He added a few more incantations he conjured himself, and thus the spell was born. Jacob had his doubts it would work. If all Merlin had said and heard about this sorceress was true, then she was capable of magic far beyond his and Merlin’s powers and knowledge. But yet here she was in the abandoned tower up above, powerless and as helpless as a newborn child. Or was she?
A nagging thought in the back of his mind, and his itchy pinkie that always tickled when danger lurked nearby, told Jacob something was amuck. Things hadn’t gone as Merlin planned. It was too easy.
He imagined the sorceress standing in the tower, thinking of a way of regaining her powers, if she had indeed lost them all. She’d probably be also thinking of her escape.
What sent chills up Jacob’s spine, though, was the last thought that entered his mind. He envisioned the sorceress planning her revenge on those responsible for her entrapment—Jacob and Merlin.
Rubbing his itchy pinkie, hoping to stop the prickle and reassure himself imminent danger didn’t lurk up above, he made a hasty exit from the room. He needed to find Merlin, and together they would go to the tower and face the evil and mighty sorceress Pondora together. Even if it was the last stand they’d ever make.
Chapter Three
“He is incorrigible!” Merlin cursed as he made his way up the cold, uneven steps to the tower. “Why does he always doubt me?”
Just once, he wished Jacob wouldn’t look down at him. Just once, why couldn’t his twin brother believe in him? Was that too much to ask for? Apparently, it was.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down. He needed to keep a level head when he went into the tower to meet the old hag. She may be powerless, but she was still dangerous. A part of him wanted to just wave his wand and make her explode from the inside out. Be rid of her before she tried to kill him or Jacob. But if he let that inner voice win, then all her victims would have lost. For the incantations, spells, and curses she placed upon her victims would plague them forever even after her death. Contrary to popular belief, powerful curses, spells, or incantations did not end with the sorcerer’s death. They could last forever. No, only she could undo them.
But how could she reverse her spells now that she was powerless? That was a complication he hadn’t yet thought out. Jacob had been hounding him about it for quite some time, almost as long as when he was working on the other spells to remove her powers and to bring her here. Merlin lied to Jacob, saying that he was close to finding the solution and that he was working hard at it. Part of his statement was true, the part of working hard on it. But he was no closer now to finding a way around their dilemma without giving her her powers first. And to do that would bring them back to where they started. Correction, it would bring them ten steps back, for she would be powerful enough to unleash a lethal attack on them and vanquish them forever.
As he placed his foot on the last step on the top of the stairwell, inspiration dawned on him. To find a way around the dilemma, they needed to first get close to her. If they could get to know her better, understand how she thought, uncover her secrets in magic and her weaknesses, then he could find the solution to their problem. It may take time, but sooner or later, the solution would come to him and the Sorceress Pondora would be the one serving the answer to him whether she knew it or not.
Taking a deep breath, he drew forth his sword and slowly pushed down the lever to open the wooden door to the tower. It was time to meet their enemy face-to-face.
Right before he began to push open the door, he mumbled a spell to make its hinges move in silence. He knew the door, just like the tower, had seen years of neglect, and the moment its hinges began to move, squeaks and crackling noises would rebound in the room and alert her of his arrival.
He wanted to make his entrance a surprise. He preferred it actually. As quietly as possible, he slowly opened the door. What he saw then made his jaw fall open in awe—the most beautiful and firm buttocks he had ever seen welcomed his entry. It was stained with dirt and pink, obviously due to friction of some sort, but it was perfect.
As his eyes drew upward then, he saw glistening, long black hair dancing with the breeze coming from the tower’s window. His breath caught in his throat as the outline of an alluring, voluptuous body could be seen through the sun’s rays beaming onto the woven tunic. His cock sprang to attention at the arousing sight. Unable to move, he stood there staring, ogling the view.
