Sweet Nectar

by Mackenzie Raye

  Tawana followed me to the fireplace. “The usual ingredients?”

  “Yes,” I answered with an attitude. “We need to keep it down. I have a sleeping vampire in the other room.”

  “You go girl. Tell me all the juicy details while I fetch the first round of ingredients.”

  What was I going to tell her? That the gorgeous six-foot-tall man rocked my world several times. I cannot tell her I fed him my blood. It’s forbidden, but I had too. Shit. I’m in a pickle. No I want to suck a pickle. Damn it, Divana, stop lusting after something so wrong.

  “Hello, Di. Come back to Earth with me. Damn, I have never seen you blush like that while spaced out. Even Brock didn’t cause sweat to bead up on your forehead.” I wiped my forehead and struck a match.

  “It’s the fire.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, for I already know he gets your steamy juices flowing, and it’s about fucking time.”

  “Shut up, T. You know I can’t get involved with another vampire. Look what it got me the first time.”

  “Di, listen to me. Brock loved you. He blocked you because he felt it was his duty to protect you from all evil. Yes, he died because he wanted you to live. Do you really think he saved you to never fall in love again? His goal was for you to live and live life to the fullest. Give this new guy a try. What’s his name?”

  “Maddox.” I added another log to the raging fire and placed the cauldron on the hooks. Tawana carried a bucket of water without being told. “Don’t say it.”

  “I didn’t have too. You already know. M, that is a great letter, and Maddox is a name I would love to scream out during a full-blown orgasm. It sounds so…so hot.”

  “Shut up, T.”

  We filled the cauldron up to the rim. I turned to the stove and lit up two additional burners with pots of water on them. Tawana stirred in the first ingredient: witch’s powder. A chuckle escaped my body. I cannot believe a non-witch is starting a potion in my kitchen like a pro.

  “You know. I should be able to make this potion all by myself. Except I forget what to do after adding the orange zest. I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed by any means.”

  “You need to stop selling yourself short. Have you forgotten all the times you took a beating in the head after he came off this medication?” I wanted to kill Huck for giving her multiple contusions. Two years ago, he cost her a pregnancy. He doesn’t know it yet, but one day he will know. The brut smell of musk tickled my nose. I pivoted around to see Maddox turning the corner in only his boxers. Heated sensations shot down my legs and up my spine.

  “Oh, I didn’t know you had company.”

  I watched Tawana’s mouth drop open. She licked her lips and nearly walked into the open fireplace.

  “Sorry. I will be right back.”

  “Holy shit, Di. Don’t let that snake go away.”

  “T, get your head back to the task at hand before you burn yourself. Or worse go head first into the cauldron with boiling water.” I pointed to the fireplace and laughed. She shrugged her shoulders.

  “Did you allow him to bite you? I mean you claim to be diagnosed with Odaxelagnia and all.”

  I tossed a potato at her. It missed.

  “Hey now, I know that doesn’t go into my pot… my pot yet.”

  “What are you making? Something smells good.” His sleepy voice caused my heart to pitter patter. His messy ash-brown hair was sexy as hell. I wanted to rush to him so I could run my hands through it until he forced me to stop by kissing me with passion. Images of just that took over my brain, but it was of a different time. I didn’t have time for a premonition, but I had to admit I loved the thought.

  “Divana,” Tawana screamed.

  I jerked and shook my head.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you, but your stuff is boiling over back there.”

  I had forgotten about the pots. “Damn it. I cannot allow it to overflow.”

  Maddox flew to my side and picked up the hot pan without any protection. He whisked it away from all heat.

  I raced after him.

  The vampire had smarts because he ran into the walk-in freezer where we stashed the bear.

  “Don’t let it over freeze, honey.” His head turned back. He stared at me. A glimmer of warm ocean blue flashed in his eyes. “It is critical to the process. Perfect potions are needed. I have to make a living somehow.”

  “I have ideas for you to make money,” he replied.

  “You’ll get that for free,” I lied. It about broke my heart to do it, but I had too. Once the potion was swallowed, he’d forget all feelings for me. A huge lump formed in my throat.

