Indigo Spell (31 page)

She turned her face into his chest and inhaled the scent of his body. A strong, masculine fragrance, a mixture of cedar and spice, tickled her nostrils. She ran her hand up the wall of his chest to the strong column of his throat. His pulse leaped beneath her palm. “I need to start believing all of this is real but I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon. How can you be so sure I’ll get pregnant? Are you seeing something I’m not? I don’t even know why I’m asking you that. Most things you see I don’t see.” She gave a little laugh, devoid of humor. “I’m living in a fantasy world.” She pushed herself up with her hands against his chest. “Actually it’s a world most women would dream about. Most women would love to be in my shoes right now but all I can think about is that witch coming back and next time, I might not be so lucky. That’s all it was, you know. Luck.”

Jaxon pressed a finger against her lips to silence her. “Has anyone ever told you that you babble?”

Tess smacked his arm. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re arrogant, conceited, overbearing and—” She laughed into the kiss, holding his head to keep him in place. Her tongue delicately traced the outline of his lips before lightly touching the tip of his.

One hand cupping her cheek, Jaxon leaned in, quickly taking the kiss farther. Hungry for more, he lifted her off the sofa, sucking on her tongue while his fingertips massaged her scalp.

Her nipples hardened to pebbles that grazed his chest and he groaned. Now wasn’t the time for anything more. Damn Falcon and his constant demands. Retreating, reluctance in every move, he touched his head to hers. “Damn. I shouldn’t have started this.”

Tess gripped the collar of his shirt. “You have to leave.”

“Yeah, I do.”

She tipped his head upward and kissed him again, hard and fast, just like he wanted to fuck her right now. “Then go and hurry back.”

He stood, his legs as heavy as thick slabs of concrete. Dammit. “I’ll be right back.”

“Knowing Falcon, I doubt that.”

Jaxon leaned in for another kiss and felt the impatient pull of his leader’s command. Scrubbing the back of his neck with one hand, he straightened again. “I’ll try to be right back.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you to it.” Lying back against the sofa once more, Tess closed her eyes and for a moment he had the overwhelming desire to ignore the leader’s dictates and give into his own desires—to give new definition to the Serenity Chamber.

“Jaxon, you’d better go.” Her soft voice echoed Falcon’s irritated summons.

“Yeah, I know.” Cursing the Assembly, he faded into a mist.

* * * * *

“We must prepare for what is to come.” Falcon paced around the table where the wizards sat, his robe flowing out behind him. “The witches will act soon.”

Jaxon tried to pay attention but as the leader’s words drifted into the air around him, his mind drifted, replaying the image of Tess lying on the gold settee, her hair curling around her face, her eyes heavy with sleep. So sexy. So beautiful.

His body tightened and he cursed his reaction while scooting closer to the table. The scrape of the chair brought Falcon’s gaze to his face and Jaxon managed to fake an appropriately interested expression. He doubted the leader bought it for his frown only intensified. Fortunately he continued his dissertation on the next steps the Assembly would take to protect themselves.

And Jaxon’s thoughts drifted again. Drawing in a deep breath, he swore he could smell the scent of Tess’ skin and he reached out to her, needing to feel that connection to her again.

Tess stirred on the settee as a soft sweep of wind brushed her ankles. Dropping one arm over her eyes, she shifted her hips as the sensation climbed higher. Nibbling on her lower lip, she held her breath. “Jaxon?”

The answer came in a gentle brush of fingers over her thigh. She smiled, welcoming the warm feel of her husband’s hand. “I might have known you wouldn’t leave me to my own devices.” Guided by his hands, she rolled to her back and lifted the edge of the robe, sliding it up her legs. “You know, you really should be paying attention to what Falcon is saying. I’m sure the meeting’s important.”

A phantom hand drifted over the silky scrap of material covering her pussy and Tess closed her eyes on a whispered sigh of pleasure. Apparently Jaxon had no intention of paying attention, and who was she to argue?

Warm fingers closed around her wrist, lifting her hand. She didn’t need further instruction. Raising her hips up off the cushion, she hooked her fingers in the elastic and tugged her panties down to her thighs. Cool air bathed her pussy and her breath hitched in anticipation.

“Is this what you want me to do?” Even as she asked the question, she slipped her hand past her bikini line. Short curls tickled her fingertips and she heard Jaxon’s low hum of appreciation. “That’s what I thought. You’re watching, aren’t you?”

