James stood, spied the spiked balls dangling from my earlobes, and thought better of kissing my cheeks. Instead, he tapped me on the nose and whispered, “I like this one.”
I never blushed and I was not about to start. “I bet he’s tasty,” I said, low enough neither of the other men could hear us over the background music filtering through hidden speakers. James coughed into his fist and rejoined his husband.
“We were just suggesting Alabastair spend some time in the sun during his stay.” Malvyn lifted his glass to me in lieu of possibly harming himself on his own creation.
I passed between the couch and the club chair and perched myself on the edge of a mid-century-modern ottoman. Alabastair stood and handed me a glass of wine and a cocktail napkin. I enjoyed being doted upon almost as much as I enjoyed watching his slacks rearrange themselves over his legs.
“I’m not a sun-worshipper myself,” I said, “but I understand the attraction. Was it ten years you spent with Dellwood Undertakers, Alabastair?”
“Please, call me Bas. And yes, ten years, six days, eleven hours, and forty-two minutes.” He smiled at me and continued to stand. James and Malvyn laughed at his response and lapsed into reminiscing about their own apprenticeships. Recalling his years mucking about in greenhouses tending to seedlings and saplings deepened my brother-in-law’s dimples.
Malvyn had served a series of exacting taskmasters during his years learning the jeweler’s arts. His interest in spellwork arose during his third apprenticeship to the extent he served two masters at once, a jeweler and a sorcerer. Somewhere in there he’d found time to study Magical Law and Enforcement. He flew through his exams, and was just, fair, and exacting. He was also the most well-appointed Enforcer the Province—and perhaps all of North America—had ever seen.
“Tía Mari?” A gentle hand on my knee brought my attention to my niece. “Ooh! You wore the melee morning stars Papa made.” Somewhat braver than her father, she managed the double kiss. “I’m going to see if Abuela needs me.” Leilani turned to Alabastair and introduced herself, waved to her fathers, and headed for the kitchen.
“Our parents are here,” Mal said, speaking to the necromancer, “in case Mari or Felicia neglected to mention the other houseguests. Carlos and Margarita spend at least a month with us every summer and this year it happens to overlap with your stay and my sister’s.”
“Thank you for allowing me to take up residence in your lovely home, and please let me know if my presence is at all intrusive for your family. I can make myself scarce or—”
Malvyn waved off Alabastair’s concern. “If anything, having you here will defray the possibility of familial warfare and keep my sister busy.”
“I have never had a problem keeping myself occupied,” I said, swatting my brother’s knee. I was slightly miffed he would suggest I had issues with boredom. I didn’t. Quite the opposite. Perhaps it was the types of objects that fascinated me and the ways in which I utilized them, that he objected to.
“Unless Professor Brodeur plans to keep me tied up when we’re not working, consider me an extra set of hands should my help be needed in the gardens and greenhouse. Or anywhere else for that matter.” Alabastair sipped his agua fresca. His cheeks remained pale, not a hint of blush at the idea I would tie him up.
Because I would. With his permission.
We would negotiate the parameters of our relationship, establish our safe words, and then I would tie up the intriguing necromancer with any number of threads, strings, and sundry materials in my possession.
While I quietly mused on exactly which color ribbon would look well against his skin, his gaze met mine. Pink flushed his cheeks and the front of his throat. Before I could stop, my body replied with an outburst of candor, and did the same.
Chapter 4
Diego, the majordomo, announced dinner. I willed my anxiety to take a back seat and went through the motions of standing and waiting for my hosts to lead the way to the table. A short, older couple appeared at the double doors to the kitchen. The two jockeyed for the lead before the besuited man with a headful of wild, silvery-white curls abruptly adjusted his attitude and motioned for the woman to pass.
She raised her arms to the assembled diners and clapped her hands. Bracelets jangled and rings flashed. Leilani exited the kitchen next, carrying a blown glass jug filled with water and topped with floating lemon slices. She set the jug on the table and claimed a seat.
“I am Margarita Bordador.” The elegant older woman made her way to me and rested one bejeweled hand on my arm. She offered her cheek as I introduced myself. I must have read her signals correctly, because after kissing her twice and helping her to the indicated chair, I was commanded to take the seat to her left. “This way, we can talk,” she added, patting my wrist.
Diego nodded at me as he passed between the wall of glass and the rest of the chairs to assist Maritza, then Leilani. Malvyn helped his father to the chair at the other end. Once everyone was seated and napkins covered laps, Diego placed small bowls of a creamy, fragrant soup on the plate at each setting.
Malvyn cleared his throat and lifted his wine glass. Mine had been filled without my noticing. I took up the delicate stem and waited for him to speak.
“To our newest guest, Alabastair,” he said. “Welcome to Salt Spring Island, and to our home.” He extended his arm in my direction and I acknowledged the greeting. He continued with, “Father, Mother, we are grateful to the revered ones that delivered you to us
