“You have no idea. The council was in an uproar. Witches and lycans normally do not associate with each other. But the laws governing Destined Ones are very precise. Under no circumstances can a destined pair be kept apart. Then, there was the shock of two lycans being chosen to be Guardians. I thought Councilman Luften was going to have a coronary. But having lycans on the force has helped tremendously. Their senses are amazing, and they are immune to magic. Well, except for Brencis, poor fellow. They are the natural predators of evil witches. Nature always seems to have her checks and balances.”
“Everyone is taught about lycans in Magic Creatures 101, so I had heard of them. But I thought they were extinct like so many other creatures. It was only when I met the rest of the Guardians that I realized they weren’t. Brencis seems so protective of Meadow. I thought it was adorable the way he lay at her feet during the ceremony.”
“They are extremely protective and possessive. Meadow doesn’t seem to mind, and as her older brother, I appreciate knowing she is taken care of. Ah, here we are.”
Garrett pulled up to the gate and reached over to finger the intercom switch. A crisp male voice came over the speaker. “May I help you?”
“Garrett Amhurst to see Meadow Solovyov.”
“Please proceed.” The gate slowly lumbered open.
§
Gabriella craned her neck to see the grounds around the three-story Tudor building. The forested darkness called to her, and a whisper of awareness told her she was noticed, as well. No wonder Garrett’s sister lived here. It was a hidden earth witch paradise. A flash of silver in the woods caught her eye, and she shivered. The forest was also a lycan hunting ground.
Garrett kept his arm around her waist as he led her to the door. Only a moment later, the door was opened by a mature woman with long brown hair braided at her neck. She greeted Garrett warmly and introduced herself as Rosie, the cook. She led them down the hall into a room that had floor-to-ceiling windows. The late afternoon light filtered in, filling the room with warmth.
“If you’ll wait here, Meadow will be in any minute. She was in her workroom out back, but I called to let her know you are here. Can I bring you a spot of tea and some biscuits?”
“That would be lovely,” Gabriella gushed.
Rosie smiled and hurried off. Garrett went to the windows and looked out at the lawn and forest behind it. Curious about the estate, Gabriella followed him. To the side you could see the edge of a kitchen garden. A man wearing a floppy hat walked by with a rake. Gabriella thought he might be the gardener. But there was something about him. He moved with grace and power in his stance. Could he be a lycan?
“Here you are.” Rosie pushed in a teacart laden with goodies.
Gabriella looked over the assorted pastries and was glad the ride from London had been a little over an hour. Otherwise, she would still be full from lunch. Garrett sat on a small Victorian chair next to a round table, and Gabriella took the chair on the other side.
Rosie quickly handed out cups of tea, followed by a plate of sweets. “Miss Meadow should be here shortly.”
“Thank you, Rosie.” Garrett winked at the older woman, and her face quickly turned red. “You’ve outdone yourself once again.” He took a sip of tea.
“Mr. Garrett is too kind. If you’ll both excuse me, I need to check the roast in the oven.”
“Of course.” Garrett nodded his head.
Rosie had just left the room when Garrett’s sister walked in. Gabriella recognized her from the ceremony. Her eyes were the same color as Garrett’s.
“Garrett, Gabriella, it is so good to see you.”
Garrett stood, and Meadow hurried over to give him a hug, her small frame enveloped by his broad shoulders. Gabriella rose, and Meadow surprised her by turning and hugging her, as well. Gabriella’s breath rushed out with the hard squeeze of Meadow’s arms.
“I’m so happy you found your Destined One. Being mated to Brencis is such a blessing. I’m glad to know my big brother will be as happy.” Meadow pulled over a chair to the little grouping by the tea tray and sat down.
“I’m sure we will be after we get this blood-cult business behind us.” Garrett sat down and smiled at Gabriella as she returned to her seat.
“It must be difficult for both of you to have this situation interfere with your bonding,” Meadow said. She poured herself a cup of tea and sipped daintily.
