by S. E. Smith
“I need water,” she stated, staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What’s wrong?” Geoff asked with a grimace, taking the pot from her.
Marina opened her mouth to scold her brother for startling Mike. She snapped her mouth closed and pursed her lips when Charlie entered their shelter a moment before Mike did. Turning, she knelt by the hot coals leftover from the fire and pulled her knife out.
“Charlie!” Erin called, opening her arms wide.
The pup didn’t need any other encouragement. His furry, wiggling body almost knocked Marina over in his haste to get to her sister. Fire swept through Marina when she felt a pair of strong hands steady her.
“Sorry about that,” Mike said, kneeling down next to her. “He still needs to learn some manners.”
“So does my brother,” Marina retorted before she blew out a breath and turned her head to look at Mike. She was startled to see his face so close to hers. “He… he shouldn’t have startled you.”
Her eyes widened when he lifted his hand and brushed her hair back from her cheek. His fingers caressed her earlobe as he tucked the long, thick strands behind her ear. Marina leaned closer to his body when his fingers traced the line of her jaw.
“It was actually pretty cool—unexpected, but cool. Can you…?” Mike asked in a slightly hesitant voice.
Marina shook her head. “We each have our own strengths and weaknesses. I have an affinity for the forest—and….” She paused and shook her head again. “Geoff can imitate living creatures. It is forever getting him in trouble. If he is not careful, a hunter or meat-eating animal will mistake him for their next meal,” she said in exasperation.
“So, Erin can heal, Geoff can imitate living things, and you can…,” Mike encouraged, turning to sit down on the ground so he was facing her.
“Marina can talk to the trees and plants,” a voice replied.
Marina grimaced when Mike jerked his head around to look at the bow that was propped up against a log. Erin giggled at his reaction while Charlie stood up and walked over to sniff the bow. Mike chuckled when the bow growled at Charlie. The pup yelped and hurried back to lay next to Erin.
“Is that thing for real?” Mike asked, studying the bow.
A reluctant grin curved Marina’s lips at the sound of awe in his voice. She glanced at her bow before focusing on cutting up the roots she brought back for their breakfast. Once boiled, it would make a thick, creamy, and delicious meal that was high in protein and nutrients.
“My father gave Mr. Bow to me when I turned eight summers old. The wood came from an ancient elder tree. They are the oldest trees on the Isle of Magic. It is said that the elder trees were planted by the Goddess herself and contain the elements of magic that give us our power. The forest is protected by a magic so old that not even the Sea Witch’s evil can touch it. Father was given the gift of a limb after he healed a sick tree. My gift of magic comes from him while Erin’s comes from our mother. We like to tease Geoff and say he was a foundling, because no one knows where his gift came from,” Marina said, looking up when Geoff entered with the pot of water.
“That is not true. Our grandmother is a shapeshifter. Here is the water,” Geoff said, placing the pot of cold water on the bed of coals from the fire.
“Thank you,” Marina replied, adding the roots to the water.
“Erin, do you want to take Charlie out for a walk?” Geoff asked with a hopeful look at his younger sister.
“Yes,” Erin answered, rising to her feet. “Come on, Charlie.”
Marina looked up with a worried frown. “Don’t go far, and keep your eyes open,” she cautioned.
“We will,” Geoff promised.
She bit her lip and watched as they slipped through the opening. Both of them were aware of the dangers, but she couldn’t help but worry after yesterday. Erin looked better this morning, but she was still pale and far too thin for her age.
Her sister had lost weight over the last couple of months. The strain of caring for so many children who had fallen ill, then becoming sick herself had left Erin with little appetite. When they returned to the camp later today, she would place the healing stones around Erin again.
“What is that?” Mike asked with a sniff.
Marina blinked and turned to look at Mike. She parted her lips as she stared at his mouth. She wondered what his lips would feel like against hers. He must have read her expression because he leaned forward and cupped her cheek with his hand. She lifted her eyelashes and became captivated by the burning expression in his eyes.
“Mike…,” Marina murmured, leaning toward him.
A soft moan escaped her when his lips captured hers. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck when he slid his hands around her waist and lifted her enough to pull her onto his lap. She threaded her fingers through his short hair, holding him to her.
Their hot breaths mixed as their tongues tangled with each other, each seeking to satisfy the hunger that had been ignited. Marina felt the magic inside her soar to a level she had never experienced before. Her body trembled with need for the man who had saved her life and connected with her on an elemental level.
“Woof!”
The sound of Charlie’s bark pulled Marina back to reality. She reluctantly broke their kiss, her eyes still closed as she clung to the wave of emotion still washing over her. Eyelashes fluttering, she looked up when she felt Mike stiffen and heard his swiftly inhaled breath.
Her dazed gaze met his. His hand slid from her waist to tenderly touch her cheek. His fingers skimmed along her flushed, heated skin. In the reflection of his eyes, she could see the glow surrounding her.
“I’m not sure what is happening, but I can promise you, I intend to see where it takes us,” he stated in a determined voice.
Marina flushed with pleasure and released him. Her body was glowing—literally. She held her hands out in front of her and turned them. Looking up, her lips parted. She could see the awe reflected in his gaze. He could see her aura.
