Her knees hit the dirt, and Michaela squawked in protest. “I can’t—Grand Supreme my magic—it’s broken. I can’t lead the coven; can’t—”
“Nonsense. You can. And you will.” A loud click echoed through the grove.
“She hung up on us,” Michaela whispered. “I don’t even know what her judgment means, and she hung. Up.”
Devlin looped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently. “She meant the scales must be balanced. A life for a life if you will.”
“How can you be certain? Devlin—I can’t—”
Samantha snorted disagreement. “Sis, you’ve got more magic in your pinky than I’ll ever have. You’ve always had it. Even when you thought it was gone.” Foot tapping with impatience, Sam continued. “And don’t tell me the judgment’s wrong. Nature always balances the scales. You know that clear through your soul, sis.”
Michaela shuddered under Samantha’s cold logic. She couldn’t bring herself to actually take a life, but her magic had a mind of its own. She could feel it calling to the forest, demanding that things be set right, or as right as possible.
And she knew the moment the forest answered. The dark earth looked like it was moving of it’s own free will. A closer look almost sent Michaela running back down the path they’d followed here. Every manner of creepy-crawly creature swarmed toward Maura Blake. Swarmed right over her, into her wide mouth, muffling the shrill shrieks of fear and promises of vengeance until Michaela couldn’t make out anything beyond a lumpy shape beneath the heaving, moving mass. The sudden silence was sharp contrast to her heaving stomach as the realization slammed through her that this was her doing. Command or not, her magic had called this swarm, and she knew to her soul that when the swarm was gone, all that would be left of Maura Blake was bones.
Guilt thudded through Michaela’s veins with every beat of he heart. She followed Devlin and Samantha’s lead as they carried Mark’s body back to Devlin’s car.
She couldn’t bear to consider breaking the news to the boys, or the funeral to come. Didn’t deserve to be there for any of it. The whole rescue had gone wrong and it was all her fault. If only her magic had stayed broken, Mark might be alive.
***
Michaela moved through the next week in a daze. Mark’s funeral was nice enough, she supposed. But it didn’t absolve her of her guilt. Not even Sam’s ready forgiveness or the boy’s grateful thanks for bringing their mom back in one piece could ease that burden. She figured she’d carry it alone until the day she died. At least with Samantha and the boys headed home her presence wouldn’t be a constant reminder to them of all they’d lost.
Once Devlin and Asher left, Michaela planned to retreat into silence, hide away until she got a handle on her stubborn magic. But the Agents never left. One week turned in to two, then three, until Michaela didn’t think she could survive without their constant presence, sarcastic back and forth banter, and gentle coaxing to ‘take care of yourself’.
She didn’t want to take care of anyone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
A frightened shout roused Devlin from fitful sleep. He woke just enough to snuggle closer to Michaela, pull her tight and whisper in her ear that he was there, it would be alright.
She didn’t hear. She never heard him, not once in the past couple weeks. She thrashed against his gentle hug, a fist socked him in the jaw and his beast rumbled. Demanded they fix this the only way he knew how. Devlin hesitated, but that fist hammered him again. His mate whimpered in her sleep and cradled her bruised hand close. Shit. She’d hurt herself trying to come to terms with the past.
Claim her, make her ours. She’ll have a solid base to stand on then, the bear demanded.
Devlin couldn’t argue. It seemed to him that she’d been slipping away slowly, ever since she realized just how dangerous magic was. Especially her magic. She’d lost her connection to the world the day Maura died, and her sleepless mutterings at night were centered on guilt.
Even though she had nothing to be guilty for, even though the Grand Supreme and the Council had passed judgment that would have been carried out with or without Michaela’s magic.
“Babe, wake up. You’re okay, it’s going to be alright.”
“My fault.” Tears fell unheeded as her guilt-dulled gaze locked on him. “Lost Mark. Almost lost you and Sam because I’m—”
“Enough. You’re enough, babe.” He knew the next words in her self-recrimination and he simply was not having it. Devlin slammed his mouth over hers in a hot, angry kiss. Her lips were soft, pliant, and tasted of tears, but her hands tangled in his hair, pulled him closer. Soft moans urged him on as his tongue teased and tasted. He’d been holding back, waiting. Being a stable presence while she worked through what had happened. Fuck, he’d made the wrong choice there.
She practically wrapped herself around him, soft mewls begging for more. Pleading to make the nightmares end.
“You did your best, the best anyone could do,” he pulled back from their kiss, determined to make sure she heard him this time. Heard and believed.
She shook he head in violent denial. “Not good enough. Everyone’s leaving—they can’t stand to be around me.” Sobs tore through her, and her almost too soft to hear ‘nobody wants me now’ ripped Devlin’s heart to shreds.
