Warlocks & Warfare_A Grimmer Legacy novel

by Eleanor Rousseau

  I smiled, “How so?”

  “She was... perfect. My father is, well let's be honest- he’s a snob.”

  I nodded, “I can vouch for that, the guy totally looked down on me because I was a female on bodyguard duty.”

  He rolled his eyes, “He’s old-fashioned. Anyway, she won him over almost immediately, just by being her usual charming self.”

  I beamed at him, “I’m so glad.”

  He nodded, “I’m thinking of popping the question.”

  “Shut up!” I slapped his arm lightly.

  He grinned, looking boyish, “So, what, you think it’s too soon?”

  “I think you know what you’re doing. I also know she makes you happy. I got a fair amount of grief over my male companion so I know the importance of following your gut.” Wait, did I? I had followed my gut and it had allowed me to be with Avon, something many people would see as a mistake.

  I guess only time would tell. Anxiety churned in my stomach but I did my best to ignore it.

  He smiled, “I appreciate the advice, and as you tell it I won’t be the only one getting hitched,” he said pointedly.

  “It’s not like that!”

  “That’s exactly what it’s like,” he insisted.

  “It’s more like a magical tracking device,” I stated.

  “That involves a lifelong commitment.”

  “That involves a year-long commitment,” I corrected. That was important, a year-long commitment was about all I could talk myself into.

  He smiled at me, “And you think you’re both ready for a monogamous relationship?”

  I bit my lip thoughtfully, “I’m not the type to need more than one man, much to Grants dismay, and Avon hasn’t shown any interest in any other women. Wait, is that weird? Shouldn’t he be showing at least a little interest in other women?”

  He laughed, “You’re really overthinking this. We’re not animals, I’m sure even Daemons can be faithful when it’s with the right person.”

  I tapped my chin with my forefinger, “Plus the sex is really great.”

  He grinned, “If the sex is good there’s really no need to want to look elsewhere.”

  “True that.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The Daemon glared at me, arms crossed over his chest, making his arms bulge in a way that was very distracting. “Stop it.”

  “Mmm,” I murmured in response.

  “I’m being mad at you, it doesn’t work if you don’t notice I’m being mad.”

  It sure was working for me. “Hmm.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Am I going to have to take you over my knee, little one?” he growled.

  “Mmmhmm.” If he wanted a coherent response he really shouldn’t have worn such a tight shirt.

  “Anthony was here,” he snarled.

  “Mmm, who?” With his arms crossed his shirt had bunched up slightly, revealing a thin strip of skin above his jeans which hung low on his hips. I swallowed before I ended up drooling.

  He growled, his eyes shooting fire at me. “Fuck it.” He caught me up against him, kissing me possessively. “You. Are. Mine.” Each word was punctuated with a hard kiss.

  I dropped the act of being too dazed by his sexiness to form coherent thought. “Yes but I can have friends.”

  He scowled at me, he was a very grumpy Daemon. “Yes but if that man ever steps foot in your bedroom I will kill him,” he said firmly.

  “You’ve nothing to worry about,” I assured him softly.

  His eyes were serious and a little sad as he watched me. “I need you, love, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  I sighed dramatically. “Well, I’ve put up with you for this long, what's a little while longer?”

  He smiled down at me, clearly amused. “Good.” He kissed me again, taking his time now as his hand came up to cup my breast. “Are you ready to become mine?” he asked softly, kissing my throat.

  Was I? As I rested there against him the answer seemed pretty simple. Yes, I was. He made me feel safe when no one else could, and more than anything I wanted to stop feeling helpless and afraid. And I wanted him. I nodded.

  “Do you wish to do it here?” he asked.

  I shook my head. It was too private an act to do when Maya could come home or where the Andersons could apparently overhear. “I have a place in mind. Just let me clean up and change.” I kissed his chin.

  His hands squeezed me once before he released me, I kissed his chin, turned and headed to my room to grab my jacket.

