by Cherie Marks
Chapter 20
They were all relaxing, sharing a pan of brownies—unlaced this time—in Kresley’s kitchen, and the world felt lighter.
They’d all had a hot shower, and Lucian and Mez had spent some time in the doorless cell together for old-time’s sake—well, really for some hot sex, but no one was complaining.
Now, they were puzzling everything out, putting every piece into place.
“How did you know everything would work out, Kresley?”
“I didn’t. Nothing is certain. I just put into place what I could control and had faith that you’d make it work.”
“So, everything you did was to set up what you had faith I would figure out? That seems incredibly risky. So much could have gone wrong.”
“Who are you kidding? So much did go wrong. It just turned out okay in the end.”
Lucian asked, “What do you mean so much did go wrong? Were there things that weren’t supposed to happen?”
“I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t plan on you at all.”
“Me? But you nearly killed me trying to make Mez feel sorry for me. You left the hole in your protective barrier so that I could escape with Mez. You put me in a cell where the ventilation system somehow led to your hidden library.”
“I know. I had no idea you would play such an important role. I did all of that for one reason and one reason only—I just like to mess with wolf shifters.”
Mez shook her head at the randomness of it all, even as it had seemed to be a plan coming together.
In a flash, one of Kresley’s workers came into the kitchen, and after he glared at Mez—still not forgiving her for their icy introduction—announced an army at the top of the hill.
Mez couldn’t believe it. “Now what?”
Lucian stood up. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. I know who it is. When I left you briefly in the canyon, I sent a message through a raven shifter back to King Zolunder. I thought we might need the reinforcements. As it turned out, we had all we needed right here. But he’ll be happy to hear that the High Priestess will never be a threat to this kingdom or any other again, and he has you to thank for it, Mez.”
“This was the reason Grinelda and I argued.” Kresley spoke between bites of brownie.
“What do you mean, Aunt Kresley?”
“I told my sister that you had a great purpose. You were going to save the world. She said she didn’t want to hear that, and that I shouldn’t fill your head with such nonsense.”
“I thought you said you didn’t foresee the things that happened to us?”
“Well, ever since the family’s falling out, I don’t like to reveal too much about people’s fate. Turns out people don’t really like hearing what could happen to them.”
“That’s what separated the family all these years? Because you tried to tell them what you foresaw for me. It was my fault?”
“No, my dear. You had no fault in it. You grandmother just wanted you protected. But that’s not how life works. You had a purpose to play, and you did it so well. It wasn’t perfect, but you saved us all.”
“So, I’m done, now? I can retire?”
Kresley laughed. “Oh, no! Now, you move onto your next purpose. But you can tell Grinelda, I understand her fear. When I saw you trying to face off against General Harper and the fire witch, I was genuinely frightened. I didn’t want to lose you.”
“But you can’t protect me always, and she couldn’t either. Sometimes, I have to do what I have to do.”
“Exactly.”
“But I don’t have to do it alone.”
Mez met Lucian’s gaze. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him for a quick kiss.
When she looked at him once more, she smiled and said, “I never got to finish what I wanted to say after you told me you loved me.”
“Oh, and what was that?”
“Get used to loving me. I can do this lovable stuff all night.”
He laughed to hear his words from their card game thrown back at him, even if a little different from what he remembered saying.
“Actually, I wanted you to know that I love you, too. I may not like people all that much, but you have shown me that through everything, good and bad, there are some people that are worth the risk, worth the time and effort, but especially, worth the love. I love you, Lucian! And I will love you always!”
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About Cherie Marks
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Website: http://www.authorcheriemarks.com/
It all started with an old-fashioned typewriter. When my family brought it home, for the first time, I knew what I wanted to do. All those stories rolling around in my head could finally get out. The press and click of the keys were satisfying in their own right, but when I pulled out a finished page, I knew this was for me. Since then, I've graduated to a laptop, but the stories still find a way out.
I'm a breast cancer survivor, a teacher, a wife, a mother, and a writer. I continue to strive for less procrastination and more tact. The battle wages on.
All she wanted was one more chance to get it right.