  “My Witch, what is wrong?”

  “He knows you are a witch?” Tawana barged in on us.

  I nodded, for I couldn’t speak.

  “You have bear. Di, why have you killed an animal of the forest? A bear I think.”

  “She didn’t. I did. In order to curve my appetite for blood, I raced out and tried something new. With all the tales about vampires and feeling different than I imagined I should, I bit into the animal. I don’t want to be known for biting humans. Even my enemies don’t deserve to become a vampire.” His words showed me more about his character. With each word he spoke, I fell harder and further in love with him.

  “Okay, I forgive you. I like him,” she muttered as she left us alone in the walk-in cooler.

  “She seems to approve of you.” Shaking my head at the whole ordeal, I turned to walk out.

  “Divana, what is so wrong with me you cannot allow yourself to love me? I can feel it every time I’m around you. I know you feel our love like I do, but you are holding back for some reason.”

  “Maddox, listen. I watched a hired hitman kill my lover, my best friend, my partner all because he protected me. Witch hunters are still looking to kill me. I cannot put you in that position. You will do the same thing.” Tears raced down my cheeks and dripped off my face. “Please place the pot back on the stove and turn down the burner. I will be there in a few. I need a moment, alone.”

  “Yes, darling. When you come out, I’ll come back to skin and cut up this bear in order for you to be able to use it.”

  “Maddox, you don’t have to do it. I can…”

  “Divana, I killed it. I will clean it. End of story.” Maddox left me cold in the cooler. It felt like ice water pumped through my veins instead of warm blood. What was I going to do? My feelings for Maddox grew with each moment that passed.

  “Damn it, Brock, why did you have to step in front of me with the wooden-speared bullet made of silver? The hunter was going to kill anything and everything standing between him and me.” I fell down into the fetal position and rocked myself while I cried. Through the open door, I heard Tawana and Maddox engage in some friendly chatting. How could I be in love with this guy?

  “I’m falling in love with her,” Maddox admitted to my long-time friend.

  My heart sputtered. I knew in that very moment I had to give him the memory block in order to keep him safe. No man needed to be in love with a cursed witch. “She is amazing.”

  “Yes, she is.” I heard Tawana agree with him.

  Damn traitor.

  I forced my body to stand. After straightening my t-shirt, well pulling it down over my ass, I headed back into the kitchen. The aroma of a well-spiced potion caught me off guard. Tawana had fixed her first potion without my help. I was extremely proud of her. Maddox looked up at me with a smile on his face. A part of me wanted to greet him with a kiss; the other part desired to finish this memory block to protect him from me.

  “Tawana, I cannot believe you concocted your first potion all by yourself. Congrats, girl.” Both of them turned toward me. Maddox’s blue eyes sparkled like sapphires under special lighting. His smile along with his wink melted my heart. I had to convince my mind not my heart. Thoughts about Brock blocked any steps moving forward and allowing Maddox a place in my life.

  “Thanks,” Tawana said. Her arms wrapped around my body fo
r a long sisterly hug. Images of Brock exited my mind as if on cue. Maddox stared at us.

  “You two need some alone time. I am going to cut up a bear. Nice to meet you, Tawana, hope to see you in the future.”

  “Yea. I am positive I’ll see you again.”

  Maddox raised his eyebrows at her.

  “Silly, Tawana loves to make potions in order to spice up her sex life with her husband, Huck.” I interjected before she had the chance to spill too much information to him.

  “You can do that?”

  “I am a witch, you know.”

  “Oh, did you put a spell on me, dearie?”

  Tawana giggled at his words. I have to admit they were funny; however, I couldn’t let him win.

  “Stop. Maddox, I did no such thing.”

  “I think you put a spell on me. For I have fallen in love with the most gorgeous woman, well witch, on Earth,” he spoke with a charming tone. He stepped toward me. I responded with a lick of my lips. In a matter of seconds, he had me wrapped up in his arms, and our tongues were dancing a gig.

