Unwanted Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 3)

by Stephany Wallace

  His smile suddenly faded. “Has he made you his already?” His voice was barely above whisper, and vulnerable as he asked.

  I looked into his eyes seeing the desperate need in them to hear me say no. It was not the first time he had asked me this question, and it was not the first time I had given him the same answer.

  "No." He swallowed, and I could see the relief in his eyes. "It will happen."

  He nodded. “I understand. Why haven’t you given yourself to him yet?”

  “I am not ready.” I placed my hand over his heart looking at his skin as my finger traced it. “I have not given myself to anyone since I lost Gildas. I was too consumed with pain. I never thought I could be with anyone again.”

  “That makes sense,” He said nodding again, and reached for my cheek. His thumb began to lazily stroke my skin. “Have you been intimate with Art in any other way?”

  I nodded. “He has seen my body bare.”

  “And you his?” I nodded. “Has he kissed your body? Touched you?”

  I could see the burden settling on him with each answer, the pain filling his eyes but we were completely honest with each other, and he knew I was with Art. Nevertheless, the pain in him made me wish I had a different answer.

  “Yes.”

  “Did it give you pleasure?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many times has he touched you?”

  “Once.”

  He nodded and closed his eyes. "Fuck. I'm sorry. I know it's none of my business, but I needed to know."

  "I know," I said, and although I knew it was pointless, I still needed to ask.

  “Have you given yourself to anyone since you have been here?” He smiled tenderly and looked into my eyes again.

  "Considering I spend all my time with you or Ronan I'm going to say no. Although, I have never gone this long without having sex, so Ronan is starting to look pretty sexy right about now."

  I laughed, and he chuckled. The amusement returned to his honey eyes making them shine.

  "Eghan would kill you then."

  His eyes widened. “Ronan and Eghan are together??”

  I laughed at his reaction and nodded. “They have been for years. They love each other purely. Cynwrig performed the Handfasting ceremony for them about five centuries ago. They are bonded for life.”

  “Is Handfasting like a Wedding?”

  I nodded. “It’s the symbolic tying of the hands to unite two souls and lives together for eternity.”

  “No wonder Eghan acted the way he did after I threw that rock at Ronan.” He made a face looking at me again. “I should probably apologize to Eghan too.”

  I smiled. “I am sure he would appreciate that.”

  His eyes widened. "Oh, man! Ronan helped me back when I was really weak. I bathed with his help, and you know… he held and rubbed soap in places. I've been taken advantage of, and I didn't even know it!"

  I laughed smacking his chest, and he pulled me closer, chuckling.

  “Have they always been together?”

  "No. Ronan was married before, but his family died in the Anglesey attack by the Romans. He was a therapist then, but once his family died, he decided to become a Warrior. Eghan is younger than him, and they found each other later."

  He nodded. Pain and understanding filled his gaze. “That is what he needed to forgive.”

  He cleared his throat and inhaled deeply. I knew he was trying to let go of the guilt that arose. He offered me a small smile and kissed my forehead.

  “Time for your practice, mia Bella Stella.” He held my hand, and we walked to the tree, pulling my axes out.

  FELIX

  * * *

  I entered my hut, and I went straight to the partition. Filling out two buckets with cold water, I stepped into the tub and drenched myself with the first. I lathered my body and hair with the soap and poured more water over me. I had always been quick in the shower, but Eisha was coming here for her daily practice since I couldn't enter their village, so I wanted to be ready for her.

  I dried myself, put on the linen pants, and stepped into the room. Cynwrig had provided me with clothes and anything else I would need. Yet, these people didn’t believe in underwear, which was surprisingly liberating but sometimes very inconvenient. Especially when I was with Eisha and needed to hide the reactions she caused in my body, which was every five fucking seconds. Life here was very humbling. Considering I had grown up surrounded by money and luxury in a world where wealth equaled power, I found it strangely fitting. It was like shedding a million tons of weight from my shoulders. No appearances to keep, no people to impress. I could be myself, and thanks to Eisha I finally had a chance to discover just who that was.

