I sighed. “Maybe she knew there was no lying this time, Eli, and she just wanted to make it easy on all of you. She knew the task you had to do would be hard and sorry wasn’t going to cut it.”
He stared at me. “You sure you didn’t drink the potion yet? That was a real Danielle answer.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to make you feel worse than you already are.”
“No, it explains what she told Marick. I think her plan changed when she fell in love with me. She just didn’t bargain on running out of potion or getting caught the way she had.”
“I’m sorry, Eli. I messed everything up.”
“No, you didn’t. I had to know. Magdel was the love of my life, Danielle. She killed her as if she was nothing and to pretend that long…” he shook his head. “Thank you for coming back to him. I didn’t think that I would ever have my son back, but he truly is back.”
“Don’t tell him. I want to surprise him.”
“Oh, Danielle, I’m really not good at keeping secrets as big as this.”
“Please, Eli,” I begged.
“Fine, I’ll try.”
I smiled, got up, and tried to keep myself busy until I could drink my cure.
I waited for ten hours, just to be sure.
Mila, Eli, her husband, my mom, the Coopers, and even Katia was there.
“I really am scared of you remembering me the way I was to you, Danielle,” said Katia.
“Katia, I will remember this too. But to be safe, give me a few days,” I said cheekily.
“Fine,” she said, and everyone laughed.
Sebastian didn’t go with Marick. According to Eli, Marick had to sort out this problem alone.
They drank wine while I drank the cure from my wine glass. I finished it in a few gulps.
“What does it taste like?”
“It’s bitter,” I said, “with a hint of licorice.”
“It had to be bitter to break down all that darkness,” said Sebastian.
I laughed the way Sebastian said it.
We talk that night too.
“So, is there a reason for Marick’s concern, Sebastian?”
“What? That there was a time you wanted me?” he joked.
“Did we?”
He shook his head. “I envied him, that was for sure, but there was nothing, Danielle. Only friendship, like now. You once told me that I was like your brother.”
I chortled. “Ouch.”
“Yes, it hurt, but I’m a big boy.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I told you how I felt, and we still stayed the best of friends, though Marick does know if he fucks up, I’ll beat him silly.”
“And Heicko?”
“Oh, hell no, Danielle. Why? Are you attracted to him now?”
“He is charming,” I said. “He wasn’t before?”
He laughed. “No, he made you so uncomfortable.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded.
I laughed. “Then I guess I can’t wait to wake up to the old me tomorrow.”
“It would be awesome if we didn’t always have to tell you everything like all the beautiful memories. I know Marick is going to be happy not hearing about Brolin when you guys are…together.”
“He told to you about that?”
“He needed to get it off his chest, Danielle.”
I sighed. “I can’t wait either.”
The visit carried on late into the night. Marick was going to come home in two days. So far, Eli kept the secret.
I went to bed not feeling any different, but I trusted that it would work.
I closed my eyes and dreamt about the darkness again, but this time, something else happened.
It didn’t suffocate me. It was if I knew that I had to let go. I shouldn’t cling on to it anymore.
My grip loosened, and I fell into the pit. Memories, clear memories, flashed through my mind: Marick and fireworks—we were so much younger; we fought so many times—he would run away and came back with flowers; the way I felt about him as if he was my everything; the way I looked at him—the feelings were so much stronger than now. We were so close, best friends.
I saw major life events like the day I told him we were pregnant. It was a jar of mixed emotions. Then the memory of me finding out what he was—the pain and the hurt of the lie, the begging at that airport. I could never deal with the begging. Not then and not now either. I forgave him.
There were memories of emotions like the way his family made me feel. I was so scared when his mother tried to scare me off. She once gave me warts. I looked horrible, and Marick blew every single one of them to the moon that night. The next morning, they were gone, and I figured out that it was magic that somewhere became an old wife’s tale what to do with an unwanted wart.
The memory of the birth of Joshua and Emile—How happy we were, our marriage, our life together. The love I had for my two boys, for my husband all streamed in.
My life was so fulfilling. Marick didn’t lie about that.
Then the memory of the day that I discovered what Magdel was. It happened on the plane. I saw the change for a few seconds, the burned skin.
She looked at me and smiled. I was petrified.
She tried to explain. I didn’t want to hear it because she was the reason Eric was in that wheelchair. She begged me to understand. She didn’t bargain on falling in love with this life, but she had. I just couldn’t understand any of it.
She phoned Shania and tied me up. I felt betrayed that Shania was her confidant but even worse when I discovered she was a shifter too.
They brought in the witch who made the Forgotten potion. I wanted to know why she was doing this. They told me the story before they forced open my mouth and shove the potion down my throat. I remember how I tried to hold on. I fought hard not to forget my life with Marick, my boys. I fought so hard until I couldn’t anymore.
I felt the darkness again, and I woke up before it consumed me.
“Danielle,” Minaut said and woke me up. It was still the middle of the night, but I looked at Minaut and laughed. I remembered her. I remember everything of this beautiful creature lying on my bed.
“You’re back!”
She can hear me.
