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  But if she thought Brom would stop there, she was wrong. His lips traveled downward until he settled between her legs. She watched him, her breathing ragged as he hovered his lips above her. Then he winked before slowly moving his tongue over her sex and then stopping at her clit.

  With one move, he captured her, taking her body prisoner as he leisurely kissed between her legs. Each time she felt an orgasm approaching, he shifted slightly and changed his pace until she built back up, again and again. And again.

  With sweat covering her flesh, she cried out his name, needing him to give her release. But he didn’t heed her. He continued teasing until she was mindless with need, her body his to mold as he wanted. Only then did he give her the final push when she was on the edge of release. She fell, floating upon clouds of ecstasy as her body convulsed with pleasure she hadn’t known was possible. The climax went on for what felt like ages. Just when she was beginning to come down, he filled her.

  Runa cried out from the feeling of him sliding into her. She’d wanted this from the first moment she saw him. Finally, he was where he was supposed to be. It took everything she had to open her eyes and look at him leaning over her, his hands braced on either side of her face. She placed her palm on his chest and wrapped her legs around him. She felt a slight pull from her knee, but the pain was overshadowed by the pleasure.

  Seeing her climax, hearing her screams had only fueled Brom’s raging desire. He’d barely held back from plunging inside her when she bucked against him with her orgasm. Then he hadn’t been able to think of anything but being inside her.

  Once his cock slid inside, something within him that had always made him feel as though he were lost disappeared. It was as if he had found the thing he’d always been looking for. As if he had come home.

  He began rocking his hips slowly, enjoying the feel of her. When she locked her legs around his waist, all he could think about was finding his release. His thrusts grew harder, longer as he drove into her again and again, their moans filling the cave.

  The climax came upon him quickly. He pumped his hips furiously, driving into her hard and fast until it claimed him.

  8

  Rothiemurchus Forest

  Sybbyl had never known such fury. She stood on a small knoll and stared out over the faces of the witches who had come when she called, as well as the Gira who had joined her. She usually found peace and solace in a Witch’s Grove, but nothing could bring that now other than Avis’s death.

  She kept her cloak closed so no one could see the wounds on her neck and wrist that had yet to heal. Her battle with Helena had taken much out of her. She’d expected it to be replaced by the Staff of the Eternal—and it had been, to an extent. However, no spell was able to heal her.

  The black crown atop her head denoted her as queen, but not just to the Coven or the Gira. She was queen of the world. It wouldn’t be long before everyone knew that. Avis, the idiot, had actually thought she could compete with her. It was laughable, really. Avis had potential, but her magic couldn’t compare to Sybbyl’s, not even with the sword Avis had stolen.

  “We’ve been deceived,” she said to the crowd who stood in silence before her, waiting for her to speak. “One of ours has disobeyed a direct order and gone out on her own.”

  Sybbyl had done the same thing. It was why she was leading the Coven now. But Avis wasn’t that smart. Or powerful. All this did was prolong the time it would take for Sybbyl to wipe out the Varroki and take over the world.

  And she was tired of waiting.

  “Avis, who I initially took under my wing to instruct, has betrayed us. I sent her after a Hunter. It just so happens that Hunter met up with a man who had a bone of the First Witch.”

  A gasp went through the group. The Coven had been looking for those bones since Trea, the First Witch, died. Trea had known how powerful she was and suspected that others might wish to use her magic. She’d had her most trustworthy followers burn her body, then distributed the bones amongst them and scattered them far and wide. It had taken centuries, but finally, the bones were being found.

  Sybbyl might not have the Blood Skull or the Heart of the First Witch right now, but it was only a matter of time before they fell into her hands. She could take over the world with just her magic and the staff, but she wanted more. Because she knew the only ones who had a chance of defeating her were the Varroki. If she could wipe them out before they could come at her, then the world was hers for the taking.

  “Avis was supposed to bring me the bone,” Sybbyl continued. “Instead, she has vanished.”

  Laughter sounded in her head. She knew it was coming from the staff. The bone had been talking to her for some time, reading her thoughts, and even trying to lie to her. Sybbyl ignored the laughter, even as it grew louder and louder.

  “You think you have it all planned out, but you don’t.”

  She wanted to tell the voice to shut up, but Sybbyl managed to keep her comments to herself. Her gaze swept from left to right across the crowd of faces. “We’ve lived in the shadows for too long, hiding what we are and what we can do. We’re the ones with magic, and yet we allow others who have none to dictate what we can and can’t do. They burn us, hang us, and torture us. Because they fear us!”

  A cry of agreement went up.

  Sybbyl smiled. “All my life, I’ve known we should be in power. We’re the ones who should be in control. The Hunters tried to contain us, but they’re finished now. There are a few stragglers, but they can’t harm us. Look around the land. See how those without magic hide in fear. They do that because of me,” she stated, pointing to her chest. “I showed them what was coming. I gave them a taste of the terror we’ve lived with for far too long.”

  Another cheer sounded, this one louder and longer than the last.

  “We’ve nearly reached our goal, my friends. The world is waiting for us to take it. There are only two things we need to do first. We find Avis and get the second bone. Then, we go after the Varroki.”

