Love Bewitched (Gargoyle Night Guardians Book 3)
Page 23
His chest swelled, pride warming him from the inside. He nodded and bowed. “I’d be honored.”
“Perfect.” Rhiannon swept her hand through the air. “As for the rest of you, keep up the good work.”
“Wait, my goddess!” Damian’s voice reverberated off the walls.
Rhiannon’s eyebrows rose. “What is it?”
Damian released a quick breath. “There’s something you should know. Before we left the Otherworld, we noted some dark…creatures, for lack of a better term, escape the crates. I felt a tug on my spark stone. I think they might be a piece of each gargoyle’s dark side.”
A flicker of uncertainty flashed across Rhiannon’s features before she raised her chin. “That is unfortunate but thank you for informing me. Keep your eyes and ears open, my warrior. Now, I think you all have something to celebrate, don’t you?”
A moment later, she disappeared in a blinding flash of light, her chuckle echoing in her wake.
Wynne wrapped her hands around Zain’s neck and leaned against him.
“Welcome home,” she whispered.
As he held Wynne close, drinking in her gentle voice, her scent, and her touch, his heart expanded to its fullest with love.
CHAPTER 33
TWO NIGHTS LATER…
Wynne stirred the spoon against the side of the pot. The noodles swirled in the boiling liquid, steam rising in the air. Zain strode up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He leaned in, and his rough stubble tickled the back of her neck.
“What’s for dinner?” His deep voice rumbled in her ear.
She leaned against him, enjoying his strength. “Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli.”
“Paired with a nice chardonnay?” He trailed soft kisses along her nape.
She giggled and clasped his arms. “And a decadent chocolate cake for dessert.”
The rumble of footsteps shook the floor. Sasha, with Rachel and Marjorie in tow, barreled into the room. The girls’ laughter echoed off the walls and settled into Wynne, making her smile.
“Hey sis, Mom wants to know if we have any fresh Parmesan.” Sasha opened the fridge, her brows furrowed as she searched the interior.
A low, frustrated growl rumbled in Zain’s throat. “We’re not done. Bedroom, later.”
Warmth spread through Wynne at his teasing words. As he drew away, she squeezed his hand. “At the first opportunity.”
“Ah, here it is.” Sasha grasped a container of cheese in her hand. “Marjorie, please fetch the grater from the drawer and—”
A loud knock on the front door echoed down the hallway.
Sasha glanced at Wynne and raised an eyebrow. “Maybe that’s Damian or Drake or one of the other gargoyles. You want me to answer the door?”
Wynne wiped her hands on a towel then tossed the cloth onto the kitchen counter. The material landed next to the wine glasses, and two clinked together with a soft tink. “If you and the girls don’t mind watching the pasta, I’ll get it.”
“We’re on it.” Sasha snatched the spoon from Wynne’s grasp and handed the utensil to Rachel.
“I found the grater!” Marjorie squeezed between Sasha and her older sister, an eagerness lighting up her features.
Wynne’s lungs expanded. She loved her nieces so much, and maybe someday, she and Zain would have kids of their own. With a spring in her step, she clasped Zain’s hand and led him down the hallway. He ran his palm over her behind and gave her a gentle pinch. She squealed with laughter, gripped the door handle, and tugged.
Her breath stalled. She brought her hand to her neck and forced herself to breathe. “Grand Mistress, I’m…pleased to see you.”
Aveline, wearing her traditional brown cape held together at the collar with her red pendant, raised an eyebrow. “Pleased? Hardly.”
Her attention flicked to Zain. Tension lined her features, and her shoulders tensed.
Zain gave her his winning smile, yes, the one that could melt panties, and held out his palm. “Name’s Zain. It truly is a pleasure to meet the witches’ Grand Mistress.”
She blinked, but accepted his offering, placing her hand in his. “You’re the fae?”
“Not any longer.” He shook her hand then released her.
A blush darkened Aveline’s cheeks. “So I see.”
Adrenaline surged through Wynne’s veins. “Grand Mistress. Please, come in.”
Aveline strode across the threshold with her head held high. “We have much to discuss, Wynne.”
The elder witch traipsed down the hall, her cape billowing behind her with Zain and Wynne following in her wake. Why had the Grand Mistress come? Wynne’s mind raced, trying to decipher the undecipherable. She’d have to wait and see.
“Victoria?” Aveline whispered.
A knot tightened Wynne’s stomach. No way would she let Aveline rag on her mother.
She rounded into the living room, Zain on her heels. He placed his hand at the small of her back. Wynne appreciated the protective gesture, but she wouldn’t let this witch intimidate anyone in this house again. She inhaled and prepared to launch into a tirade.
Mom rose from the couch. A warm smile graced her lips. “Hello, my old friend.”
The impending rant died on Wynne’s lips.
Aveline’s shoulders slumped on a quick exhale. She closed the distance and wrapped her arms around Victoria. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Victoria placed her palms on Aveline’s shoulders. “Are you sure you want to? Both me and my youngest daughter slept with the enemy.”
