Under a Blood Moon: Beaux Rêve Coven, Book 2 Read online

  His smile stiffened. “To be fair? There are three of us—three large demons, and you.”

  She liked the snippy way he said that, but not the way his glance swept her again, as though she was some delicate little flower—a ridiculous child even, defying a wiser man. “Only three? Not that fatiguing then.” Her smile grew as his mouth firmed. “Now, please, will you kiss me?”

  Chapter Two

  Renner Nielsen was caught between a bark of laughter and a groan. With Miren’s lower body pressed against his erection and her sweet plump lips ready for a kiss, he had her exactly where he’d wanted her for months—close enough to toss over his shoulder and rush to the nearest bed. And while she might make a fuss, for the sake of her pride, he knew she’d love every minute of it.

  If ever there was a woman in need of ravishment, it was Miren Lynch. Sun-streaked brown hair and sea-green eyes were unnecessary embellishments upon a woman built like an ethereal goddess—delicate but with full-breasts and hips and long, sleek legs. He ground his teeth as he fought the impulse to simply take her. Once he claimed her, there’d be no going back. But he’d seen how a relationship based strictly on biology could sour. His own parents, a siren and a draugr, had coupled like wild animals but couldn’t manage to make it through a meal without shouting at each other.

  He wanted more than that—for himself and for Miren. He was determined to leave her the choice for as long as possible. However, unclaimed witches were a demon’s ultimate possession, and this treasure of an entire coven, small though it was, was too tempting. Every day the women dragged their feet was another day they risked capture by some other demons—ones who might not be kind to witches who’d thrown off eons of tradition to seek their independence.

  He knew Miren understood this, which was why he was confused by her resistance to the idea of taking a demon mate. He ignored her teasing threat to consider more than one mate, because it was absurd. Sure, demons loved a good orgy, but witches were gentle creatures, small-boned and delicate. How could she even entertain such a thought?

  “I asked,” she said, her lips forming a frown. “Why are you making me wait?”

  “I’m still thinking about the twins, Mikkel and Elias,” he murmured, “and wondering how they could insert themselves into this embrace.”

  She blinked, rosy color flooding her cheeks. “If you don’t want to kiss me—”

  “Oh, I do,” he said, fighting the urge to smile. “But I’m thinking about what’s fair.”

  “Really?” She patted his shoulder. “You can still think?”

  A rush of sparking heat flowed from the spot where her hand rested, straight toward his groin, and his dick twitched. Something she couldn’t have missed.

  A moment later, her smug expression said she hadn’t.

  He cleared his throat. “You should know that a witch’s heat can cause a sea-draugr’s libido to boil.”

  “Seems you’re a bit challenged in that department,” she muttered, pressing her lower body closer. She moved in a little up-and-down motion, grinding against his cock. Her expression was stony, not a hint of her inner thoughts other than that slight blush.

  Renner nuzzled her cheek, scraping his afternoon shadow against her porcelain skin and noting the shudder that worked its way through her body. She could be his. So easily. If he pushed a hand beneath her skirt, he knew he’d find her wet. One spirited thrust and their desire would cause an echo that would reverberate through the ether, sealing both their fates.

  But all she’d asked for was a kiss, and footsteps were approaching. He was finished teasing. He dropped his gaze from her widening eyes to her pink mouth. Her tongue stole out and wet her upper lip. With a groan, he closed the distance between them.

  Her plump lips were soft as pillows with the texture of rose petals. In fact, he smelled roses as he rubbed against her mouth, savoring the feel of her lips and the way her body melted against his frame.

  But he needed a taste as well, needed to invade her body in the only way she would allow for now.

  He bit her lower lip, waited for her gasp and then thrust inside. She pressed her tongue against his for all of a second then closed her lips around it and sucked. Another groan, this one dragged up from the bottom of his lungs, rattled through him. But he wasn’t the only one making primitive noises. Her whimpers were delicious, feeding the feral, possessive side of him. He closed his arms around her and forced her legs up to encircle his hips. One hand molded her ass to keep her grinding against him, the other thrust through her hair.