Gemma Marolinia is a witch with regrets. Heir to the Linwynian throne, she has also been trained as an assassin. Gemma is blamed for an assassination attempt on her father the King, and she sees no way to clear her name. As a rule, when conflict arises, she believes in the flight philosophy. She who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. Now, her past has caught up to her, and she can no longer run. She must face her fears and trust others, especially an attractive hunter who has been sent to bring her to justice. It's time to right the wrongs of her past with a spell that will send her back in time.
Maverick Waraxe promised the King he would find the princess and bring her home. Yet, Gemma refuses to come peacefully. He agrees to help her find the book of spells, but only if she comes with him to answer for her crimes. Of course, the more time they spend together, the more he falls for the dangerous beauty who surprises him with her capacity to care for others. She is a walking paradox, and if she gets her way, she might just unravel the very fabric of time.
When the time comes, the heroes of the story must rise.
Niya Dartan is a witch with something to prove. Having lived her life in the shadow of her successful family, she must now test her talents to save her charge, Prince Hadden. Along with his sister, Princess Gemma, he disappeared with few clues. Now, while keeping a stranglehold on her libido, she must work with the sexy and hard-headed Captain of the Royal Guard to mount a rescue. As difficult as it will be, she must come out of the shadows because, according to Princess Gemma's grumpy, old-fart, cat familiar, Jeff, only Niya will know where to find the missing heirs.
Captain Tavorius Olander feels broken inside. Found on the front doorstep of his adopted parents' home, his origin is a mystery. As a result, he never felt worthy of his position and never formed close relationships...except with Niya. As childhood friends, they chased trouble together. Now, he needs her help to locate the missing members of the royal family. He must follow her lead and squash the forbidden feelings Niya stirs in him. As the captain, he should be able to keep his priorities straight. But for some reason, he can't when it's Niya.
With distracting familiars, meddling witches, mysterious sisters, and a possible return of an evil being, they must stay on their toes because when o
nce is not enough, you better Spell Me Twice.
Ivy Nyx is one hot golfing witchy woman, but lately, her game is just a little bit off somehow. Nothing is going right, and she's starting to believe she must be jinxed.
Zayn Gray is a warlock on the edge. The strong magic he represses inside him is about to explode now that his only method of release has been taken from him. It doesn't help that the beauty who snuck into his garden always brings out the beast in him.
Golf links, flirty winks, and an untimely jinx—who knew playing around could be so tricky for this Beauty and the Jinx?
When the guy voted most likely to steal her heart comes back to Asscrack, West Virginia, Ella Mae Bevinly is speechless...literally.
It's like she's been jinxed, but what are the odds of that? The opportunity of a lifetime is here, if she can get over her shyness long enough to play tennis in front of a packed crowd. Maybe wearing a magical glamour...and not sucking...is the answer she needs to change her life forever.
Of course, the heartbreaker has been a bad, bad boy. Magnus Cruze is the most popular tennis player on the Paranormal Professional Tennis Players' Tour. Now, he's back in his hometown of Asscrack to garner some positive public relations to save his career. He just has to be the perfect poster-boy of good behavior and not mess up again. That means keeping his hands off of Ella Mae...er...Tater Tate...or any other tennis player he comes across.
Tennis can't fix everything, but when jinxes fly faster than tennis balls, tell 'em to kiss your ace!
Sometimes the girl saves the prince.
Alice Rogers tried to do the right thing. Yet, her good deed backfired. Now, she's stuck in Jinxland with a handsome, mysterious thief who simply goes by the Knave. Unfortunately, the Queen of Hearts wants her Tarts, and only Alice can get them. She and the Knave must complete one task to save their lives—bring the Queen the Tarts or it's off with their heads.
Spencer Hart is not actually a Knave. He's the exiled prince of the overthrown royal family, who has come home to set things right. The most important task is to save his sister, and he can't let a beautiful stranger from an outside world distract him from his goal. He just must be a larger-than-life hero, who does everything perfectly, and, of course, all on his own.
When life gives you aces, it's time to go all in.
