She didn’t have much time to process before Bas was there, looking dishevelled and half-asleep. His eyes darted from her to the flames. He lifted his hand, a blade already there and swiping down, opening a wound so that his blood sprayed in an arc. With a few mumbled words, the storm of blue fire extinguished.
Mina’s heart thundered and she was covered in sweat.
“Are you okay?” Bas was breathless as he swooped down, shooing the cat off her so he could check her for burns.
“I—I—don’t know what happened.” Well, except for maybe that flower she’d snatched. Fuck. The spell shouldn’t have done that, not unless she’d fucked up an ingredient, but even that shouldn’t have caused an explosion.
“You’ve got some burns here. Let me take you to the ER.”
“No!” Mina said, her heart pounding harder at the thought of going upstairs. “I’ve got ointment down here.”
He must have felt the pulse of her anxiety because he didn’t argue. He just lifted her in his arms like she weighed nothing at all. Her whole body was shaking so violently that her teeth chattered.
“I-I-I don’t und-d-derstand.”
“That’s the trouble with dark magic,” Bas grumbled. “Unpredictable.”
“I-I-I’ve practiced.”
Bas didn’t say anything more, he just took her out of the sanctuary and straight into her suite, bypassing the examination table completely. He settled her on the couch quickly then moved back to the infirmary. Chills were racing up and down Mina’s body, her arms actually starting to hurt now that the danger was gone and the adrenaline burned away. She held her arms out in front of her, wincing as she rotated them to see the damage. And there was damage—black streaks had formed along the underside of her forearm and blisters were rising. Spell-induced fire burns were subject to bad infections and tissue trauma. She’d known this was a risk; she’d just thought she had the spell figured out.
Zeus stalked toward her, his eyes blasting her with judgment. She felt frozen in his gaze, like she couldn’t move. He jumped onto the couch and sniffed at her arms. She screamed in her head, wanting to shoo the animal away, wanting to call out to Bas for help, but she couldn’t. The cat had done something to her.
“Relax,” a voice purred in her head. “Be calm, witch.”
She’d whispered to many animals but never had one whisper back—not like that. Her tears dried and she watched intently as the cat ran its face along her arms. Bracing for pain that didn’t come, she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Zeus stroked her with his fur, sending a tingle of power radiating up and down her arm, a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. And then when she thought it couldn’t get weirder, the cat licked her from fingers to elbow, first one arm then the other. And the pain, all of it, was just gone.
Bas was back within minutes, his arms loaded with gauze, ointment, a bowl of water. He stopped short when he saw his cat, his eyes wide and mouth open as if to yell.
The cat looked up at him, cocked his head to the side and then bounced down from the couch, releasing Mina from whatever spell it had cast to keep her still.
“Holy shit,” she said as she rotated her arms. The burns were disappearing.
Bas put the stuff down then crouched on the floor, taking her hands in his. He moved her arms this way and that but he saw the same thing she did. “That’s crazy.” He looked over at Zeus. “What kind of familiar are you?”
But Zeus didn’t acknowledge the question. Instead he flicked his tail in their direction then left the room, seemingly unconcerned by their astonishment.
“Do you feel any pain?”
Mina shook her head. No pain. Only a giddy sense of relief. “That could have ruined my life, taken my arms.”
“I woke up out of this deep sleep. I was having a dream about fire.” Bas sat back on his heels and ran his fingers through his hair. “My mother’s fire.” His voice caught. He snapped his eyes to hers. “And then I just knew I had to find you. I had to keep you safe.”
Mina blinked at him. Her heart walloped. This man who seemed like he didn’t care about anyone. This brute of a guy who hissed and growled and said such awful things. He had to come and keep her safe? She slid onto the floor with him, taking his hand in hers. He was so full of heart. Willing to find her and save her from herself. “Thank you.”
“For what? I didn’t do a damn thing. It was the cat!” Bas waved his other hand toward the door.
