“Drat. Let me clean that up,” Meadow said, hating that the mood was broken.
“I’ll get it. You go get ready for bed, and I’ll be right behind you.”
“Don’t take too long. I need you,” Meadow said as she sauntered down the hall to their room. Was there a swing to her hips?
Brencis cleaned the mess and locked the apartment for the night in record time. Nothing was going to keep him from pleasuring his mate.
Meadow rushed down the hall and into the bathroom. She had a surprise for Brencis. While ordering merchandise for her store, she had come across a lingerie website. Unable to resist, she ordered a white-lace teddy accented with little purple ribbon roses. The package had arrived today, and she had hidden it in her bag to bring upstairs. Knowing Brencis would be true to his word and right behind her, she quickly stripped and put it on. Grabbing a brush, she fixed her hair, before putting on some cherry-flavored lip gloss. Then, she hurried into the bedroom and pulled down the covers. She arranged herself on the bed in what she hoped was a sexy pose.
Brencis walked in right on time, and Meadow tingled all over, as his eyes darkened and he stood looking at her. He licked his lips and gave her a sexy smile.
“You are so beautiful, Meadow mine.”
“Do you like it? I bought it with you in mind,” Meadow asked, vulnerability creeping into her tone.
“The outfit is a lovely dressing for your exquisite body. Let me get out of these clothes, and I will show you how much I like it.”
Meadow watched in anticipation as Brencis stripped off his shirt. His chest was magnificent and her fingers tingled with her desire to touch him. When he dropped his pants, his member stood stiffly at attention, a drop of pre-cum already glistening on its head. She had done this, brought his body to such need. Feeling more confident, she rose to her knees, reaching for him as he met her on the bed.
Brencis took her mouth almost aggressively. With his hands buried in her hair, he positioned her head to take her deeply, nibbling and licking until she opened for him. Then, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, he tasted and tangled with hers. He loved her taste.
Hhmm, cherry.
Meadow moaned into his mouth. His kisses were igniting her. Fire rushed to her breasts, causing her nipples to harden and rub against the lace of her outfit. A gush of moisture flowed from her core. Every feeling expanded, every nerve ending screamed for relief.
She reached for his chest muscles, kneading the contours, loving the feeling of his skin under her hands. She found his nipples and rubbed and teased them.
His mouth lowered to her neck where her pulse beat erratically. He licked her skin, needing her taste, then buried his nose against her neck, wanting her scent. This was his mate, the one who belonged to him alone. Feeling the pleasure of her hands on his chest, his hands lowered to her breasts, cupping their weight. He brushed against her nipples, hard and rosy through the lace.
Meadow pushed against his hands, needing more. Her nipples were so tight, the lace fabric rubbing against their too-sensitive tips. Brencis pushed her back until she lay flat on the bed, spread out beneath him, before taking her breast into the warmth of his mouth. Gasping, she grabbed his head, holding him to her. Arching her back, she demanded more.
“Brencis, please . . .”
She wasn’t even sure what she wanted. Her world was his mouth nibbling and sucking and his hands kneading her breast and drifting lower to her stomach. His hair brushed against her skin, teasing and tickling, while his wild scent spoke of forests and aroused male. Her man.
“One day, Meadow, our child will rest here,” he said, rubbing his hands over her flat stomach, then leaning down to kiss her there before slipping a finger under the edge of the teddy to find her core glistening with moisture for him.
As he slipped a finger inside to find her hot and wet, Brencis reached for her mind through the mating bond, pulling the link tight. He felt her want as if it was his own, the ache of needing to be filled, needing to be joined together. In response, he grew bigger and harder.
“God, printsessa volshebnaya, you are so perfect, so ready for me.”
Finding the snaps at the crotch of her outfit, he pulled them apart and pushed the teddy up to her waist, before kissing his way down to her mound. Smelling her arousal, he rubbed his face against her before swiping his tongue through her folds.
Meadow grabbed at the sheets beneath her as she began to shake. It was too much. She wasn’t going to make it.