  Tawana started humming the annoying child’s rhyme of K. I. S. S. I. N. G.

  Maddox stopped kissing me to eye her. I laughed, and he joined in. “I am going now. See you later, Tawana.”

  I kissed Maddox’s cheek before he left me alone with Tawana. “Di, I like him. He is wonderful.”

  “Yeah, well I cannot fall for it again,” I answered while placing the first of the ingredients in the pot.

  “Why?”

  “Brock. He was the love of my life. Now dead,” I stated. “Falling for another male, a vampire at that, will…”

  “Will what? Destroy your love for Brock? Grow up. Brock is dead, yes, but he will always live in your heart. Just because you love someone else doesn’t mean you love Brock any less. Honey, he’d want you happy.”

  “I cannot let his memory die. My love for him cannot die.”

  “Di, it won’t.” Tawana stopped stirring her concoction, ran toward me, and pulled me into a huge bear hug. “His memory and love will always live in your heart.”

  “I know, but I am afraid I will forget him in the long run.” I sobbed into her shoulder.

  “Divana, you still need to live your life. Brock wouldn’t want you here alone and depressed. He loved you, but always told you to be happy. So, follow his words and be happy.” She pushed me back and looked into my eyes. “Are you not happy with Maddox? How did you meet him anyways?”

  “I saved his life. A vampire bit him near the house. He left him to die.”

  “Holy Shit. You are shitting me, right?”

  “T, no,” I said in a louder than normal voice.

  “Are you two alright out there?” His husky voice startled me. I didn’t realize he could her my answer.

  “Yes, just updating Tawana on how we met.”

  “The witch saved the vampire. Sounds odd, doesn’t it, Tawana?” he asked.

  “No, you got lucky and found the sexiest yet strongest witch in the land.”

  I hit her with a playful punch. To think I was the sexiest and strongest witch was nothing more than Tawana boosting my ego.

  “Not to mention her caring and loving personality. Any other witch would have left you to rot for use in potions and concoctions.”

  “T, shut the hell up.”

  “Witch, stop. I already feel the love and support you provide. I know this, well my extra support doesn’t just happen to everyone.”

  “Maddox, damn it. Do not spill all the beans on what happened.”

  “Not like you won’t tell her anyways.”

  “Conversation ended. I have a few other potions to make. We cannot waste that bear when I can make money off it. Back to work everyone,” I stated.

  Tawana let go of me and headed toward the cauldron. She gathered up a pink bottle. Pink bottles were designated to her, for her favorite color was pink. Grunting sounds came from the cooler. Assuming he was busy with the bear, I walked over to whisper to T. “He is great in bed. Details will have to wait until another time.”

  “I figured by the glow you have. It has been missing since Brock’s death.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because watching you flounder around the truth is comical. Three bottles just like yours. I am getting good at this. Can I become the first Deer Witch?” Tawana playfully asked.

  I laughed until my sides ached. She joined me in laughing after I doubled over at the idea. “Huck would have a shit fit.”

  “Speaking of the devil, what did he do this time?”

  “He told me he had a side chick who followed orders better than me. I was beaten.” She raised up her shirt providing me access to see her lashing. “A slap ended the conversation.”

  “He slapped you?”

  “No, me of him.”

  “Well help me make this block. It may help you with your situation.” I winked. The giddy smile indicated to me she wanted the extra help. If my plan worked, he’d forget about the side bambi and come home to her. I hated the fact she didn’t see him as the asshole he was, but I supported my bestie to the best of my abilities. “Can you get me the sheet pan from the pantry?”

  “Sure.”

  A dash of this and that went into the first pan. The second pot I put in salt. Bear stew was great for supper, but first I needed it to soak in the hot salt water. I cooked differently than humans. After I turned off the boiling salt water I left the kitchen to retrieve the bear meat from cooler.

  Once I entered the door to the walk-in, my body froze while I watched the sexy vampire cutting up the meat. His smooth movements in his hip area sent shivers throughout my body. Oh, I wished to ride this man again against the wall while he thrusted his hips like that for his joystick to bang against my cervix. My mind drifted off and into a wild, wet fantasy.