“Thank you for giving a shit.” She leaned into him, moving her body close to his. He didn’t back away. The butterflies in her stomach rose up, her heart thundered again, and she ignored the cries in her head to stop, move back, keep a distance. Instead, she arched her back, leaned in and kissed him right on the lips.
16
Her lips were soft.
The kiss chaste and sweet for about two seconds and then she opened her mouth and he opened his and they started to devour one another. A spark to a flame, burning through his body with vigorous lust.
The smell of her skin invaded his senses—honeysuckle, rose, something else, tangy and sweet. He kissed his way over her jaw, down her neck and across her collarbone, only breaking away so that she could lift her tank top up over her arms and fling it away. He cupped her breasts, moving his lips over the lace of her bra, his tongue slipping against the gauzy material. Her nipples pebbled, hard little buds that he had to taste. With a frustrated growl, he pulled her bra down so that he could stuff her tit into his mouth. He twirled against her nipple, flicking the hard nub while he played with her other, his fingers pinching, flicking, rolling. Her body moved with him, arching into his touch, her eyes half closed, her hands in his hair. She was mewling like a cat and her scent got stronger. She was intoxicating, eager, and he needed this.
He wanted to taste her. To delve his tongue into her pussy and suck down her nectar.
Before he could get a chance though, she pushed herself up and for a bewildered minute he thought she was rejecting him. But no, she bullied him back so that he was braced on his elbows, her tits swaying in a tantalizing way as she smiled wickedly. She stripped his pants with a few tugs, freeing his cock from any barriers, which was a good thing because she looked hungry enough to devour him.
She lifted his tank top as she pushed him back, her mouth skimming across his abs. She wrapped her fingers around his cock, stroking him before licking her way down. Her tits brushed his hips, moving down…and down some more.
When she touched his dick, his whole body jolted. Her mouth was magic, he was convinced. Soft, gentle, aggressive all at the same time. She slipped her lips over his crown, suctioning him as she took his shaft deeply, nudging the gate of her throat, her hands rubbing his balls.
He could die right then and there, it felt so damn good.
She worked him up, pulled her mouth back, coating him in saliva. Her tender attention to his sac made him want to come down her throat. He bucked a few times, loving the feel of the roof of her mouth on his tip. When she pulled off and licked his balls, he groaned.
“Does that feel good?” she purred, the vibration of her lips against his dick making him nudge her for more. She giggled then licked him from balls to tip, sucking him down once again.
He could get lost in this. Just this. A blowjob for the books. But he wanted to taste her and he wanted to sink himself into her sweet pussy, so reluctantly, he pushed her away. He moved up, forcing her to disengage. He stripped off his tank top before scooping her into his arms.
She giggled again, her face a nice shade of red, her eyes sparkling “The bed would be more comfortable.”
He grunted his response, darting down to kiss her again. Her lips were so damn soft, her tongue so responsive. He stroked her mouth, wondering how a kiss could crank him up so much.
She had a decent sized bed, big enough for the two of them. He put her down and immediately stripped off her pants, pulled them off with her panties. Her pussy was practically bare, only a small curl of hair crowning her clit hood. Her
pussy lips were plump, pink and glistening. He licked his lips and stroked his cock. He spread her legs wide and leaned down, licking her from ass to clit in one long stroke.
She wiggled her hips, pulling away from his teasing licks, so he gripped her thighs, his fingers digging into her ass cheeks to keep her still, then he latched onto her clit and sucked away. She jolted, her body vibrating as he nipped and licked, flicking her clit over and over until her body was so ratcheted up that he thought she might come right off the bed. Just as she was about to peak, he pulled away, wanting his cock deep inside her when she came.
She moaned as he withdrew, her hands cupping her breasts, flicking her nipples, her eyes partially closed. He moved up her body, planting small kisses over her taut stomach, using his fingers to rub her clit so that her rising orgasm would build and build. She opened her eyes to greet him, her lips spreading into a bright smile.
