Chapter 28
Sorcha
“I’m sure there are some books on witchcraft somewhere in the library. There’s definitely more than history books. I’ll help you find them.”
My smile was genuine. Bal hadn’t apologised again with words, but I got the feeling that he never openly apologised to anyone.
I doubted he felt regret for his actions all that often, if ever, so that one apology he’d given in his office had meant everything to me.
I smiled to myself. Even more than the way he’d worshipped us both after we’d returned to Dundean.
“Thank you.” I slipped my hand into his.
My heart pattered nervously, but he didn’t pull away.
Instead, his grip tightened, and he gave me a soft smile.
My breath caught. He was beautiful when he was dark and broody, but with a genuine smile and his pale eyes sparkling, he stole my ability to breathe.
“You’re welcome, little witch.”
“Not that I mind, but what’s with the nicknames?” I’d never had them before, at least not affectionate ones.
His grin was a rare and stunning sight. I stared, and part of me wished Shane was here to share it.
“Do you prefer I just use your name? I don’t mean to be insulting or demeaning.”
I shook my head, grinning back. “I know. It’s kind of nice that you have something special to call us. And I know that using fledgling for Shane was to wind him up, but I think you both like it now.”
“To answer your question, I don’t know why I use them, other than it seems right to have an endearment when it comes to you and Shane. Something that no one else uses and that’s just for us.”
My cheeks warmed, and I cleared my throat. “Well, I like it.”
I couldn’t see it, but I could feel his smirk. “You do?”
“Yes. It makes me feel…special, I guess.” I coughed and avoided looking at his face. Did that make me weak? To enjoy a pet name from someone like him? Perhaps others would consider it degrading, but I didn’t. I actually loved it.
There was a beat of silence. “I’m not sure Shane feels the same way.”
Outside, it was warm, and the open windows let in a cool breeze that stole away my quiet chuckle. “He does. You know it, too. That’s why he doesn’t fight you on it anymore.”
“Do I?”
I side-eyed him, and the quirk of his lips gave him away.
“Of course you do. You’re as old as the damned hills, you know exactly how to manipulate people and their emotions.”
A firm tug on my hand stopped our progress to Dundean’s library. Bal turned so that I could see his expression. My heart did a little jump. He actually looked uncomfortable.
“I didn’t… I don’t…I’m not manipulating your…”
My hand found its way to his smooth cheek. “It’s okay, Bal. We both understand who you are. And neither of us thinks that this…” I gestured between us, “...is a forever thing for you. We don’t expect declarations of love or wedding bells.”
He gave a snort. “Wedding bells are definitely not something you should associate with me, that’s true.” He stepped closer and cupped my face, winding his other arm around my waist. “The love part, though? That’s not a problem. I love both of you.”
Elation filled me, and happiness stretched my lips into a wide smile, but just as quickly, that elation faded.
My head tilted as I looked at the sorrow deep in his eyes.
His declaration meant nothing. Falling apart wasn’t an option, not when I could almost feel the heaviness that leaked into the air.
“Eventually, that won’t be enough. Will it?
” Coldness invaded my chest even though Shane and I had already guessed as much.
His broad shoulders rose and fell under the weight of his bespoke suit jacket.
Remorse was plain on his face as he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.
“No, little witch. Eventually, it might not be. My world isn’t roses, wedding bells, or promises of forever.
It’s often battles, blood, and betrayal. ”
I wound my arms around his waist and lay my cheek against his chest. The warmth and steady beat of his heart was soothing, even when his words were enough to lance my own. “I know. So does Shane. Just…please don’t break his heart. Or mine.”
His arms tightened, his voice low and full of regret. “I can’t promise you that. I’m sorry. All I can do is love you both for as long as possible.”
I nodded, forcing back the burn of tears. “Thank you for not lying.”
We stood like that, wrapped up in each other for a while, until he pulled back. As disappointed as I was at the distance, I silently took the hand he held out, and we walked to the library. I pushed open the heavy, old oak door.
“Hey!” said Shane, a huge smile on his face, his eyes lighting up as he saw us. He stood and tapped the pages of a large book that rested on the polished mahogany desk before him. My heart missed a beat. He was so handsome, especially when he looked excited and happy.
“Look at this. Did you know that witches used to have covens like vampires and mages?”
“Used to?” I asked.
“Yeah, there was some kind of war with the mages hundreds of years ago, and they scattered.”
“Because they lost?” That would explain why I’d never come across any other than Minerva.
Bal frowned. “I don’t think there was a clear winner, from what I remember.
The covens that are rumoured to exist are just that, a rumour.
The witches went very quiet, and those who survived kept to themselves.
After the war, most hid amongst the human population.
Mages aren’t obvious, either. They are cowards who tend to interfere from afar in supernatural disagreements.
They think they have the power to influence the outcome of wars from the shadows. ”
I absorbed that, wondering about the mages that had supposedly saved me before they’d been killed.
Well, two out of the three were dead, but maybe it would be possible to hunt down the other one.
Not for me, but I could maybe ask the vampire at my side…
Then it occurred to me that not all witches were hidden.
“What about that witch you have sitting at your feet every night?” Shane’s words were sharp with jealousy as he voiced the very same question I had in my head.
Bal’s face closed off. “She is a loner. My prisoner. She took something from me a long time ago, and she belongs to me. Until I decide she has paid her dues, she is mine to use as I see fit.”
Shane’s nostrils flared. “And do you? Use her?”
I held my breath, watching Bal’s reaction to Shane’s question.
