Betrothed

by Lola White

  “Then he let your father do the rest?”

  “Pretty much.” Silviu caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Both Costel and my father want what’s best for our Family, and what’s best for us.”

  “Do they?” Georgie found that difficult to believe. Neither one seemed all that invested in her future happiness.

  “You and I are the next power couple, love. With all the power.”

  “So long as Eliasz throws his Levy weight behind us, supporting our climb to the top, right?”

  “He won’t be the only ally we have.” Silviu used his hold on her hand to slide her closer to him, pulling her over the leather seat. “He’ll just be our favorite.”

  The words were breathed over her lips as she came to rest against his chest. Their eyes locked, no room for secrets between them. No room for power plays. Not at that moment, when the only thoughts either of them held were of each other. Silviu’s gaze was clear in the curious way he had with her, putting his need out there for her to see.

  Vulnerable.

  She couldn’t do that yet, so she kept her thoughts on him and his mouth. She let her eyes fill with the remembered pleasure of his touch, the desire she felt for more. Silviu’s pupils dilated as he read her expression. She wondered what else he could see in her face.

  “This is why you have to go, my love. I can’t have you with me and not take you completely.”

  His lips brushed hers, his tongue sweeping out to taste the curves. She leaned more heavily against him and raised her arms to circle his neck, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth for him.

  He sank into her with confidence, a smooth, slow glide into her heat. She slid her tongue against his and took the taste of him into her senses, her brain, her heart. She shifted closer, relishing this goodbye.

  He wasn’t the only one who’d mourned at their hasty parting ten years ago.

  He took the kiss deeper and she was lost to the sensual glide and thrust, the wet heat, the velvet texture of him. He filled her, over and over, pressing his need on her until she wasn’t sure where her own began, or where her limits were.

  She clutched at him, suddenly unwilling to get on the jet and fly away. She wanted nothing more than to stay with him in the limo forever. The world beyond the vehicle fell away, became less important.

  Her head whirled as he lifted her, pulling her onto his lap. She struggled until she straddled him, her skirt rising, allowing her to wriggle closer to the bulge growing between his legs. His hands caught her hips, mindlessly rocking while he thrust against her. Heat grew within her and spread to every corner of her body and soul as his magic rose to sink into her skin.

  He cut off the golden flow in nearly the same instant as it had begun. His hands tightened on her hips, holding her still, tearing his mouth from hers with an uneven gasp. She tried to reclaim his lips, but he stopped her.

  “No, Georgie, it’s too much. I’ll take you right here and your Family’s power will be lost to you.”

  Reality crashed over her, but it carried his warmth and her pleasure. She laid her forehead against his shoulder and took a breath, trying to convince herself it was for the best. She gave a shaky laugh.

  “I need to find a way to convince Grandmother my loyalty won’t be divided. Fast, Silviu, I swear. I told her what happened, what you told me to say. About you not taking the Lovasz power.”

  “Her response?”

  “Only that she’d have the jet here this morning, but, God, dawn is too damn early.”

  He laughed. “You have a little over eight hours’ flight time. You’ll get home by breakfast, on the east coast of the States.”

  “Yeah.” She looked up at him, pulling back so that there was a little more distance between their kiss-swollen mouths. “You’ll be here?

  “For another few days, at least.” He glanced out of the window. “You’ll be with those two?”

  She followed his gaze and saw her cousins standing next to the plane, waiting for her before they boarded. “With Adam, yes. I’m sure Chris will go back to her husband in Pennsylvania as soon as possible.”

  “Watch them closely.”

  “I always do.” Georgie reluctantly slid off Silviu’s lap and arranged her skirt around her knees, resisting the urge to clench her thighs together. “They aren’t what you think, you know.”

  “I think they’re backstabbing cousins who are looking to take the power for themselves.”

  Georgie smiled. “We like it when people think that. It’s protection for all of us. You’d be surprised how many plots we hear, when the witching world thinks it can turn us against each other.”