Determined to give him a show, she parted the lips of her pussy, revealing her rapidly swelling clit. Using her index finger, she lightly traced the sensitive bud, jerking a little as the tingles began low in her abdomen.

Arching her back, she tipped her hips forward and pressed a bit harder, panting a little. “Mmm, this feels so good. If you were here now, I’d want you to lick me.”

“Jaxon?” Falcon’s voice yanked Jaxon back to the Assembly room even though the blood had left his brain. “Is there a particular reason you’re not participating in this discussion?”

“I think something’s up,” Rane inserted with a sly grin.

Cursing below his breath, Jaxon shot his brother a glare. “Mind your own business.” He cleared his throat, shaking his head. “I’m just listening.” And watching. He kept that part to himself.

Rane nudged him with an elbow. “Bet you’re not hearing what we’re hearing.”

Jaxon shifted in the chair and turned his back on his brother. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

For a moment he concentrated on Falcon’s words but the sounds of Tess’ pleasure drew him back.

Her fingers slick with her own juices, Tess moved her ass back and forth atop the cushions. “Jaxon, I wish you were here.” Knowing he could hear her, she continued to talk to him as the fingers of her left hand sank deep into her channel while the index finger of her right hand worried her clit.

“I’m so close to coming right now. You know that, don’t you?” Thrusting her head back, she tightened her thigh muscles and dug her heels into the sofa. A moan slipped past her lips and her body began to shake.

She moved her finger back and forth across the moist nubbin, rocking and grinding her hips. A soft, sensuous breeze washed across her abdomen, inviting a smile. He was with her now.

“Touch me,” she instructed, taking her hand away as she issued the invitation.

Tiny pinpricks of sensual delight tangoed up and down her spine. Though she couldn’t see them, she felt the light pinch of his fingers tantalizing her clit. The scent of his cologne enveloped her and the climax began to build, drawing the muscles in her abdomen tight.

“Oh God.” The second the cry left her lips, the orgasm shot through her. Her lower hips jutted off the sofa, her hands gripping the cushions while she pumped against invisible fingers.

The descent came much too quickly. She wasn’t ready to awaken from the delicious haze but her muscles undulated, taking the decision out of her hand. Legs trembling, she dropped her arm off the sofa and breathed out with her eyes closed.

“I’m sure Falcon appreciates your full attention,” she murmured with a smile before slipping into a light slumber.

Jaxon realized one second too late that the room had fallen silent and all eyes were on him. Swallowing her juices, he tore himself away from the touch of Tess’ skin and returned to the Assembly room.

“My apologies. Tess needed my attention momentarily.”

Falcon’s brows drew together in a frown but he only made a grunting noise.

Rane dug his elbow into Jaxon’s side. “You know you’re going to hear about this later.”

Shifting in the chair to ease the pressure of his zipper against his cock, he shot his brother a grin. “Yeah, but it was worth it.”

Chapter Eleven

“Tess, wake up.” Jaxon kissed her mouth softly to nudge her out of her dreams.

She stirred, stretching like a lazy feline basking in the noonday sun. “Mmm, not yet.”

“I have something to show you, something you need to see. Wake up.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the floor-length window, pushing aside the curtains with a simple movement of his finger. “Are you awake?” He chuckled as Tess fought consciousness. “Open your eyes. You don’t want to miss this.”

She cracked open only one eye and surveyed Jaxon’s grinning face. “This had better be important.” The glow from the bedside lamp formed a halo around her thick chestnut hair, giving her an ethereal look.

Jaxon couldn’t resist inhaling the fragrance of the soft strands. “I guess I’ll have to get used to you not being a morning person.”

“Considering the time,” her opened eye lowered to the face of her watch, “I doubt this could be considered morning.”

He shifted her warm body in his arms and stepped closer to the window. “It’s three a.m. Now will you open your other eye and look?” Her breast rested next to his arm, the plumpness beckoning him.

Tess peered out into the darkness. “I don’t see anything.”

“Look down.” He waited for her reaction while every nerve ending in his body hummed with awareness. Soft and curvy, she awoke cells in his body he hadn’t even known existed.

She struggled against his arms. “Put me down and maybe I can see something.” The second her feet touched the floor, she pushed open the window and leaned out. “What is that glow?”