  When I returned he dragged me against him and balled up his fist in my hair. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, scenting me. “Are we going to do it here after all?” I asked, resting my hands on his chest when he didn’t move.

  He smiled, “I can wait,” He purred, then he licked my cheek.

  “Why?” I demanded, wiping at the damp stop.

  “Truth?” he asked. I glared at him in response. “It marks you with my scent.”

  That made sense, kind of. “Well, stop it, I imagine I’ve got enough of your scent on me.”

  “I disagree.” He brushed his tongue over my lips and took my hand. “Soon you will be mine and I want everyone to know you’re taken.” He led me out of the door.

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to make a formal announcement in the paper,” I said sarcastically.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of a mass email,” he teased, opening the car door for me.

  Before I could climb in he caught me and pulled my lips to his. “You’ll be safe,” he murmured as he released me, his dark eyes serious.

  I shouldn’t have believed him, the world we lived in wasn’t safe. My job had put my life on the line more than once. But I did, he made me believe it. I nodded slightly and climbed in. He drove and I directed him to a place outside of the city.

  “Here?” he asked.

  I nodded and stepped out of the car. We had parked at the base of a rock cliff face in the middle of a wooded area. I took his hand before leading him along the base of the cliff. We had been walking for about ten minutes when awareness washed over me.

  I stepped up to the rock wall. “Come on,” I took his hand and led him through the rock as if it weren’t there. Inside was another world. It wasn’t the Underworld or even the Overworld, it was a sacred place constructed and maintained solely by Witches.

  It was a small forest and here at the entrance was a small glistening pool, next to a waterfall. Besides the waterfall, a cave had been formed in the rock. “What is this place?” Avon asked, glancing around.

  I squeezed his hand and led him around the pool. “We call it Sanctuary.” I stopped at the entrance of the cave.

  “It’s incredible, is that the sky?” he asked.

  “Not really, everything is made of magic but it’s real to us, all of it.” I reached up to touch the stone above our heads.

  He reached up too. “It’s perfect,” he said as his gaze came back to me. “I want this to be as close to the Wiccan ceremony as possible,” he told me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

  I narrowed my eyes at him, “You found out most Wiccan ceremonies are done naked, didn’t you?”

  His eyes widened in mock surprise. “Then I suppose you should start stripping.”

  I smiled but sat down on the rock and began to unlace my boots. He kicked off his shoes before pulling his shirt off. I unbuttoned my blouse and then stood to finish undressing.

  Once we were in our underwear he pressed me against the wall. He kissed me urgently. “Did you bring what we need?” I asked.

  He nodded and release me to pick up a backpack that I hadn’t noticed until then. I dropped to my knees near the center of the cave, where a soft moss carpeted the floor. He put the bag between us and pulled out a length of ribbon, a sharp dagger, and a ring box.

  I leaned over to kiss him “What’s your full name?” I asked.

  “Avon Vincent Urie, yours?”

  “Kia Sapphire Grimmer.”
r />   He raised an eyebrow, “Sapphire?”

  I mimicked the gesture, “Vincent?”

  He chuckled.

  When it came to magic names had power. Surrounded by this much magic you could do a lot more with a name. I smiled and took a deep breath then I rose up to remove my underwear and he did the same before we both sat back down.

  I lifted his left hand and wrapped one end of the ribbon around it securely then I moved closer and did the same to my left hand. As I tied off the ribbon magic hummed through me. I gasped and my body shuddered.

  Avon was watching me closely. I felt a tug like I was being pulled in two different directions. He raised the knife, “Ready, love?” he asked.

  I nodded, biting my lip.

  He kissed me as he sliced the palm of my right palm with the blade. I grunted and my body quaked. His eyes met mine, “It’s okay, let it happen,” he whispered.

  I hadn’t realized I’d been fighting an internal struggle until he said that and when I let go the change came over me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” I said, suddenly feeling distressed.

  He cupped my face with both hands, “It’s okay, love, for a while small things might cause the change. Nothing to worry about.” He kissed me briefly before placing the hilt of the blade between his teeth and cutting his own palm.

