The Complete Spellbound Trilogy Bundle

  He sat down and wrapped his arms around me. I turned and wept into his shoulder as he gently patted my hair.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “This was all my fault. I never should have said anything to them. I don’t know why I did.”

  “I still don’t know what happened back there. Why did Ana rip off my shirt?”

  I sighed and shook my head. “Because I told them what I saw on your back. I only did it because…”

  “Wait, you can see my Mark?” he asked, clearly surprised. I nodded.

  “Yeah, ‘cause guess what? I also just found out that my mom...you know, the one who’s actually not dead even though I spent my entire life thinking she was? She was pregnant before she ran away from home and my dad isn’t my real dad either. And I guess half of me is from the coven that Ana hates more than anything. Yours.”

  Nicholas stared at me for a moment in shocked silence. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “I was initiated into a family from the Triple Star coven when I was thirteen. It was a group whose beliefs I felt most closely matched my own at the time. But why does Ana hate them?”

  “So you really are one of them…and you lied to me about it?”

  He shook his head. “I never lied. I never really thought about it. I didn’t know you could see it, or that it even mattered.”

  I wiped my eyes and looked at him. “I can see it…and it does matter. Only because it totally blows the cover off the lie that is my life.” I shook my head again.

  He lowered his gaze to look into my eyes. “So what are you gonna do now?” he asked softly.

  Despite myself, I chuckled. “I don’t know…what does one do when one’s whole world has totally shattered overnight? What is the next step?”

  Nicholas sighed. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’ll help you in any way I can. Just tell me what I can do.”

  I fell into his arms again and shut my eyes. “I love you,” I whispered, without even thinking.

  “I love you too,” he whispered back, and stroked the side of my face. “I’ve always loved you and I always will.”

  We sat there by the fire, wrapped in each other’s arms, in the cabin a million miles from nowhere. The person I had been was gone. Destroyed. A new me was about to emerge, like a phoenix from the flames. I had no idea what was in store for me as I went about trying to pick up the pieces and make sense of the chaos. But I knew one thing for certain…I loved Nicholas, and he loved me. With him by my side, I was invincible.

  Would I ever be able to forgive Ana…or Sophie…or Lily? I didn’t know.

  They lied to me.

  They turned on me.

  But I loved them. I didn’t know the answers to the thousand questions plaguing my mind. But I would find out. I would find out the truth about my mother, and uncover her deepest, darkest secrets. I would find out everything.

  Just not tonight.

  ~End of Book 2~

  Dawn of the Morningstar

  Spellbound Trilogy #3

  Chapter 1. Magic

  Five seconds…Maybe six.

  That’s how long I was able to bask in the joy of waking up in Nicholas’s arms. To feel the pleasure of having his loving eyes and tender smile greet me as I slowly drifted into consciousness. I automatically snuggled into his warm embrace and felt like I was in my own special corner of heaven.

  And then it all came crashing back.

  My mom is alive…my dad isn’t my real dad…Sophie and Lily betrayed me…Justin is gone… Ana hates Nicholas and tried to kill him…I can’t go back home…

  I wasn’t in heaven. I was in hell.

  I closed my eyes again and stifled a small groan as Nicholas pulled me closer. I buried my head in his chest and tried to block out the painful reality. It was only then that I realized we were still on the same couch as last night.

  “Hey, sweetie.” Nicholas’s husky voice was barely more than a soft breath in my ear. “How’re you doing?” He gently brushed some of my hair away from my forehead, and I let out a deep sigh. I couldn’t process my feelings just yet, certainly not well enough to vocalize them.

  I blinked and rubbed my eyes; they were scratchy and dry and didn’t want to open all the way. I could only imagine how red and swollen they must be. I’d thought I’d shed all my tears the night before when I was with Lily and Sophie. But after Nicholas and I had arrived at the cabin and we’d melted into each other’s arms on the couch, I’d found a fresh reserve I didn’t even know was there.