Just at that moment, she turned around and sharp, deep blue eyes stared in shock and fright at him. Then the veil finally fell from Merlin’s mind as things became perfectly clear. Pondora was no ugly hag like he had envisioned. No, she was the most stunning, beautiful enchantress that ever lived.
A smile spread on his face at the revelation. He needed to learn more about her, find her Achilles’ heel so that he and Jacob could use it against her and keep her under control when they returned her powers to her.
But in the meanwhile, why couldn’t he have some fun? Playing and hopefully making love with the devil never looked so enticing to Merlin as it did right now.
Licking his lips, he sighed in desire. Let the games begin.
* * * *
A gasp escaped her lips. Then she limped back up against the cold limestone wall behind her.
Lowering his sword, the tall, handsome, blond-haired stranger smiled at her. “Don’t be afraid.”
She swallowed to loosen the lump in her throat before she spoke. “Who are you?”
“My name is Merlin, my lady.” He bowed, never breaking his fixed stare.
Through narrow eyes, she said, “Merlin.” Rolling the name on her tongue, she liked the sound of it.
She couldn’t help staring at him. He was the epitome of godliness. His gorgeous hazel eyes and handsome face were perfect. And his muscular body shown in his tight-fitting linen tunic had her gawking. His loose-fitting woven tights traced his lower extremities. From his roaming gaze over her body and his cock’s reaction, obvious from the bulge in his tights, he was definitely excited to see her.
She knew the feeling, for she felt a powerful attraction to him, too. Both a sexual attraction and something else she couldn’t identify. No person, especially no mortal, had ever had this effect on her before. Even the Duke of Kent, who she had been madly in love with just the day before, never evoked such a reaction from her. And he was the only man she had ever loved.
When Merlin stepped a foot forward, an alarm rang in her ears as she was overwhelmed with troubling questions. Who was this Merlin? Why did she feel this mysterious attraction to him? What did he intend to do with his sword? Why had the sorceress sent him to greet her instead of facing her herself? And what more surprises had Serona in store for her?
Seeming to sense her fear and apprehension, he stopped his advance. “Don’t be alarmed, my lady. I mean you no harm.”
She pointed to his sword. “Then get rid of that.”
“Of course.” Gazing at his sword, he slipped it back in the scabbard at his left hip.
Looking around her, she asked, “Where am I?”
“You are in the tower in Fort Greene, my lady.”
“Fort Greene? I’ve never heard of it.”
He nodded. “It has been abandoned for many years.”
“Yes, I figured that much, sir. Tell me, does your Mistress plan on keeping me locked up and powerless for all eternity, or will her revenge come swiftly?”
“My Mistress, my lady?” He appeared confused.
“Yes, the sorceress Serona is your Mistress, is she not?”
“Ah, yes, Sorceress Serona is my Mistress, my lady.” He nodded, smiling.
Lifting her arms in the air, she asked, “So?”
“So...” he repeated with wide, confused eyes.
The poor man may be quite handsome, but he isn’t very bright. Why on earth did Serona choose him as a servant? The answer came quickly enough. So he would never uncover the secret to her powers and her magic. That’s why.
As she moved closer to h
im, making sure not to put her weight on her injured foot, his handsome features became even clearer. Her breath caught in her throat. Another reason is he is probably good in bed. Serona always liked them young and well-endowed.
A smile threatened to break through as her memory fell back to his sporting erection in his tights. Yes, Serona must certainly enjoy her time with Merlin.
Coughing to rid the giggles brewing, she said, “Will the sorceress be visiting me soon?”
“Ah, no, my lady. She asked that I come and check on you.” A grin formed on his full lips as he began to walk around her, his hungry eyes intently observing her body, especially the curves of her breasts, and when he stood behind her, a shiver of excitement shot straight through her. She sensed his stare on her bare ass cheeks. She turned her head to glance at him and returned her gaze to the door. Sure enough, her assumption was correct. He was staring at her ass, his smile still present, only much wider.
