Hidden Magic: An Ancient Magic Novel

by Stephany Wallace

  “It’s called an undercut. What do you think? Sexy right?” He winked at me, wiggling his brows.

  I didn’t answer. I turned towards Eisha and found her working in the kitchen. She was wearing trousers of a soft material and a shirt without sleeves. It resembled something I had seen my Goddess wear to her office. She looked beautiful. It suited her.

  “I like it. I think it to be cool,” she added from her spot and I chuckled.

  “It’s cool. You think it’s cool,” Art corrected her. She shrugged.

  “You are cooking for Art, a chara? I see he finally won your favor over with bribes,” I said changing the subject and grinned awaiting her reaction. She was accustomed to throwing things at our heads. She said it was a “test,” to our reflexes as warriors. She just happened to “test us,” every time Art or I miffed her. I cringed when I realized she held a knife.

  “You think yourself humorous?” She said from her spot on the counter.

  I laughed, stopping behind her and kissed her cheek.

  She turned around and waved the knife at me, “You will not be so amused when this knife flies towards your head. Come to think of it, I have not tested your reflexes in a while.”

  I laughed again and sat at the table. She chuckled, and continued cutting the carrot into pieces.

  “Shhh, Silence Bro. I finally came in while she was cooking. You know how long it took me to manage timing that exactly right? She hasn’t said anything yet about not giving me food. So don’t screw this for me. You know she’s temperamental.”

  The whooshing sound of the blade flying through the air was our only warning. “Daingead!” Art and I leaned to the side instantly. The knife flew between our heads and inserted itself on the window shutter behind us.

  “Which of us was that intended for?” I asked startled. She turned towards me wiping her hands on a cloth. Her eyes looked upwards as if she was contemplating her answer.

  “I am not entirely sure yet. I will let you know once I decide. The good news is, however, your reflexes are spot on. Well done,” She concluded with a wide smile.

  Art laughed and I chuckled while she returned to her chores.

  “They have to be to survive growing up around you.” Art added and her laughter rang through the hut. I elbowed him.

  “What are you doing sitting here brother. Go help her.”

  He stood still laughing and pulled the knife from the wood. He walked towards her and began cutting the broccoli for her. I smiled at the sight. They would be good together, if she ever accepted his love for her.

  We sat at the table and ate merrily. I laughed as we talked like we had not done in a long while. The air seemed different. I was different. I smiled at my realization and took another bite of the roasted chicken and vegetables that Eisha had prepared. “This is delicious a chara, thank you.”

  “Anything for my friend,” she said smiling, and then pointed her fork at Art. “You however, owe me.”

  He let his fork fall on the plate and banged the table dramatically. “What did I do now woman?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  She laughed. “You are eating all my food reserves. This is your second serving. You have eaten in my home for almost as long as I have known you. And you are my friend so you are unquestionably welcome. Nevertheless, it will not hurt you to bring me vegetables from your garden or chickens or even a fish once in a while.”

  My brother’s eyes widened and I took another bite of the carrots watching the exchange.

  “And who do you think keeps your kitchen stocked?” He asked faking outrage.

  “Well Cyn does, of course!”

  I laughed nearly choking on my food. She looked at me confused for a moment. I shook my head in response.

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” Art exclaimed and looked at me. “Do you see this bro?” He shook his head disappointed and picked up his fork taking another bite.

  Eisha looked at me incredulous. “Is it not you Cyn?”

  “I am afraid is not, a chara. Art is the one that brings supplies and places them in your kitchen,” she stood and approached my brother hugging him.

  “I am so very sorry I threw my knife at you.”

  “That knife was for me?” He banged the table once more and we laughed. He winked at me as she hugged him once more.

  “I think I might have been cossetting the wrong brother. I need to rethink my choices,” she added and we laughed.

  The muscles of my abdomen hurt from laughing so intensely. It had been a while since I had enjoyed a meal like this with them. She stood still laughing and grabbed his plate.

