And, if you loved Cedric, which you do, then you’d put up with it. She would too. She needed to stop hesitating when it came to him. Stop questioning how he felt and take a chance. If, in the end, her heart ended up getting broken, then at least she had what she’d always wanted with the man.
She needed to find him…now. Willow stopped walking and finally took a look around. She had ended up in front of the one place she didn’t want to be, Magical Binding. She knew from reading the proposal that it was more than learning spells that restrained someone metaphysically, preventing them from doing something such as causing harm to themselves or others. That was for the daytime crowd.
At night, Magical Binding turned to sexual delights. The use of magic to bind a partner, limiting the use of their hands and legs, much like hooks and cuffs in the BDSM community.
Her cousin Autumn stood in front of her husband, who she had pressed up against a makeshift wall. Her hand was on his bare chest. He had on leather pants and a big ass grin—nothing else.
“Tonight I’m going to demonstrate how to bind your partner for your pleasure,” Autumn began. “It really is a simple spell, but you need to take care. Done in anger and haste, your partner will be able to break the spell. Magic in order to hurt another is wrong.” She turned to the crowd gathering about her. Brushing the straight black mane of hair off her shoulder, she gave them a cheeky grin. “But then, you all know that.”
There was laughter and snickers from the crowd. Everyone knew not to use magic on others of their own kind. But what Magic Regulators didn’t know, certainly didn’t hurt them.
“My volunteer, Ivan, who is also my husband, knows I do everything out of love. Hell, he even asks for it.” Autumn smoothed her hand up his chest then down his right arm. Circling his wrist with her fingers, she drew his arm up, pressed the back of his hand next to his head. “Like the majority of my family, my spells and incantations are done in Latin. You may do them in whatever language you prefer, but for the purpose of this demonstration, I will say it in Latin and repeat the phrase for you in English.”
“Ligaveris manu…bind hand.” A spark of blue popped around Ivan’s wrist. Autumn let go and repeated the same action and words on the other side. She stepped to the side, but didn’t go far. “If someone would like to check to see that his hands are, indeed, locked into place, please?”
Someone pushed through the crowd amid grunts and murmurs. The hairs on the back of Willow’s neck stood on end. Cedric stepped to the front and joined her cousin. “I will,” he said, the deep timber of his voice tripping down Willow’s spine.
Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. His beautiful brown locks were no longer down to his shoulders. It was cut into a stylish, professional haircut befitting the businessman he was. Tapered sides with a little length on top. It was parted on one side and combed back. It made him look like less of a rogue, but not too much. The new hairstyle went well with his look. Expensive looking, well-fitting jeans with artfully placed holes, the black shiny shoes, and long sleeve collared polo with silk accents around the wrists.
She was rooted to her spot, unable to turn and dash away. This was not the place she wanted to talk to him, beg him to forgive her and take her back. Before her brain could reconnect with her legs, Cedric turned to the crowd, his gaze landing on her.
That wicked smile, that curve of the left side of his mouth appeared, and a predatory glint shone in his eyes. Keeping his eyes on Willow, he tugged Ivan’s hands, one after the other. “It’s perfect,” he said, but she didn’t think he was talking about the binding.
“As I said it would be,” Autumn smiled. “As simple as it was to do, it is just as simple to undo.” She placed her fingers around Ivan’s wrist. “Véndi manu.” Blue sparks appeared and disappeared as she undid her husband’s hands. Ivan stepped away from the wall and dropped a kiss on his wife’s lips.
There was light applause from the crowd, and Willow desperately hoped the show was over.
“Now, if someone from the audience would like to try it before we move on to other more…entertaining forms of binding.”
“I will,” Cedric spoke before Autumn had finished.
A mischievous smile curled her cousin’s lips. “Of course, Cedric. And who would you like to practice on?”
Gemma stepped forward from the front row, a couple people to Willow’s left. She hadn’t noticed the woman before. “Oh, I’ll be Cedric’s volunteer,” she purred. “For anything he wants to do.”
“Like hell,” Willow murmured and made a beeline for him without thinking of the repercussions. “Sorry, Gemma, but he’s already taken.” She turned and put her back to the wall, realizing what she had just done. Her heart took flight in her chest and nausea churned her stomach.
Cedric moved in front of her, looking down into her panicked face. “It’s about damn time,” he said. Blocking the crowd’s view of them with his body, he grabbed her hand and pinned it next to her head. “Main bind.” Silver and white flashes of magic sparked in the air. A phantom pressure held her hand in place. Sliding his big hand down her left arm, he did the same thing, except after her hand was bound in place; he lowered his head and kissed her.
His hands came up to cup her face gently, thumbs smoothing over her cheeks. He teased her, coaxed her into kissing him back. It wasn’t such a hardship to do. Before the kiss could get deeper, more intimate, he pulled away and stepped to the side.
“Let’s test to see how well you did, because we all know the kiss was spot on,” Autumn said with a smirk, then tugged on Willow’s arms. “Very good. Now, is there something you want to do before you unbind her?”
Cedric looked at the raven-haired witch. “As a matter of fact, there is. Willow and I have a few things to work out.”
