by R. E. Butler
“They’ll be a mixture of vampire and witch, depending on who they take more after,” she said. “I think that will make our kids powerful no matter which they tend toward.”
“We’ll make sure we raise them right, so they only ever use their magic for good.”
“Absolutely. Were you a good kid or a holy terror?”
“I’m pleading the fifth.”
“Ah, I think you just answered the question.”
He grinned. “Honestly madam, the things you accuse me of!”
She giggled and leaned against his shoulder with a happy sigh. “I love you, Brody. I can’t wait to have a son with your sense of humor and protective instincts.”
“I love you, too. And I can’t wait to have a daughter with your beauty and sweet smile.”
His mother called those types of things “heart wishes,” the sorts of things you hoped might happen, even wished on falling stars for. And when they came true, you felt truly blessed. His heart wish had been answered when he met Delaney, and now he had another one—a family.
“If we have a girl, we can name her after our moms. Alethea Juniper.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, sweetheart. They would both have loved that.”
* * *
On the outlook, Delaney gathered the hazel sticks and wrapped them in twine to form a bundle. She smiled at Brody who stood a few feet away and watched the proceedings with interest.
“No robes, huh?” he asked, rocking back on his heels.
“Only if we’re feeling dramatic,” she said with a wink.
He chuckled. “Someone told me once that they thought vampires always wore capes and tuxedos. They were surprised I wore jeans.”
She brushed off her hands and stood. “I guess we all have expectations when it comes to others, whether they’re human or supernatural.”
She’d certainly had a lot of misconceptions over the years with various groups of supernaturals and was never surprised when someone else thought strange things about witches.
“Ready?” Hadlee asked.
“You bet,” Delaney said. She blew a kiss to Brody and took her place around the unlit bonfire as one of the Corners.
They called the Corners and lit the fire. The wood crackled and smoked, the different woods sending up fragrances that made Delaney feel centered and at one with the universe. They first cast the general spells they cast each solstice and equinox—general protections for Sable Cove, their coven, and the familiars. Then each of them cast their own personal spell. When it was Delaney’s turn, she looked at Brody and felt all the love he had for her through their connection as mates. She loved him with all her heart and couldn’t wait to start their family.
When her spell was over and she tossed the salt and herbs into the fire to end it, she felt peace settle over her and knew that her request was going to be granted. Someday—soon, she hoped—she and Brody would have a child.
They thanked the elements for their assistance and put out the fire. When their circle was broken, they hugged each other, and then Delaney moved to Brody.
She hugged him tightly. “What did you think?”
“You’re amazing,” he said, his voice tinged with awe. “I had no idea what it was like when you cast spells, but it’s a sight to see. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for including me.”
“You’re my husband and my mate,” she said. “I couldn’t do this without you. You’re part of me and I’m part of you.”
“Do you think your heart wish was granted?” She didn’t miss the wistful tone in his voice.
“I do. I feel very at peace with the spell I cast.”
“I can’t wait to have a little one that’s part me and part you,” he murmured.
“Me, too.”
She rose onto her toes and kissed him.
“Can I help clean up?” he asked.
“We’ll take care of it,” Kinsley said. “You two head on home.”
“You’re sure?” Delaney asked.
“Absolutely,” Hadlee said. “Have a good night.”
Delaney left Brody’s arms and went to her friends, giving each of them a hug. Then she hugged Mother Gibson. “Thank you for spending the equinox with us. It’s always so wonderful to work with you.”
“You as well. Enjoy your night, dear.”
She picked up Mimo from where he’d been crawling around in the grass, and then she reached into the large duffel where she’d stashed his travel habitat. Her hand brushed against smooth glass. “What’s this?” she asked as she wrapped her hand around the object and withdrew it. “Oh, the candle,” she said, then her vision went dark and her head ached sharply.
She saw the crescent moon in the sky and the waves lapping at the beach. The lighthouse was lit, casting out bright light for travelers. Delaney could feel the cool sand under her toes, but she knew she wasn’t really on the beach—she was having a vision of some sort. She looked around and saw nothing but the stretch of beach and the lighthouse. And then she heard splashing, and where the sliver of moon cast a thin strip of light on the water, she saw someone flailing in the dark water. Delaney tried to go to help the person, but she was unable to move. The lighthouse’s light shone brightly for a brief moment and then the whole scene went dark. The last thing Delaney heard was the waves hitting the shore.
Her vision came back abruptly, and she blinked at the ache behind her eyes.
Brody’s face came into view, his brow furrowed. “Sweetheart? Are you okay? What happened?”
Her friends were around her, and Mimo was sitting on her knee. He let out a curious grunt. She stroked his head.
“I’m okay. I had a vision.” She looked at her hand and saw the candle she’d picked up from the coven that smelled like the ocean.
“What was it about?” Kinsley asked.
Delaney relayed the vision as she looked at the candle and the pretty blue ombre wax. “I must have been really juiced from our equinox spells to have a vision like that,” she mused.
“Do you think we should go to the beach right now?” Hadlee asked.
“No,” Delaney took Brody’s offered hand and rose to her feet, putting Mimo in the crook of her arm. “It was the crescent moon and the moon’s already past that point. So whatever’s coming isn’t happening until the next crescent moon. But I think it’s about Cassian.”
“Because of the lighthouse?” Brody asked.
“Yeah. I think we should go talk to him on the way home so he can be on the lookout.”
