White Magick Page 4

  Connell was insistent that he'd take care of our luggage, shooing us inside. We went to the front desk in the great hall and checked in, following a bellhop to our room. I was pretty impressed with everything, from the oak staircase to the cheery fire burning in the fireplace in the richly decorated lobby, complete with soft colored fabrics and décor. Everything seemed warm and inviting.

  Once we were settled in our room—The Queen's Suite, named after a visit from Queen Victoria when she stayed here for a week—Portia turned to me.

  “The Queen's Suite?” she asked, glancing around in wonder.

  “I thought it was appropriate for the guest I was bringing here.” I slipped my hands to the sides of her gorgeous face. “After all, you deserve only the best.” I kissed her lightly on the lips, before continuing to place other small pecks on the rest of her pretty features.

  Forcing myself to release her before I got too carried away, I went over to where the bellhop had placed our biggest suitcase, unzipping it. “Do you want to take a shower? We've been traveling for a long time. I thought it would be nice to freshen up from our trip and relax some of those tight muscles.”

  “That sounds lovely,” she replied with a sigh.

  “It's crazy how sitting on an airplane for a few hours can make a body feel so tired. As excited as I am to explore this place, spending the whole day in bed sounds pretty great too.” For once, I wasn't even referring to sex. I was exhausted, despite the sleep I got during our flight. Plus, the time difference would take a bit of adjusting to.

  “Maybe we could just order some room service later,” she suggested.

  “Fine by me. I'm good with whatever you want.”

  She grabbed a few of her things. “Do you want to shower with me?”

  “Is there any other kind of shower?” I teased, and she smiled, taking my hand and pulling her into the bathroom.

  Despite being naked, I was a mostly good boy, keeping my hands to myself except for when “helping” to make sure she was soaped up really good, enjoying when she returned the favor. We didn't linger too long though, both of us feeling pretty worn out.

  Afterward, we wrapped up in the luxurious bathrobes provided and snuggled on the bed. I found the remote, and turned on the tv, checking out what Scottish programming had to offer.

  “So, why did you choose this place?” Portia asked, her eyes flitting to the large canopy over the bed.

  I paused for a moment since my choice to stay here wasn't entirely based on the fact that it was an amazing place steeped in history. “Well, it's near to the town of Fort William.”

  “What's in Fort William?” She directed her attention back to me.

  I didn't really want to get into all the particulars right now. While I was anxious to see what we could find out about my grandparents, and whether or not they had anything to do with my mom, I was feeling greedy. I wanted to keep Portia all to myself for a few days and just enjoy being married. I was tired of my life's problems always intruding on our time together.

  “There's a coven there your dad was able to get in contact with. Someone is supposed to meet with us in a couple of days,” I replied, before rolling on my side to face her better. “But this is our honeymoon, and for the next two days that's all I want to concentrate on, okay? I want this to be our time. No mysteries, magic, or missing persons, just us.”

  “All right,” she answered, seeming to be okay with that plan and for some reason it made me feel relieved.

  “I'm sorry our wedding had to be tangled up in all this mess.” I brushed some damp hair from her face.

  “I'm not. We wouldn't be married right now if that weren't the case,” she replied, surprising me.

  “True. But I would've loved to sweep you off somewhere for a couple of months where we didn't have a care in the world, and everything could just revolve around being together—just the two of us.” I was tired of drama and ready to continue with the blissful happiness I found in her arms.

  “That does sound lovely. Maybe we can do that someday soon. Don't worry about me, though. I'm fine with everything.” Her eyes stayed locked on mine. “The view here is very nice too.”

  “It is, isn't it?” I knew she was talking about me, but I was the lucky one because I got to stare at her. Dragging her closer, I leaned in to kiss her but stopped just before I touched her, suddenly remembering her earlier comment about ordering food. “Are you hungry?” I asked, not wanting her to have to put up with me if she was starving.

  She laughed and nodded. “Yes, but not for food.” She moved, rubbing her nose against mine.

  I smiled, laying a big kiss on her, more than happy to oblige. My hand drifted to the tie on her robe, noting when hers did the same, and I proceeded to lose myself in the wonder of her fantastic body.

  “You can come out now, baby,” I said, glancing to where Portia was hiding behind the bathroom door.

  She was blushing and giggling as she entered the bedroom. “I can't believe you just answered the door in a bathrobe! I would've died of embarrassment!”

  “What could I possibly have to be embarrassed about?” I replied with a grin. “I'm here on my honeymoon with the prettiest girl in existence, having a romantic dinner with her in matching bathrobes. Every guy in this place is absolutely jealous of me right now.”

  She blushed harder, but simply stood there, staring at me with a dreamy expression. I didn't know what she was thinking about, but she didn't move when I held a chair out to her, so she could sit to eat the food we'd ordered from room service.

  “Earth to Portia,” I said, forcing her from her stupor.

  “Oh, thank you.” She came over to the table.

  “What are you thinking about?” I asked, curious about what had her so transfixed. While I could've easily searched it out myself, I wanted her to have her privacy too.

  “It's nothing,” she said, finally sitting and allowing me to scoot her in. I moved the other chair closer and sat beside her. I needed her to be in touching distance. Always.

