He flexed his hands on my waist and tugged me closer. “Ever since we…” His eyes widened, and then he laughed. “Unbelievable.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
“When Ivy gave us the potion, she said the effects would wear off in seventy-two hours, and that we should make the most of our time, remember?” He shook his head, a playful grin stretching his lips. “She must’ve put something in the potion to make us want to… you know.” He waggled his eyebrows.
My eyes widened. She’d slipped something into the potion to increase our sex drive? I could’ve told her we didn’t need any help in that department, but it was too late now. But that meant…
“We have to travel all day to get wherever we’re going, and all we want to do is have sex,” I said, slightly horrified. “What’re we supposed to do?”
“Join the mile high club?” he said with a carefree shrug.
I smacked him. “That’s not helpful.”
His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I don’t know if I should send her a thank you card or tear her throat out for this little stunt.”
I sighed with exasperation and gave him a dirty look. He really wasn’t helping the situation. I had no idea where we were headed or how long it would take to get there, but now I had to deal with a magically overactive libido with no way to get any relief. And Trent thought it was funny.
“It’s going to be fine,” he said.
“Hello?” Abby called from downstairs. “We’re here. Get out of bed and get dressed.”
Trent laughed, and I couldn’t stop my own laughter. But man, I loved seeing him like this, so genuinely happy and easygoing. It gave me a certain thrill to know I was the reason for his happiness.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so.” I glanced around to make sure I hadn’t left anything laying out that I might need.
He closed my suitcase and headed downstairs. I followed. Abby and Isach were standing in the entryway. Trent’s luggage was already by the front door. All we had to do was load it in Isach’s car, and then he would drive us to the airport.
“This was on your front porch,” Abby said, holding out the gift basket.
“Yeah, it’s a wedding gift from Ivy,” I said, taking it from her and setting it on the table.
We’d chosen to ignore it last night, but now my curiosity was nagging at me. There were scented candles, a bottle of champagne, chocolates, and a crystal sphere. I shook my head—witches and their toys. A small white envelope caught my attention. I plucked it from the basket and pulled out the card.
Chloe & Trent,
Congratulations on your recent marriage. I wish you both a long and loving life together.
~ Ivy Rose
P.S. I have information that you need to know. I do hope you’ll stop by for a visit before you leave on your honeymoon.
My hand trembled. What information did she have? Did this have something to do with her meeting with Rector?
“Um, Trent,” I said.
But he was already by my side, reading the card I still held in my hand.
I spun around to face Isach. “Have you found out anything else about Ivy and why she was meeting your dad?”
“Yes, but I was given very explicit instructions not to talk about this until you get home from your honeymoon,” Isach said, his gaze darting to Trent.
“Let them handle it,” Trent said softly, taking the card from my hand and dropping it back into the basket.
Right, because I won’t be thinking about this the entire time we’re gone. How could he so easily forget about it, especially when last night he’d been fully prepared to talk about it with Isach, Colt, and Jax?
“You want to stop and see her, don’t you?” Trent asked.
I nodded. “I just want to know what she knows. Ten minutes tops,” I said.
He placed a tender kiss to my forehead. “All right.” Then he turned his attention to Isach. “Tell us what you know.”
We loaded up the car and were headed toward Keene Valley before any real discussion began.
“My father is attempting to bargain for his soul, but he needs help,” Isach said.
“Why?” I interrupted. “Your coven is supposed to be the most powerful in the world. Why would he need help?”
“Because he invoked the power of our ancestors when he cursed Sean. He gave up his soul in exchange for their power. To get his soul back, he needs to bargain with something equally as enticing,” Isach said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. “But this time, the exchange needs to be the opposite. Before, it was done in rage. Now, the bargain needs to be made for good, for a purely unselfish reason.”
I huffed. “And Ivy’s helping him with that? She doesn’t have an unselfish bone in her body.”
Trent took hold of my hand and kissed my palm, then my wrist, and tingles spread up my arm, distracting me from whatever I’d been asking Isach. I glanced over at Trent, and his gaze was heated. Yeah, traveling for God knew how long was going to be impossible today.
“Yes, but I don’t know how,” Isach said.
Trent swept his hand alongside my neck and drew me to him for a slow, sensual kiss. I was so lost in him that I completely forgot Abby and Isach were in the front seat—until Abby groaned.
“Can you two seriously not wait until you’re on your actual honeymoon to do that?” she asked.
I smiled against Trent’s lips, and he released me, his eyes still blazing with need. I swallowed hard, praying my face wasn’t as red as it currently felt.
“Take us to Ivy’s,” Trent said, his gaze not wavering from me.
“Hey, I’m not your personal chauffer,” Isach said.
“Fine. Will you please take us to Ivy’s?” Trent asked with a laugh.
Isach’s eyebrows shot up, and he quickly glanced back at us, his expression full of disbelief. “Did you seriously just ask me something nicely?”
Trent flipped him off, and Isach laughed.
“You certainly had a good night, didn’t you?” Isach said. “You’re not nearly as moody as usual.”
“Best night of my life,” Trent said, kissing the back of my hand, his gaze once again seeking mine.