  Then he clasped our cut palms together. I suppose it was a good thing he had cut me before I’d gone full Witch. If a needle couldn’t pierce my skin I doubt a blade would have much more luck.

  Our blood combine and the magic hummed through me at a heightened pitch. “Are you okay to keep going?” he asked softly

  I nodded and shifting closer, glancing down. He was already hard which made the next step easier. I lifted myself up and lowered myself onto his hard length. I groaned softly in pleasure as he filled me and his hand tightened on mine.

  The air sizzled with magic, electrified by the spell cast by our action and our bodies. “Is this a part of the ceremony or are you taking artistic license?” he teased but he sounded breathless.

  “For some, this would be the first time they could be together this way so it’s a good way to test compatibility,” I murmured.

  He grinned, “Name me, love.”

  I took a deep breath.

  “Avon Vincent Urie, by the power of the earth and moon I claim you as mine for the length of a year and a day.” I felt tingles move from my body to his.

  He kissed me. “Kia Sapphire Grimmer, by the power of this realm and all others I claim you as mine... for a year and a day,” he said, the last part a little reluctantly.

  Power swam between us until I wasn’t sure where I ended and he began. Our bodies and soul became one. Our hearts beat in perfect sync. Unbearable pleasure filled me, and him. I had just gained enough mental capacity to start rocking against him when he took my left hand and placed the ring on my finger.

  Fire flashes through my body and I blacked out for a moment. When my vision cleared my back was against the mossy ground and he was thrusting in hard, long strokes. I was panting for breath, my body responding just as eagerly.

  “Oh, Goddess!” I moaned.

  He kissed my neck, “She can’t help you now, love, you’re mine,” he teased as one hand came up to cup my scale covered breast. I shivered beneath him as we made love, the pleasure attacking us in waves so strong they threatened to drown us and then we were both pushed over the edge.

  I cried out and he murmured my name as we climaxed, the sensations overwhelming.

  He rested his forehead against mine as we panted for breath. The light outside had faded to the orange hue of sunset. He kissed me, it was a long, slow kiss. I ran my hands over his broad chest and then glanced down at the ring on my finger.

  It appears to be made out of a dark metal and fit my finger perfectly. “How does the ring work?” I asked curiously.

  He kissed my neck again, “It had to be forged in the fires of the underworld and cooled with the blood of the forger. It has marked you as mine and even if it were taken from you the mark would remain unless the ring is broken,” he explained, his fingers idly brushing a spot on my lower back.

  “That sounds nasty, the hellfires and blood part anyway.”

  He gave a half shrug, “It was a small price to pay.”

  I sighed softly in contentment. “You want to go for a swim?” I asked, brushing my fingers down his neck.

  He grinned, scooping me up into his arms. We swam and made love in the water as the sky turned to night and torches appeared around the pool, lighting the area enough for us to see. We were relaxing beside the pool when my phone rang over in my pile of clothes. He had just been preparing for round three and growled in annoyance at the disruption. “Leave it,” he ordered.

  “It could be important,” I informed him.

  “This night is ours, and if I’m not inside you again soon I may not survive,” he murmured, holding my hands on either side of my head as he rubbed himself against me.

  I was about to protest but the ringing stopped, so instead I pulled his head down to mine as my other hand reached down to stroke his hard length. He groaned and made an intelligible sound of encouragement.

  He started nipping at my neck when the sound of my phone ringing cut through the quiet again. “Stop and I’ll kill whoever’s on the other end,” he snarled.

  “I’ve got two hands.” With a thought, the phone was suddenly on the rock beside my head. I answered, “Kia here.”

  Avon grumbled something that was muffled against my neck.

  “Hey, sweetie.”

  I sighed silently, “Mother,” I greeted.

  “I sensed something in the Ether, did something happen?”

  “No. Mother, I’m in the middle of sleeping with my mate, can this wait?”