I know exactly how to be a bad girl:
1. Be born that way
2. Have notorious parent
3. Be real witch to everyone.
But, I’ve got to be good now because in between teaching Chemistry at the local high school in Assjacket, West Virginia, I have to save all humanity from the forces of evil and...blah...blah...blah...keep the Halloweeneedtokissourassesgoodbye apocalypse from happening. With the help of an off-the-charts, smoking hawt instructor/boss, I might just have a fighting chance—if I can stop drooling over his naked chest. Dane Calvin agreed to teach me how to use my abilities responsibly, but he’s never met a witch as hard-headed as me. And, of course, it doesn’t help that the last time I used my powers it ended in tragedy, so forgive me if I’m a little magic gun-shy. I might be made for wicked things, but when he’s watching, I’ve got to be good because Wicked Is As Wicked Does.
Carrasandra Reed knows life has dealt her a raw deal. Now, she's in Assjacket, West Virginia to make things right. She's got to find a way to get her hands on an impossible-to-find stone, and the best plan she's got is to fake amnesia until it surfaces. Just one little kink in the con. The gorgeous panther-shifter, Finn Bryant, isn't buying her act one bit. He's on to her, but she'd rather he get on top of her and make all her troubles fade away.
With a little bit of lu...no...strike that...no need to go there. With all her skill and con-artistry, she might just be able to pull off the greatest con of her life, free herself from her misery, and give herself a chance at happiness.
Nothing pleases Toricellia "Celia" Henderson more than hanging out with friends, giving brilliant snark, and hiding her true identity. She's a bobcat shifter who hasn't shifted in years due to the whole nobody-can-know-who-she-is situation, but she can't deny her best friend's request to locate a treasured stone while in her bobcat form. Unfortunately, now people know her location, and a wild prince named Ethan is chasing her through the forest and looking too hot to handle—and he knows exactly who she is. She’s his mate.
Now, a powerful someone is steering them toward the kingdom of Wicked where an ambitious, warlock cockalorum is trying to take over. They'll have to work together to save the ones they love and to set things right. Magic and mayhem ensue as these two learn there's nothing like a partner in crime and There's No Place Like Wicked.
Book List
Also by Cherie Marks
Wicked is As Wicked Does (Book 1 in the Wicked Hearts Series)
Show Me the Wicked (Book 2 in the Wicked Hearts Series)
There’s No Place Like Wicked (Book 3 in the Wicked Hearts Series)
Beauty and the Jinx (Book 1 in the Jinxed by Love Series)
Jinxerella (Book 2 in the Jinxed by Love Series)
Alice in Jinxland (Book 3 in the Jinxed by Love Series)
Spell Me Once (Book 1 in the Bespelled by Love Series)
Spell Me Twice (Book 2 in the Bespelled by Love Series)
The Fae Next Door (Book 1 in the Love Next Door Series
The Vampire Next Door (Book 2 in the Love Next Door Series)
The Dragon Next Door (Book 3 in the Love Next Door Series)
Lost in New Falls (Book 1 in the Lost in Love Series)
Lost in Christmas (Book 2 in the Lost in Love Series)
Into the Fire (Book 1 in the Sizzle in the Kitchen Series)
Wicked Jackal (Woodland Creek Series)
Thief of Sanguardia (Skeleton Key Series)
And writing as C. C. Marks
Edge of Mercy
Heart of Mercy
End of Mercy
Range of Mercy
Mercy
Out of Mercy (coming soon)
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Also by Cherie Marks
Bespelled by Love
Spell Me Once: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Spell Me Twice: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Spell Me Always_Cahill
Jinxed by Love
Beauty and the Jinx: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Jinxerella: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Alice in Jinxland: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Lost in Love
Lost in New Falls
Lost in Christmas
Love Next Door Series
The Fae Next Door
The Vampire Next Door
The Dragon Next Door
Skeleton Key
Thief of Sanguardia
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Is As Wicked Does: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Show Me The Wicked: Magic and Mayhem Universe
There's No Place Like Wicked: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Wicked Hearts Collection: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Woodland Creek
Wicked Jackal
Standalone
Jinxed by Love Collection: Magic and Mayhem Universe
Watch for more at Cherie Marks’s site.
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