Deception (11 page)

She returned her face to his neck, warming it with hot cheeks as her aura resumed its natural flow. “I know you will. I have no doubts about giving myself to you.”

He stroked her hair and kissed her head. “I'm honored and happy you feel that way, love, and I won't make you regret it.” He'd meant every word. The angel in his arms had never felt the love of a man, or even the loving touch of masculine hands, as she matured into a beautiful woman, curious and hopeful and looking for something missing. In that vital time of life, the first eighteen years and beyond, she had no male figures to shed light on how much value and potential she held. Quin vowed to change that. He’d go far above and beyond good intentions and prove to her how amazing she was… and how great sex could feel.

Chapter 7

Unable to stem her desire or tell him no, Layla spent the rest of the afternoon on Quin's lap, letting him whisper in her ear and softly kiss her neck. Even when his parents sat next to him, Layla stayed on his lap, and she did so with only a mild blush.

Kemble and Cordelia seemed nonplussed by the intimacy between their son and the new girl. In fact, their auras expressed approval, which Layla found weird considering she was the reason he and the rest of the family were in harm’s way.

The atmosphere swam with an odd mixture of excitement and peace as the evening went on, and the family soaked it up while taking full advantage of their time together. A lot of joking, roughhousing and laughing took place, and Layla watched every minute from her perfect seat, memorizing how it felt to be a part of something so special and magical.

As light surrendered to dark-purple clouds, marking the end of the cherished day, Quin tightened his grip on her and stood.

“Where are we going?” she asked, unready to say goodnight. “Everyone’s still having fun.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” he answered, looking around.

Layla followed his gaze, blinking as chairs vanished and blankets appeared, spreading across the grass to form one big, colorful quilt. The coven chatted as they moved to the blankets, lying down to face the stars, and Quin claimed one for him and Layla, tucking her into his side so she could see the sky.

“What are we doing?” she asked.

He swept her hair back and tapped her nose. “Watching a magic show.”

“Really?” she exclaimed, goose bumps spreading across her neck. “Who will be performing?”

“All of us.”

A loud, high-pitched whistle rent the silent sky, and the world flashed with color.

Layla quickly looked up, eyes huge as a shower of purple and green sparks rained toward them. The flares popped and sizzled, emitting tracers and wisps of electricity as they drew alarmingly close, but just as Layla tensed, the sparks fizzled into curls of colored smoke.

“Wow,” she breathed. “It's like fireworks, but
way
better.”

“They're just getting started,” Quin laughed.

“Excellent,” she approved, snuggling closer.

And that’s where she stayed for three hours, getting her mind blown and her breath taken away. The entire family participated in the show, and every spell was unique and wonderful, especially Alana’s and Brayden’s. They’d practiced all afternoon and were copiously celebrated for their effort.

Awestruck eyes frozen open, Layla witnessed blue dragons, white unicorns, and singing mermaids. Then her grandparents took turns making her gasp and gawk at the sky like an idiot. Morrigan shot colorful toucans into Caitrin's burning trees; and Serafin and Daleen created a miniature Niagara Falls. Every second of the event was exciting and extraordinary, and it forever changed Layla’s idea of a magic show. Smoke and mirrors could never compare.

“This is incredible,” she whispered, finding Quin’s eyes. “I can't believe what I'm seeing.”

“Well believe it, my love, because this is your life now. There's no waiting around for the fourth of July here.”

“This blows fireworks away. Nothing can compare to this.”

“Do you want to play?”

“Sure, but I need to think for a minute, come up with something decent.”

“Okay,” he agreed, holding up his hand.

Hundreds of multicolored fireballs shot quickly and consecutively from his palm, whistling and popping as they spiraled into a large, glowing funnel. The burning tornado picked up speed as it whipped its tale around. Then it roared across the lawn, leaving a rainbow of flowers in its wake. The funnel dissipated before reaching the timber, but the floating garden remained, illuminating the lawn and houses.

