Read Kindling Flames: Burning Nights (The Ancient Fire Series Book 6) for Free Online Page A

marveled.
    Vanessa nodded, at a loss for words to describe the woman who had just left.
    “Who was the naked beefcake with her?”
    “Zak,” Maggie answered.
    Beth whipped back around to stare at Maggie in shock. “Zak?”
    Maggie nodded.
    “As in the-little-ball-of-tentacles-that-eats-things Zak?” Beth asked trying to comprehend how the well-built man could have been the little hellhound.
    Maggie giggled. “That would be him.”
    “Damn.” Beth looked back at the curtain, envisioning the smooth planes of his well-toned body. “If I knew he could do that, I’d let him in my bed, too.”
    “He can’t.” Vicky wiped her eyes as she got herself back under control. “It’s something Lady Aine did so he could walk me down the aisle.”
    “That was sweet of her.” Ann smiled at her daughter, trying to be the rock that Vicky needed. Later, there would be plenty of time to freak out over the change in her reality. Right now, there were more important things to worry about, like getting Vicky ready for her wedding.
    “Now let’s get you fixed back up,” Ann said as she took a tissue from the table and rolled it up. “It’s a good thing you don’t need much makeup; this shouldn’t take any time at all.” She carefully ran the soft paper under Vicky’s eyes, removing the smeared mascara.
    “That’s not the only thing Lady Aine did.” Vanessa grinned as she turned around to get into Vicky’s makeup bag. “Our girl here is preggers.”
    Ann’s hand stilled on Vicky’s face as she considered her daughter. “Pregnant?” she asked.
    Vicky hung her head and nodded.
    Ann gave her a measured look. “Is it Darien’s?”
    “Of course it’s Darien’s!” Vicky snapped as she turned away from her mother and looked in the mirror on her dressing table. “Who else’s would it be?” she said angrily. Grabbing up another tissue, she scrubbed at her ruined makeup.
    Ann sat down next to her daughter and took the tissue from her hand before she could hurt herself with it. “Sweetheart,” she said in a soothing voice, “you have to admit, it is kind of surprising, with him being a…” Ann’s words stalled.
    “A vampire .” Vicky gave her mother a pointed look, filling in the lacking words. “You can say it.”
    “I know, dear,” Ann said in that tone all mothers get when their children have done something exasperating. “It’s just taking me a minute to get used to the idea that my soon-to-be son-in-law is undead.”
    “Why?” Vicky asked as she took the tissue back from her mother and rubbed away the mascara more gently. “You were planning on marrying a vampire,” she snapped angrily.
    Ann sighed. “I know, and let’s not get into that argument again, okay?”
    “Okay.” Vicky leaned over, accepting her mother’s hug and letting her anger go. Straightening up, she looked at herself in the mirror. “I really am a mess.” She said in a regretful tone. Her bout of crying had smeared most of her eye makeup away.
    “It’s not so bad.” Ann turned her daughter in her chair so she could fully see her face. “Just a little touch here.” She took the eyeliner from Vanessa and filled in what was missing on Vicky’s face. “And a little bit there.” With a flourish, she had the eye shadow fixed. “Good as new.” She pulled the mascara wand over Vicky’s eyelashes, removing all traces of the tears Vicky had been in. “You look lovely,” she said as Vicky turned to admire her mother’s handiwork.
    “Thanks, Mom.” Vicky gave her mother another hug. She didn’t know if she could have made it through the day without her mother’s loving support.
    “So,” Ann said as she tucked the pieces back in Vicky’s makeup bag. “Pregnant?” This time her voice sounded more enthusiastic.
    Vicky sighed and nodded her head.
    “Twins,” Vanessa added from where she stood, watching the pair.
    “Twins!” Ann’s face lit up with joy. “Twins?” she asked, looking over at Vicky, hoping it