Page 22 of The Witching Hour
“Happy to help.” He winked, then popped out of sight.
“Misdirection?” The query was voiced by Celeste’s mother who had walked with her husband over to stand just behind the head of her coven.
“It was never about the battle.”
Her mother shook her head and frowned. “Then why…?”
“This was a way to draw Arthur out of hiding,” I informed them. “Without him, I have no guarantee that you won’t come after Celeste again and again until you succeed, or more likely, we end up killing every single one of you.”
Celeste’s mother gasped and put her hand to her chest, staring at her daughter. “Celeste! How can you choose this monster over your family?”
“Seems to me,” Celeste’s dad spoke up, “she’d be choosing a monster either way. I don’t blame her for going with the one who will treat her as she deserves. Rather than nothing but a vessel for power and heirs.”
“Excuse me?” her mother gasped again.
“I heard that lousy excuse for a man talking to his friends about his plans for our daughter a few days ago. Personally, I’m in favor of the plan where he dies.”
Stunned, I glanced over at my consort to see her wearing what I assumed was a matching expression.
I could see a fight was brewing between the three witches, so I decided to get what I needed from them. Then I could take my sweet consort home and get what I really needed from her.
“I’ll get right to the point,” I said loudly. “I will allow Arthur to live as long as I have your covenant that you will leave Celeste alone. No harassing her, in person or otherwise.” I cocked my head and stared at the head of the coven for a few beats, then added, “In fact no contacting her at all. I don’t want to hear about you being anywhere near my consort, or I’ll come for Arthur and finish what I started.”
The High Priestess looked like she’d just swallowed a bushel of lemons, but after a long minute, she nodded. “You have my word.”
“Does…” Celeste’s mother shuffled in her feet, clearly feeling awkward. “Does that include her parents?”
“That’s up to Celeste,” I replied without hesitation. “But she will contact you. Not the other way around. Is that clear?”
Her parents nodded, but I couldn’t tell if they were pleased with my answer. They really were an odd couple.
I jerked Arthur’s chains, forcing him to his feet. But before I released him, I clarified, “This agreement extends to your entire coven andespeciallyyour evil spawn.”
“Yes, yes. Just let him go so we can be done with this.”
“Something we agree on,” I drawled.
Rather than taking off Arthur’s chains, I tossed them to his mother. I didn’t bother telling her they were enchanted and would take some fancy magic to get them off.
With that taken care of, I silently took hold of my consort. The second she was in my arms, we teleported to our bedroom.
“I wanted to make this perfect. Special,” I groaned as I held her tightly to me. “But I need you now. I need you to be mine forever.”
Celeste broke out of my embrace and slowly backed up toward our bed.
“I’m more than ready, Ren. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
9
CELESTE
Ren quickly moved us to the bed. As I lay on our mattress, desire pooled low in my stomach as he walked toward me, his bright blue gaze never leaving mine. He had brought me to exquisite heights of pleasure so many times since he’d taken my virginity, but something was different in the way he looked at me tonight. And it wasn’t just from the thrill of victory over my coven.
Anticipation hung in the air as he slowly circled the bed, trailing his fingers against the bare skin of my arms. His touch left a swath of goose bumps in its wake, leaving me trembling for more already.
“My love,” he whispered, his voice husky as he leaned closer, his breath right on my cheek before his lips gently trailed against my jawline.
I closed my eyes, relishing in the feel of his warm mouth pressed to my skin. “Ren, please.”