“We have all the time in the world to bond with each other, don’t we, Ella?” Garrett reached over and squeezed Gabriella’s leg. Her cheeks grew hot, and she nodded in agreement.
“This doppelgänger potion is very tricky. It could be dangerous.” Meadow sat forward. Doppelgänger potion? Why would Garrett want that? Gabriella wondered.
“You’ll have to add three hairs and some nail trimmings from the person whose form you want to take,” Meadow explained. “Don’t drink it until you absolutely have to. I think it will last around three hours. After that, you will return to your own form whether you are ready or not.”
“I don’t understand. As an earth witch, Garrett can change his shape to any creature that walks on earth. Why does he need a doppelgänger potion?” Ella asked.
“You’re right. I don’t need a potion. It isn’t for me to use. It’s for you,” Garrett said.
§
Gabriella sat sulking in the passenger seat. Garrett pulled up to his townhouse and parked. They had argued about the potion most of the way home. Garrett had finally put his foot down, and still she refused to use the potion.
How could he let Gabriella go to the Blue Dolphin tomorrow night without some kind of disguise for protection? The one way to circumvent Ella’s vision was to change places with her. Garrett planned to take her shape and meet with Brenna. The other Guardians would be prepared to port in at any moment.
Garrett had tried to include Gabriella, and that’s why he asked Meadow for the potion. He could have put Ella to sleep and left her safely at the townhouse. So much for trying to be a partner. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. Gabriella made it abundantly clear that she wouldn’t use the potion even if it meant walking into danger.
Garrett exited the car. He walked around and opened Gabriella’s door before offering his hand. She took it but refused to meet his gaze while getting out. Garrett’s jaw clenched. He was so frustrated he wanted to shake some sense into her. Why couldn’t she understand he wanted to protect her?
Garrett followed her into the house and watched in silence as she immediately headed upstairs. Sighing, Garrett went into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of wine. He’d have to figure out what to do about dinner. There was nothing in the refrigerator except a few eggs and vegetables.
A knock on the door drew him from the kitchen. What now? He glanced out the front window and groaned. Two police officers stood on his front porch. He set his wine down on the coffee table and opened the door.
“Good evening, Officers. Can I help you?”
“Garrett Amhurst the third?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“We’d like to ask you a few questions about Elise Delaire and Curtis Brant.”
“Of course, please come in.” Garrett waved them to the front room before calling up the stairs. “Ella, we have company. Please come down, sweetheart.”
Gabriella walked to the landing and looked down.
“The police are here to ask us a few questions.”
Gabriella bit her lip and nodded. She started down the stairs, and Garrett noticed she had removed her shoes and was now barefoot. He loved the flash of red on each toe that matched her dress. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, he slid his arm around her and pulled her into his side. He felt her tremble slightly and gave her a quick squeeze of reassurance before leading her into the front room.
“This is my wife, Gabriella. The last time we saw Elise and Mr. Brant was at our wedding ceremony.”
The officers shook hands with Gabriella, and she encouraged them to ta
ke a seat. Garrett sat on the couch with Gabriella tucked into his side and his arm around her shoulders. She curled her legs up and covered her feet with her skirt.
“How well do you know, Curtis Brant?” Officer Jenkins asked. Garrett noticed the way the man looked admiringly at Gabriella.
“Not very well.” Garrett tried to bring the officer’s focus back to him. “Mr. Brant is fairly new to the board of directors of Wishmakers, Inc. Most of the board is my father’s age. Brant is closer to my age so he worked hard for his job. I didn’t see him often unless I was reporting to the board as a whole.”
“What about you, Missus. Did you know Mr. Brant?”
“No.” Gabriella shook her head. “I met him at the wedding reception. He was invited because of his affiliation with my new father-in-law.”
The officer made a note in his journal. “So neither of you would know if he had any enemies?”
“No,” Garrett answered and Gabriella concurred.
“How about Miss Delaire? Do you know her?”
