Page 25 of Cursed By the Love Witch

His eyes never leave mine even as Mistress Saege rises and comes to stand between us. I lick my suddenly dry lips and remain stuck to my chair.

“That’s quite alright,” Saege says, waving her hand and removing the glass. “I hadn’t even heard you enter.”

As if remembering himself, his spine straightens. He nods at me politely.

“Miss Thistle,” he says before fixing his stare on the other witch. “The Head Mistress said you had something for me.”

Saege’s eyebrows lower before her eyes fly open with a nod.

“Oh, yes. Yes! Thank you for coming on such short notice. I know you have a class coming up. Let me grab it from my office. I’ll only be a moment.”

With that, Saege turns into a swirl of white fabric. We both watch her take the spiral staircase to her office on the above floor. The door shuts with a gentle click and the air around us shifts. His eyes devour me whole as he prowls closer. My breathing turns ragged, and my frilly pink top and skirt suddenly seem too stifling.

His scent hits me, and a fresh wave of desire rolls through me. Have I always felt this way towards him? Was it buried underneath disdain because I thought he hated me? While a spell manufactures his desire, it’s becoming alarmingly apparent mine is all too real.

I clear my throat.

“Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful. And the pastries were delicious.” Heat engulfs my cheeks. “But the love notes were my favorite. No one’s ever given me one before.”

His pupils nearly blot out all traces of purple.

“Good,” he says simply.

My lips twitch

“Possessive.”

His hands come down on either side of me at the desk. Leaning down, I have to tilt my face to meet his gaze. The warmth radiating from him licks my skin.

“When it comes to you? Always.”

A soft moan leaves me as I rise in my seat. What is this? I’ve never felt desire like this—raw and unchecked. It moves me towards him and eradicates all thoughts of self-preservation. There’s playing along, and then there’s wishing he’d meet my mouth with his.

Which is what I’m actively doing.

“Bael,” I whisper, licking my lips.

His pained groan is music to my ears. Our mouths drift closer, and I feel his breath against my mouth. That’s it—just a bit closer and?—

“Found it!” Saege calls from above.

We spring apart, and Bael takes two large steps from my desk. The older witch descends the stairs quickly. A white envelope extended towards Bael. Her eyes glance between us, saying nothing for a moment before nodding.

“Raen said you know more about this than anyone.”

Bael opens it and reads the letter before tucking it in his pocket.

“Tell the Head Mistress I’ll look into it.”

A shrill bell cuts through the room. On wobbly legs, I rise and collect my books. I say my goodbyes to Saege, who looks at me strangely. Her eyes drift to Bael, who has come to stand beside me.

“I’ll escort you to class, Miss Thistle.”

I nod and follow him to the door.

“See you tomorrow!” I call over my shoulder.

The sea of students swallows us up. Having Bael at my side causes the others to keep their distance. I can still feel his heat rolling towards me in waves. His scent of smoke, earth, and midnight air overwhelms me. I want to drink it and let it become a part of me.

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