“Oh, Danielle, the bond is healed. Of course, I can hear you. Marick.”
Silly memories of my husband flashed in my head, and we burst out laughing.
She pounced on me, licking my face. “You’re back! Finally!” She fell on me and snuggled me. “I missed you so much.”
“I’m sorry, Minaut. I missed you too.”
“I hope the fears of this Brolin idiot are gone now?”
I laughed. “It was so stupid,” I said.
“That boy is not going to know what to do with himself.”
“This girl neither.”
She laughed but her laughter waned.
“I missed so much, Minaut.”
“You’re back, Danielle. That’s all that matters.”
“I need Joshua and Emile and Eva back this weekend.”
“I’m sure Marick wouldn’t have it any other way.” We fell back asleep together.
The next morning was like a reunion all over again. I was myself again.
My mother just stared at me with a gape mouth as I was completely different.
Eli, Sebastian, the Coopers, everyone just laughed.
“So still a few days?” Katia stood by the door.
“Come here,” I said and hugged her tight. “Finally, we made peace.”
“You saved my brother’s life, Danielle, even though you stole my prince.”
“You know it wasn’t like that. I didn’t even know he was a prince to be honest.”
She laughed. “You’re really back.”
“And hopefully a less pain in your ass.”
We all spent the entire day together. When my phone rang, I looked at the name on my screen. “This is going to be so hard,” I said, and they chuckled.
> I picked it up. “Hey,” I said, trying to sound like the old insecure me but it was a challenge. The minute he opened his mouth, I missed him so much. I had to pull my tears away. “How is it in Scotland?”
“Interesting. How are things there?”
“The same,” I said.
“You sleeping okay at night?”
“I’m fine, Marick. Stop worrying. Katia is making me my potion, and she is always on time.”
“Should I be worried about this new friendship between the two of you?”
“Is it bad?”
“No, it’s just weird.”
Oh, I know, I thought as I smiled.
“When are you coming home?”
“Yes, Marick, when are you coming home?” Katia yelled, and I laughed.
“She’s there?” he asked.
“She’s dropping my tonic off for tonight,” I lied. I hate lying to him.
“Tomorrow. I’ll be there around five.”
“Okay, see you then.”
“See you.”
I had to stop myself from telling him I loved him before we disconnected. I missed him so much.
“That sounded hard,” Katia said.
“You have no idea.” I glanced over to Eli. “Thank you for not telling him.”
“Oh, I won’t miss this reunion for the world.” He laughed. “He asked me just last night if the temple sent word yet. I told them that I have phoned already, and they said another few weeks or so. I doubt he would be phoning them, Danielle.”
I chuckled. I hope he doesn’t. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
That night Sebastian threw pebbles at my window—an old habit of his.
“Seriously?” I yelled to him below.
“I know you want to see them, Danielle. Let’s go.”
My kids. “I’ll be down.” I rushed outside and found Sebastian in the courtyard.
He hugged me tight. “I missed you so much.”
“Me too. Sorry I forgot all of this.”
“You’re forgiven. You ready?” He had a ring too, and I held on tight as we disappeared and reappeared in the meadow close to the academy.
We spoke to the principal, and he woke them all up.
“Mom, Sebastian, where’s Dad?” Emile asked.
I cried when I saw him. He was so big. I knew he was big, but I was looking at him through different eyes, I couldn’t help but cry. I rushed to him and hugged him tight.
“What is going on here?” he asked as Joshua and Eva came down.
“Is Daddy okay?” Eva asked.
“Your dad is fine,” Bas said. “But your mother is a complete different story, Eva.”
I looked up and saw Joshua. “Josh,” I said and opened my arms. He walked to me slowly and the minute I hug them, I kissed him everywhere on his cheek.
“Mom?” he finally asked.
“I missed you so much. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to see you grow up and become these handsome young men.”
“You got the cure?” Joshua asked.
I nodded, and they both hugged me tighter. “You’re really back?” Emile asked.
“I’m back. Don’t tell your dad though. He’s coming home tomorrow.”
They chuckled. “He’s going to piss himself.”
“Emile,” I scolded.
“What? Sorry, it’s the truth.”
“I want to know about everything I’ve missed.”
“Mom, it’s late. We’ll see you this weekend, and then we can talk about everything.” Joshua smiled. I hugged him again.
“I’m counting down the hours,” I said.
Eva was next, and I couldn’t stop looking at her. I knew I had all my memories of her life, but my feelings for her were different, stronger, because I finally remembered how much I wanted her and how much I loved her dad.
“You changed, Danielle.”
I grunted and she laughed. “I know I messed up baby, but I didn’t know. It’s not an excuse, I know. I just love you so much. I forgot how much.” I tapped on my chest.
“You’re finally back? For real?”
“For real, and I promise, I will be the best mom you ever had if you just give me another chance, baby girl.”
“Okay, fine,” she said and gave me a cheeky smile. “I’ll see you this weekend, Mom.”
“Music to my ears.”
“It’s a school day tomorrow. Dad will have a hernia if he finds out about this.”