Autumn grinned and stepped back into her husband’s arms. Cedric knew a moment’s jealousy as he observed the couple. He wanted that ease and familiarity with Willow, and he was going to get it. There was one day left in the solstice celebration, and he would have her commitment to him come hell or high water.
“I am to assume to bind your lover’s legs, it’s the same principle?”
Autumn nodded. “Of course. I would use ankle as the term though. Binding the leg can make them immoveable.”
Cedric crouched quickly and placed his hands on Willow’s ankles. “Chevilles bind.” The now familiar sparks of magic glinted in the air before puffing out.
He stood and studied the woman he was madly in love with. He had missed her for three damn days. Moped around his apartment. Listened to his brother curse women and the ground they walked on. He had also done a little soul searching and made some personal changes. He wanted Willow to see him differently. And she had, but not fully.
He felt her eyes on him. “You once asked me when would I grow up.”
“And I recall saying I didn’t want to know.” She pinched her lips together as soon as the words left her mouth.
He didn’t think she meant to be snarky, but she also couldn’t help it. “Now love, you shouldn’t tell lies to the man who can set you free.”
Willow shrugged and tipped her head in Autumn’s direction. “She can undo the spell.”
Autumn sighed dramatically. “Sorry, cuz. He did it in French. You know how terrible I am with that. There’s a chance I’ll mispronounce something and you’ll end up a frog.”
Willow frowned. “Some help you are. And to think I introduced you to Ivan after my terrible blind date with him.”
“And I am forever grateful, and that’s why I’m giving Cedric his moment with you. You’re stubborn, and I know you love him.” Autumn turned her attention to him. “Want me to do a magical barrier so you can have alone time with her?”
“Thank you, but no. I want everyone to know how I feel about her and how she feels about me.” He turned to the crowd. “You see, I’m in love with Willow and have been for years.”
“Yeah, right,” a woman snorted in disbelief. It was Gemma.
>
“Yes, that is right. My life has been intertwined with Willow since I was a child. We were always meant to be. But because I can be an ass, she had no cause to believe me when I showed up out of the blue declaring my love. It also didn’t help that she paid tribute to Aphrodite, and the Goddess gifted Willow with her deepest wish. When I showed up the following day, Willow got it in her fool head that I was only there because of the moonstone she wears around her neck.”
“What moonstone?” Someone in the crowd asked.
Cedric frowned. Was the man blind? He turned to point to the necklace. “Where the fuck is it?”
“I took it off,” Willow replied.
Cedric’s gaze jumped to hers. “You what? When?” His pulse picked up as excitement coursed through his chest. Could she finally believe in him?
“I took it off the day after you left. You were right. I didn’t need it. I was using it to keep from letting my heart fully believe you loved me. I figured if I wore it you wouldn’t leave. I thought the moment I took it off, you’d come to your senses and my heart would shatter into a million pieces.”
“I told you that wouldn’t happen.”
“I know and it took you leaving and my heart aching before it sunk in. I should have had faith in you and I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Cedric didn’t know what to say, but he did know what he wanted to hear. “And…”
“And I love you. I’ve always loved you, ever since that time I punched you in the nose.”
He stood there staring at her, his mind filled with too many things he wanted to do. Kiss her. Drag her home. Make love to her. It really didn’t matter where and if he could get away with it, he’d keep her bound to the wall and fuck her into submission with her screaming her love for him.
He knelt quickly. “Délier chevilles.” Standing he grabbed her wrists. “Délier les mains.” Before the magic dissipated, he wrapped his arms around her. “Maison.” They vanished before everyone’s eyes and landed back at Willow’s home.
“You’re mine now, love.” He said, his lips crashing down on hers. He navigated them to her bedroom and, by sheer force of will, managed not to rip her clothes as he divested them from her body.
“I’ve always been yours,” she panted. Her slim hand wedged between their bodies popping the button of his jeans and shoving them down. He pulled his shirt over his head, and within seconds they were on the bed.
She giggled and ran her hands through his hair. “I like the new look.”
“And I like you.” He spent the rest of the night proving to her how much.
Epilogue
Willow and Cedric stood in front of the bonfire, Cedric’s arms wrapped around the woman’s shoulders from behind. Chloe could see the love shining in Willow’s eyes as she looked up over her shoulder at Cedric. The warlock looked down at her with an intensity that almost knocked Chloe back. The randy warlock seemed to have given up his ways and claimed the quiet witch.
“They appear to be in love,” Chloe’s companion said.
She glanced at the statuesque woman out of the corner of her eye. “They do.”
Aphrodite brushed her long, golden-red hair off her shoulder, a smug expression on her face.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself,” Chloe commented, fully turning her attention to the Goddess next to her.
“I am. The moonstone and the blessing I gave the witch brought her exactly what she wanted. I love it when a plan comes together.” Aphrodite turned from the bonfire and the couple they had come to spy on. There was a twinkle of mischief sparkling in her eyes as she looked around. Witches and Warlocks were all around, spilling magic and sexual vibes everywhere the eye turned. “What shall we do now? I feel like playing with the creatures here. Sipping some of the magic they hold.” She zeroed in on a large warlock with long black hair and massive shoulders. He stood well above the crowd, with an air of ancient superiority around him.