  “Would you like another serving?”

  Art smiled wide. “Yes please.”

  She shook her head. “Oh dear mother Goddess, why does he eat so much?”

  We laughed, and watched her walk into the kitchen. The truth was I was the one to keep her kitchen stocked, but my brother could certainly use the favor.

  “Make sure to fish for her and bring fresh fish, wild boar and chicken once a month, on the second week of the month. You clean it up, cut it into pieces and place it in the salt barrels. You must also bring vegetables for her the first day of every week. Do it while she is out on her personal training,” I whispered and he nodded.

  He regarded me with a mixture of gratitude and concern. I was sure he did not wish for me to know his secret. I had not meant to make him uncomfortable. I placed my hand on his shoulder. “You have nothing to be concerned over, brother. I would never judge you. I wish for you to be happy,” It was the truth and it was enough for me. He smiled still uncertain. I rubbed his head like I used to do when he was a kid and he chuckled pushing my hand away.

  “Watch the hair Bro.”

  I laughed and returned to my meal.

  *

  I stood in in the middle of my hut, dressed from head to toe in my warrior suit. I tightened the cords of my iron-lined bracer on my right arm, and tied them. I proceeded to check my boots. I rose to my full height and walked to the small mirror that hung from the stone wall. My hair was still wet from my bath. I ran my fingers through it, combing it. I brought it back tightly and I tied the leather string around it holding it in place. I pushed back the strands of hair that always fell around my face and stood straight. The light of the moon shone through the window causing my clan medallion to glint and bringing my attention to it. It hung from the corner of the mirror. I had not worn it in a long time. I placed my hand on the medallion and looked upon it. My thumb brushed over it and I remembered the day Mo meantóir gave it to me. Letting go of it I stepped back and took a deep breath. I hoped the tightness in my chest caused by his memory, would fade away with time.

  I tugged at my vest and looked at my outfit assuring it was complete and everything was in its rightful place. Suddenly I felt anxious. I truly hoped she liked it.

  I crossed the portal into her room and I was rendered speechless. Bri stood by her door in a long, green dress that matched my eyes. Her long hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders and back, all the way to her waist. Her dress dipped on her chest and the thin fabric clung to her breasts beautifully. Only a pair of fine straps held it on her shoulders, so gracefully that it accentuated her chest. Her breasts looked plump and soft and my body shuddered remembering the taste of her skin. My gaze continued down her body as the dressed clung to her waist then flared into a flowing skirt that accentuated her hips and fell softly to the floor. Her feet were bare and she looked absolutely exquisite. I stepped closer and realized she had not spoken. It was then I noticed her stare held the same heat mine had a few seconds ago. I stood straight for her while her eyes roamed my body. My chest, arms, torso, and my thighs then continued down. She was appreciating my outfit. When her eyes finally met mine, her cheeks were that beautiful deep rose hue. I smiled and winked at her. The urge to claim her lips overwhelmed me.

  “My Goddess, you look irrefutably beautiful tonight,” I took a step towards her and she began to come to me. Her smile was
endearing, and shy. I loved seeing her like this. The moment she was close enough I took her into my arms and kissed her. Tasting her lips was like drinking water after enduring days of thirst. When I finally let go of her, we were gasping for air.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “I wanted you to see me in something other than my pj’s tonight.”

  I smiled. I loved that she had worn that dress for me. Her eyes fell on my dimple and I smirked. My arm lowered to her waist and I pulled her closer to me. I nuzzled her neck and my lips sought her ear. “Lick me,” I whispered and felt her head turn.

  The tip of her tongue grazed my dimple and I grunted, pleased. I stayed still, allowing her to nibble and suck my cheek. Pure pleasure traveled through my body. She bit me and I grunted once more. She was driving me mad. My lips dropped to her neck and returned the attention. After a few minutes I lifted my head and looked into her eyes. She sighed.

  “Hi.” She whimpered.

