Page 69 of Pure Magic
“Thank you.” My tone is solemn, as is my mood.
Adam ruffles Isaac’s hair. “It’s good to see you again. I trust your journey was uneventful.”
“It went well. We gathered many witches as we traveled. More still arrive.” She points to the road where carriage full of witches and a cart filled with supplies has just arrived.
Have I brought all these souls here to die? Would Goddess be so cruel? “Great Mother says there is no way to stop the spell from being cast. The gates will open, and evil will pour in both directions.”
Even frowning and living rough on the plains with only dotted firelight, Laura looks elegant. “I suspected as much.” She grips my arm. “Do not lose hope, Sara Beth Ware. We will fight with every ounce of our strength to defeat anything dark that comes into our world. United, we shall find a way.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
She smiles. “You need to rest. Take her to her tent, Adam. Things will be better in the morning.”
With a nod, Adam takes my hand, and we cross to a tent our coven has set up for us. The tent is evidence that our sister and brother witches never lost faith that we’d arrive in time. I should take solace in that fact.
As Adam opens the tent flap, I look back at the milling forms of so many witches having gathered on this ground that will be a battlefield tomorrow. “I wonder if so many have ever come together before.”
Laughter erupts from the center of the crowd.
Adam smiles. “People will write tales about this.”
“If we live past tomorrow, I’m sure they will.”
Pulling me close, he brushes stray hairs from my cheek and stares into my eyes. “Why have you suddenly become so pessimistic?”
Despite my worries, being held by Adam still makes my stomach flutter. I push back and move the two feet away that the tent will allow. “All this time, I thought we could prevent the gates of hell opening, or whatever your sister is about to unleash on us. Knowing we cannot win breaks my heart. Why are you not just as dismayed?”
He blinks slowly. “No one said we were going to lose this battle.”
Had he not been listening? “Both Prudence and Laura said Ariana would open the gate. Goddess said that Trina will be killed.” Tears blur my vision. “I can’t save anyone. This world will fall to darkness, and we will stand and watch it happen.”
Dragging me into his arm, he shushes me. “No. Beth, that is not going to happen. We may not be able to keep her from casting her spell, but we can fight and win for the light.”
“What if we fail?”
Adam wipes my tears away. “We won’t, but I’m willing to die to save this world, to save you. I know you’d die for the witches in your coven. We have a duty. It’s the first time I’ve had one in my adult life. I’ll not go down without a fight.”
He’s so beautiful, so good. My heart is full as I press my lips to his and wrap my arms around his neck. He strokes his tongue inside my mouth, and my knees get weak.
Pushing his coat from his shoulders, I can’t get to his skin fast enough. I mutter a quick spell that leaves us both naked and our clothes in a heap near the tent flap.
“I really must learn that spell.” Adam chuckles. “I do know a good one though.” He flicks his wrist, and at our feet, a basin of water appears with a cloth resting on the side.
“That was impressive. Is the water warm?” I like the teasing. It makes me think, at least for a moment, that all is well in the world.
He crouches, swirls his finger around the basin, and steam lifts from the water into the cooler air. Dipping the cloth, he meets my gaze. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, Beth. Inside and out, you fill my heart with joy. Whatever happens tomorrow, know that I love you and always will. Nothing and no one will ever change that.”
Starting at my feet, he washes my legs, thighs, and hips.
The warm water and his hands spark desire between my legs. It takes all my will not to squeeze my thighs together for some relief.
Grinning up at me, he dips the cloth again and washes my stomach, arms and neck, kissing every inch of me until I can hardly stand on my own feet.
I grip his shoulders to keep from melting into a puddle as he slides his tongue along my neck to the back of my ear. Holding me in the circle of his arms, he washes down my back and over the swell of my ass.
“Everyplace but where I need you most.” My voice is rough.
He kisses my cheek then captures my lips for a long, slow kiss. “I promise the teasing will all be worth it. Will you lie down?”
