Page 57 of To Crave Deeply
“I’m sure I can handle it,” he said with the mischievous smile I was starting to enjoy conjuring on his face.
In one swift motion, I scored the blade across his palm before doing the same with my own.
“Place your hand on the wall next to mine, and whatever happens, don’t move it.”
He nodded and followed my instructions, his mouth now set in a determined line. Once I was satisfied we were ready, I opened my mind and let my magic unfurl.
The air swirled around us as soon as I started to murmur the enchantment that would tie us to Hell. It grew to a crescendo, and I had to shout above the torrent to even hear myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Michael straining to stay attached to the wall as the wind fought to keep us from completing the spell. His other hand found mine as I neared the end of the spell and, with his strength lending me aid, I was able to push the last reserves of my magic into the enchantment.
Blackness danced at the edges of my vision as the wards took everything it could from me, but I finally uttered the last word and then I felt the surge as the wards slammed into place. I felt the magic wrap around my heart as my life force was bound into the very fabric of the forces that kept Hell alive. My knees buckled as the surge intensified, and it took everything in me to keep my hand firmly pressed against the wall. I could see that Michael was suffering as I was, falling to the ground with me as the magic bound us together for what could be eternity. There was a sting across my wrist as the wards marked us as one of their own with a series of runes to match the ones on the walls.
Then the wind disappeared, as if sucked into a vacuum, and the only sound I could hear was the ringing in my ears and my breath escaping my mouth as my chest heaved.
Michael gave a short burst of laughter as he turned to face me. “Wow. That was something else. I didn’t realise how powerful you were. I could feel it crackling in the air and moving across my skin; I could feel it all, Rae.”
I wanted to laugh at him, maybe even kiss that beguiling, mischievous mouth, but all my energy disappeared as my heart rate started to drop and the adrenaline faded from my system. Nausea had my stomach churning, and I could feel myself falling forwards. Michael rushed forwards and I fell into his arms.
Such a beautiful mouth.
His lips curled into a smile and his eyes sparkled with merriment. Ah, shit. I said that out loud.
He chuckled. “You did, I’m afraid.”
Thankfully, I was saved from the embarrassment of answering as unconsciousness claimed me and I sank into the darkness to dream of a pair of green eyes and a most beguiling mouth.
***
A soft light glowed as I opened my eyes, and I found myself staring at the canopy of a large four poster bed. Confusion swam through me for a minute before I remembered that I’d just performed the most powerful magic in my life. Ever. Shit, I’d just tied my life and archangel Michael’s life to the wards of Hell because Lucifer was dying. Safe to say, my head was killing me. I’d drained my entire body of magic just to perform that one spell, and now I felt weak and very mortal. I’d be fine in a few hours, a day tops, but until my magic had fully recovered, I was just going to sit here in bed and relax.
“You’re awake.”
I yelped and my heart jumped in my throat.
“Jeez, don’t do that!” I chided as I turned to find Michael sprawled casually in an armchair by the bed. He looked deliciously crumpled, like he’d been sitting there waiting for me to wake up. That was sweet, and my heart fluttered a little at it. I was starting to like Michael, but he was too nice for the likes of me. And he was an angel; not just any angel, either. He was a fierce warrior, a protector, and an advocate for souls seeking judgement.
What was I? Just a rogue witch with no coven, some half-baked cocktail-making skills, and a penchant for getting into trouble. But, as I looked at that serene smile of his, I could pretend for a moment that he saw something worthy in me, too.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you.”
Damn, he was polite, too. Be still my beating heart.
“That’s okay; there’s nothing to forgive. How’s Lucifer doing?”
“Better, I think. Now that the wards aren’t draining his powers anymore. He’s almost pleasant.”
I giggled. Fuck, not just giggled. I giggled like a schoolgirl, and I felt a blush creep up my neck. World, shoot me now.
A nervous cough escaped my mouth. What was wrong with me? I could flirt. I was good at it, too, but here I was, an absolute babbling mess and blushing. Oh, God. I really did like him. This was awful.
“Well, that’s a good sign, then. I was worried that the spell wouldn’t work at all.”
“I had faith in you, Rae. I knew you could do it.”
He said it so casually, like it was the easiest thing for him to say, but he didn’t know how hard it was for me to walk away from the coven. To be banished for helping Alec and forced to leave the only home I’d ever known. I’d felt like an outcast, like a traitor to my own people, and that guilt and shame had me turning my back on magic for a little while. I’d felt unworthy of it.
Michael leant forward and placed his hand on mine. “Are you alright? You look like you disappeared for a second there.”
I pulled my hand away. I couldn’t bear it. He was so good, and I just wasn’t. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