He lifted the torn linen material, and in a deep, seductive voice, he whispered in her ear, “The skin on your buttocks is scraped and bruised.” His heated breath made goose pimples of pleasure form all over her body and her heart quicken its beat.
Then to her surprise, his warm hand touched her left ass cheek. She sighed in shock, and when he gently squeezed it, a low moan slipped her lips as pangs of desire shot to her cunt, making her clit and pussy lips throb. Next, she felt his gentle, teasing hands slide down her legs in a slow seductive pace, caressing her skin and making more goose pimples form on her legs, until he reached her foot.
“Does it hurt when I touch it, my lady?” he asked while softly rubbing her foot and ankle.
She almost couldn’t speak. Her heartbeat increased in speed and intensity. Her body was reacting to his contact. Wetness seeped out of her with her rising arousal. This man, his touch, his breath, his voice, all drove her mad with wanton desires. She couldn’t lose control. She must stay strong.
She shook her head and said barely louder than a whisper, “Yes, a little bit.”
He pushed her legs wider apart. His hands then started to make their way up her legs at a slower pace. It seemed he was not only touching them but feeling her soft skin and maybe looking at her ass and pussy that surely were more visible with her legs opened wider apart.
It appeared to Velona his ascent came purposely languidly, so as to excite her more. And it did the trick. She closed her eyes, savoring his every touch as he inched upward. Holding her breath, she waited with anticipation for his hands to reach the apex and see—
Suddenly, he took his hands away when they were just about to touch her cunt. So close and yet so far.
Disappointment came over her. Although she would have stopped his curious hands’ roaming when they touched her pussy, she did want to have had him continue to caress her skin and make her tingle with pleasure all over.
Without another word, he stood up straight and walked toward the door, his gaze fixed on her.
“Are you going to get Serona now?” she asked, curious to his next move.
“No, my lady. The sorceress did not want me to disturb her at this time.”
Fear returned in her mind as she wondered what Serona told him to do next. “Then where are you going?”
He opened the door and with a mischievous smile responded, “To get something for your sprain, and your cuts need cleaning. Also, I don’t know if you noticed, but you could do with a cleaning yourself, my lady.” He didn’t wait for her response and quickly shut the door behind him.
She lifted her hand, wanting to throw him against the door in anger at his insult, but remembered she had no powers. Instead she cursed, spun on her good foot, and hopped over to the window. Leaning on the wall beside it, she glanced at her dirty foot and the leg his nimble fingers just rubbed, and had to agree with his assessment.
Taking a breath, she eagerly waited for his return. Imagining what would happen next made chills of lewd arousal swarm her.
Chapter Four
Where in God’s name is he? Jacob huffed.
Jacob sat at the table in the abandoned kitchen eating a piece of cheese and dried, old bread, and drinking ale. He had searched the grounds and Merlin’s room, but his brother was nowhere to be seen. After a half hour’s search, his stomach’s growl alerted him that he hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch today. Jacob decided to take a detour to the kitchen to eat something from the wooden storage box of food they had brought, before he became weak.
Besides, he could always think more clearly and sharply on a full stomach rather than an empty one.
As he was about to take a second gulp of ale, a, “There you are!” made him jump.
Ale spilt on his gray tunic. “Bloody hell! Merlin, must you always scare me like that?”
Merlin stood at the doorway to the room, laughing. “Ah, that was priceless. Now why would I stop surprising you like that? You know I’m always in the mood for a laugh.”
Jacob sighed, raising his eyebrow while he tried to dry his tunic. “Yes, I know that quite well.”
Gazing at the large sack Merlin held in his hand, Jacob asked, “What’s in that?”
“A potion and some other things.” Merlin glanced at the bag as he swayed it back and forth.
By Merlin’s easy movements, Jacob deduced it wasn’t heavy. “A potion, you say.” Hope dawned in him. Smiling, he asked, “You figured out how to undo Pondora’s curses without giving her her powers back?”
