was Daelyn Torres.
In that moment, standing there ready to make the leap, he realized the symbolism of the act. The two of them would be taking a leap of faith that their relationship would make it through the long years. Together they would leap into their new life, leaving their former, separate lives behind.
Ky was willing to do anything for her, even walk through the flames of Hell. Luckily, he could jump over them instead. Three times!
His eyes left her attractive face to find the fire. Smoke rose from the dancing flames, its tendrils curling in the night air. The smell of the burning driftwood filled his nose and heat pushed against his skin, making his temperature rise. He watched tiny embers drift into the air with a pop and knew a moment’s hesitation. The thought of jumping over the flames made his heart beat faster in his chest. Only the sound of the Priestess’s voice drew his attention from the conflagration.
“Jump my children. Take the first leap into your new lives. Be forever bound by the symbolic gesture you make here today in front of your family and friends.”
Lyn gave his fingers a squeeze, which reminded him they were still laced together. “On three,” she said with a smile.
On the count of three from Lyn’s lips the two jumped over the dancing flames. To keep hold of Lyn’s hand, Ky reined in his strength, barely clearing the searing blaze before landing in the sand on the other side.
Daelyn’s scream dispelled all thoughts of how hot the fire felt passing beneath his body. Ky turned, immediately his eyes widening in horror to take in the sight of his mate’s gown aflame.
The gossamer material ignited like an Olympic torch, engulfing Lyn’s body in angry red flames. Her arms beat at the fire wildly, trying to put it out. A pained scream left her red lips, and the sound spurred the warrior into action.
Without thought to who might be witnessing the event, Ky lifted her into his arms and ran into the ocean, thankful for every ounce of his preternatural strength and speed. The cool water covered their bodies, and he kept Lyn immersed, knowing the chill would ease the burning in her cells.
He pushed out into the waves until just their shoulders and heads remained above the waterline. Lyn lay boneless in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. Her breaths left her lungs in shallow puffs, tears rolled down her cheeks to mix with the salty water below.
Ky remained still, allowing the ocean to caress them with its lapping, rolling waves.
“Is she okay?” Ky turned around at the sound of Matt’s voice and noticed the throng of people standing on the beach.
While the mass of spectators gathered at the water’s edge, only Matt and Bret lumbered into the water and battled the force of the waves to walk their way. Ky’s legs moved like leaden weights as he trudged toward the pair, meeting them half way. His clothes clung to his body, adding to the drag of their bodies through the water.
Matt reached out to take his sister from Ky. The warrior’s arms tightened instinctively around his heartmate. No one was taking her from him. No one.
A low growl of warning left his throat, causing Matt’s eyes to widen in disbelief. Ky watched the demon’s face harden into an implacable mask.
“She’s my sister,” the demon warned. Bret reached a restraining hand out, taking Lyn’s brother by his arm.
“She’s my mate.” Ky pushed between the two demons, making his way to the shore, uncaring in that moment whose brother he might be pissing off. Lyn was his. His to protect, to care for. He had no intention of releasing her care to her overbearing brother. He would be the one to see to her injuries.
When they emerged from the water, a young woman ran up to them carrying a large blanket. She wrapped it around his shoulders, gathering the coarse material in front of their bodies. Holding the blanket closed with her fists, she led them a little further up the beach, and came to a stop over a towel placed in the sand before the fire.
Ky knelt on the sandy towel, grateful for the warmth of the fire, yet hating the inferno at that same time for what it had done to Lyn. His mate moaned, the sound low and aggrieved brought his gaze to her face.
Ky noticed how pain furrowed her brow, caused tiny lines to appear along