by Julia Mills
Bowing her head, his little witch began to pray as she sprinkled the damp herbs over the surface of the water. They rode the ripples like tiny surfers fighting to remain close to the one whose hand they’d just touched. It only added to the ambiance of the moment, as if all things, both great and small, were hanging on Calysta’s every word. The reverence of her tone was awe inspiring and the emotion filling the air an inspiration. He was mesmerized as the beauty of her prayer unfolded.
I come to you, Goddess of All, seeking wisdom and comfort. Please help me shine light on what is dark in the world. Help me strengthen and repair what is weak and broken. Bind the negativity that threatens my faith. Banish the doubt and heal whatever sickness lives within me. Help me find the peace and love that has been taken from us and use me as a beacon of Your everlasting devotion and hope in Your world and Your children. Show the path that is Your will. Let me always walk in the light of Your love. I am Your humble servant, now and forever. Blessed be.
Maddox had never been what most would call a ‘religious man’. He believed all blessings flowed from the Universe. He knew Fate had a wicked sense of humor and Destiny could be a cruel mistress. He was thankful for every breath he drew and every day he had on earth, even if he did bitch and moan through most of them. He had faith. Some might say he was spiritual but none would ever accuse him of the kind of devotion he’d just witnessed as he watched the woman meant to be his mate pray to her Goddess.
He waited for her to rise, was sure her time of reflection had come to an end, but the Priestess didn’t move. Had it not been for his enhanced hearing, the mad dragon would’ve wondered if she was still breathing. That was how completely motionless she was. Silent moments passed. The mating bond grew warm within his soul. Its glow burned brighter. He began to feel Calysta’s presence in a more formidable sense as opposed to the seedling it had been.
Unable to wait any longer, Maddox rose to his feet. Moving from behind the bushes, he pushed the low hanging branches out of the way as he took first one step, then another and another until he was fully exposed, watching his mate from the opposite side of the lake. She remained in her supplicant pose, unaware of his presence.
The need to be near her, to touch her, to have her touch him, was overwhelming. His dragon pushed against the confines of his mind, chuffing and pawing the ground. The beast wanted his mate as much as the man. Need won out over good intentions. Maddox quickly made his way around the lake’s bank, never once taking his eyes from the beauty of his little witch.
The time had come. It was now or never. The Universe had given him a gift. Who was he, her lowly servant, to refuse such a prize?
With silent footsteps so as not to disturb her, Maddox approached his mate. Turning her head, she gasped as he knelt beside her, the frightened look in her eyes immediately changing to one of intrigue and if he wasn’t mistaken, more than a little uncertainty. His heart ached, for he knew he’d put that doubt in her mind. Understanding filled his being with divine knowledge. It was time to make things right
“Hey there,” was the only thing he could think of to say. The moment it was out of his mouth, the mad dragon wished for a do-over, but the look in Calysta’s eyes and the smile that brightened her face said it all. It didn’t matter what he said. It only mattered that he was there.
“Hey,” she answered, sending chills up and down his spine.
He reached for her hand and together they gasped at the spark of recognition their skin-to-skin contact created. Maddox could only imagine what it would be like to touch every inch of her perfectly porcelain skin. Calysta’s smile turned to a sly grin as soon as the thought crossed his mind.
“Guess I better get better at shielding,” he spoke directly into her mind.
Her chuckle sounded like the breeze caressing the wind chimes that had hung outside his mother’s cottage. It was pure and melodic and sang to his heart. When she spoke through their unique link, both man and dragon felt a sense of purpose. “No need, I like hearing your thoughts.”
Rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand, Maddox took a deep breath and said the words he’d waited far too long to speak. Unable to look in her eyes as he apologized, the mad dragon focused on a particularly uninspiring bunch of weeds just over her shoulder. “Calysta, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you want. Hell, who would want to spend eternity with me? There are days I wish I could get away.” He scoffed sarcastically and looked at their joined hands.
“But I’ve tried to stay away and that’s just not working. I thought it was a mistake. I mean, the Universe really has some sense of humor, right?” He paused to see if she would answer. Wondered if she was still listening. Then finally gave up and slowly lifted his eyes to look at her face.
