Deadly Morsel: Rosewood Academy of Witches and Mages (Darkly Sweet Book 5)

by Juliann Whicker

  I stared at Drake. I had no curse.

  “Remove your hold on Jasper,” Drake said.

  My father nodded. Suddenly I felt the bond throbbing in my shoulder, strong and rich, deep and whole. I reached back and just touched that bond, holding Drake even if I couldn’t reach him.

  He gasped and trailed his fingers over his chest. “You’ve released Huntsman. You won’t have a second chance.”

  “Naturally. Unless you’d like to swear fealty to me or something.” My father had an idiotic sense of humor. Also, he should stop smiling.

  Drake looked at me with those eyes, glowing and beautiful. He was free to marry me.

  “Give her back her magic.”

  My father removed the necklace, knocking off papers that immediately clung to him again. He held it out to me but hesitated. “You don’t want it. If you take magic, power, you’ll lose love. I gave you the energy. Either you give it back to me for this magic, or I keep it.”

  “You don’t get to choose that,” Drake growled, eyes gleaming while his whole body trembled from holding back the rage.

  “It’s my energy,” Signore said. “I could hold her magic to be divided between her children.”

  My father frowned as he stared at Signore. “Her children or yours? Do you think she could survive seven sons of Darkness? Huntsman wouldn’t like that, but how long before he’s lost in the dragon? This hasn’t been good for his self-control. All this rage. All these other sorcerers touching his precious treasure, no not good at all. Penny, do you choose magic? I’ll give it to you to decide. If you take it, you’ll rip all of these mages apart. They won’t lift a hand against your darkness.”

  “I’ll take the magic,” the Son of Hale said, stepping forward, hand outstretched. “I am her husband. As an aberration, she requires a protector. I will protect her and the magic.”

  I shook my head. “Seriously? No. I don’t want anyone managing my magic like I can’t handle it. Give it to me.”

  My father tossed me the chain. It flew through the air and the chain wrapped around my hand, the two ribs dangling down. I felt the power of it. Power and something else. Madness. I could bring Poppy back to life. Not like a necromancer, like going back in time and fixing that tourney, the first one where I let Pitch take the glory, soak it in until there wasn’t any room for anyone else.

  I closed my eyes and saw that world, Poppy. Both of us with magic, me able to spell myself, to manage the curse, to unravel it with my mother and Poppy. I wouldn’t be vulnerable. I wouldn’t need a mage or a husband. I wouldn’t need a Poppy.

  The power and darkness filled me with this maddening euphoria. I didn’t need anyone, anything. Nothing could touch me again, hurt me again. I wasn’t a magickless witch at the mercy of the merciless, I was the goddess of death and destruction. The world would bow to me and pray for mercy that I wouldn’t give.

  “Penny!”

  I opened my eyes and saw Drake. The world around us was dark, so dark, and filled with the buzzing of a million chittering spiders. He’d hurt me. I would rip him apart for that. I’d hurt him until he’d lost his mind, until he would never think a single thought that wasn’t mingled with me and pain. It was like Teddy and his death dragon.

  “Don’t do it.” The whisper came from my left.

  I turned to stare at Poppy. She smiled so big and crazy, but her eyes were sad.

  “Why not? You left me. If I take the magic, no one will ever leave me again.”

  She sighed deeply. “My mage was going to turn me over to your dad. Once he had me, he’d be able to find the way to your mother’s house. I couldn’t resist Mitch. Did you like him? He’s so full of pain. That’s magic, Penny, pain and madness, not love and happiness. Your magic, the real magic is that you take the pain and madness away and replace it with tea parties and kindness. You’re enough even without magic. I shouldn’t have fallen for Mitch. He spoke such words, and I have the heart of a Darkside witch. You have his brother’s energy.” She gestured to Signore where he stood frozen, like everything was frozen, Drake, Haleson, my father, all wrapped in the darkness thick with my anger.

  “He’s been using me for so long. He poisoned me and then poisoned me against you.”

