Page 20 of Cursed by the Love Witch (A Monstrous Holiday #2)

20

DARCEE

Y ou saved me .

The words ring repeatedly in my head as I sit around the small bonfire. The flames are burning low as no one has tended to it. Most students are back in their—or another’s—tent for the evening. After making sure I was alright, Prue and Zander slipped away shortly after dinner.

I touch the bandage on my arm. Bael used his magic to clean me off before tending to my wounds. The salve he used burned, but he assured me it would kill any venom the creature may have tried to inject me with. I had felt dizzy and barely ate any of the simple stew served for supper. I glance up and see his small cottage outlined by the full moon.

His whispered promise in the woods tickles my ear.

Bael had been gentle with me as he healed me. His fear and worry had been palpable. His hand would squeeze mine more than once in comfort and reassurance that I was okay. I'm beginning to realize that he saved me in more than one way.

Sleep won’t come easy tonight—not after what happened. I didn’t think about packing my sleeping dram. Without it, I’ll toss and turn as the memories of my past and tonight haunt me. I need to sleep. Bael said it was vital for me to rest to recover quicker.

The only way I will is if I seek him out tonight.

Rising from my spot at the fire, I quickly smother it with a flick of my wrist. The clearing is awash in darkness. I check to make sure no one is watching and walk on silent feet towards Bael’s cottage. I slip through the open garden gate. Various herbs and midnight-blooming flowers perfume the air, making me forget we’re in the Bog . My steps are quiet as I cut through the overgrown hedge. After a few paces, I stand before an old wooden door.

The brass knob turns, and the door swings open without a sound. Slipping inside, I find myself in the center of a modest kitchen. A teapot rests atop the stove. A few spice jars and root vegetables are stacked inside an old cabinet. It smells even more like Bael than his office does.

I feel like I’ve stepped into his life. My fingers trail over the scratched surface of his kitchen table. I can picture Bael here, cataloging herbs and crafting special potions. It’s easy enough to imagine myself here as well—the two of us eating together. I’d have to add more pink decor to liven up the space. A small smile plays on my lips as I walk into the next room.

It is a small sitting area with a large loveseat and coffee table. Along the walls are bookshelves holding all manner of items. Displayed insects, skulls of various animals, and countless leather-bound books. Skimming over the spines, I feel the magic of the texts ripple through my hand.

I turn and find a small staircase. Above me is a loft glowing faintly with candlelight. A part of me whispers to turn back—going up there will change everything. I silence that tiny voice and give in to the selfish parts of myself that desire Bael’s comfort above all else. I need to feel his closeness, hear his laugh, and let one of his stories lull me into a deep sleep.

I need him—a part of me always will.

The stairs creak under my weight as I slowly ascend them. Once I reach the top, my breath catches. The room is simple, consisting of a massive bed laden with black silk sheets and overstuffed pillows. Black and white pillar candles flicker around the room, giving the space just enough light for me to make out the figure in the center of the bed.

Bael rests against the headboard, his bare chest on full display. His violet eyes trace over my body, hardening when they get to my bandages.

“I didn’t know if you’d come,” he says softly.

“I almost didn’t,” I confess. “Things between us are moving so quickly. You don’t know things about me—things I’ve done. I worry that it’ll ruin what we have when you find out.”

His eyes flash.

“Darcee, nothing you could have done will change how I feel about you.” He holds out his hand to me. “When you are ready to share, I’ll always be here.”

A watery laugh escapes me.

“It all seems so simple. I wish it could stay that way.”

I’d give anything for things to be different. We’re running out of time, and I want to ensure he always has a piece of me when we part. I can’t stop myself. When the potion has run its course, or he’s ingested the antidote, he will always have this kernel of my heart and know how real it was.

My hands go to the hem of my fresh wool sweater and pull it over my head. The movement tugs at my sore arm, but I barely feel the discomfort. Stepping out of my shoes and socks, I drop my linen shorts on the floor. Bael’s breathing turns ragged as I stick my thumbs into my panties and pull them down, leaving me completely naked.

“I know we cannot lie together, but I thought we could still get close tonight.”

I walk towards his extended hand and allow him to pull me into his embrace. The familiarity of it brings tears to my eyes.

“Graduation can’t come soon enough,” he whispers.

I nod, even as fresh cracks splinter my heart.