  How did everything that should’ve been so wonderful turn into such an awful nightmare? I should’ve been over the moon to find out that my mom was still alive…and a part of me was. But a bigger part was hurt—no, more like crushed and devastated—that she’d intentionally stayed away my whole life. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, it would almost have been better if she had died when I was young. At least then her absence wouldn’t have been her fault.

  But she left me. She abandoned us. On purpose. I didn’t care if it was to ‘protect’ me, like Ana had suggested. Knowing my mom had been alive all this time was shredding me up inside. I never knew my heart could hurt this bad. Like an achy sickness mixed with poison and anger… a cancer eating away at my soul.

  I shuddered and rolled over on my back.

  “Is there any water around here?” I asked, my voice hoarse. I struggled to sit up. “And maybe some aspirin?” I could barely swallow, and the dull ache in my head was growing stronger with each passing moment. I didn’t know if it was caused by all the crying, the stress, the change in our location, or sleeping all cockeyed on the couch. Probably all of the above.

  Nicholas gave me a sexy grin. “Who needs drugs when you have me?”

  He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently positioned me back against the cushions. My heart beat faster as he leaned closer, and I closed my eyes in anticipation of his sweet kiss.

  But the kiss never came. His warm breath tickled my cheeks as he gently massaged my temples and his fingertips caressed my scalp. They moved slowly, deliberately, from the sides of my head, around the crown, down the back, and finally to the base of my skull. I was brought back to that night not long before – although it felt like a lifetime – when Justin had attacked me at the dance. Nicholas had Healed me, and in doing so had revealed himself to be a powerful warlock.

  Now, just like then, and despite the dire circumstances surrounding us, as I felt Nicholas’s hands on me and breathed in his intoxicating, musky scent, my skin tingled with the closeness of his body. His touch lit up the darkest corners of my mind and eased my troubled soul. No matter what crisis was befalling me, having him by my side made me feel strong. Safe.

  “How’s that feel?’ he whispered, and stroked my cheekbone.

  There aren’t words to describe it…

  But I knew what he was referring to, and I didn’t have to move my neck around to know my headache was completely gone.

  I smiled and looked deep into those pools of rich emerald.

  “Perfect.”

  Nicholas gave me a quick, soft peck on the lips. “Wait right there.” Then he disappeared into thin air, only to instantly reappear in the kitchen.

  I sat upright again and glanced around the spacious room. It had huge ceilings, and was decorated with the most exquisite furnishings—pretty amazing considering we were in the middle of nowhere, and not a mall in sight. A small fire crackled in the stone fireplace, warming the cabin and filling it with the scent of toasted pine. The early morning sun reflected off the surrounding snow-capped trees and peeked through the oversized windows, its soft light casting a subtle golden hue on everything inside. I felt like I was in an ad for one of those dream vacation rentals; it was so peaceful and cozy and romantic.

  I shifted my body so as to better observe Nicholas as he shuffled around in the kitchen. He took some bottled water from the refrigerator and a small canister of powder from a cabinet.

  Curious, I watched as he took out a crystal glass an
d started mixing the powder with the water. When he moved back to the refrigerator, the spoon continued to stir the drink of its own accord. Apparently, he didn’t even have to be looking at an object to use his levitan.

  Despite the melancholy that filled my soul, I couldn’t help but crack a tiny smile. This part was like a dream, not a nightmare. Watching Nicholas as he quickly peeled and chopped various fruits filled my heart with wonder, and a slight twinge of disbelief.

  How was I so lucky to have found him? More than that, how was I so lucky to have him love me?

  There’s no way I could’ve survived any of this drama without him by my side. Just looking at him made me feel that somehow, some way, everything was going to turn out all right. It just had to.

  He glanced over and gave a half-smile before he swished his hand, and the remaining bottles of water, a bowl of the freshly-cut fruit, and the mystery mixed-powder drink all flew through the air and gracefully landed on a serving tray by the sink.

