Derek forced himself up, his arms catching her as she fell, her hands catching his arms and pushing down the sleeves of his charcoal suit. He tore his mask off with one hand and it fell to the ground like a lone leaf.
Within moments, it was joined by white and silver feathers and jewels. Derek’s black hair fell in wisps in front of his eyes, strands plastered to the cold sweat of his face.
Ember’s chest heaved as she reached out for him. Emotion wracked her body with relief as she relished in the feeling of weightlessness now that Rose was gone. No force pushed against her, no whispering voice from the burning cards begged her to save them. Only one voice sounded in her brain, and it told her now would be the moment to kiss him, Derek, the man she cared for so deeply.
And so she did.
His lips tasted of salt from his tears, the only remnants of what had transpired moments ago. His mouth moved in reciprocation against hers, singing a melody of victory and sadness and new beginnings, and Ember answered as she opened her mouth a fraction before diving back into the sweet, chilled lips that belonged to her very own Gatsby.
Pulling apart from each other, they watched as the flames spread through thick, velvet encasing cardstock and leather encrusted pages of magic.
It was the last thing Ember and Derek saw as their bodies fell into a slumber, wrapped in each other’s embrace in the early hours of Halloween morning.
Epilogue
1 year later
Derek set the crate of wine bottles down with a thud, which was followed by a deep breath.
Ember lit the last of the candles in the marled glass holders and slowly walked over to the black lacquered bar. She leaned against its shiny, smooth surface, her red hair pulled back in a loose unkempt ponytail sprawling over her shoulder.
Derek smiled as he reached over to push a stray strand behind her ear. Even after everything that had happened to them in the last year, Ember still found his small movements so very sincere that she often blushed uncontrollably.
She gazed up at him momentarily before unloading bottles from the crate. “I can’t believe today is finally here,” she said sweetly.
Derek, in his classic black button-down, with the sleeves rolled up -- of course -- smiled back. “I know. I still can’t believe it has been a year. What a wild ride it’s been.”
He settled the bottles into the wine chiller behind the bar and tinkered with some last-minute adjustments.
Ember gazed around the room and drank in the sight. The bar was decorated in black and white marble interspersed with the occasional vase of red roses and tufted, red velvet bar seats. Even the sign above the bar was gilded in gold, art deco style, which gave the room a romantic, classic appeal.
“Wow. Really looks like I stepped back in time.” Ava’s voice sounded surprised.
Ember turned quickly and smiled with excitement. “You came!” she exclaimed as she reached out to embrace her friend.
Ava stiffened in her embrace, awkwardly patting her on the back. “Yeah, well, I wouldn’t miss it.” She gently pushed Ember away and her eyes focused on Derek.
“Derek.” She nodded.
“Ava, we’re really glad you could make it,” he spoke warmly, his voice like the setting sun.
“So where’s the magic happening?” Ava raised her eyebrows.
“Right this way, I’ll show you to my office.” Ember bowed down, her arms in a debonair and extravagantly exaggerated motion as if she were no more than a mere butler.
She led Ava through the bar and under a large, vaulted arch encased in fake roses with red velvet curtains, which were currently tied back with gold rope.
On the other side of the archway was a room of white marble and beechwood. It smelled of white sage, lavender, and juniper. Ferns in macramé hanging pots were strewn about and there was an expansive white marble bar on which rested an array of crystals, essential oils, and candles. On the opposite side, shelves were lined with bottled, handcrafted candles, as well as crystal specimens, lamps, coffee mugs, and even wine glasses. In the center of it all was a circular table adorned with tapestries in lilac and rose and four gold-tipped, pastel-colored wingback chairs.
Even looking at it now, Ember could hardly believe it was real.
“Em, sweetheart, I love what you’ve done with the place.” Ava’s voice carried the air of absolute truth but even if it hadn’t, Ember knew she loved it.
“You even have something green.” Ava’s eyes looked like they were about to spout tears. But Ava Crowley didn’t cry, and certainly not over plants.
Ember walked to the center table and motioned for Ava to sit. Ava followed her and picked the mint green chair directly across from Ember.
Reaching inside a beechwood box, Ember pulled out a deck of cards. The watercolor paintings of moons and the zodiacs on their embossed cardstock had drawn Ember in from the moment she saw them in the bookstore.
“Please tell me you didn’t get those at a garage sale,” Ava smirked humorously.
“Absolutely not. I purchased them at Barnes & Noble,” she teased back, light and happy.
Ember started to shuffle the cards and felt a small breeze behind her. She looked up to see a rather handsome man leaning in the archway. For a moment, her heart stopped at his breathtaking beauty. He was dressed in black leather pants that elongated his legs and his heathered, gray V-neck revealed an expanse of fair skin that looked pale in contrast. His dark blonde hair was longer in the front, long enough that he could tuck it behind his ears. His green eyes were vast and as bright as emeralds.
Derek came up behind him and Ember felt her heart beat faster.
