Page 25 of Cursed by the Love Witch (A Monstrous Holiday #2)

25

DARCEE

“ A nd you haven’t heard anything from him?” Prue asks.

She sits at the counter of my apothecary. Zander looks through a few of the shelves at the back, giving us space to chat. The shop is empty—just like it was yesterday. I need to find a better way of getting the word out that I’m open. I’ll have to hire someone to add to the sign out front that love readings are now on offer.

I shake my head as I go back to filling small jars with dried rose petals.

“It’s been two days. If he wanted to find me, he would’ve by now. That tells me all I need to know—he took the antidote, remember he hated me, and now I’ll never see him again.”

Prue shakes her head. Glancing to make sure Zander is out of earshot, she still drops her voice to a whisper.

“I know you didn’t want me to tell you this before, but I’m telling you now.”

“Even if I don’t want to hear it?” I raise a brow.

Prue nods primly. I let out a heavy sigh, giving her my full attention.

“The High Warlock’s aura never changed. During his lessons, it would always remain black—foreboding and not of this world. And then, for the briefest moments when he’d look at or speak to you, it would blaze pink. I didn’t think much of it—only that maybe it was your natural power brushing up against him. Now, I wonder if there was more to it than that.”

“When did you first notice it?”

“At the beginning of the semester. Weeks before the equinox party.”

My heart begins to race. One final, traitorous thread of hope worms its way into my heart, trying to put back together the broken pieces.

“Well, this is all the proof you need to see it wasn’t the case. He only felt what he did because of my potion.”

Prue’s lips twist, but thankfully, she drops it. I’m hoping we never have to speak of him again—it’s too painful. The memories of our time together replace my nightmares. These past two nights, I’ve been waking up aching. My heart calls out to him but receives no answer.

“Prue, we should go if we’re gonna make dinner,” Zander says, coming to my friend's side.

Their love is palpable as she grins up at him. Rising from the stool, she grips my hand. We plan to catch up later this week, and I watch the two of them slip out my door and into the setting sun. I close in a few hours, and I’m not holding my breath for any new customers.

No matter. There’s plenty of cataloging to keep me busy. Going from Axwyne, where people were always around, to living alone is quite the adjustment. The silence seems to stretch, and my mind can’t focus enough to read a book in the evenings.

I pull out a few jars of dried bay leaves and orange peels. Leaving the desk, I search along the shelves, and find a couple of empty jars and my logbook. Bells chime at the front door, and a thrill goes through me. I smooth my hands on my smock and walk back through the shelves to greet my first customer.

“Welcome to Darcee’s Apothecary of Love! Is there something I can help you with?—”

The words die on my tongue as I round the corner and take in the figure standing at my door. Has he gotten more handsome? It seems impossible, but yet I can’t deny it. His gray skin glows. His strong jaw is clenched. There are dark shadows under his violet eyes. Black satin covers him from head to toe.

Bael stares at me—his face unreadable.

I brace myself for his fury. He’s only come here to rage against me—I know it. Even still, my heart lifts at the sight of him. I’ve missed him terribly. The ache in my chest starts anew. His spicy scent invades my lungs.

He takes a small step forward.

“There is a problem I was hoping you could help me with.”

The slight tremble in his voice causes my throat to tighten. His eyes scan the shelves and the barren walls around me. This space suddenly feels very small, as if he’s sucked all the air out of it.

“You see, I’m in quite the dilemma. There is this witch that left my company in quite a hurry.” A muscle in his cheek ticks. “Didn’t even say goodbye.”

Misery weighs me down. I clear my throat, but my words still sound choked.

“I’m sure she had a good reason to.”

Bael lets out a humorless chuckle.

“Oh, she believed she did. You see, this little witch is under the impression she slipped me a love potion, and that’s the only reason I feel anything for her.”

His heavy steps echo along the hardwood floor. I try not to move as he closes in on me. The breath saws out of my lungs. His body is close enough to touch mine. I hold my breath as his hand cups my cheek. Swallowing my moan at the feeling of his skin against mine, I lose myself in his gaze.

“However, it seems she’s forgotten one vital thing about me?”

“What’s that?” I whisper.

His full lips curl into a grin.

“That my kind are immune to all poisons, brews, and, most assuredly, love potions.”

Shock covers me in cold water. What is he saying? How could he possibly be—and then I remember—a whisper of a memory of us in his office. Him drinking the nightshade tea even though it was still poisonous. He had been fine. He told me such things don’t affect him.

That means—oh Goddess—that means he?—

“I guess what I’m really asking for,” he continues, “is if you have something that will make the most beautiful, compassionate, fiery witch I’ve ever met understand just how much I love her.”