“I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you, mate.” Devlin’s teeth grew sharp, and his beast roared denial and anger at the hurt she’d suffered. He should have been the one to carry out the Council’s decree. Should have stepped in, carried this load for her.
“Prove it,” she whispered.
God, his mate was so beautiful, even when she’d lost faith in herself. In him. Damned if he’d let loss stand. He challenged her sorrow with soft kisses and nibbles, whispers of endearment. He nibbled and kissed down the sweet arch of her neck, stopped at one breast, then the other. Her soft gasps as he nibbled and suckled drove him onward. She needed more. Needed all of him. His teeth grew sharp, and he ran them lightly over her pointed nipples. Her wordless begging for more, always more drove him onward. He trailed hot kisses down the soft swell of her stomach, paused to nip and lick at the cute indent of her belly button, then continued onward. The heady scent of her called to his beast. He had to taste her, lick the sweet honey from her center. The first touch of his tongue to her folds had her bucking against him. Strong hands twined through his hair. Pulled him closer, demanded more. He didn’t care that her legs wrapped around his head and her grip made his breath come short and fast. He’d happily die here if he could prove to her that she mattered. That she’d done what was necessary and he still loved her.
Always would.
Devlin ignored the ache of need in his balls, and buried his face in her. He licked and suckled, probed her core with his tongue. Thrust into her with it, tasting every bit of her honey that he could reach until she bucked against his face, came apart under his relentless touch. Even as the orgasm took her, her soft ‘please’ insisted he do better. Give her more.
A part of Devlin was grateful that Sam and the boys had left. There was only Ash to worry about, and Ash would understand. Keep his own counsel even, if he happened to hear what came next. Devlin rose up and stretched forward until his lips met her trembling ones. Michaela’s whole body trembled beneath his solid bulk, but her soft hands pulled and squeezed his ass, urged him on.
“Please, I need you,” she begged.
Devlin obliged.
***
Michaela couldn’t hold back the scream as he finally sank into her. Her whole body trembled with release, and yet she wanted—needed more. Needed all of him. Sharp teeth grazed the tender side of her neck, nibbled down along her collarbone as Devlin thrust into her, filled her. God, the way he stretched her felt so, so good. It didn’t soothe the deepest ache in her soul. She needed forgiveness, absolution. Needed to know that she was his, no matter what horrors lay in her past. Her future was here. Now.
All she had to do was claim it, and let him claim her.
She marveled at the way his solid muscles jumped and quivered at her every touch, begged for more as his teeth rasped against tender flesh once more. “Do it, please.”
Sharp pain spiked through her shoulder, drove her faster toward that cliff. Her body sang with too many sensations, too much to feel all at once. She surged against him with a broken shout, and her body went to pieces beneath him. Devlin surged into her once, then again. She could feel the heat of him as he spilled into her, filling her to the brim. Loved the way her body hugged him closer, pulled him deeper.
She could feel the bond he’d made, reveled in the trembling newness of their connection as they both eased down from the cliff they’d flown over.
“Mine,” Devlin growled and pulled her close. Nuzzled the back of her neck as they spooned. “My mate.”
The strength of his arm pulling her tight against his chest, and the solid truth in his words finally burned the guilt out of Michaela. She’d done the best she could, done all she could. And it was enough.
She was enough, and her future with Devlin was bright because he believed in her, and backed her with every breath and every last drop of blood in his veins. Michaela smiled as she rested in his arms, content.
“Yours,” she whispered back. Yours to care for, just as you are mine. Forever.
COMING SOON!
King Me
A Refugees of Espen Novel
by Alana Hart and Sophia Barron
Dylan Northe agrees to Delilah's mad plan to marry his mate at first sight even though it means a six hour flight and a shotgun wedding. Kira needs a king to rule beside her. Problem is, the god of love himself is playing matchmaker, and the other contenders for the crown are playing for keeps.
Can Dylan and Kira find true love while navigating the fires of immortal fury?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Best Selling Author Sophia Barron writes steamy paranormal romance books. When she's not collaborating on her next shifter romance with Alana Hart, she's huddled in the local coffee shop planning her next novel and sipping hot chocolate. Because everything goes better with chocolate.
Sophia lives in the north woods of Minnesota with her wonderful husband, four kids, and two dogs and two cats.
Follow Sophia on Fb at: www.facebook.com/sophiabarronauthor
Check out Sophia's Website for new release announcements and more: sophiabarronauthor.com
Contact Sophia by email at: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Front Page
Title Page
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
COMING SOON
King Me
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bear My Soul: (Arcane Affairs Agency) Page 12