Before he could respond, she parted her lips and kissed him, leaning into him, pressing her mouth against his. The brand she’d placed over his heart flamed against his bare skin. Desire burst through his blood like a flashfire and took him by surprise.
He deepened the kiss, tasting her warmth. The world fell away. His only reality was the woman in his arms. He filled his senses with her fragrance. His blood heated. His thoughts blurred…
Seconds later Rowan heard shouting.
Someone was yelling his name, over and over like some ancient Gregorian chant. He opened his eyes and wished he hadn’t. Light blinded him.
Lyons held a flashlight as he helped Rowan to a sitting position. “Are you all right?”
Rowan cradled his head in his hands. “Stop shouting. I’m not deaf.”
What was he doing on the ground? His head pounded like the god Thor had hit him with his hammer. He pressed the palms of his hands against his temples. Damn. She’d done it to him again. She’d cast a spell over him. She was driving him crazy. He lifted his gaze and saw a taxicab disappear around the corner. It would be pointless to chase after her. She’d made it clear. She didn’t want his help. Fine. He got it. She said she could take care of herself.
Bullshit.
Lyons helped Rowan to stand. “What happened?”
“Morgan happened. Remember when I told you Wizards don’t do relationships? Well, this is why. There’s no reasoning with a female Wizard. If they disagree with you, they lull you into a false sense of security, then zap you with a spell.” Rowanpaused. “Lyons, what the hell are you grinning about? This isn’t funny. And how do you know her?”
Lyons held up his hands and backed away. The grin spread over his face and crinkled the laugh lines around his eyes. “I’ve never seen you like this before, that’s all.”
“Like what?”
“Besotted.”
“Who uses that word anymore? And you didn’t answer my question.”
Lyons shrugged, taking his car keys out of his pocket. “Do you want a ride into town or not?”
Chapter Twenty
The drive to the Trolls’ compound passed in a blur as Morgan touched her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the effects of Rowan’s kiss and the way his hard body felt against hers. She took in another ragged breath of the night air to quiet her racing heart. Only a few minutes ago, the cab driver dropped her off at the gate obscuring the compound’s entrance near the shores of Lake Washington. The lands had been a gift to the Trolls from one of the local tribes, but no one, least of all the female Wizards, knew which one, why or when.
Both the magical and human world viewed this waterfront home and the acreage surrounding it as nothing out of the ordinary. It was just another waterfront property where the reclusive and eccentric built their homes. Overgrown with rhododendron bushes, wildflowers, cedar, maple, and birch trees, nature was doing its part to camouflage the compound from the curious. No one would suspect it hid a world where time was suspended.
She took her time to cover the short distance along a cobblestone road that led to the ivy-covered mansion. She must learn to control her emotions. No one must guess her true feelings for the Fire Wizard.
When Rowan had gathered her in his arms in the alley, she had welcomed his embrace, his touch, his kiss and the silent promise in the way he breathed her name. For a precious few minutes, she had forgotten she was only pretending she felt something for him. The moment her lips sought his, the hunger for his touch was almost unbearable. And at Gas Works Park she’d kissed him again. It had taken all her strength to pull away and cast a spell so she could escape.
She was playing with fire. Literally.
Too soon she reached the oak-paneled double doors. She shut her eyes against the emotions raging through her. She sensed Rowan was as confused as she about the depths of their feelings for one another. But if she let herself dwell on those troubling thoughts, more would be lost than her fragile heart. Rowan was a powerful distraction. She must learn how to control her emotions or everything would unravel. She needed all her resolve to find a permanent safe haven for the female Wizards and Wizardlings. They were depending on her.
The double doors opened of their own accord, flooding the porch with shafts of golden light. Morgan passed through the entrance and crossed to the front room. She was not alone. Completing the welcoming atmosphere, an old woman sat in a rocking chair by the fire, knitting.
The Victorian-style home on the Trolls’ compound held the charm of an old-fashioned greeting card. Dark wood, overstuffed chairs, and lamps dripping with crystals and bright beads decorated the rooms. Forest green drapes were drawn against the deepening shadows, while the gentle smells of baking bread and sweet rolls drifted into the great room from the kitchens. It was easy to imagine how the stress of life’s difficulties could float away on the cinnamon-and-nutmeg-scented air.
The temptation to ignore the dangers closing in on her was hard for Morgan to resist. But Wizards, both male and female, were being murdered. How could she stop the carnage? This task felt beyond her power, beyond her strength. She shook her head, trying to sweep the web of doubts from her mind.
As she sat down in a wingback chair, she smiled at the gentle-faced woman who glanced toward her. Before Morgan could engage the woman in conversation, though, she heard a rustle of laughter, and Anne and Deidre rushed into the room, calling out her name as they jumped onto her lap. Their cheeks were coated with flour and pink, green and blue candy sprinkles. Morganpushed the self-doubts away as she hugged them to her and let their childlike excitement wash over her.
“It is wonderful to see you, my Wizardlings. Are you well?”
Deidre nodded, her eyes bright with laughter. “Oh, milady, we are having the best time! Cassandra is teaching us a spell that will make us look like big hairy creatures with sticky green slimy drool, bulging eyes and foul breath. Cassandra said humans will think we’re Trolls from their faery tales. Isn’t that wonderful? Can we stay?”
“I want to stay too,” Anne added with the same enthusiasm. “They have baby unicorns in the forest, fish that will eat out of your hand, a man who can juggle with his feet, a mermaid with long golden…”
A gentle clatter of dishes and the sound of a door being pushed open on well-oiled hinges announced Cassandra. She entered laughing and carrying a silver tray that held a rose-patterned tea set. “My darling children, can’t you see how tired milady is after her journey to the city? Seattle has become so toxic of late that I wager it could sour a sugar cookie. Milady and I need to talk while she relaxes. There’s plenty of time to tell her all about your new adventures.” Cassandra set the tray on a table beside Morgan, prepared a cup of tea, and brought it over to the old woman, who nodded her thanks with a warm smile. Cassandra turned toward Anne and Deidre, her voice a blend of laughter and smiles. “Off with you, my budding Wizards. If you hurry, Fiona will let you help with the preparations for our festival next week.”
