Page 163 of Castings & Curses

I open my body to your magic

Call upon my magic as if it were your own

I’ll never use my magic or yours against you

I will guard your powers as I guard my own

Link us together

Take this spell and make it be

As I will, so mote it be.

Rafael uttered the words Sage had him memorize. Once he repeated “so mote it be,” they both blew out the candle in her hand.

Magic connected them, whipping inside her, and he bucked against her. She caught him in her arms, the candle tumbling to the marble floor. Awe spread across his face, the fairy lights reflecting diamonds in his eyes. Stars rose above their heads, twinkling brighter than the light strands.

Rafael’s acceptance of her magic was nothing she’d ever experienced with any other warlock. Like his magic completed her. It seemed to strengthen her magic. Or maybe because she’d never fallen for a man like Rafael, her magic was purer and more tolerant.

“What do you feel?” Arms held above her head, she spun around the gazebo, directing the stars shooting from her fingers to the domed roof.

“Like my insides want to explode outside my body, and I’m the ignition for an inferno.”

“Oh, no. It’s not supposed to hurt.” Dismayed, Sage dropped her arms and pulled her phone out of her back pocket. “I’ll call Aspen for a pain potion.”

He covered her fingers on her phone. “No. It’s incredible. The magic’s wanting to explode. It’s me wanting to use your magic. Totally insane.”

Sage leaned into him, and he embraced her, her body liquifying into his. “Thank the goddess.” She vowed never to bring another warlock to the gazebo. It would always remain their sacred place.

“I feel alive for the first time in my life. All because of you.” He tilted her head back, cupped her cheeks, and brought his mouth to hers. They kissed, their lips leisurely and tenderly exploring one another. When they parted, she felt her heart racing with desire and a silent promise for a forever future.

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