  I smiled. “Hello, my Goddess. I missed you. You governed my thoughts all day. I wanted nothing more than to be here with you. To have you in my arms and do this,” I licked the length of her neck and heard her moan while she shuddered. My body responded.

  “I missed you too. I like your outfit. It’s very, very…” she sighed. “Hot,” she swallowed.

  “I am pleased you approve. It is my warrior suit. I wore it only for you.”

  Her hands went to my chest. She remained silent while her fingers traced the neckline of my vest. Her touch was gentle and soft as a feather. Her hands flattened on the leather and she caressed it upwards reaching my shoulders. Her hands went over them and began to stroke the muscles on my arms on their way down. My muscles tensed at her touch. Her palms left my skin and were replaced by her fingertips as they traced the outline of my biceps. My pulse began to race. Her gentle touch continued down my forearms and she traced the veins and muscles. Her hands changed direction and reached for the sides on my vest. She gazed at me briefly and I could tell she was aroused. Her cheeks were beautifully flushed and she was biting her lower lip. It provoked so many feelings in me it was hard to decipher which one was stronger. Only one thing I knew. I wanted to make her mine. I took a deep breath, my body continued to react to her touch. I followed her eyes to my torso. I realized then she was untying the cords on the sides of my vest. She pulled at them silently, until they became completely loose. Her hands rested on my forearms and she guided my arms up. My eyes never left hers while she tugged at the vest and pushed it up my chest. I held it by the edges at the shoulders and helped her pull it over my head and off my body. I lowered my arms letting the vest fall on the floor next to us and heard her whimper. She looked at every inch of my chest with desire. She bit her lower lip while her eyes fell onto my abdomen.

  “Oh sweet mother all things sexy. Look at those abs,” she mumbled and I grinned.

  I had never been so grateful for the warrior training and manual labor I had endured all my life. The way she regarded me in this moment, made it all worth it.

  “May I touch you?” She asked and I took her hands in mine guiding them to my chest.

  “You may do whatever your heart desires to me, my Goddess. I am yours.”

  She swallowed looking briefly into my eyes. There was a mixture of desire, need and vulnerability in them. I could feel the conflict within her essence. Between the passion and need I provoked in her, and the innocence she held. I took her hands and brought them to my lips. I kissed her fingers gently.

  “There is nothing to fear with me. You need not worry. I shall never do anything that you do not desire me to do. I will respect your every wish and do anything you ask. I promise you. You are safe with me.”

  “I know,” she answered before I could finish.

  I placed her hands back on my chest and closed my eyes once they began to explore me. She began at the corded muscles on my neck. Her fingertips traced them and caressed them all the same. They fell on my clavicle and traveled the length of it settling on the dimples my muscles created at the beginning of my shoulders.

  “More dimples,” she whispered amused, then felt her lean into me.

  My breath caught in my throat when I felt her lips kiss my left shoulder. The tip of her tongue licked the dimple in a gentle caress. My heart began to beat thunderously in my chest. Her tongue left a cool wet trail as it traveled from one shoulder to the other. The heat of her breath intensified the feeling and effect. I smirked. I had done the same to her last night. She licked and kissed my other shoulder’s dimple and took her lips off me. My body immediately protested but I dared not say a word. I promised she could do whatever she desired to me.

