”

  Adriel’s laugh is so pretty. My laugh sounds like a braying donkey compared to hers. “No, I suppose not, but mysteries often exist for a reason.”

  “What are the pyramids?” Alita asks.

  “These massive structures in my realm that were built thousands of years ago.” The more I think about it, the more I want to see them. I’ve been going going going and I haven’t had a chance to breathe. Neither has Kallen. We deserve a honeymoon, right? It’s the perfect time; no one wants to kill me at the moment. Oh god, I hope I didn’t just jinx myself.

  “Xandra, hello,” Alita says with a laugh.

  I look up from the glass I’ve been twirling in my hands. “Sorry, I was daydreaming. What?”

  “I think you do need a vacation. You have been through so much, in just a short amount of time. You are very distracted.”

  “Vacation?” Kallen’s deep voice says behind me. “Am I invited?” he asks as bends down and kisses my cheek.

  “I don’t know, you’ll have to convince me,” I say coyly.

  He chuckles, takes my hand in his, and pulls me up from my chair. “If you will excuse us,” he says, not taking his eyes from mine, “I have some convincing to do.”

  Adriel rolls her eyes, but she’s just as amused as Alita. “Yes, please take this conversation somewhere private.”

  “Gladly.” I walk to the stairs with Kallen, impatience making each step a little faster. When we reach them, I’ve had enough of waiting. I teleport us to our bedroom.

  Chapter 4

  Kallen’s lips are on mine as soon as our feet hit the floor. I wrap my arms around his neck and think of us lying on the bed. It takes him by surprise when we are suddenly side by side on top of it. He recovers quickly and he pulls me on top of him, his hands roaming down my back and his lips capturing mine again.

  My husband. Words I had no idea that I would cherish so soon in my life. This gorgeous, strong Fairy is my husband and mine forever. I love him for many reasons, but right now I’m pretty fixated on my gorgeous husband’s perfect body. Every inch of me is alive with passion for him and each sweep of his hands over my skin leaves a trail of goose bumps.

  I’m not sure exactly when our clothes disappeared, but they are definitely long gone. Kallen places his hands on my cheeks and whispers, “I love you,” as our bodies join as one. I moan loudly as every movement brings us closer to sweet release. We muffle our cries of pure pleasure with our kisses and simply can’t get enough of each other. Each time we think we have gone as high as we can, our bodies beg for more and we have to oblige them. Over and over again. We make love for hours until we finally fall asleep in each other’s arms.

  Morning comes way too soon. The sunlight streaming in through the balcony is too bright to ignore, even when I snuggle into Kallen and try to block it from my eyes with my arm. I have my head on his chest and I’m about to pull the covers up as a shield when I realize that the rhythmic rise and fall of Kallen’s chest has stopped. It’s not sunlight streaming in, it’s Angel light.

  Creating myself a long white nightgown, I slide out of bed. Whoever came to visit is waiting for me on the balcony. I appreciate the consideration to my privacy. Though, since the two Angels I am closest to have Fallen, I have no idea who this could be.

  Moving the curtain aside, I know instantly who owns those wings. Urim. He looks the same as when I first met him: perfect dark skin, chiseled cheek bones and model-like bare chest. “This is a nice surprise,” I say with a smile. I like Urim. He was one of the very first Angels I met.

  “This is a peaceful place you have chosen to call home. The view is magnificent,” he says without turning around.

  I walk next to him and stare out at the ocean. “I love it here. But, I don’t think you came to talk about the pretty view.”

  He chuckles and just like the female Angels, his laugh can warm even the darkest mood. “No, I have not.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Yours is not an easy fate, Xandra.”

  A feeling of dread slithers down my spine. “I suspect that it’s not about to get any easier.”

  Urim turns his strong, handsome face to look at me. I have yet to meet an Angel who wasn’t drop dead gorgeous. “Great power often comes with powerful enemies.”

  I hate the way Angels are vague with the details because they can’t affect free will. They lose their wings if they violate it, but it’s still annoying. “My list of powerful enemies is growing rapidly. Can you give me a clue as to which one you’re referring to?”

  “I have been granted permission to enlighten you on some of the information I have, but not all. You have made an enemy not of the mortal realms and he seeks to do you great harm. An Archangel is an enemy that cannot be ignored, nor can we Angels ignore one of our own in danger.”

  It’s nice they think of me as one of their own. “Um, okay. I only know a handful of Archangels and I thought they all liked me.” It hits me with a sharp pain in my brain who he’s talking about. Oh god, please don’t let it be him. The only one who most definitely does not like me. At least, he didn’t like me when he thought I was Raziel. “Belial.”

  “I cannot confirm the truth in that,” Urim says, but the tone of his voice does just that.

  “How did he know it was me?” I was in Raziel’s body when I wreaked havoc on Belial. All the other Angels believed I was Raziel at the time. Didn’t they?

  “I have said all I can.”

  I sigh. “You know, it’s really frustrating talking to you guys.”

  Urim smiles and nods. “Yes, sometimes we even frustrate ourselves.”

  I smile and shake my head. “I believe you do.” Sobering, I ask, “Why were you able to come and tell me this?”

  “Angels may attempt to influence mortal beings with carefully worded suggestions, but as you know, we are not allowed to force them to do as we choose as it impedes on their free will. It is feared that your enemy may turn his influence into control in his efforts to exact revenge.”

  “Control who? Me?”

  He gives me an ‘I really can’t tell you, but I wish I could’ look. “I must go now. Be safe, Xandra.” Urim and the pure white light that surrounds him disappear. I’m left alone on my balcony staring out at the ocean. I really, really need a vacation.


  Chapter 5

  “Xandra?” Kallen says with sleep heavy in his voice. “You cannot possibly mean to get up yet.”

  I walk back through the curtains. His hair is a mess and he has a goofy, tired grin on his face. The sheet is low and his muscular chest and abs are exposed. He is so damn sexy. “I wasn’t planning on it. Urim just paid me a visit.”

  “Urim? The Angel?”

  I nod and crawl back into bed. “He came to warn me that Belial is out to get me.”

  Kallen wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. “I guess a vacation is out of the question then?” Disappoint rings through his words. He needs one as much as I do. It’s not just my life that has turned upside down since I discovered magic.