“Marina, is the food ready? I’m starving,” Erin called.
Marina slid off of Mike’s lap and knelt in front of the fire again as Charlie, followed closely by Erin and Geoff, entered their small shelter. She quickly picked up the spoon and stirred the root mush she had been cooking. Luckily, it didn’t stick to the bottom of the pot or burn.
“It is almost ready,” Marina said.
Erin paused as she started to sit and stared at her. Marina could feel her cheeks heating and had to resist the urge to lick her lips. Erin sank down the rest of the way and tilted her head.
“Are you feeling well? You look flushed,” Erin asked in concern.
“I’m fine. Here, we need to eat and leave. We still have a long way to go before we get back to camp,” Marina said, holding out a bowl of mush to Erin.
Chapter Nine
Less than an hour later, Mike was following Marina as they navigated a narrow mountain trail. On one side was a wall of rock while on the other was a steep, tree covered drop off. This time, Geoff led the way with Charlie, Erin, Marina, and Mike following single file behind him.
For the first time, Mike noticed that while Marina’s top looked black, it was actually a forest green that changed colors in the sunlight. The colors helped her blend in with the surrounding forest. He swore that at times, she actually appeared to fade from view.
He had to admit that he was fascinated with everything about this woman walking in front of him. Their shared kiss earlier this morning kept playing like a broken record over and over in his mind. The taste of her lips, the feel of her warm body against his, the passion in her response—hell, even his own reaction!
He wanted her. There was no denying it, and he wasn’t even going to try. When she had pulled back after hearing Charlie’s bark, her skin had been glowing. The vivid rainbow of colors had wrapped around his hand when he touched her. There had been a tingling feeling, almost as if he had touched one of those plasma balls that he used
to play with as a kid.
He wanted to know more about her, and he wanted to protect her. Watching her sleep last night had awakened a strong, protective instinct inside that had startled him. He hadn’t felt such a strong reaction for anyone before, not even for Ruth. Of course, he’d never had to worry about an evil Sea Witch, Hellhounds, ogres, magical realms, or things like that with his sister, just a wimpy ex-husband.
A shudder went through him at the thought of his sister. He had to find a way back. If he didn’t, there was no doubt in his mind that Ruth would turn Yachats State Park upside down trying to find him. If there was one thing his sister was—it was tenacious. She could be worse than Charlie with a chew bone!
“We are almost there,” Marina commented over her shoulder, pulling him back to the present.
“Sounds good,” Mike replied.
Nearly fifteen minutes later, the path curved downward and opened to reveal a wide, flat area near the base of the mountain. Mike paused when he saw the makeshift shelters. There were a half-dozen small campfires burning outside of the branch-and-woven-leaf structures. Dozens of children of all ages paused to look at them in fear for a brief moment before a cry of relief and excitement resounded from the group.
Mike quickly found himself surrounded by a sea of dirty, tired faces looking up at him in curiosity, reserve, and a touch of hope. He turned his head and locked gazes with Marina as she reached out and gently touched several of the rumpled children. A combination of love, sadness, and determination was reflected in her expression.
“Who are they? Why are they here?” he asked. A dark, puzzled frown creased his brow when he didn’t see anyone older than Marina. “Where are the adults?”
“Gone,” Marina quietly replied as she gazed around the suddenly quiet group. “Their parents and many of their siblings and friends were turned to stone by the Sea Witch for refusing to join her. The few villages that survived are those who pay tribute to Magna, hoping to save themselves. The children you see here were the only ones lucky enough to escape into the forest before the spell consuming their villages could affect them.”
Mike’s eyes widened as the large scale devastation of what had happened to Marina’s people hit him. He was in a strange world, among a tide of mahogany and violet-haired urchins whose parents had been turned to stone by a Sea Witch straight out of a fairy tale. He swallowed as he watched Charlie eagerly moving from one small body to the next, licking them and eating up the attention. He returned his gaze to Marina when she gently touched his arm.
“Come, I need to check on a few things. I also want to make sure that I place the healing stones on Erin for a little while. Before sunset, I will prepare some food for us. I know a place where we can talk in private,” she said in a quiet voice.
Mike nodded. “What can I do to help?” he asked as he followed her.
A grateful smile lit her features. “If you could help Geoff check the shelters, I would appreciate it. The children were building them when we left a few days ago,” she said.
Mike glanced around the small encampment and nodded. “I can do that,” he responded.
He turned back to look at Marina when she touched his arm. He saw a flash of uncertainty on her face before she drew in a deep breath, leaned forward and brushed a kiss against his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tight against him.
“Mike!” Marina gasped in surprise, looking up at him.
“That is not a kiss.” He lowered his head until he was a breath away from her lips. “Now… this is a kiss,” he murmured.
He captured her parted lips. There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted this woman with a passion that nearly took his breath away. The chemistry between them immediately ignited a fire inside him, and the mischievous kiss he’d planned soon turned into a forget-the-world, this-woman-is-mine kind of kiss. He raised a hand and tangled his fingers in her hair so he could deepen the kiss.