  Silviu lifted a disbelieving eyebrow. “You’re telling me they don’t want to lead your Family?”

  Considering her words carefully, Georgie looked at her cousins and shook her head. “Chris would accept the position, but it’s not her strength and she knows it. She likes to organize the household, plan events and track the connections between Family members.”

  “Adam does well with the wider world of political intrigue between the covens.” Silviu nodded in understanding. “I saw him in action the first night we were here.”

  “He doesn’t have much patience for what he calls ‘petty Family bullshit’.” Georgie pushed at her curls. “They’ll both be happier with me as Mother.”

  “Now you sound as arrogant as you accuse me of being.”

  She shot him a saucy grin. “When I’m the Mother, I’ll put Christiana in charge of household affairs, like my father is now, and give Adam the Council Seat.”

  “Exploit their strengths and keep them occupied.”

  “You betcha.”

  Silviu reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flicked it open, withdrew a card and handed it to her. “This is my phone number and email address. I don’t have any of that other crap.”

  She tucked the card into her purse. “I don’t know any witch on social media sites, though Chris’ husband is trying to change that. We can’t afford to have people guess the truth.”

  He snorted. “Welcome to the modern age, where it’s fine to be Wiccan, but a witch will still get beheaded.”

  Georgie wrinkled her nose. “Magic is scary, once you see it’s real.”

  She was oddly torn between wanting to just go, without dragging the situation out, and dawdling as long as possible. Accepting that their time had drawn to a close, she opened the car door, but Silviu held her back.

  “Wait one more minute, love. I want a lock of your hair.”

  “That’s too disgustingly romantic, even for you.” She rolled her eyes.

  A quick grin flashed over his lips. “So I can find you.”

  “I have your number.”

  “Numbers change, Internet servers crash and Madeleine’s a sneaky witch.”

  With a quick blast of magic, he severed a small curl at the back of her head, where its loss wouldn’t be noticed. Tucking it into his wallet, he gave her a hard kiss too fleeting to satisfy before moving past her to exit the limo. She took his outstretched hand, felt the tingle of magic and saw the flash of gold.

  It was almost familiar, now.

  Hand in hand, they walked toward the jet. She took a precious moment to memorize the feel of her fingers held safe between his before her brain prodded her tongue with sharp spurs.

  “Oh! I forgot, Silver. The gold magic that almost hurt you in the hall…” She looked up at him. “I didn’t think of it because they’re leaving with Daniel. Robert and Sera said they weren’t at the house the day the chandelier fell, but they’re lying about something.”

  He nodded. “I’ll look into them, see what I can find out. What about the other couple?”

  “They’re ancient. Remember the lady in the hall? She looked out to see what was happening and you apologized to her.”

  “I remember. I sat with her at dinner, too.”

  “Did you know she knew your mother? She said she practically raised her. Millie was born a Castillo.
”

  He looked down into Georgie’s face with surprise. “I’ll have to track her down when I get back. I don’t have a single memory of my mother. We were all too young when she died.”

  “Get some sleep first,” Georgie scolded softly. “Millie will still be there when you wake up.”

  They drew to a halt in front of the twins. Christiana stepped forward to give Silviu a quick hug, forcing him to release Georgie’s hand. “It was lovely to see you again,” she said politely.

  “Yes.” Silviu turned to Adam with an outstretched hand. “I thought Constance would have jumped ship and joined you.”

  The insight was surprising, and Georgie wondered how closely Silviu had been watching them. Adam took the observation in good spirits, giving a dramatic shudder. “The things I do for Family. I couldn’t wait to see the back of her.”

  “I would have thought you’d tried that position already,” Chris said.

  Adam gave a bark of laughter. “Trust me, it wasn’t fun. She’s clingy and boring, though smarter than she lets on.”

  “She wants to latch onto your power.”

  Adam grimaced. “Well, she can’t have it.”

