by Emma Dean
It wasn’t like she could tell him everything with Corbin around, but Ethan would know where she was and would be able to tell Lucien and Audrey if anything happened – like the Council deciding to bring her in for more questioning.
Mika knew the only reason they hadn’t was because Corbin had kept everything he’d learned about her so far to himself. She wasn’t sure what to think about that.
At some point it was all going to come to a head. Mika just didn’t know how or when. Corbin was either going to disobey the Council, or he was going to tattle on her. She had to be prepared for both.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Ethan murmured, crossing the room to wrap her up in his arms. “I know this is hard, but we’ll get through it.”
Mika breathed him in deep. He always smelled like rain and damp soil and whatever plant he’d been working with last. It comforted her in a way that was difficult to explain.
She assumed because it always reminded her of her best memories with her mom in their family greenhouse. They’d spend hours there together, working with anything and everything and making it grow.
And now it was all gone and if Claire wasn’t careful, generations of Marshall witches’ work would disappear if their plants weren’t properly cared for. When she got home for the summer, Mika planned to make sure they hired someone competent to help while she was gone.
The last three years her entire family had relied on her to keep that greenhouse running smoothly. Growing plants didn’t require her own power. Wild magic was one of those odd magics, either it worked for you or it didn’t – and even when it did it was a finicky thing.
“What makes you so sure that the Council won’t cart me off to wherever they keep prisoners?” Mika asked. She tightened her grip on Ethan and wished they could stay like this forever.
“Come here.” Ethan pulled her toward her bed and sat down. He settled with his back against the headboard, slipping off his shoes. “Let me hold you at least?”
Mika crawled up and settled into his side, resting her head on his chest with a sigh. Ethan wrapped his arm around her and she snuggled even closer, wishing that she’d been able to spend more time with him lately.
“I’m sorry everything’s been so crazy,” Mika murmured, rubbing her nose into his chest before settling.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he told her. Ethan’s voice rumbled through his chest and into her – soothing. “And I’m sure the Council won’t cart you off because you’ve done nothing wrong Mika. There is no legal reason the Council can take you. After all, you were the one who caught the killer.”
“Thanks to some magic they don’t like, don’t know about, and would probably consider stripping me of. At the very least they’ll assign Corbin to me forever.”
“Would that be so bad?” Ethan asked, running his fingers through her hair.
Mika went completely still as she considered those words carefully and all their possible meanings. “You want the Council to know about me?”
“Well, let me just say I don’t think you can keep this secret forever. And there is a precedent for it. Nothing happened to Jessica James or Kenzie when the Council found out. They’re too powerful for them to control.”
Mika considered that as she snuggled closer. The night sky twinkled with the stars she’d missed in San Francisco.
He wasn’t wrong per se.
“There’s that necromancer too. She doesn’t do shady shit and they leave her alone,” Ethan reminded her. “The dean even called her for help because there are some things only necromancers can do.”
“And Corbin?” she asked.
“He’s very pretty,” Ethan admitted and without even looking she could hear the smile in his voice.
Mika actually laughed at that. “Yes, I suppose I could have an ugly raven to look at.”
“I haven’t forgotten what Hunter told us,” Ethan murmured quietly, glancing at the wall that connected her room to Corbin’s. “And how a storm witch isn’t necessarily a part of that equation.”
Her grip on his tightened and Mika pulled herself up so she could look into those stormy grey eyes of his. She brushed a curl back and kissed him. “I don’t believe in prophecy, Ethan. If I want you in my life, you will be. No matter what that stupid fox says.”
Ethan chuckled and placed his finger under her chin, tilting her face up slightly so he could kiss her back. It was gentle and sweet with just a tiny hint of what they’d done before. “I would do anything for you.”
“I know you would,” she murmured against his lips, breathing him in once more. Ethan’s scent settled her soul and made the world seem a lot less frightening and dangerous.
Her fingers dug into his shirt and she pulled, bringing his face to hers so she could kiss him. Ethan’s inhale was sharp as her tongue slid into his mouth, tasting him. Then something hard poked her stomach and Mika couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not funny,” Ethan practically growled, holding her hips tight. “Keep it up and I’ll just have to show you how much I don’t care the raven is in the other room.”
Her heart fluttered nervously, but Ethan wasn’t some kind of exhibitionist. Or at least, she didn’t think so.
Mika rolled to the side so he was no longer poking her, but she kissed him again, reaching for those curls she loved so much. The warmth of his body against hers just felt right. It felt perfect. Somehow they belonged together despite everything that should be keeping them apart.
But Ethan was the most patient, understanding person she’d ever met. And Mika was pretty sure he was the reason she was finally able to start accepting who she really was and not the witch she’d always thought she’d be.
He was a lot like Matthew in that way, but Matthew was more like Malachi than anyone. He was raised high society just like Mika, but he’d never branched out of their small circle. She highly doubted Matthew would understand why she wanted shifters and other paranormals to be able to attend Morgana.