Mike literally forgot about everything but the soft, warm woman in his arms. At least, he did until he felt a tug on his pant leg. Breaking the kiss with an impatient growl, he turned his head to see what had disturbed him.
His expression cleared when he saw a young girl who must have been no more than three staring up at him with wide eyes of crystal blue. Her cheeks had streaks of dirt on them, and her ice-blue curly hair was in a lopsided ponytail. Mike heard Marina’s soft groan.
“Kacie, where’s your brother?” Marina asked.
“Touch!” Kacie demanded, still staring at Mike.
Mike grimaced at the piercing gaze. “Why is she staring at me?” he asked.
“She is trying to read you. Kacie is an Empath,” Marina explained.
“An Empath…,” Mike shook his head. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for her to read me at the moment.”
Marina turned to look at him with a frown. “Why?” she asked.
“Because what I’m thinking and feeling is definitely for mature audiences only,” he ruefully admitted.
“I don’t…,” Marina began before understanding dawned. Her face turned a rosy red. “Oh!”
“Yeah, that about sums it up,” he chuckled.
“Kacie! Kacie, where are you?” a young boy called from outside one of the shelters.
Mike could see the boy frantically searching for the little girl. Marina bent over and picked up Kacie. The boy turned toward them when he saw his sister. Mike could see the boy’s exasperated expression. A grin curved his lips—Ruth had worn the same expression more than once with him.
“I’ll go find Geoff,” Mike said.
“I think Kacie and I will go check on Erin,” Marina replied before turning back toward him. “I will see you later?”
Mike could hear the slight hesitation in her voice. “You bet your ass you will,” he retorted with a wink.
Turning, he headed across the encampment to the shelter Geoff was working on. He needed something to keep his mind occupied—well, at least partially occupied if for no other reason than to get his body back under control. At the moment, his cock was still hard, and he could feel the sexual desire still pulling at him.
“This is nothing like being fourteen—this is far, far worse. I’ll be heading into some serious trouble if I’m not careful,” he muttered under his breath.
* * *
Marina bit her lip as she watched Mike working with Geoff. The day had warmed up, and he had removed his jacket and sweater. The black short-sleeve shirt he’d worn under his sweater clung to his body, highlighting his broad chest and flat stomach.
A light blush heated her cheeks when Mike turned his head as if feeling her gaze and caught her staring at him. She whispered to one of the other young girls who had come to sit with Erin while Marina helped prepare food for the younger children.
“You like him,” Erin observed.
Marina flushed and pursed her lips together when several of the other girls giggled. She drew in a breath, released a loud sigh, and scowled at the other girls who were now watching her. Her gaze moved back to Mike where he was tying off a section of the wall he and Geoff had constructed.
“He’s not from our world,” Marina murmured, turning her attention back to stirring the wild vegetables two of the other girls had gathered, cleaned, and cut up.
“Why should that matter? Father always said that he would love Mother, even if she came from the Isle of the Monsters,” Erin replied with a raised eyebrow.
Marina chuckled. “Mike is not from any of the kingdoms in our world. It is only natural that he will want to return to where he came from,” she explained.
“Then, what kingdom does he come from?” Chai, a young girl the same age as Geoff, asked.
“He came from a strange place with many names that I have never heard,” Marina admitted.
“Could we go to his world? Would we be safe there?” Dara asked.
Marina’s gaze softened at the young girl’s hopeful look. She shook her head. Even if she knew how she had opene
d the door in the first place, she seriously doubted she could do it again.
Handing the spoon she had been using to stir the large pot of soup to Chai, Marina stood up and crossed over to where her sister was sitting. She ran her hand over Erin’s forehead. She breathed a sigh of relief when it felt cool to her touch—the healing stones had done their magic.
“Marina… What are we going to do?” Erin asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ll think of something,” she replied.
She paused, her hand still against Erin’s cheek. The other girls had stopped what they were doing to look at her. She could see the exhaustion on all of their faces. Looking around the camp, she could not only see it on the other children’s faces, but feel it in the air. The constant moving, the lack of regular food, the sickness that had swept through the small group, and the perpetual fear of being found was taking a toll on everyone.
Once their new camp was finished, she would leave Geoff in charge of the group and seek help from the one person who might understand how she had opened the portal between her world and Mike’s. She would also ask for help in reaching out to the other kingdoms. Despair filled her at the thought that the other kingdoms would turn her away.
“Marina! We finished the last shelter,” Geoff said with an easy smile.
Marina removed her hand from Erin’s cheek. A laugh escaped her when Charlie came up and licked her sister’s cheek. Of course, the pup—excited by all of the girls’ reactions—had to give each one a lick. The squeal of laughter was music to her ears. It had been so long since she’d heard the happy sound that she’d often wondered if she would ever hear it again.
“It looks like Charlie has found some willing victims to love on,” Mike chuckled.
Marina started in surprise. She was so focused on Charlie’s antics that she didn’t hear Mike’s approach. Twirling, she found herself in his arms once again. Lifting her head, she drew in a deep breath when she saw the fire burning in his eyes.
“I… Yes, he has,” she said in a slightly breathless voice.