  She shrugged and did a little spin like it wasn’t interesting. “Your mage will turn into a dragon without you. He’ll chase you into the darkness and lose his light, his joy. The two of you will destroy this world, maybe all the worlds.”

  I shook my head because that was ridiculous, but there was so much darkness, but I could see through it, like the darkness was my eyes, my presence, my will. I could swirl around Drake and taste him, his rage, his fear, his hope and unwavering love. I would destroy him. Even if I didn’t finish him off, just kept him to twist and torture, he’d break from sorrow as I became like his mother, everything he loved and couldn’t save.

  I shook my head and gathered back the darkness, pulling it back into those tiny gold-plated ribs. I fell to my knees as I wrestled with the mass of power until with a whooshing sound it was in and the world became normal again, you know, if zombies and a blown apart mansion are ever normal.

  I turned and gripped Signore’s hand, digging in my nails. “Swear you’ll hold my magic without using it and return it if I ask you.”

  “I swear.” His blood burned my skin, burned and burned as I wrapped the chain around his wrist.

  After that was a bit odd. A dragon came roaring out of the sky, Signore shoved me at Drake who caught me then leapt up, somehow landing behind the enormously beautiful creature’s head.

  I looked down as the dragon rose higher in the air, the wind cold, but Drake so warm, his hands clutching at me like he was afraid that I’d fall. I held onto his arms, worried that I’d turn around and take that magic again.

  I was normal again, without magic, just some stupid hurter-maker whose biggest talent was in loving the worst people. I closed my eyes tight while the air rushed around me.

  “You’re mad to give up your magic.”

  “I’d be mad if I kept it. It’s not a big deal. You can marry me now.”

  He kissed my neck, his lips warm and trembling. “But I don’t have to. You have no curse. Your mother’s going to show up soon to rip apart your father. Do you want to stay and watch? I’d rather do something else.” He pressed his face into my neck. His heart pounded behind me and my bond mark burned against his chest.

  “I still want to marry you. That’s why I gave Signore my magic. I don’t want you to stop loving me.”

  He gripped me tighter. “You shouldn’t have to give up anything for me. Who told you I loved you?”

  “You did. Don’t you remember?”

  He sighed and rubbed his nose over my skin. “You mage swore me. You aren’t even a mage. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that?”

  “Well, I have Signore’s brother’s mage energy, plus I’m an aberration. That means something.” I dropped my head back against his shoulder and watched the vast expanse of sky spread around us. “I’m so tired. That whole thing was such a mess. It was the worst plan in the world. I think in the future, I’m in charge of planning.”

  “Are you? I must be in charge of making clover crowns for Lester. In the future? What kind of future is this?”

  “Drake, I already told you that I want to marry you. I want to have no more than ten children with you. I want to live in a cottage in the woods.”

  “With ten children? That sounds sufficiently traumatic.”

  I elbowed him.

  He gripped me tightly and scraped his teeth along the side of my neck. “Penny, you just married another man. Why did you do that?”

  “He’s my Darkside husband. I’m not going to spend any time in Darkside. I need a Dayside husband who can tuck me into bed. I love you, Drake. I love you so much. Here I am, begging you again.”

  He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

  I stiffened and pulled away as I remembered other things besides the mindless aching happiness that I w
as in the right arms, that I hadn’t let the darkness swallow me. “Missy. Is she okay?”

  “Missy?”

  “Carl said that she was still alive but…”

  He exhaled sharply, arms tightening around me. “Zach will take her back to Narcollo. You, I’m taking home and we’ll contact Zach there to see how everyone is.”

  Home was an enormous estate spread beneath Jello’s wings.

  “That doesn’t look like Rosewood. Not that I’ve ever seen it from this angle.”

  “Huntsman Manor. We’re going to get married here. Do you want a dress? I like the bustier and frilly slip. Looked particularly nice when you were channeling Pitch. Jasper’s going to marry us. Unless you’d rather someone else. It’s not going to be a good wedding. It’s going to be quick. Very quick. I do not trust your father. Not a tiny bit. Are you certain he gave you your magic? It seems like an idiotic thing to wear something like that around your neck. Your father’s a lot of things, but careless with power doesn’t seem to be one of them. Also, why did you marry that horned beast? Never mind. Let’s not think about that. So many things to not think about.” His words went faster and faster as he started hyperventilating.

