The Illuminated Witch

by Imogene Nix

  He grunted.

  She frowned. “Javed?”

  He made a sound and for the first time she felt something wet trickling against her arm. Then he slumped, and she grappled with him. “No!”

  The guard was there dragging him from her arms before he slumped to the ground.

  Horror filled her as she watched him being swept away while she stood, frozen in place as the guard carried him from the room. She missed the dark, damp patch that bloomed on his back.

  * * * *

  Awareness came slowly. “The nest?” The rasp sounded unlike his usual voice, and he frowned, hoping it was only a temporary weakness.

  “Safe.”

  His first thought had been of the household but swiftly on its heels came concern for those who had recently joined him in the newly formed nest.

  Now he knew the nest hadn’t been breached, he feared for Celina’s safety.

  His last memory had been of her launching into his arms. He cracked one eyelid open and hissed as the overhead light seared his vision.

  “Back with us, are you? A good thing too!” The dry tones of Kharisma were imbued with relief.

  “What happened? Where’s Celina?” He closed his eyes and concentrated on listening to her answer while his body ached. In particular his back burned. Javed felt the descent of his teeth and breathed deeply, hoping to dispel the hunger that now ravaged him.

  “Well, in case you didn’t realize it, you took a nasty slice along your back.” Her voice had settled into the matter-of-fact cadence he was used to. “And Celina is fine. And the rest of the nest too, so thank you for asking.”

  He grunted, smelling blood nearby. A goblet was thrust into his hands and he sat upright, drawing it to his mouth before greedily gulping down the contents. “More?”

  A laugh met his request and this time when he glanced up Kharisma was smiling at him. “Here. This should sate your need for now.”

  The goblet was refreshed and he took his time, letting his mind whir into action.

  “So… Was the artifact the reason we were attacked?”

  Her grin died away to be replaced by a thoughtful expression. “It could be, but we haven’t yet found what the secret could be.” She sank to the side of the bed. “No one in the nest seems to be able to find the importance of the item, even though we’ve had the human nestlings working on it since we retrieved it. The only thing that has come to mind is…” She stopped and grimaced.

  Inside Javed, a niggling suspicion formed. “What?”

  “Well, I’m wondering if she—Celina—couldn’t have been wrong about it, could she?” Kharisma glanced away.

  For an instant a spurt of anger rose in his chest. “No. I don’t believe so.” He controlled his temper, but when she turned back he could still read the doubt on her face.

  “But no one can find…”

  He groaned. “Has anyone contacted Cressida?”

  Kharisma backed away. “Hey, that’s your job. But if it’s any consolation, I did contact Xavier.”

  “And?” He closed his eyes, looking for some internal strength in the face of his first significant hurdle.

  “He said if you didn’t come round before dawn, to let him know. Thankfully you weren’t out for that long.”

  He pushed off the bed, the blood having done its job. It had begun the healing process and while he wasn’t fully healed, the pain was little more than a dull throb now.

  “What do you think—?” Kharisma made to push him back to the bed, but he waved her away.

  “We need to find out what the hell we are dealing with. Now, where did you store it?” He could tell immediately that she knew what he was talking about.

  Kharisma grimaced. “Were else would I put it? In the safe room.”

  Javed stood, wobbling slightly, but was determined to show everyone that he might have been down, but he had no intentions of staying out. “We need to sort this. Meet me in my office with it.” He left the room and headed for the private work suites.

  He padded through the open areas while the nestlings watched him, open-mouthed. He ignored their stares as he entered his work area. The room itself was as soulless as the rest of the house. The pale tones of white and cream sat at odds with the butter-colored leather of the seats and the wood furnishings. He wasn’t really comfortable with the house or the furnishings if he were honest. The only rooms that held his stamp were his private quarters, but it was the best option he had been able to find in the tight time frame he’d needed to meet.

  He let his mind cast over what they knew about the sword and scabbard. Perhaps there was something on the blade that they needed?