“Good one,” Layla commended, grabbing his hand before he could sweep the magic away. “Leave them.”

He smiled as he lowered his hand, and Layla pointed at the magical garden. A cluster of roses quivered. Then a burning, sea-blue stem sprouted from among them, growing taller and thicker until it towered above the others. The slender stem swayed in the wind like a quaking aspen, but the flames persisted, slithering higher and branching off into leaves. Fire swelled near the top, forming a large rosebud. Then the petals burst open and unfurled, revealing a bright golden stamen that flipped tiny puffs of pollen into the breeze.

Awed silence held the crowd as the giant rose rotated. Then a loud pop pierced the peace as the magical garden exploded. The flowers Quin had summoned were reduced to smoke, but millions of sea-blue sparks slowly drifted toward earth, crackling louder than the finest firework.

Layla grinned as she watched the flares approach. Then she waved her hand, and their glimmer disappeared. But something kept coming, and Layla barely contained her excitement as she waited for everyone to figure out what.

Quin narrowed his eyes on the sky, bringing the objects into focus. Then he laughed and tightened his arm around her. “Incredible.”

She’d transformed the sparks into genuine sea-blue rose petals, delighting their family with a floral shower.

“Oh, Layla,” Morrigan exclaimed, grabbing a petal from the air and pulling it to her lips, “that was wonderful.” Another petal landed on her cheek, and she laughed as she tossed it into the sky.

Caitrin caught it then pressed it to his heart, watching the floral rain with eyes of the same color.

Alana and Brayden giggled as they jumped into the air, trying to catch their fair share of petals, and Skyla’s parakeets filled their talons before dropping the fragrant bundles on Skyla’s head.

Layla laughed as she watched them, her aura swelling with bright and beautiful colors, but Quin’s gaze stayed on her, his heart soothed by the carefree moment. He carefully plucked a petal from her hair. Then he transformed it into an entire rose as he squeezed her shoulders. “Hey.”

“Hey back,” she returned, smiling up at him.

“That was the most beautiful bit of magic I've ever seen,” he whispered, offering her the flower. “You're amazing, and this family is lucky to have you.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I'm lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she countered, smelling her rose.

He smiled as he brushed his thumb across her lips, tempted to pull her up his chest and kiss her, but their family was rising from the ground, laughing as they shook rose petals from their hair and clothes. Quin lifted Layla with him as he sat up. Then he stood and pulled her to her feet.

“That was the most beautiful spell of the evening, sweetie,” Morrigan commended, walking to Layla with open arms. “You've brought so much to this coven.”

“Yes,” Caitrin agreed. “We've been missing wondrous things while we've been missing you.”

As soon as Morrigan let Layla go, Daleen pulled her in. “You and your magic are lovely, darling, and so thoughtful.”

“A proud moment indeed,” Serafin advocated, leaning in to kiss Layla’s curls.

“Wow,” she returned. “That was a lot of compliments at once. You guys are going to give me a big head.”

Alana and Brayden ran by, scooping up as many petals as they could hold. Then Brietta and Skyla bounded over and threw a heap of petals on Layla’s head.

“Hey,” she laughed, trying to retaliate, but Brietta dodge, letting Skyla take a face full of flora.

“That was excellent,” Brietta gushed, darting in to kiss Layla’s cheek.

“To say the least,” Skyla agreed. “I can't wait to see what you'll do next time.”

“Come up with something crazy, Sky,” Layla offered, “and I'll try to perform it for you next time we play.”

“Ooh, good idea. I'll start brainstorming tonight.”

Catigern approached and placed a hand on Caitrin's shoulder, but he and his hawk looked at Layla. “That was quite a spell, Layla, very impressive for someone new to the craft. Not only do you make this coven complete, you make us proud.”

“Thanks, Catigern.”

He smiled then soberly turned to Caitrin. “It's getting late.”

Zenith soared into the air with a screech, and the coven looked at the clouds, their senses alert to the incoming storm.