I lift my head, and our lips connect. The kiss is tame, a gentle exploration of each other. His hands skim through my hair before falling to my back. Bael trails his palms up and down my spine, feeling every inch of my naked skin.

His palms freeze, and his whole body tenses. Our mouths part, and I stare into his hard eyes. I can feel the anger building inside of him.

“Who did this to you?” A quiet fury colors each word.

I’ve been so careful to keep him away from my back each time we’ve been together. He’s never questioned it and is easy enough to distract if he ventures too close. Now, I’ve laid myself bare in his arms, ready to share more with him than anyone else.

I crawl up his chest, and our foreheads press together.

“My family wasn’t supportive of my gifts. I was raised in a religious household—my parents are extremely devoted. So, when my magic began manifesting at age ten, they thought it was surely some devil's work. I’d been corrupted and was unclean. At first, when they’d catch me using my powers, I was reprimanded—forced to spend time alone in my room, no supper, things like that. It was verbal for the first few years. My father believed he could pray the disgraceful acts out of me. I’d beg for forgiveness for hours, but my magic grew stronger.”

I swallow loudly. My eyes fall shut as if I can physically recoil from the memories. Bael’s hands soothe me and guide my back to my body.

“When I turned sixteen, my father realized prayer wouldn’t be enough. The devil inside me was strong and, therefore, would need a more severe remedy. That’s when the reprimanding became harsher—more corporal.”

“He beat you,” Bael spits. I feel the slightest tremble in his hands.

I hadn’t realized I began crying until I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.

“The nightmares—I still have such terrible nightmares of the years I spent with them. Of being locked in that small closet. Dreading the moment, he opened it, knowing that pain would be on the other side. No matter what I did—no matter how many times I prayed to be different, this was who I was. And through it all, I loved them—a part of me always will—but it wasn’t until I came across a flyer for Axwyne that I learned there was hope for me. Mistress Saege helped me get a scholarship after working my first year. Once I found my affinity for being a love witch, I was able to start making money of my own. I've saved nearly every coin I’ve earned to open my apothecary. I’ll live in the little apartment above. It’ll be hard work, but it’s what I’ve always wanted.”

Using the back of my hand, I wipe away my tears.

“I’ll make it a success. Anything is better than going back to that place. Not that I’d think they’d have me. I’ve reached out to them over the years—even invited them to my graduation, hoping maybe something had changed—but I was foolish to do so. Their condemnation of me was swift and unflinching.”

Bael is quiet as I finish telling him the story of my past. Sharing these memories with him lessens my burden. It helps me process just what I went through and see it for what it was. Violet eyes trace over my face, his sturdy presence never wavering. He doesn’t pry—doesn’t offer up advice to me or make some half-hearted attempt to relate. Bael simply holds me closer, his lips brushing over my forehead.

His fingers skim over each one of my scars, and I shiver. Something passes over his face, and I feel the same way. His full lips part, but I silence him with a kiss.

“Don’t say it,” I whisper against his mouth. “Not yet.”

Even if I desperately want to hear those three words from him, I can’t. Not now, not ever. It’ll only break my heart further when all of this is over.

Bael returns my kiss.

“I won’t,” he says. “Not until you're ready to hear it. Then I’ll say it so much you’ll grow sick of it.”

I smile even as a familiar pain in my chest intensifies. Pulling back the sheets, I toss them aside and press open-mouth kisses against his chest.

“Let’s not talk about the past anymore tonight,” I say. “I want to feel you—see you.”

His growl vibrates against my lips. In a flash, he’s rolled me onto my back, his mouth landing on mine in a clash of tongue and teeth. He’s become the most perfect kisser. His lips are firm yet gentle. He tastes of spice. Large hands cup my breasts, molding them roughly before tweaking my nipples.

My hips rise from the mattress to wrap my legs around his waist. The hardness concealed by his silk pants makes me squirm. My hands reach down, seeking his waistband.

“Let me see you,” I beg. “All of you.”

Bael growls into my mouth but nods. Together, we work his pants down until he is just as naked as I am. My mouth goes dry at the sigh of his cock. The shaft is gray and decorated with veins before giving way to a dark head. The length and size of him make my thighs clench. How I’d love nothing more than to feel him stretching me—burying himself so deep there would be no separating us. I have no doubt I’d feel him every time I moved the next day.

“Bael,” I sigh.

