Magical New Beginnings

by Brenda Trim

  I spent the first decade of my marriage to Tim hiding what I didn’t like and what I wanted. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Ten years later I was tired of not having an orgasm every time we had sex. That was my fault. I kept my mouth shut rather than talking to him. Once I opened my mouth, I unlocked a world of pleasure.

  I thought your port of call dried up after Tim died. Ugh. I hated that inner voice that always intruded at the worst moments. I pushed it aside and tried to remain in the moment, but I’d lost the urgency.

  My hips were no longer moving over his cock and my mouth wasn’t as desperate. Our tongues tangled and just as I was about to get lost in unrelenting desire again, he broke the kiss.

  We were both panting and breathing hard. I opened my eyes and looked into his. His desire stole what little breath I had. “Not like this. When I get you in my bed, I don’t want you thinking about anything else.”

  I lowered my legs and he let me go. Taking advantage, I stepped around him, putting space between us. “So sure I will end up in your bed?”

  He lifted one corner of his mouth. “There’s no denying how much you want me. Women don’t kiss a man like that unless they want more from them. Besides, we’re fated.”

  His tone was casual, confident and dominant. Normally I hated controlling men, but Sebastian’s version drove me wild.

  “True. If I had to guess you might not make it to that moment. Unless I misinterpreted the desperation in your kiss. Right now, though, we have a spell to cast. Try to keep your hands off me, will you?”

  Bas chuckled and twisted the knob, opening the front door. “Grab your herbs and meet me by the pond.”

  I grabbed the bag I hadn’t taken back upstairs after he left. Time to focus on learning as much as you can about your new position as Guardian. Right. So, what if I have been docked for winter and needed to figure out a way to prepare for sailing again. There was no time right now. It was slightly more important to keep whatever asshole was killing in my town from getting to me and my book.

  Sebastian was standing next to the pond with the sun setting behind him. The orange-pink glow gave him a halo behind his head. He looked like some kind of God. Apparently, Theamise and Kairi agreed. The pair were giggling on the opposite shore of the pond.

  I slipped the strap over my shoulder and crossed the lawn. The night was cold, but when an icy breeze blew over me, I shivered and glanced at the forest where the ryme had attacked me.

  “He’s not here. He wouldn’t dare face me.”

  I turned and tilted my head. Sebastian wasn’t bragging. He was stating a fact. “I’d say you’re full of yourself, but I suspect there’s more to it than that. Why won’t he face you?” Perhaps I should just move him into the house. That would solve several problems at once. Nope. Not happening.

  Bas lifted the bag from my shoulder and sat crossed legged on the grass. “Because I have the power to melt his core. Without it he can’t connect with his magic. Without that he will die. There’s a reason I’m a blacksmith. My core element is fire.”

  I joined him on the grass when he made no move to get up. Lowering my body wasn’t as easy as it had once been and crossing my legs was next to impossible. My bum knee refused to bend certain ways, so my legs almost touched his.

  “Makes sense. But why doesn’t he freeze you and blow out your core of magic? It seems like you would cancel each other out.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched, and he gave me the closest thing to a smile he ever had. “Because I’m higher ranked than him which means he can hurt me, but never kill me. If he tried, we’d be forced into hand to hand combat. There I’d kick his ass. I’ve trained for centuries and fought more battles than he ever has.”

  “Got it. You’re a badass. Now what are we doing?”

  “We’re both going to cast the protection spell you did a few weeks ago. Doing it together will compound the power. It’ll be another layer to what surrounds your property.”

  “What about yours? Should we do it again at your place?” My cheeks heated at how dirty that sounded. I lowered my head, wishing for a hood to hide under.

  “Oh, we’ll do it at my place in good time. Right now, we’re sealing up your vulnerabilities. Your safety is what’s important.”

  I nodded and watched as he removed dill, lavender, oregano and parsley. He poured them into his big palm using more dill than the rest. Using a finger, he mixed them together then glanced at me.

