by Wendy Cole
These are foods only my kind eat, Brady sent me.
I looked up, and he was smiling. I promise it’s good. Just try it.
My eyes roamed to his mother, who was also watching me with a soft smile tilting her lips.
Tentatively, I grabbed a piece of the fruit and tried to ignore the extra attention as I took a bite. My mouth lit up like if musical notes were a flavor, a drug specifically meant for your tongue. My eyelids slid shut at the amazing flavor. It was inhuman, like nothing I’d ever tasted nor could even dream of.
Please don’t make that face with my mother so close. Remember, she can sense emotions.
My eyes flew open, and my cheeks heated at least twenty-five degrees at the wry expression on Evania’s face.
I glared at Brady.
He smirked.
I focused my full attention on my food in an attempt to combat the embarrassment, and thankfully, my audience offered me a reprieve and did the same. The wrap was soft, and tasted even better than the fruit. When I’d finished, I felt amazing, better than I’d felt in ages. My stomach wasn’t full, but it also wasn’t empty. My body didn’t feel heavy or tired. It felt replenished, like life had been restored into my limbs, leaving me newer than I was before. I smiled at Evania. “Thank you. I can honestly say that’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
Suck up.
Evania nudged Brady playfully, then smiled at me. “Do not mind my son. He is just like his father. Your aura will do well to balance him.”
Brady’s smile widened, fixed on the table between us, as he began to rock his chair back like a child.
His mother shot him a look.
“What?” he said. “I can do this now. Amelia is here to balance me.”
Evania reached a hand forward, her eyes narrowed as she lowered his seat to the ground. “You are still not well. Your mate feels worry for you, and you disregard her with your recklessness.”
Brady’s eyes shot to mine, then lowered as he sat back normal. He looked thoroughly scolded, and his mother took the time to kiss his temple as she gathered the plates from the table.
Brady waved a hand before she could finish, making the mess disappear.
My eyes widened as she popped him on the back of his head, one opened hand smack that made him laugh. “And stop doing that! It’s frivolous, and your magic is still rebuilding.” She huffed, then rolled her face to the ceiling before briskly walking away.
I studied Brady, who still looked amused. “What did she mean? Your magic is rebuilding?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows?”
I glared at him. “Brady.”
His smile turned sheepish. “I used a lot of it that night. That’s why I faded. I didn’t have enough to stay in your realm. It comes back to me, but when you expel that much at once, it takes longer. If a jinni has no magic, they die. I was close, but I’ve restored a lot. You don’t need to worry. I’m okay.” He gripped my hand again.
He said it as if it were no big deal, but the way his mother had reacted put me on edge. “Stop using it. No more. I’m fully capable of sleeping, dressing,” I pulled at my clothes, “and showering by myself.”
His eyes dropped downward and his bottom lip caught between his teeth. “Are you sure? I don’t need magic to help you shower.”
My chest pulled, but I pushed the feeling away. “None of that either. Not until your well.”
His expression dropped. “It will help me get well.”
I snorted.
“No, I’m serious. Our bond will help me get well.”
“Brady. That’s the most outrageous—”
“Ma!”
I grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare!”
His eyes danced. “Do you believe me?”
“Fine! I believe you!”
He smiled triumphantly. “Then let’s—”
“I’m good for now. Someone used magic to clean me.” I lifted my eyebrows at him. It served him right. He needed to take better care of himself, and it only seemed fitting that his failure to do so would be the reason for his discomfort.
Brady’s face morphed, once again resembling a fox eyeing the hen. “Oh, I can get you dirty again. That’s no problem.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Three weeks past.
Three weeks of bed talks.
Three weeks of his mother’s calming aura, and his father’s constant teasing.
Three weeks of loving him back to life.
Brady hadn’t lied about our bond healing him. Each time our bodies joined, I could feel his power growing, rushing towards him from any and every direction. While I’d never want him to attempt a stunt like he had again, I couldn’t deny how much more intense it was repairing the damage.
He was so much more eager, borderline aggressive in the most amazing way. I couldn’t get enough, and as I lay there even then, staring at his face as he slept, waiting not so patiently for him to wake up, I wanted him.
I’d become an addict.
The blanket reached the spot just above his hips, leaving the rest on glorious display. I wanted to touch him, but I’d been doing that too much. I needed to let him sleep. I needed to sleep myself, but I couldn’t. Something had changed, since the first time we’d connected after our reunion. It was like the pull was urging me to keep going, to continue until every last drop of his magic had returned. It urged me, an incessant ticking that only stopped when I’d satisfied it.
Slowly, I ran my hand along the edge of the blanket until it met his hip, then continued all the way up to his chest. I knew what would happen. This wasn’t the first time I’d woken him, but it didn’t stop the intense heat that filled my chest in response.
Brady gripped my hand before his eyes had even had a chance to open, then in a flash of movement, he rolled to bury me beneath him. “Good morning, Sweetheart.” His voice was rough, deep, and matched the rest of him as he gripped my hips and buried himself inside of me.