“He is a lovely creature,” Chloe said, acknowledging the woman’s choice in companion. “I’m sure he will please you greatly. I will be heading back to Olympus, though. I have a meeting with your son tomorrow, and I need to be at my best. He is more challenging than I thought he would be.”
“He can be. Others think he is soft because of what he does. They miss the intelligence that goes with his gift.” Keen eyes focused on Chloe. “You are enjoying your game with Eros.”
Chloe tilted her head up marginally. “Yes. He has made this year…interesting. I think when it is all over, I will enjoy him even more.”
Aphrodite threw her head back and laughed, husky and low. It had a sexual allure to it that rolled over the skin and aroused all that heard it. She wasn’t called the Goddess of love, beauty, and sexual rapture for nothing. “I’m sure you will; but remember, Eros is not meant to be yours forever.”
Chloe snorted. She already knew that. “I’m well aware of that. One month is all I want. Anything beyond that is negotiable.”
The massive warlock Aphrodite scoped out earlier appeared next to them. He dipped his head and held out his hand. She smiled and placed her hand into his. “Tell my son I said hello.”
“Of course.” Wrapping the black cloak she wore tighter around her body, she faded into thin air. Reappearing in her own realm, in her room. Disrobing, she hung her garments and crawled into bed. “Until tomorrow, Eros,” she whispered and allowed slumber to pull her under.
* * *
THE END
Thane: January
Mystic Zodiac, Book 1
Fallen Angel Thane has been exiled to the realm of humans and Mystics for almost fifty years after what he considers a slight misunderstanding, too bad Zeus didn’t agree. After the blush of exile wears off, Thane dedicates his new life to helping those in need, all in the hope of impressing the imposing God.
A visit from his Watcher with one more task sets Thane up to finally get what he’s dreamed about for decades…his rightful place back on Olympus with his brothers. All he needs to do is keep one woman from “doing something stupid.” He determined to ignore his body responding for the first time in almost fifty years in order to go home.
Amara Hope is desperate to bring her brother home, traveling into the heart of Viral City day after day putting her life at risk. As her last living relative, he’s all she has left. When a hunky Good Samaritan grudgingly offers help, she’s all too willing to accept. Once they get her brother home and begin spending more time together, the more Amara knows he’s the one for her.
What the two don’t know is that the Gods are playing games with their lives, and they’re on a collision course with love.
Word Count: 32,299
Parvati: February
Mystic Zodiac, Book 2
Parvati Shiva, a true descendent of the Goddess of love and devotion, is fed up. She runs a successful dating site, connecting Mystics and humans all over the world with their one true love. The only she hasn’t been able to find love for is…her.
When a hacker gets into her network and website, shutting down her site in the height of the busy season, she calls on her cousin Jag for help, who in turn reaches out to an old friend.
Colin Patterson, IT guru and confirmed bachelor, quickly agrees to help his friend’s sister out with her computer problem, hoping it will be a long drawn out process. He’s eager to escape his mother’s matchmaking Valentine’s Day party. She’s invited all of the single women—and a few men—to jump-start his dating life, something he has no interest in at all.
One mistaken identity later, Colin ruins his chance with the beautiful Indian woman he’s instantly attracted to. Will he be able to prove he isn’t a boss bashing idiot, save Parvati’s company, and win her affections before he doesn’t have a reason to stick around?
Warning: This book contains a geeky hero who can’t keep his mouth shut, a strong willed businesswoman dealing in love, and an attraction that neither can deny.
* * *
Please note: This book has a hot M/M scene. W
ord Count: 26,817
Gideon: March
Mystic Zodiac, Book 3
Gideon Deckard is finally getting a little time away from the Keystone Predator Pack to go wolf. All he has planned is a week of running wild through the Grand Canyon before the hiking season starts back up. Once it does, he'll go back to what he does best...being the Alpha he was born to be.
Ryder Sparks can barely contain her excitement. She's taking a week off from work at the family store, Sparks Sporting & Outdoors, and going on her dream vacation. A four-day hiking trip on a lesser traveled trek through the Grand Canyon. The season has opened early and she was the first to get the coveted pass. She's looking forward to pushing herself on her first solo trip and discovering who she was really meant to be.
A run in with a massive grey wolf has Ryder stumbling and getting knocked out. When she wakes up, she's back in her tent and there's a hunky man there to help her get back on her feet. When she finds out he's a wolf-shifter instead of freaking out, she decides to go on the adventure of a lifetime with him. Now all she has to do is convince Gideon to give her a chance to be his one and only Luna.
Word Count: 36,270
Lisa: April
Mystic Zodiac, Book 4
For three years Lisa Cannon has been at Jack Morgan’s every beck and call. As his executive personal assistant it’s in the job description, except she’s beginning to think she’s gone above and beyond the call of duty. She hasn’t had time off in so long she’s pretty sure her nymph side is dying a slow death inside. After arranging for a week away, she’s set to feed her nymph with every sexual fantasy that comes to mind. If they happen to all revolve around the man who keeps her tied to her desk, that’s all for the better.
Willow: June Page 11