Blood of Destiny (Witch Fairy #6) Read online

  Kissing a trail along my jaw to the spot behind my ear that drives me crazy, he says, “I want to finish what we started last night.”

  Instantly, my entire body feels like it’s on fire again. Oh, if only. “I’m afraid we’d have an audience.”

  Kallen immediately stops kissing me. His face is flushed and he looks embarrassed. He rolls off me and sits up, preparing to see someone else in the room. When he finds no one else, he flops back down with a sigh and closes his eyes. “You mean an Angel audience.”

  I can’t help a small giggle. “Yeah. Sorry to scare you like that.”

  He opens one eye and looks at me. “No problem, I like my heart to stop beating on occasion. It makes me appreciate it more.”

  I laugh. “One more stupid Angel and we’re done. Then we can wake up the way we want to.”

  There is a distinct promise in my words that he picks up on. With a grin, he rolls back to me. “I am counting the minutes.” His lips meet mine in a long, sultry kiss. There is definitely a promise in this kiss.

  Pulling back, he says, “If we do not rise and face the day right this minute, I am not going to care who is watching.”

  A pleasant shiver runs down my spine. Until I think of Ambriel watching us. It’s time to get up. With a distinct pout, I nod and we both force ourselves to get out of bed.

  “I am not going anywhere without breakfast,” Kallen says as he heads to the bathroom to take a quick shower to wake himself up.

  Me, either. We’ve hardly eaten anything in the last few days. The thought of one of Tabitha’s delicious breakfasts makes my stomach growl loudly. Putting my hand on it, I look down and study it a moment. Do I have a baby in there? If so, I’m not taking very good care of it since I’m not eating right. Oh, I am so not ready for this.

  I freshen up while Kallen is in the shower and I get dressed in my own clothes instead of having him make me some. I leave the rock right where it is and head downstairs. Following the wonderful scent of bacon, I find Tabitha alone in the kitchen making pancakes and toast as well. “Good morning,” I say, taking a seat at the counter.

  She turns around with a hand on her heart. “Good lord, you startled me.”

  I wrinkle my nose. “Sorry, I thought you heard me come in.”

  She turns back to the pancake that needs flipping. “Oh, I was just lost in thought. What brings you down so early? I thought you would sleep until noon.”

  I snort. “I wish. The stupid Angel keeps waking me up. He’s such a jerk.” I hope he’s listening.

  Putting the pancake in the warmer with the rest, Tabitha turns back around. “Yes, you did get yourself into a pickle with him.” Tilting her head, she studies me for a moment until I want to squirm in my seat. Finally, she says, “Do you truly believe yourself to be pregnant?”

  There goes my appetite. “I really don’t know.”

  “Would the answer to that question affect your decision to become right hand-fasted with Kallen?”

  Wow, wasn’t expecting that question. With a confused look on my face, I say, “No, why would it? We’re getting married because we love each other. Whether there’s a baby or not.” With a sigh, I add, “We were just hoping to wait a while – a long while – before kids came into the picture.”

  A satisfied smile grows on her face. “Then I will let you in on a little secret.”

  Now I’m really confused and my brow wrinkles more. “Okay.”

  “I did some research on the Apsaras. A side effect of the Apsaras magic is that it denies conception. A little trick of theirs to keep desperate people from calling on them for help with fertility issues.”

  No way. “Really?”

  She nods. “Yes, really. They are not exactly known for their compassion.”

  I feel like half the world just lifted off my shoulders. Then I feel badly for a moment. Should I be this happy that I’m not pregnant? I smile to myself. Absolutely. Neither Kallen nor I are ready to be parents. I jump off my stool and wrap my arms around Tabitha and give her a big, loud kiss on the cheek. “Thank you! I have to go tell Kallen.”

  She laughs. “No need, he’s been listening at the door.”

  I put my hands on my hips and turn around. Sure enough, he’s standing right there with a grin on his face leaning against the door frame. I should be mad at him for eavesdropping, but I’m too happy at the moment. Instead, I rush at him and jump up, forcing him to catch me. Then I plant a big kiss on his lips. “We’re not pregnant.”

  He gives me another light kiss. “So I heard. Someday,” he says and I nod in agreement. Someday far, far into the future.

  “Sit down, you two. You look half starved,” Tabitha says as she puts plates on the counter.

  Kallen lets me down. “We are. We have not had a decent meal in what feels like weeks.”

  “You look like it,” Kegan says, slapping Kallen hard on the back as he comes into the room. “Soon you will be wrinkled skin on bone sticks.”

  Kallen glares at him. “Do you ever go home?”

  A shadow passes over Kegan’s eyes and his joking manner drops away. He gets a plate from the cupboard and sits down. I haven’t known him long, but I know this isn’t normal behavior for him. He and Kallen always talk like that to each other and neither of them take it to heart. Finally, he looks up at Kallen who I can tell is now horrified about what he said. We both know what’s coming when Kegan eventually says, “This is now the only home I have.”

  Kallen sits across from him. “I am sorry. The news was not well received by your father?” Of course he’s talking about the news of Kegan and Alita’s engagement.