  I grabbed the bottles and tried to put the same amounts in my hand but ended up with more dill. My palm was far smaller than his. “Less oregano next time.” His instructions were always short and to the point. I could use more explanation.

  “Why’s that? What does it do?”

  The sigh that left his lips almost made me smile. I enjoyed needling him far more than was good for me. “Oregano is known as a happy herb. If it grows on a grave, it’s because the deceased is happy. Aside from embodying joy and love, it aides in protection. I’d bet your grandmother planted it closest to the house to offer even more protection.”

  “Thank you. I’ll get this eventually, but it helps to learn the uses so I can create my own mixtures.”

  That time Bas did smile, and it completely transformed him. Absolutely gorgeous. “Of course, you’d be thinking of making your own when you haven’t mastered the simplest spells yet.”

  I had no idea if that was a compliment or not. Tossing the herbs aside, I grabbed more. “We cast it together?”

  He bobbed his head up and down. “Yes. Three times.”

  Keeping my gaze locked on his, I muttered, “Praesidium” when he opened his mouth anticipating that he was, as well. His voice drowned out mine and looking at him made it difficult to concentrate on my desire to reinforce the bubble around Pymm’s Pondside. After repeating the spell two more times, I pursed my lips and blew the herbs into the air a second after he did.

  Energy exploded out from where we sat next to the pond. The energy of it sent a spray of water into the air. I was just glad I didn’t end up bouncing my skull off the ground again.

  Instead of pain, a high voltage raced through my veins. It was the first time I felt like every watt of power traveled through my body. It took away every ache and pain. And, I saw the world clearly. I saw each flutter of the pixie’s wings. Every dust mote falling to the earth. It was as if time was suspended for one blissful second.

  I held my breath and let the magic fill every cell. Beneath it all was a connection to Sebastian. It was a bright blue net flowing from him to me. I had no idea what it meant, but it outdid the bond I had with my coven.

  When I released my breath, the electricity traveled with it. It rippled out of me in waves. I wanted to cry out a warning afraid the magic would singe my friends, but it rolled past them without issue.

  The ground swelled and receded as it gushed out of me. Green and blue lights came next and washed the world in a healthy glow. A laugh bubbled out of me as my flowers perked up and the leaves became greener.

  I lifted my hand and waved it through the energy traveling through the air. “This is what happened the first time I cast this spell. Is this pure Fae magic?”

  Sebastian was watching me with an odd expression on his face. It was like he’d never seen a woman like me, and I didn’t think that was a good thing. “It’s never happened like this before. I would say it’s you, but I saw how it worked last time.”

  For the third time that day my cheeks heated, and I wanted to crawl into a hole. “That wasn’t my finest moment. It was the first time I used my magic without any instruction or assistance.”

  His shoulders lifted and fell. “Then this might be the result of you knowing more. Although, Isidora’s magic never acted like that. I felt the energy rippling from me.” His expression took on a faraway look.

  “If the rolling doesn’t happen, what usually happens when you use your magic?”

  “It kinda explodes out of me. Like a blast all at once.” He flared his fingers and p
ushed his hands out.

  I had to look away from him before I did something stupid like jumping on him, tackling him to the ground. A gasp left me when light flared a half mile or so away from us. “Was that the border of my land? I didn’t think it went that far.”

  Bas climbed to his feet and thrust his hands on his hips. “No that included my land, as well. It shouldn’t have included that area.”

  “Maybe it did because it used to be in my family.”

  “Or it could be because of whatever made the magic react like it did. There are nuances that are as different as individuals. It’s hard to say, but you can rest easy tonight. No one is getting to you.”

  My shoulders lowered and my back loosened. “Has this happened before? Did my grandma have to deal with crap like this?” I couldn’t imagine Grams fighting creatures like the ryme.

