The Enchanted Crossroads

by Dora Blume

  “Oh, Leif,” I pulled his lips toward mine. I kissed him as though he was my lifeline. I felt so blissful in this moment. He ran a finger down my face. Suddenly, I felt a slight sting in my hand. “What the hell?” I said. I tried to pull my hand away, but Leif held on.

  “Not yet.” he said. I looked at him confused. Why did my hand hurt? Why couldn’t I pull it away? “It’s part of the bonding. We’ll both have a mark on our hands. It’s not exactly a ring but it binds us together just the same.” He lifted our joined hands and kissed mine. My heart melted at the gesture. He was so sweet. I knew I had made the right decision with him. We would be together forever. I smiled at the thought. He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Happy?” he asked.

  “Very,” I smiled at him.

  “Good,” He kissed me again. Our mouths lingered together. When the sting went away, his lips left mine. He rolled next to me and pulled me against him. He pulled the blankets up to cover us. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed my temple. “Let’s rest, we have a lot to do tomorrow.” I felt his breath along my neck. I yawned. I was bone tired and closed my eyes. After a few moments, I was out.

  CHAPTER 14

  I awoke to a warm body pressed against mine. I moaned as the memory from the night before came back to me. I bit my lip as I thought back. I felt Leif’s lips on my temple. I moaned again. I didn’t want to wake up. I wanted to replay the memory for a few seconds longer. His lips moved from my temple to my jaw. He nipped my skin.

  “I know you’re awake.” he breathed against my skin.

  “But I don’t want to be awake yet,” I moaned.

  His hand slipped between my legs and stroked. I felt tingles in my core instantly.

  “Are you sure?” He continued to move his fingers until I opened my eyes. “There you are. Are you sure you don’t want to be awake?” He quickened his strokes. I turned to kiss him. My kiss was lazy but Leif wasn’t having it. He stilled his hand.

  “What?” I gave him my best pout.

  “You know what.” He captured my lips. His kiss was full of need. I met his passion this time. When I did, he began moving his fingers again. I was so ready for him already. I reached my hand down and stroked him. He grew in my hand as I continued to toy with him, running my thumb over his tip. His breathing became as ragged as mine. I rolled to face him. I pushed him back on the bed. I was ready, I wanted to feel him inside me. I wasn’t going to let him draw this out again. I threw my leg over his hips and lowered myself down on him. I sighed as he filled me completely. I began rocking my hips. He grabbed my hands and clasped our fingers together. He gave me a look of adoration as I rocked against him. I felt my muscles tighten as I moved faster. Oh God, I loved how he felt. He leaned up and took my nipple in his mouth and sucked. He moved to the other one. I moaned. He placed light kisses on my neck. When he met my lips, his kiss was hungry. I memorized his mouth with my tongue. I felt him swell inside me. I moved away from his mouth to bite his ear lobe.

  “Come with me baby.” I felt him stiffen. All my muscles tightened, and I felt like I was wound like a string on a guitar. I was ready to be plucked. Leif reached his hand between my legs and stroked. I looked into his eyes and he smiled at me. It was like he could read my thoughts and knew exactly what I needed. I tensed even further and gripped Leif’s shoulders. I felt his muscles tense. I cried out, Leif followed as soon as I clutched around him.

  I rode out the waves as I gazed down into his eyes. His eyes sparkled. I could get lost in their depths. “Can we wake up like this everyday?” I asked. I rolled off of him. He scooted over and rested his head on my chest. My heart hammered as I basked in a moment of bliss.

  “Your heart is racing,” he said.

  “Well you have that effect on me. Don't think I didn't notice that you didn’t answer my question.” I ran my fingers through his hair.

  “Yes, we can wake up together every morning. I would like nothing better.” He moved his head back to give me one long look before kissing me. I noticed he still hadn’t really answered my question. I rolled my eyes at his evasiveness. “So, should we shower and get to the training room?” His eyebrows rose as he looked at me. I sighed. I could stay in bed with him all day. I took the day off and really wouldn’t mind staying here, snuggled against him. It’d been so long since I’ve been with someone like this. My last boyfriend was an asshole who still hung around trying to get me to go back with him. It was never going to happen. He got angry toward the end. That anger had turned to violence which was an instant deal breaker for me. He kept apologizing, swore he’d never do it again. I didn’t believe him. Now, he shows up at my apartment randomly. He hangs out outside, waiting for me. At this point, I don’t even bother saying anything. If I talk to him, he’ll keep coming around. Someday, he’ll give up and find someone else.

