by Vella Day
The sign at the ticket booth said they were about to go on something called a Ferris wheel. The ride came to a stop and let the people off one bucket at a time. Josh handed someone tickets, and after waiting in line for a bit, they were escorted to one of those swinging capsule things. They slid onto the seats, and then the person in charge lowered a bar in front of them.
“Hold tight, you guys,” the young man said with a grin.
She grabbed a hold. Being this close to Josh was wreaking all sorts of havoc with her libido. Not only was her skin glowing again, sharp spikes of pleasure were shooting between her legs. When Josh placed his hand on hers and squeezed, her pulse soared.
“You okay?” he asked.
Magnolia painted on a smile, wishing he wouldn’t keep asking her that. “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”
He inhaled as if to answer but then said nothing. The capsule moved and jerked, causing her to tighten her grip. He leaned over. “You’re safe, I promise.”
She trusted Josh, and that knowledge calmed her. When the Ferris wheel reached its peak, they could see forever. “This is incredible,” she said with awe.
“It’s like flying without actually having to flap my wings.”
For the next few minutes, they watched the world pass by. They went around three times and then were let off. Josh helped her down. “Feeling better?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
This time when he loosely wrapped an arm around her waist, she snuggled against him. Doing something as simple as flying across the realm and then taking a ride together had built a bond.
“It’s a little early for lunch, but does any junk food strike your fancy?” he asked.
“I do love sweets, but I try to limit myself.” She patted her stomach.
“You have a perfect body. You don’t need to worry.”
Heat raced up her face. Men were often so put off by her rule-driven personality that they rarely tossed compliments her way—body or no body. “Thank you.”
For the next half hour, they searched the food booths and ended up sharing a hotdog, something called a funnel cake, and some homemade chips. If she ate any more food though, she might barf when they flew back to Edendale.
Josh pointed to a tall tent with multiple peaks. “Look, there’s a concert in there. Come on.”
He sounded so excited, she couldn’t say no. Never before had she been so spontaneous. Magnolia had to admit it was rather freeing.
The duet on stage was singing an unfamiliar tune, but the melody was nice. Finding two seats together took some work, but eventually they did. She leaned over. “It feels good just to relax.” To think that yesterday she’d been in a fire.
“Tell me about it.”
For the next hour they were treated to some toe tapping music. The singer called it Country, claiming he studied on Earth in a place called Nashville, Tennessee a few years back. It took a bit of getting used to his accent, but the lyrics were heartfelt.
When the concert ended, they decided it was time to head back to Edendale. How they ended up taking another two hours to reach the exit was anyone’s guess.
“What was your favorite part?” Josh asked as they left the fairgrounds.
“It might sound crazy, but that man who made those amazing sculptures using only a chainsaw fascinated me. Yours?”
He blew out a breath. “I actually enjoyed the petting zoo. Makes me want to get an animal.”
Josh was such a sensitive sort. “Why don’t you?”
“Magnolia, you know what kind of life I lead. Fires happen at all hours. I wouldn’t want to leave a pet home alone for who knows how long.”
She hugged his arm. “You are a good man, Josh Gerrard.”
As if no one was at the fair, he turned her around, leaned over, and kissed her.
Chapter Six
Josh wasn’t certain what had come over him, but he knew that if he hadn’t tasted Magnolia, his dragon would have done something really stupid—like light up the place. Holding her in his arms might cause his scales to flash, but as long as he didn’t turn all blue, he wouldn’t become too concerned.
Her sweetness was divine, but he didn’t want to embarrass her by delving into her mouth and holding her even closer. No doubt his hands would roam over her luscious body, and then she’d freak for sure. Josh decided to break the kiss before that happened. As soon as their lips parted, he had to work hard to calm his rapid firing heart.
Magnolia didn’t move as her gaze lingered on his lips. Had he crossed some line? “Are you okay?” he asked.
“To my surprise, I’m more than okay.” She smiled, her graceful high-arching brows framing her beautiful blue eyes.
If they hadn’t drawn some onlookers, he might have picked her up and swung her around. He waved a hand at the dark skies. “Not that I can’t fly at night, but I’d rather not travel long distances.”
Josh didn’t like adding another lie to their relationship, but if he had suggested they spend the night in his cabin before they came here, Magnolia would have said no. It wouldn’t have mattered if she wanted to or not.
Sure, he would love nothing more than to make love to her, but he was also interested in spending some quality time with her. Magnolia was the type who would appreciate that.
“Oh. I didn’t know. What do you want to do?”
He mentally pumped a fist that she hadn’t called him out on it. She had to know all shifters had incredible eyesight. “We have a couple of options, but the easiest is to stay at my cabin that’s not far from here. Don’t worry, it has two bedrooms.”
“You have a cabin in Hearndon?”
“I do. Didn’t I mention that I used to live here before I moved to Edendale?”
“I think you might have.”
“I come here when I want to get away from it all. Actually, it was where I was headed when I spotted your shop on fire.”