  Bas ran a hand through his hair. “No. She faced trickster Fae that managed to hide their true identities from her, but nothing like this. She had no problem stopping a goblin from stealing milk from porches or a puck stranding cats up in trees. And, we never had someone hunting our kind and taking us out methodically like this.”

  Fear flashed through me. “Why are they making a play for the portal now? Is it my presence? Am I causing this to happen?” I would never forgive myself if I brought this to the town. Cottlehill was my home now and had always held a special place in my heart.

  “I doubt you are the reason for any of it. If I had to guess, there’s been a shift in Eidothea. There are power plays and games ongoing in the Fae realm and sometimes one goes further and manages to threaten the King’s position. If Vodor can offer the dark ones of our kind a place to play, he will win their loyalty. As it stands, they shift their allegiances from person to person depending on who can offer what. It’s what fuels so many grabs for the throne.”

  I shook my head. “That sounds like a timebomb waiting to go off. Is there anything we can do to establish consistency and stability in your realm? I’d like for the problems there not to leak over to Earth where innocents like my children could be killed.”

  Bas stared off into the distance while a muscle jumped along his jaw. “It’s not my problem to fix. And it’s no longer my realm. I chose to come here. This is my home now.”

  There was a story there. My question shouldn’t have elicited so much anger, but it had. “I meant no offense. And, I’d love to hear the story there some day. But I am serious. I think we need to find a way to stabilize Eidothea, so their problems don’t cause more for us. We have enough here and don’t need more added.”

  “You need to focus on what’s in front of us first. There’s a Fae out there hunting others of our kind to sacrifice in order to gain control of the portal. That is what we need to address right now. The bigger picture is not something we can overcome at the moment. Besides, it might calm down once we eliminate our current threat. The problems have never been as bad as in Faery. When I came to Earth, there was the random goblin taking babies and leaving changelings behind or a puck stealing livestock, but it was nothing widespread.”

  “You said my Grams gave you the land. What did you do for her?”

  “She gave me more than just land. She gave me friendship and purpose. As for what I did for her, she couldn’t do the upkeep on the house and property when your mother moved away, but she wasn’t the one to grant me my initial homestead. I helped the previous king protect his family. Your family.”

  “So, we survived because of you. I know shit didn’t really hit the fan until now, but there’s been danger. I read about Fae that mastered the art of manipulation and how my great, great, great grandma was killed as a result.”

  Bas waved a hand through the air. “I helped when needed. They did the hard work. I acted as nothing more than a deterrent.”

  I chuckled, imagining him glowering as Fae passed through forcing them to move on. “So, it’s not just me then. You’re a grumpy ass to everyone.”

  “Oh, you’re special, Fiona. You bring out a part of me I thought died centuries ago. Never forget that.”

  My body heated with his words. There was so much beneath what he said. I wanted to preen and kiss him and talk to him all night. When I met him I couldn’t imagine having a conversation with him, yet here he was surprising me yet again.

  Chapter 16

  “Ugh. Not again.” I was too friggin’ tired for this crap. I rolled out of bed and stood there for several seconds rubbing my tired eyes.

  The pinging from the portal started up for the fourth time that night and I was ready to strangle someone. I needed an out of office notice or something. There was no way I would survive if they kept at me at all hours of the night. It made me wonder if time ran differently in Faery than here. I’d need to ask Sebastian.

  If there was no one at the portal again I might find a way to lock it down so I could get some rest. When I bent to grab my robe, I caught sight of the pond illuminated by the moon, Instantly, I felt bad for even thinking about that. Kairi had been running away from something horrible.

  The problem was kinda like the boy that cried wolf, I was starting to doubt. Slipping my feet into my slippers, I descended the stairs without even checking my hair. It was too damn early to care if I looked like a hot mess.

  Shivers overtook me the second I stepped outside. It was even colder than forty minutes ago when I had been out here last. It was the kind of cold that permeated every cell in your body.

  Was it the Ice King again? I stopped in my tracks and listened to the crickets chirping and the wind blow, but there was no other noise. I hurried across the lawn and to the cemetery. The mausoleum seemed so damn far away.