  Leif ran his hand over my hair. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “Oh, nothing. Just how I want to stay in bed with you all day.” I stroked my thumb over his cheek.

  “I don’t think that’s all you were thinking about.” His eyes studied me. I signed, I wasn’t ready to talk about old boyfriends with him, yet. “Although, I would love to stay in bed with you all day, you need to learn how to fight. If another Morrigan comes after you, I want you to be ready for them. Teaching you is the only way to make sure you’re safe.” He continued to fiddle with my hair as he spoke. His eyes were intently watching me.

  “Fine, I know you’re right.” I huffed out a breath.

  “Don’t get too excited. Come on, we need to take a shower anyway.” He jumped out of the bed and held his hand out to me. I slipped my hand in his and he pulled me up from the bed and into his arms. He kissed me before setting me back on my feet. He pulled me behind him into the bathroom. Lifting me onto the counter, he stepped between my legs. We shared a passionate kiss for several minutes, neither of us wanting to break away. Leif sighed against my lips and turned to the shower. He turned the water on and held his wrist beneath the stream. When he was satisfied, he turned, kissed me, and lifted me slowly off the counter. His mouth never leaving mine.

  After the shower, we went back to my room. I grabbed some clothes I could train in. We dressed quickly. Leif watched as I slid my pants over my hips. I watched him shake his head. I have him a playful smile and wiggled my brows.

  “Something wrong?” I teased.

  “It's such a shake to cover you up.”

  “Without the clothes, what would you take off later?” I winked.

  He sighed “I'll meet you in the kitchen. There’s some stuff I need to talk to Haskell about.”

  “Okay,” I nodded. I sat on the bed and pulled on some socks, grateful for some time alone. The last few hours had been overwhelming. I’d never felt such intense emotions toward another person. I realized I had made a life altering decision. I studied the mark on my hand. It had burned at first, but now it was just a set of inked lines in an intricate pattern on the palm of my hand. I wondered if Leif’s design matched my own. Did each mated couple have different markings? I should spend some time looking into it. I could also ask Leif, he always seemed to know everything since he’d been raised learning about being a Mage. I didn’t have that luxury.

  I walked to the kitchen. My stomach rumbled before I got there. I was hoping there was something good to eat. I didn’t like the idea of Leif always making Haskell cook. I was more than capable of making breakfast. I enjoyed cooking. It gave me time to think. There was something peaceful about being in the kitchen. I was relieved when the kitchen was empty. Looking in the refrigerator, I pulled out some eggs, ham, and cheese. I figured omelets would be easy enough. Now, I just needed to find a frying pan. I began opening the bottom cupboards hoping I would find one in the most logical place. I bent to look in another. I heard a small sound behind me and felt hands wrap around my waist.

  “Mmm, what are you doing?” Leif asked.

  “Looking for a frying pan to make omelets.” I stood and leaned against him.


  “Oh, I’ll get you one. Are you making us breakfast?”

  “I figured I would. I know we have to train, but we need food first.” He walked around me to the next cupboard. He bent and grabbed the pan I was looking for. He handed it to me then took a seat at the counter.

  “I’m not complaining. I love when you cook.” He smiled and watched as I began cracking eggs into a bowl.

  “The only reason you love when I cook is because you don’t have to.” I rolled my eyes and poured the first three eggs into the pan.

  “Let’s be honest, I don’t cook. Haskell cooks for me.” He shrugged as if it was completely normal.

  “You know most people know how to make a basic meal. Didn’t your mom teach you how to cook?” I asked.