She sucked in a large breath. “I’m sorry you had to cut short your vacation because of me.”
He held out his hands. “I’m here now, and I’m having an amazing time. What do you say?”
“I, ah, didn’t bring any clothes with me.”
Most of his retorts about sleeping naked wouldn’t have been appropriate. “You can wear one of my T-shirts to bed if you like.”
She studied him and then smiled. “That sounds like a plan.”
Oh, holy goddess. Josh couldn’t believe the conservative Magnolia had agreed. “Great. Let’s head on out.”
Something had changed in her today. It could be that no unusual telekinetic events occurred, or maybe it was because they had such a good time at the fair that she was willing to give the two of them a try. Didn’t he wish?
Once they were away from the crowd, he shifted. This time, Magnolia approached his dragon. When he extended his claw and she grabbed hold, his excitement grew. Making sure she was safe, he held her tight and took off. Flying at night was never an issue. His shifter vision was excellent. If she had been aware of that fact and agreed anyway, they were in for a fantastic night.
Determined not to mess things up between them, he wanted to let her know how much he wanted her, though it would be best if he let her make the first move. That meant he’d probably be awake all night in anticipation of her coming to his room.
In no time, they arrived at his cabin. He set her down and returned to his human form.
Magnolia looked around. “It’s hard to see a lot of detail at night, but it looks cute.”
“It’s not large, but it has everything I need. In the morning, I’ll show you the view of the lake. I like to sip my coffee and watch the birds fly over the mist lifting off the surface. It’s my favorite part of being here—that and floating around in my rowboat.”
“That sounds so peaceful.” Her voice trailed off.
What had her life been like that had caused her to crave such peace? After he opened up the cabin, Josh ushered her inside and turned on the lights.
“It’s not much,
but it’s comfortable,” he said.
The kitchen was a small galley style, and the dining room table served four at best. The living room only held a sofa and a coffee table that faced a small television mounted above a fireplace.
“I like it.”
“Thanks. How about a glass of wine after such a long, exciting day?”
“I would love one.”
So far so good!
They both placed their outerwear on the backs of the dining room chairs. Josh then located a bottle of red and dragged out two water glasses. He felt bad that he’d never decked out this place with anything fancy, but he’d never believed he’d bring anyone here.
Josh poured her a glass and then handed it to her. “Sorry about not having any wine glasses.”
“I take it you don’t have a lot of company?”
If only she knew what kind of solitary life he led. “No.”
He motioned they sit down on the sofa. “I can’t tell you how happy I was today to see you smiling and enjoying yourself.”
Magnolia sighed. “It has been a long time since I just let go. I normally have a store to run, people to help, and other things that require my focus.”
“I get it.” Josh really wanted to understand who she was as a person. “Being the oldest, I bet you felt the need to dedicate yourself to making sure everyone was taken care of before you took care of yourself.”
“Yes.”
“You said your dad passed away. Was he ill?”
Her chin quivered. Magnolia grabbed hold of her glass as if it were a lifeline. “No, he died saving someone.”
“Was he a white lighter?”
She shook her head. “He was actually a wolf shifter.”
Josh stilled, surprised he hadn’t sensed any shifter blood in her. “But you can’t shift, can you?” If she could, she never let on.
“No. None of us can. I realize that when a non-shifter is mated with a shifter, they both can shift afterward, but something happened. My mom couldn’t either.”
“I’m sorry.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve never known how to, so it’s not like I missed out.”
“I take it your abilities were inherited from your mother then?”
She finished off her wine and set the glass on the coffee table. “Yes.”
Her lips pressed together as if she didn’t want to reveal more.
Josh inhaled. It was time. He set down his glass and clasped her hands. “I think it’s time we come clean with what’s going on here.”
Her breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
“Magnolia, I can see it in your eyes, in the way you light up from the inside when we touch, and I can tell from the way my body pulses with need whenever I am near you—like it is doing right now—that you, Magnolia Faiten, are my mate.”
She opened her mouth and then closed it, but he was unable to tell if she was relieved by the revelation or not. “I have all those feelings too, but I wasn’t positive what they meant.” She glanced at the ceiling. “Who am I kidding? Fate spoke to me and told me you were the one.”
Something didn’t make sense. “Back up. What do you mean Fate talked to you?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Do your best to explain. Please.”
She inhaled. “No one knows the story I’m about to tell you, so please don’t say anything to anyone.”
“I promise, and just so you know, I won’t judge.”
Magnolia’s lips turned up at the corners for a brief moment. “You’re a good man, Josh, but I fear it could drive a wedge between us once you know.”
“Nothing you say can do that.”
“Are you sure?”
He wanted to hug and kiss her—anything to convince her that he would never let her go—but a simple answer might be best. “Yes.”
“Okay. I guess if we are fated to be together, you should know that I am more than a white lighter.”
He thought that might be the case, except that her range of talents didn’t imply she was much more. “Tell me.”
“Let me give you some background so you’ll understand.”