  I chuckled as I remembered Eisha laughing at my antics back at the river. I loved that I could be a goofball with her. She loved every crazy thing I came up with, and her laugh. Fuck. My body physically ached with her laughter. She was perfect. We got along so well. She was honest with me, and I with her. I trusted her. Eisha had gotten used to confiding in me, and I never wanted to break that trust. I craved it. She didn't even take offense when I got a little handsy with her. I had realized I was a very affectionate man. I loved caressing her cheek, her arms, holding her hand. I couldn't keep my hands to myself if she was around, especially after being constrained under the protection spell. She confessed Cyn had lifted it after I got severely burnt holding her. I understood why they didn't tell me. I couldn't blame them for being careful, and to be honest, I was grateful. Kissing Eisha while knowing I would burn confirmed to me that what I felt for her was real. That this emotion that filled me whole, empowered me and disarmed me, gave me hope and destroyed all my dreams all at the same time, it was the most powerful thing I would ever experience in my life. I had never thought loving someone could feel like this.

  The kiss Eisha had returned haunted me day and night. I wanted to kiss her again, but she was with Art, and I wouldn't disrespect her that way. I enjoyed being there for her and I didn't want to lose that. I always held her as she practiced going in and out of trance. Eisha had gotten so good at it. Her body no longer succumbed to it. She didn’t lose consciousness, and she was able to stand and remain grounded. Sometimes she even spoke while in the trance. She was still trying to get a hold of that part, but she could differentiate the vision from the reality and talk to me about what she was witnessing. It was captivating to see her do it. I loved being her anchor. I could feel her too while she was out there, in the Astral Plane. It was hard to describe. I had concluded that we were pretty much made for each other. She hated it when I cursed and bugged me for it, but other than that we were two peas in a pod. I wished she would see what I saw.

  A portal opened behind me, and I turned to find Eisha coming through it. I picked up on of the glasses of ale I had just served and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.”

  I took another sip of mine and put the glass down, reaching for her hand. My thumb caressed the back of her skin as I looked into her eyes. She smiled.

  Once she was done, I placed her glass on the counter, and we walked towards the mirror. I stood behind her while she faced it. I couldn't help my eyes from taking her in. She looked so beautiful with her long wet hair falling straight over her shoulders and breasts. She wore a soft blue shirt and pants that Art had probably gotten her, and she looked absolutely gorgeous. My chest tightened. I wanted to be the one to give her the world, and I actually had the fortune to do it. I wrapped my arms around her, settling my hands on her stomach and felt my whole body become alive. Leaning into her, I took in the smell of her hair, and brushed my cheek against hers. She chuckled, and I smiled, placing my lips on her skin and kissing her.

  “Are you ready?” She nodded. “Where are you going today?” She looked into my eyes through the mirror.

  “I thought I would check on your, Dad again. See how well he is recovering from the surgeries.”

  My heart grew for her at that moment. "Thank you."

  "O
f course." She smiled and looked at herself in the mirror.

  Her hands rested on mine, and I intertwined our fingers, she held tightly. She took a settling breath, and her body relaxed in my hold. Suddenly, her eyes began to glow pure white. They were stunning on their own but when they glowed. Fuck. She smiled.

  “I wish you could travel with me and see this, Felix. It is so beautiful here.”

  “Are you in the Astral Plane, right now?”

  “Yes.”

  I smiled, for what she had described it sounded fantastic, like she was standing in the center of the Milky Way. “Maybe one day you can show me.”

  “Maybe. I’m going to the mansion. Don’t let go.”

  "Never," I answered, holding her tighter.

  She smiled, but it soon disappeared. Eisha’s face became focused, and her eyes moved as though she was actually looking around the room. It was really freaky. I silently chuckled, and pressed my cheek to hers, enjoying having her in my arms. My eyes closed of their own volition, and I allowed myself to enjoy the moment. These were the only moments where she was mine. I placed small, whispered kisses on her shoulder and created a trail along her neck, her ear, and kissing her temple last I rested my cheek against hers once again. I sighed, content. I knew the day would come when she would master this ability and wouldn’t need me anymore, but for now, I would cherish these moments when she was in my arms.

