“I need your help with something,” she said. “It has to do with my youngest sister, Fiona. She just found out that she’s pregnant with her eighth child, and she cannot have it. She almost died giving birth to her last child while she and her husband were on a pilgrimage down south, and the healer there told her that if she had any more children, it would cost her life. She’s terrified and has no idea what to do. I told her I’d talk to you and help her sort it out.”
My stomach was in knots as I looked around to make sure no one else was in the shop. I took a deep breath and tried to process everything she had just told me. “Violet, you do understand that I’mforbidden from practising any form of healing. What you’re asking me to do is punishable by death. No questions asked.”
Violet’s eyes watered, her voice wavering. “Fiona is already sentenced to death if she continues with this pregnancy. That asshole she’s married to doesn’t care. He believes if she’s meant to survive, she will, and if not, then ‘that’s what the goddesses have planned for her.’” Mocking condescension laced her words. “He’s supposed to love and protect her, but he cares so fucking little for her.” Violet started to sob. It was apparent that this was weighing heavily on her, but I had to be careful about the risk I was exposing myself to.
Fiona’s husband was a high-ranking member of the Children of the Celestial Mothers—Maxx’s assistant, to be exact. I couldn’t get any closer to the problem if I tried. Just as I was about to answer, the front door to the shop opened, and a couple holding hands walked in.
I leaned over closer to Violet and whispered quickly. “Come over to my place tonight after dark so we can try and figure this out.” Then I stood up and said loud enough for the couple to hear, “Violet, I need to buy a few things for my friend from out of town who’s staying with me. Can you grab me a few shirts, pairs of pants, some pyjamas, a dressing robe, and a wide-brimmed hat? He’s fairly tall and muscular, so I’d say extra large for sizing.”
Violet gave me the most devilish smirk, winked, and went into the back to grab everything I had asked for.
I turned around and smiled at the couple in the shop. Their faces turned white, and they hurried out like I had cursed them on the spot. I didn’t think I was ever going to get used to being an outcast. It hurt my feelings more than I would ever admit.
Violet brought out everything shortly afterward, all wrapped up in parcel paper. She handed the clothing over to me and grabbed my hand. “Thank you so much, Aurelia. This is on me.”
“Thank you, Violet.” Usually I’d argue and force her to acceptpayment, but given the severity of the problem at hand, I graciously accepted. “Oh, and sorry about chasing your customers away. Guess I’m bad for business.”
Violet smiled back. “Come back anytime, Aurelia. You are more than welcome here.”
As I left the tailor’s shop, a giant pit formed in my stomach. I’d never felt bad for providing the women of this village with a choice regarding their bodies, no matter the consequences I would face. This was different, though. It was too close to the Cult of Children, and if I failed, it would have deathly consequences for more than just me.
Chapter 6
By the time I got back from Violet’s shop, it was already early afternoon. I couldn’t wait to show Forrest what I had picked up for him. I was sure he would be happy to wear clothes that fit him. When I entered the cottage, I was greeted by an excited Astra.
“Hi, sweet baby girl. I hope you behaved yourself while I was gone,” I said as I rubbed her chin.
I found Forrest sitting on the sofa, still reading his romance novel. Nocturna was curled up beside him.
Forrest turned his head toward me. “They are both great at keeping me company. I think Nocturna has taken a bit of a liking to me. She won’t let me out of her sight,” he said just as Nocturna got up and sauntered out the open door behind me.
“Nocturna isn’t much of a snuggler, so consider yourself extremely lucky.”
Astra quickly followed her sister out as I shut the front door.
“Here. I got you some clothes from the village tailor. They should be the proper size for you.”
Forrest got up from the sofa and put down his book. “That was awfully sweet of you. I wish I had something to give to you as thanks.”
“Please, don’t worry about it. It’s thanks enough for me to see you walking around in something that isn’t showing off your, um…” I gestured vaguely toward his lower half.
Forrest laughed, grabbing the pile of wrapped clothes from me.He gave me a quick peck on the cheek before taking them to his bedroom.
I stood there, touching my cheek while staring after him as he made his way down the hallway. A smile slowly spread on my lips, and a tingly warmth flowed through my body. That was an unexpected but lovely surprise. I guessed those romance novels had started to rub off on him.
We still had a few hours before Violet made her way over to discuss more serious matters, and a nagging in my gut told me I wasn’t going to have this kind of free time for much longer. I might as well take advantage of it now and spend the rest of my day relaxing.
After lugging several basins of hot water to the tub, I grabbed my romance novel and slid into the skin-prickling, honey-and-vanilla-scented, oily water. I sighed as I started reading—I was getting to the juicy part. The vampire and the werewolf had a temporary truce to fight a common enemy. Along their journey to face this foe, they had to stay at an inn, and there was only one room left, with a single bed. The forced proximity and sharing of past experiences created an unlikely bond between them. They were now fighting unexpected base urges, and they were losing the battle.
His breath was hot against her lips. His body was a fierce fire compared to her cold, undead skin. Her fangs grazed his lips, and she bit down just enough to make him gasp. A growl rumbled deep within his chest, and his mouth crashed into hers. Their kiss was all heat, hunger, teeth, and tongues. His hands were everywhere, gripping her hips, sliding up her bare thighs, fingers digging in like he needed to anchor himself. She moaned and pulled him closer. Clothes were shredded and forgotten. She dragged her nails down his spine, and he bucked against her, pressing her harder into the wall.
“You’re mine,” he growled, voice raw, possessive.
“Then take me, wolf,” she commanded.
The scene went on for a few more pages—their lovemaking intensifying. By the time I finished that chapter, I was thoroughly turned on. I dropped the book onto the floor and slowly started to tease a nipple with one hand and satiate the throbbing between my legs with the other. I pinched and pulled on my nipple, and a small gasp escaped me. Suddenly thoughts of Forrest entered my head as I made gentle circles around my clit with my fingers. I imagined him back here in this room, standing beside the tub, completely nude, holding his enormous cock, showing me how well he could pleasure himself. I rubbed my clit with more urgency, the tension building within my core. Satisfied moans were slipping out of me, but I was too lost in myself to notice. My fingers penetrated my sex, as I used my other hand to hold on to the side of the tub. I was so close; I could feel my release coming. My thrusts increased as I thought of all the ways I wanted to ride that monster cock of his. Could I even handle such a thing? I wanted to find out in the worst way. And then, my release found me. My body shuddered, and a small, satisfied cry escaped my lips.
I was lying in the water, catching my breath, when there was a sudden knock at the door.
