Page 23 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

He doesn't answer, but he doesn't need to. This time, he knows I'm not kidding. He stands there, frowning and opening and closing his mouth, at a loss. I sigh. Yeah, I guess I should have... said something, maybe earlier.

"Until you described it earlier, I really didn't know what it was," I explain. "I've just been feeling that way since I saw you that night, and ever since, every time you're near, I get that crazy pull toward you. That's why I followed you, at the university, and even this afternoon, to the border. I know it's not... in your rules that a witch feels these things too, but I do, okay? I really do."

Liam remains speechless for a few seconds. I guess he really had no idea. Is there really no record of a witch being a fated mate before? It can't be that surprising. Even if Ravena said so, my bond with Liam shows they were all wrong... or there's something wrong with me. Which would only add another thing to the long list, but...

"It's not possible," he suddenly says. "No witch has ever been able to feel the mate bond, Mara. I didn't know it was possible to happen with... a werewolf and a witch to begin with."

"Why not? It happens to human and werewolf couples, no?"

"It's not the same! Werewolves and witches are natural enemies. It's like... I don't know, the food chain. Werewolves fight vampires, vampires bite humans, humans hunt witches, witches–"

"Kill werewolves?" I snicker. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I think Sylviana already wrecked that previous-century logic of yours. I don't know how it happened, if the Moon Goddess drank too much or what, but this is what things are at the moment. I am your fated mate, and... as far as I can tell, you're... mine. It comes as a pair anyway, so..."

"It isn't that simple, Mara. It changes a few things," he mutters, frowning.

He looks almost upset now, but I don't really get it. We just confirmed I feel the same thing as he does, right? I don't understand his problem, and it annoys me a little. For once, things are becoming a bit clearer, but Liam looks unhappy with it while I'm still nervous about being rejected, like an idiot. Suddenly, I get it.

"It means I can reject you too, then?" I ask.

His eyes go wide, and I know I just hit the mark. I chuckle a bit nervously. Seriously? I cross my arms, a bit amused by his reaction.

"So that's it? Because I can reject you, is this what upsets you?"

He frowns, really unhappy this time. His eyes have taken the color of the storm outside once again. He steps closer, but he doesn’t intimidate me, not in a scary way when he’s half-naked like this. I stand up to him, raising an eyebrow.

"This isn't a game, Mara. The fated bond pairing is something sacred to werewolves. All of us want it, everyone wants to experience that just once. I've seen both my brothers lose their ground and go crazy because they had lost their fated mates, okay? You can't play with that."

I sigh.

"Liam, you're the one who said you considered rejecting me just seconds ago. Right? Well then, isn't this crueler? You get to decide if we keep this bond or not, but I wouldn't even have been aware of you tossing me away? I'm glad I get this thing too. Sacred or not, I'm glad I get the choice too. Now you can't reject me just like that."

"You don't know what happens to a rejected one, Mara. It feels–"

"I don't want to know how that feels because I don't want to be rejected!" I yell, stepping forward and closer to him. "Liam, I literally have no one. Everyone around me has an interest in being my friend or my family. There is no one I can really trust, but I get this thing with you, and this is the most real feeling I've been able to experience so far. I don't want to lose it. I don't want to lose you, I don't want to lose this thing we have together. I don't care if it's artificial, I don't care who put it there and why. I want it. I want someone to whom I feel attached to, someone who has real feelings for me."

Our faces are so close right now, but I don't care anymore. I have a mix of crazy emotions guiding me, making me tremble and tear up. I'm glad I could form the words and say them out loud. I can see his facial features from this close, betraying his messed up feelings. I see a hint of fear in his eyes, but also something warmer, something that grips my entire being. His lips are half-open, and his breathing erratic.

"I have... real feelings for you," he whispers.

"...Good."

That's all my tiny voice could utter after that. We are both staring at each other from really close, and what should be awkward feels strangely... inviting. I see him glance down at my lips, and then look away. I know he wants to, but won't. Liam swallows, taking one step back with a bit of an embarrassed expression, and those cute red ears.

I'm about to retreat too, but... my heart doesn't take that well. In a split second, a million things go through my head. Is that it? Is this all? What next? Are we going to be awkward like this from now on? Why doesn't he? Why don't I?

"Oh, damn it..."

I take a deep breath and grab his neck, pulling him toward me, and kiss him.