  “No, she said it wasn’t something I needed to learn. Being a Mage, and the head of Minneapolis, I wouldn’t need to cook. I have enough money to hire someone to do it, but Haskell doesn’t trust other people being in our home. He makes it sound like it’s my idea not to hire someone, when really it’s him. He has trust issues when it comes to outsiders.” He watched me as I continued to cook. When I turned around again, I noticed him licking his lips. I finished the first omelet and slid it in front of him. I began working on the second. He dug into his immediately.

  Haskell strode into the room, his thumbs through the loops of his jeans. “Something smells good. I know Leif isn’t cooking.” He smiled appreciatively when I slid a plate with an omelet in front of him. “Oh, love, you made me breakfast.” He looked pointedly toward Leif. “She’s a keeper.” He sat in the stool and began eating his omelet.

  “I’m so glad you think so.” He flipped his palm out in front of him. “Cause she’s going to be around for a long while.” He shoveled another forkful of eggs into his mouth.

  “Whoa, already? You two didn’t want to spend, I don’t know, a few days thinking about it?” He stared at Leif’s palm wide eyed. I guess I understood where he was coming from. We had only known each other a sum total of four days. Not exactly enough time to make a life altering decision like being bonded for life. We had done it though, and I didn’t feel a bit of regret. That could be because I was still basking in the afterglow of last night and this morning. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. When Leif’s eyes met mine, I knew he had read my mind. He winked at me before dropping his head to take another bite.

  “I spent a few days thinking about it.” I protested.

  Haskell’s eye narrowed a fraction as he looked back at me. “Oh yeah, a few implies more than one. He told you about the bonding thing yesterday. When did you spend time thinking, between attacks?” He sighed. “I’m just worried you rushed into things.” He took a deep breath and shrugged. “I support you either way. I’m just worried for you both.” He gave Leif a pointed stare. “Did you tell her everything?” He narrowed his eyes at Leif.

  “Of course, I told her the bonding was for life. What do you take me for?” His tone was accusatory as he looked back to Haskell.

  “For life being the operative word there. You really told her everything, like how your life forces are now bound together.” He watched me for a reaction. I turned quickly toward the stove to flip my omelet. I had a feeling I knew where this was going and, no Leif hadn’t informed me of everything. I tried to steady my voice before I spoke.

  “What do you mean, life force? I know we can’t be with other people. We are connected for life, now.” I said in a calm tone. I was proud of myself for keeping my cool.

  “Oh, you know. If he dies, you die and vice versa.” Haskell said, completely nonplussed.

  I whirled around and glared at Leif. “No, I’m afraid he left that little detail out of our discussion.” I clenched my jaw and waited for him to speak.

  “I told you we were bonded. What did you think that meant?” he asked. I didn’t like how he was trying to act all innocent. Like he didn’t just leave a huge fucking detail out of our discussion.

  I clenched my fists, spatula still gripped in my hand. I pointed it at him before I spoke. “I thought it meant we couldn’t be intimate with other people. Like you explained. That’s one big fucking detail to leave out. So, our lives are now joined? There’s no way to undo it?” I looked between the two men. Their resound faces gave me my answer. No, there was no way to change what we’d done. I would have to accept it. I glared at Leif.

  Haskell shrugged. I could tell he looked uncomfortable in his chair. His eyes kept darting around without meeting mine. He began shoveling his omelet into his mouth.

  “Okay, I know I should have told you. I didn’t want you to make the decision because you were concerned for my life or anything. I wasn’t sure you would do it if you knew that our lives were intimately connected in that way.” He looked down to his plate. He took a deep breath before he lifted his eyes to meet mine. I saw anguish in his eyes. His look tore at my heart.

  “You’re probably right. I wouldn’t want to tie you to me with this many people trying to kill me. There’s an entire race of people with specific orders to kill me. There’s no way I would of bonded to you right now.” I turned back to the stove. I slid my omelet onto a plate. I wasn’t hungry anymore. I felt the betrayal of his omission deep. I didn’t want to look at him. I bent my head and spoke in a low voice. “If you’ll excuse me. I need some time alone.” I left my plate on the counter and walked to the bedroom I stayed in my first night. I sat on the bed and curled my legs into my chest. I felt a hollow ache in my chest. I couldn’t believe he lied to me like that. This is why thinking about the bonding was so important. This is why I should have suppressed my urge and taken more time. Yet, I had wanted him so badly the night before. I didn’t care about anything but being with him. Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I should have asked more questions before sleeping with a man and binding my life to his.

