by ML Guida
“Hera Athans,” Topper said. “You have been found guilty of using your magic for evil purposes, which is a violation of the Witch’s Constitution.”
“I never agreed to your constitution,” Hera snapped as tears formed in her eyes.
“The minute you decided to habitat here, you did. Magic is a safe haven for all creatures, and evil will not be tolerated.”
Theo almost felt sorry for her, but knowing Hera, those were crocodile tears used to generate sympathy. He glanced down at Gwen’s dark head. As much as he wanted to, he didn’t know if he could forgive Hera. Gwen was everything to him, and nearly losing her due to Hera’s pettiness was inexcusable.
Gwen looked up at him, and he still was getting used to her golden eyes, but when they brimmed with passion, his feelings for her knew no bounds.
“Hera.” Topper interrupted his thoughts. “I’m exiling you from Magic until at a time you’ve proven your redemption.”
But her words were wasted.
“I didn’t do anything wrong.” She pointed at Theo. “This was all his fault, because he wouldn’t give me back my wand.”
Hera’s lower lip trembled, and she wrapped her arms around herself tightly. She was all alone with no allies. She’d faced all of Magic without a single supporter. True, she’d been found guilty and nearly broken his heart.
But anger had nearly caused him not to learn how to control his dragon. He wouldn’t hold on to it forever.
He braced his back then squeezed Gwen’s hand.
“Hera, I forgive you.”
Hera opened her mouth then shut it, as if too shocked to say anything. She dropped onto her knees and bowed her head. Theo wasn’t expecting an apology. He didn’t need one as long as he had his pirate wench.
Gwen mouthed silently,I love you, then licked her saucy lips, which made him grow hard. She definitely had a bad side that drove him wild. She was a handful.
“Repeat after me,” Topper said. “We call upon the magic that protects us to strip the accused of all knowledge of Magic and her magic.”
Hera burst into tears, but her tears fell onto deaf ears. The chant grew louder, and the crescent moon turned to a full one. Moonlight glistened off Hera’s red head. A cloud descended onto Hera, covering her. The sobbing stopped, and she disappeared.
Pandora turned to Cé and laid her head on his chest. He held her tight, and together, they walked away from the circle. No one spoke as each resident left. Punishing someone was not a celebration.
Theo and Gwen walked away silently, like everyone else. After a few long moments, she stopped. “Theo, where do you think she went?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not a witch. I’m a dragon.”
“Um, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
He caressed her hand, then kissed her knuckles, liking how the rim of her eyes turned brighter. “Ask.”
“Can I ride you?”
He laughed. “You’ve been riding me all week.”
She slapped his arm hard. “Not that.” She gazed up at the stars. “I want to fly and spread my arms wide and feel the wind rush through my hair.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her. He planted kisses down her throat, licking her salty skin. “I can deny you nothing, wench.”
“I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Promises, promises,” he murmured.
He stepped away from her and drew on his dragon power. Rather than be ruled by hate, he was now ruled by love and in control. She steadied the beast within him. Muscles and bones crunched and twisted.
Her eyes shimmered brightly through the darkness. She clapped her hands together like a little girl who was going to ride her first pony. She drew out her sword. “I’ll be the pirate of the skies.”
She eagerly climbed on his back, and together, they flew toward the now crescent moon. He couldn’t help but wonder if Queen Cosima was smiling down on him. He might never know his parents or know the name of the planet or the man who hunted his mother, but nothing mattered as long as he had his good and evil pirate wench. She’d taught him to love the good and bad in himself.
“Take me higher, Theo, higher!” She dug her heels into his side as if he were a horse.
He exhaled a stream of fire.
“I want to make love on the highest peak.”
He swirled around, then headed as fast as he could toward a bluff to grant her every devilish wish.
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