  “Drake?” I dug my nails into his hand to get his attention.

  He glanced down while his eyes gleamed. “Are you going to bind me to something?”

  “Can you kiss me for just a second?”

  “I knew I was forgetting something. I’ll need you to keep me from forgetting the important things for the rest of our lives together.”

  He brushed my hair back, cupped my face with his shaking fingers then kissed me. It took slightly longer than a second.

  Chapter 32

  Mage

  The front hall was bedecked with pale streamers, millions of petals strewn over the floor as I walked in with Penny just behind me.

  My father came out with arms outstretched. “Welcome home! You defeated the sorcerer. I didn’t exactly expect that, but it’s just as well. Penny, dear, you look like you could use some refreshment. Where would you like to have the ceremony?”

  I cleared my throat. “Um, what?”

  “Zach let me know how things were going. You should marry now, yes?”

  I looked at Penny and tried to smile. “Right. I thought Jasper would be here and you’d be gone. No offense, but I know you have a lot of things to do, like not be here?”

  Penny elbowed me. “Are you usually that rude to your father?”

  I frowned at her. “You’re just defending him because he has a mustache. And yes, I am. He may not be throwing fireballs at you, but you watch him point that mustache in your direction.”

  She tilted her head as she stared at me. “You’re really, really adorable. I almost forgot how much. Drake, let’s get married.”

  I swallowed. “Okay.”

  Jasper appeared in a cloud of sandy-colored smoke wearing a kilt. Odd. “I’m here if you’d like to make use of me.”

  “Actually,” Drake’s dad said smiling in a strangely not nice way. “You’re fired. Sorry, Jasper, but it’s come to my attention that Huntsman should actually be in the hands of Huntsman, however good you are at being concerned at just the right things.”

  I knew that’s why my dad hired him.

  Jasper raised his eyebrows. Apparently he didn’t see this coming. “Sir? You’re going to personally manage affairs?”

  “Personally. That’s such a big word. Yes, I am. I, Tract Percival Huntsman, will watch over the family estate, the magic foundry as befits my mustache. Drake, would you like him to stay for the wedding? I asked your grandfather come to do the honors.”

  I flinched. “No, sir. Isn’t he a statue somewhere?”

  My father laughed too loudly and his mustache twitched. “Unfortunately, no. Ahem. Jasper, thanks for coming. I suggest you take that mountain of money and assets you’ve been collecting and start your own family.”

  The door rang and with a gesture of my father’s hand, people started coming in. People? The Devil of Darkside and Penelope Rose were sort of in that category.

  “Darling, what are you wearing? Good thing I brought an emergency tea party outfit.”

  I stared at Penny. “I don’t want to let you go. What if you don’t come back? Away from my magnificent allure, you might come to your senses and refuse to marry me. I’m a bit of a mess. I believe someone mentioned the dragon, the thing about me maybe turning into one and going off to destroy and recreate worlds, that kind of thing.”

  She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Sounds lovely. I’ll be right back. I’m going to look cute. It’ll take just a second. My grandmama’s magic.”

  Just then the door rang and this time it was Serene. She floated through the door with Revere a step behind her. He looked slightly beyond panicked as Serene greeted her mother.

  “Mother. You’re with that old Devil. Father. Come to sink your claws into Penny, have you?”

  The Devil of Darkside grimaced then lunged for Serene, strangling her, no, actually hugging her. Serene laughed and wrapped her arms around her dear old daddy as they spun around.

  My dad glanced at me then cleared his throat. “I’ll order more refreshments.”

  Just then the full-length mirror in the hall shimmered and my darling aunt stepped through, pulling along her husband.

  “Hi, everyone. I heard there was a wedding.”

  “Grandfather is performing the ceremony,” I told her. I expected her to bolt. Her face went pale but she shrugged carelessly.

  “Perfect. Oswald and Serene. How nice to see you. No children yet? You aren’t getting any younger, Serene.”