“I know her quite well,” Garrett said. “We’ve been friends since our school days. My wife met her only recently.”
“Is that right, Missus?” The officer turned to look at Gabriella.
“I’m afraid so, Officer. Elise and I have spoken only a few times. She is such a nice person. We planned on seeing more of each other.”
§
The officers asked a few more questions, then got up to leave. Garrett kept Gabriella close to his side, and she was thankful for the support. They stood up to walk the officers to the door. It was nerve-racking trying to answer questions truthfully without spilling any information about magic and witches. Luckily, neither officer asked about the strange way Elise and Brant had disappeared.
She sighed with relief when the officers were finally out the door, and Garrett turned the lock. She wanted to melt into a puddle and not move for a month. Garrett turned her and looked deeply into her eyes. His gaze warmed, and he kissed her, lightly at first, then with more pressure.
Gabriella wound her arms around his neck and held on tight. She was thankful that Garrett had been with her during the questioning. He always supported her. Now, if she could only get him to change his mind about tomorrow night. She didn’t want him changing places with her.
“Garrett, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Hush, baby. Nothing is going to happen. Let’s not worry about tomorrow right now. I want to make love to you. Will you come upstairs with me?”
“You know I will. I can’t seem to say no to you.”
“That’s one of the things I appreciate about you.” Garrett smiled.
“What? Letting you get away with things?”
“Of course.”
§
Garrett’s heart warmed with Gabriella’s obvious concern for him. They were still getting to know each other and learning how to live as a married couple. He picked her up and carried her up the stairs and down the hall to the master suite.
He stopped by the side of the bed and lowered her to her feet before reaching for the zipper on her dress. Trailing kisses down her neck and shoulders, he eased the garment off and let it pool at her feet. She stepped out, and Garrett swept her back up and laid her down on the mattress. He moved back to look at her as he unbuttoned his shirt and slipped off his pants and briefs.
The red-lace bra and matching panties set off the paleness of her skin and the dark ebony of her hair. She stared up at him, her eyes darkening as she looked him up and down. His body reacted to her perusal, and soon he was rock hard with wanting her.
Lying down next to her, he ran his fingers over her skin in a fleeting caress. Her skin prickled with goose bumps, and she shivered. He leaned over and kissed her red lips, remembering the first moment he saw her and the words that echoed in his head. Skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, hair as black as ebony. She was a fairytale come true, and she was his.
He moved to kiss her neck and sucked her earlobe into his mouth. She sighed and craned her neck to give him more room. He bit the lobe gently, then trailed kisses down her white neck to the place where her pulse pounded. Pushing the strap of her bra down, he moved the lace aside to reveal the berry-colored nipple. Blowing against the nubbin, he smiled as it puckered and elongated. She was so responsive. He licked her flesh before sucking and pulling, while Gabriella grabbed his head and held him to her. He bit gently on the nipple, and she shuddered.
“Garrett …,” she whispered.
Finding the clip at the front, he released the bra and pulled it from her body before going back to feast on the other breast. Gabriella pulled his head closer. He played with her nipple in his mouth as he ran his fingers in circles across her flat stomach. Then, he dipped lower, slipping underneath her panties and finding the heat between her legs. He pushed a finger through the folds of flesh, and wetness coated his hand. He rolled the little bundle of nerves with the moisture before dipping in again. Gabriella ran her hands down his back, her nails lightly scoring his skin.
She moaned and spread her legs apart to give him better access. He rolled more moisture around her clit before reaching up and pulling her underwear from her body. She was so ready for him.
He rose up and moved between her legs. She wrapped them around his hips, pulling him closer. He rubbed his shaft through the moisture coating the dark curls hiding her from view. She gasped and surged up, trying to force his entry. He pulled back, prolonging the anticipation, and then lowered again to nudge at her opening.
“Garrett, you are such a tease. Take me, damn it.”
He chuckled. “So impatient, Ella.”