  The sound of the door opening made me turn. Art’s eyes widened when he saw me holding Eisha and rage filled them.

  "Take your arms off her, you filthy Roman!" He roared, and before I could react, he grabbed my arm and wrenched me away from her. Eisha was thrown back with the force, and she fell to the floor.

  She screamed, terrified. “Felix!”

  “Eisha!”

  “Don’t you say her name you fucking bastard.” He slammed me against the wall and squeezed my neck with both hands. “What the hell were you doing to her?” My eyes widened as the airflow rapidly diminished.

  "I'm her anchor." I tried to say but the words were a mere whistle. I looked at Eisha, crying on the floor.

  “Felix!” She screamed again, as her arm desperately reached around her, trying to find me. “I don’t know where I am, please.”

  Fuck! I panicked with her words. She had been warned that a trance should never be interrupted or she could suffer Astral Displacement. If she was pulled out of her vision unexpectedly, she could get lost in the Astral Plane, and she would never be found. Art slammed me against the wall again, and I blinked as my vision blurred, but there was only one thought in my mind. Eisha needed me. Focusing the strength I had left on my leg, I rammed my knee against his groin. Art let me go as he stumbled back holding his crotch. I gasped for air and fell to the floor. Getting up, I rushed to Eisha but Art's fist connected with my jaw before I reached her. The impact sent me flying to the bed. Her cries were tearing through me, and I knew Art loved her, but he was too enraged to notice what was happening to her.

  "She's in trance!" I yelled, and that got his attention. I scrambled off the bed. "Look at her eyes. They are glowing!"

  He blinked and looked at her finally seeing her. He rushed towards her, but I held his arm. "Let me go, or I swear I will kill you!" He yelled.

  “I’m her anchor during the trances, and that’s the reason I was holding her. Right now she needs me to help her come back. I know you hate my guts, and after she’s safe you can beat the crap out of me if you want, but right now we don’t fucking have the time for this!”

  His jaw worked as he tried to contain himself and he looked at her again. I let go of his arm and rushed to Eisha. She was crying on the floor, and the look of terror on her face ripped through me.

  “I’m here,” I said, pulling her into my arms and holding her tightly. She clung to me crying.

  “You left me.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “I am scared.”

  "It's ok. I need you to calm down, please. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." She nodded on my chest. "Take a deep breath. I'm here." She closed her eyes and nodded once again. "Where are you? Can you tell?"

  She shook her head. "I was pulled from the vision, and everything went black. I cannot see the stars anymore. I cannot find my way back. I thought you had left me."

  I looked at Art, and I could see the pain in his eyes at the realization of what he had caused.

  “It’s ok. I’ll help you come back. You trust me, right?” She nodded, taking another breath. I caressed her back, helping her calm down. “I promise, I’ll help you. Just focus on my voice.” She nodded. “Do you remember the light tunnel in the middle of the stars? The one you described to me after you first traveled to the Astral Plane?" She nodded and slowly sat up. I cupped her cheeks, resting my forehead on hers. "Visualize it in your mind. Imagine the light surrounding you as you stare at all the stars and the hazy clouds before you. Can you see it?" She shook her head, and another tear fell from her eyelashes. I kissed it off her cheek and Art growled. I ignored him. "Ok, then just focus on one thing. Do you remember the way the light filtered through your fingers when you touched the tunnel?" She nodded, and a small smile curved her lips. "That was incredible wasn't it? You were actually feeling the light surrounding you." She nodded again. "Let's focus on that. Look at your fingers and see the light coming through it as you touch the tunnel. Don't try to imagine the whole tunnel just the part your fingers touched. Move your fingertip around it and see the patterns the light makes as you do. Can you see it?"

  “Yes.” she whispered.

