by Cece Rose
“I don’t think me staying is a good idea,” Darren slowly responds in a cold tone. I try to swallow the lump in my throat.
“We need to talk—“
“About what? About you your magic being trapped inside of me? Or about you kissing Rhydian and Kier? Because one isn’t interesting to me right now, and the other pisses me off,” he growls, cutting me off.
“I’m not going to apologise for what I did, but I am sorry that it hurt you. We weren’t together—we aren’t together, so you can’t give me hell just for kissing someone,” I snap back, feeling beyond frustrated. This isn’t how I wanted this conversation to go.
“He isn’t just someone. He’s Rhydian, and although he’s sort of my friend, I know he isn’t a good person. He isn’t the type of person you should be around, Kayla,” Darren replies, turning around to face me. He really does seem a lot more pissed about Rhydian than he does Kier, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s more pissed because it’s his friend, or if he really is concerned about what kind of person he is. He leans against the door in a casual pose, but I can see how tense his body is. From his clenched jaw, to his tightly folded arms that just fail to hide how white his knuckles are from clenching his fists, there’s no hiding the truth of his feelings right now.
“So you’re saying your problem with me kissing him is that he isn’t a good person?” I ask sceptically.
“You know that isn’t my only problem.” He meets my eyes, the accusation in his burns me. “Together or not, you knew how I felt about you. You knew he was my friend. Yet you did it anyway. Why?”
I bite my lip, considering how to explain it. How to explain the attraction between Rhydian and myself in a way that doesn’t hurt Darren. In a way that doesn’t make him doubt what I want to tell him. “It doesn’t matter why I did it, Darren. What matters is that I did, and I need to know you can forgive and get over that.”
“Why? So we can keep being friends? So you can keep ignoring your feelings for me? So I can watch you be with other people?” he asks, and I can feel the resentment and hurt in his voice.
“No,” I say, taking a deep breath. I feel the anxiety rise inside of me as I try and figure out how to word the rest of this.
“No?” he echoes.
“No,” I affirm. I lick my lips nervously, before forcing myself to continue as I feel him staring at me intently. “I don’t want to be your friend. I don’t want to ignore my feelings for you anymore, I can’t. I’m not sure how exactly we do this, and if after knowing what happened with Rhydian that you even still want to…but I need you to know I want to be with you. I’m done trying to stop myself from fear of hurting you or from fear of getting hurt myself. I want to be with you, so long as you still want to be with me too.” Salty tears begin to trail down my cheeks. I blink furiously, trying to stop the flow as I wipe under my eyes. Darren lightly pulls my hands down from my face, and then he runs his thumbs gently under my eyes, wiping the tears away. I look up at him, seeing his own gaze directed down at me.
“Is this what you really want?” he asks quietly, as if he’s scared of my answer. Worried that I’ll say no.
“I can’t not be with you anymore. It hurts me to keep away from you. If it takes promising you forever, we will find a way to make that work so that we can be together,” I answer honestly.
“Both our species can live a long time, Kayla. Are you sure?” he questions, hesitant for some reason. I let out a deep breath, and slowly slide my arms around him feeling his muscles tense under my grip.
“I’m sure. I love you, Darren,” I whisper, scared to let those precious words slip out. I’ve never uttered them to any of my past boyfriends. I didn’t want to be the girl who was in love with falling in love and never in love with anyone. But I love Darren, and denying that was only hurting us both. Almost watching him die had caused it to be undeniable.
His lips claim mine as one of his hands slides into my hair. I return the kiss as he backs me up against the wall gently. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist without breaking my lips away from his. His teeth graze my bottom lip, as he finally pulls back a little.
“I love you too, Kayla,” he says quickly, before his lips return to mine. He kisses me frantically, as if trying to make up for our kiss in front of the others earlier. His lips devour me like a starving man as they move from my lips, down my jaw, and onto my neck, leaving playful bites along his trail.
“Bedroom,” I manage to breath out between frantic kisses. He lifts me like I don’t weigh a thing, and carries me up the stairs. I’m dropped onto the bed and he covers my body with his before I can so much as blink. His hands rush over my skin, caressing and smacking wherever he deems necessary.
In between kisses and touching, slowly both of our clothes are discarded onto my bedroom floor. Item by item is tossed over the edge of the bed until we’re both completely bare. He stares at every inch of me and pulls me closer, moulding his body against mine.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Kayla,” Darren whispers, just as he begins to thrust inside of me. My nails drag down his back as he quickly gets rougher. His hands grab my wrists and hold me tightly, pinning me down. He bites my lip between his teeth as we move positions slightly, and I nip his back in return.
As we continue to move together, I begin to feel something swirl around me, and it isn’t sexual in nature. I throw my head back in pure bliss, as power floods inside of me. Raw, intense, unchained. It flames through my entire body as we continue to fuck, turning every nerve in my body electric. I come apart, the mixture of the familiar, but far more intense feeling energy returning to me, mixing with the physical and emotional feelings shatter me completely. Just as I think this, Darren comes to his own release inside of me, clutching me tightly to him as he does, whispering my name.