There was no need for protection, ever, between two witches. They didn’t contract disease the way the humans did and birth control was a matter of blood sacrifice. For a witch child to be conceived, there needed to be a choice—a devotion and a sacrifice.
“You want my dick, pretty lady?” His words were rough, his need for Mina all consuming.
“I want you, Bas, I want to feel your cock inside me.” She licked her lips, making him jolt again.
He lifted her leg over his shoulder, wedging himself between her thighs, rubbing his dick along her soaking wet slit. It felt so good…soooo damn good. Sex was a craving and he was an addict. Sex with Mina…he just knew it was going to stoke his lust beyond control.
“Your pussy is hot, baby. So fucking hot.” He speared her slowly, spreading her lips along his shaft, moving his finger to press against her clit, pushing down so that it would abrade against his dick.
She moaned, arching her back, her pretty tits perking, begging for a suck. Which of course, he obliged. Leaning on one arm, he licked one nipple, before sucking it between his lips, holding it there as he nipped and flicked her. She lifted her other leg to wrap around his waist, then moved her hands to his nipples, giving him the same attention he was giving her.
He threw his head back and groaned, thrusting his dick deep into her, one long stroke that encased him to the hilt. She was so tight and warm, her wet pussy gripping him as he stilled for a moment, relishing the feel of her sheath. Then, with his lips back on her tit, he pulled out, slowly, torturing her clit with a grind that he knew would make her scream…pumping her until she was bucking, rolling her hips, her fingers playing with his nipples sending jolts of pleasure down his spine and straight to his cock. Their bodies fit together, rolling as one, fingers playing, lips sucking, both shaking with rising need. When he moved, she moved, when he groaned, she groaned, pulses of magic jolted between them, something that Bas had never, ever experienced before with another witch. Yellow and purple arcs of power rose from her skin to his, making goose bumps rise, making his nerves flare with such intensity that it felt like his skin was one big erogenous zone.
When her orgasm crested, she was writhing, her arms flung wide, her head thrashing, her lips glistening. “Ohhhhh fuck,” she cried.
He felt her pussy clench around him, milking him hard with a shattering climax that drew him to the peak. His balls tightened, his dick hardened beyond the point of tolerance and so he just let it go, spewing cum into her sweet pussy until he had nothing more to give. And the magic rolled through them, intensifying the rush until he was bellowing and thrusting and thinking that it would go on forever.
Who was this woman? What had she done to him? Why hadn’t they been screwing the entire time he’d been in the Dungeon?
Before he could finish the thought, she was wrapping her arms around him, pulling him into her for a kiss. “That was amazing,” she said breathlessly.
He collapsed next to her, taking her in his arms on impulse, something he rarely ever did. But with Mina, it just felt right. “Totally, fucking amazing,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck through her hair.
They lay in silence, their breathing calming. He ran his finger up her arm, grasped her wrist, and held it up so he could see the flesh. The burns were completely gone, leaving only a slight pink hue to her skin.
“That cat of yours…” she started.
“I know, he’s wicked powerful.” Bas entwined his fingers with hers then folded their arms over her chest. He inhaled her scent. What was that smell? It made his mouth water and his cock stir. “Sometimes I hear Zeus in my head.”
“That happened to me!” She laughed. “Just before he healed me, he was in my thoughts, telling me to stay calm.”
“Old soul,” Bas murmured against her hair. He could fall asleep with her there, nestled in his arms. He felt so at peace all of a sudden.
“Bas,” she whispered. “Will you stay with me tonight?” She trembled a little, her muscles tense, like she was waiting on rejection.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He squeezed her closer. Why would he leave when she was so warm? He inhaled her again. She just smelled so damn good.
“Okay.” She laid her head down again, her body losing all tension.
And when Bas closed his eyes, the peace he felt was all consuming.
But it was not everlasting.
