Silas spends half the day having his fun with her as I stand guard outside his door to make sure he isn’t interrupted, upon his request. The only thing able to distract him from his fun is exhaustion and hunger, once again leaving me to return the prisoner to her cell. Once we reach our destination, she says, “Well, he’s quite sick in the head, isn’t he?”
Letting out a chuckle, I watch as the wounds disappear on her skin again. Silas is very meticulous on making sure his prisoners can’t use their magic. I watched him go through the steps today, so I know she shouldn’t be able to do what she’s clearly doing. Stephen and I found a workaround for those prisoners who join our cause, but she isn’t at that step yet.
“What are you?” It’s the only reasonable option for her being able to use magic—she isn’t one of us.
She gives me a huge smile. “Ah, there it is, I was worried you wouldn’t figure it out. How is it you don’t know what I am?”
This is like Cecily part two, where I don’t know the things they find obvious. “You’ve seen the man who raised me, does he seem like the type to teach me anything I should know that could be used against him some day?”
Raising her eyebrows, she says, “Yeah, I suppose that makes sense. My name is Thea, and I’m a fairy. Our magic works differently than yours.” Well, that explains a lot. Silas’ tea must not work on her.
“If your magic is intact, why are you here? You could’ve escaped at any time, you’ve been faking it when the guards and Silas thought they had control over you.” Why anyone would stay here when they could leave is beyond me.
“I told you yesterday, I’m searching for my friend. If you’re her mate, then I’m sure you don’t want to trust anyone with knowledge about her. But despite all of the commands I was given to wait for the Fates to tell us it’s time to help her, I can’t wait to find out if she’s okay. I waited as long as I could. Please, if you know anything, I need to find her.” Thea’s eyes fill with tears, and I can tell without a doubt she truly cares about Cecily. Then, there’s also the fact Cecily told me all about her only friend growing up, whose name was Thea.
It’s hard wanting to trust her with no assurances, but I do it anyway. “Cecily is safe, I won’t tell you where, but she’s alive and doing relatively well for someone whose soul has separated from their body.”
Thea covers her face and her shoulders shake as she silently cries. “Oh, thank the Fates. All of our spells to find her failed and then her mother got a message from the Fates saying she needed to wipe Cecily from memory to protect her. Now the world is wasting away slowly, the anchor is flailing about, and Cecily is still missing. We never thought we would have to wait this long! Are you sure she’s okay?”
No doubt about it, this girl truly cares for my mate. “She doesn’t know I’m there, but when I’m sleeping, my soul goes to join hers. It’s lonely there for her, not having anyone to talk to. She’s coping though.” Thea jumps up and wraps her arms around me in a fierce hug, relief apparent in her eyes.
“What happened? I need to know everything!” Her request is reasonable, but speaking it all out loud... I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
Chapter 20
Cecily
Present
Derrick was able to help me think through the steps to perform the spell. The goal to cause the observers of the bear-shifting to forget the incident is within reach. It took some time because I needed to teach him what each element contributes to a spell. His analytical mind for thinking things through and connecting related dots made him the perfect partner for figuring it out. His studious ways were nurtured with the whole experience, and he was eager to learn as much as I could teach him.
We also had to enlist some butterflies to help us find the ingredients we needed, but finally we were able to get it completed. When we finally stumbled into the room with the others, they were all asleep. There were two bedrolls left available, one on the end of the row, and one in the middle. It didn’t take much thought to realize the one in the middle was meant for me. Collapsing onto my bedroll, I fell asleep without another thought, not even sparing a thought as to who’s on either side of me.
Now, I’m in a warm cocoon surrounded by heat, not wanting to open my eyes quite yet. The second I do, I need to get ready and hit the road to help the bear shifter. Need may be a strong word, because I don’t have to go with the guys. Fates know there’s enough for me to work on here at the castle. With that in mind though, I’m not about to leave one of my subjects out there when they need help, and I may be the only one who can offer it to them.
I’m on my side right now, someone behind me spooning with their head nuzzled into the back of my neck... couldn’t even begin to guess who it could be. Now in front of me... there’s no doubt in my mind it’s Alex. He’s pressed up to me, running his fingertips all along my skin. Tracing my arm up to my collarbone, along my neck and my jawline.
A featherlight touch that has me fighting off chills. Without trying, he’s setting off my nerves, causing my nipples to harden and my thighs to clench together. His face is right in front of mine, breath warming my lips... I so knew I was pulling an Alex, when I kissed Derrick while he was sleeping. I’m almost wanting to hold my breath waiting for Alex to kiss me, but another part of me wants him to wait, to get my permission.
My lip twitches with the thought and I fight the urge to bite it, as his fingers find the skin at my waist where my shirt has ridden up. He trails them up again, pulling my shirt with him as he goes. It’s becoming unbearable to keep still. His lips are so close, the faintest brush touches my lips when he whispers, “I know you’re awake, Angel.”
His hand stops moving up, and gradually runs all the way down to my knee. When he reaches it, he grips my knee and brings my leg up over his hip, before resting his hand on my ass and pulling my body closer into his. Knowing he called me out for being awake, I open my eyes, only to be staring right into his golden gaze. My expectation was to find passion in his eyes to go along with all of his constant teasing. What I actually see is adoration and a desire to make a connection.
I’m not sure how I know, but there's no doubt in my mind he wants to spend time with me, to make more of a connection than just the surface flirting he’s been doing. He needs some meaningful time with me, the only thing is, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to give it to him right now. I need to give himsomethingthough. “What’s your favorite breakfast food?”
The cocky grin he was wearing turns into one of true joy and a sparkle shows up in his eyes, telling me my question was the right thing to say.
“Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Seeing as I haven’t tasted you yet, I’ll have to go with French toast. When Marcus makes it, it just melts in your mouth, causing all of your taste buds to scream in joy... or moan, I bet it would make you moan. Yep, we need to get you some French toast! You can eat it right in my ear, Angel.” He waggles his eyebrows at me, making sure I got all of his innuendos. Sigh, just when I think Alex is going to be serious, he has to bring in all the dirty talk. He nuzzles his nose against mine before asking, “What’s your favorite?”
Thinking about it, I can’t quite say what my favorite would be, it’s been so long since I’ve actually had breakfast, and to be honest, I don’t think the foods I used to enjoy could even be considered a favorite anymore. “There are so many breakfast foods I think I’ll love, but I can’t be sure without trying them.” I shrug, trying to give an air of nonchalance so he’ll move on from the topic.
I place one hand on top of his chest... how did I not notice he isn’t wearing a shirt? Suppose the distraction of his gaze being only an inch from my face resulted in me not noticing. Whoever is behind me, chooses this moment to put their arm around me and scoot closer, causing me to be more sandwiched than ever before.
Alex gives a smirk, and I can’t help but wonder if he knows how much my body is lit aflame right now. And they aren’t really doing anything at all to ignite such a reaction. “So, Angel... now that I’m in the club and wearing your mark... does that make you my girlfriend until we seal the bond?”What?My eyebrows scrunch together. “You know, seeing as how sealing the bond would be more along the lines of having a husband in the human world? That would make me your boyfriend, up until we do the horizontal tango.”
Oh, man. What am I going to do with him? “Who’s to say I’ll ever seal the bond with you? I do have three other mates. Isn’t that more than enough?” Goading him is a little too much fun right now.
In fake outrage, he drops his mouth open and holds a hand to his chest. “Why would you wound me with such harsh words? So vicious! Don’t worry, your eyes devouring me any chance you get tells me a different story.”