  Even as Kharisma opened the door and entered, he was still trying to consider the options.

  “Here it is.”

  She placed the package carefully on his desk. He unwrapped it, lifting the sword first then running his fingers over the iron of the hilt. But while it was old and engraved with herr Jesu Christ der du der Guender heiland on one side and Führer durch deine Barmherzig zeit anno 1603 on the other, there was nothing unusual about it, except it was clear that it was an executioner’s sword.

  With a heavy sigh, he placed it on the wood and turned to the scabbard. It was old, covered in decaying leather, but even as he ran his fingers along it, he could find nothing to give him a clue as to the secrets it hid.

  “Kharisma, would you ask Celina to come here?” He murmured the words, sliding the blade into the scabbard and while it didn’t slide well, it did eventually slide within. He pulled it back in disappointment.

  * * * *

  When Kharisma called her on the internal phone system she shook a little. Did this mean that Javed had recovered? Had he decided she was more trouble than she was worth? Or… Was he humiliated by her over-eager embrace?

  Even as she hurried down to the office, she accepted it was too much. Her stomach quivered, but she refused to give in to the worry that stripped her confidence.

  She reached the door, her mouth dry, and knocked softly.

  His “Come in” was muffled

  She gulped before entering. Her hand slid on the handle, but she pushed the door open and entered. He sat, uncomfortably, his face tight. “You called for me?”

  He indicated the items on his desk. “You found these in the gallery, but I need to know if you feel anything that will help us to work out their importance?”

  “I… I don’t know.” She touched the blade, then shivered and slid her hands quickly away. “I don’t like that.”

  His laugh was discomforting.

  “What?” She spoke sharply.

  He stilled. “It’s an executioner’s sword.”

  Celina couldn’t contain her gasp. “Oh God! You have to be kidding me!”

  Javed thrust the scabbard into her hands. “What about this?”

  She ran her fingers over it, grimacing at the negative emotions that swirled in her mind, being so close to it. She traced a pattern of something unseen, letting herself seek anything hidden. It was on her third pass at the throat of the scabbard that she felt something, a roughness slightly raised. She frowned. “There’s something here.”

  Celina pressed a nail into the leather. “Right here. There’s something hidden.” She couldn’t explain how she knew, just that something felt out of place.

  Javed took it from her hands. “Are you sure?”

  She stopped for a moment before nodding. “Yes.”

  He tugged a small dagger from his boot.

  She quirked an eyebrow. “A dagger in your boot?”

  “Old habits die hard.”

  She laughed as he sliced into the leather. It came away in strips, revealing the metal below and … “What is…?” A piece of parchment fell to the desk.

  He lifted his head as she reached out. “Wait!”

  He used the dagger to carefully turn over the brittle item and she grimaced. She moved forward and so did Kharisma. Without touching the parchment, he stroked the blade over it and fla
ttened it. It creaked. Celina held her breath, not wanting to damage what they had found.

  They could see the writing on it, though the edges were jagged and clearly torn. “Can you read that?”

  He shook his head. “Kharisma, we need to get someone to look at this tomorrow.”

  The sound of rattling blinds filled the air. “Dawn is nearly upon us. We should retire.” Kharisma caught her gaze. “I’ll leave you now.”

  Celina waited as Kharisma backed away, then watched as the woman left the room. Now alone with Javed, Celina was sure her stomach had somehow tied in knots, and she didn’t know what he was going to say. Instead, he rose in silence and prowled around the desk, and she couldn’t ignore his presence.

  “You are unharmed?” His gaze pierced her to the core, and she shivered.

  “I’m good. And you?”

  He smiled slowly. “I’m quick to heal.” He held out a hand, and she felt the flip-flop inside her tummy as nerves quivered inside her.

  “That’s… That’s good.” She curled her fingers into a fist, wanting to reach out and touch him. But she couldn’t, could she? But he appeared as ill at ease as she felt and she didn’t know what to do, for the life of her. Should I go? Should I wait? What is the best option?

