Free Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn Page A

scream.
    “Tomorrow then? Day or night?”
    “Day. I am no vampire; I can walk abroad during the daylight hours. The two of you—no more—be here by noonsong, and bring your weapons. You will need them. Remember: The full-blooded Fae love silver. A silver blade will be of use, but not as much as cold steel.” She looked at me. “Or iron. You know of what I speak.”
    And with that, she dismissed us.
    We headed out to the cart, and Delilah took the reins, guiding the horse back to the parking lot. She tucked me in the passenger seat of the Lexus and I dozed all the way home, unable to even verbalize my thoughts.

    By the time we reached home, I’d caught a little bit of a second wind, but it wouldn’t last long. The three-story Victorian had never seemed so welcoming, and I wearily pulled myself up the porch steps. Once we were inside, we found everybody still up, waiting to hear what had happened. We ran down the gist of what had happened at Talamh Lonrach Oll, and then, before anybody could say a word, I raised my hand for silence.
    “Somebody call Menolly at the bar and fill her in. I need to go to bed.” I stood up, all too aware of the aching in my body that cried out for peace and relief from the chill.
    Smoky stood. “She’s correct. We were hard pressed in the Northlands. Iris, you need your rest also. We can discuss this over breakfast.” He swept me into his arms, and—followed by Trillian—carried me up the stairs.
    I leaned against him; the scent of cool wind and snow clung to his shirt, and his ankle-length silver hair reached around to caress my arm. We stopped in Morio’s room first—he had been set up in my study, in a hospital bed. Although he was allowed to sit up and even walk a bit, my youkai-kitsune needed every ounce of energy he could conserve in order to heal.
    His topaz eyes flashed with a smile as the three of us entered the room. Trillian checked to make sure Morio had plenty of water and snacks, and Smoky deposited me in the chair next to the hospital bed. I leaned against the mattress and reached out to take Morio’s hand.
    He had dark hair, long enough to trail down his back, and he was of Japanese descent, lean and wiry, strong as a demon—which, in essence, he was. In his fox form, he could dart rings around Delilah, and in his demonic form, he towered over everyone, eight feet of fighting machine.
    Now he just looked a little tired, but the color was returning to his cheeks and he seemed in good spirits.
    “Are you feeling better, my love?” I leaned over and kissed his lips.
    “Only a few weeks till I’m allowed back on my feet. I’m still tired, but I can tell my health is returning.” He brushed back my hair and trailed his hand down my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re home safe. They told me you made it back but that you were immediately called out. How’s Iris? Did she accomplish her mission?”
    “She did. I’ll let Smoky tell you about our trip. Meanwhile, I just want to rest and sleep.”
    Trillian took my hand, guiding me up. He turned to Smoky. “Camille’s weary. We can take away her fatigue.” The corners of his lips turned up in a faint smile.
    Smoky frowned. He was possessive—all dragons were—but he’d learned to share. I seldom went to bed without at least two of my husbands with me.
    “I’ll be in after I tell Morio what happened. Don’t start without me.” He kissed me deeply, his tongue flashing in and out of my mouth as tendrils of his hair slowly caressed my shoulders, stirring me even through my exhaustion. I leaned down and gave Morio a goodnight kiss, and he returned it.
    “I promise you,” he whispered, “Menolly and I kept apart during your absence.”
    “I’m not worried,” I whispered back.
    I allowed Trillian to guide me back to the bedroom. As tired as I was, I knew that sex would rejuvenate me and help me sleep. I enjoyed the thrill of my husbands’ hands trailing down my sides, of their bodies filling me full in every