Page 20 of Lunar Diamonds (Celestial Magic #1)

RILEY

T wo questions rolled through my head as I lay on my back, hit by pins and needles.

Firstly, why did I have a raging boner?

Secondly, why the hell was I jealous over Rhianna? I mean, really? Really?! Ugh. But there it sat, the green monster tap-dancing on my soul.

I knew the answer to question one—existing desires amplified. Yeah, okay. I couldn’t exactly deny my attraction to Drake, as much as I’d like to be rid of it.

As for the second, I had no idea. Why did I care about his past with her? It wasn’t like it was real. The evil witch had forced him into it. Anyway, it wasn’t my business.

Only, Drake now sat at the top of the My Business pile. Big time. For ten years. His minty aroma sent a scintillating fire licking across my skin adding to the firmness between my legs.

Damn. Damn. Damn. The sooner I got under a cold shower, the better. It’d sort my head out, kill off this desire. I mean, I did fancy the pants off Drake. Fine. But things were different now. I’d seen the real him, the sneakiness, the bargaining. I couldn’t gel with a guy like that.

Right?

I groaned, not really hearing Isaac and Erin checking on me. Gagging to leave this attic. The pins and needles passed, allowing my limbs to work again. I sat up and crossed my legs, caught a breath, crushing my boner until it began to deflate by thinking about unsexy things. Like danger and the diamonds and pea soup.

“Thank you, Riley.”

I didn’t turn to meet Drake’s gratitude. His dark gaze wouldn’t help right now.

“Welcome.” I pushed my shoulder blades back, muscles popping.

I heard him get to his feet. “Are you feeling alright?”

That damn voice tossed fuel onto the fire of my loins. “In a minute.”

Go down. Go down. Go down.

“Now, the lunar diamonds,” Erin said, immediately breaking the tension.

Thank goodness.

She sat in the chair, narrowed eyes aimed behind me.

Drake’s footsteps sounded behind me, his legs appearing in my view. He stood beside me, his left hand in his pocket.

Even from this lower angle he was perfection. But never mind that. Where were the diamonds?

Drake raked his hair back with his other hand, the move totally seductive.

Pea soup, rotting fish, paying taxes.

My stiffy would not yield.

“They’re right here in Coldharbour,” Drake said.

Well, that slapped my cock into softness.

The diamonds were here? In the city?

“Beneath the sewer system,” he continued, “inside a network of catacombs that aren’t on any maps.”

What the hell? Since when? And was that a tremor I heard in his voice?

The frown lines on Erin’s forehead deepened. “There is no such place in Coldharbour.”

“Apparently, there is,” he said. “I can show you the location on a map, but I’m telling you the truth. I saw it.” He tapped the side of his head.

The siblings returned at that moment, all three of them bounding into the attic looking stressed but happy to be back on their feet.

Ollie leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded.

“Looks like we’ve missed a lot,” April said. “We’re so sorry for messing up.”

“You didn’t,” Erin responded, keeping her attention on Drake. “I’m glad you’re on your feet again.”

“Likewise,” Aaron said. “What’s going on?”

Isaac filled them in.

“So please listen to what Mr. Parish has to say,” Erin added.

They did, lining up behind her, standing straight as if they were obedient soldiers in the presence of their superior.

Drake carried on. “From what I’ve seen, the catacombs seem to be empty. But we’ll have to be careful. I don’t always get a read on hidden dangers.”

My head spun again, the ache growing.

Erin’s smacked her lips. “What was Jonathon thinking?”

“Jonathon Aurora?” I questioned.

“Yes. While Miss Juliet and I hid what we could from the High Coven, he stole the lunar diamonds. We never heard from him again.” Her voice cracked on the last few words. “He was found hanged in New Forest.”

What a horrible end. The poor guy. Hecate bless his soul in the afterlife.

Now we knew what happened to the lunar diamonds. Kind of.

“And how did my dad get one?” I asked.

Her expression showed anger coupled with disappointment. “All I have ever done is serve this family. Keep its secrets, hold its hand, listen to the pettiness of their lives.” Tears brimmed in her tired eyes. “I don’t know why you had the diamond. I’m sorry.”

“Come on, Mum.” Ollie went to her, offering her a comforting hug.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she clung to her son. “Tonight has been a lot. I think we should leave things here.” She sniffled, not looking at any of us. “Mr. Parish? Would you please draw me a map of the catacombs?”

“Of course,” he said.

“Thank you. The Brambles will show you all to your rooms.” Erin got to her feet. “Forgive me for this, but I must have some time alone.”

Ollie led her out of the attic.

Guilt hung like a rusty chain around my neck. Not for anything I’d done, but for failing to help her. Which was silly. What could I do to ease her pain?

Damn.

I followed Alice out of the attic, leaving the others behind.

My body still tingled from the binding, though my cock finally gave up the firmness.

“Your room is in the east wing.” She led me out of a secret door straight into a corridor of paintings and the terracotta-and-gold décor.

I took a breath, pausing to massage my temples beside an ornate vase. “Will Erin be okay?”

Alice faced me. “She gave up her dreams for this house, sir.”

That’s it, throw another chain around my neck.

“But you really don’t have to worry,” she quickly added. “She’s exhausted. It’s been tough for her since your mother died. And things will get better from here. We’ll all get used to each other and establish a routine. Build trust. That’s the key.” She smiled. “How’s your head?”

“Overflowing.”

“Mine too. Come on, let’s get you to your bedroom. It’ll be good for you to relax.”

“Thanks.”

The corridor ended at a carpeted stairwell. Halfway down it, I made some small talk about the paintings, but got cut off.

Pop!

In one moment, I was waffling away, the next I popped back into the attic. Literally. A popping sound and a puff of silvery smoke and I stood face-to-face with Drake.

“What the hell just happened?” I stumbled forward, slightly dizzy.

“Riley?” Drake said.

Correcting my balance, I looked him square in the eye, full of dread. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“What are you thinking?” he countered.

I hurried out of the attic again to test my simmering theory. Got to the same spot on the stairs and returned to the attic with the same pop.

Oh. Crap.

Drake rubbed at his chest. “Did this… What just happened?”

That dread forced my stomach to backflip. “It’s the bonding. We can’t be too far apart.”

Drake folded his arms. “Shit.”