It was so sudden, our lips collided a bit too brutally, but what comes next is much smoother. As if that was all he needed, Liam starts kissing me back, avidly. I put my hand around his neck as if he was already mine, reaching out for his large shoulder. I had never realized how hot his skin is, but I like it. I feel his arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, caressing the skin on my back. I feel my fire inside almost purring from this kiss, as if it was spreading gently throughout my whole body. It doesn't feel like some wildfire I have to tame, but some embers slowly radiating from my chest, gently warming up everything.

Liam's lips are intense to follow, he doesn't stop. I feel pulled toward him, wanting more of his embrace, more of those savage lips on mine. I can't believe I started this kiss when he's the one being so restless. I barely catch any air, kiss after kiss. His hands still on my back, he keeps me trapped there, and for a long while, nothing can be heard but the rain outside and the two of us, making out passionately.

I know it's silly, I know it's risky. We barely know each other, and we are just pulled toward each other like two magnets charged by desire, a desire neither of us can control. But Moon Goddess, I don't care. I just want to enjoy every second of his lips on mine. I want to learn the taste of his kisses, the way he touches me, and how he frowns cutely while we kiss. I can almost hear his growling, his voice getting deeper as he takes pleasure in our lips. There's something animalistic about this, but it just feels so good to go along with our instinct. I don't care if I'm human or witch, woman, wolf, or feline. I just want this, want him. Liam's lips on mine, our bodies against each other. His warmth melting into mine, and his fingers caressing me.

After what seems like forever, our lips naturally slow down. We are not even out of breath, just a bit dizzy. After one last long, slow to part kiss, we both exhale, still in each other's embrace. Liam gently puts his forehead against mine. I chuckle.

"...Interesting."

"...You're welcome," he sighs, making me smile some more.

I wrap my arms around his neck and put my head against his shoulder. I don't want to let go of him, not yet. Liam must feel the same, because I feel his arms hugging me tight, and his lips against my nape.

"...I really like your smell," he mutters. "It's unique."

"...What do I smell like?"

"Some... chimney fire," he says after a few seconds, "or burning wood. ...And like rain, a little bit."

I nod. It does sound nice, but I have no idea... I find myself wondering what a werewolf's environment feels like. It must be a crazy world every time they enter a new room... I'm a bit jealous. I suddenly think of something.

"...No cheeseburger smell?"

"...Yeah, maybe that too."

I chuckle. Of course, he'd like that one. We slowly put some space between each other, but I can't take my eyes off him. I may be simply imagining this because of our kiss just now, but... I feel like his eyes are more on the blue side now, and have a bit of a softer look in them. A little wave of nostalgia hits me for no reason. I extend my arm to caress his cheek, and he smiles, looking down.

"Alright... Should we try the ramen before they get super soggy?"

Damn that werewolf stomach...

I can't stop staring at Liam while he’s eating. It's almost scary to think my lips were against that mouth just minutes ago. I know he was hungry, but this feels almost dangerous to watch... I'm chewing my chopsticks, almost not feeling like eating myself. Not that I had any doubt he would eat all of the ramen, but still, he's eating them scary fast while I'm still here trying to take my time. It looks like I won't need to, he'll be done before me.

Somehow, I wasn't really prepared for what comes after a kiss like that. I thought it might be awkward, but now, it's almost as if nothing happened. Liam is back to his usual self, a bit more relaxed maybe. I'm sitting on the kitchen counter next to him, only a couple of feet away, but I can't stop sending glances his way. What are we now? Where are we at? It's a bit too soon to be, like... a couple, right? I sigh. We should have cleared the air earlier. Now I feel like asking a thousand questions while he's completely absorbed by the ramen.

I keep reliving our kiss, and I feel my heart swoon every time. It was really... nice. Not like a professional kiss like in those movies I watched with Kelsi, but simpler, more... realistic. Something that isn't perfect, but still felt crazy good. I wonder how much that fated mates thing blurs our judgment. What would have happened if I wasn't Liam's mate? Maybe he would have kicked me out of Silver City already. Would I still have these feelings for him?

...Why do I have them in the first place? Liam seemed absolutely sure it's impossible for witches. I would have thought he was simply wrong if it wasn't for Ravena saying the same thing. So why? Why me? I sigh and stare outside. It's still one hell of a downpour outside. Silver City is one of those cities that doesn't do things half-assed. It's either gorgeous weather or some crazy ugly downpour outside. I hear the storm breaking again, and I see some lightning far in the distance. His nephews probably didn't get to play very long outside...

"Are you done?"

Surprised by his voice, I turn back, and he's pointing at my half-empty cup of noodles in my hands. Liam is done eating his, but judging from his expression, he didn't ask out of concern for me. I frown.

"No, I'm not done. Let me eat my ramen, you glutton."

