The version she wore had long, full sleeves gathered at the wrists and a hem that went to her knees. She planted a quick kiss on my lips. “Thank you for helping me to sleep through the morning.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, rolling up to sitting and pulling her close. “I would be happy to do it again.”
Maritza blushed faintly and fiddled with the tasseled drawstrings hanging from the neckline of her garment. “You made me feel adored and protected. And generous. I’ve answered three phone calls while you continued to sleep.”
“I was having a particularly satisfying dream and I didn’t wish to have it interrupted,” I said, wrapping my arm around her slender shoulders.
“I could tell.”
She ran her fingertips up and down the inside of my thigh. I held my breath, then asked, “Is there anything I should know about?”
“Yes. The first call was Malvyn. He wanted to apologize for teasing us about only having twenty-fours to solidify our bond, and to make sure I understood the Demesne requires a very thorough period of courtship.”
“As in flowers and dinner dates?” I asked, my belly plummeting. We’d gone straight to my bed the moment the door to my room closed behind us and performed a very thorough and pleasurable consummation. And once again for good measure.
“As in whatever suits us, Bas.” Mari wriggled in my embrace and indicated she wanted to continue the conversation from a more horizontal position. I very willingly obliged.
She molded herself to my side and continued. “The second call was from Rose de Benauge. She’s the Maven of the local covens and informed me my services are needed at an apple orchard later today. Something about a group of druids, a series of murders, and exhuming bodies.”
“Sounds scintillating. Should I plan to accompany you?”
The bones of her shoulders raised and lowered under my arm when she shrugged. “I think you’re going to be busy with your own project because the third call was from the Portal Keepers Guild. The woman who called said you’d given them my number in case of emergency.”
“Is it a matter that needs seeing to right away?”
“I suspect so. The caller became rather animated as she explained that an old portal on the island had inexplicably re-activated. She left a number.”
I rolled Maritza onto my chest and settled us under the covers. “Do we have time for another exploration of the Demesne before you depart for the orchard and I don my Portal Keeper’s robes?”
She brushed her lips across my collar bone. “I say you show me your sigils again.”
“They glow in the dark, you know.”
Mari cackled into the side of my neck and waved one arm in the direction of the windows. Blackout curtains cascaded from the upper frame, bathing us in darkness.
“Show me,” she whispered. “Show me everything.”
I did.
Also by Coralie Moss
Magic Remembered (book 1)
Magic Reclaimed (book 2)
Magic Redeemed (book 3)
Magic Restrained, a novelette (book 3.5)
The MAGIC series continues in 2020.
Coming December 5, 2019:
Once Blessed, Thrice Cursed - A Sister Witches Urban Fantasy: #1
Please consider leaving an honest review at your preferred retailer and/or Goodreads.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Summer Rules, a novelette
Invisible Anna
Opening Nights
About the Author
Coralie Moss loves everyday heroines and complicated witches, layered magic and earthly moments, and will always believe in the power of love. She lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia with her family and two globe-trotting rescue cats.
Join Coralie’s mailing list for book news, giveaways, and the occasional homage to apples.
Acknowledgments
The entire MAGIC series owes its inception to Meghan Ciana Doidge, her husband, Michael, and an afternoon conversation over iced tea and Meghan’s Magical Gingersnap Cookies.
Editing:
Michelle Meade, for her work on Magic Redeemed.
Jeni Chappelle, for her work on Magic Remembered and Magic Reclaimed.
Cover Design:
Elizabeth Mackey created the covers for all of the books in the MAGIC series and is putting her *magic* to work on the covers of the new series.
Proofreading:
Beth Attwood, for her attention to detail on Magic Reclaimed and Magic Redeemed.
Lillie’s Literary Services, for her attention to detail on Magic Remembered and Magic Restrained.
The Beta Belles: Leslie Mart, Diane Castro, Kimberley Kennard, and Michelle McCraw. THANK YOU!
The ARC readers and reviewers: THANK YOU!
The divas of #RChat.
Lastly, #MrMoss. He makes the drinks that fuel the writing and editing hours, and makes sure I see the daylight.
Join Coralie’s mailing list for book news, giveaways, and the occasional homage to apples.