  “Beautiful, concentrate on that and continue to touch it. Now move your finger up and trace the curve of the tunnel. Imagine the light following your finger, as you do, like the tail of a comet. “Can you see it?” She nodded. “Now imagine that light getting brighter and bigger until it shines all around you.” I stared into her glowing eyes praying this would work. I wasn’t sure what else I could do to help her.

  She gasped. "I can see it!" Her eyes moved as though she was looking all around her. "I can see the stars and the clouds. I'm back in the tunnel!" The air finally reached my lungs as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. The glow receded, and she threw her arms around me. "Thank you. I thought you had left me. I was so scared."

  "I'm sorry." I pulled back and stood, seeing the confusion in her eyes. They widened once she noticed Art behind me.

  "Can you tell me what the fuck this is about, Eisha? He's your anchor? What the hell does that mean, and why haven't you told me anything about this?"

  She stood and her eyes filled with pain. “Art I am truly sorry, but you would not have understood.”

  I turned to look at him, and his gaze reflected the same pain she felt.

  “Yeah, you are damn right I don’t understand.” He looked at me, and the rage returned. “You. Outside. Now.”

  “Art, what are you going to do?” Eisha asked alarmed, as I walked out with him behind me.

  In retrospect, this wasn't the first time I had gotten in a fight over a woman, but it would be the first time I would get my ass handed to me. I could usually win or at least hold my own, but I was sure Art would kill me. I turned to face him, and the force of his fist connecting with my cheek sent me to the ground. Fuck. The freaking guy ate bulls for breakfast or something. I cupped my jaw and spat the blood accumulating in my mouth.

  “Art, stop this!”

  I stood and shook it off. The sword Cathair had given me fell next to my feet.

  “Defend yourself, Roman.”

  The name sliced every inch of my skin, while I bent down and picked up the sword, but I knew the guy was right to be pissed. He could tell I liked Eisha and he had found me holding her. She hadn't said anything to him about practicing her ability with me, or that I was her anchor which made it even worse. Even if she had told him, I doubted he would understand or accept the connection we shared.

  My eyes followed his arms as he pulled two swords from his back. The sound of metal sliding against
metal made the little hairs in the back of my neck stand up. He adopted his fighting stance, and I knew I was toast. Plus, he was right, so I couldn't really fight him.

  “Listen I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… Fuck!”

  I raised my sword to block his attack. What the hell? He turned and swung his second sword at me. Crisscrossing them, he aimed at my neck as he launched forward.

  “Art I am warning you. Stop this at once!” Eisha shouted. She was pissed.

  I jumped back and ducked as he came at me again and again. Damn, he wasn't playing. He really wanted to cut my head off. I turned and jumped in the air, kicking his chest and pushing him back. I needed to gain some ground, or he was truly going to kill me. I swung my sword up blocking him, down, left, up, right. Both swords came at me from different angles, yet I managed to block every blow. My heart slammed against my chest, but I was really just trying to evade him as long as possible. Maybe I could tire him out. Dance him around a few rounds. Eisha wouldn't forgive me if I hurt him, and I really didn't want to add anything to my list of "asshole qualities." I needed to be smarter than him. I sidestepped his advanced and ducked rolling on the floor. I quickly stood behind him and jumped ramming my knee to the center of his back. He fell on his knees but immediately got up. He whirled around, and I jumped to the left, but I wasn't fast enough. The blade of his sword sliced through the skin on my right side like it was butter. I stumbled back clutching my side as the sharp pain exploded inside me. He smirked, but I wasn't going down that easily. I wasn't playing nice anymore. I jumped forward thrusting my sword at his chest, and he jumped back surprised. I took that chance to attack again. I turned, and while he blocked my sword I swung my leg at his torso, my knee hit him between the ribs taking the air out of him. I used a punch combination and my fists connected with his face one right after the other, making him stumble back. Taking my chance, and feeling the skin on my side rip open with the move, I jumped and double kicked him in the chin. His head flew back, and he fell. I did too. Fuck. I brought my hand to my eyes, and it was drenched in blood. The next second Art was picking me up like a raggedy doll and slamming me against a tree.