Page 30 of Magic and Muffins

Cross choked on air, and Vena twisted in her seat to look at me.

“I should get Mom’s book.”

“No. Do not pull out the Joy of Sex again.”

“It’s a family treasure, Everly. My grandma passed it down to my mom. Technically, I would just be collecting my inheritance.”

“You don’t need it,” I said.

“But I need inspiration. What about the snake charmer position? Or the backward swan dive?”

“You’re making those up,” I said.

She shrugged. “Inspiration comes from many different places.”

“How about quietly in your head?”

She made a face at me but stopped talking.

Just outside the city, we started passing through the neighborhoods with massive homes built for the rich, mainly fae. Cross stopped at one with a gate and pressed the call button.

“What do you desire?” a feminine voice asked.

“Vena is here,” Cross said. “She is expected.”

The gate rolled open, and Cross drove up the hand-laid brick driveway to a sprawling three-story home with a large portico lifted high by Grecian columns.

A fae stood by the door, waiting for us as we parked. She wore a flowy, opaque gown that clung to her unfettered curves.

“Welcome, friends,” she said when we made our way over to her. “Which of you is the afflicted?”

“We are,” Vena said, taking Anchor’s hand.

“I am truly sorry for all that you’ve suffered. Desires aren’t meant to be suppressed. Come in.” Her gaze shifted to me as I stood beside Cross. “And you are?”

“Their friends. We’re here for emotional support.”

“Excellent. Recovering from this curse will not be easy for either of them. They will likely need your help throughout the process.”

She led the way inside. Our footsteps echoed in the huge foyer, and I tipped my head back to look at the painted ceilings depicting debauchery that rivaled Grecian Art.

Cross’ fingers twined through mine, the only thing that kept me moving forward as I stared at everything.

“I’ve prepared this room for you,” the fae said.

I returned my attention to where we were and saw her open the door to a lushly appointed room with leather lounges rather than sofas or chairs.

“Come in. Make yourselves comfortable. Tell me more about the curse and the person who cast it.”

While Vena explained, I looked around the room. Books and pretty objects I couldn’t identify filled the shelves. Most of the items looked like they were from another world. On a pedestal near the front of the room sat a shiny blue globe.

“You’ve done well on your own,” the fae said. “It will go much faster now that you’re here. Give over to what you desire.”

I felt a pulse of something hit me, igniting an instant need inside of me. The heat receded as my necklace thrummed, and a cooling wave washed over me. However, the heat didn’t entirely disappear.

Cross’ thumb stroked over mine.

As I turned to look at him, thoughts of how he’d made me feel this morning swam through my head, and I saw the responding hunger in his gaze.

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