  “Celina…” He broke off with a groan, grabbing her to him, his motions jerky and urgent. He kissed her, and the feel was electric.

  The fiery kiss ended when she pulled away, needing oxygen. Black stars had formed in her vision, and she panted as if she’d run a marathon. Their bodies tightly mashed together.

  “Celina, will you…”

  “Javed, I…”

  They both laughed, their words halted, and for an instant she gloried in the sense of lightness in her being. But she sobered again quickly.

  “Join me? Spend the day with me?” Javed’s quiet words filled her with warmth.

  Can I take this step? Even as she questioned it, she nodded. “Yes.” Just one simple word, yet it carried such promise.

  He curled his hand around hers and together they headed to the secure apartments.

  “Wait!”

  He glanced at her.

  She reddened before him. “I um… I’ll need fresh clothes.”

  He grinned and her stomach curled at the heat she discerned in the depths of his gaze. “Well, will you need them during the day? But yes, tomorrow you will need something fresh.”

  She gulped. “If I just run up…”

  “I’ll come with you.” With those words, they turned companionably and headed to the stairs in silence. When they arrived at her door, her throat felt stuffed, and her mind spun.

  One day. He’s offering me one day. Would it be enough? She honestly didn’t know. But she’d take what he offered right now.

  He entered the room behind her, and she hurried, grabbing up the first small overnight bag she found in her cupboard. In the bathroom she grabbed toiletries then headed back to the dresser for fresh clothing, jeans and top, bra and panties. She didn’t look at him, otherwise she feared they wouldn’t make it downstairs. She knew he’d tested her bed, laying one hand on the coverlet and pushing down before grunting his satisfaction.

  “It’s bare. Are they all like this?” His words stopped her quick actions.

  “I don’t know.”

  He nodded in silence before holding out his hand. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Seven

  His hands shook as he touched the key panel on the wall. Never before had he felt so intensely. Wanted so much.

  Celina stood beside him, and without effort turned him inside out. Right now, she was there, with him. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Hell, he could smell it. The scent of desire flared and his mouth dried.

  He stabbed the keypad and waited for the green light to flare. As soon as it did, he tugged her within and closed the door, into the corridor. “Come with me.”

  The hallway was empty.

  Silent.

  Unable to contain himself, he dragged her close again and leaned into the wall, let it support him. He touched his lips to hers, and she sighed into his mouth.

  He sipped at her lips, hungering for the taste of her while sensations exploded within him. Hot and warm. He ran his hands up and down her spine, each pass dipping lower until he gripped her butt. He hauled her closer to him.

  “Can you feel how much I want you?” He spoke roughly, and she moaned deep in her throat. “Today you are mine.”

  She cupped his shoulder before twining her fingers in his dark hair.

  He nibbled his way down to her jaw line and she arched back away, granting him access to the sweet spot beneath her ear.

  “Javed.” Her moan turned him white hot.

  “Not here…” He lifted her into his arms, her bag falling almost forgotten to the floor. He scooped it up and prowled to the door of his rooms. Once inside he kicked away the obstruction of her satchel on the floor and continued to the bedroom as she clasped her arms around his neck and dotted tiny kisses on his neck and face.

  Javed stopped at the bed and let her slide down his body, knowing she felt the heat of his erection from the way she sucked in her breath. Her eyes were glassy and her color high. Deep inside he felt a greater flush of pleasure to see her as needy as he was.

  She watched him. He reached for the buttons on her shirt, carefully slipping them through the openings one at a time. Finally it hung open, and he slid his fingers under the light material, pushing it from her shoulders.

  “I want you, Celina. I want to feel your heat. Tell me you want it as much as I do.” He waited.

  She nodded. Then she tugged one of his hands to her breast. “My heart is racing, knowing that we…”

  She groped for his belt and tore at the buckle, licking her lips while she continued her feverish activity at his waist. “I have never wanted anyone like I want you, right now.” Her eyes blazed, and triumph roared.