My control snaps as I launch myself into his arms. He stumbles back, and we clatter to the wooden floor. I pin him beneath me, joy overflowing from my soul. It’s strong enough to knit back together the jagged pieces of my heart. The broken organ is whole once more and stronger than ever.

I rain kisses all over his face as he laughs beneath me. His chuckle heats my blood. Planting my palms on either side of his face, I stare down at him, panting.

“You must think I’m a fool,” I say.

His eyes sparkle. “I don’t think you are anything less than wonderful.”

“I love you too,” I say. “So much.”

His lips connect with mine as his hands fall to the back of my legs. They run up and down my frilly skirt. Our kiss is a gentle exploration as if our mouths are getting reacquainted with each other. He tastes delicious. My body settles atop his fully, sealing our fronts together.

“How did you find me?” I ask, breaking our kiss.

“By giving Mistress Saege a very persuasive argument. She finally relented where you'd gone once she was assured of my undying love for you this afternoon.”

A flush heats my cheeks. I rest my chin on his chest.

“I am sorry. I should’ve come clean immediately and shouldn’t have left without explanation. I figured you’d hate me once you learned what I had done. Never could I have imagined you felt the way you do for me. I thought I was an annoyance at best to you.”

Bael cringes, his whole body tensing beneath me.

“Then you must think I'm a fool, too.” He curls a piece of my hair around his finger. “At first, you unsettled me. I’d never felt the way I do towards you about anyone. I’d been watching you for years—keeping tabs on you from a distance. Then, that night at the equinox, when I saw you with someone else, I realized I couldn’t hold back anymore. If I wanted you, I had to act. It all flooded out once I fully embraced those feelings—so strong I couldn’t stop it.”

That day in detention, I had wrongfully perceived his appearance as being under the influence of my love potion. In reality, he had just been in love with me. Those symptoms weren’t simulated—they were real.

I smile as my mouth comes down on his once more. His fingers tunnel into my hair as he holds me close. Our kisses turn rougher. His tongue gently plays with mine as my thighs slide to the other sides of his hips. Bael’s head falls back, and his eyes are serious.

“Who had you meant to give the love potion to that night?”

Biting my lip, I shake my head—time to come fully clean.

“I hadn’t meant to give it to anyone. I brewed it for Prue and Zander—I accidentally mixed it up with a sleeping dram I was going to use on you.”

His brows furrow.

“That day, I found Mistress Saege crying, and she said you were responsible for it. This was coming on the heels of me failing another test and realizing my ability to pass your class was dwindling. I was so angry—I made a plan to slip you a sleeping potion so that I could graduate and get revenge for Mistress Saege.” I shake my head. “I thought you were cruel. I wanted you gone. Shortly after I had slipped it into your glass when I accidentally fell into your arms, I learned that they were tears of joy you brought Saege. As for my grade, I realize I should’ve just come to you for help.”

Bael chuckles softly. His eyes turn serious.

“You know—come to think of it—after you fell into me, I didn’t even drink my wine. I tossed it before returning to my cottage.” His hands tighten on my backside. “The feeling of you in my arms was too overwhelming.”

I giggle before sobering.

“No more lies. No more secrets. Just the truth from now on,” I vow.

“Always,” he agrees.

Gathering me to his chest, he rises with me in his arms. My legs wrap around his waist as I hear the apothecary door lock. Anticipation makes me shiver. His forehead falls to mine.

“Darcee, you must understand, if we lie together tonight, that is it for me. It will cement our bond—you will become my mate—and our lives will be tied together. My immortality will end, and I’ll live as long as you do. We will be one in heart and soul. Is that what you want?”

I stare into his earnest gaze. Only an hour ago, I felt alone—resigned to spending the rest of my days toiling away at bringing other people together. Now, the Goddess has smiled upon me, bringing the love of my life back to me. Loneliness no longer lingers around me. There is so much warmth radiating from my heart that I can hardly breathe. For the first time in my life, I feel whole.

And it’s all thanks to Bael.

“More than anything,” I say.

A feral grin curls his mouth.

“Good, because if I don’t get inside your little pussy soon, I’m going to die.”

I capture his lips once more.

He growls against me. Our kiss never falters as he walks us up the short staircase to my apartment above. The door flies open and bangs against the wall. The setting sun makes the room darker. Candles blaze to life all around us. Thankfully, I made my bed this morning, and Bael tosses me into the center of it.

I push up on my elbows as he stares down at me. His breathing ragged as he lowers to his knees.

“You are my madness. Forever,” he snarls.

His hands go to the zippers on my boots, gently dragging them down before shucking them off me. He removes my socks before reaching for the waistband of my skirt. I help him by pulling the sweater over my head and tossing it on the floor. Warm palms slide up my outer thighs and hips. Hooking his fingers into the sides of my panties, he pulls them off while I throw my bra to the floor.

