Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (historical books to read .txt) 📕

with Jamie. It shouldn’t have happened and yet she couldn’t bring herself to regret it in the slightest. He’d really opened her eyes to the world outside the fae. There was no going back for her now.

She looked at him. His chestnut hair was mussed. He was completely still, tucked up under the covers. She reached out, touching his cheek. His skin was ice cold.

He really looks dead, but I guess this is what happens during the daylight hours for vampires.

She wondered why he was okay with her being here when he was vulnerable.

He trusts me.

It made her heart thump. All she’d ever wanted was a friend. Someone who didn’t judge her, who cared for her and trusted her. She’d found him in the most unexpected place.

Vampire or not, Jamie is all I could ever want in a friend.

She sat up, leant over and kissed his cheek. Hauling herself out of bed, she nipped into his bathroom and took a shower. It wouldn’t do to go home smelling of sex. She’d already have a lot of explaining to do without that.

She dressed when she’d dried herself off. Now she’d replenished her magic, she could afford to use a portal to get home. Her pale blue, glittering magic seeped out of her hands and a purple light appeared in front of her. She spared one last glance at Jamie, smiling. She hoped they’d see each other soon.

When she hopped the fence to her garden, Novus was waiting for her at the back door.

“Dani,” he hissed. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“I lost track of time and fell asleep at his.”

“You and I are going to have words later. Get inside and get changed.”

“Why?”

“Why? For fuck's sake, Dani, Father is here.”

She paled.

“Does he know?”

“Of course not, he thinks you’re upstairs asleep. Go now, I’ll keep him distracted.”

She slipped out of her heels. Novus stalked back in the house, leaving her trailing behind him. She waited until he went in the living room and shut the door before creeping up the four flights of stairs to her room. She collapsed on the bed, groaning. Why was her father here?

She couldn’t stay in her room all day. It was merciful she didn’t have any ill effects from drinking last night. The magic had burned that away not to mention the workout she received at the hands of her vampire friend.

Brain, you’ve got to stop thinking about that! I don’t care how good it was or how many times he made me come… It was six. Six blissful times. He is amazing in bed.

She slapped a hand over her face. Time to face the music.

Stripping out of all her clothes, she put on a more conservative outfit and tied her hair up in a bun. She stomped downstairs. When she reached the kitchen, she found her eldest brother sitting at the breakfast bar enjoying a cup of herbal tea.

“Theo,” she muttered.

“Oh look, it’s my lazy younger sister,” he replied with a raised eyebrow.

“You know I have trouble sleeping.”

It was the truth. She went through phases of it and none of the traditional fae medicine helped.

“Oh, that again. A human doctor could prescribe you sleeping pills.”

“And deal with Father’s disapproval, I think not.”

The housekeeper had left her breakfast on the stove. She turned on the gas and stirred it.

“What are you and him doing here anyway?’ she asked.

“Can’t I just want to see my favourite sister?”

“Don’t make me laugh. Everyone knows your favourite is Bella, you two are like peas in a pod.”

Theo rolled his eyes. It was the truth. Bella and Theo had always been conspiring with each other. She was surprised Bella’s husband, Gyan, wasn’t jealous.

“Fine, he’s here to deal with some incident involving our cousin, Willow. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.”

“I haven’t done anything to warrant getting a lecture.” Except hang out with a vampire and have sex with said vampire and breathe a human when I’m not supposed to. “What did Willow do this time?”

Their cousin was forever getting involved with the wrong crowd.

“Oh, pissed off the werewolves. Father should really just lock her up. That would solve everything.”

“Didn’t Novus say the Alpha is a complete bitch?”

Theo grinned, giving her a wink.

“Oh, more than a bitch, I swear that woman could kill with a single look.”

She took her porridge off the stove and dumped it out in a bowl. She took out the cut fruit from the fridge and mixed it in before sitting at the breakfast bar with her brother.

“Say, you seem perkier than usual.”

She frowned. Theo wasn’t normally so perceptive.

“Just glad to be away from the insufferable fae court.”

At least this was the truth, she hated the court and all its rules.

“Bunch of idiotic, simpering fools. Can hardly blame you.”

“How are you anyway? You’re the heir to the throne now.”

Whilst she didn’t think Theo deserved to rule the fae, they needed stability now more than ever. The uncertainty during Gwilliana’s rule over the line of succession had only brought trouble. Now, the future of the crown was secured.

“Don’t remind me. Father is lecturing me almost daily.”

“Oh boohoo, poor little Theo. You were going to provide the heir before. This is hardly that different.”

“Don’t you bring that up.”

He scowled, turning away from her. Oh yeah, I forgot, Candace is a sore subject.

“I’m sure Father will find you a wife who won’t run off with the Devil.”

“I’m going to put you in a headlock if you don’t stop talking.”

“Ooo, so scary.”

She picked up her bowl, slipping off her stool and flicking his ear before hastily retreating into the dining area.

“You really are a little brat.”

“Too bad I’m Father’s favourite then isn’t it?”

She