Gabriella reached down and grabbed his erection, leading him into her body. He sunk to the hilt, reveling in the way her body pulled him in deep. Then, he withdrew, before pushing in again. She rose up to meet him, and soon their bodies worked together to find the release that bound their souls.
§
Gabriella thought she would die from pleasure. Garrett seemed to know each place to drive her mad with wanting him. Finally, he sank in deep, filling her. She tightened her muscles, trying to keep him in, feeling lost as he pulled out. Thankfully, he filled her again, and they began the dance. In and out, the friction heating her blood, the need to be connected overwhelming her.
She bit her lip and wrapped her arms tighter around him. She needed his weight pushing her down, needed him to fill her. She gripped harder, her nails sinking into his back. Whimpering, she was on the edge.
Garrett kissed her, pushing his tongue into her mouth as his body thrust into hers. She sucked on his tongue, trying to hold him in place.
He fingered her clit, then squeezed the bundle of nerves. Fire rushed over her, and she broke apart, seeing stars. With a gasp, she flew into the heavens.
“Garrett!”
He groaned and shuddered, his back slick with sweat. “Great Goddess, Ella. What you do to me.” He joined her in the ether, his seed filling her with hot spurts.
For a moment, Gabriella was sure their souls merged. She held onto him, needing him to anchor her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Slowly, they sank back to earth.
Garrett kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you.”
Chapter Ten
Gabriella stared out the window as the setting sun colored the sky a dark red. She shuddered at her fanciful thoughts of the sky turning red with blood. Running her hand over Garrett’s back, she felt a fierce protectiveness. No one would take this man from her. She wouldn’t allow it. Her stomach growled, and she slipped from the bed. Someone would have to fix them a late supper. It might as well be her.
She slipped on a robe and wandered downstairs to the kitchen. The world was strangely quiet as if everyone slept. Even the noise of the traffic seemed far away. Humming a little tune, she looked in the refrigerator. Not much was available. She found some eggs and a small leftover piece of ham in a container. Rummaging under wilted lettuce, she found a tomato and bell pepp
er. Cooking for someone felt good for a change. Eating alone had always seemed like a chore.
§
Garrett woke up to darkness. He reached over to the other side of the bed and found nothing but cold sheets. Where was Gabriella? He sat up and rubbed a hand over his eyes. No one was in the bathroom. Shaking his head, he pushed the last vestiges of sleep away.
She wouldn’t run from him again, would she? Panic had his heart racing. Not after he told her he loved her? Reaching for his pants, he dragged himself out of bed and hurriedly slipped them on. He reached for his shirt, when he heard the first sound coming from downstairs. He froze, listening intently. There it was again. Someone was rattling pots and pans in the kitchen.
His breath exhaled in a whoosh, and he sank to the bed, his knees suddenly weak. She was here. She hadn’t run from him. Breathing deeply, he rested a moment, letting his heartbeat slow to normal. He couldn’t lose her.
Running his hand through his hair, he had to admit the truth. One woman had turned his life inside out. Nothing mattered as much as having her with him. The other Guardians would laugh to see him so shaken.
She deserved much more than what he had given her. The bonding ceremony had been thrown together at the last minute. He didn’t even know her favorite color or book. What kind of music did she like? He got up and headed downstairs. He wanted to know everything about her.
He stood in the entrance of the kitchen. Gabriella was cutting up vegetables at the sink. A pan stood on the stove. She turned quickly to check the contents of the pan before going back to her task. The silky robe she wore swirled around her long legs, and Garrett felt his body react. She hummed. Garrett cocked his head, Katy Perry? He smiled. She liked Katy Perry music. One mystery solved.
She looked comfortable in his kitchen, very domestic. The table in the corner was set for two. She had even found a bud vase, and a single pink rose sat in the middle of the place settings. His heart warmed, and his hands itched to grab her and kiss her senseless. Instead, he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He nuzzled her ear.
Destined Magic Page 10