  His belt dropped from her fingers as he hoisted her up and onto his bed, her red hair billowing around her head. It looked right. The thought paused him for a moment, before he followed her down, crouching over her supine figure. He caged her body with his arms as he leaned in for another scorching kiss that started at her mouth before he trailed down her neck and to the top of one soft mound. She shuddered beneath him, her hands dragging at his shirt.

  “You need to take this off…” Her mutter ended on a hiss as he opened his lips over one peak, hidden below the soft white lace of her bra.

  She pushed on him and he shifted, sitting upright. “Take. It. Off.”

  He laughed at her demand, but dutifully removed the shirt, throwing the garment over one shoulder, then reached for her. He marveled at the flash in her eyes, her pouty red lips. He stared down to her full breasts.

  She stretched behind to the clips.

  “No, let me.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and her softly rounded belly tensed as he found the fasteners. Javed slid the bra away from her. Her breasts were full and tipped with plum-colored nipples, dark and ready for him. He bent and tasted her, and she moaned again.

  “Please.” She bucked below him, and he could smell her arousal scenting the air. It made his own need burn hotter than before. His body trembled with suppressed desire.

  Javed propelled her back down onto the mattress, unzipping her jeans before pushing them away to reveal white panties below—scraps of material that covered her intimate recesses.

  His dipped his fingers beneath the thin elastic, but she stopped him.

  “Take yours off first.” Her voice was thin and reedy.

  He smiled. “Fine.” Within seconds, he had stepped away from her, stood and stripped pants and briefs away, so he stood naked before her, after toeing out of his shoes and tugging off his socks.

  She stared. There was only the desirable seductress now, and she hooked her fingers under the lacy edges of the elastic. She arched her hips off the bed and his mouth dried.

  Now she was bare in front
of him as she kicked the material free of her feet.

  Her body was ivory perfection all the way down to her toes. She moved sinuously and the thatch of red hair that covered her mound invited him. He stumbled back to the bed, dropping to his knees. “Perfection.”

  She grinned at his words, but her eyes were heavy. “Come to me, Javed. Fill me.”

  They touched. She dragged him to her, while she parted her legs. This time, he had no willpower. He couldn’t stop.

  Javed touched her, caressing and searching for and finding her hot wet core. Her breath caught as he slipped his fingers within. She writhed and cried out as he feasted on her. First he sucked at one breast before sharing the attention with her other.

  He was rock hard and so ready that when she captured him in her hand he nearly exploded. He couldn’t contain his cry out as she pumped him with exquisitely torturous touches.

  He grunted, eyes closed, as he fought his own nature. The sensual beast within was barely leashed.

  “Stop. You have to stop.”

  Her movements stilled at his entreaty.

  He squirmed away from her caress, her hand wrapped around his engorged length. With a swift motion he seated himself at the cradle formed between her legs. “This time… This time we do it right.” He panted, breathless, while sliding his fingers from deep inside her body. With infinite care he slid his cock within.

  The wet thrill of her surrounding his erection was ecstasy. Never before had he felt so complete—so at one with himself and nature. He flexed his hips and she sucked in an unsteady breath. He caught her gaze. Held it.

  She shut her eyes as he continued the slow advance into her body—inch by inch. “Don’t. Don’t close your eyes. See how much I want you.”

  Then he was totally enveloped by her. He let her body adjust. She was so tight.

  Slowly, so very slowly he began to thrust, little more than the tiniest actions but each shift was electric. He felt alive. She moaned as he nudged, and it ratcheted his own need higher. His body tightened further, and he gripped her hips, holding her close while he kissed her. It was deep and carnal.

  When she wrapped her legs around him, his body went supernova, the intimate embrace letting him know wordlessly that she felt the pleasure he yearned to share with her. All the while she pulled at him, tugging him closer while their bodies danced.