  As the cries of agreement filled the air, Sybbyl turned her head and looked at where Asrail hung suspended from a tree by her arms. The former queen of the Gira didn’t hide her contempt as she glared at Sybbyl. She respected the nymph for that. Some would’ve done anything to gain Sybbyl’s favor, but not Asrail. She had been resolute in her opposition.

  “I’m not the only one who wants justice,” Sybbyl said when there was silence once more. She motioned to the Gira. “They were betrayed by their queen long ago. It’s only now that Asrail has been found. The nymph hid her granddaughter from those of her own kind who decided to end the child’s life. Synne, the Hunter Avis went after, is half-nymph.”

  Sybbyl met Asrail’s gaze. “You’ve only delayed what was meant to happen many years ago, Asrail. Your granddaughter would’ve been too young to know what was happening then. Now, she’ll suffer as an adult.”

  Asrail barked out a laugh. “If you think Synne will come, you’re delusional. I mean nothing to her. She only just met me.”

  The Gira hissed in anger.

  Sybbyl lifted a hand to quiet them. She didn’t have any control over them, but because she led the Coven and had taken a bone of the First Witch, they had pledged themselves to her. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe they wouldn’t change their minds in the next heartbeat, so she was careful about how she treated them. It was one of the reasons she had taken Asrail.

  “You went to great lengths to save her,” Sybbyl said. “You gave up your throne, watched your son and his human wife be slaughtered. But you saved Synne. I know for a fact the Hunter will come for you. And we’ll be waiting for her.”

  “It would be suicide for her to come. Synne is needed. I’ve lived my years. She knows this.” Asrail looked away as if ending the conversation.

  But Sybbyl was the one in control. “Oh, I’m going to make sure she comes.”

  She gave a nod to the Gira, who surrounded Asrail. They weren’t gentle as they pulled the former queen down and dragged h
er away. As far as Sybbyl knew, there hadn’t been another queen of the Gira since Asrail. She assumed one would’ve come forward to speak to her. Then again, the nymphs acted as one. Perhaps the queen was already amongst them. Not that it mattered. They could do whatever they wanted, as long as they helped her win against the Varroki.

  There had been many, many clans of Gira. They had eventually come together to form one large tribe. She had witnessed the Gira kill nymphs who tried to leave. They, like the Coven, didn’t take no for an answer and didn’t handle defectors. It’s why the Gira were so strong and moved as one.

  After the nymphs left to do whatever they had planned for Asrail, Sybbyl turned back to the witches. “I want four groups looking for Avis’s sister, Elin. The witch actually believes she can hide from us. Her magic is strong. We could use her. As for Avis, I suspect she’ll try to return. No one stop her. Let her come to me.”

  More laughter filled her head. How Sybbyl hated the voice.

  “Want to be rid of me? Then give the staff away. It’s that easy.”

  Sybbyl had dreamed of ruling her entire life. She wasn’t going to throw that way because of some voice in her head.

  9

  If only they could pretend they were the only two people in the world. Runa knew it was a dream she could never make a reality, but it was nice to imagine. She lay with Brom, their limbs intertwined as the fire popped. Her cheek rested on his chest as he played with her hair. She was so content that she didn’t even feel the pain in her knee anymore.

  The silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable, each lost in his or her thoughts. Even the wildcat had curled up and gone to sleep. Now that the flush of sex was gone, Runa once more felt the cold from the blizzard.

  “The storm doesna appear to have died down at all,” Brom said.

  She shook her head. “I think it’ll go all night.”

  “That’s a lot of snow.”

  Runa twisted her lips. “It won’t be easy to travel, that’s for sure.”

  “Then wait a day or two. Your knee could probably use it anyway.”

  “I can’t.”

  A beat of silence passed before Brom said, “You’re on a schedule.”

  “Something like that.”

  “I see.”

  She waited for him to ask her about what, but he didn’t. That’s when she realized that he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t ask because he didn’t want to share anything about himself, and if he wasn’t willing to share, then neither would she. And he was right. Besides, he wouldn’t react well if she told him everything. No one had the few times she’d actually told others.

  “I doona know what brought me to you or why, but I’m supposed to be here. I doona think you can argue that point.” He blew out a breath. “I want to help you, but I doona think you’re going to let me.”

  She rose up on her elbow to look at him. “You’re right. I won’t. This isn’t your fight. It’s mine.”

  “It isna coincidence that your face came to me in a dream. It isna coincidence that I found you so quickly. And it isna coincidence that our attraction is so fierce. Like it or no’, lass, we’re meant to be together.”

  “As good as that sounds, I know from experience that it isn’t. We’re attracted to each other, and I’m going to take full advantage of that because I like how you make me feel. I like being with you like this. But in the morning, we’ll go our separate ways.”

  “I can follow you.”

  She sighed and glanced away. “And I can make sure you don’t.” She took a breath.

  “There are things about me you don’t know.”

  He quirked a brow. “There are things about me you doona know.”

  “Brom, please. I’m doing you a favor. You don’t want to be anywhere near me where I’m going.”

  “Because I doona carry a sword.”

