Page 38 of Magic and Muffins

Effora’s pale blue eyes narrowed briefly, and I felt another way of desire hit me. Then another and another. My necklace thrummed as it worked to suppress the effects of Effora’s allure, but she was queen for a reason.

Waves of need pulled at me. I angled myself into Shepard and tucked my face against his shoulder. Whether to hide from Effora or breathe him in, I couldn’t be sure. His hand settled on the back of my head, not trapping or dictating but cradling it. My breath caught, and I tipped my head to kiss his neck. He shivered beneath me.

“Effora, stop what you’re doing,” Shepard said.

“Why, when I can feel your delicious reaction to her? I think she needs more assistance. Once you’re finished with her, you can finish me while she recovers.”

Understanding what she was doing, I tried to resist the waves of sensual magic battering at me. Ducking my head against Shepard’s chest, I focused on my breathing and his pulse. It was racing, proving he was struggling too. His hands wandered slightly, and he kept pulling them back.

Was it because Shepard affected me or because of Effora’s magic? I reached up to touch my necklace, wondering why it wasn’t blocking more. Had Asherah oversold its strength to Cross? Humans had taken it from me once before. It wasn’t blocking fae allure, and it hadn’t blocked Vivian.

“Why isn’t my necklace working?” I murmured.

“Oh, it is working. It was simply made by a weaker fae than myself,” Effora said.

“How many fae are stronger than Asherah?” I asked, fighting the need to kiss Shepard as my necklace sent a cooling vibration against my skin.

“Fewer than fifty, perhaps. She is one of the most exceptionally gifted in making charms, though. Not as gifted as I am, of course.”

“Then you’re the traitor,” I said. “Why are you helping Orphia?”

The waves of need immediately stopped, and I lifted my head to look at her.

Her gaze narrowed on me. “That is a serious accusation. Explain yourself, and take care of what you say next, human.”

Shepard growled as he held me, and I subtly patted his chest.

“I’m wearing a protection necklace made by an exceptionally gifted fae, and yet it did nothing to stop Vivian from attacking me because of the necklace he wore. Meaning he had something more powerful—and by your own admission, you’re the most powerful fae in the area.”

“Iamthe most powerful of all the fae living in the human realm. And Asherah isone ofthe most powerful fae in the area.”

“Are you saying someone else made the necklace for Vivian?"

She lifted one shoulder and sat at the table, dragging a glass of red wine to her.

“I’m tired of your secrets, Effora,” Shepard said. “You wanted me to come here to discuss Orphia, but you won’t answer even the simplest questions. What are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything.” She looked away, which was uncharacteristic of her. And the way she was clutching her wine glass was a little odd.

“I’ll let you feed off Shepard if you answer our questions,” I said.

Her head whipped around to look at me. The eager glint in her gaze intensified as Shepard held me tighter.

“But I want themallanswered. No secrets. No holding back.”

Effora's gaze remained locked on Shepard, a slow smile curving her lips. She set her glass on the table and leaned back against the chair as if she had no care in the world that her breasts were on display.

“Do you agree with your future mate’s offer? Will you allow me to feed?”

“I will,” he said.

I’d been lying, which I was sure he knew, and hoped he was doing the same. Yet, as Effora continued to search his gaze, I began to get a little nervous that he was serious. After all, with so many people dying, what was a little sex to stop it?

“All right.” She elegantly crossed her ankles. “Ask your questions.”

“Tell us the truth about Adriel and Vivian. How do you know them? Are you helping them? What’s your relationship with Orphia? Where is she?”

“I have no direct association with Orphia. Her representative approached my mother centuries ago, offering his help in procuring the humans we desired. Back then, times were not as…free as they are now, and humans were more resistant to embracing the pleasure we could offer.” Her gaze grew wistful. “Their resistance made the pleasure that much sweeter.”

---