  The temperature dropped even more. It was early fall, so I doubted snow was coming just yet, but it sure felt like it was on its way. I’d need a better plan during winter. No way in hell was I coming out here in my terry cloth robe to talk to Fae about crossing to Earth.

  Yeah, the fact that I was the one responsible for deciding who came and who didn’t, messed with my head, too. Sure, I was used to making tough, life and death decisions, but this was so different from deciding what to do to keep a patient alive until the doctor could get there.

  Hospitals frightened most people, but it was a second home to me. Now, I was becoming accustomed to facing mythical creatures. The sound of leaves crunching had my heart racing in my chest and my breaths coming faster.

  Quickening my steps, I practically ran to the crypt while scanning the area for intruders. Bas and I had cast a spell not that long ago to increase the protections around my property and it had worked like gangbusters. Yet, my nerves hadn’t settled even a little.

  I’d hoped I would be able to calm down and trust that no one could get to me in my home. However, my mind refused to cooperate. A flash of red raced across the edge of my vision.

  My feet came to a stop and I turned to the left. “Oh, hi.” I lifted my hand and waved at the brownie scurrying away from the garden. It wasn’t one I recognized. All brownies were tiny creatures, barely over a foot tall, but this one was even smaller. And, was a girl.

  Theoretically I knew female brownies existed, but I’d never actually seen one. This one had longer dark brown hair and skin that was a shade lighter than the dark I was used to. Her dress reminded me of doll clothes and was cherry red.

  “Eek.” She jumped when I addressed her and threw the nuts she was carrying into the air. Shells flew every which way. A wave of energy surged through me. It wasn’t entirely pleasant, but there was nothing around to warrant fear.

  I held my both hands up with my palms facing out in the universal sign of stop and gentled my voice. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you after a midnight snack?”

  “Pah…please don’t hurt me. I shouldn’t have taken the food, but I was so hungry.” Her voice was high pitched yet not annoying. It had a musical quality to it. What had me feeling guilty for scaring her was the way her small body shook, and her head swiveled all around as if she was search
ing for a way out.

  “It’s okay. You can have the nuts. I’m Fiona. What’s your name?” I crouched down with one knee on the ground and hissed when pain shot through the area. It was sharper than the usual dull ache. I really hoped it was nothing more than age.

  “I’m Tunsall. You’re the new Guardian, right? I’ve heard about you.”

  One of my eyebrows shot up to my hairline. “I’m sure you’ve heard how green I am. Rest assured I’m learning fast and discovering new ways to keep the area protected.”

  Her head shook from side to side sending her hair flying every which way. I was jealous when the locks fell back into place neatly. Mine would never have behaved like that. Lifting a hand, I wanted to cringe at the rat’s nest I had going on. “I c…can feel your power. It’s growing. Some don’t like it.”

  “What?” I practically shouted at her before lowering my voice. “Who doesn’t like it? Do you know who’s after me?”

  Her hand flew to her mouth and her shaking increased. I was surprised her tiny arms didn’t fly right off her body. “I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know anything.”

  The pinging became louder and more insistent like someone battering on a closed door. It was distracting and took several seconds for me to be able to focus on Tunsall. She’d taken a couple steps away and looked like she was ready to bolt.

  “You know something. You said some don’t like it. It’s ok to tell me. I’ll keep you safe.” I didn’t want to frighten her away, but it seemed obvious she’d heard something.

  A gust of wind blew through the area. Now I was practically shaking as hard as Tunsall. She bit her bottom lip and looked up at me with big, tear filled blue eyes. “Some think you brought trouble to Cottlehill. Many are afraid to go to S&S now.” She looked around and shifted from foot to foot.

  I wanted to smack my forehead. I should have expected people to blame me for the disruption at the market. I was present both times there were problems. Add to that the deaths since I arrived, and it was no surprise.