Page 162 of Castings & Curses

“I want to contribute.” He rested his chin on her head.

“Rafael, you already are contributing.”

“Once you bond me, I’ll need to be here full-time, which means I need to quit my job.”

“Right,” she said, her spine tensing.

“My boss has talked up selling his security firm in a year or two. He wants to train me on the business end, and he’s giving me first dibs on buying the biz. He’ll let me pay him in installments. Put my pay toward that.” He squeezed her closer. “It’s everything I’ve always wanted. Well, except for you.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed the skin behind her ear, leaving goosebumps traveling down her neck.

Joy streamed through Sage, warm and comforting. She drew back and took his hand in hers. “I want to show you something.”

“Then I’ve got a surprise for you.” He followed her out of her office to a door across the hall.

Slow and hesitant, Sage opened the door to a smaller office, cleaned out except for an empty desk, bare shelves, and office equipment. “My father’s office and man cave.” The perfect office for Rafael to sit in front of the large window and watch the sunrise from inside the house. “It’s your office now as my First Warlock.”

Rafael held a breath for the longest time before he exhaled. “Did you just say First Warlock?” He spun toward her, his mouth gaping.

She’d waited five extra days to ensure Zelda’s magic had taken a hike. She didn’t want any other magic interfering during the bonding ritual. They’d already planned for the ceremony that night. “Do you think you can run a security firm from here? You deserve all the conveniences of my home, my covenstead, our witchworld. This is your home too.”

He trailed kisses from her jaw to her ear. “Already feels like home.”

“Is that a yes?” His thumb traveled to first one nipple, then the other, rubbing them into stiff points, spiraling lust downward, and she gasped at the depths of her feelings.

“Oh, yeah.” His lips rested on hers, and she drank him in until they parted, breathless as always when they kissed. “Follow me.”

They strode out to the backyard. Through the trees, Sage spied fairy lights lighting up the marble gazebo her parents had built. Delight rippled in her chest. Her favorite place when she craved serenity. Candles lit the inside from the round table in the middle to the three marble benches inside the perimeter and on the two steps outside. A bottle of wine sat on the table next to plates of finger foods, the same food they’d eaten the fateful festival night.

Giggling, she spun in a circle. “This is enchanting. You did this?”

“It’s why I ran late. Aspen helped.” Apprehension smoothed out his grin.

Sage reached for his hand, squeezed and dropped it. “It won’t hurt. Not like what Zelda did to you.” They’d already decided that sex was off the table for a while. They wanted to go slow and build their relationship without adding sex to the menu until they were ready. Sage didn’t need the sex to understand his magic strength or to know his warlock powers matched her magic. She didn’t need sex to strengthen an already perfect bond. Most of all, Sage didn’t want to treat him like the myriad other warlocks she’d tested in bed. Rafael was too unique, and they had a lifetime to create their own special magic, in and outside the bedroom.

She picked up an unlit candle and lit the wick with her pointer finger. “Rafael Reyes, do you accept my bond of witch to warlock of your own free will?”

“I accept any way you want to bond me.”

“Goddess, you heard his assent.” Sage added other questions just in case. “Am I, Sage Wilde, or any other person or thing, coercing you, Rafael Reyes, to accept my bond?”

“Hell to the no.” He vigorously shook his head.

“Goddess, you heard his answer.” Sage lit another candle on the table, another point on the compass to signify his answer.

“Do you, Rafael Reyes, accept the witchworld rules?”

“Yes.” Another lit candle.

Oh beautiful moon

Oh brilliant fire, which I hold in my hand

By the air that I breathe, by the breath within me

To Rafael Reyes, bound together I wish to be

I give you the magic of my body, my heart, my soul

Eternal and steadfast

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