Free Kindling Flames: Burning Nights (The Ancient Fire Series Book 6) by Julie Wetzel Page A

back to the road. “There aren’t many who could stand up to a hellhound when it got serious. Zak would be next to impossible for me to take down.” He rubbed the back of his leg against the seat as he thought about the fay mark embedded in his calf. If they ever really got into a fight, Zak would have some control over Darien through that mark. A reassuring gurgle echoed in his mind making him smile. “But I don’t think that will happen.”
    “Good.” Vicky leaned her shoulder into her seat and rested her head on the headrest so she could watch Darien drive. “I’m not sure I could choose between you two.” She rubbed Darien’s hand where he still held hers. “I love you both.”
    Darien made a contented noise and settled into the drive to the airport. A draft rippled across Vicky’s wings making her shiver.
    “Question.” She broke the comfortable silence, drawing Darien’s attention. “What are we going to do about these wings?” Darien raised an eyebrow, making Vicky go on. “I mean, it took nearly a full day to break the spell last time, and all that did was make them sink into my skin.”
    Laughter bubbled out of Darien. “I have my powers back. It should be a lot easier to break the spell now.” He pulled her hand to his chest and cuddled it. “And this time I’ll make sure to rid you of their hold.”
    Vicky drew in a deep breath as she considered his words and what the queen had told her. “Yeah, about that.” The concern in her voice drew more of Darien’s attention. “I haven’t told you all of what Lady Aine said,” she said, giving Darien a sidelong glance.
    He sat taller in his seat waiting to hear what she had to say.
    “The wings weren’t the only thing the lesser fay did at Halloween. Lady Aine said they made me immortal.”
    Slamming on the brakes, Darien threw the car into park in the middle of the street and turned to face Vicky. “They did what ?”
    Recovering from the sudden stop, Vicky stared at him in shock. Her wings trembled as she tried to get the words out. “She said she didn’t usually let the lesser fay have mortals, but she saw fit to let them play with me. Called it her wedding gift to us both.”
    Letting out a bark of laughter, Darien pulled the startled woman into his arms. “Fay touched!” he said almost hysterically as he buried his face in the hair at Vicky’s neck.
    She wrapped her arms around him. A torrent of rampant emotions spilled over her through their link. The mixture of anger, disbelief, relief, and joy made her head spin. She held onto him waiting for the sensations to pass.
    “I don’t know whether to love that woman or hate her,” Darien finally said as he sat up and looked at Vicky. “She both infuriates and delights me.” Letting out a calming breath, he released Vicky and turned back to the car. He dropped it into drive and took off. “And here I was worried about our future.” He glanced back over at Vicky and snorted out a short laugh. “Fay touched.”
    “What does that mean?” Vicky relaxed in her seat again. The moment of anger had passed, leaving the emotions rolling off Darien pleasant and warm.
    Darien considered his words before explaining. “It means a lot of things, but the most important is that you won’t age.”
    “Lady Aine said that,” Vicky confirmed. “She also said that you wouldn’t have to ‘bless me with your affliction’.”
    A sad smile slipped across Darien’s face. “No, you will remain as you are without the need for vampirism.”
    “You would have turned me into a vampire?” Vicky asked quietly.
    Letting out a long sigh, Darien stared out the front window for a long moment before answering. “I’m not sure,” he offered truthfully. “I’ve had mixed success with fledglings and I hadn’t decided if I should offer you that option or not.”
    They sat in silence for a few moments before Vicky spoke again. “Lady Aine told us what happened. About how your last girlfriend didn’t