Page 73 of Baneful Magick

Her breath was hot as she panted, keening for more. She was fucking perfect.

No matter what she said about a second time, I doubted that would ever happen. No one picked me, not even Julian. He usedme for blood and fucked me for the thrill of it. The power he had over me was more of an interest than I ever would be.

I was nothing if not a notch on his belt, and Isla was just riding the aftereffects of the rut, but I’d learned to take every scrap that life threw my way. She could hate me tomorrow. Today, she was crying my name as I settled between her legs. She wanted to be seared into my thoughts after this, and I damn sure was going to make sure she’d never forget what was about to happen.

I knew I never would.

ISLA

Bones teased me with his tongue, carefully licking my core as if he had all the time in the world. Meanwhile, a sheen of sweat covered my body as I thrashed. I desperately needed him to hurry up.

He laughed at my attempts, easily holding me still so I had to go at his pace. I stared down my body at him, loving that I saw his purple orbs watching me. His bone white hair was short, and part of me was saddened I couldn’t grab the long braid he had in the other form so I could urge him for more. Not that he would let me get away with that, but part of me craved the darker side that he kept in check.

“Bones!” I cried out when he sucked hard on my clit. Shit, I was so damn close.

He pulled back, and before I could make another sound, he slammed balls deep inside of me. My body twisted, every nerve ending overly sensitive from being with Echo for days, but hedidn’t care. Bones just gripped my hips and made it impossible to get away from him.

“Whatever I wanted,” he taunted me as he rolled his hips. “That’s what you said, Isla, and I’m taking you up on that offer.”

“Please,” I pleaded.

“Fuck, if you’re going to beg like that, I might have to go even slower,” he threatened. “You take my cock so well, witch. So fucking hungry for it.”

I trembled beneath him, needing him to claim me until I couldn’t think.

“Hungry for you,” I admitted. “Since the moment I saw you in my garden.”

“You lie,” he croaked, disbelief clouding his features. His control slipped, and the skin on his cheek thinned until I caught a hint of bones showing through.

“It’s the truth. You were awe inspiring that night. Every creature in the forest was silent, aware of you watching me.” My hands trailed up his arms to his face, making it so he couldn’t look away from me. “The fact that you had no idea how to respond to me was just a bonus. You’re holding back from me, Bricriu. Don’t.”

“You have no idea what you’re asking for,” he gasped. Then his hips snapped hard, making me cry out.

“Show me,” I challenged and arched my back to press my lips against his. He met me partway, kissing me so thoroughly I thought I could see stars. He growled into the kiss, and his thrusts sped up. The magick increased, winding up and building until we both came. Our climaxes triggered the magick to erupt like fucking fireworks.

Coldness seeped into my bones, stealing my breath away, and he groaned, his body shaking. I saw dark green and black tendrils wind their way into him right before another orgasm hit me. I felt Bones spasm again, filling me with even more cum. Theicy feeling numbed my left arm, and I looked over to see a tattoo crawling up from my hand to my forearm. Rich green, sharp leaves appeared, then bunches of dark purple flowers, hanging down to resemble hoods. Monkshood. Wolf’s bane.

A mark?! What the fuck did that mean? I whipped my gaze up to Bricriu. He was staring at my hand, his body now completely still.

“Bones? What— what is that?”

He shifted, pulling out of me as he shook his head sharply. “There’s no way.”

“No way what?” I asked again.

“You don’t know what that is?” he asked incredulously.

“Does it sound like I’m lying?” I asked sarcastically, attempting to hide my fear. Given his soft stare, I wasn’t successful.

‘Cassius?!’I called out to my constant companion, but there was only silence.‘Please.’

“Isla…” Bones sat back, curling his legs up like he was trying to protect himself.

“Just tell me,” I snapped. Being scared made me lash out. Luckily, Bones didn’t look offended.

“Witches can have fated mates,” he started, “but from what I know, which honestly isn’t much, it’s very rare. Anyway, witches who have fated mates get marks like those.”

I glanced down at my mystery tattoo then back up at him.

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