“Alina,” he said in greeting.
She turned with a bright smile but Ciar saw her eyes narrow as they took in his natural form.
“I suppose you were with the witch,” she said, gliding toward him. “Or do I have even more competition?”
Ciar crossed his arms when she reached him. “Who could ever be your competition?” he asked lightly. The teasing words tasted bitter on his tongue.
“Exactly.”
Staring at the woman who should have been his wife, Ciar knew he should be happy to have her back. The day he’d lost her he’d thought life would never again be worth living. Here was his second chance.
Except Alina felt short beside him. Her black hair was too dark, her eyes nothing like the clear green that haunted his dreams.
She stepped closer and rubbed her body against his in invitation. Ciar gritted his teeth as she brushed her hand over the erection straining to burst free of his jeans.
“Someone’s happy to see me,” she murmured.
Ciar bit back his instinctive denial. Why not take what Alina offered? They’d always been incredible together in bed. Perhaps losing himself in pleasure could help banish Mikayla from his mind.
But even as he considered it, the urge felt hollow in his chest. How could he kiss another when Mikayla’s taste still lingered on his lips? He wouldn’t be able to stand it.
“Let’s go back to our room,” he said instead. “We have much to talk about. I want news of my kin.”
Alina blinked, clearly surprised by his refusal. Her eyes flicked to the attic stairs before she forced a smile back to her lips.
“Of course,” she said, taking his hand. “There’s much to tell.”
As Ciar followed her, he couldn’t help think of the woman he’d left behind.
Trust me, she’d begged.
He shook his head. Demons didn’t trust.
And they never loved.
Chapter Seven
Two days sped past before he knew it. Ciar had hoped the sisters would find a solution but so far there had been no new revelations. With one day left to go until his ultimatum expired, Ciar wondered what his next move should be.
He’d seen the trio of witches working round the clock, noted the dark circles under Mikayla’s eyes. She was trying her best for him, of that he had no doubt. But he needed to understand why she kept so many secrets.
They hadn’t spoken since their interrupted embrace in the attic and her absence ached like a wound. But every time he weakened, ready to go to her, Alina was there. She was his constant companion, telling him tales of their homeland. In his weakest moments he found himself longing for the world she depicted. He knew, however, that there was no future for him there. There never had been.
But was there one here, with a woman he shouldn’t want?
He’d seen her sneak out back minutes earlier. She’d be alone. He could…
What? Fight her, throw more angry words about, or far more dangerous, kiss her?
He shouldn’t seek her out. They still had one more day to fix this mess. He could confront her tomorrow.
Except this time there was no Alina to hold him back.
The need to go to Mikayla clawed at him. He wanted to close his eyes and wrap his arms around her. The only time anything in his world had made sense in days was when she’d stared up at him with pleasure-glazed eyes. Despite her lies and tricks, he needed her in a way he’d never craved another.
Surely there would be no harm in checking up on her? Just a quick glance to assure himself the exhausted witch was fine and he’d disappear. She never needed to know.
He knew the desire was foolish but found himself already slipping out the door.
The backyard was shadowed and dark. From the porch he looked out over the spacious garden but couldn’t see past the rose bushes. The garden was a perfect place to hide from prying eyes. Mikayla would be assured of her privacy here.
He jumped down from the porch steps, stumbling only slightly when he landed on four paws. The grass was soft beneath his feet as he went in search of his lover.
He shuffled past the rows of herbs and flowers and rounded the massive rose bushes that provided the back of the garden with privacy. There she was, stilling on a stone bench exactly where he’d thought she’d be. Her head was tilted back, eyes closed. Even as the magic rushed through him to begin his transformation Ciar noted the sad look on her face. He wanted to growl as the black smoke surrounded him. Mikayla should never look that way.
His perspective changed as he grew to his natural height. The garden that had been so monstrously large just seconds ago shifted into proper proportion. A wave of dizziness swamped him the moment he was back in his body. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the lingering weakness. It had been happening more and more of late. Any time he changed back, the transformation took more out of him. Who knew if it was a good sign or not.