Page 46 of Magical Mischief

“Stop changing the subject. You wanted me to offer myself. You claim you want me. Well, here I am.”

A slow, thin grin spread across Gideon’s features.

“Yes, here you are,” he repeated, voice low. “But is that truly what you want? To be my apprentice, my partner in spell work, my co-conspirator?”

Something in his tone sent alarm bells clanging in my head, and a dizzying wave of magic brushed along my consciousness.

He was pushing magic again, and I felt it creeping around my awareness.

Gentle, tempting shapes produced a sigh within me as I imagined a life of leisure where I could close my eyes and let him show me a better way.

Gideon squeezes my hand harder as more images shove into my mind…a sprawling fortress with turrets and shimmering banners.

He’s at my side, leading me through corridors lined with arcane symbols and whispers of teachings I’d yet to learn about.

I shook myself free, panting.

Maeve, don’t let him in…

It was Keegan’s voice.

My vision blurred.

Gideon’s face swam before me, distorting into a dripping puzzle as the real Stonewick flickered to reassert itself.

The echoes of dreams tugged at my mind and urged me to seehisversion of reality, where I was safe under his rule, free from the petty constraints of Stonewick.

My fingers flew to my temple as I rubbed the headache etched into my mind.

Stonewick was not petty.

Stonewick was…home.

“You… you’re not showing me anything real,” I choked, trying to keep my breathing steady. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I want your free will to make this decision,” he said simply, with an intimate softness that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. “And I want you to want me. If you align your magic with mine, your father can remain safe in my domain.”

My stomach turned, revolted by his twisted enticement.

“I came for my dad,” I snapped. “Not for you.”

He cocked his head, eyes gleaming with something akin to amusement.

“Are you sure?Youinvited me, remember?” He traced his finger along my cheek. “I think you know I’ll give you answers others won’t.”

Sweat dampened my brow.

I needed to get into his mind deeper and gain some sort of insight about the curse.

“I’m fine where I am, but I made a promise to you,” I said flatly.

“Our bond is stronger than even I could have dreamed.” His eyes stayed on mine.

He was right.

I’d left a gap in my mind, or in the Wards, orsomewhere,and he’d poured through it like a viper.

And yet, I couldn’t let him see that fear.