My fingers itch to touch him, but I hold back.

His mouth leaves mine to kiss down my jaw. The wet glide of his tongue swirls around my throat. He kisses lower, stopping to taste each of my nipples until they are in tight peaks. Then he drifts lower, dipping the wet muscle into my naval before skimming his nose over the light dusting of pink hair between my thighs.

Warm breath tickles my most intimate flesh. His hands land on my hips, dragging me closer to his mouth. His heavy cock bobs as he slides down the bed. Knowing I’ll never get to feel it makes me delirious. I’m desperate for more—to imagine what it would be like to have him.

“Tell me what you want to do to me.” My hands settle atop his on my waist. “When you make me yours—I want to know how you’ll do it.”

Bael groans against my pussy. He gives me a slow lick as if desperate for a taste.

“I would bring you back here. I’d take you up to my bed and strip you out of whatever frilly outfit you’d have on. It’d be pink, of course.”

His tongue licks my clit, and I gasp.

“Then what?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“I’d kiss you until you were blushing—turning pink in all the right places.” I feel a finger tuck into my entrance, making my hips begin to writhe. “I’d have to have a taste before we went too far. First, I’d feast on your perfect breasts—then I’d move lower. Devouring your sweet little cunt until you couldn’t take it anymore.”

A moan falls from my lips at his crude language. The wet glide of his tongue mixes with my arousal. It slips down my legs and is soaking the sheets below me. A flush spreads across my chest as my muscles tighten.

“Then what would you do?” I pant.

“Then,” he pauses and raises his head. His lips are glossy with my arousal. “I’d come down on top of you and pin you to the center of my bed.

Another finger adds to the one thrusting inside of me. He scissors them in a way that has my toes curling into the mattress. Stars begin to dance in my vision.

He licks me over and over, my peak looming closer when he stops. Bael rises onto his knees. My legs fall around his hips. Gripping his hard cock in his hands, he slaps it against my clit, causing my whole body to jerk. The head looks painfully large.

“Then, little witch, I’d stare into your eyes as I slid inside of you. Your tight little pussy would grip me just right.” He slides his cock through my wetness before rubbing it against my clit again. “I’d fuck you over and over again until you screamed my name.”

The hardness of his cock thrusts over my clit again and again. My muscles tighten at the feel of him. Like this, it is easy to picture him doing everything he’s been describing. His hands land on either side of my head. My fingers curl around his straining forearm.

“I’d feel you come on my cock and listen as you begged for me to come inside of you. Only once I was sure you’d had enough would I finally find my release.”

“Oh, Goddess,” I moan.

“And you know what I’d do next, little witch?”

I thrash on the bed, my climax closing in on me. The muscles of his chest tighten as he continues thrusting. Just one more brush of his cock, and I’m done for. Bael’s head dips into the crook of my shoulder, and his lips find my ear.

“I’d lift your hips and watch my seed drip out of your pink cunt.”

A scream tears through me. Pleasure erupts from deep within my soul. My pussy clamps around nothing. Fresh arousal flows out of me and soaks the sheets below. Bael squeezes the head of his cock, a choked groan coming from him before he falls back to the mattress.

Licking me clean, Bael growls against my flesh as he goes. My body trembles long after he is done. The aftershocks of pleasure zip through me. I feel him come down beside me and place a kiss on my sweaty brow. He curls me into him and covers us with the silk sheet.

The silence stretches in the dark before Bael breaks it.

“I will give you space until graduation—my control is slipping as is, and I want to honor your wishes to wait.”

My hands curl into his chest.

“Will you still hold me while I sleep? You’re the only thing that keeps the nightmares away.”

It’s selfish to ask, but when have I been anything but where Bael is concerned?

He smiles down at me.

“Of course, little witch. Our tutoring session will go back to being chaste as well. You have another test to take this week before your final exam.”

I sigh, content, and cuddle deeper into his warmth. A sense of completion overwhelms me. Silently, I pray to the Goddess that everything will be as it should be. If we are meant to, Bael and I will find our way back to each other. There is no point denying it anymore, especially not after tonight.

I love him. I don’t know the exact moment it happened, but it’s true—I’m in love with Bael. Right now, he loves me too. He said nothing would ever make him turn from me, but I know that isn’t true. It can’t be.

Exhaustion weighs me down. I don’t need to ask my tarot cards to know a broken heart is in my future.