“It’s the moon.”

“That can’t be the moon. It’s below us.”

His arms closed around her, sheltering her against his chest. “Believe me, it’s the moon. Now watch.” He raised his hand. The blackness shifted, parted. The brightness of the moon’s glow peaked and shot upward to form a laser of light. Jaxon caught the wondrous look on Tess’ face and his grin broadened.

She turned a fraction of an inch to see his face. “You’re doing that?”

He looked down at her. “I wanted you to see Mystique the way I see it.”

Tess reached for his hand, entwining her fingers with his. “I’m starting to.”

The sky popped with a loud, long hiss and she whipped back around, her eyes round. “What was that?”

Jaxon moved her out of the way to shield her from the blackness sweeping over the moon. He stood in front of her as the ethereal cloud cover gave way to red, glowing eyes and long, scarlet-tipped nails. The night shot daggers that bounced against the windows, cracking the glass. Eerie, high-pitched cackles segued into screams of horror.

Tess shouldered her way to the window and stared out into the night. “What’s going on?”

“Get back.” Jaxon’s voice snapped with the command. He gave her a slight shove to emphasize his instruction.

The fiery battle between black magic and earthly powers intensified, lit the sky with sparks and blue flames while Jaxon stood watching. Screams became moans, pleas for mercy.

Tess’ fingernails bit into his arm. “Jaxon, what’s happening?” She came to stand behind him once more, ignoring the displeased look he sent her over his shoulder.

“Come away from the window.” He attempted to move her but she dug in her heels. “Tess, you don’t need to see this.” His fingers were more forceful this time as they curled around her upper arm. He guided her across the room just as the windowpane shattered. Shards of glass fell to the floor and a gust of green mist poured into the room.

Jaxon quickly shoved Tess behind him, bracing for battle. He felt her hands on his spine as she leaned against him, seeking shelter. “You have taken your life into your own hands this night.” His voice rang with authority, deceptively calm. Inside, his fury knew no bounds. It raged against his breastbone, beat at his temples. He faced his unknown enemy. “Identify yourself at once.”

The mist materialized into a small, blonde-haired girl. She wore a simple, cotton dress with sandals. Her wide, blue eyes blinked up at Jaxon with an air of innocence. “Who are you?”

“She’s just a baby.” Tess took a step toward her but Jaxon restrained her with a harsh, “Don’t.”

“She’s only a child. She’s not going to hurt us.”

He held her fast. “She vaporized into the room. Think about it.” He watched the doubt skate across her face. It gave him enough time to step back in front of her, putting his own body in the line of fire. “Identify yourself, little one.”

The little girl twisted her dress with her hands and took a few shuffling steps backward, the picture of innocence. “My name is Shantay and I’m looking for my mother. They said she was here. Do you know her? Her name is Tess. She’s very beautiful.” The child lifted a finger and pointed over Jaxon’s shoulder. “Like her.”

“Oh my God.” Tess covered her mouth with her hands. Jaxon caught her close to his side.

He leaned down until he was eye level with the small girl. “Your mother isn’t here. Tell Athena her plan didn’t work. Go back to the Coven and tell them if they attempt to enter our home again, I will come after them.”

The child repeated her earlier question. “Who are you?”

“The witches will know me.”

The girl opened her hand and held out a black onyx. “I wanted to give this to the pretty lady.”

Tess took a step forward, extending her hand but Jaxon moved faster, his strike swift and hard as he hit the little girl’s wrist, knocking the quartz to the floor. A bolt of lightning from his fingertips incinerated the onyx. With his hand, he secured his wife’s wrist and tugged her back to his side. “Go home, Shantay. Give the Coven my message.”

The child looked out the window once, directed her gaze back toward Jaxon. “The Coven will not allow you to keep a child of your own, Jaxon, and they always get what they want. They will come for the baby.” The innocent eyes hardened into black, knowing orbs as they focused on Tess’ face. “Any child you bear will be taken.” Although the image of a child held, the voice was that of a woman. Athena.

Jaxon flung his hand out and the small body skyrocketed into the air. Guiding her, he walked toward the window. The child flew toward the open window with a smile on her face. And then she evaporated, streamed out into the darkness to join a cacophony of voices and laughter.