Ava’s string of curses broke the silence. “For Fuck’s sake Cas! What the hell are you doing here?!”
“You said it was important that you be here. Therefore I am here.” The man spoke with definitive direction and yet the way his smile curled betrayed that he knew just what he was doing.
Ember couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. So this was the Cassius Bryan had mentioned. The Cassius that Ava kept hidden. Ember had a thousand questions but she remained quiet. All would reveal itself in time.
Ava pushed herself up out of the chair in an exaggerated motion, almost as if she were planning to take Cassius out back for a fight to the death.
Derek looked at Ember with warmth as he shrugged his shoulders. “Said he was with Ava, so I let him in.” The look in his eyes said he was just as interested in Ava’s secret life as Ember was.
As Ava attempted to speak, Cassius brushed past her, no glided past her, with impeccable swiftness. He sat down in a wingback chair, crossing his legs as he leaned against the arm.
Regarding Ember with a smile, he said, “You must be the psychic. I’ve heard so much about you.” His eyes lit up with intrigue.
Ember extended her hand. “Ember,” she greeted him, taking his hand. It was smooth and warm to the touch.
He shook it gently. “I am Cassius,” The way he spoke was almost regal.
Ava’s face was flushed red and Ember was certain if she could have breathed fire or cast laser beams she would have.
Cassius looked past her, and as he did so Ember felt a familiar hand on her shoulder.
“And you must be Derek. Looking well, I see.” Cassius spoke with a crisp and cool air. His smirk seemed to widen.
“Ok, you came, you saw, you can go now.” Ava tapped her studded heel on the floor in a quick motion as she put her hand on her hip. She focused her brown eyes on Cassius in a murderous glare.
Cassius shrugged nonchalantly, steepled his hands together, and set his chin on top of his knuckles. He ignored Ava completely.
“So, you still read the tarot?” His voice sounded like caramel.
Ember shuffled her cards with a confident look on her face. “I don’t read tarot anymore, at least not for others. I’m much more interested in oracle cards and other forms of divinity now.” She pulled a card, decorated a full moon, and placed it in front of Cassius. Counting to six
, she pulled another card with a wolf silhouette in front of a moon. Finally, repeating the count, she pulled one last card, a card with a red blood moon.
“How do these cards differ from the traditional fortune-telling?” Cassius looked at them quizzically.
Ava bit down on her knuckle as she rolled her eyes. There wasn’t enough lavender in the bar to calm her nerves. Ember had never seen her friend so frazzled.
“Well, the tarot is normally a form of scrying or trying to discern the future. I’m done with trying to change the future. Living in the moment is more my speed now. Oracle cards …” Ember pointed to the ones in front of them. “ They make you aware of the patterns in your life -- patterns in the choices you make.”
She indicated to the Full Moon card. “For instance, this one is your past. You’ve gone through some big changes, seen many moons, so to speak.”
She glanced up at Ava, whose whispered curses almost went unnoticed.
“My sweet Avarice, you’re going to run a hole in the ground. Please, come sit. Indulge me.” Cas’ smile was absolutely perfect.
Ava stomped over angrily and sat in the blue chair with a look of fury. She crossed her arms and glanced down at the next card.
“The Wolf Moon symbolizes you’ve been alone for quite some time. You keep to yourself, or rather you have kept to yourself. Big changes often result in big emotions. Drama.”
She looked at Ava, who regarded her with a steady gaze. A part of her, the deepest part, knew that while the card referred to Cassius, it also referred to another lone wolf. One she had grown very fond of, who was sitting next to her, arms crossed in leather-bound fury. Ember decided against speaking that thought out loud.
“The super blood moon is also in the phase of the wolf moon currently …” Ember looked into Ava’s eyes before meeting Cassius’ gaze. “The pattern here means you have to pick a side. Decide where your loyalties lie. More upheaval and big changes to come. If you’re not careful, you could end up a lone wolf again.” She sat back and noticed Ava’s apprehension. She looked as if she would rather be invisible at the moment.
Ember got up and wrapped her arms around Derek, giving Cassius a stern look. “A year ago I had a similar reading. It told me everything I knew was about to change but that those changes weren't all what they seemed. But it also told me that things would work out in my favor if I stuck with it.” Ember could feel Derek’s lips in her hair. “Whatever your change is, embrace it. You’ve been given a gift. Don’t waste it.” Cassius nodded in reply.
“Ok, well on that note, I think it's about time we get going.” Ava sprung from her chair with electrifying speed.
The soft sound of Coffee House cover songs carried through the room. Ember turned in Derek’s arms. “May I have this dance?” She looked up at him with promise.
“Always.” He pulled her softly back into a welcome embrace, his fingers tracing the curve of her back in a gentle manner.
“I love you tomorrow,” she said as she brought her lips close to his.
Ava’s voice interrupted the moment. “Tomorrow? What kind of promise is that?” Her voice was annoyingly puzzled.
Ember turned her head to Ava and noticed Cassius was very close in her proximity.
