Page 38 of Druid Cursed

CHAPTER

Maggie woke to gray morning light, a chill, and no Kellen. She clutched his jacket to her, pushed her tangled hair out of her eyes, and sat up.

Fully dressed, his hair pulled back in its usual style, he stood gazing out the window across the great hall, as if contemplating the world’s secrets. He turned toward her and smiled. His dark eyes gleamed like they had last night, full of heat and ancient power.

That was all it took to stir up a dozen erratic butterflies in her stomach. The ritual had obviously worked. Sparks of energy still danced in her own blood. She couldn’t remember the last time she had woken up so refreshed, no coffee required.

She stood on sore, shaking legs, the stone cold beneath her bare feet, and shuddered. “Good morning.”

Slowly, as if nearing a holy shrine that might strike him down if he made a wrong move, he approached, gently tugged his jacket from her grip, and put it around her.

“What were you thinking about over there?” she asked, smiling up at him.

He studied her for a moment before speaking in a soft, hushed voice.

“For so long, I have been alone. For even longer, I have yearned to find someone who altered my world in an unchangeable, undeniable manner, a lifetime companion perfectly suited to me.” He lifted her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her fingers that sent electric tingles along her nerves.

“I dared not dwell on it nor dream that my solitude might change. Holding onto the hope for a family of my own…” He shook his head.

“Desperately hoping, only to discover ’twas my fate to be alone forever, would utterly destroy me. ”

Maggie laid her hand over his, that same yearning crashing unexpectedly over her.

She totally got it. To find the one person that made you feel complete, someone who killed the loneliness for good, a one, true love…

Who wouldn’t want that? She’d always dreamed of it, too—even if it was a fairy tale.

“I have never shared that secret with another soul, certainly not Caedmon, who does not understand the soul-deep want for hearth and family. I can bear only so much of his teasing.”

“Brothers can be the worst.”

“Indeed.” He pulled her near, guiding her head against his chest. Maggie closed her eyes and listened to the steady rhythm of his pulse thrumming beneath her ear.

“Although we did not discuss it,” he continued, “my mother, I believe, recognized that distinction between my brother and me. One year on the summer solstice, her favorite holiday, I gifted her with a locket. She sketched two miniatures to place inside it—one of Caedmon, the other of her and me—and said she would keep us close to her heart, but that someday, I would fill that locket with pictures of my own children. So many days when I floundered, those words lifted me, renewed my hope. That I would find family, home, and love all in one person.”

Maggie swallowed the lump in her throat. Family. Home. Love. She wanted that, too.

“I need you to know that you are not like the others, chosen by Caedmon for a single evening.” He eased back and gently cupped her face between his rough hands, holding her gaze.

“I want you so badly I fear my heart may pound its way out of my chest and crumble to ash at your feet. I will always want you.”

Her heart squeezed, almost painfully. She placed her hands over his.

If she hadn’t already fallen for him, this moment would have done it.

“Kellen.” She lifted on tiptoes and kissed him softly.

“I wouldn’t take last night back for anything.

And I do believe I took a holy vow to never forget. It was amazing, every second.”

One corner of his mouth curled up. “Aye?”

“Total aye.”

As fast as his expression cleared, it clouded, and he straightened. “We need to return to the main hall.” His heated gaze swept over her, along the length of his jacket falling to her knees, all the way to her bare toes and back to her face. “Before I lose my senses again.”

She grinned. “I’d be okay with that.”

“But I am not.” He swallowed and closed his eyes. “Taking you like a lust-crazed animal before the fireplace again…I would rather leave you with memories of being cherished, every inch adored, properly and thoroughly loved.”

New heat ignited in her belly. Holy hell, he knew how to make a girl feel wanted.

“My curse still stands, and if Caedmon fails to break it…”

“He’ll break it.” Maggie lifted her chin. “We’ll defeat that witch.”

“Such a warrior you are.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, leaving a warm trail. “Tonight is the masquerade ball, a ritual of itself, the one exception in which guests will be allowed to participate with competitors. Will you accompany me?”

“A masquerade ritual? Can’t wait.” Her smile fell. “But I’m not prepared for some fancy ball. I packed jeans and sweaters, because that’s all I own.”

“Worry not. I will see to the details, so long as you remain by my side. Do not, I pray you, abandon me to face the vultures Caedmon invited alone.”