Of course you are going to make it, lyubov moya. Give yourself to me. I will keep you safe.
Brencis chuckled right before his tongue speared deep. Meadow screamed. Her body convulsed and came apart. The tremors shook her until she was dazed. She could feel Brencis’ spirit wrapped tightly to hers, sharing her ecstasy and bringing her safely back to earth.
Again, milaya moya, he urged her as he continued to lick the cream from her body, building the tension again.
You’re going to kill me. I can’t.
You will. Just let it happen.
Meadow moaned when Brencis sucked on her clit, pulling at the nub of nerves already swollen and needy. One of his hands wandered to her breast, teasing and rolling the nipple in his fingers. He fed his emotions into their link. How soft her skin felt, how much he wanted her, needed to join with her. Her body responded by tightening her core. How could she deny him or his desire when it became her desire as well? She wanted to give him the same pleasure, holding his spirit to her as he flew apart.
Reaching for his head, she pulled it up so he would look at her. Could he see the love and need in her eyes? She flooded the mating bond with her feelings, her desire to share with him.
His eyes darkened, and he leaned up to kiss her on the mouth while his member pushed at the entrance to her womb. He deepened his kiss as he surged forward, joining their bodies together. Fire filled her. She squirmed, needing him to move.
He pulled out, then thrust back in. Bracing himself, his face a storm of lust and need, Brencis moved faster and pushed deeper, again and again. Each time the fire built until Meadow was sure they would burst into flame. She gripped his shoulders, her nails digging deep, needing to anchor herself in a world that was no longer solid. Everything flowed together, their bodies, their minds, their emotions. They were a fireball waiting to explode.
Fly with me, lyubov moya, Brencis whispered in her mind as he reached down with one hand and fingered her clit, then squeezed it as he surged into her.
They exploded into ecstasy, their minds and bodies one, holding tightly to each other. Meadow was certain they touched heaven. Everything was light. When she fell back to earth, she let herself fall into darkness.
Brencis held Meadow close-wrapped in his arms, their minds still securely knit together. She was asleep, completely exhausted by their lovemaking. He needed to cover them. Already, he could feel the chill air brushing against his sweaty body. But he could hardly move. She had destroyed him with her love and generosity and then remade him. He would never be the same. She was a part of him as he was of her. He was in awe of her.
Reaching down, he found the edge of the quilt and pulled it up around them, before he leaned over and kissed Meadow gently. Mine, Meadow. Always, mine, he whispered into her mind.
§
Meadow hummed a little tune as she walked down the apartment stairs to reach Magic Herbs. Brencis would clean up the breakfast dishes before taking a shower. She opened the shop and stepped inside, glad to see several people looking around. Angeline stood at the counter, speaking to a customer. The customer turned slightly, and Meadow recognized Tolya. He said something to Angeline and gave her a charming smile, before taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Angeline blinked up at him.
“Tolya. What brings you into Magic Herbs?” Meadow asked, thinking Angel might need rescuing.
“Meadow, there you are. I was making Angeline’s acquaintance. I stopped by to bring you this,” Tolya said, holding Meadow’s purple
scarf in his hand. “Melisande found it out at the hunting cabin. She seemed very upset about what she felt when she picked it up. She would like you to call her. I’m not sure what she does when she touches things. Strange.”
“It’s called psychometry, Tolya. I have a book on it if you want to learn more about it,” Meadow said. She would call Meli later when things slowed down in the shop.
“I’m afraid I have to run. I am helping out at Solovyov Security for a few days, and I am due at the office. Melisande asked me to drop off your scarf, so here I am. It was a pleasure to meet you Angeline. Perhaps you might be available for lunch one day this week?”
“Perhaps. I’ll have to check my schedule, Mr. Mikhailov.”
“Tolya, please. Then, I will stop by tomorrow, and you can give me your answer. Meadow, don’t forget to call Melisande. Have a pleasant day, ladies,” Tolya said, before heading for the exit. Meadow peered after him. Was there a sliver of yellow light following him out the door? She followed the light back to Angeline. A mating bond?