“Well, honestly ‘I love you forever’ just kind of creeps us out. Given the circumstances and all.” Derek blushed slightly as he answered.
Ember smiled. “Tomorrow isn’t promised. Every day is a gift. Here and now, that’s our forever.” She turned back to Derek.
The setting sun cast beams of light through the prismatic windowpane, lighting them up in shades of blue and orange, violet and pink, like a symphony of stardust and magic. Together, they danced a silent waltz, as their lips found solace in the promise of today and the dream of tomorrow.
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Ariel Dawn grew up an avid reader and daydreamer. As a creative soul, she enjoys many forms of expression aside from writing. She is a photographer, an artist, a cosplayer, a gamer, a foodie and a self-professed geek. When she isn’t at a convention, writing, or editing photos; she can be found reading, running her Instagram Wrong Turn Romance, entertaining her friends and family with great food and playing video games as well as board games with her retro gamer husband.
Mesmerized by the Fae by Jenna Edon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Warning: this book contains adult language and explicit love scenes not intended for anyone under 18.
Copyright © 2020 Mesmerized by the Fae by Jenna Edon
Edited by L.N. Holmes
Mesmerized by the Fae
About
I’ve always been in control. Of course that’s largely due to my mesmer ability.
But it’s not what you think.
I’ve seen what the power has done to my family and I don’t want to end up like them. So I’ve carved out my own path, separate from them and the old ways.
I answer to no one and live a mostly magic-free life. There is the occasional snafu that calls for it, but I like making my own way, and doing so without having to use my power makes my life easier.
Then two sexy but imposing fae—Mekhi and Gavin—come into my life and turn it upside down. I’ve somehow found myself in the possession of a mysterious bracelet that they want back. However, when it whispers to me, I know that it’s not a mistake that it came to me. If that doesn’t convince me enough, it’s spelled to me, meaning Mekhi and Gavin couldn’t take it even if they tried.
They’re stuck with me until they can figure out how to undo the magic that is binding it to me. Only they’re not the only ones after me.
A group of men seem dead set on taking me and I can only assume it has everything to do with the bracelet. But I have not come this far to let them stop me from uncovering the reason this bracelet has chosen me.
Mekhi and Gavin are less than pleased about the circumstances, but tough. They’ll have to play nice if they want to come out of this in one piece. And boy am I eager to play. I definitely have my hands full with both fae.
Chapter One
Don't miss your opportunity to get a F*R*E*E book from Jenna when you reach the end of this collection. Watch for the Reader Magnets links!
Mekhi
The doorway opened and I tumbled down the chasm with Gavin not too far behind me. I’d miscalculated the landing when summoning a portal which landed us on the edge of a cliff. The jagged edges of the crag cut into my shoulder blades as I was dragged down the vast rock.
With a blast of my element, I used air to propel me away from the rock face and slow the propulsion of our fall. Gavin repeated the action and joined me in slowing our drop until we hit the ground.
“What the hell was that?” Gavin groaned, rolling over on the ground.
I attempted to stand but collapsed. “Sorry, I obviously didn’t mean to land so close to a cliff.”
“Didn’t Zayne give you a specific location?”
Well, now he was starting to piss me off. “I told you that summoning portals wasn’t my forte. Next time, you can call one.”
“Fine, I will.” He uncorked a small vile and tossed back the potion to heal his injuries. “Where is he anyway?”
I reached inside my pocket for mine and drank from it. “He was called to the palace just before we left.”
“Shit. Does the prince
know we lost his gift for his betrothed?”
“I don’t think so. From what I gathered, it sounded like he just needed a guard.”
“That’s good.” He extended an arm to help me to my feet. “Better?”
“Much. That was a hell of a fall.” I stared up at the cliffs. “It’s a good thing we had the elixir on hand.”
“Where are we?”
“Some place called the Grand Canyon.”
“And you traced the gift back here?”
I looked around at the desert landscape. “Well, yeah, the witch said it should be here.”
“Hmm, just like the specific drop point landed us on the edge of a cliff.”
I shot him a look.
“I’m just saying…maybe your source isn’t a reliable one.”
“So now we can’t trust Zayne?”
“I’m not talking about Zayne; I’m talking about the witch that led you astray.”
“This isn’t Astrid’s fault. Her magic is only exact if she’s in this realm.” I removed the map she’d spelled for me before we left the Fae Realm. A path formed on it leading us to the gift. “There.”
Gavin walked over to me for a better look at the map. “That’s not even close to here.” I snickered at him, making him stop to stare at me. “What’s so funny?”
“You. You’re absolutely filthy.”
He dusted off his shoulders and pants, shaking dust from his dark hair. He laughed, shaking his head. “Which way so we can find a place to get cleaned up?”
“Follow me.”
Chapter Two
Keri
I folded the freshly laundered garments and was just about to start my next batch when the bell sounded which meant a customer was waiting for service. I slid my pile to the side and headed back to the front to assist the customer.
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 75