Under a Blood Moon (Beaux Rêve Coven 2)

She knew it was Elias speaking. His quiet tone said he’d read her agitation when she’d exited her bath. Knew the source. Had likely known longer than she had that Renner was the one who tempted her to throw away her freedom. “I don’t know.”

A hand ruffled her hair. “Liar,” he said softly. “We understand. And we would like to offer our help.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the two men, torsos bared, but their trousers still cloaking their lower halves. Neither showed disappointment, just quiet resignation in their faces. “It’s not fair to you,” she answered.

“There are only four of you who are available. And already the other witches have their favorites. We know we’re out of the running. Renner’s our friend. We would see you both happy, Miren. What is it you need from Renner before you commit?”

Miren held his gaze for a long moment. “I need to know that he won’t seek to control me. That I’ll still be allowed my freedoms. That he loves me, not just the magic I will share.”

“Renner’s not a selfish man. He would never attempt to enslave you.”

“You know that, but I have my doubts. I can’t afford to take that on his promise or your vouch of his good character. I need something more substantial.”

Elias gave her a small smile. “Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. You have to learn to trust.”

She remembered how Mathias had changed after graduation, once he’d started working for the council. As a dragon, his strength was his immense physical power, which he used to intimidate. He’d become an enforcer, and when he’d been with her, because she’d been promised since she was a child, he’d taken for granted that everything she offered was his to take. To use.

“I need more time,” she said softly. “To know his true nature. I like his playfulness, but he took advantage, used his special gifts to seduce me. How can I trust him?”

“He’s frustrated, Miren. We all are.” Elias glanced at Mikkel and they both shrugged at the same time. “We’re demons, and our needs run deep and aren’t easily met with human women. And here you are, alone. You are tempting in ways I don’t think you fully understand. It’s not just about the sex, sweetheart.”

Mikkel nodded. “Someone like us, from the lower echelons, could only dream of a union with a witch. We settle for liaisons with sirens and other demons. But the pleasure you can bring, the power you can share—”

“And that’s the problem, isn’t it?” she said, coming up on her elbows and then rolling to her side, moving a thigh to shield her sex. “How can I know that he loves me for me? And not just for what I would bring him?”

Elias blew out a breath that billowed his cheeks. “You are lovely. Skin like a pearl, sweet curves a man or demon would treasure holding in his hands.” His gaze narrowed on her breasts. “He should not have marked you. Not without your permission. Perhaps our being here will keep him from being sure he has conquered you. He’ll work harder to please you.”

“We’ll work hard to please you too,” Mikkel said, a sly note in his voice. “You should let us finish that massage. We won’t overstep. And if we take long enough, he will finish his run and come back to discover you can find pleasure from another, even if it’s not the kind of pleasure my brother and I crave. We can make you moan, sweetheart. Don’t you think he deserves a little doubt?”

Remembering how she’d felt when she’d awakened and realized Renner had been making love to her body, pleasuring her for real, something he’d said he wouldn’t do, she felt a flare of renewed anger. The last thing she should allow would be for Renner to think his ploy had worked. That she’d crave only his touch and succumb easily to his seduction.

Would she really be wicked enjoying the twin’s attention, allowing their touch? She was awake, could stop them at any point if she grew uncomfortable.

If she grew uncomfortable.

Goddess, her body was tightening. The lingering tingle in her nipples grew. She could let them pleasure her breasts. Maybe even allow them to touch her between her legs. She’d be breaking no vows because she hadn’t made any. A sensual massage was all it would be.

Mind made up, Miren lay back, every inch of her front exposed. She wasn’t sure why, but she trusted them. Thought perhaps they could be friends. Renner had promised not to come to blows with them if she indulged in a little play. And since he’d left her this way, breasts stinging and her clit hot and engorged, why not let him wonder, as Mikkel had suggested, whether she was balanced on the edge of a decision?

“How is this fair to you? I won’t give you release. That would feel like a betrayal. And although I’ve given him no promises, I wouldn’t feel right about it.”

“Would you mind if we took pleasure from your body, something that wouldn’t require your involvement, but something that would bother the hell out of Renner? Make him jealous enough, unsure enough, he will rethink his path?”

She swallowed, half-aroused at the thought of watching these men take their pleasure, and admittedly intrigued to see what they planned. But mostly aroused wondering how Renner would react. “Can we take this slowly? Make sure he’s even here to see?”

Mikkel canted his head toward the open window. “I’ll go find some wine and glasses. We’ll wait.” To Elias, he said, “Make sure you keep her body warm.”

Chapter Five

Renner leapt onto the porch and shook his skin. In human form and nude, he stood in the shadows, unsure about what he should do next. He’d screwed up. Pushed Miren too far. Lied to her. How could a witch who’d risked everything, lost everything, ever learn to trust him, a demon, if couldn’t control his own desires where she was concerned?

“Think she kicked him out?” came an exaggerated, feminine whisper from the far end of the porch.

“The other two are upstairs. If she didn’t show him the door, he’s a fool,” her companion said in gruff disgust.

Renner aimed a glare at Bryn and Ethan. Bryn wore a sheet wrapped around her body. Ethan was naked.

Ethan lifted his shoulders. “We were enjoying the garden.”