Chapter 9
RAVENA
“Changed your mind about trusting me?”
I lay in bed with Malrik after the multiple orgasms he was determined to pull out of me; my body ached, but in the best way.
Unfortunately, he was still dressed in all black whilst I was completely naked, now hidden under my blanket.
The snow outside lashed against the window, and the cool breeze filtered in, starkly contrasting the warmth enveloping me in Malriks' arms.
His lips were stained with my blood, which I smacked him for, but he just told me I was the best thing he ever tasted, and promised it would only be a sexual thing.
I know it affected his magic because I could feel it.
I was an elemental witch, but my mother wasn’t. She could sense the magic in others, the way it pulsed and flickered when they used it. Even though she was classed as a low-level witch, I was glad to have the same power as her.
“Maybe,” I whispered, feeling utterly blissed and a little vulnerable under his gaze.
He chuckled softly, lifting my chin with. “You feel that pull, don’t you? You know deep down what you are to me and what I am to you. Even if you weren’t, I would still be obsessed with you. I would still rip those vampires apart for you and bring back souvenirs,” he declared.
I let out a laugh at his craziness.
“Since the moment I saw you, you’ve driven me absolutely mad.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his lips, my heart racing as I gripped his shirt tightly, feeling the fabric bunch beneath my fingers. At that moment, I realised he wasn’t just claiming me, he was laying bare his soul, and the magnetic pull between us was undeniable.
“If you stay with me, you could be killed,” I warned, my heart heavy with the weight of the truth.
He moved closer to me. “I’d rather die beside you than breathe another breath without you.” His eyes burned with a wild intensity that stole the air from my lungs.
He was mad—recklessly, beautifully mad—but it was all for me.
Everything was happening at lightning speed, but that was just the nature of our connection. It felt electrifying and terrifying all at once. I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against his lips; the mingled taste of my essence and blood didn’t bother me, it was quite…nice.
I didn’t care anymore; I could feel the walls I had built around my heart starting to crumble. Maybe I could learn to trust him, to let him in fully.
Xarothar thought Malrik was mad, but he also trusted him and Ronan. The absence of the council at my door, threatening to take me in and kill my dragon, gained Ronan some of my trust.
“I would prefer that we didn’t die,” I mumbled as I scooted up the bed further to rest my head on his shoulder, looking out the window at the setting sun.
“True, I don’t think hell would be any fun without you.” I smiled.
“Something tells me you’d give the devil a run for his money.” He kisses the top of my head.
“No doubt about it, little witch… now we need to talk.” I felt him pull away.
I held the blanket against my chest and turned slightly to look at him, “What about?”
He took my hand in his, his fingers engulfing mine, the veins on his hand prominent and running like rivers of strength. I traced the scars on his palms, each one telling me a story of battles fought and survived.
“I might have found a way to break the spell that is locking down the rest of your magic.”
“No.”
“No?”
I shake my head, “I gave up a long time ago trying to find a way to unlock it. Every spell usually comes at a price, or something dangerous. They are never that simple.”
“Don’t be stubborn, Raven.”
“I also won’t put you in danger.” I will do everything in my power to keep him safe, get him out of here, and find a new realm. I don’t know, but I would.
“You don’t get to give up, I know what it’s doing to you.” He’s pissed.
“I don’t care.” I let go of his hand and shuffle back, ready to leave the bed and this conversation.
His hand grabs mine, “I do, I will not let this fucking spell kill you.”
“If I limit my magic use, I will be okay. I’ve dealt with it by myself for seven years, Malrik.” Ripping my hand away, I stand up, blanket still around me as I move around the bed to head towards the door.
He appeared in front of me in seconds, slamming the door, and he looked angry, his eyes a brighter red.
So, you’re okay dealing with daily headaches? Fatigue? Your body feeling like it’s had a beating daily because you're afraid?” He laughed.
“You don’t get to give up, you don’t get to die.
I’ve seen what it does, and I don’t want that for you.
Even if you fight me on this, I’ll lock you in a damn basement with a thousand guards if that’s what it takes to keep your stubborn ass alive.
I’d tear this entire fucking realm apart just to save you, and I’d do it without a second thought. ”
He was stubborn himself.
I sighed as I clutched the blanket, “You’re a dick.”
He growled at me, pulling me forward and kissing me, biting into my bottom lip hard.
He was pissed, and so was I. Obviously, I didn’t want to die; all I have ever done is run and hide to survive; I was absolutely terrified of dying.
Malrik pulled back and stroked my lip, “Yeah, I am a dick. But at least I’m your dick.”
I rolled my eyes, pulling back slightly, “Fine, how do you break it?” I didn’t have the energy to fight with him on it, and I really needed some food, and soon.
His expression shifted. “It is dangerous.”
“I told you…”
“Shut up, woman. I will spank you again with a belt this time.”
I squeeze my thighs together at the thought.
He smirks at me and says, “Dirty girl.”
I clear my throat and reply, “Go on.”
“Most of the ingredients are in Eclipsara, which means I need to get them; it’s just the last little one that may be difficult.”
I really don’t like where this is heading.
“How difficult?”
