The woman moved closer until her body touched the length of his, her form soft and lush and willing against his hard muscles. The world disappeared. Her full lips pressed his and he drank in her heady scent, kissing her deeply. The taste of her, with her exotic perfume, was vaguely familiar, laced withtropical sea breezes and orchids. He had an image of warm sand and star-dusted nights and a woman who’d fulfilled his every fantasy. A woman who had banished the darkness for a time.
The woman in his arms placed her fingers on his mouth as though she’d read his mind. “Think only of me. Of tonight,” she whispered.
She had read his thoughts. There were rumors that a select few female Wizards had that power. But when her voice and her expression didn’t reflect jealousy that he was thinking of another, he dismissed the theory as nothing more than a lucky guess.
Doubt and fear persisted.
He prided himself on the ability to block his thoughts. It had worked well on more than one occasion. But all he could think about was that if she could read his thoughts and see into his soul, she would deem him unworthy, change her mind, and reject him.
And he wouldn’t blame her.
Her lips parted again and there was laughter in her voice, like rain caressing the first buds of spring. “I made the right choice.”
Relief washed over him. He knew it was the spell in the wine, the glamour she wore, and this night, but it didn’t matter. Whatever she wanted, or desired, it would be hers. He would find a way. Nothing she asked for would he deny. He would protect her with his life. Now and forever.
She drew his face toward her and kissed him with urgency and passion. Was it a thank you for his unspoken declaration? Or building desire?
“Yes,” she answered against his lips.
He picked her up in his arms. The fabric she wore was as transparent as mist. The memory of another island tugged at his thoughts again but evaporated as quickly as a dream when herarms wrapped around his neck and her breasts pressed against his chest.
Her nipples were ripe and ready for his touch. Her lips parted again in an invitation he could not deny. Would not deny. He didn’t know why he’d been granted such an honor, but he intended to enjoy and savor each moment. She was perfection and she had chosen him.
Chapter Seven
Morgan still wanted him, despite all that Rowan represented. He had not been born into privilege. His father was a member of the nameless, faceless outcast contingent who had dared to rebel against the establishment, which meant that his sons were sold into servitude. Rowan and his brother had had to fight for respect and acceptance. Not only did they succeed, but they also excelled.
And through it all, Rowan never lost his sense of fairness and decency. He helped those less fortunate and never lost sight of how far he had come. How could she not fall in love with a man like Rowan? She knew when she had met him those long years ago that he was the man she wanted as the father of her child. But she never thought she would see him again.
A massive tent was made ready for them. Perfumed candles illuminated the interior. Rose petals formed a path to the four-poster bed piled high with satin and silk pillows in red and deep purple. Nutmeg, cinnamon and lavender perfumed the air. Dark chocolate, red wine, succulent fruit, and oysters were spread over a cloth-draped table.
Rowan released her to the ground, placing a tender kiss on her head. She leaned against him, using his warmth to chase away the self-doubts racing through her. Could she do what was required?
Each woman planned to make sure all the male Wizards on the island were in a spell-induced sleep. If they succeeded, they would be able to spirit the young Wizards to safety. The children were not safe if they were on the island. But she and her sister Wizards had never tried something of this magnitude. It was a daunting task.
Rowan drew her against him, his strong arms wrapped around her waist as he leaned down, placing hot kisses on herneck and shoulders. She sighed and tilted her head to the side, letting the warm shivers race through her, bringing her body back to life. She’d underestimated her feelings for him.
When he’d first touched her, the overpowering desire for him caught her off guard. She knew that, when he awoke from the enchanted sleep, he would be furious with her. He would feel betrayed. She knew all too well the depth of that type of betrayal—that loss of trust. But she was not here to rekindle love. She was here for a higher purpose. The thought of the Wizardlings and apprentice Wizards kept her strong. Their lives depended on her and her sister Wizards remaining resolute.
She turned in Rowan’s arms and rested against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart, the heat of his body, the deep sadness that held him in its grip. So concerned by anger and loss over losing her child, she’d never guessed Rowan still fought his own demons. He had never stopped grieving for his family and felt guilty over not being able to save them. There were words she wanted to say, comforting, healing, loving words. Instinctively she knew he was not ready to hear them.
This was one of the times that could break a female Wizard’s heart. Female Wizards could sense the true nature of those they mated with, their regrets, their hopes. Morgan felt his pain, his great emptiness. For the duration of the festival male and female Wizards could chase away the darkening while in each other’s arms, but the feelings would not last. Their time together would pass too quickly, and their fears would return. The oasis that was Bealtaine was the real allure. A haven where dreams came true, fantasies were realized, and you could pretend love lasted forever.
Time was an illusion, and love the only reality, or so her mother had promised. Seven days was supposed to kindle a love that would last a lifetime. It rarely did.
She was one of the lucky few. The realization was bittersweet.
Morgan rose on her tiptoes, pressing her cool lips against his warm mouth. He leaned into the kiss, his arms around her, lifting her until her feet left the ground. His strength and power took her breath away. His intensity surrounded her in waves of shimmering heat. She’d forgotten how strong he was, how loving, how warm. Mating with a Fire Wizard was like venturing too close to an active volcano.
The danger was exhilarating.
Not all female Wizards could endure the unrestrained raw energy of a Fire Wizard when he made love. They were passionate, and attentive lovers. While all women wanted to be with them, few had the power to survive the experience.
His kiss deepened, searing through her, awakening passion and something more dangerous. Memories.
He pulled away slightly, his breath hot on her face. “Why me?”
This man, this Fire Wizard, was the most powerful and courageous man she’d ever known. Yet he thought he was not worthy of love.