Since it was a ritual, going was required if she wanted to stay in the competition.

But the idea of attending a masquerade ball with stunning dresses and disguises sounded far more appealing with Kellen beside her.

“Okay. Fine. I mean…” She affected an Irish accent.

“Aye, I’ll do my best to keep you safe from all the lovely lasses. ”

His answering scowl was adorable, but now that she was fully awake, her worry for Wendy rose, stronger than ever. “When is the council of war to prepare for taking Sorcha down? You should raise a hue and cry against her, put everyone on alert.”

“Chaos is what Sorcha desires. She would use any panic incited by a hue and cry to her advantage. And there will be no council. Her curse renders me incapable of doing aught against her. You witnessed that in the woods. I must trust that Caedmon will devise a workable scheme.” His jaw bunched, echoing the frustration in his dark eyes.

“I cannot risk being dragged back to her prison early, not with this being my last bout of freedom.”

Last bout of freedom . Her heart nearly caved in.

“Do not let worry for Wendy consume you, Maggie.” His voice softened. “So long as my last ward remains intact, Sorcha needs her to conduct her schemes. Of us all, Wendy may be the safest.”

“I hope so.” After last night, she suspected witches weren’t the only beings that might be dangerous in Ravenwood. “Are you going to tell me what was in the forest last night?”

His eyes narrowed. “Do you wish for dreams while you slumber, or nightmares?”

Good point. “Never mind.”

“Get dressed, mo chuisle .” He swatted her on the bottom, and she squeaked. “We still have a quest to fulfill. If naught else, your friend will be free from Sorcha’s grasp. I vow it.”

She swallowed the guilty lump in her throat and backtracked for her clothes. Wendy would undoubtedly be cheering for her night with Kellen and wouldn’t want her to feel guilty, but she couldn’t help it. Not when Wendy was still MIA.

Getting her friend back was more important than winning the contest cash, even if it meant losing the house her father had built and surrendering her boutique dreams. If Maggie was the one possessed, Wendy wouldn’t back down no matter the cost, and neither would she.

When she came face to face with Sorcha again, she’d have her speech prepared.

Hello again, my name is Maggie O’Malley. You possessed my best friend and cursed Kellen. Prepare to bite it, Grandma.

…

Maggie munched on the hot blueberry muffin Jeeves had left on a crystal plate outside her door, as if he’d somehow known the exact minute she’d be back.

After last night’s sexcapade, she was famished.

Kellen had walked her to the stairs and left her to change and shower, with the promise of breakfast and coffee afterward.

She couldn’t hold back a cheek-aching smile as she unlocked her door. Smart, amazing, perfect man.

As she stepped into her room, salt crunched beneath her shoes.

The protective line was smudged and broken.

She willed her heart to calm as she shut the door.

The salt was probably messed up due to her own careless steps last night.

Kellen had said both Jeeves and Caedmon had personally inspected the entire premises for Wendy, including her room.

One of them could easily be responsible. No reason to freak out.

She set the muffin on the table by the door and froze. The diary she’d borrowed from Kellen’s tower sat on the table—she was certain she hadn’t left it there—and a white envelope peeked out from between the pages.

A shiver rippled down her back. Despite the changed locks, protective salt barriers, and the fact that everyone was now on the alert for Wendy, knowing who pulled the strings, Sorcha had still managed to infiltrate her room.

Or had it been Wendy herself, hoping Maggie would figure out a way to save her through the scavenger hunt items?

Wendy knew she loved puzzles and mysteries, enough that Maggie would suffer through the haunted house tours Wendy loved if it meant an escape room was next on the agenda.

And even though Wendy usually solved the escape room first, she never spoiled the surprise for Maggie.

If Wendy was able to leave evidence without Sorcha’s knowledge, she would.

Either way, there had to be a reason that the clue was tucked in that book. It was too much of a coincidence. Her fingers cold and fumbling, she carefully flipped through the fine, yellowed pages to the envelope. Paper crackled as she pulled the card free.

Something dark fell from the envelope and plunked to the rug. Maggie crouched. One of Wendy’s favorite Halloween earrings had landed next to her sandals, nestled neatly beneath the table. Tucked inside one sandal was a smooth, slender stick. Her breath caught. No, not a stick.

A medieval spindle.