"Sorry... I had to watch you eat lunch, so..."

"You could have eaten if you weren't so stubborn."

He chuckles and leans forward, putting his elbow down on the kitchen counter to stare at me from up close. Damn, now he's going to be all I can see when I close my eyes again...

"Fine, fine, finish your ramen. I'm full anyway."

I frown. Why the hell did he ask if he was full already? I watch him throw away all his empty cups while I hurry to finish mine. There's unfairness in this world to see a guy with abs like that eat like he does every day without blinking. What the hell are werewolf stomachs made of?

Liam walks over here, making me all flustered again. He's not going to steal it, is he? I frown a bit and hurry to slurp the last of those noodles, leaving the soup. I'm stuffed already and I don't want to risk throwing up in front of him...

Yet, he's getting close, a bit too close for my poor heart to handle. Shouldn't I have developed a little immunity after that kiss? I mean, I touched those abs, that torso, but it's still so... hot. I gasp a bit as Liam walks up to me with a little smile. He finally puts his hands right next to my knees, one on each side, and faces me with a faint smile.

"So? What else is on your list?"

"M-my list?"

"Of crazy things to do?" he says, tilting his head. "You've gone through the barrier, got into a witch's house... I feel like there's more coming. I am not going to get bored with you, am I?"

"Probably not..." I mutter, my voice slightly raspier than usual.

I take a deep breath, looking around. Damn, this place feels... big and empty, with the two of us facing each other like this, so close.

"So this is your place?" I ask, a pitiful way to change the topic.

"Yeah... My brothers bought it for me, though. I don't really like to use it now, since I didn't actually... pay for it."

"I know what that feels like..."

I'm in such a similar situation, it's easy for me to relate. I still don't really get what my sister meant by buying me my own place either. Is this their way of looking after us, of keeping control over our lives? I wonder... I don't really like it, though. I mean, the place is nice, but it's not like I paid a cent for it. Even this place. Liam doesn't really... fit in here, and I understand why he hasn't been really using it, aside from microwaving food and crashing on rainy nights.

I glance outside. It's not like we will be able to go out anytime soon, either. The downpour doesn't slow down, and the storm seems to be coming our way. I'm surprised my headache has subsided. Probably because I'm inside a building and behind double-pane windows. Perhaps because I'm very distracted from the pain too...

"...I keep wondering how you can possibly feel the bond," suddenly whispers Liam.

I turn back to him, surprised. His eyes take me a bit by surprise. He's close, a bit too close... I need to stop myself from staring at those lips and close my mouth.

"What?"

"You're not a werewolf," he mutters. "I mean, we would know, even complete stranger werewolves can feel each other, we recognize our kind. Yet, you're my mate, and there's... something odd about you."

"Thanks... How odd, exactly?"

He frowns, coming a bit closer, making me even more self-conscious. I almost regret asking now... He sighs, shaking his head.

"I don't know. There's something strangely familiar. Werewolves have an aura, some sort of... halo. It lets us know who is friendly, who is dangerous. Our statuses, like, Alphas have scary auras, and Betas have a much less... menacing one."

"Oh... Like your brothers?"

He looks surprised for a second.

"My brothers?"

"Yeah," I nod. "When I saw them, earlier, they had that... scary dark halo around them. If it wasn't for Nora and Selena being next to them, I don't think I could have approached. It looks like some dark cloud, right?"

Liam stays speechless for a few seconds, making me realize there's something wrong again. I bite my thumb.

"...You're going to tell me I shouldn't be able to see that either?"

He slowly shakes his head.

Oh, crap... I gasp. Another thing not normal to add to the list? I feel the headache coming back. I try to relive that morning, remembering what I saw... what I experienced. I take a deep breath, and Liam suddenly grabs my hand.

"Mara, calm down. Explain to me what you felt, okay? And then we'll try to sort it out."

I nod, and trying to be as precise as possible, I detail everything. How I felt the first time I saw Bonnie, and how his brothers, Nora, and Selena felt different to me. The whole thing, my senses, the halo, all of it. Liam listens to me, without expressing anything. He does frown from time to time, but not in a too-shocked way, which I appreciate. I'm tired of feeling like an alien and realizing I experience more than I should is kind of disturbing enough in itself. Liam gently rubs the back of my hand the whole time, which both calms me down and excites me. Yet, I need to stay focused.

"...Like snow?" he repeats.

"Yeah... I don't know, like something very soothing and quiet. Nora's aura is really special... I don't know about the whole... Royal thing, but I can see what you mean. She's different."

