Page 70 of The 13th Daughter
"How much farther?" I asked through chattering teeth.
"About five more minutes."
True to his word, five minutes later we pulled up to an old abandoned dock. He tied off the lines and helped me down from the boat. I practically ran to the cabin. I could see a fire blazing inside and I was freezing.
Throwing open the door, I stopped and stared. OH. MY. GOD.
Daisies filled every surface I could see. A table had been set up in front of the fireplace and two plates were waiting, silver lids covering the delights underneath. Candles of every shape and size cast off a soft light. It was beautiful. He really had worked hard on this surprise. I walked over to the table and fingered the lone white rose that lay there.
"Do you know what the white rose stands for?" he whispered from behind me.
"No," I shook my head.
He turned me around and tipped my head up so he could look at me. "I could have given you the red rose for passion, the yellow rose for friendship, or the pink rose for love, but instead I chose one that meant all of those things and more. The white rose stands for commitment. You belong to me, Cassie Jayne Bishop, now and forever, just as I belong to you."
I didn't try to hold the tears back. He could have done so many things, but this...this meant more to me than he would ever know. He'd given me his heart, his soul, and his life.
He trailed butterfly kisses down my cheek, tasting my tears. He nibbled at my lips before continuing on to my throat. He found the pulse point and nipped it. "My Cassie," he whispered.
My coat hit the floor and he pulled the sweatshirt over my head. He smiled at finding another shirt to hinder him. "Nothing is ever easy with you is it?"
I gasped as his teeth scraped over my throat. His lips found their way to mine once more. Sensation after sensation ran through me. His kiss deepened, his lips demanding full and total surrender. He didn't have to ask twice. My arms went around his neck, one hand tangling in the soft strands of his hair. I pressed myself closer, an urgent need building that felt like it would burst at any minute.
He broke the kiss long enough to pull my tee shirt off and unhook my bra. His gaze sent a blaze of heat across my skin and I could feel the blush rising. He pulled me back into his arms and his lips overwhelmed me. His hands were everywhere and I sensed rather than felt us moving backwards. My knees hit the bed and he came down with me.
That was my last coherent thought.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nervousness and panictook turns upsetting my stomach all day. Tonight was the night. The big birthday party. The night I was scheduled to die. Dad kept trying to find a way to tell me. I ran every time I saw him coming. He even sent me a text threatening to tie me to a chair and force me to listen. Well, he'd have to undo my binding spell first and then catch me. He wasn't that fast anymore.
Kay told me the theme for our party was past traditional Coven attire. Maybe now I'd get to see the robes I'd always imagined them wearing when they worked their mumbo jumbo. I chose to wear the induction dress my sister had given me. Considering it belonged to a Coven leader, and I was apparently supposed to be a Coven leader, I though it rather fitting.
Emily had said the dress was mine. It felt like mine. It molded to my body, stopping just above my knees. The material glittered and shimmered with every movement I made. More than anything, though, when I'd slipped it on, I'd felt a surge of electricity hum through me. She'd told me it was magical. I believed her now.
I smoothed the dress into place and piled my hair up on my head just as Emily had done that night long ago. My MaxKibardin Rosette sandals cushioned my feet. The locket dangled above my heart, a piece of both of us. I refused to look in the mirror. I was nervous enough as it was just wearing this and imagining the different ways they could try and kill me.
My mind drifted back to the night I'd spent in Ethan's arms. He had been my first and hopefully my last if we survived tonight. My toes still curled thinking about it. The feel of his fingers had branded my skin. I blushed at the memory. It was the only thing that managed to block out the fear and dread of what I knew was coming. The need to see him again pulsed through me. He said he'd pick me up, that he had a few things to do at home first. I didn't want to wait. I'd go to him. My parents weren't home yet, so I didn't have to worry about getting past them.
Downstairs I grabbed a jacket, but put it back. What was the point if I'd still freeze my ass off in the dress and stilettos? I smiled. There was one way I'd stay warm.
"Fire, I summon thee and ask for thy help to keep me warm."
Heat blazed through me. I stepped out into the cold October night. "Thank you," I whispered as the cold air melted into the heat of a summer's day.
I stumbled going down the steps. My first thought was for my shoes. They were new. If I ruined them, I'd be seriously pissed at myself. The silver locket hanging from my neck settled back into place and it burned me. Ice. It was icy cold against my chest. The startled gasp slipped out and I clutched it in my hand to pull it from my skin.
It moved.
I wanted to tear it from me. Instead, I carefully took it off and held it out before me by the chain while I waited for the gentle sway of the heavy silver heart to stop moving.
It didn't. It kept moving.
Okay, I thought, so what is the damned thing doing? Tonight was not the night to deal with anymore weirdness. I knew I should put it back in my jewelry box, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It held a part of Emily inside and I wanted to keep it close, especially tonight.
Oh, damn. It held a piece of Emily inside! A physical part of her. I could use it to find her Book of Shadows. Why hadn't I thought of that before?
I didn't have time to cast a circle. Blind luck it was then.