  “Really? Because I can almost see those wheels turning in your head.”

  She laughed briefly, seeming a bit embarrassed to have been caught woolgathering. “I was just thinking about how incredibly handsome you are and how lucky I am to have you . . . again.”

  I shook my head. “Someday I hope I'll really be able to make you understand, I'm the lucky one in this relationship, Portia. I'm almost afraid to take my eyes off you sometimes . . . for fear I'll wake up, and this will have all been a wonderful dream.” I stared at her, love blooming inside me. This honeymoon had been crazy for me. In the past, I'd had this idea that once we started a physical relationship that it would fulfill some of the longing I had for her. It wasn't even just the fact that we were having sex, but that I thought sex would be the ultimate way for me to “prove” the love I felt for her. And while it certainly helped, I'd found my adoration had grown even stronger for her, something I'd been sure wasn't even possible.

  “I'm not going anywhere, Vance,” she assured me, laying her hand on top of mine.

  I turned it over so I could squeeze her fingers affectionately. “Good. Now eat up before your dad comes bursting through the door complaining that I'm keeping you too occupied in bed and not feeding you enough.” I couldn't help flashing her a wicked grin.

  “Yes, sir!” she replied with a giggle.

  Both of us turned our focus to the delicious meal in front of us, truly a five-star masterpiece. It was different from what we usually had in the States, a crispy duck in an unfamiliar but delicious sauce, with baby carrots and asparagus. I'd taken Connell at his word and ordered the hot rhubarb soufflé for dessert. It was mouth-watering.

  I simply loved watching Portia try everything, each expression to cross her face as equally fascinating to me as the last. I wanted to take her all over the world and try all these new things together. It was so incredible how she made me feel. Watching her joy and delight over every little thing made my heart soar. She made me feel like the king of everything, but really, I just wanted to be her humble servant, subjected entirely to my queen.

  6

  Snuggled under the covers with Portia, I watched as the window grew lighter with the sunrise, showing fanciful ice patterns on the panes that overlooked the loch below. Between the furnishings in the room, the age of the structure, and the quietness of the grounds, it was almost easy to pretend we were lost in some ancient time.

  I didn't care what time I was stuck in, as long as Portia was with me. I could conquer anything if she were beside me.

  Glancing down at her sleeping face, I kept still, not wanting to disturb her. We'd put in the order for a breakfast tray last night, and I hoped she'd be able to sleep until it arrived. I'd kept her too occupied, not that she or I was complaining about that, but I was also looking forward to exploring Scotland with her too.

  Glancing back to the window, I knew weather had been a significant deterrent to us going out. It was a frigid week here, so being cuddled up together in a world of our own making was appealing.

  I absently fingered the loose strands of her hair, enjoying the texture as my thoughts drifted to my mom. While I knew the chances of her being here were slim, I couldn't seem to stop hoping. I tried to prepare myself for disappointment and failure, simply due to the source of information.

  Darcy was a demon witch from my father's coven, so she wasn't exactly reliable. That, combined with the fact she had been grasping for straws as she tried to keep me from killing her, also made her information suspect. Still, she'd managed to shock me with her words and the idea that maybe, somehow, my mom was still alive.

  I thought back to the woman who'd held me captive, the one I'd destroyed. She certainly looked and sounded like my mom, despite her demon tendencies. I had a hard time relating those awful attributes to the wonderful, loving mother I'd once known. But I also knew that demonism turned witches into something very different than their uncontaminated counterparts. I only had to look at myself and the struggles I'd been through to see the comparison.

  Truthfully, this was the best I'd felt in ages. I didn't know why having performed a demon kiss on my father had changed me, seemingly for the better, but I was more than grateful. It was nice not to feel like there was a constant battle warring inside me. It was great to make love to my wife and not feel like I wanted to bite her and drink her blood. Other than having magical powers untold—many I didn't even know about—this was the most “normal” I'd been.

  Someday I'd get around to testing my abilities and trying to see what else I could do now. While it sucked that I couldn't return these powers to those they were stolen from, they'd help me protect my coven and family in the future. I was looking forward to that.

  I wondered how easy it might be to contact my grandparents. I'd done enough research to know they lived close by—the real reason from me choosing this particular location. I'd never met these people. By the time I was born, my dad had cut them from his life. At least that's what I'd been told when I once asked about them.

  So, while I believed Darcy when she said they were alive, I didn't know if they were evil, like she claimed. I couldn't imagine my dad asking them for help if they were estranged. He wasn't exactly the mending bridges type of guy.

  I briefly wondered if I acted too arrogant like he did. If so, it was entirely unintentional. My whole life, since the time we'd fled, I’d worked on making my personality as distant from his as possible.

  Sighing, I attempted to redirect my thoughts. This was precisely what I didn't want to be doing on my honeymoon. Maybe it was reckless to do so, but I tried to pretend all the shit from my life didn't exist. I wanted to spend my time wrapped up with the one beautiful rose in my world, Portia. No matter what thorns clawed at me, the amazing bloom she represented made everything else worth it. I'd wished on numerous occasions for a switch I could flip that would turn off everything else in my mind except for her. I loved her, unequivocally, irreversibly. She was my forever.