"No, I think you're right, but you even see it... differently from what werewolves experience. It's like you feel the auras, not the wolf behind it. It's curious. I mean, it makes sense you can't feel our wolves, but... our auras?"

"But, I thought Sylviana could feel them too?"

Liam shakes his head.

"No, not that way. She just had a good instinct about it, as most witches should, but you... you experience the auras. It's different from what I've seen until now..."

"Another thing to add to the Mara is a weirdo list, then..." I sigh.

Liam shakes his head, and suddenly pulls himself a bit closer. This time, his waist is truly between my legs, and he puts his hand on my cheek, making me burn at that very place instantly.

"You're not weird, okay? You're just... out of the boxes we know."

"...That's a really nice way to put it, but let's be real, I'm a new kind of freak."

"We will sort it out, alright? Didn't you get some clues already today?"

I nod. I can definitely use some of his optimism. Sylviana's house did give me some new leads... First, I need to dive into that genealogy thing again. I feel like I missed an answer there, and that map thing, as well. I just used it quickly to find Liam, but now that it's with me, I know I can do more. I have a hundred questions to ask those magic circles, and there's going to be a proper answer coming sooner or later. There has to be.

However, I don't say a word about the magic circles to Liam. I won't tell anyone... for now. I feel like I should be careful about everything and everyone. It's a bit sad, but even right now, when we are so close, I can still feel that wall between us. Something that won't allow us to completely give in and trust each other. Liam smiles gently, and I smile back too. I'm glad we got it sorted, but I don't want to be naive. I'm still a witch, a clueless witch with a lot of questions.

"So, uh..."

This time, he's the one to glance outside, and I'm a bit confused for a minute.

"I guess you're sleeping here?"

I chuckle. Is it me or is he the one being nervous this time? Not that I'm gloating, I do feel a bit... shy about the idea of sleeping here as well. I glance around, and his hands go around me, circling my waist without being too intrusive.

"...Do you have a guest room?" I ask, my throat a bit more hoarse than I wanted it.

Liam hesitates, but then, he slowly nods.

"Yes, I do... if you want to use it."

Oh, Moon Goddess mother, I'm in trouble. He's making those eyes again, and I'd rather be outside in the storm than have to face that from... up close. I know he is tempting. He's half-naked and basically offering me to share his bed, which is probably a whole new definition of temptation. I take a deep breath. Do I want to use the guest room? I know I'm the one who... initiated that kiss, but Liam brought the passion without a second thought. I don't know where my heart is at the moment, and I don't even know about my body. Maybe I'm not even a virgin? Gosh, what kind of crap am I thinking about now? Liam chuckles.

"You're cute when you're thinking deeply, but I haven't heard your answer yet."

"Is it alright if we... sleep, like sleep together?"

I put a clear emphasis on the sleeping, indicating which kind of sleeping I'm talking about. He frowns a bit. Is he disappointed or trying to figure out my cryptic question? I bite my thumb, nervous, but he clicks his tongue and grabs my wrist to make me stop.

"You mean... just sleep?" he asks.

"Just sleep... but together," I nod, feeling damn embarrassed already.

He stays silent for a minute, and my heart goes nuts. It's not bad that I don't want to have sex with him right away, no? I mean, we technically just kissed so far, and the previous time, we’d been playing push and pull on an edge so... I don't consider myself a nun, but seriously, even my own body is akin to a stranger to me. Seeing that he's staying silent, I lose patience and slap his shoulder.

"Say something!"

"I'm just considering if I can reasonably tame the wolf or not," he finally says, cracking up.

"Not funny, Liam!"

Yet, that idiot is laughing, and suddenly, he comes to give me a quick peck on the lips. I stupidly smile a bit, despite still being a bit mad at him.

"Alright, it's a pajama party in my bed then. I promise I'll be a good boy. Anyway, you can burn my ass if I don't, right?"

He said that with a smile, I can't help but chuckle and nod too. True, there's always the bad witch option, although I'd like to spare him that. He probably doesn't heal from burns as fast as I do... I get a bit of my confidence back, seeing that he's back to his playful self again, and this time, I'm the one to kiss him back, making this a bit longer and enjoyable. I hear him chuckle against my lips, and his fingers get to my tube top... I push him with a frown.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, Mara, but you really shouldn’t play with fire if you can't handle the heat..."

The red gets to my cheeks super fast, and I push him away again, a bit annoyed that he's making fun of me. He's laughing while I jump down from the kitchen counter.

"I'm going to take a shower now if you're done teasing me..."

"Second door on your left, tiger."

"Tiger?"

He shrugs.