I licked my lips, anticipation building in my belly. I hoped it wouldn’t take us too long to get wherever we were going, because I had no idea how I was going to be able to keep my hands to myself. Moments later, Isach pulled into Ivy’s driveway.
Trent had his door open before the car was even in park. “We won’t be long,” he said.
“Oh, I’m going with you,” Isach said and was out of the car before Trent could argue.
“You coming, too?” I asked Abby.
She shrugged. “Might as well.”
Though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She hadn’t yet met Ivy, and I could only imagine what Abby thought about her considering everything I’d told her about Ivy.
I got out of the car, and Trent took my hand. The friction of his skin against mine was enough to start a fire in my gut. I was seriously going to have to tell him to stop touching me until we got to wherever we were going. Not that he’d listen to me about that.
We stepped onto the porch, and the front door swung open. Would that ever stop freaking me out? Trent sliced a look at me, and I nodded. We were here—no reason to back out now. Trent walked inside first and tugged me in behind him.
Ivy, as always, was perched on that ugly floral couch. She smiled when she saw us. “There are the newlyweds,” she said, setting her teacup on the side table. “I take it you received my gift?”
“Yes,” I said. “It was very thoughtful. Thank you.”
I had no idea why I was being so polite to her, especially when I knew she was more than likely double crossing us, but my mother’s words were ingrained in my mind: Kindness is its own reward. Regardless of what Ivy did or didn’t do, I wasn’t going to compromise my morals for her.
“You’re most welcome,” she said
with a nod. Then she narrowed her eyes. “I see you’ve brought guests. Isach.” She smiled tightly in his direction. “And who’s this?”
“My cousin Abby,” I said. “She knows everything.”
A brief flash of shock registered on Ivy’s face, but she hid it quickly. She smoothed her hands over her skirt.
“You said you had information we needed,” Trent said, clearly done with all the pleasantries.
“Yes. Please, sit.” Ivy motioned at the empty chairs.
“We’re sort of in a rush,” Trent said. “We have a plane to catch.”
“Ah, yes. The honeymoon,” she said. “Very well then. I’ve met with Rector Zoya.”
“Yeah, we know,” Isach said, his tone hard. “Why?”
Abby stood close to him, as if she were afraid of the entire situation. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her be so quiet before. That was probably a good thing right now.
“When the leader of the most powerful coven in the world summons you, you don’t say no,” Ivy said, her tone biting. Then she shifted her gaze to rest on Isach. “Your father is attempting to bargain for his soul. But he can’t because he severely altered the magical balance.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I said, shaking my head. “It always comes back around to the magical balance, doesn’t it? I’ve already sworn a blood oath to break the curse. What more do you want from me?”
Trent squeezed my hand, and some of the anger bubbling inside of me calmed.
“I’m well aware of that, Chloe,” Ivy said and rose in one fluid motion. “Rector, however, is not.”
“So, you didn’t tell him about me?” I asked, shocked.
Ivy chuckled. “Why on earth would I tell him about you? He may be attempting to bargain for his soul, but his hatred for the Halsteads runs deep. I can’t risk that anger outweighing his desire for a soul.” She tsked and shook her head. “So no, I most certainly did not tell him about you.”
I sighed with relief, and beside me, Trent’s tense body relaxed a little. I’d been so certain Ivy had outed me to Rector, but knowing she hadn’t… that gave me immense joy. Maybe we really could trust her after all.
“Then why are you meeting with him?” Isach asked.
“He summoned me,” she said, walking around behind the couch and gripping the back of it. “He needs a purely selfless act to counterbalance the selfish act he’d done when he cursed Sean. He thought if he offered to lift the curse and restore the balance—”
“He can do that?” Trent interrupted. “Lift the curse?”
Ivy nodded. “He cast it, so he’s the only one who can undo it.”
My stomach churned as my mind raced to catch up with whatever Trent was possibly thinking. And then a lead weight landed in my gut.
“Don’t even think about it,” I said to Trent, my jaw clenched. I slipped my hand from his and curled my fingers into a tight fist. “You are not getting out of changing me.”
“What?” He whipped his head around to stare at me. Hurt flashed across his face. “Is that what you seriously think I was suggesting?”
I shrugged, suddenly feeling guilty for jumping to that conclusion.
“Calm down,” Ivy said. “Trent swore a blood oath to change you, and he’s a man of his word, yes?” She pinned him with a hard stare.
“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth.
“So, what did you tell my father?” Isach asked. He’d taken Abby’s hand, and she appeared to be a little less freaked out now.
“I pointed out that breaking the curse now was, in fact, a very selfish act on his part because the only reason he offered was so he could get his soul back,” Ivy said with a satisfied smile.
“Is that why you wanted to see us?” Trent asked, arms crossed. “To tell us nothing’s changed?”
“Yes. Keene Valley is a small town. Rumors spread quickly. I wanted to ensure you two knew that our deal still stands, that I’m still very much on your side, and I will continue to make sure Chloe is safe from the Zoya.” Ivy straightened.