  Yep, sign me up for the lovesick fool category. It was a role I'd happily play for the rest of my life and enjoy every minute of it. I'd learned so much about love during my short time with Portia, but the most surprising was how the heart continued to expand, ever filling as each day went by. I'd been sure I already loved her to capacity, but it continued to get bigger and stronger, tighter. I wondered if it was the same for her.

  I didn't realize how much time had passed while I was lost in my musings until I heard a knock. “Room service,” a voice called. Carefully, I untangled my limbs from Portia and got up, pulling the cover around her naked form, before donning my robe and tying it.

  Opening the door, I found another waiter bearing a covered dish that did nothing to hide the delicious aromas of the food inside.

  “Good morning!” he said with a smile. “Full Scottish Breakfast for two?”

  I nodded and stepped aside so he could enter. “My wife is still asleep,” I whispered, hoping not to wake her. She'd freak knowing someone was in the room while she was still naked, but I sure as hell didn't want her getting dressed for the day just yet.

  “I'll set this up on the table and be on my way,” the waiter replied softly, not even risking a glance at the bed. He had everything organized for us in a matter of moments and quickly made to exit. “Just ring the desk if there's anything else we can do for you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it,” I replied, closing the door after him and going over to inspect the food. We'd both chosen the full breakfast special, minus the black (blood) pudding. I was done with blood, magic or otherwise, human or not. I didn't think we'd miss it though, judging by the quantity of food that was left, from oatmeal, toast, juice, and yogurt, to eggs, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes with cheese, bacon, sausage links, baked beans, and a potato scone. There was also a pot of hot steaming tea, with a bowl of cubed sugar.

  A soft moan caused me to glance to where Portia lay. She slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes and causing the blankets to fall to her waist, which naturally gave me more than enough skin to get excited over.

  “Hey, sleepy head.” I greeted her with a smile. “Breakfast is here.”

  “It smells good,” she replied in a husky from sleep voice. It was hot. Flashing me a sweet smile, she dropped her hands into her lap with a sigh. I knew the second she realized her state of undress because she suddenly gasped and yanked the covers to her.

  “Too late,” I replied with a chuckle. “I've already seen the goods.”

  She sighed again, biting her lip, and I knew she was embarrassed.

  “Your robe is by your pillow. I promise to stay right here if you want to eat breakfast first.” I shrugged and leaned against the table. “Of course, if you don't, I can always . . .” I let my voice trail off in obvious suggestion.

  Shaking her head, she grinned. “As wonderful as that sounds, I am kind of hungry.” Reaching for her robe, she put it on, but not before I caught a full glimpse of that delightfully bare figure.

  “Me, too.” I was trying to force my mind somewhere else. It didn't work. “You never let me stop long enough to eat,” I teased, holding a chair out for her.

  “What. Ever!” she punctuated, slapping my shoulder as she slid into the offered chair.

  I couldn't help laughing as I joined her. “I could stop.” No, I couldn't, but she didn't need to know that.

  “When pigs fly,” she muttered, with a soft snort, pouring us both some juice.

  “I'm sure I could make a pig fly for you right this minute. There's gotta be a farm around here somewhere close by.” I pretended to glance out the window when in reality I was checking out her reflection in it.

  “You could make a pig fly before you'd ever be able to deny yourself.”

  She had me there. I guess I could let her win this one.

  “Did you sleep well?” I asked.

  “Like a baby.”

  “My baby,” I added with a wink, referring to my pet nickname for her, and she grinned sweetly.

  “How'd you sleep?”

  “Like a rock.” I couldn't seem to help myself with the blatant sexual innuendos. She brought out the raging lust inside me.

  Groaning, she shook her head. “That was bad.”

  “You like it when I'm bad, admit it.”

  Her skin flushed with color. “I'll admit no such thing.”

  “So, that's the way we're playing it this morning?”

  “Yup.” She buttered a piece of toast and handed it to me.

  “Thanks,” I replied, accepting her offering. I started to make a comment about how she always buttered my toast but decided to ease up on her. “What would you like to do today? I know it's cold, but maybe we could get Connell to take us for a drive somewhere and do some sightseeing.”

  “Breakfast, then sex,” she said, unable to look at me. “Then a shower, and after that,” she shrugged, before looking at me out from under those gorgeous dark lashes, “maybe more sex.”

  I was ready to skip breakfast altogether with an itinerary like that. “So, are you saying you want to stay in the room, or will the sex be happening during the sightseeing?”

  She coughed in her juice, and I reached over to pat her on the back as she choked.

  I kept going since she couldn't reply. “I'm up for either, but Connell may have a preference.”

  She continued coughing in earnest, setting her glass back on the table, and for a brief second, I worried that I might have killed her she hacked so hard. But then she was staring at me with twinkling eyes, her mirth showing through. “You are incorrigible!”

  “Thank you. I agree.” I couldn't stop smiling as I studied her. “Are you okay? Really?”

  She nodded. “I will be if my husband will let me finish my breakfast and stop trying to kill me.”