Harvest Moon (Beaux Rêve Coven 4)

Chapter 1

“With your blessings, come weal and bounty,

With our efforts, come fortunes plenty.”

To Ali Khan, the simple blessing the matriarch of the witches, Bryn Thorne, offered at the beginning of their meals was a hopeful note to set a congenial tone. Usually boisterous, this week’s Sabbat dinner, which drew all the sister witches and their guardians to Bryn’s table in the bed & breakfast, was a quiet affair. The reason blew bubbles and smiled as she was passed from one person to the next to admire her beauty and innocent smiles. Tonight was Esme’s first meal with the “extended family.” At one month old, she already sported fluffy blonde curls, and all swore she favored her mother’s piquant fae beauty with her slightly pointed ears.

Her parents’ indulgent smiles reflected a deep relief that Esme had been born female. At least with this child, Aoife and Sigurd need not worry about the fae swooping in to steal her. Her sex protected her—as did her already luminescent skin that marked her a witch.

When the baby made her way around the table to Khan, he held her in front of his face and locked his gaze with her bright blue-green eyes. Softly, he gave her a gift, one he’d honor no matter how much time passed. “As you wish, little one…” he whispered then gave her a kiss on her chubby pink cheek.

“My turn,” Radha said beside him, her tone impatient.

Khan shook his head. “You’ve held her many times. Have a little patience, witch.” He cradled the baby in the crook of his arm as he arched a brow at the woman who filled his days with frustration and his dreams with lusty antics that left him feeling barely rested when he woke.

Radha lifted her chin and tried to hold his stare, but her cheeks filled with color, and she reached for her wine glass, likely as an excuse to look away.

Khan chuckled softly. Glancing down at Esme, he said, “See, lovely girl? I’m getting to her.”

Radha snorted as she took a sip of wine then coughed.

With his free hand, Khan patted her back. “If someone would just surrender her pride…”

“My freedom, don’t you mean?” she said, her words hoarse.

When she fell neatly into his trap, he gave her a smoldering glance. “Darling, I’m jinn. I’m not out to feed off your power. My only desire is to grant your deepest wishes.” Then he smiled and shifted the baby, holding Esme out to her.

Radha reached automatically, bringing the baby against her chest. “You have to stop,” she whispered.

“Stop what?”

Her face screwed into an expression caught somewhere between an angry frown and an exasperated pout. “Stop trying to seduce me!”

The room went silent at her outburst, and he didn’t dare laugh as her blush deepened.

However, Darcy’s laughter filled the silence. “Radha, seriously. Put him out of his misery. He’s a walking boner, and your astral wandering is interfering with your REM sleep, too. You both look haggard as Hel.”

Radha’s frown deepened as she gave Bryn a glare, asking silently for her to intervene.

Her sister witch, who was busy spooning green mush into her son’s mouth, missed the look. Still, she did tsk. “Darcy, be polite. No man likes being called a walking boner.”

The demons around the table laughed while Khan smirked. He didn’t mind one bit. It meant someone had noticed his unwavering attraction for the lovely brunette.

Bryn’s mate, Ethan, cleared his throat. As the leader of their small band of demons, his interruption drew everyone’s attention. “Radha, however crude Darcy was being, she has a point. You’ve had well over a year to name your choice of mate.”

Radha nuzzled the baby’s cheek. “You said we could have our choice of mates. What if I haven’t met him yet?”

“There are seventeen single demons still living here in Bonne Nuit. Is there not one among them that you can see yourself marrying?” His gaze went to Esme who’d fallen asleep against her chest. “Esme and Tor,” he said, tilting his head toward his son, “need playmates.”

Radha’s jaw dropped, and Darcy sank into giggles. The redhead pointed at her sister witch. “That’s right, you have to start popping out those babies.”

Ethan’s stony face turned toward Darcy. “You need to make your choice as well. You’ve played with nearly every demon at this table. And we all know how well they’ve pleasured you. Choose one.”

Bryn’s face was set in calm lines as she looked to her husband. “It is time, sisters. My husband has been patient, but we all grow weary of this game. I know you have favorites. It’s time to think about our future and grow our coven and clan.”

Bryn’s words must have shocked her two single sisters, because both stared round-eyed. Bryn had always been their champion, soothing Ethan’s irritation at the lusty unrest that had surrounded them since that summer day the demons had arrived.

Khan sat back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. While Radha wouldn’t ever call him her favorite, he knew he was the only one among the demons who got under her skin, who could spark her outrage or make her blush with just one sly look.

With all the confidence of a jinn who’d lived a millennium, he relaxed against his chair.