What a total waste of time. Then again, now that we knew she wasn’t working a deal behind our backs, I could stop worrying and enjoy my honeymoon. And now, Isach, Colt, and Jax wouldn’t have to handle the situation.
“Well, thanks for clearing things up,” Isach said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Did he not believe Ivy, or was this just lingering distrust and anger because they were from competing covens? Of course, if everything went exactly as we planned, Isach might very well be joining Ivy’s coven. At least for a little while anyway.
“C’mon, Abby.” He tugged on her hand, and they turned to leave.
Trent hadn’t budged, though. “For everyone’s sake, I hope you’re telling us the truth, Ivy,” he said.
“I have no reason to lie to either of you,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her.
Trent gave a curt nod, then glanced at me. I turned and headed for the door. We stepped out onto the front porch when Trent turned back toward the house. Ivy stood in the doorway.
“Except, you did lie to us,” Trent said. “About the little added boost you included in the potion.”
A slow grin spread across Ivy’s face. “Are you thanking me or scolding me?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Trent said.
“Well, do let me know once you’ve figured it out.” She lifted a single brow. “Enjoy your honeymoon.” And then she swung the door shut in our faces.
I blinked, trying to wrap my mind around what just happened. Trent was already off the porch by the time I got my bearings, and I rushed to catch up to him. Abby and Isach were already back in the car.
“Trent,” I called after him. “I’m sorry. I—”
He whirled around on me, his eyes dark and stormy. “Don’t you dare, for one second, ever think I’ve changed my mind about changing you. That will never happen, Chloe. Never,” he said, the muscle in his jaw ticking with anger.
I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I just… when you asked about Rector lifting the curse, you sounded… relieved, and that scared me,” I admitted.
“Chloe, baby,” he said, his tone sweet yet regretful. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.” He cradled my face in his hands and peered into my eyes. “I swear to you that we will have an eternity together. Please don’t doubt that, okay?”
“Okay.” I nodded.
He brushed his lips across mine, and whatever momentary anger and fear I felt vanished, replaced with instantaneous desire. I wound my arms around his neck, and he deepened the kiss. Isach blared the horn, and I jumped back with a gasp.
Trent wasn’t fazed at all, though. “I love you,” he said.
“Love you, too,” I said with a smile, thankful things were back to normal between us. I hated when we fought.
“C’mon.” He laced his fingers with mine. “We have a honeymoon to go on.”
CHAPTER FORTY:
Quarantine
“WHOA,” I WHISPERED, EYES WIDE.
Trent pulled the rental truck to a stop in front of a cozy log cabin. It was too dark to see many details, but the warm glow of an interior light allowed me to see that the cabin, like everything else around us, was covered in fresh snow. It reminded me of that motel we’d gotten stranded at on our way home from Malibu right after New Year’s, though this place was a lot nicer. Hundreds of identical cabins were scattered in every direction.
There was a porch that ran the length of the front of the A-frame cabin. Icicles hung from the roof, and smoke billowed from the chimney. The place looked like something out of a fairytale, and it was gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to see what the inside looked like.
Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the snow, Trent was, and this was his honeymoon, too. Not to mention, it was easier for him to be outside in this type of weather. Personally, I really hoped we’d be going somewhere warm, like a beach. I had not been expecting a cabin resort in the Swiss Alps. I wasn’t complaining, though, because I was with Trent,
and that was all that mattered.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded, grinning. I climbed out of the truck, and by the time I made it around to the front, Trent had our luggage in hand.
“After you, Mrs. Halstead,” he said, winking.
A thrill shot through me. I would never get tired of hearing him call me that. Smiling, I headed for the cabin. Someone had shoveled the path leading to the porch.
I climbed the steps, noticing that someone had also scraped the snow from the steps and cleared a walkway straight to the door. A gust of wind whipped around us, and I pulled my coat tighter around me. Now I remembered why I didn’t like the snow—it meant cold winds.
Trent set down our luggage, dug the key from his pocket, and unlocked the door.
The inside of the cabin was even more magnificent than the outside. A hunter green sectional sofa wrapped around two entire walls in the main room. Dark wood tables held intricately carved lamps with gold and green shades. Directly in front of the sofa was a brick fireplace, which had already been lit, casting the room in a romantic glow.
“This is incredible,” I said as I moved from the main room and farther into the cabin.
A decent sized kitchenette was to the right of the living area, and to the left was a desk with a computer. I hadn’t noticed a TV anywhere. Though, I highly doubted Trent and I would be spending time watching television.
Beyond two frosted glass French doors was the bedroom. Decorated in a similar color scheme—hunter greens, golds, and dark cherry woods—the master suite was twice the size of the main room.
The biggest four-poster bed I’d ever seen sat in the middle of the room. Piled with pillows and blankets, it called to me. Traveling exhausted me, and I’d give anything to curl up in that bed right now. But I felt gross and needed a shower. Not to mention food. A solid nine hours had passed since I’d last eaten, and my stomach was grumbling.
I wandered into the attached bathroom, fully expecting a standard hotel-type bathroom, but I should’ve known better. His and her sinks sat beneath a massive mirror surrounded by lights. Not only was there a double headed shower, there was a hot tub, too!
Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5) Page 31