by Multiple
“How do I know it wasn’t just magic?” He was guarded.
“It doesn’t work that way. When witches get together, they have a love caster give them a potion and they drink it. They’re in love instantly, and then have a family. There’s no “falling in love” and no sensation of newness… I don’t know, it’s hard to explain.”
“Really, witches can’t fall in love?” His tone softened the slightest bit.
“Witches just don’t…we pick a partner for one reason or another, drink a potion and it’s done. Unfortunately, I want to feel love, real love like mortals do. I want to fall in love, enjoy the silly lingering kisses and the warm fog in my mind being in a man’s….your arms. I wanted to fall in love the way you do.”
“So, this is just about you wanting to feel something? This isn’t about me, you just wanted the sensation?” Maybe it was more than he wanted to know. All of this… it was complicated. Love shouldn’t be complicated.
“You’re misjudging my statements. Yes, I like the feeling of falling in love, something I can’t experience in a witch relationship. But I actually did fall in love with you. I couldn’t pull away from you; I only want to be around you, love you…I tried to stop myself. I couldn’t. I’m head over heels in love with you, much to my family’s dismay.”
“Your family…damn, my family. Raven, how am I going to explain all of this to them? That I’m in love with a witch?”
“You can’t! If you stay, you’ll need to take a vow of secrecy. You’ll have the knowledge, but you’ll never be able to discuss it with the outside world, only with witches. This is all very real.”
Raven dropped her head to her hands. It was a lot to ask. And yet, this was just the tiniest drop in the bucket. There was so much more. She knew it would be a difficult conversation, but it was so much bigger. She realized they’d be there all day. She could already hear Ziara saying ‘I told you so’ smugly.
“We’ve only been dating a couple of months, and you’re asking me to take some vow of secrecy, whatever that means.” He was frustrated. Why did it have to be so difficult? Why did he have to choose a witch to fall in love with? A witch? Seriously, a witch? He still had trouble wrapping his mind around this. It felt surreal.
“And yet, after a couple of months, you asked me to marry you,” Raven shot back.
“It was impulsive. I was excited. I love you and want to be with you. But I wanted to be with the woman I thought I knew. This…this isn’t what I bargained for. I didn’t know.” Would he have asked her if he knew? Was this a mistake?
“Yeah, impulsive…you didn’t think it through. You didn’t have to think about us constantly. I’ve done nothing but think about what dating you meant every step of the way. My family was right, this was a mistake.” She couldn’t hide her tears.
“Raven, it’s a lot to take in,” his voice softened. “It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, I do. Remember, my entire world just shifted on its axis, and things aren’t what they seem. How am I supposed to process this stuff in only a few minutes? And then you want me to make a lifetime decision based on one small conversation that I’m still having trouble accepting is real?”
“Asking me to marry you wasn’t a lifetime decision?”
“I didn’t have all the facts,” he said, his tone harsher than intended.
“Well, you’ll have facts today, not that it will matter.” She was already expecting the worst. How could she not? It wasn’t looking good.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I think maybe my family was right.” She sighed, exasperated. “It’s too complicated to try to combine our lives. It’s all too much.”
“What are you saying?” Derek didn’t like what was happening. As much as the news shocked him, it didn’t change the fact that he’d fallen in love with Raven.
“I don’t know. I’m as confused as you are.”
They both sat in silence, neither knowing what to do.
Chapter 7
“Listen, unfortunately we have to cover all of these topics today. Before you leave, you’ll need to decide if you retain the knowledge and relationship or if you let it all go, including erasing most of your memories. You’ll still have some, but I’ll just be some girl you dated, and you won’t remember the magic or witch details.” She hated that part.
Derek shook his head. “This isn’t fair. I feel blindsided. I love you, but you’re asking a lot of me. I don’t understand how I’m supposed to make a lifetime decision today. On top of all of this, I have an appointment later this afternoon.”
