by Lenore Wolfe
They’d only gotten their aunt back—for heaven’s sake—after losing her to their first enemy, Dante. Now—Sophia, who was half faery, half witch, and a lifelong sister-witch, and who had also moved into Ravenwood Manor, was still with the Prince of Fire and his group—because of that stinking no-account Fae Prince, who couldn’t take no for an answer when he’d up and decided to make her one of the members of his little harem.
They needed a break—a big one for heaven’s sake—from magick….
Now this.
The more she stared at it—the more she had the growing sensation this didn’t bode well for them. That this meant something more was in store—already.
Morgan set the wand in its velvet nest. Shaking her head, she closed the lid with a snap.
Oh, no, she thought. She wouldn’t be drawn into yet another battle—no matter what the wand thought it had in store for her.
She placed the box back on top the mantel, squaring her shoulders. And with some determination, she left the room.
She found Alex in their bedroom, putting his clean clothes away. Sitting on the bed, she frowned, staring out the window. She sensed that her troubled thoughts got his attention, because he hesitated, halfway to the dresser with another pile. Setting the pile on top the dresser instead, he turned to look at her instead. “That wand still bothering you?” he said.
Glancing at him, she nodded, swallowing, then glancing away. “I have a feeling it means we’re in for something more,” she said, irritated. “And we haven’t even finished with the last bit of trouble we’ve uncovered.”
He nodded, sitting on the bed and pulling her into his arms. Alex bent and gave her a tender kiss, running his thumb along her jaw. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,” he said, looking into her eyes.
She tried for a smile, pulling away. “But that’s just it,” she said. “We’re not together—not anymore. And who knows if we’ll ever get Sophia back.” She got up from the bed, turning to look at him in her agitation. “That prince may never give up on his obsession with her.”
He got up from the bed, pulling her into his arms. Looking at her, he pulled her flush with his body. “We’ll figure it out,” he promised, leaning to give her a tender kiss.
She gazed into his dark eyes. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” she asked.
He grinned at that, then sobered. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” he repeated back to her.
She leaned on her tiptoes, kissing him. She felt the blessing of his love wrap itself around her. She felt the answering call within her body. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back with everything she had.
She knew he was right. If they stuck together—they could get through anything. But she sure wished someone out there would give them a break.
An hour later, they left the bedroom, hand-in-hand. Down in the kitchen, they found Claire busy preparing dinner. She glanced at them, as they came through the door.
“I heard someone has given you a wand,” Claire said to her.
Morgan nodded, not liking the reminder. She’d only managed to get her mind off that thing. “Have you seen it?” she asked her sister.
Claire nodded. “Jake told me where it was,” she said with some excitement evident in her tone. “I had to go and peek,” she said.
Morgan shook her head, going to take the plates out of the cupboard. “How can you be so happy about this?” Morgan asked, glancing at her as she worked.
Alex took the plates from her and went to set them on the dining room table in the other room. As always, she felt a surge of love for him, realizing he was giving them some room to talk.
Claire glanced at her, from where she now stood in front of the countertop stove that sat on the island in the kitchen. She stirred the spaghetti sauce, then sniffed at the aroma curling from the pot. “How can you not?” she said back to Morgan. “It’s so beautiful—and old—and it feels amazing,” she said.
Morgan stopped halfway through pulling the flatware out of the drawer. “We don’t even know where it came from….” She finished for her sister.
Claire wrinkled her nose. “Well, there is that,” she said. “But you have to be intrigued, none-the-less,” she said, looking at her sister expectantly.
Morgan frowned and shook her head. Finally, she shrugged. “Okay,” she admitted. “Yes—I am,” she glowered at her sister now. “But only because I remember that wand,” she pointed toward the living room.
Claire looked sharply at her sister. “You do?”
Morgan nodded emphatically.
“From where?” Claire asked, suspicious now.
Morgan looked away, then back at her sister. “From a past life….”
Excerpt from Fire Sprite
Realm of the Elemental Witch
Book One
Alli stopped, stunned. She couldn’t have moved. Indeed, she felt like she’d only only begun to exist—now—at this moment. Like nothing had not been life, only a dream, until now.
The boy looked like no mortal boy she’d ever seen. For one, he was far too beautiful to be a mortal boy. More like what she imagined she’d see if she could but—look into a dream. Perhaps she’d died, after all, and this was heaven. If so, she could spend all her tomorrows—here—with him….
Even with his amazing looks—he still gave her a tentative smile. What happened to being seduced by the Fae? Alli thought, stifling a sudden urge to giggle. Still, she stared at him. And she knew she stared—but she couldn’t seem to stop.
He started back and panic set in as he walked straight to her. What could she possibly say to him? But even though she wanted to back away, she didn’t. Instead, she stood her ground as he reached her.