  She was intoxicating—witch’s heat flowing through him in lapping tides while her fragile, feminine form quivered against him.

  Footsteps stomped closer, a hand landed on his shoulder—a clap that left him staggering because he hadn’t expected it. Reluctantly, he ended the kiss.

  Without glancing back, he knew the two mermen were there, because Miren’s eyes widened, and her swollen mouth curved into a cheeky grin. “Hey there, boys,” she said with a flutter of her fingers.

  He let her lower her legs to the ground and then held her steady as she swayed.

  Her cheeks were a lovely rose, her mouth a deep, crushed cherry. When he turned and placed a hand against the small of her back, he didn’t care who saw the effect her kiss had had on him. He wanted everyone to note her dishevelment, her dazed but pleased expression.

  As her sister witches, Radha, Darcy and Aoife, were led inside by their guardians, Mikkel and Elias stood with their arms crossed over their chests, their chins set in stubborn lines.

  “Mikkel, Elias,” Miren said, a sly note in her voice. “Renner’s brought up a good point. One I’d be remiss if I didn’t consider it.”

  Renner nearly groaned, because he knew what she was going to do, and what her actions, meant only to stir the pot, would put in motion. As much as his body tensed, rejecting the idea, part of him was also curious to discover how this would play out, what new things he’d learn about the mercurial woman whose sunlit, pretty looks dressed up a stubborn interior.

  Miren tilted her head to the side and mischief glinted in her sea-green eyes. “Of all those here to keep us safe, you three share the most in common with me. It makes sense that if I have to choose a mate, it should be one of you.”

  The mermen frowned and cast glares at Renner.

  “This was your idea?” Elias said, his navy eyes flashing.

  Renner shrugged. “I was only suggesting she should narrow her choices.”

  “I mentioned the fact that choosing seemed selfish.” Miren clapped her hand over her mouth when the mermen smirked at her words.

  Renner pressed his lips together to prevent a smile, knowing her temper was getting in the way of her better judgment.

  “Um, you know that’s not what I meant,” she muttered.

  Mikkel’s eyelids dipped as his gaze slid over Miren’s slight but curvy frame. He shrugged. “It’s practical. Teaming up would provide you the most attention, twenty-four seven.”

  “You’d never lack for physical affection,” said Elias.

  Mikkel grinned. “And more than one demon could enjoy the benefit of a union with a witch.”

  Her head wagged back and forth as the two men finished each other’s thoughts.

  Renner watched, wondering if the twins would make love with the same synchronicity. The way Miren’s gaze studied them, the same thought might have occurred to her.

  She tapped a finger to her lips. “A witch can share her powers where she chooses.”

  Renner planted his hands on his hips, not liking the fact she seemed to be seriously considering the inappropriate possibility. “But her mate’s share of her power is more potent.”

  “You’d see it divided into thirds?” Elias asked, a grin beginning to twitch at the corners of his mouth.

  “There seems to be a deep well of energy within you,” Mikkel murmur
ed, the huskiness of his voice a blatant tease.

  “What are you doing?” Renner mouthed to the two mermen over her head.

  Elias and Mikkel grunted, arms still crossed, their gazes locking with Renner’s.

  Renner shook his head and narrowed his eyes, giving them a steady, angry glare. Challenge accepted.

  “What did you do?” Bryn asked, grabbing Miren’s arm to pull her into the privacy of the kitchen. The other women were busy setting the table for the evening meal.

  Miren’s cheeks billowed around the deep breath she expelled. “I couldn’t help it. He ordered me to choose him—”

  Bryn’s eyebrows shot upward. “Ordered you?”

  “Then he said I really only had a choice between him and the mermen.” She tossed her hair back and fisted her hands on her hips. “And then he as much as said us delicate little witches couldn’t handle more than one mate, so I had to choose just one…” Miren pursed her lips before admitting, “I couldn’t let him be right.”

  Bryn shook her head. “The three of them are making a power play for you. And Mikkel and Elias seem very willing to share you, should you swing their way.”