  “That man is dafter than a warthog,” Tabitha says, putting a pitcher of juice down on the counter hard enough for some to slosh over. “Objecting to such a sweet girl. I ought to wring his neck.”

  “I will be taking care of that,” Isla says coldly from the doorway. Uh oh, someone’s in trouble. Kegan’s dad and Kallen’s dad were brothers. Twin brothers. And Isla’s sons. I would not like to be a fly on the wall for the conversation she will be having with her son. I’m sure there will be a lot of colorful language that might make my ears bleed and scar my psyche.

  Kegan gives Isla a smile. A weak, unconvinced smile but at least he tried. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

  She pats him on the shoulder as she moves to the stove to pour herself a cup of coffee. “It is nice to see the two of you at a meal,” she says to me and Kallen. I think that’s her way of saying she missed us. Aaw. “Even better news to hear that I will not be a great grandmother anytime soon. I would appreciate it if you keep that way.” And there goes the nice moment. My cheeks flush red instantly. At least Kallen looks just as embarrassed.

  We really need to figure out the whole birth control thing. I have no idea what they even use in this realm let alone how to get it. The next time Kallen and I are alone we need to figure it all out.

  Kegan, on the other hand, looks relieved to have the attention in the room shift. He chuckles around a piece of bacon. “Yes, fine job you two. Keep up the good work.”

  The nice moment between him and Kallen is over, too. This is driven home by the punch in the arm Kallen delivers to Kegan on his way to get his own coffee. Kegan almost falls off his stool. Kallen doesn’t like coffee, so it was obviously just an excuse to get up and hit him.

  Kegan rubs his arm. “Temper, cousin. Your intended will see your dark side if you are not careful.”

  Kallen snorts. “My dark side is tame compared to hers.”

  “Hey!” How did I get in the middle of this?

  Kallen laughs and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Tell me your temper is not fiercer than mine.”

  I start to argue. The words are right there, ready to defend myself. Until I notice everyone in the room staring at me with raised brows. I can’t help but laugh. “Fine, I have the foulest temper of all.”

  Isla smiles. “What a relief to relinquish the title.” Wow, she just made a joke. I need a calendar so I can mark t
hat down.

  “Kallen, Kegan, I would like to have a word with the two of you in my office after breakfast,” Isla says to them.

  I don’t think I like the sound of that. I hope she’s not going to try to talk Kallen out of marrying me. No, that can’t be it. Isla’s the one who set us up in the first place. Still, I can’t help but eye her warily as I put a bite of pancake in my mouth and think about the trouble I’ve caused her. She pretends not to notice.

  “You’re up bright and early,” Mom says, floating into the room and giving me a very cold kiss on the cheek with her subzero degree lips. Why are ghosts so cold?

  “Angel alarm clock,” I mutter around another bite.

  She purses her lips as her smile fades. “Does that mean you’ll be disappearing again soon?”

  I nod. “The sooner we can be done with this the better.”

  “You said you owe this Angel two favors?”

  I nod again. “Yes, which makes me twice as stupid. I can’t believe I got us into this.”

  Mom floats over and puts an arm around my shoulders dropping my body temperature several degrees. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve had a lot thrown at you in a short period of time. You’re entitled to a blunder or two.”

  Kegan snorts and says with a grin, “Are you referring to the two hundreds or the two thousands?” I’m about to throw a piece of pancake at him since he’s on the other side of the counter, but Tabitha walks behind him and smacks him the back of the head. My turn to grin as he rubs the spot with his hand. I love Tabitha. “What, honesty is not allowed anymore?” I’d be upset at him if he wasn’t right. But, he is.

  Ignoring him, Mom asks, “Do you have any idea what the second favor will be?”

  I sigh. “No, I haven’t a clue. I’m sure it’ll be something equally as horrible as this one.”

  Isla looks at the clock on the wall over the stove. “Boys, I need to leave soon for work. If you will please join me?”

  It’s not really a question. She gets up and walks out of the room fully expecting Kallen and Kegan to follow. Mom gives me a questioning look but I shrug and shake my head. I haven’t a clue what’s going on. But it is driving me crazy not knowing. I hate secrets. There have been too many of them in my life and none of them were good ones.

  I finish up my breakfast and then fill Tabitha and Mom in on what happened in the Merpeople realm. Tabitha is amused and Mom is horrified. Then, I bring them outside to meet Zoe, who swims as close to shore as possible to greet them.

  By the time introductions are done, Kallen has returned. I give him a questioning look but he shakes his head in a ‘not now’ kind of way. My look isn’t questioning now. It’s more like a glare. Okay, it is a glare. He ignores me. He knows I hate it when he does that.

  Proving that I do have the foulest temper, I say good bye to the three women and then stomp up the sand to the terrace. I wish stomping was more effective in sand. Hard to make a dramatic exit when the sounds you want to make are being muffled. Once in the house, I stomp up the stairs with a satisfyingly loud clomping sound and walk to our room. Throwing open the bathing room door, I pick the stone up off the floor.