“For a person possibly drowning in the water,” Kinsley said. “It’s bizarre.”
“It is,” Delaney said, “but I think it’s significant. I think Cassian’s life is about to change significantly on the crescent moon.”
Brody put his arm around her and kissed her temple. “Then let’s go share the news with him.”
Delaney put the candle back in the bag, and Brody shouldered it. They said goodbye to everyone again and headed down to his SUV. They stopped at the lighthouse on the way home and told Cassian about the vision. Because he was magical himself, he took visions seriously, and thanked them for sharing the details of the vision with him.
“I’m in your debt,” he said to Delaney. “If you need me, call me.”
“It’s my pleasure,” she said. “I hope you’re able to help the person in trouble.”
“I’ll do my best.”
They left the lighthouse and struck out for home. Delaney rested her head on Brody’s shoulder and yawned.
“Sleepy, sweetheart?”
“I always feel dually energized and tired after nights like tonight. I could sleep or run a marathon.”
He laughed. “How about a marathon in bed? Then you’ll be right where you need to be to fall asleep afterward.”
“I love that idea.”
She stifled another yawn as her mind spun a few interesting scenarios with her sexy mate and their bed.
“I’m crazy about you,” he said. “My sweet, amazing, po
werful witch.”
“I’m crazy about you, too. Fully certifiable.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek. “My sexy, powerful, vampire mate.”
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Coming in 2021 from R. E. Butler
Desire (Vampire Beloved Book Four)
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Contact the Author
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Also from R. E. Butler
Arctic Shifters
Blitzen’s Fated Mate
Dasher’s Fated Mate
Prancer’s Fated Mate
Vixen’s Fated Mate
Cupid’s Fated Mate
Dancer’s Fated Mate
Donner’s Fated Mate
Comet’s Fated Mate
Ashland Pride
Seducing Samantha
Loving Lachlyn
Marking Melody
Redeeming Rue
Saving Scarlett
Chasing Cristabel
Jilly’s Wyked Fate
Embracing Ehrin
Holding Honor
Tempting Treasure
Having Hope
Cider Falls Shifters
Purred Promises
Hyena Heat
Every Night Forever
Every Dawn Forever
Every Sunset Forever
Every Blissful Moment
Every Heavenly Moment
Every Miraculous Moment
Every Angelic Moment
The Necklace Chronicles
The Tribe’s Bride
The Gigolo’s Bride
The Tiger’s Bride
The Alpha Wolf’s Mate
The Jaguar’s Bride
The Author’s True Mate
Norlanian Brides
Paoli’s Bride
Warrick’s Bride
Dex’s Bride
Norlanian Brides Volume One
Villi’s Bride
Dero’s Bride
Saber Chronicles
Saber Chronicles Volume One (Books One - Four)
Sable Cove
Must Love Familiars
Must Love Mermen (Coming 2021)
Must Love Falcons (Coming 2021)
Tails
Memory
Mercy
Emberly
AnnaRose
Uncontrollable Shift
The Alpha’s Christmas Mate
The Dragon’s Treasured Mate
The Bear’s Reluctant Mate
The Leopard Twins’ Christmas Mate
Vampire Beloved
Want
Need
Ache
Desire (Coming in 2021)
Were Zoo
Zane
Jupiter
Win
Justus
Devlin
Kelley
Auden
Tayme
Joss
Neo
Cael (Coming 2021)
Wiccan-Were-Bear
A Curve of Claw
A Flash of Fang
A Price for a Princess
A Bond of Brothers
A Bead of Blood
A Twitch of Tail
A Promise on White Wings
A Slash of Savagery
Awaken a Wolf
Daeton’s Journey
A Dragon for December
A Muse for Mishka
The Wiccan-Were-Bear Series Volume One
The Wiccan-Were-Bear Series Volume Two
The Wiccan-Were-Bear Series Volume Three
A Wish for Their Woman
Wilde Creek
Volume One (Books 1 and 2)
Volume Two (Books 3 and 4)
Volume Three (Books 5 and 6)
The Hunter’s Heart (Book Seven)
The Beta’s Heart (Book Eight)
The Wolf’s Mate
The Wolf’s Mate Book 1: Jason & Cadence
The Wolf’s Mate Book 2: Linus & The Angel
The Wolf’s Mate Book 3: Callie & The Cats
The Wolf’s Mate Book 4: Michael & Shyne
The Wolf’s Mate Book 5: Bo & Reika
The Wolf’s Mate Book 6: Logan & Jenna
The Wolf’s Mate Book 7: Lindy & The Wulfen
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Coming Next in the Sable Cove Series: Must Love Mermen (Book Two)
Lonely merman hero? Check
Fairy heroine floundering at sea? Check
Mysterious magic? Double check
After being exiled from his merfolk tribe two years earlier, all Merman Cassian wants to do is live out his life in the quiet seaside town of Sable Cove. Taking over for the lighthouse keeper and watching the shores for trouble keep him plenty busy and helps keep his mind off how lonely he is. When a beautiful fairy's boat drifts into the cove, Cassian knows she's his siren—the one female on the planet meant for him.
Nature fairy Ziarena is thankful to be rescued by the sexiest merman she’s ever met in her life, especially when she realizes he's her true mate. When Cassian and Zia travel to her home, their boat is attacked by merpeople. The danger they face is enough to bring something magical to life within Zia, but no one knows how it’s possible. Can they figure out what Zia is or will it remain a mystery forever?
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