Page 38 of Pints & Potions

He cursed himself for a fool when her happiness disappeared and pink tinged her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I guess I was just excited you were able to utilize magic for the first time on your own.”

“No, Piper. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m an insensitive prick. ’Tis a fine moment we’re sharin’, and I thank you and your family for it.” He presented the apple to her with a return kiss. His lips lingered, and he brushed his mouth across hers a second time. “You’ve given me the gift of magic, even if it is fleeting, and it’s one I can never repay.”

Her smile was so open and honest, his heart beat an irregular tattoo.

“I’m honored to have had a small part, Cian. Truly. Maybe we’ve broken the O’Malley curse without trying. Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

“It would be grand, indeed.”

The wind kicked up and whipped long strands of her unbound hair across her cheeks. With gentle fingers, he smoothed it back. Pausing, he held her captive within his grasp and lowered his head to hers. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her more fully. From tasting the unique strawberries and cream flavor that only her lips provided. Nor from shifting forward until the entire length of their torsos were touching.

Their kiss went on for what seemed like forever, but they were interrupted all too soon, and Cian was irate by the intrusion of so perfect a moment.

15

The ground rumbled beneath Piper’s feet and she didn’t know if it was Spring sending a message or whether an actual earthquake was in progress. Half drugged by Cian’s kisses; she was slow to react. The earth shifted, and she clutched at him as her knees buckled. But he offered no stability and fell right alongside her as the ground parted, dumping them beneath layers of dirt. As she landed, her ribs connected with the pointy edge of an underground boulder, and she cried out when Cian’s body slammed into hers.

The walls of the cavern where they found themselves entombed echoed his multitude of curses. “Are you hurt, love?”

Other than a garbled groan, she couldn’t make a sound. The effort it took to produce that much was excruciating, and she couldn’t quite catch her breath.

“Piper!”

The frantic demand required an answer but she couldn’t respond with anything more than a small squeak.

“Piper, I need you to tell me you’re all right. I can’t see a bloody thing.” His hands traveled over her head and scalp, feeling for injuries, before moving on to her neck and lower. “Where are you hurt?”

She cried out as his fingers probed her ribs, and he cursed again.

“All right, darlin’, I’ll go at this a little more gently, okay?”

He felt along her arms and legs, then returned to probe her ribs but with a feather-soft lightness that triggered her tears and gratefulness for his consideration. It hurt to inhale, and she couldn’t manage a deep breath, but if she was careful, she could pant in short spurts without causing herself excessive pain.

“Conjure… fire… Cian. Flame… won’t… hurt… you.”

“Should I conjure a wooden torch just in case?” He sounded wary but determined.

“You… could.”

Small flickers of teal light appeared to her left and through those glimpses, she saw the wooden handle of the torch in his fist. She wanted to smile and offer praise, but the sharp stab in her chest prevented anything other than complete stillness. Each attempt at an inhale felt like a hot poker to the chest.

“Fire, dammit!” he shouted.

Ignoring the agony shifting her body caused, she blindly reached in the general direction of his arm. “Try… again.” With a quick push of her magic, she leant him what he needed, and the flame sputtered to life.

The light was enough for her to see his face and the wonder associated with creating something from nothing. Cian quickly dismissed his surprise and turned his worried gaze to her.

“Thanks for the assistance. Let’s assess the damage, huh?”

With an economy of movement, she snapped her fingers to remove her shirt. The chill was immediate, and she shivered as the cool, damp air permeated her bones. Had she been in full health, she could’ve warmed herself with her abilities. As it was, she would be freezing in no time.

“Neat trick,” he murmured as he propped the torch handle against the rib-busting boulder. “Want to teach me how to heal you?”

“Can’t… novice.”

“Fecking hell.”He lifted his face toward the opening, roughly two stories above them. “I suppose levitation is out.”

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