the baby. You made yourself very clear when you said you wanted nothing to do with mating and fatherhood.”
“I am not good for you.” He withdrew. “You know I’m not cut out for mating. My work is dangerous. I care very much, but I’m not capable of the devotion you sought. I’d rather see you happy and settled.”
“And allowing my parents to pawn me off on Sean Blackbourne made your life much easier, didn’t it? In days, he and I were to exchange the words that allowed you to go, guilt free, back to your warring and whoring.”
Something cold settled over his face. “Exactly.”
“I shouldn’t be here.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Safety had been her first concern. Raiden would know how to protect her from Mathias, but perhaps she’d underestimated Sean. His family was powerful. Maybe he would know how to protect her equally well.
“You did the right thing.”
“The hell you are! In my home, you can’t teleport in or out without my permission.” It was a common safety measure. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re remaining here. I’ll keep you safe, even if it takes my last breath, and you know that. What do you know about Sean?”
That he was going to man up to the responsibility Raiden had rejected.
Anger boiled up in her, morphing to a new realm of fury. She marched to him and slapped his face. He recoiled from the blow, a tic working in his jaw, but said nothing.
“I gave you everything,” she shouted. “Everything! I revealed myself to you in a way I’ve never done with another lover. I opened my heart and body to you. Yes, I knew your reputation, but when you came back to me again and again, I allowed myself to hope that you cared. And you knew that,” she snarled. “You knew how badly I wanted you for a mate, how totally I gave myself over and over. I think I willed your seed to take root, praying that you’d…”
God, it seemed so stupid now. So foolish and naive. She’d bedded down with one of the most notoriously carnal wizards ever and gotten what she’d deserved. Still, the pain staggered her.
“You’re right. I took advantage. I… the way you revealed yourself slowly to me, unfurling each time, shedding your ladylike inhibitions to embrace the sizzle between us, how could I refuse when you kept tempting me?” He shrugged. “Sorry. Next time, don’t offer.”
Chapter Four
As the sun rose, Raiden left her.
After dressing and repairing her hair, Tabitha wandered from room to room in the big house until she encountered a cozy library—and found another intimidating wizard inside.
“Hello, Tabitha.” A mirror image of Raiden rose, except his hair was dark as night.
This must be Raiden’s twin.
“Ronan, correct?”
He nodded, approaching her slowly. “I’m sorry we’ve not met before.”
They hadn’t because Raiden had tried hard not to incorporate her into his life.
Then why hadn’t he simply dropped her in Sean Blackbourne’s lap and washed his hands of her, especially when she’d demanded he do exactly that?
When Ronan stuck his hand out, she approached cautiously. His eyes showed nothing but concern. His signature proclaimed him mated. She put her hand in his, and he smiled.
“Nice to meet you.” And it was. She’d known that Raiden had a twin but not how identical they were. In fact, she knew very little about Raiden’s life other than his sexual one.
“I’m sorry we’re meeting under these terrible circumstances, rather than a more auspicious one, like the coming youngling.”
“Where is Raiden?”
Ronan paused, clearly deciding what to tell her. “He had an errand and asked me to keep you company.”
Doublespeak. Raiden had left, avoiding emotional intimacy, as usual. Or perhaps doing something he considered to be for her own good without first consulting her. Both possibilities rubbed her the wrong way. “Does every male in your family have difficulty with open and honest discourse?”
“Indeed. My mate has tried to teach me….” His smile was self-effacing.
“You wouldn’t want to disappoint her, then. Let’s try this again. Where is Raiden?”
“He said that you were beautiful but neglected to mention that you’re a cunning little thing.”
She cut him a killing glare. “Don’t flatter me. I’m a woman who lost her entire family barely twelve hours ago. I’m aware that as his encinta I have no claim on him, and he may very well be out with another woman. I understand your reluctance to admit that to me, but—”
“No. Raiden is looking for clues regarding the secret tree your father mentioned, as well as taking care of some of the burial details for your family. He didn’t want to trouble you.”
Tabitha froze, stunned. Her family? Did he think her weak or incapable? “They are my responsibility. I’ll take care of them. Why hide that from me?”
“We both feel it’s too much, given your condition and recent loss.” He sent her a probing stare. “Raiden suspected you would disagree.”
And had done whatever the hell he’d wanted anyway. Lovely. “I’m pregnant, not hysterical.”
Ronan looked as if he swallowed a smile. “He will come to you for the decisions regarding clothing, location, time, and such. He merely wanted to spare you the preparation of the bodies.”
A physically arduous, emotionally trying task—one usually reserved for family. If Raiden was truly protecting her, she ought to be glad. Instead, she couldn’t help but ask why. And why spare her the bathing, preserving, and painting of her family’s bodies? Merely to keep her from becoming overwrought and harming the baby? It was the most likely explanation… yet could his caring mean more?
Such hopes had landed her alone and pregnant. She had to stop wishing for some ridiculous fairy-tale ending now.
“Hmm. Would you like to tell me why he’s so secretive and closed?”
Ronan peered at her with amused disbelief. “I’d sooner wrestle in a pit of angry cobras without my wand.”
“Brilliant. Should have known you’d take his side.”
He shrugged. “Any good brother keeps his twin’s secrets. Though if he’s half as much like me as I believe him to be, there will come a point he won’t be able to keep anything from you.”
That didn’t sound like Raiden at all. “What point would that be, when I’m threatening his life or manhood?”
Ronan choked back laughter, then shook his head. “When he stops denying what’s in his heart.”
Raiden entered his house with a curse on his lips. Nothing. Not a single goddamn clue that would help him protect Tabby or figure out this secret tree, whatever it was. Now what the devil was he supposed to do?
He entered the library moments later. Ronan sat in the room’s cozy armchair, studying Tabitha like an intriguing puzzle. Raiden would have been jealous if he hadn’t known how crazy his twin was about Kari, his mate. And since Ronan was ridiculously happy with Kari and believed every wizard should be thus, Raiden knew that Ronan was plotting his downfall into an equally harmonious state.
Matters weren’t that simple for him and Tabby. Never would be.
“Did you find anything useful? Or would you like me to take over the duties with my family?” she asked as he stepped farther into the room.
Raiden sent a glare his brother’s way. “So much for secrecy.”
“She has the right to be involved. It concerns her.” Ronan’s gentle chiding chafed him.
Raiden hated when his slightly older brother was right. “You may go now.”
“Looking forward to it. It’s somewhat painful to sit here and watch you make an ass of yourself.”
“Bugger off,” Raiden said with mock cheer.