  Georgie shrugged. “She’s heading off with Daniel to England. She’ll be safely married before the coming winter’s out and then she’ll be a Ngozi problem.”

  “And I’ll be a happy man.” Adam turned a smile on Silviu. “Like Eliasz, but in a different way. I’ll have dodged my bullet and he’ll have caught his in his teeth.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Silviu’s eyes narrowed.

  “Just that your sister will lead him a merry chase and he’ll love every minute of it. Have you been watching them, when they think no one’s around?”

  “I haven’t been spying on my sister, no. But I know they’ve become close.”

  Adam laughed. “Let me give some expert wisdom from one who knows. The best way to gain control over someone is in the bedroom.”

  “This is my sister you’re talking about.”

  “Uh-huh, and I’ve seen her at work.” Adam’s eyes sparkled. “Not how you think I meant that. In public, Ileana is all sweet and dependent, giving every ounce of power to Eliasz.”

  “I’ve noticed,” Silviu said dryly.

  “But when they think they’re alone, she challenges him. Teases him without end and refuses to give him the upper hand. That gets Eliasz all revved up.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I live in a female-dominant world. I do shit like that all the time, and the ladies eat it up. Hell, I would fall at the feet of a woman who did that for me.” A wistful expression crossed Adam’s face, gone quickly. “Some things are just ingrained in our poor, male brains, Silviu.”

  With that, Adam grabbed Christiana’s hand and pulled her up the steps to disappear inside the Davenold jet. Georgie turned to Silviu, sadness washing through her. He smiled and pulled her close.

  “I’m starting to read your eyes, love. Careful, there.”

  She went to her toes to press a chaste kiss on his lips. “Reading my eyes is one thing, but I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.”

  “Safe trip. Call me when you land.”

  “I will.” Georgie stepped back, climbed the steps and entered the jet.

  Taking her seat, she watched out of the window as the engines roared to life. Silviu waved and turned back to the limo, driving away before the jet was ready to go. She was still watching as they began to rise, her eyes seeing nothing but the new beginning they’d made in Poland.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Eliasz

  Early morning sunlight was starting to leak around the heavy drapes at the window when he entered the room. He’d thought, very briefly, of going to his own room, but Ileana was finally his—truly his—the agreement signed in blood by her father not even an hour ago. He needed to put his hands on what was his.

  He needed her.

  He eyed the bed she was sprawled across, wondering if its size would hold them both and still allow him to do what he wanted to her. His was much more spacious. He looked again, noting her position, one arm thrown across the mattress, the other tucked up under her pillow. One leg was bent while the other stretched straight, beautifully showing off the lean length of it.

  Perhaps her bed would be big enough.

  He wrenched at his clothes, the long night making him impatient. There were still too many emotions overwhelming him, clawing at his gut and chewing on his brain. Fear and anger—a helpless frustration that he wasn’t able to save his betrothed from her grandfather’s wrath. Unbearable relief that it was all over, all of them safe and sound, him in possession of the thing he wanted most in the world.

  Pain was still there, on a low simmer under his skin. His head throbbed, his face hurt and his back protested every movement, but he was determined. He could see faint bruises on Ileana’s shoulders, the edge of her jaw. Magic could only heal so much. He promised himself he would be gentle with her.

  He let his clothes fall where they would, disrobing as he walked to the bed. He took another moment to look at her, his reward for all that had happened, all he’d had to deal with. Her black hair spread out, half over her back and half over the pillow. Her creamy, naked skin shone in the dim morning light, the tangled covers rose and fell with each breath.

  His heart clenched, his stomach contracted. His palms tingled with the magic that rose so readily in response to just the sight of her. He climbed onto the bed and pulled the covers off her before wrapping his hand around her ankle, letting his magic slowly seep into her.

  Ileana’s calf tensed and relaxed, but her breathing was still soft and even, her eyes still closed. She was warm and smooth, her delicate skin subtly scented with soap and lotion. He bent to drag his lips up the straight line of her leg, following the path with his hands until he reached the shadowed place where her other leg crossed her thigh.