He looked deep into her eyes. His were the deepest sea-green—like the ocean she’d gone to see—then changing, like the leaves on the trees in the middle of summer. She caught the aroma of the flowers, as their scent floated on the breeze.
Strange. But she’d never noticed how wonderful everything smelled before.
Surprised, she started to reach for her wayward hair, but he touched her hand, and she stopped. Then, with the deepest tenderness a boy had ever shown, he reached and tucked the lock of hair behind her ear. As he brought back his hand, he gently ran his finger across her cheek.
Shocked, the gesture touched something in her, and tears sprang to her eyes.
He caught one of her tears before it spilled down her face. He brought it to his mouth and sucked it from his finger.
She felt mesmerized by him. In that moment, she knew love—like nothing she’d ever felt before. With that realization, she sensed—she’d never love anyone, ever, the way she loved this boy—right here—right now.
A stern voice broke them out of their trance, in that instant. She looked away to find the most beautiful woman, stalking toward the boy. In the next moment, the Queen commanded him to return home.
Yes, Alli felt quite sure, it had been a command. Amazed, she stared. She didn’t have to see the crown on her head, a crown that looked to be made of the stars themselves, to know this beautiful—intimidating woman—was a Faery Queen.
The boy turned and, with a lingering look, walked away. She watched him leave, wondering if she’d gotten him into trouble. She hoped not.
He did as he’d been commanded, and he didn’t look around, and Alli felt disappointed. Did this mean he couldn’t talk to her? Would he refuse to come near her now, for the rest of her stay here?
She stared at the Queen, who stood before her. She looked at Alli, as if she could see right through her. After a long moment, she tilted her head.
“You’re okay, child,” she said in a quiet tone, belying the depth of her power. “But you need to understand, there are laws here,” she said. “And these laws do not include a human and Fae getting involved with one another, other than friendships, of course. You may build relationships that befit both of our people,” She stepped closer to Alli, “but you do well to be remin
ded of the boundaries remaining between us.”
Alli swallowed and nodded.
The Queen smiled and seemed to relax. “Come, child,” let’s talk. I’d like to get to know you.”
“Yes, my—Queen,” Alli said. Was that what she called her? She tensed, watching the Queen’s face for any sign she’d done anything wrong. Finding none, she relaxed, but only a hair, and followed the Queen to the main table to sit beside her.
“I am sorry about your mother,” the Queen told her.
Alli nodded, looking away.
The Queen’s eyes seemed to soften a hair. Alli turned to stare into her icy-blue gaze. Wow, even her gaze felt powerful. And the dress, which seemed to be made almost from the stars, like her crown, did nothing to lessen the panic running through Alli’s veins.
“You may stay, child,” the Queen said to Alli.
Alli swallowed. “Thank you,” she choked out.
The Queen nodded and all the lights of her crown and dress shimmered. Even her skin seemed to shimmer.
“You’re very beautiful,” Alli said, then flushed to realize she’d said that out loud.
The Queen laughed. Her laughter seemed melodious to Alli. She nodded again. “You’ll do, child,” she said.
Shutting her eyes, Alli let out a long breath. She seemed to have passed some unseen test she hadn’t known she was taking.
“You have quite the destiny in front of you, child. Or so I’ve been assured.”
Surprised, Alli’s brows shot up. “Do I get to know what that destiny is?” Alli asked.
The Queen laughed, again, hearing this. “Soon enough, child. But, for now, we’ll be merry and enjoy this great banquet. We have much to celebrate with you being here—and the arrival of the Sisters of Three.”
Alli noticed the Queen’s icy-blue gaze softened significantly, at the mention of the sisters. That made her curious about them. Then, she realized the Queen included her in that statement. Did that make her special, in some way, too? The Queen seemed to think so.
More curious, than anything, she tried to eat. When she noticed the Queen disapproved of her slow eating, she went to pick out a bunch of fruit, something that she knew she’d be able to eat a lot of, and sat to enjoy the feast. The Queen smiled, seeing this, and Alli finally relaxed. She’d done something right. Perhaps, she’d live after all.
At this thought, the Queen laughed again, and Alli glanced up sharply. But the Queen’s attention was caught on some new guests. Stunned, Alli felt her breath lodge in her throat, as she followed the Queen’s gaze to the Sisters of Three.
They were magnificent, the three of them. But before she had a chance to look any further, Cilia came to her.
“Come, child,” she said. “I must get you prepared for tomorrow’s feast.
Reluctantly, Alli got up and followed her away from the crowd. Yet, even as she walked away, she kept looking for any opportunity to gain any glimpse of the women who’d managed to seize the attention of her whole world….