Page 62 of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs

“Damn,” I muttered, “That was kind of anticlimactic.” I stared down at the now dull, cracked, and brittle metal in my hand. With a final wave of power, the metal curled into itselfuntil there was nothing but an ugly ball of tarnished bronze in my now fully healed palm.

“Are you really going to use it as a paperweight?” Logan stood, as naked as I had left him over an hour ago in bed. He had his arms crossed and was looking less than pleased.

I took my time gaining my courage before finally looking up at him, afraid that what he saw would make him run far, far away from me. “Nah, it’s too ugly,” I said, dropping it to the floor with the crystal dust. I stood there, unsure of myself, waiting for his judgment. I didn’t have to wait long.

He strode over to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. In a move he’d done so many other times before, he tugged until I fell into his chest. I immediately took a deep inhale of his spicy scent. “You’re a little badass, you know that?”

I chanced a peek up at his face to see him grinning down at me with pride. “Yeah?”

He kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m so glad to know that you can take care of yourself.” Then he swept me up into his arms and moved straight for the stairs to my apartment. “But I owe you a punishment for using sex to knock me out.”

My grin was wide as he carried me, and I could have sworn Mortimer gave me a saucy wink as we passed. Mildred was definitely chattering happily from her crooked position on the shelf as the crow in the corner fluttered his wings.

Chapter

Thirty-Three

BRIDGETTE

The sun was already up and shining through my curtains the next morning as we lay tangled together in the sheets. After Logan carried me to bed, we held each other close, both of us thankful that the nightmare was over. Without any more threats to my safety, Logan was noticeably calmer.

I felt his fingers comb through my sweaty hair as he held me from behind, and smiled to myself. I’d been woken up in the most delicious way possible and couldn’t wait to do it again tomorrow.

“I love waking up to you like this,” Logan murmured into my ear, echoing my thoughts.

I snuggled deeper into his embrace. “Well, then I guess it’s a good thing you’ll live a very long time.” I bit my lip, waiting for his reaction to the bomb I just dropped.

Logan stilled behind me, I didn’t even think he was breathing for a moment. Then he carefully turned me over so he could look down at me. “Can you explain that in a bit more detail, little witch?”

His eyes searched my face as I stared up at him, his expression giving nothing away. “You said your mother doesn’t know much about witchcraft or her legacy. Do you know if your father is her fated mate?”

Logan shook his head and frowned. “I don’t think so. They are happy together, but I can’t recall them being so in love with my mother that he can’t breathe when he looks at her.” His gaze ran over my face, and his thumb traced over my cheek as he took in my features.

My own breath hitched at his words, and I had to blink back the sudden moisture that came to my eyes. “Part of being a supernatural race often means longevity,” I began. Unlike with vampires and demons, witches aren’t immortal. Most don’t even live much longer than a normal human lifetime. But, those who have found their fated mates live to 200, sometimes 250 years old.”

“Fuck me,” he drew in a sharp breath, and I was afraid I’d finally broken him until he spoke his following words. “You’re telling me that I get to spend the next two lifetimes with you by my side?”

“Logan,” I murmured as I choked back a relieved sob.

“I mean it, little witch. I would have looked for you in the next life, but knowing I don’t have to? You just made my day.”

I laughed through my tears. “There’s more,” I warned, and his expression grew serious as he waited for me to continue. “The longer we are together, the more bonded we become. You know my grandmother didn’t stay with her fated mate for long, right?” He nodded, so I continued. “After a while, maybe twenty or so years, you’ll find our heartbeats begin to sync. That’s when our life forces begin to combine. Once that happens, we will be able to know where each other is at all times.”

Logan grinned. “I like the way that sounds.”

“Well, we might also be able to communicate without words, too.”

“Again,” he said, nipping my bottom lip, “it doesn’t sound bad at all. So why are you hesitating to tell me the rest?”

“Perceptive, Detective. Once our life forces are joined, it’s permanent. If I die, you die.” Just the thought of it made my chest ache. How had he come to mean everything to me so quickly? I knew the draw to a fated mate was powerful, but it really seemed to be extra strong between us. Since the beginning, I couldn’t resist his pull, even with my deep-seated fears. I was able to get past them, far too quickly.

I closed my eyes as I felt a brush of cool air drift over my cheek.

I’ve always hada soft spot for you, my sweet child. For being so pure and kind when you could have abused the magic and power I had bestowed on you has proved your worth. Your reward is a man who loves you with his entire soul. Your openness to my gift has provided you both with all the happiness you could seek in all your lifetimes together.

I openedmy eyes again as a tear fell and soaked into my hairline. “What was that?” Logan asked, a look of awe on his face. “It felt like something reached inside me and brushed against my soul.”

“It was the Goddess,” I choked out. “I think she just completed our bond. And I think she just ensured that we will always find each other ineverylifetime.”

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