Cupping each knee, he props me up until I am fully exposed to his hungry gaze. I’ve never felt this bare before. While I’ve been naked around him countless times, this feels different somehow. It’s like he’s seeing me—all of me for the first time. There are no more secrets between us, exactly how it should always be.

He raises and comes down on top of me. My hands go to his shirt, unbuttoning it as he kisses my jaw. Once the smooth muscles of his back are exposed to my hands, I trace over them. Velvety soft skin tickles my hard nipples. My fingers slide lower on his back and slip under his pants to cup his firm backside.

“Naughty little thing you are.”

“Are you going to make me beg?” I ask, batting my lashes.

“Not yet.”

Tongue and teeth mash together as I fumble to the front of his pants for the button. Once it’s opened, I slide his zipper down and help him shuck his last piece of clothing. Our naked skin rubs together. His warmth settles over me. The hardness of his body presses against my soft curves in the most delicious ways.

Spice and earth invade my nostrils. His taste and smell engulf me.

His hands cup my breasts, molding them roughly before he sucks a nipple into his mouth. His tongue rolls over the tight peak as my hands fall to his head. My thighs widen to accommodate his large frame. I hook them over his hips, desperate to feel every inch of him.

Tilting my hips up, I brush up against his hard cock. I sigh, desperately trying to capture it. My arousal intensifies. Wetness slides down my thighs, and I rub it against him. Bael hisses against me, releasing my nipple with a pop.

“Please,” I whine. “Give it to me.”

He grins before shaking his head.

“I need a taste first.”

Bael bites and sucks down the center of my body. His mouth goes between my thighs. Hefting my legs over his shoulders, he wraps his forearms across my hips and lifts me until only my shoulders remain on the bed. His lips suck my clit deep into his mouth. My inability to move only heightens my pleasure. I am at his mercy and must ride this wave out.

The warm, slippery muscle of his tongue slides into me. Curling ever so slightly to taste me fully, he rubs his face back and forth against my wetness. My skin turns pink—pleasure races through me and crawls up my neck. My muscles grow tight as he continues to devour me. His grip on me never loosens.

His tongue drifts lower, nudging my back entrance, and I scream. I feel his chuckle as he returns to my pussy. Teeth grazing over my clit is the last bit I need before my body erupts. Pleasure seeps from every pore as my legs lock on his shoulders. Bael holds me to his face, licking me through my orgasm.

Once I’m clean, Bael comes down on top of me. His gray lips are glossy with my come. My legs inch apart in clear invitation. Pleasure has made my muscles pliant, and now I need to feel him stretching me wide. Gripping his straining cock, I can see a bead of milky seed already seeping from the tip. I lick my lips.

“Next time, you’ll have to let me suck your cock.” I give him a rough pump and delight in his shudder. “Right now, I need you to fuck me.”

Bael throws his head back with a laugh.

“Whatever you want, mate.”

Gently, he drags his hard cock through my wetness, coating himself in it to help ease himself inside. The head circles my entrance before I feel him slowly push into me. The sensation is already intense. I throw my head back, my fingers curling into the sheets around me. One hand braces on my thigh, keeping me open.

His possession is deliciously controlled. Every muscle in his body is taut. Together, we watch his gray flesh disappear into my pink opening. Moans spill from my lips. More liquid arousal seeps out of me, easing his glide. After a tantalizing few minutes, I finally feel him fill me completely. His hips brush against my ass.

Bael falls on top of me, his whole body trembling. I stroke his back and press kisses along his brow. I am his first—his only. No one will ever have him like I have. A wicked thrill runs through me.

He remains still inside of me. His mouth is open against the skin of my chest. I hold him tighter, locking my legs around his hips.

“Darcee,” he moans. “I’ve never—not even by my hand. You feel better than I ever imagined. I don’t want to, but I think?—”

“Shh,” I whisper, bringing his face up towards mine. I kiss his lips. “Come for me, my love.”

“It’s too quick.” He shakes his head.

I giggle, my hands finding his backside.

“You’ve made me come so many times. Now it’s my turn.” I lick up the side of his face, and the salty taste of his sweat is delicious. “Give me your seed, Bael. I want it. Please.”

He bays like a broken beast into the side of my neck. With a grunt, his hips retreat before thrusting deep back into me. The feel of his cock stretching me is decadent. He is mine. Always.

I encourage him to thrust again, and he does before his whole body locks up.

“Darcee!”

His teeth sink into the side of my neck as his hips jerk. The warm rush of his seed fills me. Rope after rope shoots deep inside my heated channel. I moan, loving the feeling of him losing control with me. This sensible, practical male is unflappable in the classroom, but with me, he is nothing but a bundle of white-hot passion.