  I took a deep breath. There wasn’t much I could do about it now. The bonding was complete. I needed to make sure I didn’t die. Now, I was responsible for more than my own life. I was responsible for Leif’s as well. I heard a light knock on the door. “Can I please come in and explain?” Leif asked. His voice was soft as he spoke. “Please?” he begged.

  “Fine, come in.” The door opened slowly and Leif looked at me. His face was filled with remorse. He walked over and dropped to his knees next to me, bowing his head.

  “Kaira, I never meant to hurt or betray your trust. I just wanted your decision to be based on how you felt for me and nothing more. I know we have only known each other a few days, but in that time I’ve learned that you are a caring person. You think about so many other people. You would have weighed your decision on the fact that you could endanger my life. I didn’t want you to think about that. I wanted you to make the decision based on your feelings. I’ll be in danger no matter what, because you are. I’ve known from the moment I saw you at the brewery that I had to protect you. That you were my kindred spirit. It’s why I couldn’t just leave after I dropped you off that night. It’s why I went to my car when Shar was there. I couldn’t stand to be apart from you. This hasn’t changed anything. I will protect you with my own life. Now, we’re both destined to leave this Earth at the same time. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His eyes were smoldering as they looked up into mine. “I love you, Kaira. I hope that’s enough, because I love you with my whole heart.” He reached his hand across the bed to take my hand in his. How could I be mad at him after a declaration like that? I was angry that he lied, but I understood why he’d done it. I’m not sure how that made it better, but it did.

  I pulled at his hand so he would stand. I slid off the bed and wrapped my arms around him. I whispered against his neck. “I understand, but don’t ever lie to me again.” My tone was sharp when I spoke. Trust was important.

  “I promise,” he breathed and kissed my hair. “So, you forgive me?” He stepped back. I searched his eyes and for a split second I saw fear. He was afraid of losing me. My mom always told me that the ey
es were the window to the soul. Leif just showed me his truth.

  “I’m not entirely happy with you for lying. It feels like a huge betrayal, but I understand why you did it. I’m serious about never doing it again. I don’t care if we’re bonded for life. If you lie to me like that again, it’ll be over. I’ll leave, you got me? I stared into his eyes. I hoped he understood how serious I was. He looked at me and nodded.

  “I promise. I will not lie to you again.” He paused and looked a little weary. “Do white lies count, like with the little things?” He bit the side of his lip. “Cause I’m always going to say you’re beautiful doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I couldn’t help but smile. I liked the playful side of Leif. He didn’t show it very often, and I think that’s what made it so special. I will admit, I’m looking forward to getting to know him better. Our lives would be an interesting discovery.

  “White lies don’t count. You cannot lie about the big things. I would say, what you didn’t tell me, was a pretty big thing. Wouldn’t you agree?” I stared at him. He dropped his eyes to the floor.

  “Yes,” he breathed. “Come on, you need to eat before your omelet gets cold.” He pulled me behind him back into the kitchen. “I need you well nourished before I teach you how to kick my ass. You can take it out on me in the training room all day if you’d like.” He turned his head and smiled at me.

  “I think I’ll take you up on that.” I said as I slid onto a stool. Leif set my plate in front of me. I took a bite of the eggs. They were still surprisingly warm. I ate my omelet quickly so we could get to training. I hadn’t forgotten why I took the days off. I needed to utilize every minute to be better able to fight my next attacker. Now, it was even more important. I was fighting for both our lives.

  CHAPTER 15

  Sweat was dripping off my forehead as I stood, feet shoulder width apart, one foot back from the other, with my elbows bent, hands ready. We had been in the gym for hours. We started with the basics, stance. Then we started with basic defence moves. My favorite was how to disarm someone with a knife. I absolutely loved that it involved stabbing them in the ass at the end. Finally, Leif was showing me how to attack someone. It had been a long day.