Artistic Vision

He released her and took a step back, staring at her with wistful greed. The wistfulness was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, but the fact it had been there, that he wanted her that badly, sent her heart racing. “Welcome home, Akane.”

She hid her shiver as best she could, but damn it. His voice did things to her, especially when he used that deep, warm tone he only directed at her. “This isn’t home.” She sniffed and almost stomped past him, remembering at the last minute the dirt driveway beneath her three inch heels.

“More home than you’ve ever had before.”

She paused; something about his tone set her back up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His rich laugh followed her into the brightly lit house. The cream-colored walls and dark, sturdy wooden furniture wasn’t her taste, but Aileen and Sean Du

She blinked.

Family? Since fucking when?

She growled low in her throat and headed for the kitchen, knowing Aileen Joloun Du

“Gods, child, you look exhausted. Here, have a seat and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.” Aileen’s soft Irish accent had a bit of Brit in it, marking her as from one of Ireland’s conquering families. The fact that Aileen Du

“You’re a saint, Aileen.” She glared as Shane made his way into the room, gifting his mother with a kiss on the cheek. “Unlike some people I know.”

Aileen’s tinkling laugh filled the room. “Ah, now. Have you two been fighting again?” Her hair fell to her waist, a straight, shining curtain of glowing red-gold just a touch darker than her son’s. Slightly tilted green eyes the color of emeralds peeked out from under the longest, most lush lashes Akane had ever seen. Her chin was delicately pointed, her nose fine and aristocratic, her lips full and pink. She could see the resemblance between Moira, Aileen’s daughter and Jaden’s female bondmate, and her mother, but she could find little of the woman in either of Aileen’s tall sons.

“A wonderful sound to come home to.” Sean Du

Now here was where she saw Shane. Oh, Shane mostly had his mother’s coloring, but when it came to size and shape, he was his father’s son. Tall and strong, Sean Du

She turned to find Shane studying her, watching her reaction to his father’s kiss. She raised her brows and leaned back in her chair, daring him to comment.

When he did nothing more than give her that knowing, irritating grin she turned back to his parents. “How are Ruby and Leo?”

Aileen’s shoulders tensed for a brief moment. “They’re fine. Settled in nicely. Leo’s business is on hold until this Child of Du

Akane almost gasped. Aileen hadn’t cursed the entire month she’d known the woman, at least not in polite company. It wasn’t the way the Sidhe lady had been raised.

She caught sight of Sean’s worried look. Aileen had to be more upset than Akane had thought. “I will fix this. I give you my word.” She meant it too. Shane aside, the Du

Aileen smiled at her. “I know you’re doing your best, Akane, and we’re grateful for it.” A mug of tea was placed in front of her, sweetened just the way she liked it. “And I think you’ll be wanting a bath after this?”

Akane nodded. She was so tired she couldn’t see straight, but damn if she’d let Jethro see that. “Yeah. A bath sounds nice.”

That a

If Akane wasn’t so tired she’d take him up on that dare.

“Shane.” The warning in his father’s voice would have amused her if she wasn’t so drained.

“Da, I know what I’m doing.”

The two men exchanged an enigmatic look, but to her surprise, Sean backed down first. “All right, then.” He brushed a brief, surprising kiss across the top of Akane’s head. “I’ll go change, then. We’ll keep the house quiet tonight, Akane. Get some rest.” And he sauntered out of the room, Aileen’s eyes glued to her mate’s back.

The speculation in them was soon turned on Shane, who held up his hands, his expression all i

Aileen’s gaze narrowed. “Hmph.”

When Shane merely chuckled, she shook her head and turned back to the stove.

The di

Aileen’s hand reached out and cupped her chin. The Sidhe was taller than she was, but not by much. Then again, most adults were taller than Akane. “Sleep, child. We’ll let Sal keep watch again.”

She smiled. Sal, the salamander she’d defeated when it had been ordered to attack the Du

He waved merrily at her. “Night, Miz Akane.” He gri

“Ugh.” She shuddered and walked out of the kitchen, the sound of Shane’s laugh a balm to her soul, unwanted though it was.

“Are you ever going to stop teasing that girl?”

Shane picked up the tea his mother set in front of him. He swished some around in his mouth before answering his mother. “Stop? Why? She enjoys herself way too much for me to stop.”

His mother bopped him on the back of the head with the flat of her hand. “Shane Joloun, do not make me break out the wooden spoon.”

He laughed up at his mother, adoring the way her face lit up. “Trust me. I’ve got inside information.”

“Oh?” Aileen pulled up a chair and propped her chin in her hand.

“Subtle, Ma.” He took another sip of his tea, smiling when the water in the upstairs bath started. Akane would soon be naked and wet. Too bad he couldn’t do anything about that yet.

“I try.”

“Let’s put it this way.” He leaned in and whispered in his mother’s ear. “I have her mom on speed dial.”

Aileen’s head dropped onto the table. “She’s going to kill you when she finds out.”

He leaned back and propped his feet on the chair across from him. “Then I can’t let her find out, can I?” He gri