Lucien was something else altogether and thanks to Ethan she didn’t feel guilty for feeling the way that she did – for the response she had to anyone else. Something may or may not come of it, but…Mika knew she could have it if she wanted and if that wasn’t a freedom all its own, she didn’t know what was.
Ethan’s hand ran up her side and dipped underneath her shirt. Mika gasped when his thumb brushed across her nipple. He paused. “You’re not wearing a bra.”
Licking her lips, she studied Ethan. “No, clearly I’m not.”
He smirked at her and pinched her nipple softly. “You’re always so sassy.”
“It’s part of my charm,” Mika gasped, arching into his touch, feeling that ache between her legs grow just like it did whenever they got physical together. “We should stop.”
“Why?” Ethan rolled her on top of him, and the new position had his hard length nestled between her legs and Mika had to bite her lip to keep from groaning at the sensation. It rubbed in all the right places and suggested how much better it would be if she just…ignored the fact that she had no privacy.
“You know why,” she whispered, glancing at the wall connected to Corbin’s room.
What she wasn’t expecting was Ethan to place his hand over her mouth and start untying her sweats with his other hand. “Guess you’ll have to be quiet,” he whispered. “Unless of course you really don’t want to do this.”
She bit down on his finger in irritation. Of course she wanted to do this. Mika didn’t stop Ethan from untying her pants, and she let him slip his free hand inside – curious what he had planned.
What she hadn’t expected was that gentle touch fluttering across her clit, making her buck against him, rubbing against his hard on. Ethan bit his lip as he touched her again, eliciting the same response.
Mika could feel how wet she was by how easily Ethan’s fingers slid through her folds, rubbing against her bare flesh until she wanted to scream for more, but she couldn’t – not if she didn’t want Corbin to hear.
�
��So, Mika, would you like to watch a movie?” Ethan asked, hips rising so his cock pressed against her. “Maybe an action movie, or something scary?”
She nodded, rubbing against him, wanting there to be fewer clothes between them. Mika removed his hand, placing it under her shirt and on her breast. “I think an action movie sounds like fun,” she said, voice huskier than normal.
Maybe she’d feel more embarrassed if Ethan’s eyes weren’t already half-glazed and his cock wasn’t poking out the top of his pants, waiting for her.
Leaning across him, she reached for the remote on her nightstand, and he moaned slightly. Lifting up her shirt Ethan buried his face between her breasts, squeezing the one in his hand slightly and she gasped.
It was difficult to pull back without falling with the way his wicked tongue circled one nipple and then the other; making them both harden to the point she could feel every slight breeze. Mika aimed the remote at the ceiling and a TV dropped down to face her bed.
“So fancy,” Ethan said, ripping her shirt off completely. He sat up as he pulled it off, running his nose along her collarbone and generally making it difficult to think as she tried to select something to watch.
Finally, Mika gave up when his teeth raked against her nipple, making goosebumps rise up on her skin. “Here, you choose.” With that she scooted down, yanking his pants along with her. They were soft joggers that she secretly admired and contemplated stealing later.
But she licked her lips when she saw he didn’t have anything on underneath either.
“I showered and headed over right after Audrey told me,” Ethan admitted, something loud and obnoxious playing. He tossed the remote to the side and grabbed her by the hips. “I couldn’t wait to watch a movie with you.”
Mika laughed and helped him get her pants off. A single word and a snap of her fingers had her door locked and the whole room warded thanks to Audrey making the spells permanent but flexible.
Finally, there was nothing between them and Mika was straddling Ethan, wondering for just a moment how to do this. Part of it was instinctual, and then she went and overthought things until Ethan placed the head of his cock against her entrance, sliding against her clit on the way there.
Then just as easy as breathing, she sank down, letting him fill her bit by bit as the movie blared behind them. Mika didn’t know what movie it was and she really didn’t care. All she knew was Ethan inside her, below her, hands on her hips—her waist, guiding her.
He looked into her eyes as she slowly rocked against him, getting the feel for this new position, this new vantage point. Mika liked that she could see him, that he could see her, that he could keep teasing her nipples. The position allowed her to control how deep he went, how much pressure she needed or wanted on her clit, and Mika was breathless at the sensation when his tip seemed to hit her damn stomach.
She picked up the pace, feeling that ache build and ease at the same time with each roll of her hips until Ethan was helping her ride him hard, crest building to a point where she would shatter and Mika wasn’t afraid, because Ethan was right here with her – always ready to catch her when she needed him.
Her orgasm ripped through her with such ferocity Mika knew she was going to scream and so did Ethan. He covered her mouth with his hand and flipped her over, not once missing the beat. She clutched onto him as the pleasure tore through her, delicious and all consuming.
Ethan thrust into her, prolonging the sensation until he buried his face into her neck and groaned, his entire body going still as he came.
Mika held him close, running her fingers along his spine as she still convulsed around him, enjoying the way this felt. Being a part of each other this way was still so new to her. She’d never felt this kind of closeness before, not even with Matthew, and Mika knew that Ethan had been the perfect choice for her first time.