When he opened his eyes again he was trapped in a dream. It was the same dream he’d had since his mother died. Fire raged, too hot to come close, too big to douse with magic. He was there again, feeling the helplessness of the moment, at seeing the shadow of his mother writhing inside her cottage. Hearing the pathetic meows of her cat, Echo, and realizing that had he come sooner, had he heeded the warning, she wouldn’t be dying right in front of him.
“Mother!” he screamed. Raising a blooded hand, he tried to call the rain. He tried to extinguish the flames but they were too powerful, too enraged. Too fuelled by dark magic to stop. “Help us! She’s burning! Help me!”
But no one came to help. The humans were silent. Watching from the woods. “Burn the witch,” Bas heard the whisper on the wind. “Burn the witch!”
And so they did.
“Mother!”
He jolted awake, his body covered in sweat, his head pounding. Mina was lying next to him, oblivious to his shout. She was on her stomach, her head turned toward him, her arm flung haphazardly under the pillow.
He sucked in a deep breath, roughly brushing the tears from his eyes. When you loved, you lost. That’s what the humans had taught him. Watching his mother burn had been the single most agonizing moment of his life. His heart had shred into a million pieces. And he carried the burden of knowing that he could have stopped it if he’d come sooner.
He rubbed his hand over his face and looked down at Mina once again. Goddess, she was beautiful. And innocent. She had this vulnerability about her, like she just needed someone to wrap his arms around her and tell her that it was going to be okay. But she was strong, too—vulnerability like hers didn’t mean weak. She underestimated her own worth, he could see that. She didn’t understand the value of her skills and so she played with dangerous magic.
But he wasn’t going to be good for her. Deep down he knew that. He couldn’t give her what she needed. In the end, he’d only bring her pain.
He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed, leaning against his pillow.
He thought about her blue fire and how badly that could have gone. His fault once again.
“Mina,” he whispered, bringing his lips to her shoulder.
“Hmm?” She roused a bit, her eyes barely open. “What time is it?”
“Early.” He kissed her skin again. “Did you use the blue flower in your spell?”
“Umm.” Her voice was soft. “Yeah, I thought it was bloodbane.”
Fuck! It wasn’t bloodbane.
“Why?” She yawned, rolling over onto her back, her breasts jutting beautifully, nipples pink and enticing, hard little buds.
His cock stirred, lusty thoughts taking over. He couldn’t help himself. She was jus
t too much… He lowered his lips once again, this time taking her nipple into his mouth to suck and lick. She moaned, arched her back and then turned toward him, her one leg scissoring his hip, aligning her body so that he could trust into her sweet pussy without any trouble. He loved how receptive she was, her body so in tune with his. He lifted his head, bringing her closer, rolling her under him so he could thrust long and hard, her breasts pressed to his chest, her mouth on his mouth, kissing away all his concerns.
She moved with him, rolling up as he thrust down, gripping his ass, holding him tight until they were both covered in sweat and moaning through wave upon wave of orgasm. Holding her, fucking her, just felt like they were meant to fit. Like coming together was meant to be.
And that was not something he’d bargained for.
17
He’d made her coffee and biscuits with jam. She sat in bed, not worrying about crumbs, or about how impulsive she’d been, smiling like a fool and eating away. The rumors had been true—Bas was a really, really good lover.
But that’s not why she’d jumped him. And while it might have seemed like she was acting without thought, it wasn’t that either. His compassion, the care he took of her, making her feel like she mattered, that was more than her heart could take. So she’d let her body do the talking and had shown him just how she felt.
Thank fuck he’d reciprocated. Otherwise that would have been super embarrassing.
“I need to confess something,” Bas said, as he offered to put jam on another biscuit.
Her stomach fluttered in that not great way and she put what was left of her biscuit down. “Uh oh…”
He cocked an eyebrow her way and smiled.
“Regrets?” She cringed, ready to get out of bed and go hide in the bathroom while she died of mortification.
“Um, no?” He laughed. And then laughed again when Zeus jumped up and stole what was left of her food.
Feral Heart: A Witch Hospital Romance (The Witches of White Willow Book 2) Page 14