Angeline sighed deeply. “That is the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. I think I’m in love.”
“You have no idea,” Meadow said, smiling. Her best friend and Tolya? This was going to be fun to watch.
“Meadow, Angeline. The coven is having a special ceremony tonight. I want both of you to come,” Mr. Hatcher said, walking up to the counter.
“Mr. Hatcher, I really can’t come. I’m going out to Somerset with Brencis,” Meadow said.
“You turn from your religion for a man? I need you at the ceremony. You need to decide what is most important in your life, being a witch or being a girlfriend. What would Mary think? She gave you a home, an income. She left you everything.”
“Brencis and I are going to be married, Mr. Hatcher.”
“Then, he must accept who you are. If you are not there tonight, I will remove you from the coven. Both of you.”
Angeline looked at Meadow. She seemed to want to say something but was afraid to. Being a witch was important to Meadow. She wanted to help people. Brencis would understand.
“All right, Mr. Hatcher. We’ll be there,” Meadow said, rubbing her hands over her eyes.
“Meadow . . .” Angeline began, her voice shaky.
“Angeline, I will walk you home. I want to talk to you about your part in the ceremony tonight,” Mr. Hatcher said, taking her arm and heading for the door. “See you tonight, Meadow.”
§
Brencis walked downstairs from the apartment and stood looking down the street. If he wasn’t mistaken, Mr. Hatcher was hurrying up the street, pulling a reluctant Angeline beside him. What was that about? Brencis shivered. That man was not right.
Brencis went to the front door of Magic Herbs and saw Meadow helping a customer, her smile bright. She was wearing a blue wig today with a purple scarf wrapped around it. Her outfit consisted of green and blue patterns. Brencis thought she must be dressing as some kind of water spirit.
That was his woman. He chuckled, remembering how her strange outfits used to horrify him. Now, he found them cute and couldn’t wait to undress her in the evenings to reveal the real Meadow, his Meadow. He opened the door and walked in, followed by several others. It was going to be a good business day. Meadow looked up, her eyes softening when she saw him, her smile came quickly after.
His world brightened. Meadow’s happiness was all he needed. Her love was the air he breathed. A customer stepped up to the counter asking for help, breaking the moment. Brencis knew in his heart he would always feel this way about his mate.
The day continued like any other. Brencis started to feel silly keeping guard. No more frightening notes had been delivered. Maybe, they had been a prank after all. Meadow seemed perfectly safe here at the shop. If only she would consider selling the shop or hiring a manager. If she was out at the hunting lodge, then he would know she was safe. He didn’t have many days left to convince her to move to Somerset. Grigori would be expecting him back.
Chapter Ten
“What do you mean you told Hatcher you would do a ceremony tonight?” Brencis said, running his hand through his hair. “We need to go to Somerset. We didn’t go last night as we planned. Meadow, I need to be there for my pack.” He wanted her to understand this was important.
“I didn’t really have a choice, Brencis. He threatened to throw us out of the coven.”
“Us?”
“Angeline and me. He was very insistent. If it was just me, I wouldn’t worry about it. He and I never got on very well. But Angeline needs the coven. She didn’t go to magic school. Her father was the magic one, and he died soon after she was born. Like me, she didn’t have any formal training.”
“Meadow, I told you I needed to be there for my pack . . .”
“Then go. I’m not stopping you. I’m a witch, Brencis. That means I need to be with my coven. You can’t ask me to give everything up. I have a life.”
“You are my mate. Bound to me and the pack.” How could she do this?
“Stop, Brencis,” Meadow said, putting her finger against his lips. “Before you say something you can’t take back, go to Grigori and your pack. I’ll be here when you get back.”
Brencis walked out of the apartment and downstairs to the back parking lot. Why shouldn’t he go? So what if he went back to the pack without his mate? Getting into his car, he peeled rubber on the street as he headed out of town. His pack members needed him. He wanted to be with them. His best friend, Valerii, was out there somewhere looking for his mate. Why couldn’t Meadow understand?
