Page 41 of Witch's Rebirth
"I did love the city," I admitted. "But I'm ready for the quiet. I want to connect with my Earth and my mother out here. My place was never in a concrete jungle made by humans. Besides," I slung my arms around his neck. "I'll probably make frequent trips back to check on the tea shop. Nona's genius has surpassed me already."
I told him excitedly about what Nona was doing with the shop as we headed out to Voluspa's central point. Sal, Raum, Nona, and Astrid were already setting up wood for the bonfire. As the sun dipped below the horizon and dusk turned into night, Seth and the remaining shifters came to join us in a circle.
"My love?" Ash beamed at me. "Would you like to do the honors?"
I summoned a small fireball and cast it at the pile of dried wood and kindling we'd assembled. Within seconds, our bonfire roared with power and magic, lighting the dawn of a new age for our supernatural brethren.
"By shadow and light, divine and damned, pure and tarnished," Ash declared over the crackling and popping of the inferno. "Let this blaze mark the center of protection for those in need. Let no one with ill intentions cross the purified borders of Voluspa, the home of the persecuted and unwanted."
I repeated the same incantation after him, feeling the power of the spell vibrate through my throat and over my skin as I spoke. One by one, each person repeated the words and the flames grew higher. Every time a new person spoke, flames appeared to jump off from the bonfire and envelope the person in a fiery aura. It was a wonder to witness and even more amazing to feel.
It wasn't painful but felt permanent and humbling. This fire was sealing our oath, sealing an invisible wall of protection between the anchor points.
Seth was the last person to say his oath and the moment he did, everyone's fiery auras faded down to a barely discernible glow. But it was still there. Every time we'd see each other again, we'd see that glow and remember the moment we made history.
"It's done," Ash said proudly, looking at all of us through the flames. "Welcome to Voluspa, everyone."
Raum let out a victorious cheer and everyone followed suit. We yelled at the top of our lungs, danced around the fire, hugged, and celebrated. I found who I belonged with and I never felt so happy.
As the fire died down, the shifters slunk off to the woods. And in a fierce tangle of lips and hands, my lovers and I went home.
18
DEJA
The moment we stepped inside, Ash pulled me into the tightest embrace he'd ever given me, the pride and love pressing through his fingertips in my back. With my face buried in his neck and my arms around his shoulders, I was surrounded with the most pure feelings of love and care, because it wasn't just him with me. I had my whole family.
Sal, Raum, and Seth stood around us, beaming with that same love. Our shifter neighbors were only a stone's throw away. Our tribe of misfits meant everything to me.
I pressed my lips to Ash's neck and felt the groan rise in his chest. His hands moved to my hips, then my ass. He hardened against me and began moving us in the direction of the bedroom. A thrill ran through me but I pulled back slightly and looked up into his icy gaze.
"Angel, I know how you are," I began. "And if you want only to be alone with me, that's fine. But," I looked around to the guys lounging around the room, three more pairs of eyes watching us curiously. Heat rose within me, my heart thundered in my ears at what I was about to say. "I love you all. I'd love to be with all of you."
A beat of pure silence rang around the room. Ash loosened his grip on me and stepped away. My heart sank just slightly. He didn't want anyone in the bedroom but me and there was nothing wrong with that. Still, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointment at not being with all my lovers at once.
But to my surprise, he took my wrist and pressed my hand against the front of his jeans. Heat and hardness greeted my palm. I looked up at him, surprised.
"I've shared you since nearly the dawn of humanity," he smirked. "I might as well get used to it." He drew me against his chest so fast and brought his hands to my ass again. I was dizzy from how badly I wanted him. All of them.
"Here's my one rule." He nipped my earlobe, moving down my neck with slow, hot kisses. "I have you first."
"Mm hm." I could barely get my affirmative out before he walked us backward through the open bedroom door.
My mouth found his and I trembled at the sound of three heavy sets of footsteps coming closer. This was really happening!
Ash and I backed up toward the bed, hands and tongues intertwined as I pushed him down on the mattress, quickly climbing on to straddle him. Our kiss broke for just a moment and I paused with a gentle finger to his lips.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" I asked in a husky whisper, feeling the eyes of the others on my back. "If you'd really rather just be with me, we can kick them out."
He answered by wrapping a hand around the back of my head and pulling me down. His tongue thrust insistently into my mouth, a preview of what was to come. And just as abruptly he pulled away and addressed the three men still standing.
"You fuckers better stop staring and start making our woman feel good."
A low, throaty chuckle sounded incredibly close. That could only be Raum. When a large hand moved my hair off my neck and planted a rough, possessive kiss there, his touch was unmistakable. Ash's lips trailed across my jaw and then down the front of my throat while Raum's teeth and rough stubble worked the back of my neck into a frenzy of nerves.
He would be the one bold enough to jump in while Ash had me, to possess me in the way only he could, no matter who else was there.
My shirt peeled up and away with Raum's sharp, tingling kisses moving down my spine. I made off with Ash's shirt and sent my hands slowly down his perfect torso, completely unmarked except for the sigil tattoos on his chest.