“Yes,” Caitrin agreed, following Catigern to the center of their happy clan. Everyone gathered around them, and Quin took Layla's hand, compelling her to do the same.

She furrowed her eyebrows as she fell into step, wondering why the family was paying such rapt attention to Catigern. Even little Alana was wide-eyed and mum as she watched and listened, struggling to keep her collection of petals ensnared, but she obediently ignored those that fell.

Layla leaned toward Quin and whispered. “What’s going on?”

Before Quin could answer, Catigern suspended the silence. “This is the first time in over twenty-one years we've had to watch members of our family depart.”

“Oh,” Layla breathed, heart plunging into her stomach.

Quin pulled her hand to his lips, kissing it as Catigern went on. “And while our hearts ache the same, this situation is different. Those leaving will return, and they’re not going far. We'll see each other often, and we’ll gather when it's safe to do so.” He paused, sweeping his shiny gaze across everyone’s faces. Then he cleared his throat and ticked off sixteen names.

Layla's mouth fell open. Less than half of them were staying, and some of the women were leaving their husbands behind.

“We’ll miss each other dearly,” Catigern continued, “and until we're together again, we'll be missing a piece of ourselves. Let us ask the Heavens for a quick and safe return for all of you, and a safe stay for all of us. We'll keep in touch daily and provide each other with constant updates. Now say your farewells quickly. It's getting late.”

The stillness shattered, and those leaving began making the rounds.

Layla looked at Quin, lungs full and burning as she tried not to cry, but she couldn’t hold her breath forever.

“They’re not going far,” he assured, pulling her into a hug.

The floodgates burst, and her lungs emptied into his chest as her tears moistened his shirt. “I had no idea so many were leaving.”

“We'll see them nearly every day,” he soothed. “It’s for the best.”

“I know,” she breathed, trying to stem the tears and strengthen her heart. “Actually, it would probably be best if everyone left.”

“No one wants to go, and some of us have to stay to maintain our homes and land.”

“How did they decide who stays and who goes?”

“The children are going, including Bann and Sky, and all the women are leaving, with the exception of you, your grandmas and my mom. The only men leaving are those who were wounded last night, except for my dad. He’s staying.”

“I see,” she whispered, still struggling with overwhelming guilt and sorrow, but she had to suck it up and try to stay strong through the goodbyes.

She did fairly well through most of them, keeping her shoulders straight and the tears at bay, but then Selena approached with a sad and confused Alana.

Layla quickly turned away, wiping the tears swelling from her lids. Then she took a few quick breaths and glued a smile on her face. “Hi, angel,” she greeted, holding out her arms. “Are you going on a trip?” Her lips wouldn’t stop quivering, so as soon as Alana was in her arms, she hugged her close and buried her face in her hair.

“Not a twip,” Alana answered. “We just have to stay somewhere diffwent.”

“Well wherever you are, I bet your mom will make sure you have lots of fun.”

“That’s what she said.” Alana leaned back and found Layla’s face. “Wiww I get to see you soon?”

Layla didn't know the answer, so she looked at Selena, who quickly nodded.

“Yes,” Layla answered, smiling at Alana. “We’ll get to see each other very soon.”

“Good,” Alana approved. “I wiww miss you.”

“I'll miss you, too, angel. Be good for your mommy, and think of fun games for us to play next time we see each other.”

“Otay. I wuv you.”

Layla pulled her into a hug and kissed her silky curls. “I love you, too, Alana.” Fighting another outburst of tears, Layla passed the baby to Quin. Then she stumbled into Selena's hug.

“We'll drop in often,” Selena assured, rubbing Layla’s back. “Stay safe between visits, okay?”

Layla silently nodded. Then she held her breath as Selena said goodbye to Quin and carried Alana away. Nearing an emotional breakdown, Layla didn’t know if she could handle another farewell, but then the final person bounded up, exuding an unbreakable spirit and a contagious optimism.