Page 28 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Moonlight (Midlife Menace #2)

Ric

I PACED THE HALLWAY in front of the bedroom I shared with Luci while anxiously watching the top of the staircase landing in case the Enchantress or her weird staff emerged from her room, but they’d gone into hiding after injuring Luci.

The cowards were too afraid to face me. Smart, for the lion inside me had been roaring to break free and shred to pieces the witch who’d dared to harm my mate.

My mate.

Sphinxes could live decades, even centuries, before finding their true mates. It wasn’t until Luci had been injured, when I’d felt the agony of her snapping ribs as keenly as if it was my own, that I realized what she meant to me.

It made sense now, looking back at how I’d acted a fool and pursued her, though I’d sworn off the female species decades ago, how I was drawn to the smells of cinnamon and vanilla that encompassed her as if her scent was my own personal drug.

She reacted to my pheromones too. I could tell by the way her nostrils flared whenever I was near, how she’d cling to me and inhale the musk wafting off my skin.

I wondered if she knew that she was my true mate, for it wasn’t common for non-shifter striga to have such powerful bonds.

If she felt the pull of my heart as I now felt hers.

If that was why she’d agreed to date me, though she knew I was an outlaw.

If that was why she’d flown to Italy to save me.

She couldn’t leave me to face my fate alone, because some part of her knew we were meant to be together.

I didn’t know how I’d tell her or when would be a good time.

For now, I had to concentrate on her recovery and getting that dangerous influencer the hell out of my house.

There would be time later to tell her. After the hell she’d gone through with her ex-husband, I knew she’d need time to adjust to another commitment.

Besides, though I felt the pull to join her, I also felt the subconscious push.

She was starting to act more distant, more agitated, and I feared I’d drive her away if I pushed too hard.

I couldn’t rush this, no matter how agonizing the wait.

Luci

I WOKE WITH A FOG IN my skull and a strange tingling on my sides.

It took me a minute to get my bearings. I was in Ric’s bed, the gossamer curtains gently blowing in the breeze and pale pink sunlight streaming into the room, illuminating the cloud of dust particles that floated above me.

I struggled to remember why and how I’d come to be in this bed.

I didn’t remember kissing my son good night or snuggling with Ric.

I didn’t even remember supper, which was odd, for Ethyl and I had planned on making a flourless chocolate torte with raspberry drizzle and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

I’d been looking forward to it all morning.

I would’ve remembered had I made it, and I would’ve especially remembered had I eaten it.

I heard the click of the door and rolled onto my side. Ric approached with a steaming cup and placed it on the nightstand while sitting beside me.

Flashing a soft smile, he brushed the hair from my eyes. “You okay, sweetheart?”

“I-I think so.” I slowly sat up, resting against the headboard. “What the hell happened?”

“You were tackled by the Enchantress.” He frowned, handing me the steaming cup. “Here. Drink this. Shu says it will restore your strength.”

I accepted the cup, taking a hesitant sip.

It tasted like lavender and honey and had a pleasant, soothing aroma.

I took another fortifying drink while memories slowly played through my mind like the reel of an old movie.

Tackled by the Enchantress? I remembered the crunch of bone, the jarring pain that shot through me, and the dizzying feeling in my spinning head.

Why had it felt more like I’d been attacked by a bull, not a waif of a woman?

Surely, she must have used magic to tackle me. Had she intended to hurt me? Kill me?

“Wow, she really did a number on me,” I breathed, poking at my ribs. Funny, though, because I expected them to hurt worse, not tingle.

Ric’s eyes shifted into two glowing, feline slits. “She broke two ribs and gave you a concussion.”

“Really?” I gasped, checking my ribs again. Why didn’t they hurt? “How?”

He cursed, his eyes flaring like twin suns. “That’s what I’d like to know.”

He had to have been mistaken. I adjusted myself against the headboard, straightening my back. My ribs didn’t feel broken. “Are you sure she broke them?”

He grimly nodded. “Shu saw them with an X-ray spell.”