The realisation of what has just happened hits me as Darren pulls me tighter against him, his arms curving possessively around me. I hide my face against his chest. I know the horror that is probably showing in my expression right now is anything but what he should see.
Having sex with Darren gave me my magic back. The part he was holding anyway. I can feel it thrumming within me again. Although, I can still feel a tiny sliver of it residing within him as well. It hums in tune with the magic that’s returned to me, leaving me with no doubt that it’s my own.
I just promised Darren forever, and now this happens? I’m going to kill that fucking demon. I’m going to find a way to make him pay for this mess that he’s put me in.
I can’t help but shake the feeling, that even with my bad luck removed, the universe still seems to enjoy fucking with me. Having sex with Darren gave me my magic back, so my logic reasons that the only way I can get it back from the others, would be by doing the same thing.
Darren runs his hand up and down my back in a soothing motion. I sneakily glance up at him, seeing nothing but blissed out happiness on his face. He clearly hadn’t felt the magic moving back to me in the same way I had, or he’d be having the same panicked thoughts as me. Shifters’ only magic comes from their ability to change and their physical strength, so I guess it makes sense he doesn’t realise what just happened between us. Thank the goddess for that at least, but him being unaware of the problem doesn’t take it away.
I want my magic back, but I don’t want to break Darren’s heart.
How the hell am I going to deal with this mess?
A Note From The Author...
If you enjoyed this book, it would be really awesome if you could leave a review for it on amazon or Goodreads. (Or both!)
Reviews are super helpful for a bunch of boring reasons you probably don’t want to listen to me explain, but trust me, the more reviews a book gets, the better.
With your newfound two minutes of time that I have graciously spared you by not providing an explanation for why book reviews are great, I humbly suggest that you could leave a shiny new review for my book!
Reviews don’t have to be complicated, an
d can be as sweet and simple as, “I really enjoyed the story.”
Thank you to anyone who has reviewed one of my books! It means the world that you not only read one of my stories, but took the time to leave a review of it too. <3
Grey Magic and Forbidden Love
The story continues in book three of The Grey Witch Series, Grey Magic and Forbidden Love.
Coming Soon!
Make sure to follow Cece on Facebook or Amazon, as there is no preorder available at this time!
About the Author
Cece Rose is the proud owner of one dog, four turtles, and one annoying boyfriend.
She hails from Devon in the South-West of England, but dreams of sunny skies and sand between her toes. Although, whenever abroad, she will moan about the heat and the sand that gets everywhere.
She has largely convinced all who know her that she’s a vampire, mainly due to her nocturnal habits and tendency to bite. In reality, it’s because her creativity only ever strikes when the sky is dark and the stars are shining. (Plus, it’s actually quiet enough to concentrate on writing.)
You can follow Cece on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. She’d also love it if you’d join her Facebook reader group, The Demon Den. It’s the best place to keep up with all her new releases, giveaways, and teasers.
Also by Cece Rose
The Grey Witch Series
Grey Witch and Halloween Magic (Prequel Novella - featured in the Wicked Tales Anthology)
Black Spells and Twisted Souls (Book One)
White Charms and Dark Secrets (Book Two)
Grey Magic and Forbidden Love (Book Three)
Black Curses and White Hexes (Book Four)
Grey Gods and Ancient Magic (Book Five)
The Marked Series (With G. Bailey)
Marked by Power
Marked by Pain
Marked by Destruction
The Desdemona Chronicles
A Demon’s Blade
A Demon’s Debt
An Angel’s Defiance (Release Date TBA)
Souls of Creatures
Vengeance (Set in the same world as The Grey Witch Series - Christina’s story.)
The Last Siren’s Song Trilogy
Blood Sea
Blood Song
Blood Moon (TBA)
Standalone Titles:
Snowflake (Steamy RH Winter Romance Novella.)
Blood Sea
Please continue reading for a short sample from my book Blood Sea.
Blood Sea - Chapter One
Smiling across the dinner table at James, I ignore both of our fathers’ droning on about the merchant ships’ troubles at seas; not that I ever really pay much attention. James is dressed more formally than usual—the mix of white, black, and bright, royal blue standing out against his sun-kissed skin and pale eyes. His usually messy, dark blond hair has been tamed, the natural highlights showing off even more than usual. I feel his foot nudge mine under the table, and push back against his. I have to bite my lip to keep in laughter at the amused look on James’ face.
“Azula, are you listening to what Mr Burcham has said?” my father asks me, snapping my attention away from James.
“Sorry? What was that, Mr Burcham, I didn’t quite catch it?” I ask, smiling innocently. My father sighs, not buying it for an instant. I tune back out as James’ father starts talking again. I take a sip of the ridiculous wine they brought over, just to be polite. It tastes like bath salts, and I try not to gag as I swallow it.
“Azula,” my father prods again.