“I can’t promise you’ll make your appointment. You should probably cancel it. We have a long day ahead of us. Why don’t I make some breakfast? You realize if you leave before you’ve committed the vow of secrecy, it will all dissolve. You can choose to leave, but once you walk out the door we’re finished. The only way to keep what we have is by staying and working through it.” Raven tried to keep her voice steady, but couldn’t hide the shakiness.
It was asking a lot of him. She knew that. Things unraveled so quickly…him proposing, Benji talking, all of it. She wanted to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and ignore the situation. It wasn’t that easy. They had to face the day together. There was no other way to handle this. She didn’t plan to fall in love with him.
“How have witches not been discovered before?” His curiosity was getting the better of him.
“They were, and it was ugly. We ended up having to use magic to dissolve memories, but from that point on our villages had to be shrouded in invisibility. It’s a dimensional illusion really; mortal eyes don’t notice the villages. The witches know where they are and know how to transition at the right place. They’re tucked away. They look like a bunch of trees off an old unused road. Many of us have moved to suburbia, but blending is crucial.”
“Why didn’t you break it off with me when you knew it would be complicated?” It would have been easier, and yet the thought of never having met Raven, the woman he was sure he was destined to be with, was too much to think of.
“I thought I’d be able to, but I had to keep seeing you one more time, and then one more time, and soon it was too late. The moment we made love, I knew I couldn’t walk away.” She lowered her head. This was her fault. She was the one that knew better. She was the one that should have walked away.
“That was a pretty amazing day. You’re incredibly sexy,” he said, his voice tender. As frustrating as the situation was, it didn’t change that fact that he’d fallen in love with Raven.
“Yeah.” Raven let a small smile escape.
“These magic powers, can they enhance sexual pleasures?”
Raven rolled her eyes. “Derek!”
“Okay, listen. Here’s the thing. I’m completely overwhelmed and afraid I’ll make a bad decision. I’m nervous and frustrated with the situation, but more than anything, I’m hungry.”
“Let’s go in the kitchen. I’ll make some pancakes.”
Heading into the kitchen, they found Benji at the table. “Hey, I’m going to make pancakes. Do you want some doggy treats?”
“Can I have some pancakes, sis?”
“Not good for your doggy tummy,” she answered.
“Come on! Just one or two. It’s been so long since I’ve had pancakes.” He pleaded with his puppy dog eyes.
“Yeah, just one or two, Raven…” Derek played along with him. Shaking his head, he marveled, “Shit, your brother is a dog.”
“You should have seen him when he was a toad,” she started. “It’s a long story for another day.”
“It’s a lot to take in, but I’m going to give it an honest shot. I can’t promise anything. This isn’t exactly a normal circumstance.” He was being as truthful as he could be. It was more than he ever thought he’d have to consider.
“I know.” Raven lowered her head. She was afraid of losing him.
Ziara walked in carrying a brown bag. Her stomach clenched seeing Benji and Derek discussing ball pl
ayers. “I guess he knows.” She couldn’t hide the ice in her voice. It’s not that Derek was a bad guy, it’s just that mortals weren’t the answer when it came to her sister.
Raven looked away. “He’s learning the details today, and will make his decision tonight.”
“He knows the choice he has to make? Why now?” Her jaw was tight, as she cast daggers with her eyes. Somebody else knowing meant bad things.
“He asked me to marry him.” A smile spread across her lips remembering the moment. “And then he saw Benji talking in his sleep. It’s been an eventful morning.” Raven was emotionally exhausted and not ready for an inquisition. She already had enough on her mind.
Ziara looked at Derek. “Nothing personal. It’s just that it’s bad news to get tangled with a mortal.”
Raven jumped in. “What brings you here? What’s in the bag?” The last thing she needed was for Ziara to stir up trouble.
“I stopped at the farmer’s market and picked up a few things for you.” She placed the bag on the counter.
