The words of the headmistress came back to him, about traumatized children and magic. His heart immediately ached for Celina. He thought Brenna was too young, but if she was actually of a normal age to develop magic, Celina had to have been extremely young. “Why did it come so early?”
“Because I needed it.” Sadness cast a grim shadow over her face. “I just wish it had been enough.”
Weaving through the last line of trees, she preceded him down the lane to the edge of a large estate. Out from under the protective cover the wind blew harshly, throwing cold drops of rain at him. The storm clouds had caught up with them fast.
Rosewood was much more rural than Celina’s home, backing up to hills and forest. The entire area was covered with thick plant life. He couldn’t decide if nature was trying to take back the buildings or if they had intentionally been built amidst the rocks and trees of the area. Oddly, nothing looked unkept, just a bit wild. The paths were clear, and nature encroached in a way that was miraculously harmonious.
His face must have portrayed his thoughts, because Celina gave him a secretive smile. “It’s a unique place.”
“Is it intentional?” He waved his hand at their surroundings.
“You could say that… I kind of think of it more as a truce.”
He frowned at the odd statement, but before he could ask further, Celina made a sharp turn into the stable yard and waved to the hostler in greeting. Dismounting, she led them to a set of empty stalls at the far end of the stable. A midnight-black mare called out as they passed, and Celina stopped to greet her, crooning affectionately.
Untacking Zora, he let pure muscle memory drive his movements so he could watch Celina work with Dahlia in the next stall. He wanted to finish their conversation. Wanted to know more about the trauma that had jumpstarted her magic too young. About the sadness that had washed over her. Wanted to pull her close and find a way to make the sadness leave her eyes.
Too much, too soon.He shook off the emotions. There would be time to think about Celina later, after his soul-daughter was safe.
Grabbing the bag he needed to bring in with him, he locked the stall door and moved to lean against it, setting the bag at his feet. Zora butted his shoulder with her head affectionately as she settled in. She was used to living out in the elements, but always seemed to enjoy the rare occasion of a warm, dry stall. With the storm beginning to pelt the roof with rain, she’d be extra appreciative.
Celina’s sweet scent hit him just before she entered his vision, leaning against the door next to him.
“We’re going to bring them home, Rodric. I swear to you. I’ll do everything in my power to save Brenna, and so will Connor.”
“I believe you.” He shifted so that he faced her, placing his hands familiarly on her waist. All thoughts of maintaining his focus fled, replaced by the feel of her.
She’d slipped past his defenses and settled into his soul in a way no one else ever had.Why now?What was he supposed to do with all this emotion? He desired her, yes, but the feeling of home made him feel like he was breaking from the inside out.
The hunter at his core took control of his actions, pushing him into a place where instinct ruled. He closed the space between them and took her lips in a vivid kiss.
She pushed into his embrace, rising to meet him eagerly as he kissed her deeper. The match lit between them when she’d taken his hand to dance erupted in waves of fiery light. The heat of her presence thawed the frost in the depths of his soul. A hum of pleasure rumbled through his chest.
She pulled back, breathing heavily. Shock and awe reined in the stillness, ashes and embers floating around them. His world had shifted with a single kiss.
“Rodric—” She gripped his shirt as if to hold on to him before letting go and flattening her palm. “We can’t. Not until we address your disdain for magic.”
Frustration swept through him, the hunter within growling at the interference in his pursuit. Would magic take another person away from him before they even had a chance to be together? Chaotic anger at the unseen threat swirled within him.
“Look at me, please.”
Unable to deny her, he did as she asked, and was surprised by the mix of determination and desire he found in her eyes.
“I want to, Rodric. But this is who I am. I can’t have you hating part of me when we begin. If it was just for a night, it wouldn’t matter, but…”
It’s more than that.Some of his anger cracked and fell. He stroked her jaw as they stared at each other, searching for answers.
“I could never hate you, Celina.”
“But you hate magic.”
“I don’t. I…”I fear it.His tongue hovered against the roof of his mouth, but he couldn’t say it. “It’s complicated.”
The storm crackling outside was nothing compared to the one raging within him. Calm strength looked back at him, and he suddenly had an image of her as an anchor that buoyed him and left him unsettled at the same time. He wanted, needed, to provide that foundational support for her.
But how could he, when he couldn’t control his fear of magic? She was right. It would destroy them before they’d begun. He couldn’t bear to let her go completely though.
“Give me time, Celina. I promise I’ll work on it, it’s just… difficult.”