His lips tilted into a cold smile, and he cocked his head. “For magic, fledgling. Nothing else. I have not fucked her—or anyone else, since you two became my lovers.”
Shane studied him silently before looking at mine and Bal’s joined hands, then the tension seeped from his body. His smile widened, baring his teeth. It never got old seeing his fangs.
We’d been back at Dundean castle for nearly three days, and the time had passed in a blur.
I couldn’t believe this was my life, doted on by the two hottest guys I’d ever met.
In some ways, though, we were still dancing around each other, none of us willing to completely bare our souls.
Part of me was glad. Bal’s declaration of love had made me so happy, but it was clear it had an expiry date.
And that meant keeping a part of my heart to myself.
I wouldn’t be broken by another vampire.
It was hard to process all my thoughts and emotions, yet I’d never felt more settled or happy than when I was with these two.
We’d managed to leave Bal’s room for a few hours each day and take walks outside.
Sometimes, Bal got a faraway look in his eyes and excused himself to his office for a few hours before returning.
It worried me, but what was I supposed to say?
It wasn’t as if I could make him open up about the other parts of his life, but at least he’d just given me some scraps of honesty—and no matter what happened, I knew he loved us.
My heart squeezed. I wanted to blurt it out to Shane, but it was Bal’s place to tell him how he felt, not mine.
Yesterday morning, Bal had led us down into the old library, wearing nothing but some low-slung pajama bottoms, looking sexy as hell.
Even the excitement of learning about my heritage couldn’t stop me from ogling the way his muscles rippled as he walked and gestured at the books in the library.
Shane had thought it hilarious that we both pretended to pay attention to what he was saying, but drooled over him every time he turned away.
Bal had either not noticed or pretended not to.
He’d shown us the section of books that might be useful to me, then told us to get some food before he disappeared to get dressed, leaving Shane and me to seek out Johnson in the newly renovated kitchen.
The quiet and creepy butler greeted us with a nod and gestured to the table in the glass-roofed extension.
He then made us tea and set out scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast before completely disappearing.
We’d returned to the library and spent the day trawling through some of the books together.
I’d ignored the fireplace with the blood lock and the knowledge that Bal’s secret room was so close.
Learning about witch lore had been captivating, yet most of the information was about the evolution of witchcraft from ancient to modern times.
It was a great history lesson, but so far, we hadn’t found anything about the actual art of witchcraft or magic, nor what it meant for me. It was beyond frustrating.
I shoved that feeling away as Shane grunted at Bal’s explanation about Minerva.
Bal narrowed his eyes as Shane’s shoulders relaxed, and he turned his attention back to the dusty, old tomes in front of him.
A small, satisfied smile curled Bal’s lips, giving me a glimpse of a sharp white fang.
He pulled me close, and his breath brushed my ear.
“I love it when he’s jealous. Let’s reassure him. You go front. I’ll go rear,” His eyes glinted with a predatory light.
I held in a huff of laughter, anticipation bubbling in my stomach.
I loved these games we played with Shane.
He was a tough and powerful Alpha, but I adored that he became putty in our hands.
It gave me a sense of pride that I could affect him as deeply as he did me.
I raised my brows and smiled mischievously.
“Well, I know how much you like to take the rear.”
He grinned and playfully nipped at the skin of my neck, sending a bolt of lust through me.
“It’s true, I really do. But I do so love this, too.
” His hand slid between my legs, the heel rubbing over my sensitive apex.
My body melted into his touch, and I moaned a protest when he pulled back. He licked his lips, his fangs gleaming.
“Come, little witch, let’s tame the green-eyed monster.”
My smile was wide, and I mirrored Shane’s happiness as we approached.
“Look at this, I think I’ve actually found something.” His finger jabbed at a picture on the book he’d placed in the middle of the glossy, cherrywood table top.
A blink later, and Bal was behind Shane, peering over his shoulder. “Hmm, so you have.”
Shane almost looked irritated as Bal kissed and nipped his neck. “No, no, stop, look. It says here there are elementals…Oh…” His words faltered as Bal’s hand slid under his t-shirt and across his abdomen before sliding lower and teasing just under his waistband.
“I’ve found something, too,” Bal growled, scraping the skin of Shane's neck with his fangs.
“Bal…” Shane’s words had gone from irritated to a tortured whisper. Bal grinned at me, looking every bit the rogue as his hand slipped into Shane's jeans and cupped him. My body pulsed as Shane's hips arched into Bal’s touch, and he moaned.
“How about you, Sor? Have you found anything useful?” Bal asked, his voice sultry.
I couldn’t help my impish grin, enjoying Shane's shudder as I lifted off his t-shirt and kissed his dusky pink nipples. I caught Bal’s smirk and the question in his eyes. Smiling back, I nodded, my fingers gripping Shane’s jeans and underwear and pulling them down.
“What are you….ungh…” Bal stole Shane’s half-hearted protest with a searing kiss, giving me a chance to take Shane’s hot and hard erection from Bal’s fingers.
I dragged my grip around then up and down his stiff shaft a few times before I dropped to my knees, not giving him a moment before sliding all that glorious flesh between my lips and down my throat.
I shuffled back until I was nearly against the mahogany table, leaving myself enough room to play with Shane’s delectable body.
I shivered when Bal’s smooth, sultry voice, dripping with command, rumbled through me.
“How about you get a close-up look at that book, Shane? And tell us all about elemental witches while we continue with our own discoveries.”
And that’s precisely what Shane did. Bal made him lean forward and read lines from the book, while we both discovered new ways to make Shane writhe and moan.