  “Of course, give the boy my love and you know that protection stuff is completely overrated-”

  I should have known better than to try and shock my mother by talking about sex. I tossed the phone into the pool and Avon grinned as I turned my full attention back to him. His eyes were half closed and his hand balled up almost painfully tight in my hair as I squeezed his shaft.

  The hand not in my hair came down to stroke my sex. I gasped. He nuzzled my neck as his knee nudged my thighs apart. “Your turn,” he murmured.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  I awoke, not for the first time, to teeth nipping at my bare skin. “Ow,” I murmured.

  “Are you sore from our lovemaking, little one?” he asked, sounding both amused and very smug.

  “No, I’m sore from all your love bites,” I growled, swatting him away from my rear.

  He chuckled and nudged me over onto my back.

  My muscles protested and I groaned, “Okay, so maybe part of it was the lovemaking.”

  He made a deep sound of satisfaction in the back of his throat and I barely resisted rolling my eyes.

  “Alright, big guy, time to head home.”

  “What makes you think I’m going to let you escape now?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with wicked intent.

  I smiled. “Well if you're half as hungry as I am I don’t think it’ll take much convincing.”

  He growled, “You make a convincing argument. Come, love, I suppose I now have to cater to your needs.” He rose to his feet and offered me his hand. I took it and let him pull me to my feet. He grinned and pulled me up, cupping my ass with both hands once I was on my feet, “All mine,” he murmured.

  “Alright, you possessive bastard, you’ve made that very clear,” I grumbled in mock irritation as I walked over to our clothes

  “Shouldn’t you be a little more respectful to your husband?”

  My eyes widened, “Do not ever use that word in front of my family,” I said firmly, pulling on my panties.

  “But it’s the truth.” His expression was insufferably smug.

  “If you value your life you’ll take the advice.”

  He growled in displeasure.

  “Dude, I know I’
m taken, you know I’m taken. That’s ours, we don’t have to go putting up posters about it. Relax.”

  He smiled reluctantly, “You know you’re taken?” he asked, stepping closer.

  Jeez, he was like a dog with a bone... or a Daemon with a- “Of course, you’ve made it abundantly clear, now get dressed so we can eat.”

  “You’re going to be one of those nagging wives, aren’t you?” he teased.

  “Me? You're the one who’s being super needy,” I accused.

  “Insolent little wife,” he growled playfully as I pulled on my clothes.

  I turned away to hide a grin as I tugged on my shirt. Once we were both dressed he picked up his backpack and my phone suddenly appeared on the rock, completely dry and fully functional. I glanced around, “Thanks,” I told the magic softly.

  It hummed in response and I smiled as I slid it into my pocket.

  He took my hand and led me over to the rock wall where we had entered. I squeezed his hand and led him through, then stopped dead in my tracks.

  I bit my lip, “Mother,” I greeted.

  She stood, arms crossed with a stern expression.

  “Mrs. Grimmer, delighted to see you again,” said Avon, trying to hide the amusement in his voice. He failed. Epicly.

  She didn’t even spare him a glance, “No non-Wiccans are permitted into Sanctuary,” she stated firmly.

  Shit. I didn’t think we’d be caught. What excuse did I have? Oh, right, no excuse I could give her. I’d fucked up, broken her one rule. “He’s under a spell, he has no idea what’s going on,” I lied.

  She gave me a flat look.

  “It won't happen again,” I promised.

  “It shouldn’t have happened once. Why must you be so difficult, Kia?” she demanded.

  I bristled instantly, there was an implication there that I was often difficult. “Mother, I’m an adult and a human being, as such I have a little thing called free will. Sanctuary is as much mine as it is yours. This is the first time I’ve broken any rules so don’t you stand there and accuse me of being difficult.

  “I could be a lot worse, I could be doing drugs, or joining a cult, or going Necro. Don’t berate me for showing something I’m proud of to someone I care about. And don’t you dare act like I’m a disappointment because I refuse to whore myself out in order to sire the next generation.”