Page 21 of Carnal Magic
“Not at all. Just don’t expect any action from him or his minions if you’re inhibited. Do what you want with humans, but remember, most men are trash. You’re actually much safer with the dark god who understands the importance of consent before tying you up or bringing out the whip.”
My cheeks scorched, wondering how on earth she’d known. Luckily she was already gone. I sat alone in her bed, wrapped in her quilt. Squirming lower in the bed, I closed my eyes and focused on breathing in and out, deeply and steadily. I grounded myself, reaching down through the circle of protection Martha had lain around the cabin and bed.
As soon as I mentally touched earth, the mountain tried to suck me down deeper. I dug in, focusing on the bed around me. The lingering scent of roses. The warmth of the quilt. Real, physical things. It would be so easy to slide right back into his waiting lair. Too easy.
Firmly, I stated my intention out loud. “I am going to sleep deeply and well without another dream tonight. I need my rest.”
The heavy, magnetic pull from deep below eased. I no longer felt like I was poised over a bottomless pit with my fingernails dug into the earth. I relaxed muscle by muscle, drifting into oblivion.
“Sleep well, my lady.”
14
Still groggy, I felt around for my phone. Had I plugged it in? I couldn’t remember even bringing it in, let alone unpacking a charger. Finally I found it on the table beside the bed, fully charged—but not connected to anything.
Wow. It was already nearly one in the afternoon. I’d slept at least ten hours straight without even rolling over.
I even had a great signal today if I wanted to call Keneesha or browse social media.
Or let the Woodwards know that I was coming for dinner.
I sat up enough to fluff my pillow. Pillows. Stunned, I looked around at the fresh bedding. Rather than Martha’s scarlet satin pillows and silky sheets, everything was crisp, white cotton. The sheets even smelled like they’d been hung outside in the sunlight to dry.
The entire room had changed, I realized as I set up. The lush, baroque paintings were gone. Lacy white sheers hung at the windows and around the bed, giving everything a soft, dreamy feel. Sunlight poured in through the windows. The giant armoire was still there but painted a silvery gray. The walls white shiplap, simple and pure, worn gently in places as if it’d been here for decades.
My favorite knickknacks were scattered around the room—from my apartment in New Orleans. My mother’s picture in a heavy silver frame. A piece of driftwood and a jar of sea glass I’d collected over the years on our family trips to Holly Beach. A new bookshelf held my favorite novels.
I slid out of bed and my toes settled into a soft rug of sky blue. The wall behind the bed looked like old bricks from New Orleans, heavily smeared with white mortar.
My dream bedroom. A place I would have immediately bought on sight if I’d been looking for a home. The room even seemed bigger, though that couldn’t be possible.
Surely not.
I peeked in the armoire, not surprised to see Martha’s filmy robes and negligees were gone. Instead, I found my long black wool coat I hardly ever got to wear. My favorite witchy skirts and dresses. Large southern hats that I adored, though I’d altered them over the years to match my aesthetic. Pretty flowers were replaced with dried roses in muted reds and purples, dotted with oddities like small skulls, charms, crystals, and miniature stuffed birds.
There was a door on the other wall that I didn’t remember seeing before. I opened it slowly to reveal a large walk-in closet with shelves and organizing baskets. The rest of my clothes and shoes were attractively displayed—plus some I didn’t recognize. I picked up a gorgeous heel and stared at it. Dumbfounded.
Dolce and Gabbana. Louboutin. Jimmy Choo.
Designers I never would have splurged on.
Handbags. Too many to count. All waaaaaaay out of my normal price range.
I couldn’t believe it. All my things were delivered while I was sound asleep. Plus the entire room was completely rearranged, painted, andenlarged? How was that even possible? I stumbled into the bathroom and dropped down on the toilet to pee.
Before I even realized the bathroom had been completely renovated too. Yes, it was larger, with a gigantic soaker tub that would surely hold an entire army. White subway tile covered the walls, and the floor was tiled in a black and white fleur-de-lis pattern. Combined with the black fixtures and antique gold frame around the mirror, the design brought in all the elements of New Orleans that I loved. Separate from the tub, a huge tiled shower took up the other side of the bathroom with a whole set of body sprays down the wall.
Martha’s words played in my head.“There’s an immense amount of power waiting for you.”Yeah, but I hadn’t expected this level of magic. I hadn’t even attempted to do anything yet and my mind was completely blown.
I took a perfect steamy shower complete with delicious massage jets that felt ridiculously good on my back and shoulders. Closing my eyes, I basked in luxury that I’d never known. Maybe it was a payout after last night. A bribe to keep me from running away from the mountain as fast as possible. If so, it totally worked.
I already had plans for that gigantic tub tonight.
I’d leave New Orleans behind without a second thought to have this bathroom. The glorious bedroom and the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept on. The most delicious coffee brewed right in my brand-new sparkling kitchen complete with every modern convenience I’d ever even dreamed about. Huge refrigerator with doors that turned transparent at the touch of a button, revealing all my favorite foods.
Especially a coconut cream pie that looked exactly like Mama’s.
Six burner gas stove. Double ovens. Yes, a microwave with enough options I could probably land an airplane with it, with a basket of microwave popcorn packets.
