by Valia Lind
"Connor."
"Harper."
I chuckle, because I can't help myself. Instantly, I'm rewarded by one of his grins and my heart feels lighter.
"Don't be difficult."
"Can't help it."
The lightness in this moment is gone before it can take any real root. I feel the shift in him as if I can see it. He runs one of his fingers over my cheek, tucking my hair behind the ear.
"You saved me," he says, his forehead falling gently on my own. It's his turn to feel all the emotions, and I can almost see the weight on his shoulders as he breathes me in. Reaching out, I cup his cheek, bringing his face level with mine.
"And I will continue to do so," I whisper, making it a promise to him and to myself. His breath hitches at the implications of that statement and then his lips are on mine. We're hungry for each other, in a way that ignites me on a primal level. His hands bring me closer, lifting me so I can straddle him without breaking the kiss. When we come up for air, we're both breathing heavily, but I can't let him go. He seems to have the same idea, as he holds me close, placing gentle kisses across whatever patch of skin he can reach.
A noise jerks me to attention, and that's when I remember where we are.
"The coven and my pack are here," Connor explains, when he realizes I heard them.
"In the same house?"
"I know," he smiles, his arms still around me. "You really got them rethinking their whole stance on partnership." He places a small kiss to my noise and I crinkle it in response. His chuckle is deep and I can feel it vibrating across my skin.
"What happened, Connor?" I ask, wondering if I really want the answer to that. But before he can answer, the door behind me opens and I twist to see my mother entering the room, with Bri hot on her heels.
"Well, someone is feeling better," my sister comments, as I try to scramble off Connor and make myself presentable. When I meet my mother's eyes, I expect the same disapproval I've become use to. But I find none of it there. Instead, she walks across the room, pulling me into her arms.
"I am so proud of you, Harper," she mumbles, voice thick with emotion. I cling to her just as hard, feeling more like myself than I've ever felt. When she takes a step back, Connor stands up, entwining his hand with mine. I glance over, but he's looking at my mother. It's like he needs to be near me, and I understand that all too well.
"You sent the Ancient back to slumber," my sister says, as if unable to contain her excitement any longer.
"What?"
"It's true," Mama replies. "You and Connor, your soulmate magic was stronger than that of an Ancient and when you saw Connor hurt, I think it unlocked something inside of you."
I nod, because I can remember it happening. It was like a door has been opened, a door I've been waiting to open my whole life. Sneaking a peek at Connor, I give him a shy smile and earn a grin in response.
"What now?"
"Now, we learn all we can about your magic and your connection. The Ancient could sense your magic.“ Mama says, but not unkindly. She looks at Connor as if he's already one of us, part of the coven, part of the family, and it brings fresh tears to my eyes. "We learn, and we train. The Ancient said others are already awake. This is far from over. But for now, we celebrate and we mourn those we lost. Come downstairs when you're ready."
Without another word, Mama and Bri both turn to the door, leaving as swiftly as they came in. A million thoughts rush through me, and I don't even know where to start.
"Let's go downstairs," Connor says softly, breaking through my inner turmoil. He tucks me more securely to his side, placing a small kiss on my forehead as I nod.
We descend the stairs carefully, him leading the way down, because now that I've been upright, I feel the exhaustion from the use of magic. There's a crowd in our front room, and people throughout the whole first floor. When we stop at the bottom of the stairs, everyone turns and looks at us. Instantly, I feel self conscious but before I can turn and run, a small body pushes through the crowd, running full speed at me. Small arms wrap around my middle and I'm a puddle of emotions on the floor and I don't care who sees.
"Evan!" I drop right down to my knees, pulling him away from my body and studying him thoroughly.
"I'm okay. You saved me." He says, grinning and I can tell he's related to Connor, because he's just as striking. I chuckle, running my hand over his hair.
“You were such a brave boy. We did it together.” I say, and hug him close to me. He holds me back just as tightly, and my heart feels fuller than it's ever been.
"We have food!" Evan exclaims, pulling away, apparently done with this display of emotion. Before I can comment, he turns and points to the kitchen. "We can eat now!"
With that, the room laughs, moving to follow Evan as he darts into the kitchen. I get ready to follow, but Connor catches me by the hand, pulling me to him.
“What happened to him?” I ask, interrupting whatever Connor was getting ready to say. We both turn, looking in the direction the boy went, a smile on my lips.
“Your mother said that the magic that was keeping Evan under the spell was Drake’s. It was an experiment, because that’s what they do. When you sent him packing, the curse broke.”
It makes sense, but it also worries me. If Drake was powerful enough for that kind of a magic, what other tricks to the Ancients have for us? Connor nudges me a little, bringing my attention back to him.
"He's right you know. You did save us."
"It's wasn't my effort alone," I disagree and he grins. "But even so, you already know, I would do whatever it takes to protect you."
"Ah, I've got my own guardian angel," he says, ducking his head to place a small kiss on my lips.
"No," I reply, wrapping my arms round his neck and pulling him toward me. "You've got a guardian witch."
I seal that promise with a kiss.
Next in the Hawthorne Chronicles
Book Two: Witch’s Fire
Witch’s Fire (Hawthorne Chronicles, #2)
Preorder today!
Welcome to Hawthorne.
A town. A home. A sanctuary.
It’s a land of magic, where traditions run deep. Governed by an ancient coven, it’s a place where supernaturals and humans can live in peace.
Until now.
Brianna has been groomed to become the next coven’s leader since the day she was born. As the eldest sister, she is knowledgeable in the ways of her people. Strong and reliable, she has only one flaw: she has no active magic.
Mark has been called to Hawthorne by the coven’s leaders. With the Ancients rising from their slumber, every powerful witch is needed. But neither Mark nor Brianna realize that what they need more is each other.
They are like oil and water. Two pieces from two different puzzles. But in order to defeat the latest big and bad, they will have to work together.
And maybe, just maybe, they’ll discover that opposites do attract and anything is possible with an open mind and a little magic.
Get your copy today!
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About the Author
Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind has always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first published book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and has found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Her YA thriller, Pieces of Revenge is the recipient of the 2015 Moonbeam Children's Book Award.
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Also by Valia Lind
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The Faithful Soldier (The Skazka Chronicles, #2.5)
Majyk Reclaimed (The Skazka Chronicles, #3)
Pieces of Revenge (Titanium, #1)
Scarred by Vengeance (Titanium, #2)
Ruined in Retribution (Titanium, #3)
Falling by Design
Edge of Falling