His cock hardens even as I feel the last of his come soak me. With a groan, Bael pulls out, and our mingling releases pool on my thighs. He slides beside me, cupping my cheek and kissing me thoroughly.

“Mine,” he says.

“Yours,” I agree. “Always.”

He smiles as his hand drifts down between my legs. Rubbing tight circles on my clit until I’m breathless. His fingers drift lower and dip into my opening, sliding in deep due to the considerable wetness he finds there. I’m sticky, but I don’t want to stop.

Bael’s cock presses against my side.

“You’re still hard,” I comment.

His fingers curl inside me, stretching me just right.

“I’ve been saving myself for over a century. One time with you wasn’t going to be nearly enough.”

While his fingers continue to pump me, our mouths tangle together. I open it wide and allow his tongue to dominate mine. He tastes of me, and my heart pounds. This is perfect. His hand wraps around my waist and pulls me onto my side with my legs stacked on top of each other. Bael repositions himself and lines his cock up with my entrance.

It’s tighter this way. He fills me swiftly, his hips connecting with my backside. He retreats slowly before thrusting deep again. My teeth clatter together at the onslaught of pleasure.

“You’re perfect. So fucking perfect.”

“Bael,” I moan.

His pace increases, becoming rougher. My hands tangle in the sheets as he powers into me from behind. This is an angle I’ve never thought to try before. Both of our first times, it would seem. Gripping my hip to hold me steady, Bael lifts my top leg and pulls it back to go over his hip. His hard cock drags along my inner walls and butts up against my womb. It tickles that hidden spot inside of me that has stars dancing in my vision.

He leans down, placing kisses along the scars on my back. Tears swim in my eyes, but I blink them away. The pleasure is too strong—too intense. His hand falls to my front and works my clit in tandem with his thrust.

“Fuck—I’m close. Oh Goddess.”

“Come for me, Darcee. Cover my cock in your sweet come.”

No sooner are the words out of his mouth that I do just that. My pussy locks around his thrusting length, and I come harder than ever before. My vision goes blurry. Sweat glides down my spine as I float on a warm cloud. I hardly feel attached to my body.

Bael snarls, and I think he’ll find his own climax, but he merely flips me over onto my stomach. Without giving me a chance for a reprieve, he hooks his hands onto my hips and lifts me. Smacking me lightly on the ass, my giggle quickly turns into a moan as he fucks me harder.

“My handprint on your ass and your greedy little pussy sucking me—you are quite the sight to behold.”

“Who knew you’d have such a filthy mouth,” I say, looking at him over my shoulder.

Bael laughs, moving his hands up to cup the globes of my ass. Roughly shaping them, he gives me another soft spank before I feel his thumb gently pressing into my back entrance.

“I’ll get my cock in this hole soon enough.”

“Hmm,” I moan. “Yes, please.”

Bael reaches down my back to curl my hair around his fist. He snatches my head back, and my spine bows. His thrusts turn rough and ragged. I can hear our wet flesh slapping together. The sloppy wet sounds of my pussy makes my climax loom once more. My fingers curl into the mattress to keep myself from sliding any further.

The width of him is glorious. I’ll no doubt be feeling him every time I move tomorrow. Reaching beneath me, his hand tightly works my clit until a scream tears from my lips. I clamp around his thrusting clock, eager to feel his warm seed bathe my inner walls once more.

Bael snarls, his fingers dig into my waist as he thrusts deep. A fresh torrent of his seed fills me. I twitch with pleasure until he is finished. My muscles give out and fall in a heap at the center of the bed. Bael comes down on top of me, kissing along my shoulders and whispering words of love and praise.

The metallic taste of magic dances in the air.

I feel it now—the threads of our souls weaving together. Even as he slips from inside me, we are still connected. His heart beats along mine inside my chest. Our bond is permanent—ever-lasting.

Bael tucks my sweaty, trembling body into his chest. I’ve never felt like this after sex. I’m sated in a way I never thought possible. Bael has fulfilled me in every way. His hands trace up and down my back as he tucks me under his chin.

“How was that for you?” I murmur.

“I’m struggling to find the words. You are exquisite, Darcee.”

I laugh against his chest.

“Oh, I can find some words. You fucked my brains out, Bael. Goddess, I'll be shocked if I can walk in the morning.”

Bael chuckles against me, his eyes dancing with a promise.

“I’m far from done with you tonight, little witch. Rest while you can. I’ll have my cock back inside you soon.”

“Can’t wait,” I say. A yawn creeps up on me, and my eyes fall shut.

My future's so bright now. The darkness of my past is far from the love Bael and I share. There is no place for it between us. Only light and happiness. We both deserve it. My love potion didn’t break my heart at all. It brought me to my mate.

I really must be the most exceptional love witch in all the land.