  Miren pretended nonchalance while her heartbeat fluttered. The very idea was wicked with a capital W. “They are very handsome. They’re both very strong…” She sighed, remembering Renner’s hands holding her hips with a firm grip. “Renner’s strong.”

  Bryn rolled her eyes. “Renner’s the ass who got you into this mess. He should have just carried you all the way to your bedroom.” At Miren’s glare, she shrugged. “You know you want him.”

  “I want him in my bed, but I don’t want him as a mate.”

  “You’re letting your hormones guide you. For just a moment, be practical. Your power can’t be divided into equal shares among the three men. Only one man can claim you.”

  Miren’s cheeks heated, but she tilted her chin. “That’s not quite accurate. More than one man can fill me with his seed at the same time. I’ve heard stories.”

  Bryn’s cheeks were also a deep rose. “Maybe two, but how the heck would you manage to accept three?” When Miren opened her mouth to argue, Bryn leaned toward her. “How many men can you fit in your vagina at the same time?”

  Miren’s jaw sagged. She’d never heard Bryn speak in such a blunt, snide tone. “That’s how—”

  “That’s the only way a witch is claimed. The first to have his sperm inside you is the one whose fruit you will bear.”

  Anger at herself for not thinking this through washed through her. “I won’t be birthing watermelons.”

  “Watermelons aren’t fruit,” Bryn said, a ferocious frown drawing her eyebrows together.

  “Really?”

  Bryn’s eyes bugged in aggravation. “Stop changing the topic.”

  “I’m not the one who brought up fruit.”

  Bryn took a deep breath and then firmed her mouth into a line. “Do you want more than one of them in your bed?”

  Miren crossed her arms over her chest. Her cheeks were beginning to blaze, but embarrassment wasn’t going to stop her being stubborn. She hated losing an argument, hated being in the wrong. She’d brazen this out, even knowing she was digging herself a deeper hole. “If I have to choose one and live with him for the rest of my life, shouldn’t I at least know I chose the best one?”

  Bryn’s face screwed up in a fierce scowl. “Are you going to give each a horizontal interview?”

  Miren paused at her sister’s show of fire. Bryn was always so even-tempered, the peacekeeper in the coven.

  Bryn’s shoulders dropped and she reached out her hands to hold Miren’s shoulders as the two locked gazes. “Love, which one makes your blood sing?”

  Miren didn’t want to say it out loud. Didn’t want to admit that she’d already made her choice, because she knew there was energy in the spoken words that she wouldn’t be able to take back, and she wasn’t ready for things between her and Renner to move at a faster pace. So she shrugged. “Mikkel makes my pulse quicken. And Elias and I had a moment there when he helped me down off that ladder in the garden.”

  Bryn’s gaze bored into hers. “Have either of them kissed you?”

  “No,” Miren said with a pout.

  “But you kissed Renner—no, you begged him to kiss you.”

  Miren wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t beg him. It was just a polite please. I was curious…”

  Bryn arched one dark brow. “Really?”

  Miren’s gaze dropped. Her sister saw too much. “Look, I’m going stir-crazy.”

  Bryn released her shoulders and drew her closer to embrace her. “I know,” she said, murmuring against her hair. “Ethan and I had a long talk about that problem.”

  “After you rattled the dishes off the shelves?” Miren said, giggling, relieved the tenor of this conversation had lightened again.

  “Did not.”

  “Almost.”

  They drew back and shared smiles.

  Then Bryn’s expression turned winsome. “I just want you to allow yourself to fall in love like I have.”

  “I want that too.”

  Both their glances fell to Bryn’s round belly.

  “I’m all shades of green,” Miren whispered.

  Bryn brought Miren’s hand to her stomach and hugged it against her. “You shouldn’t be. You’ll get your turn. Choose.”

  Miren nodded. “I know I have to. I just don’t want any one of them to think I’m going to be an easy conquest. I’m not giving up my independence without making a really big fuss.”