  Her fingers resumed their exploration and began to caress my chest. The muscles flexed reacting to her touch. My breathing became labored when she reached my nipples. Her fingertips gently circled them and I moaned. The need increased in me with each stroke she gave. The innocent curiosity in her caress and the rippling energy between us added to the sensations intensifying them tenfold. She played with the tips, as though feeling their texture and softness in between her fingers and squeezed them gently. Another moan left me. Her touch was flawless. I could tell it was the first time she touched a man like this. She had no awareness of what she was causing in me. She was simply discovering my body, and I wanted her to not cease until she discovered all of me. Leaning into me, she placed a soft kiss on my nipple. Her tongue grazed it ever so slightly. I shuddered and began hardening for her. Her touch continued down my muscles. She outlined every groove of my abdominals. Square by square. My breathing turned into pants as she continued down. I opened my eyes and looked into hers. I knew my gaze was hooded, intense and filled with desire but I had no cares for that. I needed to gaze upon her while she touched me. She bit her lip while her fingertips traced my hip muscles. They glided softly down the v they created. I moaned again not able to help myself. Her touch was maddening, and I wanted her to continue down. Her fingers followed the v until they reached the waistband of my leather trousers. I wanted to rip them off me so she would continue her exploration of my body. Every inch of me had hardened for her. I needed to feel more of her touch. I took a ragged breath as she flattened her hands on my stomach and pushed them up my body. She reached my shoulders and dragged them down my arms.

  “Please turn around,” she said breathless.

  I did as she asked. Her fingers began their journey down the muscles and I felt them flex for her. She stopped. I waited then felt her lips on my skin once more, I grunted from desire. My hands held on to the windowsill for support as her soft kisses followed the trail her fingers had created. She stopped. I wanted to protest. I needed her touch. She wrapped her arms around my waist and held me tightly. Her breasts pressed against my back and I closed my eyes wishing the thin fabric that covered them, was not present. I wanted to feel her skin to skin. When she let go and I turned to face her. Her hands traveled down my chest once again.

  “I love your chest,” she whispered.

  I swallowed when her hands reached my waistband. She repeated the motions she had done before. Her fingers retraced my v muscles, until my trousers stopped them.

  “Do you desire me to take them off for you, my Goddess?” I asked praying her answer was yes. My voice was hoarse from my want. She took her gaze off my v and looked into my eyes.

  “Would you do it if I asked you to?” She asked blushing.

  I knew she was not ready, no matter how much I wished she was. I could feel her uncertainty. I gave her my answer nonetheless, “Yes.”

  She bit her lip seeming to think about it, “no its ok.”

  I took a deep breath and brought her into my embrace. I cupped her cheek and smiled leaning in.

  “Then it’s my turn,” I claimed her lips and released all my need into them. I kissed her softly yet deeply, needing every stroke of my tongue against hers. It was satiating and left me wanting more all in the same. My hands traveled down her spine, reveling in the feeling of the soft, plump curve of he
r behind. I reached her thighs and pulled her up, guiding her legs around my waist. I held her tightly against me, taking her to the bed. I placed her down and rested my body on top hers. She moaned in my mouth when she felt me against her then tightened her legs around me. I moaned feeling the softness of her against my hardness. I continued to kiss her and poured all my desire into the kiss. Or lips moved languidly and sensually on each other. I needed to keep the pace soft or I would rip her dress off and make her mine. There was only so much control I could muster while having her in my arms like this. She pulled back breathless. I needed air as well but was reluctant to stop. I wanted to indulge myself with the taste of her skin. Lavish her with sensations until she could not endure it any longer. I wished to make her feel desired in a way she never thought possible. I would teach her to enjoy her body and open herself to the pleasures I could give her. With my hands, my lips and my body. I desired to show her the true meaning of ecstasy.

  My tongue traced her jaw until I was at her ear. I gently bit her earlobe and pulled. She gasped and held me tighter. “You are mine,” I whispered on her skin.

  “Yes, I’m yours,” she answered panting.

  “You belong to me… with me.”

  “Yes.”

  I smiled and began to nibble at her neck.

  “There is a place you belong undoubtedly, one place where everything feels true.

  A place where nothing else matters, nothing else but me and you…”

  I sucked gently on her neck and she moaned urging me to continue. I caressed the curve of her neck with the tip of my tongue until I reached her shoulder.

  “And nothing can truly harm you, nothing could cause you pain. Where everything you need is given, where our love has its reign…”

  “Cyn…” she whimpered.

  I began to feel her throbbing against me just as she did last night. My throbbing increased in response.