I reminded myself to ask Shu to teach me that spell. I had a feeling it would come in handy. “Hm.” I ran a hand down my side. “My ribs feel fine, just a little tingly.”

His voice cracked as he looked away. “Des already healed you.”

Of course! My son, my amazing son. Ric’s cuts and bruises were healed, too, no doubt thanks to Des.

I tried to catch Ric’s eye as he sniffled and then stood, pacing the floor. Was my big lion truly this concerned about me? My heart rate quickened and my throat constricted. “Is Des okay?” I rasped, remembering how the bitch had struck my son’s nose.

Ric nodded. “He’s fine.”

“Where is he?”

Ric stopped pacing and cleared his throat. “In his room.”

“The others?”

“The Enchantress and her staff retired to her bedchamber.” Shadows darkened his eyes at the mention of her name. “Ethyl and Frederica are at the pool. Shu is in my study.”

Something about Ric was different, and not just that he was upset.

It felt like there was this invisible thread between us, and pulsing along it was a tidal flood of guilt.

Weird. I set my nearly empty drink on the table and threw my legs over the side of the bed.

The fog in my head felt much clearer, though my nerves had heightened.

What was this thing between us? How could I feel his guilt as if it was my own?

Or was it my imagination? I eyed the tea Shu had given me.

Perhaps there was an herb in it that made me sense the emotions of others more keenly.

“What’s wrong?” I finally asked, then tensed when I felt that surge of emotion rolling through our invisible bond again.

He fell to his knees, looking at me with soulful eyes that twisted my heart in a knot. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.”

I cupped his cheek, his facial hair tickling my palm. “It’s not your job to protect me.”

He shook his head. “It is.”

“No,” I corrected. “It’s your job to protect Des. I can protect myself.”

His nostrils flared, a low growl escaping him. “She knocked you out after she broke Des’s nose.”

“I know,” I answered, spine stiffening, “and I plan on getting back at her.”

He let out a predator’s rumble that shook me to the marrow of my bones. “No more violence.” He stood, frowning. “As soon as you’ve recovered, she and her strange staff are leaving.”

I pushed off from the bed, standing on shaky legs. “I think I’ve recovered.”

“No, Luci.” He grabbed my shoulder, lowering me back onto the bed. “I’ll have the servants bring up some food, but you’re staying in bed the rest of the day.”

The rest of the day? Hex, no! “What are you, my nursemaid?” I instantly regretted the sharpness in my tone, wincing after the words came out.

He looked at me as if I’d kicked a kitten. “Why aren’t you taking this seriously?”

“Believe me, I am,” I answered, my ire rising, “but I refuse to hide in here while she’s out there, gloating that she disabled the Phoenix.”

His features hardened to stone. “She’s leaving come morning.”

“Hex, yeah, she is,” I answered on a snarl. And I wanted to give her the eviction notice. I stood again, turning up my chin. Yeah, my legs wobbled a little, but I refused to play invalid.

Something akin to hurt flashed in his eyes before he turned his back on me, striding toward the patio doors.

“Where are you going?”

He stopped as if he’d hit a brick wall, his shoulders stiffening. “I need some fresh air.”

“Are you mad at me?”

His shoulders fell forward, though he refused to face me. He spoke on a whisper so low, I could barely hear him. “I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever cared about.” He paused, his shoulders shaking. “Until I found you.” He turned toward me, a haunted look in his eyes. “I almost lost you today."

My world came to a slow halt as that tether between us pulsed like a living thing, his tumultuous emotions barreling toward me in strong pulses. I clutched my throat, my legs threatening to buckle beneath me. “You didn’t.”

“You had internal bleeding. If not for Des...” He trailed off, but then twin flames flared in his eyes. “I can’t lose you, Luci!”

“You won’t,” I rasped, unable to say more as another wave that threatened to sweep me under his emotional tide hit me. What was this thing between us, and why was it so danged powerful?

Also, internal bleeding? What the hex? She had to have used a spell, which meant she probably was trying to kill me. Dragon balls. Why did I get the feeling she’d been sent by my aunt?