Magic once again rushed forward, surrounding us and making his chest rumble. His electric blue aura seemed to stretch out, mingling in with my golden yellow, perfectly made, perfectly fit.
Brady gripped my hips and pulled me into him, his mouth capturing mine as he moved aggressively, taking, demanding.
All sound left me, unable to make it past the sensation of him. I could barely return his kiss, barely keep up.
His hands roamed, over my hips, up my sides, gripping each part as if branding it as his. I could feel his power filling him, and knew the moment it hit its peak. Brady let out a sound that sent a jolt throughout my entire body, raw, animalistic.
I clasped his shoulders, hanging on as his pace once again picked up, even faster, even harder, losing any and all control just like he did each time. Brady didn’t coddle me. He didn’t hold back for fear of damaging his fragile human. When the magic took over, Brady became lost.
I loved it.
His arms slid beneath my body and lifted me up with him as he sat back on his feet. He gripped me tight, his mouth claiming my neck, forcing my head to fall back. He lifted me up, pulled me back down, then again, hard, my body weightless, his to control. He kept us skin to skin, tight as we could be, and pleasure hit me each time he roughly pulled me down to meet him.
Brady’s mouth steadily moved downwards, licking, biting, marking, across my collarbone, then further still as he leaned me back to allow him access. When his teeth bit down onto my nipple, it sent me spiraling over the edge. I cried out, a foreign sound from someplace deep inside me, loud, throaty.
Brady groaned, and his pace increased, even harder, even faster. He abandoned my breast as he recaptured my mouth and gripped me tight.
I wrapped my arms around his back, clinging to him. Magic swirled around us, filling the air. My eyes widened as I watched it move, drifting into his skin. “Your magic is—” I started to say, my voice barely a breath.
Brady growled. “You are my magic.” He lowered me back to the mattress, his mouth meeting mine on
ce again to silence me. “It doesn’t do that for me,” he murmured, the words guttural past his obvious pleasure. “It’s coming because of you.”
He didn’t allow anymore conversation. I couldn’t have spoken even if I’d wanted to. Brady’s pace increased again, impossibly so, swift and hard, rocking my entire frame, both inside and out. The world drifted away, painted in neon blue.
He groaned again, rough, loud, almost a growl, then gradually began to slow as his kisses became more languid, softer. He gently ran his hands over my body, a healing touch that made me sigh.
Brady broke away, then pushed my hair back to study my face. “I love you.”
My heart clenched. “I love you too.”
“I’m well enough now. We can go back. We can start our life together.” He ran his hand down my side, his eyes following to drink in the rest of me. “We can make a home, wherever you want. We can get married. You can go back to school.”
Fear gripped me at the danger. I didn’t care about school if it meant I’d lose him. “It’s not safe.”
“You’re safe,” he said roughly, his narrowed eyes darting back to mine in a way that left no room for argument. “I promise you. I’ve got it under control. It’s easier now with the instigator gone.” He lightly touched my cheek. “Now, where would you like to live?”
I chewed my lip. “I don’t know. I never thought of living anywhere other than close to my mom.”
“Remember, it doesn’t matter where we live. We can go wherever you want within a few seconds.” He rolled away and lay on his side, then pulled me to face him.
I smiled. “I don’t care, Brady. Somewhere safe. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”
He hummed, pulling me closer. “Good answer.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll build you a mansion in the clouds, Sweetheart. We’ll fill it up with smaller versions of ourselves.” His lips touched mine softly. “You’ll teach my sons to behave, and I’ll spoil our little girls.”
My chest warmed. “How about a small house, on the ground, and maybe two tiny people.”
He shook his head. “Can’t. It is our moral obligation to procreate.” His eyes glittered. “I’m thinking twenty.”
My mouth fell open. “I’m not having twenty kids.”
“Well, not all at once. I’m thinking one at a time.” He rolled to pin me once again, then grinned down at me. “It’s more fun that way.”
I shoved him, and he flipped back to his side with a laugh.
“You have to marry me first.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
My eyes widened and shot to him. “We can’t. We haven’t even planned anything.”
“We don’t need to. I’m magic.”
I narrowed my eyes, and not in mock irritation. “No. You’re still healing. You’re not going to use magic and go all crazy making a big wedding from nothing.”
“How about a small one then?” He smiled softly. “Minimal magic needed.”
I chewed my lip, and was just about to shake my head no, when he cut me off.
“Say yes, Amelia.”
“Yes.” Damn him! I rolled away, giving him my back.
Brady’s hand ran along my butt. “Is this a punishment?”
“Yes!” I scooted away.
He let out a deep chuckle, then the next moment, filled the gap I’d made and hugged me from behind. “I love you, Sweetheart. We’ll do whatever you want.”
I heaved a sigh. “Just hold me.”
He settled down, pulling me closer into him and cocooning me in his arms. I could feel his breath waft across my hair, feel the warmth of his body as it encapsulated me. I knew then, if he wanted twenty kids, I’d gladly give them to him.
My whole life had been a nightmare.
