Page 82 of His Eternal Temptation

Onyx laughed. “Damn it. I might have to start liking you.”

He was impossible, but Rowan couldn’t contain his own laugh. He came over and sat beside the little beast. “Then can you help me work out what to do about Lane?”

“Sure.” His brow furrowed. “Why not ask one of your coven members to turn him for you? I know it’s not ideal, but it’d keep the two of you on even footing, no blind trust on either side. And if you don’t like involving a third party, do you think you could work through those reservations? How does Lane feel?”

“Lane would rather remain a witch than become a vampire. He’s never wanted immortal life. Don’t get me wrong, he’s open to it, but the opportunity was unexpected, and I don’t want him to lose his magic if it’s important to him.”

A surprisingly tender look crossed Onyx’s face. “You want to give him everything he desires, not settle for what works.”

“Damn right I do. I’d be happy to stay with him for his mortal life, but I imagine he’ll ask to turn eventually, and I’ll do it for him. I’m sure I can work through my misgivings about involving a third party, but I wish there was a way he could keep his magic. Have it all. A way for us to have a bond like yours and Nico’s. I want our connection to be about us first, and immortal life second.”

Maybe it was a fantasy, but Rowan wanted more than a sire-bond with Lane.

“It’s unfair that other beings don’t have mates.” Onyx grabbed Rowan’s arm, the touch surprisingly firm. “Wait. How do we know other beings can’t have mates?”

“Because you said they can’t.”

Onyx had introduced Rowan to the concept of demons’ mates when he’d appeared in Rowan’s life bearing news about demons returning to Earth after a thousand years trapped in Hell. He’d said demons had originally fallen to Earth to find their mates, but mates were rare, and only existed for Eternal beings.

“Yes, I said that because it’s what I’d always been told.” Onyx’s grip tightened. “How did believing what we’ve always been told work out last time, with the Eternal Realm and magic on Earth, and blah, blah? It was all bullshit. What’s to say other beings can’t have mates?”

Something sparked deep within Rowan. “You think?”

“I’d say the fated aspect may only happen for Eternal beings. I’ve never heard of anyone else discovering a bond that forms on its own, and an Eternal being can’t mate with anyone they aren’t fated to. A few demons tried back in the day. But who knows where the boundaries lie. Maybe being destined for someone can happen in degrees, the same way magic and mortality can mix and mingle, creating variations of existence. Damnation, I wouldn’t be surprised if every single rule they taught us in the Eternal Realm was a lie.”

The spark inside Rowan ignited, crackling down his spine. “Do you think the mating spell could work for Lane and me? Vampires can’t cast spells, and Lane can’t cast it since he has no immortal magic.”

Onyx chewed his lower lip, thinking a moment. “The one active power vampires inherited from demons is our hypnosis. The mating bond isn’t an illusion, but it is mind magic. Spirit magic. The linking and altering of souls and essence. It’s not like the other spells demons cast, and we already know vampires can alter souls. It’s how they turn other vampires. The two processes aren’t so different. Why not turn a mate rather than sire a new vampire?”

It was frighteningly logical. Not a wild impossibility, or a pipe dream. “You think this could work?”

“Yes.” Onyx’s sparkling eyes reflected Rowan’s own excitement. “Turning a vampire already shares similarities with the mating ritual. The blood exchange. The intent to form a link and give eternal life. But instead of draining all of Lane’s blood, take as much as you would in feeding. Have him do the same, and recite the spell with all the power in your soul. Make sure he accepts your offer with equal sincerity, and see what happens.”

“Could it backfire and hurt him?”

“This is new ground. I can’t say for sure, but it’s unlikely. You aren’t draining him, so there’s no risk of death, like there is in a vampire transformation. I’d say there’s no risk of madness—or feral-ness—since no domination is asserted. No influence. Mating can’t be completed against anyone’s will, the way vampire transformation can. Lane’s participation is as important as yours. Here, I’ll teach you the spell.”

“You will? You don’t mind?” His generosity was so out of character. Though perhaps that wasn’t fair. Until now, Rowan had known one side of Onyx, just as he’d known one side of Rowan.

Onyx gave him a small, genuine smile. “I don’t mind at all. I’m…happy for you, Rowan. I know I’m a dick about it, but I’m glad you’re Nico’s friend.”

“Wow, thanks.”

Onyx huffed. “Not gonna lie, I like you a whole lot more seeing you twisted up over Lane. Maybe he’s not the only one you should show your vulnerable side to.”

Rowan’s mouth fell open. “You’re one to talk.”

Onyx rolled his eyes so epically, they should have gotten stuck. “Ugh. Fine. I’ll be vulnerable if you will.”

Rowan’s insides squirmed. “Deal. But it’s going to take me time.”

“Oh, me too. I’ve got thousands of years on you. No one pushes people away like I do. Which is why we should start opening up to each other now. Ride this wave.” He leapt to his feet and wrapped an arm around the pole at center stage. “Will you teach me to dance, friend?”

Rowan stood and primly adjusted his suit jacket. “Take a class.”

“Spoil sport. I suppose our double act can wait. But I want an invite the next time you’re up here flaunting it. Oh! Do your infamous sex parties have a pole? Ever gotten fucked while you were twisted around one?”

“You’re doing your best to make me regret this friendship, aren’t you?”