Tess stumbled against him and he spun around, catching her in his arms before she could collapse. “It’s a mind trick, honey, nothing more. Athena was trying to get her point across. She knew she couldn’t get inside the citadel so she used what means were available to her.”

“Then how did her trick get inside?”

“Our walls are not designed to shut out innocent children. Athena disguised herself well. It was a new trick. She has been learning more but now that we know, we’ll take the necessary precautions. It won’t happen again.”

“What was happening outside?”

“Athena created a distraction with the knives and fire. Falcon greeted the witches with his own battle warriors.”

“That child.” Tess shuddered and clung to him. “Her name was Shantay.”

He cupped her face and forced her to meet his eyes “That child doesn’t exist. She was just another one of Athena’s creations, something to scare you.”

“Did you know what she was when she came into the room?”

“Yes. Just as I knew she couldn’t harm you. The girl was an illusion. Illusions can’t touch you.”

“She looked so real.” She leaned her head against his chest. “Why did you destroy the onyx?”

“Witches use the quartz as a weakening device. It’s coated with an antiquated spell that can drain a wizard’s power. Athena wanted you to have it because, inevitably, I would have touched it. While it wouldn’t completely remove my powers, it would significantly hinder my ability to protect you.”

Tess sat down on the edge of the bed with a thump. “Witches, spells, stones and daggers. Is this nightmare ever going to end?”

Jaxon knelt in front of her, took her hands in both of his. “Listen to me. You’re going to be okay. I know this is difficult for you to accept.”

“Jaxon, please. Difficult isn’t a strong enough word.” She cupped his cheek to take the sting out of her words. “But, as you said earlier, my options are limited. I will persevere because I’m strong. Well, that and I’m beginning to learn a little of what you do, those abilities you talked about.” She lay back against the mattress, flinging one arm over her eyes. “I figure I’ll learn enough to kick your butt one day.”

He slid up beside her on the bed and draped one arm across her abdomen. “It’s nice to have goals, as long as they’re not too lofty.”

She inched her arm down to fix him with a steady look. “Are you trying to tell me something, Wizard?”

He grinned at her before creeping his hand up her side to curve around the fullness of her breast. “I just wouldn’t want your dreams to get shattered. You know how fragile you are.”

“Fragile?” Tess thumped his arm. “I’ll have you know there are not too many human women who would’ve made it through all of this with their mind intact. I swear, as long as I live, I’ll never understand you.”

Jaxon moved his thumb over her nipple, watched her eyes darken with the heat of his touch. “You might want to learn to understand me, honey. Otherwise, you’re going to have a very, very long life of confusion.” He leaned in and nipped her neck.

Tess caught hold of his wrists. “Not as long as you. Just think, when I’m dead and gone, you’ll be spending the next, oh, I don’t know, five, six hundred years in mourning. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

He twisted his hands to break her hold on his wrists. Then, capturing her hands in one of his, he brought them high over her head. “It appears to me your memory isn’t what it was when I married you.” He dropped his head and licked the spot on her neck where her pulse jumped.

A soft sigh of pleasure escaped her lips. “My memory is fine. I wish I could say the same for Belinda’s.”

Jaxon raised his head and raked a look over her face. “Are we going to go back through that again?”

“Eventually but I don’t think right this moment would be the best time to enter into that discussion…especially since your lips have started something your cock is going to have to finish.”

He rolled, sheltered her body with his. “I’m more than capable of taking care of your desires.”

She looked up at him, her eyes luminous in her pale face. “So what did you mean about the memory? Did you do something to me too?”

Jaxon stared down at her while the tension climbed up to sit on his shoulders. “Do you really think I would touch your memory without your consent?”

Tess closed her eyes for a brief moment then reopened them. He hadn’t moved. “Sometimes you do things because you want to help me but in the long run those same things end up hurting me.”

“So we are talking about your friends then.” He released her and pushed himself to a sitting position. “I don’t imagine you’ll ever understand.”

She climbed up behind him and locked her arms around his neck. “I understand more than you think. I understand you were only doing what you thought best. I understand it wasn’t your intention to hurt me. What I don’t understand is why things have to be this way. You lived in Charleston. Why is it necessary for us to live here now? Why couldn’t we have lived our lives in South Carolina?” She kissed his cheek. “Is it so much for me to ask you to explain that to me?”