  I chuckled. “Show off.”

  He shrugged. “That’s not showing off. This is—” He flipped his hand toward the front door, which immediately swung open. A second later, a bundle of something came flying inside.

  He scooped the delivery into his arms and floated the food and beverage-laden tray over to where I was sitting. Then he walked over and placed the bouquet of fresh flowers in my lap.

  I smiled and pulled them to me, inhaling their sweet scent. “Stargazer lilies. My absolute favorite.” I peered at him suspiciously. “How were these growing out there this time of year? If I’m not mistaken, that white stuff on the ground is snow.”

  Nicholas cocked an eyebrow and grinned. “That was the showing off part. You impressed?”

  “Always.”

  He took a seat beside me and handed me some water. I took a few sips and smiled at him gratefully. “Thanks.” He leaned down closer and gently smoothed some hair from the side of my face.

  “How do you do that?” I breathed.

  “Do what?”

  “How do you make me feel so safe and loved and beautiful and strong? Like nothing is wrong, and everything is perfect?”

  His eyes sparkled, and he pressed his lips on mine and kissed me with a tender strength, connecting us the way we were meant to be. Our fingers entwined as he grasped my hands in his, leaning closer still.

  Then, slowly, he pulled back just the slightest bit and nuzzled my ear. His response was nothing more than a soft whisper.

  “Magic.”

  *****

  I could’ve kissed Nicholas for hours… days… forever if that was possible. But there is only so much you can do in that area before it’s natural to want to go to the next step. And since there was no way either of us was equipped to deal with that just then… at least I wasn’t… eventually, we had to come up for air and face reality.

  Nicholas settled himself against the corner of the couch, and I sat cross-legged beside him, a soft black blanket covering me. “What’s that?” I asked, pointing to the cloudy water.

  He shrugged and handed it to me. “Protein drink. Have some. I know it looks pretty nasty, but it’s chock full of amazing nutrients, and you need to take care of yourself right now. Gotta keep up your strength. And somehow I have a feeling you aren’t all that interested in eating.”

  He was certainly right about that—food was the absolute last thing on my mind right then. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to swallow much of the protein concoction. Despite the pleasure of being in Nicholas’s arms, the knots in my stomach were twisted something fierce.

  He speared himself some chunks of pineapple and mango, while I forced myself to take a few sips. I finished half the glass, set it down, and managed a small smile.

  “I have to ask, how in the world do you have this place so beautifully decorated and fully stocked with food and everything when we’re like two hundred miles from civilization?”

  But even as the words came out, I knew how foolish they were. If Nicholas was a normal guy, then yeah, my question would be valid. But for a powerful warlock who had the ability to shimmer anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye…

  He grinned, stood up, and held out his hand. “Sometimes I do some late-night shopping when the stores are closed. Don’t worry,” he added with a wink. “I always leave a stack of cash behind.”

  “Did you shimmer with all of this?” I waved my hand around at the exquisite oversized furniture and modern appliances.

  He shrugged. “I had most of it delivered to my mom’s house while she was away on a shoot, and then yeah, shimmered it over a piece at a time. Whatever I could touch.”

  I shook my head and chuckled under my breath as I remembered one time when Dad and I were struggling to move our couch. It had been an absolute nightmare getting it up four flights of narrow stairs. And Nicholas could move a whole house full of furnishings across the country without breaking a sweat.

  “C’mon, let’s go outside if you’re feeling up to it. We can sit on the deck for a bit or take a walk through the woods.” His smile could melt fire.

  I leaned up against the back of the couch. “Actually, I really wish I could take a hot shower and get cleaned up some. But…” I bit my lip and looked down at my clothes. Our escape here had been so spur of the moment last night, I’d already been dressed for bed in a t-shirt and leggings, and didn’t even have any socks or shoes. All my worldly belongings were back at home…my old home. I didn’t even have a toothbrush.