What he saw had him torn between kissing her silly and turning her over his knees. Calysta was trying as hard as he’d ever seen anyone try to keep from laughing. She was biting her bottom lip and trying to hold her breath, but she couldn’t stop the twinkle in her eyes or the bounce of her shoulders.
“You little scamp,” he teased before giving into his own fit of merriment, which turned the Priestess’ silent giggles into full blown laughter. It was the best moment he’d shared with anyone in his very long life and suddenly, everything in his crazy world made sense. The Elders had been right - Fate will not be denied.
It took several minutes for the couple’s amusement to die down. Catching his breath, Maddox tried to go on, “What I really…”
But Calysta immediately interrupted. Placing her index finger on his still moving lips, his little witch raised her eyebrows and leveled her gaze. “Stop right there, Maddox MacQueen, I’ve had enough doubts for both of us. All the fears, all the worries, all the holding back and thinking you hated me; it all ends right here, right now. Ya’ got it?”
He didn’t even try to stop the grin that covered his face. His little witch had sass and attitude. She was used to getting what she wanted and not having to ask twice.
Thank the Heavens, she wants me.
Unable to hold back any longer, Maddox slammed his lips to hers. Their connection solidified. The elusive piece of his soul he’d been searching for his whole life slid into place. The dragon within roared with delight. Man and beast found their mate and she was absolute perfection.
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Zoey: A ‘Not-Quite’ Zombie Love Story
New Years is the time for new beginnings, resolutions of things you’ll make better, hopes and dreams for an amazing three hundred and sixty-five days filled with one earth-shattering event after another. Unless, you’re a zombie. If you happen to be ‘lucky’ enough to be one of the undead, then at the stroke of midnight you put down the squirrel or raccoon or whatever vermin you happen to be munching on to keep from eating your mom, your dad, or your little brother Jimmie. You listen to the sounds of all the ‘living’ yelling “Happy New Year” and imagine them kissing their dates or slamming back flute after flute of champagne.
Some even watch the sun come over the ridge and shine its glowing yellow warmth on a different day of the same ole’ shit. (Yes, I’m well aware that I said that backward…just go with it. I’m kinda undead, not stupid.) Others of our rambling, moaning, completely dissociative community remain blissfully unaware, and if I was being honest, which I am to a fault, I would have to tell you that I wish I was one of them.
I guess I should give you a little backstory, kinda get you up to speed. Nine months ago some dumbass was digging a trench for the cable company and hit a pipe. Not wanting to lose his job, the dude–whom we shall now call Joe–covered up the pipe with the gaping hole and fluorescent orange slime oozing from it and drove away like nothing happened. To make matters worse, ‘Joe’ told his superiors the job was finished and slunk off to territories unknown.
Several days later people began showing up in doctor’s offices and emergency rooms complaining of pounding headaches and severe pain all over their
bodies. It wasn’t long before they began throwing up everything but their toes and their body temperatures rose to damn near boiling. (Yes, I know it wasn’t really boiling, but I’m telling a story here…poetic license and all that good shit.) The next stage was seizures and then, you guessed it…death.
Only their stories didn’t end there. After being ‘bagged and tagged’ (I always wanted to say that) and awaiting autopsy, because we still had no idea what had killed them, these poor souls woke up! Literally, sat up and began strolling around like the days before had never happened. Unfortunately, there was one huge difference…they had a taste for anything living and were technically, still dead.
It was one of the freakiest damn things I’ve ever witnessed and I know freaky. My name is Zoey and I’m an Emergency Room nurse.
I guess I should say I was a nurse before I contracted what they charmingly call the ‘Corpse Contamination’ (catchy name, right?...*shiver*… UGH!) I turned into one of the not-quite-living-still-functioning-but-not-feeding-on-my-friends-undead. Upside...I’m not decomposing. I still have all my own teeth, skin, and hair…score! But I digress…
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About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!
My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.
I’m still working on my story but I promise it will contain as much love and laughter as I can pack into it! Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!
I ABSOLUTELY adore stalkers so look me up on Facebook and sign up for her newsletter at JuliaMillsAuthor.com. Send me a message!
Thank you for reading my stories!!!
XOXO Julia