Brencis pulled onto the highway heading west toward Somerset. He would only be thirty-five minutes away. Surely, Meadow couldn’t get into too much trouble while he was gone. Clenching his teeth, he continued driving away from his mate.
He hated this, hated being pulled in two different directions. The speedometer showed his speed was way over the limit. He was making good time. Brencis thought she understood how important this was. Had he been kidding himself all along? Would Meadow never choose to be with him? Was he destined to leave his mate behind?
Idi K Chyortu, he couldn’t do it. As much as he needed to be with his pack, he needed to be with Meadow more. Pulling to the side of the road, Brencis stopped the car and rested his head against the steering wheel. What would Grigori think of him?
§
The knock on the door confused Meadow. Brencis couldn’t have changed his mind. He was very angry at her. She could tell the way his eyes grew hard and his jaw rigid. Peeking out the peephole in the door, she saw Ms. Melody carrying a garment. Opening the door, she saw the garment was a long pale-blue dress.
“Ms. Melody?” she asked.
“Meadow dear. I brought you a gift. Mr. Hatcher would like you to wear this to the ceremony. Do you like it? I made it myself.”
“It’s lovely. Would you like to come in?”
“Thank you, dear. Now go take a quick shower and put this on. I’ll help you with the ties on the back.”
“Must I do it this minute?”
“I’m afraid so, dear. Mr. Hatcher is already setting up for the ceremony in the basement. He is expecting us. The whole coven should be arriving at any moment. Where is your young man tonight?”
“He went to visit his pa . . . ah, family in Somerset.”
“That’s nice, dear. Now hurry.”
Meadow took the dress and carried it into the bathroom. This is what she wanted, to be a part of the coven. So why did she feel so uneasy?”
§
Brencis sat in the car as traffic zoomed by. There was nothing for it. He needed to call Grigori. Digging his phone out of his pocket, he dialed his cousin’s number. Hopefully, Grigori wouldn’t be too upset.
“Grigori?”
“Brencis, I am so glad you called. I was about to call you. Melisande is beside herself with worry. She found Meadow’s purple scarf this morning. When she picked it up, her gift kicked in unexpectedly. Here I’ll let her tell you.” Brencis could hear
Grigori handing the phone to his wife.
“Brencis? The man who gave the scarf to Meadow is very dangerous. Is she with you?”
“No, Melisande. I left her at home.” Hatcher was a creepy fellow.
“Brencis, the man was thinking of killing her. He held the scarf in his hands and pictured cutting out her heart. You must get to her. She is in danger.”
“Govno. I left her at the apartment. She said there was a ceremony happening tonight. Hatcher will be there.”
“Oh, dear,” Melisande said slowly, her voice filled with horror.
“Try to call her, Melisande. I’m turning around right now. I’m not far away, maybe twenty minutes.”
“I will. I’ll call you back after I talk to her.”
§
Meadow slipped on the blue dress, then walked into the front room where Ms. Melody sat waiting.
“You look lovely, dear. Turn around so I can do up the back.” Meadow shivered as Ms. Melody fastened each tie running up the back. Why was she so uneasy tonight?
“I have some blue flats that might go with the dress. Should I wear them?” Meadow asked, wanting to get away from the other woman.
“Go fetch them. We are running out of time.”
Meadow hurried into her bedroom and to the closet. She glanced at the phone, then ran down the hall. Grabbing the shoes, she hurried to the phone and picked it up. There was no dial tone, it was dead. How was that possible?
“Where are you dear? Mr. Hatcher will be very cross.”
Taking a deep breath, Meadow put on the shoes. This was ridiculous. These people were her friends, friends of her mentor.
She walked out to the front room.
“You look a little pale, dear. Here, I made you a cup of tea. Now, be quick. We are due downstairs.”
My Magic Mate Page 12