  “As you should.” Bryn’s gaze went to the door leading to the dining room. “But in the meantime, Ethan is going to make an announcement. We’d better get out there before everyone gets restless and someone starts a fight.”

  Not an exaggeration. More than one night, meals had been interrupted by fights that spilled onto the porch and front lawn.

  Bryn picked up a basket filled to the brim with bread rolls and put it into Miren’s arms. “We’ll talk later.”

  No, they wouldn’t. Miren knew better, and she smiled. Once one appetite was filled, Ethan would hustle Bryn up the stairs to fill another. But Miren didn’t bother mentioning that fact.

  Already, she was bracing herself to see Renner again. After their kiss, he’d been called away, and Mikkel and Elias had hovered over her with their disapproving glowers while she’d raided the garden for salad ingredients for dinner.

  She braced herself for the scene that would play out the moment she stepped through the door, the jostling that would happen as the men tried to cordon her off to sit beside her at the large table. At first, their competition had excited her. The women had been alone so long—five years—isolated in their tiny bayou haven without any possibility of finding their true mates. Otherkin loved only once and could never truly give their hearts to a human.

  The sudden arrival of twenty demons in their midst had opened their minds and hearts to all sorts of wonderful possibilities—if they remained steadfast in their determination to seek a mate willing to share their power rather than control and consume it.

  Thoughts of the demon she’d been previously promised to by the counsel were enough to send a shiver down her spine. Mathias was a dragon. Ruled by fire. As incompatible with her true nature as any demon could be, but an acceptable political alliance because of his higher status in the hierarchy of demons. Mathias had thought a lap pool and long baths would suffice to connect her with her elemental spirit guide. He’d been raised in privilege, expecting to rule over his mate, to use her as he saw fit without any consideration of just how miserable she might be confined to the land—and to his bed.

  She would choose a more compatible mate. She had to. For her sake. The thought of never roaming the sea again was too terrible. But which of the three would best suit her needs? Pragmatism said she should
choose the mermen. They weren’t quite as smart as Renner. She could appeal to their free-spirited natures, manipulate them to form a union that allowed her the most freedom.

  But Renner…his draugr intensity appealed to her sensual side. He would challenge her every step of the way. But how could she ever know that her choices were her own when he could slip into her dreams to influence her? Already, her sleep was restless torture. How could she ever know that the heat he’d awakened in her was real and not something he’d fanned purposely?

  Miren gripped the bread basket against her middle and squared her shoulders. Well, he’d forced her to narrow the pool of contenders. Even if her heart led her to his bed, she wouldn’t concede without a fight.

  As a sea-draugr, able to shift into mist or animal, and with the ability to slip into her dreams, he would discover she was no easy conquest. She was witch. A prize he would learn to treasure and respect.

  Confidence restored, a smile stretched her mouth as she pushed through the door. Magic wasn’t just her avocation. It was her most formidable weapon. As her gaze sought his tall figure, she grew still inside. Whatever it took, she would have the mate she deserved.

  The idea that she could test the waters, so to speak, with all three of the waterkin…it offered all sorts of naughty possibilities. Why not have some fun along the way while she tweaked Renner’s nose and got closer to the mermen? Maybe she’d been so consumed with thoughts of the draugr, she hadn’t given the other two a fair chance…

  “Choose me,” he’d said. Huh.

  She shook back her hair. Watch me.

  Chapter Three

  Miren kept her smile fixed throughout the meal. She’d let Renner think she was reflecting on their kiss. That she was pleased he’d managed to muscle out the mermen for the privilege of sitting beside her at the table.

  She’d barely touched her plate, although the savory jambalaya Bryn had prepared was a favorite dish. The scent of oregano, bay leaves and thyme tempted, but her appetite wasn’t there. She’d been landlocked too long, and lack of exercise was taking a toll. What she really wanted was fresh shrimp—shrimp she’d dragged from the ocean bottom herself. She missed the smell of the sea, the feel of a swaying deck beneath her feet. She missed her boat the same way Darcy must be missing her cats and kiln, Aoife her flower garden and Radha her loom.