  My soon to be mother-in-law stepped away from Penny’s grandfather. “I don’t make the best mother. You would be much better. Haven’t you had children? I always thought you would make a wonderful mother.”

  My aunt clenched her fists, apparently finding that utterly insulting. I sighed and let Penny go with her grandmother. She spelled Penny into a tea party outfit with layers of ruffled petticoats that were slightly overwhelming. It would look very nice on my floor. I inhaled sharply and barely noticed the next knock.

  “Haven’t been here for ages. Shouldn’t you have someone sweep the floor? Not to criticize, but it’s a bit of a mess.”

  I frowned at the old man wearing a suit coat instead of a blanket. Yes, that was the same fellow as Madame Occulus’s friend. “I thought I recognized him.”

  He glanced at me with sharp eyes. “The incompetent thief. Hopefully you’re more capable of stealing her heart.”

  I glanced at my father. His face was intentionally still. “Um, thanks, um, grandpa? Thanks for coming on such short notice.” Which side was he on? He didn’t quite look like my father, but he was so ancient, it was hard to tell. Also, he could be a great-grandfather or something. He was Darksider, definitely Darksider. Maybe.

  The old man sniffed and took his place at the head of the hall in front of an enormous vase of peonies. “It seems there’s been some struggle to make this marriage stick. I’ll make a point of it. No intruders.” He said with a dark scowl at everyone present.

  Penny stared at him in open fascination. “You’re Drake’s grandfather? You’re perfect! Drake, can we get a nice family portrait after the ceremony?”

  I blinked at her. “I suppose. Just to be clear, you’re my mother’s father?”

  The old man hesitated. “That’s what the wife says. You know these Daysiders, not to be trusted. You watch your wife. Too pretty. Aberrations are always prone to wander.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Grandmama said finishing up with Penny’s makeup and frowning sternly at him.

  He stared back before he sighed heavily and bowed. “A thousand pardons Madame Rose. I forgot that I was in the presence of a legend.”

  The Devil snorted so his narrow nostrils fluttered. “Aren’t you married, Ichar? Flirt with your own wife.”

  My father clapped his hands. “Excellent. So glad to have you here. Shall we proc
eed before anything else happens? Everyone here? Don’t really care. All right, you two, over here. Excellent. Proceed, father-in-law.”

  The old man I didn’t know and certainly didn’t trust held out his hands. “Place your hands in mine, please.”

  Penny stared at him before placing her hand carefully in his massive palm. I managed to not roll my eyes as I put my hand in his. What was this supposed to do?

  Pain. That’s what it was. Ow. I tried to rip my hand out while Penny did the same, her writhing and grimacing matching mine. Finally, the pain stopped and he let go.

  “You’re married. Very married. It’ll take some doing to end it. That’s all then. Did someone mention refreshments?”

  “Don’t you need to ask them?” my father asked with a flicker of panic in his eyes.

  “I did. It was all in their heads. Didn’t you hear them? He’s going on and on in a mindless panic in case I’m the deception sorcerer, or you are, or someone else, everyone else really. He’ll have nightmares from Sooth for a good while. Other than that, he’s thinking about bedding her after the wedding. Look at that blush. Like my dear daughter.” He smiled at me gummily. “As for her, I’d have to be dead not to hear her heart singing every time he looks at her. Which is constantly. She’s almost as anxious as he is about it not actually happening. It is. It has. You’re married. Now, refreshments?”

  I stared at my hand, the left one, the golden light embedded beneath the skin. It was a wedding band with elaborate Celtic knots. “I didn’t think of rings.”

  “You aren’t getting those off. Hopefully you don’t change your mind. Refreshments?”

  My father rolled his eyes, breaking his self-control for a moment before he escorted my grandfather in the direction of the Conservatory.

  “Missy,” Penny said, gripping my hand.

  I pulled out my phone and called Zach. “Hey, how’s Missy? Where are you?”

  “Did you get Penny out of Darkside?”

  “Yes. We just got married. By my grandfather. Apparently, I have one of those. My mother’s side. Terrifying. Missy?”