“On a scale of one to ten, I would say…”
I huffed, “Oh, just spit it out, Malrik.”
“We need the blood of a relative to break the spell.” I stared at him.
This was more than a little difficult; it was absolutely insane and impossible. My mother was dead, and the others, one was well out of the question, and the other would get me killed as soon as they learned I’m alive.
No way.
“You have a visitor.”
“Who?”
“Chatty one.”
I hurried over to the window, the sky growing darker with each passing moment. As I peered down, I spotted Ronan making his way up the steps, a basket in hand.
“Shit.”
Malriks' voice was a low growl behind me. “What the hell is he doing here?”
I swallowed, my eyes darting around the room for something to throw on. “He’s… been stopping by lately,” I muttered, hastily pulling on an oversized hoodie and a pair of shorts.
“Stopping by for what?” He followed me to the door as I heard Ronan knock.
“If you must know, he helped me after the vampire attack.” I sped down the stairs, and I felt for Xarothar’s bond, but he must have fallen back to sleep.
“Was it that bad?” I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked over my shoulder.
I met his gaze, my voice low as I spoke, “Let’s just say, I’d be dead if it weren’t for him.”
Malrik mulled it over for a moment, his eyes hardening, but ultimately, he nodded once, his possessiveness not rising to the surface.
“I’ll leave you two to talk.”
“Don’t kill anyone.”
A dark grin spread across his lips. “No promises.”
With a quick, fiery kiss that left my pulse racing, he was gone.
The knocking became louder, “Cherry, you in there?” I double checked everywhere, it was decent, and no sign of Malrik before I pulled the door open to see pretty blue eyes and a bright smile. The smell from the basket, mixed with his cedarwood and citrus scent, made my stomach rumble.
“I brought food,” he said, holding up the basket. I couldn’t help but smile. I stepped aside and opened the door wider, allowing him to enter. Out of the corner of my eye, something moved beyond the trees. When I looked again, I saw a Lumiwolve darting by.
I closed the door, rubbing my eyes and turned to see Ronan placing the basket down and revealing some delicious-looking chocolate cupcakes.
“They look amazing.”
He pulled one out and handed me one, “They have strawberry pieces too, I remember you mentioning they are your favourite fruit.”
Knowing he remembered something so little in a short amount of time gave me butterflies.
I wasn’t used to this, the acts of kindness he shouldn’t be showing me and the way he made me feel.
I didn’t know how to process these feelings and what they were doing to me.
I knew our friendship, if you could call it that, was dangerous, but I wasn’t ready to stop either.
“Thank you.”
I sank my teeth into it, and—gods—the taste overwhelmed me.
It was sweet and perfect, with every flavour melting together on my tongue.
A soft sound escaped my lips before I could stop it, a mix of a moan and a sigh.
When I opened my eyes, I found Ronan looking at me intensely, a small grin on his face.
We looked at each other for a moment before he cleared his throat, “How have you been? Sorry, I couldn’t come yesterday; I was on patrol.”
I took another bite and shrugged. “Fine, and these are great by the way.” I finished the cupcake and walked to the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine.
I turned back to see him lingering in the doorway, wearing deep navy joggers that fit his legs perfectly and a matching hoodie. By the stars, it wasn’t fair. All I could think about was stealing his clothes, drowning in his warmth and scent until it felt like he was wrapped around me.
He looked a little nervous, very different from how I thought hunters would behave, or maybe that was just Ronan.
Not everyone is like Darian.
“So, at the meeting the other day, the seer leader mentioned a witch that could potentially be stronger than Vespera. Is that you?” I blinked as I took in his question.
“I’ve got no idea, why?”
He stepped forward. “She’s ordered the Veilguards to check for an unregistered witch,” he looked at my wrist, where the black space was instead of what should have been a marking of a cross with Velmore tattoos around it, the brand of all registered witches.
A tattoo I don’t have.
“We are supposed to hunt in this forest to find you. She knows someone is here who isn’t supposed to be. Tonight, the wards are going to be strengthened, so it’s going to be impossible for anyone to leave or enter without her knowing.”
Well, that isn’t good. Malrik needs to leave for Eclipsara for those ingredients. If he leaves, he won’t be able to get back in without notifying her.
“Is Malrik with you?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
“You’re crazy, one is currently sitting inside with me, sharpening his blades and whistling, not very well, might I add.”
“Grumpy dragon.” I laughed for only him to hear.
“What did you want, Raven?”
I poured two cups of coffee as Ronan leaned on the side next to me, watching me carefully, waiting for me to answer.
“Tell Malrik he will need to leave soon; Vespera will be strengthening the wards.”
“I can’t talk to others.”
Oh yeah.
Ronan’s arm brushed against mine as he took the coffee from me, “I need to ask you something else. Kieran is getting suspicious.”
He would be, but he could just be on edge from the drinking.
I opened my mouth to reply when suddenly the door swung open, and a body was thrown inside, crashing against the wall. Malrik stood in the doorway, looking furious as he glanced at the person who was staggering to their feet with a scowl.
Kieran.
Now I had another hunter in my house, and I doubt he would be as understanding as Ronan.