But the worst nightmares are the nicest ones to wake up from.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Something happened to me. Something both confusing, scary, awe-inspiring, and amazing, much like the whirlwind that was my life. I remembered being wrapped in Brady’s arms, falling asleep with thoughts of what my future held swimming through my mind. But when I opened my eyes, I found myself completely alone, in the middle of a field, dressed in ivory white silk.
A wedding dress.
“Brady?” I looked around, finding nothing but endless amounts of rich greenery and flowers.
Soft music drifted from somewhere in the distance. My lips curved as a nervous excitement filled my chest. Is this really happening? Am I dreaming? I lifted myself to my feet, then slowly walked in the direction of the sound.
The volume grew with each step I took, encouraging me, guiding my steps in the right direction. Atop a hill, a line of trees entered my vision, all thin, with twisting limbs and moss-covered branches. I worked my way into the thick covering, and it wasn’t much further until I finally found it.
A circle, cleared of debris, filled with petals, blue and yellow, mixed together upon the ground like our light when it mingled.
I threw a hand over my mouth as moisture bit against the corners of my eyes. A pavilion stood in the center, and a man wearing all black exited the trees to my left and began walking towards it.
I narrowed my eyes. “Father Bayshore?”
He turned to me, and his smile widened when he recognized who I was. “Miss Snow? I had no idea.” He rushed forward, taking my hand in a warm gesture. “I take it your life has improved then.”
The demon.
As if answering my mental call, the demon himself exited the trees. Brady’s eyes danced as he steadily approached, looking every bit the devil in disguise in his crisp white suit and black tie.
He made it to my side and blocked the father’s view. “You can go wait over there,” he said, his voice compelling, his eyes fixed on me.
Father Bayshore turned and automatically complied. “That’s not nice, Brady.”
“I apologize.” He grinned. “I’m impatient. It’s just us.” He ran his thumb along the back of my hand. “I thought it would be better, but if you want a big wedding, we can have another,” he paused, then reluctantly added, “or wait.”
“It’s perfect.” I jumped up, throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tight.
Brady let out a deep laugh as he held me up in the air. “So, you recognized him?”
I leaned back to give him a scolding look. “You’re not funny.”
“Lying already? That’s not a very good way to start a marriage,” he scolded. “So blatantly too. Of course, I’m funny. I’m the funniest person I know, and that,” he motioned to the priest, “is priceless.”
I tried not to smile, but it was impossible. “You’re not funny!” The words lost all meaning when I laughed around them.
Brady smiled softly, then sat me down and ran a hand along my cheek. “Act mad all you want, Sweetheart. Seeing you light up makes it more than worth it.”
My heart clenched, and I heaved a sigh. “Marry me, Brady.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He led the way, half-guiding, half-dragging me over to where Father Bayshore stood waiting. “And,” Brady lifted a hand, “ready, set, go.”
I rolled my eyes and snorted.
Father Bayshore took off the minute Brady said the word. “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of these two souls…”
If that were true, I bet you he’d need to say more than a few Hail Marys by the time we were done.
Brady!
He grinned but otherwise kept his attention on the man still speaking. His hand gripped mine as Father Bayshore began to recite the familiar words; the oath…sickness and health…death do us part. Brady pulled me closer, his eyes locking me in their intense gaze. All playfulness vanished as a serious expression took over his face. “There is nothing in this world, nor any other, that is more to me than you. It is never changing, never aging, limitless, more than words, more than promises. It just is.” His eyes flashed, electric neon blue. “You’re more a part of me than my own heart, and without you, I would cease to be.”
My vision blurred, and all words left me as the emotion in his voice took my breath away. The world seemed to fall silent, fading into the background as I looked up at him, absorbing the moment and committing it to memory.
Brady leaned forward. “He’s saying the boring stuff again, Sweetheart.” He cut his eyes over to the priest currently reciting the next set of vows, then grimaced at the monotone voice that could only be created by endless amounts of repetition. “It’s your turn to say sweet shit about me.”
I laughed, and the action caused a few of those unshed tears to break free. It wasn’t fair. No way would I be able to match what he’d said. I didn’t talk as pretty as he did. I chewed my lip, trying to think.
“It’s not rocket science, Sweetheart. Just how you feel.”
I met his gaze, and everything became clear, like parting clouds on an otherwise rainy day, Brady was my light. “You know what I’ve always wanted. My whole life, I’ve strived for normal, for peace, to merely exist in a way that left me unbothered.”
Brady made a face. “I really hope you’re leading up to something here.”
I gave him a smirk of my own. “But,” I said pointedly. “You changed everything when you rode in on your white horse, in your knight’s armor, waving a sword, just like I always hoped someone would when I was small. You did it. You lit up my life like a fairy tale, and I don’t want normal anymore. I want you. I want magic. I want to build a castle in the clouds, have twenty magical little people.” My emotions bubbled up, and for once, I didn’t try to contain them. I pushed them forward, directing them at the man before me, my soul mate, hoping beyond anything that he could feel my absolute love for him.
Brady made a noise, and within a second he jerked me into his arms, his lips finding mine in a way that sent my mind spiraling. “Are we done here yet?” he murmured gruffly. “I need to get you away from this man before I condemn myself for indecency.”
