Page 9 of Pure Magic
Stepping around Daisy’s munching form, he stands inches from me and meets my gaze. “I want you.” He rushes to add, “It’s far too soon. Despite the lack of acceptance of multiple lovers within our communities, I would not wish to share you. If you honored me with your body and your time, my selfish heart would claim you entirely.”
Shocked doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. I know my mouth is open, and I force it closed. Still, I don’t know what to say to a declaration like that after knowing a man for less than a day. “Those are very pretty words. You clearly are a man who knows how to woo a woman. I admit I’m not unaffected by what you claim. However, we are strangers to each other. While the great mother’s letters may have made you feel as if you know me, I never heard of you until yesterday. Forgive me if I don’t fall all over you with kisses.”
He smiles, looking undaunted. “I would be disappointed if you did. You are not that kind of woman. I really can’t explain how my feelings have assaulted me so quickly. I just thought it important to tell you that I do intend to woo you.”
“I’m the high priestess. I don’t have the time to be courted. Let this go, Adam. If you wish in earnest to become a witch of Windsor, I will decide without bias. Don’t cloud the issue at hand.” I’m pleased that I sound sure of myself while my heart is beating out of my chest.
Stepping back, he bows. “I respect your position and you as a woman. It changes nothing. The desires of my heart are as much a surprise to me as they seem to be to you.”
Needing some space and time, I stomp toward the stones. Inwardly, my heart pounds, my stomach churns, and a very stupid part of me thrills at the idea of being wanted so intensely. Striding to the stones, I pray the heat in my cheeks has dissipated by the time he joins me. “Why would I want a man who travels his country and mine, hopping from town to town and probably bed to bed? What could you have to offer me even if I was interested, which I’m not?”
“A fine point. I have nothing to offer. I’m not even close to worthy of you. I shall endeavor to change that.” He sounds full of regret.
That takes the fire out of me. He stands just outside the circle with his hands in his trouser pockets, staring at me as if I were the moon. No amount of training or experience as a high priestess or as a grown woman prepared me for a man who looks like Adam laying his heart open so fully.
Shaking my head to try to clear away all the silly romantic notions, I move to the middle of the circle. “Come.” I offer my hand. “Let’s see what your magic is made of.”
With slow, tentative strides, Adam steps inside the border. He lets out a long breath. “Goddess didn’t strike me down. I count that as a good sign.” A hint of a smile tugs at his lips, but his eyes are full of earnestness.
When he reaches me, he takes my hand. Energy and magic thrill up my arm. I suppress any show of surprise. Maybe he didn’t feel it. Meeting his gaze, I see surprise in those green depths. Still, I say nothing about the sensation of touching him, and thankfully, neither does he.
“Now what?” he asks.
“Gentle your thoughts, Adam.” I press my hand to the center of his broad chest. “Breathe.”
He lets out a huff.
It takes some strength to keep from laughing. “If Goddess wills, I seek the nature of her magic within. Let seen the element of water which flows through me.”
Blue light slides like a thread from Adam’s heart and winds its soft touch around my wrist. His magic shines bright and speaks to my magic, soft and sweet.
I want to stay and admire the merging of magic, but more must be discovered. “Let seen the element of air, which opposes yet lives within the water.”
A silver strand flows from him, just as strong as the blue. It is more tentative, but after a moment, weaves itself with the water wrapped around my wrist and arm. They creep higher to my elbow.
Energy flows through me as air looks for its like within me.
“Let seen the element of earth that feeds us all and loves both air and water.”
As a green thread spills from his chest, he stares into my eyes, clearly moved by the merging of our magics.
Heart pounding, I have to steady my breath as the green forms a braid with water and air and travels farther up my arm.
Desire rockets through me, and I have to remind myself that magic can be arousing. Perhaps I should have brought Prudence with us. The great mother might have done this ritual, and I wouldn’t be so exposed.
Light surrounds him and flows through me, finding its way to my head, heart, palms, feet, and between my legs. I long to drown in the sensation and be wrapped in Adam’s arms.
“Are you all right, Sara Beth?” His voice is rough and strained.
I nod. “Let seen the element of fire that brings warmth and sustenance while also offering protection.”
Like a cunning serpent, red light shoots from him and winds its way up my arm, weaving in and out of its sister elements. All four grow as one, and soon I’m encompassed in his magic. He’s full of light, with only the hint of darkness that can be found in anyone.
Adam takes my hand from his chest, steps forward, and wraps me in his arms. “Is this always so intimate?” His shaft presses thick and hard between us.
Desire rushes through me. It takes me a moment to find my voice. I grip his shoulders. “Not quite this intimate.” Unable to resist the impulse, I press my cheek to his chest and revel in the warmth of his skin and the pleasure of his magic.
“I’m glad to hear that.” He kisses the top of my head. “Did I pass this test, Sara Beth?”