  Nicholas wrapped his arm around my waist and tilted my chin upward. “Well, I did a little ‘late night shopping’ for you, too. Wasn’t sure how long we’d be here or what all you’d need right away, so I just grabbed some things to tide you over until we can get you more. It’s all in the master bedroom.” He nodded to the back of the cabin.

  “Huh? What do you mean you did some ‘late night shopping’ for me…you left here last night?”

  He nodded. “Only for an hour or so. You were sleeping so soundly, I thought it would be okay to leave you for just a bit.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “Of course it’s okay to leave me alone. I’m a big girl. I’m just surprised you managed to sneak away is all, seeing as I woke up in the exact same position we fell asleep in.”

  He gave a playful smirk. “I’m very stealthy when I need to be.” Then his expression turned more serious, and he lowered his voice. “I was thinking about you and us and this situation. I didn’t know how long we’d be here or what you’d want to do, so I figured it was best to be prepared.”

  I didn’t want to have to face the thoughts of my future just yet. Right now all I wanted was to take a hot shower, wash my face, and by some miracle, brush my teeth.

  “Everything’s back there, you say?” I pointed to the hallway.

  He nodded. “Last door on the right. There’s a private bathroom in there as well. I moved a few of my things to the smaller room next door,” he added, answering my unspoken question.

  How grateful I was that he was giving me the space and privacy I needed right now. I knew plenty of guys would try to take advantage of a situation like this, but as always, Nicholas behaved like a perfect gentleman. I hated to admit that as much of a relief as that was, at the same time, it was just the tiniest bit frustrating.

  *****

  I walked down the oak-paneled hallway, and my chest clenched as I passed by the room Justin had stayed in. It hurt my heart to remember him as he lay there, broken and bruised and bloody. But he’d been healed, or at least, was going to be. He’d been cured of the Witch Hunter curse and was no longer a threat to me or my friends. He and Nicholas had risked their lives and endured so much suffering. But for what? Just so I could fail him at the last minute and allow the Council to take him away to remove his memory.

  I took a deep breath and sat down on the California King sized bed in the middle of the bedroom. It was decorated in a classic onyx and silver décor. Very masculine. Very sexy. Very Nicholas.

 
There were several bags on the bed, and when I peered inside them, I had to cover my mouth so as not to laugh. It looked like Nicholas had totally raided the entire health and beauty section at Wal-Mart. There were several different types of shampoos, conditioners, body washes and lotions, four different sized loofas of various shapes and colors, headbands and barrettes, several jars of makeup, a hair dryer and a curling iron…even three different kinds of toothpaste!

  Obviously he’d just grabbed several of everything he thought I might need, hoping something would be right. I was touched, but at the same time I couldn’t help wondering—did he see me as some kind of high maintenance girl? Didn’t he know that I’d be totally happy with whatever he got me? Until I came to Ana’s a few months ago, I’d never used anything more than the cheapest, most basic, and most necessary of toiletries. In fact, every time I bought a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, the first thing I did was pour half of it into another container and fill up the first half with water to make it last longer. And here Nicholas was buying me five different types of name-brand eye cream.

  It was little things like this that reminded me that, although I felt closer to him than anyone in the whole world, especially now, there was still so much we didn’t know about each other. Small details, but important nonetheless.

  I gathered up a few items and headed to the shower. The water came out nice and warm, and as I stepped into the glass-enclosed box and the hot spray doused my body, I felt the tension ease and my neck and back begin to relax, even if my mind couldn’t.

  Briefly, I again marveled that out in the middle of nowhere, with no signs of life for miles, there existed this lovely cabin, complete with all the modern conveniences of electricity, heating, and running water. I didn’t dwell on it too long, though, because as much as I didn’t want to admit it, sometimes it almost scared me to think how powerful Nicholas was. It was obvious he held himself back around me, and I suspected he was stronger than he let on. But even with what he allowed me to see, I found myself wondering if there was any limit to his magics.