“Thanks.” Raven was hoping that her sister wouldn’t spin into a lecture.
Ziara sat down at the table, with no interest in leaving yet. “Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be proposing marriage?” Her stare left him unsettled. This was no simple question; it came loaded, and he knew it.
Derek bit his tongue. “It was an impulsive decision, but not one I regret. I love your sister.”
“I see,” was all she said.
“We’re going to need some privacy. Could you take Benji home with you today?” Raven wanted control of the conversation. She knew her sister could come on a little strong and be difficult.
“Yeah, come on. I’ll roll the windows down for you.” She got up slowly, watching Derek. “I don’t like this, Raven.”
“I’m an adult, Ziara. I get to make my own choices.” Raven reminded her, not that it seemed to matter. Being the youngest, everybody was always watching over her.
Ziara grunted and turned to leave the kitchen. “Let’s go, Benji.”
Raven felt the chill in the air, but knew Ziara was truly looking out for her best interests. She couldn’t help being overprotective of her little sister.
“I don’t think she likes me.” Derek had met her sister once before, for a short moment in time, but it was a heck of a lot friendlier that this.
“She’s just worried about me. It will be fine.” Raven hoped they were true words.
“I’ve got a request. Can we continue this conversation up in bed? If this is the last day I get to hold you, I want to know that I held you for as long as I was allowed to.”
Raven cleared the table. “I guess so.” It felt like rubbing salt in the wound, knowing she might never get to hold him again. She knew his memories would dissolve if he left, but hers never would. She’d always remember the truth. He’d chosen to walk away. She wouldn’t blame him, couldn’t blame him…but she’d still remember.
As they climbed the stairs, Raven wondered if it would be the last time he was in her bed. She was almost afraid to cling to him, afraid she wouldn’t let go. She undressed and pulled back the covers. Snuggled in together, she knew they’d eventually have to finish the conversation. But pressed against him, her fingers had a hard time staying put.
It started innocently enough. Her finger grazed across the top of his thigh, between his legs, and then lazily drew up higher. As her fingers traced and teased Derek’s shaft, his body responded to attention. He apologized. He knew they were supposed to be talking, but her hand on his body left his mind lusting for more.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t think.” It was so natural to touch him.
“Don’t apologize, it feels good. It’s a welcome distraction. I just don’t know how smart it is with everything we’ve got in front of us.” No matter how they looked at it, there was a big decision before them.
“I know. I couldn’t help myself. I love how your body feels next to mine.” She couldn’t imagine not being able to touch him, hold him, and be near him. She’d fallen in love with him, and she fell hard.
“Raven, come here. Climb on top of me, baby. Just kiss me. I need to see something.” There was no denying it was love, but was it love he could walk away from? If he walked away, would he regret it for the rest of his life? “Just kiss me,” he whispered to her.
Raven looked to her partner, not sure what he was looking for. With curiosity, she climbed over her lover. Straddling across his thighs, she watched his face. Slowly she leaned forward. Her chest pressed to his. His body was warm, and they molded together perfectly. Their lips, their mouths… so close…she closed her eyes and brushed her lips to Derek’s hungry mouth. Their kiss was magic. There was energy. There were sparks. There was no way to hide the chemistry between them. His mouth was wet against hers. There was no way to turn these feelings off. She needed him. Kissing her lover, she hoped he felt the same.
Derek kissed her back passionately. He consumed Raven. He wanted all of her. It was there. IT was exactly what he needed to know. He wanted her for his own…forever.
Raven pulled back and looked at Derek. Her heart beat so loudly, she could hear it in her ears. Thump, thump, thump. “Why did you want me to kiss you?”
Derek admitted his truth. “Raven, I love you. I can’t shut these feelings down. Even with what’s going on. When I asked you to marry me, I meant it. It may have been impulsive, yes, but I truly love you. There’s something special between us. What we have is special. I’d be a fool to walk away. Let’s do this; it will be an adventure.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Do you really mean that? There’s still so much for you to learn. Before you can truly give me an answer though, we need to discuss a few more things. It wouldn’t be right to go into this without knowing everything you need to.”
