Page 80 of The Mating Fire

Harper closed her eyes and the magick flowed into him. Good, healing magick. Jared felt his heart beat faster, his strength slowly return.

He closed his eyes as well, thinking of how much she cared. How much he cared for her.

Little by little, the energy coursed through his body, healing wounds, restoring his body. Finally he felt it fade.

Opening his eyes, he saw Harper still holding him, paler now, but breathing and alive.

Her eyes flew open and she smiled tenderly at him.

“Hey,” he murmured, touching her cheek. “Thanks for saving my life.”

“Thanks for not dying on me, and thanks for taking on that demon to save me.”

He stood, helping her up. Jared gazed down. Human form once more.

“What now?” she asked, brushing off her jeans.

“Home to my castle,” he said. “If you wish. I need to take care of you.”

He gave her a gentle kiss. “If you will allow me the honor.”

At the castle,Harper rested in one of the chairs on the terrace. The air was bright and clear, and rejuvenating, though she still felt weak from helping Jared heal. He fussed over her, bringing her cool drinks and her favorite turkey on rye toast with mayo.

After she finished eating, and sipping the delicious lemonade Jallu had made, a soft tingling down her spine warned her another Other approached.

Harper had learned to discern the feelings accompanying her paranormal powers.

Sure enough, with a soft pop of air, Sonia materialized. Wearing a fairly normal outfit, normal for her, of pink trousers with blue spiders embroidered on them, and a pink checked shirt, her soft blonde hair was pulled up in pigtails.

She rushed over and hugged Harper. “I’m so glad you are okay!”

Harper hugged her back.

“Daddy told me what happened. Jared saved your life and you saved his!”

As Jared squatted down, the little girl ran to him and hugged him equally hard.

“I was scared for you. And Harper, I would have given you my pet spiders to help fight the demons.”

Shuddering Harper smiled. “Thanks sweetie. But let’s leave the spiders at home, k?”

“I cried when I heard you fought a demon, Jared.” Sonia’s lower lip wobbled.

“I am a demon who fought another demon,” Jared murmured.

“No, you’re not. You’re a good person, Jared. I know it.”

“She is correct.”

They turned to see Jallu enter the terrace. Suddenly the old woman transformed into Serena the witch. Serena then transformed into a beautiful woman clad in a flowing green gown, with long red hair spilling down her back.

To Harper’s astonishment, Jared stared at Serena and Sonia bowed her head. Confused, Harper’s gaze whipped from Sonia to Jared.

“My lady goddess.” Sonia curtseyed, a bit clumsily, and nearly toppled over.

The woman smiled and helped the girl up. “Sonia, my dear. Always a pleasure to see you.”

The child beamed.