Merlin averted his stare. “In a way.”
“Now what do you mean by that? You either created a potion or you haven’t.”
“I haven’t created a potion, no.”
“Then what on earth is this potion for?”
“For Pondora.”
“Pondora? What will the potion do? Will it put her in a deep sleep so she can’t escape before we can figure out what to do next?”
“Ah, no.” Merlin swished his lips from side to side then.
Anger began to rise in Jacob as a nagging fear surfaced. Merlin only played with his lips in that fashion when he was trying to keep the truth from him. “Don’t tell me you were wrong and she actually has some of her powers still?”
“No. No, she hasn’t.”
Jacob sneered. “How can you be sure, dear brother?”
“Because I purposely tested her.”
“You did what?” he screamed. “We had said we wouldn’t confront her alone, ever!”
“Calm down, Jacob. I went to the tower to check on her and purposely riled her up to see if she would attack me.”
“You fool. Do you realize how dangerous that was if you were wrong and she did still have her powers? Must you always take chances like that?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I knew my spell worked.”
“So if you were so sure, then why did you go up there alone in the first place?”
“I was curious to see who exactly was the mighty Pondora. And I also wanted to prove to you once and for all that she is harmless now.”
Jacob groaned. “And is she?”
Merlin raised his head. “Yes. Quite. In fact, she’s injured.”
Jacob’s mood began to lift. Pondora wasn’t as invincible as he feared. “Severely injured?”
“No, a mild sprain.”
Disappointment plagued Jacob. “After all the torment she’s inflicted on others, she deserves far worse.”
Merlin nodded. “I quite agree. But this actually works to our advantage, as I have a plan.”
Jacob waved his hands in the air and then brought them to his head. Rubbing his temples, he closed his eyes and said, “Your plans always make my head ache with stress.”
“Well, this one shouldn’t because it is a very good one.”
He sighed. “I’ve heard that before. I’m afraid to ask what it is.”
Merlin leaned behind his brother and rested his palms on his shoulders. “She doesn’t have any idea we were the sorcerers who did this to her. She thinks a sorceress named Serona brought her
here.”
“Serona?”
“Yes, have you heard of that name?”
“No, never.”
“Neither have I.” Merlin stood straight and began to pace around the table while he continued. “It gets better. She thinks Serona is my Mistress. And I played a bumbling fool to confuse her further.”
“But why did you play along? Why couldn’t you just have left her alone in the tower and worked on your spell to reverse her curses? You said you were close to finalizing a spell.”
Merlin turned away then, and Jacob’s heart fell. “Merlin?”
“I know I said that. But I was wrong. Nothing I’ve tried has worked. It’s impossible. I checked all my books and found nothing powerful enough. The only way to undo the spells is if we give Pondora her powers back and force her to undo the enchantments herself.”
“If we give her powers back, she’ll zap us to ashes without a moment’s hesitation.”
This time it was Merlin’s voice that rose. “You think I don’t know that? That’s why I am doing this.”
Jacob frowned in confusion. “Doing what?”
“I’m going to sleep with the devil, so to speak, so I can figure out what her weaknesses are. That’s the only plausible answer.”
“Answer to what?”
“To controlling her, obviously. Once we figure out her biggest weakness or weaknesses, we’ll hold that over her head and force her hand. Then we can temporarily give her powers back and have her reverse the curses.”
Jacob stood up and pushed the chair back. “So that is your perfect plan?”
Merlin put up his hands. “Have you got a better one?”
Jacob looked at him for a few minutes, not uttering a word. He wished he could come up with a better plan. “I’m afraid I don’t.”
Merlin picked up the sack he had resting on the floor and placed it on the table. “Good then, it’s settled.” He pointed to the torn loaf of bread on Jacob’s side of the table. “Give me a piece, please. And some cheese, too.”
To Catch a Witch [Spells of Seduction 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 2