  She slept on, but he could feel the stirring of her senses. Some deep part of her was urging her to wake up, warning that she wasn’t alone. He could feel her struggle toward wakefulness, the small flickering of her muscles. He could see the flinching of her lashes.

  He gripped her bent thigh gently and pushed it higher, sliding slightly to the side so he could see the secrets of her flesh. Her pussy lips rested against each other, shielding her, hinting at the haven beyond.

  Eliasz dropped a kiss on the smooth curve of her ass before ducking lower. He stroked his tongue over her sweet, plump folds. Gathered the hint of her taste on his lips. He needed so much more.

  He felt her startle and clamped his palm to her thigh, holding her as she was, where he wanted her. A small flare of his magic against her kept her still. Her skin heated and she breathed out on a small moan, rough with sleep.

  He brought her awake with his tongue and had the pleasure of feeling her blossom beneath him. He’d yet to have a chance to stir her passion from slumber to need—she’d always been ready for him, coming to him hot and wet. Now he settled in to coax her.

  She swelled under his tongue, plumping further, parting beneath his touch. He licked and sucked, drawing her clit out of hiding until it reached for him, trembling under his tongue.

  He worked her, manipulated her. He sucked one lip into his mouth and gently used his teeth against her. He nuzzled closer, pushing his tongue into her folds, tasting the honey he called from her body.

  She arched back, trying to drive him deeper. He gave her what she wanted, thrusting his tongue into her pussy, feeling the fragile ring of muscle clamp down around him. Feeling her ass tense against his cheek, he licked into her as far as he could before withdrawing.

  He took his time, repeating the process, thrust and retreat, licking and sucking, until she was writhing, her legs restless, her body moist. She rocked and moaned, lifting her leg higher, arching back into the press of his tongue.

  Suddenly, she rolled away with a breathless cry. Eliasz was too surprised to stop her. The look in her eyes when she turned her he
ad to meet his gaze sparked an interested shiver. Her face was flushed, contrasting beautifully with her eyes, shining with devious determination. Heat gathered in his gut and fisted his groin.

  She lay on her belly, hair blanketing her, shaking as her shoulders rose and fell in time to her soft panting. She licked her lips as her eyes coasted over him, zeroing in on his jutting cock. He’d been on one knee, weight braced against his elbow as he’d feasted, but slowly drew himself up to sit back on his heels.

  She licked her lips. “I want to taste you this time.”

  His cock jerked with the mental image she provided. He was in agreement with his dick, wanting to see her lips stretched around him, wanting to feel the tight hold of her mouth, her tongue playing over him.

  She started to push up, but he stopped her. She looked too delicious in her current position. The smooth line of her spine, the flare of her hips, her legs spread with her ass slightly raised all served to feed his sense of sight. “Stay where you are.”

  He shuffled forward, his hand closing around his shaft, stroking its length. He caught the tip of his cock in his palm, sending a pulse of his own magic into the sensitive head. He jerked at the pleasure, the heat and the look in her eye when she realized what he’d done. She watched greedily, her breathing fractured. He knew she liked this, him pleasuring himself as she watched, teasing her inner voyeur.

  “Open your mouth.”

  With one cheek pressed into the pillow, she obeyed, sending a sharp shaft of satisfaction through him. He loved her obedience. Loved that she made him work for it all too often.

  But now, it was freely given. She opened her mouth as he moved higher in the bed, angling toward her. He smoothed the tip of his cock against her lips and her tongue flicked out to tease. He fed his dick into her mouth slowly, eyes locked on her as the full curves flattened around his width.

  He sank into heaven. Hot and wet, her tongue whipped over him, no tentative, gentle strokes from her. She gave him what she knew he’d like—long, hard pulls on his dick, the flat of her tongue rubbing with torturous pressure. She circled the head and sucked in a quick, pulsing rhythm.