  She lay back on his chest and shook her head. “That has nothing to do with it. What I’m going to face is…something only I can do.”

  “I understand.”

  “You do?” she asked in surprise. She’d expected him to argue more.

  He gave a single nod. “Aye.”

  Runa should feel happy that they didn’t spend their time arguing, but she couldn’t help but be disappointed that Brom hadn’t tried harder. She’d never had such conflicting emotions before, and she didn’t like it. What she’d told Brom was the truth. He couldn’t help her against the Gira or the Coven. Not only did he not have a sword, but he also didn’t have magic. She would be leading him to certain death.

  Then why did she want to cry at leaving him behind? She’d been gloriously happy just moments ago. Now, she wanted to wail at the unfairness of it all. Runa stared at the flames of the fire. Brom continued to hold her and play with her hand. He threaded the fingers of his other hand through her hair, relaxing her. She had never known she might like someone to play with her hair. Now, she wanted Brom to do it for the rest of her life—it felt so good.

  She wasn’t sure when it happened, but she finally fell asleep. When she woke, she was still on Brom’s chest with his arms around her, but she no longer heard the howl of the snowstorm. She blinked, shocked to find the fire still burned. Runa was surprised that she had slept through Brom tending to it. Normally, she was a very light sleeper. Then again, she’d been injured the day before, then had sex with an amazing man. It was enough to tire anyone out.

  “It’s no’ quite dawn,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

  Runa smiled and snuggled closer to him. “The storm has passed.”

  “I’ll get dressed and take a look at everything in a moment. Right now, I’m enjoying you against me.”

  “I’m enjoying that, as well,” she told him as she shifted to look at him.

  They shared a smile. What they had found in the cave was…well, magical, for lack of a better word. The moment they left, they would lose that connection. If only she could take a day and spend it with Brom just as they were.

  “You’re frowning,” he said as he touched her face reverently. “What is it?”

  Instead of telling him the truth, which would bring about the talk from the night before, she said, “I’m glad you found me.”

  “I’d like to think that wouldna cause you to frown,” he said with a grin.

  She chuckled and ducked her head, holding him tighter. “I wish my life was different.”

  “You have control of your life. You get to decide what you can and can no’ do. Where you will and willna go.”

  “You make it sound so simple.”

  “Because it is,” he replied.

  She drew in a breath and slowly released it as she sat up to look at him. “You’ve done more for me in a few hours than anyone has my entire life. The way you look at me, hold me, touch me. It’s absolutely incredible. I never dreamed I would find anyone like you.”

  He sat up, leaning his weight on one hand. “I can say the same about you. I know something special when I find it, lass, and we have it.”

  “I know. That’s what makes leaving so difficult.”

  “My offer to go with you still stands.”

  She smiled, tears filling her eyes. The last time she had cried was when Morea died. How Runa hated tears. “I wish with all my heart you could come with me.”

  He smiled and pulled her close for a soft kiss. Then he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll always be with you.”

  With that, he rose and began to dress. Runa wanted to stop time so none of this would happen. She turned to reach for her clothes and felt something wet hit her leg. That’s when she realized that she was indeed crying. She hastily wiped the tears away and began to dress. It wasn’t until she thought about her breeches that she looked at her knee. The kneecap and surrounding area were different shades of blue, black, and purple. She carefully touched it and then hissed as pain exploded. She jerked her hand away. If touching it caused that much pain, there was no way she could walk on it. She looked up to find Brom watching her
.

  He jerked his chin to her knee. “I was afraid of that. Walking in this snow on the mountain will be extremely painful. And you would be doing more damage than good. Wherever you’re going, I gather you doona wish to be injured.”

  “Nay, I don’t,” she said.

  He looked outside the cave then back at her. “Even if I carry you, I fear I’ll still do damage to the knee. You need rest.”

  “That’s time I don’t have.”

  “It’s your decision.” He finished pulling on his boots. “I’m going to see if I can find us some food.”

  That’s when she realized that they hadn’t eaten last night. Her stomach chose that moment to grumble.

  Brom chuckled. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay off that knee until I get back.”

  He pulled a blanket out of his bag and tossed it to her. With a wink, he was gone, leaving her entirely to her thoughts. She wrapped herself in the blanket and looked at her knee. After a few moments, she tried to move it. Pain shot through her leg, causing her to gasp and bend over.

  Even if she wanted to head out, there was no way she could. Not in the mountains in the middle of winter. The problem was, she wouldn’t heal in one day. She needed weeks, if not months to fully recover. And her family didn’t have that kind of time.

  10

  The clear sky was beautiful after several days of no sun, but Brom couldn’t enjoy it as he usually would because his thoughts were on Runa. If he’d learned anything about her in their short time together, it was that she didn’t like being told what to do.

  She wanted to leave regardless of her injury. He knew when he returned to the cave that she would be gone. It was why he’d left. No matter what she said, he would follow her. Letting her get a head start made that easy.

  He sank into the freshly fallen snow as he made his way through the forest. With the storm gone, he saw more signs of animals. It didn’t take him long to track down a game bird. On his way back to the cave, he checked the area for signs of anyone, but there was nothing but animal prints.