“What’s to discuss? I love you and I want you to be my wife. We’ll figure it out as we go.” Derek was content with that answer. It was good enough. He would end up with Raven either way, he was certain. She was the one.
“It’s not that easy.” Raven said. “It’s because you’re horny, isn’t it?” She teased.
“Yes, I’m horny, but I’m also in love. Will you marry me, my beautiful witch?” He asked again.
It felt odd hearing him say the word witch. He knew. She told him. He didn’t run scared… well, not yet. “Derek, there’s a vow of secrecy. There’s more. It’s not just a simple – okay, let’s just do it thing.” She was almost afraid to tell him all the details. Hearing his words, hearing his proposal, it filled her with joy, but she couldn’t let him risk regret. She had to tell him everything.
“We can discuss it later. Right now I want to make love to you.” A big grin spread across his face. “I’m going forward, if you’ll have me.” He’d already made up his mind. Whatever came their way they would handle it together. He loved Raven more than he’d ever loved another woman.
“If I’ll have you,” she squealed. “Are you nuts? You must be, you just threw caution to the wind and said you’ll marry a witch. I like that in a guy.”
Straddled across his body, it would be so easy. He was erect, ready, but should they wait? There was more to talk about. Later. She needed him. Raven lifted her hips and pushed onto his hardened shaft. She gasped feeling his manhood penetrating her. This is what she needed. To feel him inside of her. To be with him. To never let go. Raven pressed down and shifted her hips. She couldn’t stop the moan from slipping out of her lips.
“Don’t move,” he whispered. “I just want to be inside you for a minute. You feel so good.” A small groan of pleasure slipped out.
Raven watched his face. The look between them was heated and spoke louder than any words could have.
“Okay,” he finally gave the go-ahead.
With that small approval, she lifted and rotated her hips, falling back onto his engorged cock. Her body gripped him like a silk glove. He felt so good inside of her. Raven’s body tingled and she begged for more.
Slow, steady thrusts turned to faster, harder ones as their desires were unleashed. Raven’s breasts swayed with each movement. Derek could barely look away. She was beautiful caught up in the throes of passion. With each thrust, each moment grew more desperate. They were inching closer and needed to find release. Making love to Derek was beyond anything she’d experienced before.
Raven groaned, lost in her passion. Their bodies slapped together as the heat escalated. With a final moan, Raven bucked hard, feeling the wave of pleasure rush through her.
With his breathing ragged, Derek’s orgasm crashed like a tidal wave. With a loud grunt, Derek drifted into the high of his orgasm.
Raven’s brain was foggy. Reaching across him, having rolled back onto the bed, she let her fingers trace his chest. “I love you.”
“Mmm, I love you, too.”
As her heartbeat slowed and her breathing regulated, Raven turned to look at Derek, her future husband. She let herself dream of the possibilities. She could see them laughing, married, playing with their kids…and then her parents came into her thoughts. Crap. I have to tell my parents.
Chapter 8
She’d make him an amulet this week. It wouldn’t hurt for him to have a little extra protection when Derek met her father. Fire, water, earth, and air…the four elements essential for her purpose would need to be included. Spirit was considered a fifth element, but he’d have her in spirit. How would she explain all of this? It started to close in on her, and Raven’s momentary happiness was fleeting, realizing things were more complicated than they seemed.
“Derek, I know this is sooner than you probably wanted to, but you’ll need to speak with my father. It’s important for you to request my hand from my elders. It’s not going to be an easy experience. He isn’t thrilled with the idea of me dating a mortal. I’m going to put together an amulet for you. It will offer a little extra protection to help you through it.”
“Protection? You’re scaring me there. What exactly am I being protected from?” Why would he need protection? What exactly was happening?