He leaned against the sofa arm and gave her his undivided attention. “I’m listening.”
“My grandmother lives on Earth. Her name is Ophelia, but she didn’t always live there. She’s originally from Tarradon. It was here that she met a wolf shifter by the name of Borin.” She said his name with sad reflection.
“You never had the chance to meet him, did you?” he asked, sympathy pouring out of him.
“No. He too died in battle, but not before they had a son, Cree, who became my father.”
“Go on.”
She swallowed hard. “The important thing to know is that my grandmother, Ophelia, is a goddess.”
While he promised he wouldn’t react, he couldn’t help it. His brows rose. “A goddess?”
“Yes, but that’s not all. My mother is one also.”
He took a moment to let that sink in. “Which makes you a—”
“Goddess too, so yes that means I’m immortal.”
Josh spent a few seconds digesting the enormity of her claim.
Tell her about us, his dragon urged.
Not yet, but soon.
“I can see why you don’t go around announcing that fact.” Josh was pleased with his calm response.
She held up a hand. “There’s more.”
He bet her news couldn’t top that bombshell. “Okay.”
“For years, my mom and dad tried to conceive but couldn’t. Desperate, my grandmother and parents went to Fate asking for help. They said if Fate would grant them children, Ophelia would go to Earth and watch over the shifter and witch world—or rather the Wendayans as they are called in Silver Lake, Tennessee, even though she’d miss my mom a lot.” Magnolia looked down at her clasped hands and then back up at him. “My father offered to give up his immortality.”
Josh whistled. “Wow. That was a big sacrifice, but obviously, it worked. I mean your parents had four girls. What about your mother?”
“My mother said she would raise us to become Fate’s followers if that is even the right word. It just means that whenever two people might not get together because a mate is in trouble, we need to step in.”
“I remember you telling me that your powers varied, depending on whether someone’s mate was involved.”
Her smile came out briefly. “Exactly. When the four of us are together, there is almost nothing that we can’t do.”
Everything was beginning to make sense. “I get the feeling you’ve always believed you weren’t supposed to have a mate, since you were here to help others.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “Yes. So you see why I’ve been so hesitant to embrace the idea that we might have been paired?”
“I do, but I sense that even as you say it now, you still don’t seem to think you deserve the chance to have your own happiness.”
“You may be right. I have always believed I was granted an existence based on the idea that my sisters and I were to serve Fate.”
“And now?” he asked, holding his breath.
“I think I was wrong.”
“Oh, thank goddess.” Josh opened his arms.
Magnolia threw herself into his embrace and hugged him. Her back heaved, making him feel helpless on how to calm her. So he did what he believed she needed. He held her tight, stroked her hair, and kissed the top of her head. “Shh. It’s all good.”
Magnolia finally leaned back and swiped a hand across her wet cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s okay. You see everyone else fall in love and mate, and yet you’ve had to stand by the sidelines and watch.”
She sniffled and nodded. “That’s true, but I am incredibly grateful for having three wonderful sisters and that I am able to help so many people.”
At a loss for what to say, he cleared his throat. “It’s a bit chilly in here. How about I make a fire and we just sit and enjoy it?
”
She sniffled again. “I’d love that.”
“If you want, you can pour more wine while I do my magic. I won’t take long. After all, I’m not a dragon for nothing.”
That brought a smile to her lips. They both stood and went about their tasks. He placed several logs in the fire. When he was sure she wasn’t watching, he sent a quick directive to his dragon. A second later, Josh shot some flames out of his mouth catching the dry wood on fire. He wasn’t aware of any ordinary dragon having that ability, and he was pleased he was special in that way.
When Magnolia finished pouring each of them another glass of wine, she handed him his drink.
“How about grabbing a few cushions and pillows off the sofa?” he asked. “It will be more comfortable than sitting on the hard wood floor.”
“Good idea.” She set down her glass, removed the three seat cushions and both pillows and placed them in front of the fire. She sat down on one. “This is nice. Thank you for today and for confirming what I’d already believed.”
“That we are mates?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
Josh smiled. “My pleasure.”
He wanted this night to be one she would remember, because once he told her his secret, he was quite certain she wouldn’t react as well as he had about her news.
Chapter Seven
Magnolia couldn’t remember a time when she’d been calmer or happier. Having someone understand what growing up was like for her lightened her emotional burden. She could now move forward. Funny how honesty had a way of clearing away the cobwebs.
As they sipped their wine, she stared into the fire. “I can’t recall the last time I sat and watched flames,” she said.
“It’s one of the things that brings me peace. Maybe that’s why I became an arson investigator.”
She looked over at him. “You should have become a fire fighter. That way you could experience the heat and the flames often.”
He chuckled. “Knowing me, I’d become mesmerized by it all and forget to put out the fire.”
She laughed. “I doubt that.”
Josh finished off his glass and placed it to the side. He then grabbed one of the pillows, put it on the floor between his legs, and then leaned toward her. He patted the area in front of him. “How about moving over here?”
