29. Amelie #2
“I.” I kissed his stubbled jaw. “Love.” Another kiss to his neck. “You,” I said against his lips before pressing into them. He kissed me back for only a moment before leaning back, just enough to see me.
He let a single tear to fall as a shaky smile spread across his face. Positioning himself at my entrance, I felt my arousal coat him. My body welcomed him as he slowly entered me. Inch by inch. Arching my neck on the bed, I cried out his name in need.
Kiaran allowed me to ask for what I wanted out of sex. He never made me feel shy or embarrassed for wanting to try things, put my body in positions that I’d only known to be hateful ones. He owned my body but still let me be in control.
His hips rocked agonizingly slow, each one harder and deeper somehow than the last. Keeping his loving eyes glued to mine, he brushed stray hairs from my face then pressed feather light kisses to the sides of my mouth.
“I thought I lost you,” he whispered.
In.
“I know.”
Out.
“I was so worried.”
In.
“I know.”
Out.
“Don’t ever leave me like that again.”
In.
“I won’t,” I promised, holding up a pinky which earned a small smile from Kiaran. He twisted his with mine and met my mouth with another kiss. His tongue swept in, dancing with mine.
Continuing his rhythmic movements, he pulled away and eyed me cautiously.
What needed to be done wouldn’t be an easy sell to him.
Not with how inexperienced I was. Kiaran was an anxious person, he worried so deeply for me.
Nobody had ever taken much interest in my well being and as uncomfortable as it was, I needed it.
He grounded me. When my dreams took me to the clouds and showed me a world view, Kiaran showed me the details down below I was missing.
I would give anything to allow Kiaran a better life.
Of course, I’d love to be by his side as he earned his second chance but there was no guarantee.
I knew when he told me I was his way home that I would give myself up for him without hesitation.
What bothered me so much was that he kept it from me.
I couldn’t help but wish he’d told me from the beginning, from the moment he introduced himself to me. We could’ve had months to prepare, to practice, rather than mere weeks.
Most days back home, I’d pray to God that it would be my last day. That he’d open the gates and let me go to my eternal home. I wished every time the guards attacked that the true Angel of Death would come for me, take my hands and lead me to the pearly gates.
It was a plea I sent up to the skies every night when I bowed against my bed with folded hands. Having never lived for anything, it was such an easy decision at the time. I’d never been scared of death, I welcomed it.
Now it was a plea to save the man I loved. A life for a life, as Valla committed to word. Risk mine to save his. It wasn’t something I needed to question. Even if it didn’t work, I would rest peacefully knowing he had a second chance.
“Yes, baby…” I moaned, feeling the newfound energy in my body revel in this.
Kiaran’s hips rolled expertly into me as he neared his climax, my word of endearment only encouraging him. He slid his hand between us and expertly circled my sensitive nerves bringing me with him on his climb.
Nestling his face against my neck, we shared a euphoric release. Always together .
Heavy breathing was all that was left in our high’s wake. Kiaran’s entire body covered mine, I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him tight.
“You have to promise never to leave me again,” he rasped against my ear as he connected his big arms around me, rolling me into his side. I’d already promised him I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t need to. I realized now how cruel it was to leave earlier.
“Kiaran..”
“No. This isn’t up for debate. You will not leave my side again until Solstice is passed.” His tone was stern. I knew he meant every word.
“Kiaran…” I tried again.
“Amelie, my High Priestess was here tonight.”
My body stilled, rigid as a body in frozen water.
“Why?” I choked out, barely audible.
“It was a warning. She knew you went to Holleberg, she knows you are a Morgenstern. She knows everything.”
Ah, nothing about being a Bloch. Good. Using Morgenstern and Bloch magic together might go undetected.
“So?” I asked, confused why those two things mattered to her.
“So she knows what you are capable of.”
“Maybe she shouldn’t have fucked with the Morgensterns. Again. ”
Every spell had a loophole. Every magical thing could be altered with different manifestations. The difference between me and Valla McCalmont was that my magic was more powerful. I might have a reckless handle on it at the moment, but that’s neither here nor there.
Orla showed me that.
“Don’t, Amelie. You don’t know who you are dealing with.”
“I met Orla tonight, Kiaran.” The energy in the room shifted.
My great grandmother’s spirit in the house was alive again, and the tight smile that appeared on Kiaran’s face told me he already knew.
We both endeared the room for a moment, my cheeks heated as I found myself hoping that her sentience came with privacy.
I took a quiet pride in knowing that a part of my family had been here all along.
I’d fallen recklessly for Kiaran, into this all-consuming dream, so much so that I wouldn’t let the fear of not knowing whether my family was safe pierce through the illusion.
I missed them constantly – but the thought that a part of me had always been here brought a bittersweet comfort.
“She was there tonight. In the cellar, she veiled me, brought me into a different world. Everyone was there, even your family. It was our wedding day. We are supposed to get married. I–”
“No more. Orla should not have shown you that. She shouldn’t have given you false hope. From what we know about her, she knows not to tamper with my curse.” Kiaran cut me off before I could tell him that my soul was no longer mortal, a fact that should surely make it hard to sacrifice me.
My lips curled up into a triumphant smile.
She didn’t tamper with the curse, she just showed me that there was a way around it.
“Her reveal tonight was an awakening, Kiaran. Everything I didn’t know about the magic I held and the long history of scorned women at the hands of your Coven.
I am more sure than ever that I know how to beat your High Priestess. ”
“I can’t, I won’t do it. I’m sorry,” he whispered, taking my hands and pressing a kiss to the tips of my fingers.
“Recite the curse to me again.” Kiaran was silent for a long moment. “Please.” I pleaded. He let out a heavy sigh before reciting the words I was sure had been burned into his mind since the day he was sentenced.
“You are bound to the cottage in the mortal realm, in an enchanted Forest. In order to break your curse you will need to make an impossible sacrifice.
You must offer your Coven something of value to you on Winter Solstice.
You will have one chance, each year to be untethered.
It must be of such value that handing it over to us will cause you unimaginable pain.
If it does not mirror the pain that you caused, it will not suffice.
Let the longest night approach and with it, the weight of your choice. Let your mind fill with every other option you think you have and may you find no reprieve. You will spend eternity there, Kiaran McCalmont. Until you feel the curse lock into place, you will be alone.”
“ Mirror the pain.” It was what I hoped I’d heard right the first time I heard it.
“Yes, it’s crystal clear. There isn’t a way around it, she ordered as much.”
I turned to rest my chin on his chest. “Oh, my sweet Kiaran. Have you not been listening to the stories of my family?” I tsk’d at him.
Then, as not to chance the High Priestess continuing her all-knowing streak, I tried to speak to Kiaran through our bond.
I could see each of my words melt into the threads of colors between us.
Whatever veil they used against Kiaran and my ability to speak within our minds wasn’t present inside these walls.
They made a grave mistake crossing your star with a Morgenstern.
Then I sent a silent thank you to Orla for showing me just how much I’m capable of.