“Yes, Daddy?” I ask, turning back to face him again.
“Do you have anything to say about what Mr Burcham has kindly repeated for you?” he asks. I shrug.
“Not really,” I reply, taking another sip of the foul wine to escape more small talk. As much as I enjoy James’ company, his father is a total bore. He speaks about the same topics every time they come for dinner. Thankfully, I learnt to tune out the drivel years ago; James had too.
“Do you not find it the least bit concerning that…blah blah blah,” I tune him back out. What is there to possibly find more cornering than usual about the state of affairs. The seas run red with blood, and we hide in our homes at night. We’re terrified victims just waiting to slip up. I’m sick of it, I just want to live and do as I please. Better to enjoy a short life, than to loathe every minute of a long one. There is nothing interesting about our small island. I want to explore and see the world, but my father barely lets me out of the house. My chances of ever escaping Carysi are minimal at best.
Our closest neighbouring island, Smoke, is uninhabited, due to the volcanic activity that has wrecked all previous attempts at life there. The second closest is Eska, it’s the home to trade and bustling streets, or so James tells me. One day I will get to see it, I’ve promised myself. I won’t let James or my father stop me. Just because there are near constant raids on the sea bordering towns and ports, they think it’s no place for a woman to go. When I argue that women live in those towns, the response is always that they’re a different kind of woman. I barely resist huffing aloud at the thought.
“I’m feeling quite full; would you mind letting me be excused?” I ask, already standing. My father sighs again, scratching at the grey stubble on his face.
“Fine, sweetheart, but stay inside the manor; it’ll be dark soon.”
“Of course, I was just thinking of going to read in the library,” I reply, knowing full well he will never go in there to check. He never steps inside that room, saying it reminds him too much of my mother. I walk around the table and place a kiss on his cheek, before striding out the room, certain that James will quickly follow.
I wait at the end of the corridor, and sure enough, a few minutes later James exits the room. When he meets me at the edge, I slide my hands into his and draw him close. Leaning up, I place a quick kiss to his lips before pulling away and stepping back.
“Come on, I’ve got something fun planned,” I greet him.
“Fun? I should be terrified then, right?” he replies teasingly.
“When is being scared ever not fun?” I respond. Leading the way through the large building I call home, I head to the secret exit. Tucked away behind a large painting of the sea, the tunnel opens up to a small cove. It had once been used for smuggling, before the human pirates were all but wiped out anyway. Just inside the tunnel is a pair of my riding boots. I ditch my pretty white sandals, leaving them resting on a sheet of fabric I leave here just for that purpose. Hastily, I slide the boots on before continuing down into the darkness.
“It’s a bit late to be sneaking out, Zu,” James chides, though he follows me down the path anyway.
“I just want to go for a quick dip in the water, Jay,” I reply, trailing my fingers along the tunnel wall to make sure I don’t walk into anything in the dark. Not that I really need to, I know the route from memory by now, considering I sneak down here most days to take a dip in the sea. I try not to feel guilty about my secret, but I know that not even James would approve of me sneaking down here by myself. He thinks we only ever come down together, but it would be near impossible to wait to go only on the days that he’s here; I doubt I could stay away from the water that long.
“We won’t have long if we’re going to be inside by dark, Zu,” he warns.
“What if we aren’t inside by dark?” I ask, hiding my nerves behind a confident voice.
“Don’t be ridiculous, that’s way too dangerous,” he answers.
“Why is it? They haven’t bothered this island for so long. It’s been years since they raided here, and yet we all still hide away in our homes. How is this any different to us going into the sea during the day? We’re not supposed to do that either,” I reply challengingly, not slowing my pace as we walk through the dark.
“You know it’s different. We never go out too deep, and if something happened we could always get to shore. With the sun up, there’s nothing they could do once we reached the land,” he sa
ys.
“It will be fine; don’t be such a bore, James. I thought you were more interesting than your two brothers,” I reply, trying to hit the right nerves to get my way. James was easily far more captivating than his two older brothers. William and Archie were two of the most boring people I’d ever had the displeasure of meeting. They ranked up there with Mr Burcham himself. It was a wonder James had turned out as interesting as he had. I’d like to credit that to all the time he spent with me growing up, but he’d always been like a spark in my life.
“You know that I am far more entertaining than those two fools,” he mutters. I stop, and turn to face him as we reach the opening to the cove.
“Then prove it, James Burcham. What have we got to lose? Just this one time, let’s take a dip in the moonlight?” I offer, stepping close. “It could be romantic,” I add slyly.
“Fine, what’s the worst that could happen?” he says, giving into my demands as always. I smile and slide into his arms.
“This is going to be so much fun,” I whisper in his ear, as I tug off his blue jacket, letting it fall onto the sandy ground.
“That’s what you always say before getting me into trouble,” he replies wryly.
“And yet you keep following me,” I tease.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, Zu,” he replies sincerely. And I know he would, James has been in love with me for years after all.
Blood Sea - Chapter Two