“Don’t tell him, Eva.”
“It’s not how my gift works, Mom,” she said, sounding a little forced, before she followed her brothers to their respective dorms.
“She calls you mom?” Sebastian asked.
“It’s still forced one, but she will mean it eventually.”
He laughed.
We thanked the principal. Sebastian took me to our favorite food cart in New York. I had a hotdog, and he ate tacos.
I told him about the witch.
“Why didn’t you tell Eli, Danielle?”
“I had other things on my mind, Bas. I technically didn’t see them for ten years. You can’t count this past year. There is time to find her, and then I’ll strangle the truth out of her.”
“You don’t have to do any of those things. You can just read her thoughts.”
I gaped. “How cool is that! Huh? I never knew I was a witch. You know how many times I wish I were, and when it happened, I was scared shitless because I couldn’t remember a damn fucking thing.”
“Oh, Danielle. I feel sorry for Marick tomorrow.”
I laughed. “No, you don’t.”
“Okay, fine, I don’t. I’m not going to miss it though.”
“Oh, c’mon, with everyone there he is going to know.”
“He won’t. We can hide.”
“Fine, but if he figures it out, I’m blaming you.”
We finished our food and headed back. I wish these rings could step through time, let it be tomorrow five o’clock.
“Thank you, Bas.” I walked side by side next to him on the castle ground, his arm around me.
“I’m glad you’re finally back, Danielle.”
“Don’t fuck tomorrow up, please,” I said.
He laughed. “I won’t.”
Back in my room, Minaut scolded me. “You and Bas?”
“He’s just a friend. I went to see Em and Joshua.”
“I knew it! They were happy,” she said as I thought about it.
“They better not tell their dad.”
“I doubt they will. The relationship they have with Marick is new too, Danny.”
She showed me things, how he basically abandoned them.
“Don’t be mad at him, please. Your death broke him.”
“He had responsibility to our sons,” I said, crossing my arms.
“Danielle, he is a guy, and a warlock, to make it worse. We’re not humans. He missed you a lot.” She closed off her thoughts.
“Seriously, just like that?”
“I never would’ve shown you if I knew it was going to piss you off.”
“Fine,” I said grumpily.
“Don’t be mad at him please,” she begged.
I sighed. I knew that he basically abandoned the boys, but it was sinking now in what that meant. He let a shifter raise my boys. I was pissed off, but I did miss his ass. A lot.
* * *
MARICK
* * *
The meeting finished around five. The trial was finally over, and the verdict was given. I didn’t want to stay. I wanted to go home where I was needed. My father said a few more weeks, and then I’d finally have my Danielle back.
I was thinking of taking her away, just making love to her nonstop to catch up on the past ten years that we lost. But I know she was going to want to see the kids too.
I packed my bags and twisted my ring, thinking of home.
I appeared in the courtyard and found the servants and Bas waiting for me. He smiled. “And how was it?”
“Hard, but gla
d it’s over.”
“Welcome home, son.” My father smiled too.
“Why you so happy?”
“Eli,” Bas scolded.
“Oh c’mon. I’m trying,” my father said and walked off grumbling to himself.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.”
“I actually loved the smile, Bas. You didn’t have to be so mean.”
“I’m sorry, Marick. Danielle wants to speak to you about something. She’s in the office.”
I halted for a moment. “The cure came?”
Bastian laughed, and I knew it. I rushed to my office and found her sitting in my chair.
“It came?” I smiled.
“What came?” she asked.
“The cure. Where is it?”
She laughed a hallow laugh.
“What?” I asked. I knew when I was in trouble, and I was in trouble. She had her arms folded.
“What’s wrong, Danielle?” I asked, and she didn’t say a word. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “They fucked it up again, didn’t they?”
She got up and smacked me in the arm. “You let a fucking shifter raise my kids, Marick,” she said.
The cure, it didn’t come, I thought, feeling forlorn. Then it hit me: She didn’t wait for it. She already drank it. I should’ve picked up on it when she laughed, the one that always let me know I was in loads of shit.
“Danielle,” I said.
“Don’t you dare ‘Danielle’ me.”
I didn’t care how pissed off she was. I cupped her face and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She mumbled against my face. I know she was pissed off, but she remembered me, and I just kept on kissing her.
She grunted and finally kissed me back passionately. She jumped and wrapped her legs around my waist.
It was really her. I missed her so much.
She fiddled with my belt and unbuckle it as I sat her down on my desk.
We managed to not break our kiss as she unzipped my pants and pulled down my trousers and boxers.
I yanked off her jeans and panties, and in less than ten seconds, I was inside of her.
I groaned. I missed this so much. She started to moan, and I slowed down, waiting for a Brolin comment, but when it didn’t come, I ravished her on my desk, wanting her to know how much I missed her, how much she fucked me up when she left. She whimpered softly and bit my shoulder through my shirt before ripping it open. Button scattered everywhere, and I laughed against her lips. I wanted to cry that she was finally back, this emotion was too much. I wanted it all.
Playing With Fire Page 47