  A set of lips touched mine. Hands groped my boobs forcing them up against my chin. Moisture pooled in between my legs. It felt like my body was lifted off the ground. I opened my eyes just in time to see Maddox smile before covering my lips with his, gentle at first before becoming rough. He bit my bottom lip. Between the warmth of my blood and internal flame spewing embers from his bite, I creamed my panties.

  “Holy shit woman, I didn’t expect you to climax before I stuck it in.”

  “Maddox, I…I…Put me down.” My feet hit the floor, and I took off.

  Don’t leave me, my witch, you excite me in the same way. I am addicted to your blood and to you. Everything about you.

  You know nothing, Mads. Please. I only came into the cooler for meat to put in stew. Sorry I messed everything up. I didn’t mean to cum that quick. Odaxelagnia is no joke.

  Well, I am glad I can please you with one bite.

  I shut off all telepathic communications with Maddox because I desired to fuck him until he remembered no other women.

  “Di, is everything okay? You look flushed.”

  “Yeah, everything is fine. Do me another favor.”

  “Sure thing.” Tawana placed the sheet pan on the table. She knew me all too well. “What can I do first?”

  “Get another pan of water going.” Twana’s fidgeting and crooked smile indicated to me Maddox reentered the kitchen.

  “Divana, we need to talk about things. You quit talking to me.” His words sounded cold and upset.

  I wasn’t sure how to deal with him and my feelings. One thing was for sure, I didn’t want to fall in love with him this quick. Right on cue, my heart palpated. A huge whirlwind formed while Tawana stood frozen in place. I glanced around to see Maddox mimicking a statue. Time stood still.

  A translucent male appeared between me and Maddox. At first, I didn’t recognize the man standing before me. Death had treated him wrong in many ways. His black hoody reminded me of Reaper. The man slid back his hoodie and smiled at me. Those sea-green eyes staring at me belonged to only one man. My Brock.

  “Honeybuns, love looks radiant on you. I almost forgot how beautiful you were when we
were in love. Lately, you have been too blue for my liking. Death drains the color out of all of us.”

  “Brock, I have missed you.” I started to run toward him, but he moved.

  “Divana, you cannot touch me. Please, do not ask what I have become.”

  “What the fuck, Brock? Are you the new angel of death or the grim fucking reaper?”

  “That’s not why I am here.”

  “I don’t give a fuck why you are here, explain. Or I will touch you.”

  “Damn it, Honeybuns. I wanted you to live happily; that is why I danced with the devil to provide you life.”

  “I didn’t ask you to do that because I died the day you took your own life saving me. But I was already dead, for my one and only love turned to ash before me. So, you’re aren’t my Brock. Now, I have better things to do than listen to the…the…what the hell ever you are.” I turned my back toward the image of the man I once loved with all my heart and continued to make the memory blocks. Tawana needed to get home so she didn’t get the hell beat out of her for being late. “Fuck Brock, you were the reason I wanted to live in the first place.”

  “I know. I licked your wounds, erased your mind, and cared for you afterwards.”

  “What to do you mean erased my memory?”

  “The night we hooked up wasn’t told exactly the way it happened. I saved your life just like you saved Maddox’s. The difference is that no one tried to kill you. Self-inflicted wounds from a box cutter because no one loved you was your method. Well guess what, Honeybuns, that vampire loves you more than I ever did. The two of you were meant to be together; not you and I.” The cloaked figure dropped his head. “You were just a piece to me. On day one, I manipulated you into sucking my cock. Hell, it was awesome. Then, I pimped you out to the devil. I wasn’t what you thought. While you slept, I hunted virgins to sacrifice for the greater Evil. I saved you because you gave me hope and love while I lived in a dark world, along with the fact your blood gave me a high no one else’s compared too. In order to keep you alive, I had to make a deal and become the next angel of death. Gabe pissed off Lucifer. Go be with him, just don’t ever think of me again. We will meet when the time is right. Now isn’t the time.”