And her second.
She just hoped they would have the opportunity for many more after this.
“Ten minutes into the movie,” Ethan mused as he pulled back so he could look at her. He smiled and kissed her. Mika melted, wishing this moment could last forever. “I’ll get some snacks, and then maybe we can actually watch the movie?”
She grinned as he rolled over and headed to her bathroom. “If that’s what you really want to do.”
His wink made her grin and Mika planned to take advantage of the entire movie’s explosions.
16
Malachi called the end of dodgeball practice and Mika went straight for her water. She was dripping sweat and her workout clothes were completely soaked. Audrey followed after her, breathing just as hard as she was.
They were finally winning more games than they lost, but if anything Malachi was pushing them harder during practice. Only three more games to prove they were good enough to be on the Morgana Marauders.
“Are you going to talk to him?” Audrey asked, keeping her voice low as she searched the stands for the raven.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
“Yeah.” Mika sipped the water even though she wanted to down it, but she didn’t want to get cramps. “Now actually.”
“What about Corbin?” Audrey kept looking, but Mika knew he was hiding somewhere he could still listen in. Dodgeball practice usually bored the shit out of him.
“I’m not worried about it.” Mika slapped Audrey on the back once and then sipped some more water, watching as their teammates started leaving the stadium in twos and threes. “What about that other thing?”
Mika hoped things were going better for Audrey than they were for her.
“It’s going,” Audrey murmured. “I’ll see you back at Oleander House? I’m thinking of making something normal – like chicken parmesan.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Mika watched as Malachi stripped off his shirt and started wiping down. Fates, he was distracting. “The raven has to eat too.”
Audrey grumbled but waved her understanding as she turned to leave.
Corbin was most definitely listening in, but Mika really wasn’t worried about it. The raven was conflicted about something. If she had to guess, she’d say he was having a moral conundrum.
And Fates knew what he’d heard that night with Ethan.
“You did excellent,” Malachi was telling Ed, the only other player left in the stadium. “You’ve really improved.”
Ed muttered his thanks and asked another question. Mika felt weird for lurking, but it was the only way to really talk to Malachi anymore. He was never in the dining hall for dinner. It was like he disappeared from the school grounds after practice.
Finally Ed moved on, heading toward the locker room under the stadium.
Mika took a step toward Malachi. “Hey.” This was awkward, and she felt self-conscious. But it had to be done. Mika couldn’t stand this weird limbo they were in anymore. “That was a good practice.”
She wanted to smack herself for saying something so stupid.
Malachi glanced at her and then turned back to his bag. “You’ve really made a lot of progress Mika.”
He finished wiping down and then grabbed a white shirt from his bag, fresh and clean. But he didn’t say anything else, and she didn’t leave. When he saw her still standing there after putting on the shirt, his eyes widened in surprise.
“Is there anything else?” Malachi asked.
Mika took another step forward. There was still a good amount of distance between them though. “Well, kind of.”
He gave her a wary look before grabbing his own water. Malachi didn’t say anything as he watched her, waiting for whatever it was she wanted to say.
“You’ve been avoiding me.” Mika took one more step and then clasped her hands behind her back. Now that he knew about her magic, about what her bare skin could do…Mika wanted to appear as unthreatening as possible. The irony was Malachi had no idea she didn’t need to touch anyone to manage what she had.
She would never forget the look on his face when he’d seen what she’d done t
o Patricia.
The captain studied her for a moment, and there—that was what Audrey was talking about. It wasn’t aversion, but fear. And Mika didn’t think it was about her powers exactly, but…something else?
“I have,” he finally admitted. Then Malachi started packing up without further explanation.
Mika resisted sighing in exasperation. This was like pulling teeth and no doubt it wasn’t going to get any easier. “Why?” She downed the last of her water and then tossed her stainless-steel water bottle into her bag.
“It’s not what you think,” Malachi muttered.
The orange of the setting sun made his brown skin appear gilded and Mika wished he wasn’t so beautiful. It would make all this a thousand times easier.
But he’d sworn a blood oath to her.
Audrey had been right, there was something else going on here, Mika could feel it deep in her bones.
“So, it’s not because you’re terrified of me?” She slung her bag over her shoulder and followed him out of the dugout and through the tunnel under the stands to the exit.
Malachi actually scoffed. “Even though your particular brand of crazy does make me uneasy at times, no. It’s not because of that.”
“Because of what you saw?” The air was chilly. Winter was desperately clinging to the world, but spring was pushing through. There was even some grass and flowers poking through the bits of snow that were still left.
Malachi glanced sideways at her and Mika hid her wince as she stepped over a dandelion. It wasn’t easy to forget the look on his face the split second he’d thought Patricia was dead – as though he wondered if perhaps she’d been the killer all along.
“What happened to her…it was unsettling,” Malachi admitted as they walked toward the forest. “I hadn’t realized what it all really meant until that moment—everything you’d told me. But that’s not why I’m avoiding you.”