  I’m not sure why I’m being like this. I know he’ll tell me what Isla said at some point; he probably wants to do it in private. Truly, I’m not even mad at Kallen. If truth be told, I’m mad at me and feel guilty as heck and I’m just looking for a reason to act like a pouty baby. I keep dragging Kallen into all these stupid and dangerous situations, and then I get mad at him for the tiniest little things. Why does he even like me? It would serve me right if Isla changed her mind about us. I just want to find this last Angel so we can have a bit of peace and I can make this up to him.

  I think I need an IQ test. The average IQ is around a hundred, I believe. Right now, I’m probably rocking a thirty or forty. Why? Because I just left without Kallen to find the last Angel.

  Chapter 15

  I’m hoping that snow down there is soft and deep to cushion my fall. I also hope it’s not a giant abominable snowman that will rear up against my cushioning magic like the Zaratan did. Here goes. I send out my magic and nothing jumps up to greet me, so I think I’m okay.

  I wish I hadn’t gone for the light cotton skirt and tank top when I got dressed because in all directions there is snow. Lots and lots of the white stuff that spent years torturing my psyche and body in Colorado. I forgot just how cold it is. Colder than Mom and Dad. That’s pretty cold.

  Letting my cushion of magic go, I focus on changing my clothes because I’m already starting to feel frostbitten. My magic doesn’t want to cooperate at the moment. Go figure. It’s usually so flexible and responds exactly the way I want it to. Hmm, would that be considered surly or facetious? Probably not the time to worry about that. Not when my magic has gone into overload yet again.

  I end up with enough winter wear on for three people. I have on a one piece snowmobile suit, a coat, a vest and a cape. Not sure why my magic thought I would need a cape. I have on six scarves that I can count with the limited mobility of my head under the seven hats, including the full facial one that bank robbers use. My arms are sticking straight out to the side because of all the layers and when I try to move my feet in my three pairs of boots – one pair is fishing waders for some reason – I fall backwards into the snow. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.

  A large bird flies over me while I’m lying here deciding how I want to rectify my situation. I don’t mean big like an eagle. I mean big like a pterodactyl. Wait a minute. I think it is a pterodactyl. Lucky me. It’s coming close enough now for me to tell for sure. I would say by the reptilian body, loud piercing cry and mouth the size of my head, it’s a pterodactyl. A hungry one. Hopefully it likes polyester because that’s all it’s going to taste for the first couple of bites. Maybe my magic was smarter than I thought it was.

  As the bird comes flying down at me, I use my magic to create a wall and it smacks into it. I thought it was loud before. Wow. It’s clawing at my magic with talons as long as my face. Good thing magic can’t be shredded. At least, I hope it can’t be.

  “Shoo, Polly.”

  Polly? The pterodactyl’s name is Polly? And who is that talking? I turn my head to the side as far as I can. In my peripheral vision, I can see a man with long blonde hair and a full beard. I didn’t even know guys still wore full beards. Then again, I’m in a realm with pterodactyls so the fashion and grooming rules are probably different here than back home. I can’t tell how old he is. He could be my age or he could be Dad’s age. “Who are you?”

  Shooing Polly away, and believe it or not she goes, he says grimly, “I’ve been expecting you. Dreading you, but expecting you.”

  That’s an awfully long name. Or he just completely ignored my question. Yeah, it was that. “Who are you?” I ask again as I struggle to sit up. I haven’t let down my wall of magic yet but I do manage to get rid of a couple of layers of outerwear so I can stand up.

  “Oh, names are not so important. They just clutter the mind. If you must have one, you may call me Raziel. Come, let us sit down and talk before our journey to the Fairy realm.”

  Um, he’s weird. I’m not sure I want to go wandering off with him. But, at the same time I feel perfectly safe with him. Drawn to him, even. “If you know where we’re going and you’re agreeing to it, can’t we just leave now?”

  Raziel smiles sadly. “Only one of us here knows where he is going. You have a journey ahead of you that has not even begun.”

  I get the feeling it’s a journey I don’t want to go on. I wonder if I can call in sick. “What are you talking about?”

  The sadness has crept from his mouth to his eyes. “I am talking about the fight ahead. You are not ready, yet you will be tested to end of your limits. Your fate hinges on the side you choose.”

  What is it with magical people and their riddles? It gives me a headache. “You know, I’m not big on the whole cryptic speak thing. So, could you spell it out for me?”


  He laughs, which I think may be rare for him. I’m pretty sure the sides of his mouth cracked and plaster dust fell to the ground. “You are as impatient and straightforward as I knew you would be. And you are even more beautiful for it.”

  “Great, glad I’m living up to your expectations,” I grumble under my breath.

  Raziel laughs again. “Come, get warm and we will talk for a few minutes before leaving. Unless you prefer to be out here when the therapods come back.”

  I don’t know what a therapod is, but if the guy who just shooed the pterodactyl away is worried about them, I probably should be too. “Fine,” I grumble. I let my magic go and follow him when he starts walking away.