A flinch crossed Aveline’s features, and she glanced at the floor before meeting Victoria’s gaze. “That’s why I’m here. To—”
“Rachel and Marjorie wanted me to tell you the pasta’s almost ready.” Sasha strode into the room, a wooden stirring spoon still in her hand.
“Who was at the…” She blinked. “Hey, what’s going on?”
Wynne cringed. “Aveline stopped by for a visit.”
Sasha’s attention flicked from Wynne to Victoria to Aveline. Her brow furrowed. “Back for more?”
“Sasha!” Wynne cried.
Aveline raised her hand, and the red stone on her ring caught the light. “Actually, I’m here to apologize.”
A flutter tickled Wynne’s stomach. “Apologize? For what?”
Aveline’s gaze flicked to Sasha. “Your sister came to the council. She informed us what a bunch of old biddy hags we’d become and that we’d done a disservice to Rhiannon by discriminating against witches seduced by fae. She’d made several good points and argued that you should be reinstated as head of household. After she left, other witches came forward and said they’d slept with fae, too. The council decided Sasha was right and that we needed to change.”
Unwilling to believe her ears, Wynne blinked. “You did that, Sasha?”
Sasha tucked her arms at her sides and shrugged. “I had to do something.”
Aveline approached Wynne and grasped her hands. Warmth seeped from the elder woman’s skin. “You told us the same thing from the beginning, but we didn’t listen. We need more witches of your caliber who are willing to stand up for what’s right. I’m here to reinstate you as head of household and offer you a position on the council, if you’ll have us.”
Wynne opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. After a long moment, her brain kicked in. “Shouldn’t my mother be reappointed to the council first?”
“No, thank you. I’d rather stay here and play with my two grandchildren and the ones yet to be born.” Victoria flicked her knowing stare to Zain and Wynne.
Wynne’s pulse skipped a beat. “I’m not pregnant—”
“Not yet.” Victoria laughed.
“Well, then.” Aveline turned to Wynne. “Will you accept my offer for a seat on the council?”
Wynne forced herself to swallow. “I’d be honored.”
“That’s fabulous.” Aveline patted Wynne’s hand. “From what I’ve heard of your new powers, w
e’ll have a distinct advantage in the war. Maybe you could even teach others some of the lost or forgotten knowledge you acquired.”
“I’d be happy to.” Happiness swept through Wynne, filling her chest with such joy she thought she’d burst. She wrapped Sasha in a hug, and a moment later, their mother joined them along with Zain. Wynne’s heart had never seemed so full.
“I’ll see you at the next meeting, tomorrow at eight.” Aveline’s footfalls receded down the hallway. The front door clicked shut behind her.
The group hug ended. Wynne wiped her eyes, and her shoulders lightened as if tethered by a thousand balloons. She was lucky, no doubt about it, and thankful for Zain, her family, and her life.
Victoria grasped Sasha’s hand and tugged her toward the hallway. “Let’s serve dinner. I’m sure Rachel and Marjorie are more than ready to eat.”
“I get the hint.” Sasha winked at Wynne. “We’ll save some for you.”
As her mother’s and her sister’s giggles drifted from the hallway, Zain wrapped his arms around Wynne. He trailed kisses along her chin until he reached her ear. “Maybe we should start working on those grandchildren for your mother. We wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”
Wynne laughed. She’d found love where she least expected it with an enemy turned lover, a man that loved her with all his heart. Happiness like she’d never known filled her on the inside until she practically glowed.
She clasped his hand and headed for their bedroom. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Enjoyed reading Zain and Wynne’s story? Want to read more from Rosalie Redd? Delve into the Warriors of Lemuria series where shapeshifting Lemurian warriors come face-to-face with their mates — who tempt their hearts in primal ways…
Forbidden love or a challenge in disguise?
King Noeh has a problem…
His temperamental goddess gave him an ultimatum—bond to a female shifter or lose his throne. However, finding a mate is easier said than done, especially for a king.
While Noah has no lack of acceptable female suitors, none of them make his pulse race like the woman he rescued from enemy captors.
He’s mesmerized…
…and in serious trouble.
She may very well be his fated mate…
But she is completely off limits.
And definitely not what the goddess had in mind.
With the kingdom in the midst of a war against a formidable enemy, how can he choose between love and his duty to his people?
You'll adore this paranormal romance because everyone loves a story of star-crossed lovers fighting for their happily ever after.
To purchase Untouchable Lover, click https://www.rosalieredd.com/untouchable-lover.html
* * *
FREE BOOK:
To instantly receive the free award-finalist novella Marked by Love, featuring Aramond the rogue panther shifter in this second chance romance, sign up for Rosalie’s free author newsletter at www.rosalieredd.com.
ABOUT ROSALIE
After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for award-winning author Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She pens paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy romance in her office cave located in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing.