My Magic Mate Read online

  “Ah, your wings?” Grigori asked.

  “Oh, of course, I forgot I had them on,” Meadow said as she stood up and took the wings off. She folded them in half and placed them on the floor of the sedan. Then, she got back in and put on her seat belt.

  Grigori checked the traffic and pulled into the street. Brencis' color was good, and his vitals were strong. Grigori didn't know exactly what had happened but thought Bren would be fine in a couple of hours. Lycanthropes didn’t get sick and were very hard to kill. But, then again, they weren’t known for fainting. He glanced at the woman sitting next to him. She was leaning over the seat stroking his cousin’s hair. They would have to decide what to do with Miss Meadow Seymour.

  “Have you ever seen one of these golden cords of light before, Meadow?” he asked.

  “Not before today. But you have one as well, and it seems to be leading us to your house.”

  “Yes, it can do that, lead one mate to the other.”

  “Mate? As in soul mate?” Meadow asked.

  “Exactly as in soul mate. You and Brencis are now tied together.”

  “I can't be Brencis' soul mate. I’m not allowed to do magic for my own benefit, only the benefit of others.”

  “Did you say magic?” Well, at least she wasn’t upset about the mating bond. But was she entirely sane? Magic?

  “Yes. I’m a witch. I use my powers for good, and we have rules. I’m supposed to serve others and harm none.”

  Powers for good? Psychic powers? This young woman seemed to be confused. “Didn't you say you gave him the love potion because you thought he needed his true love?” Grigori asked. “Finding your soul mate is a great gift. It sounds like you were doing it for his benefit, not your own. It just so happens that you are his soul mate. The golden cord is a mating bond. It ties you together heart and soul, as you planned with your potion.”

  “That can't be right. I didn't plan on me being his soul mate. I have a business. It keeps me busy all the time. I don't have time for a cat, let alone a soul mate.”

  “Well, my dear, since you are the reason the mating cord snapped into place, and Brencis is passed out in the back seat, I suggest you start thinking about how you are going to fit your true love into your life.” This woman was as puzzling as the unfolding events of the day. What psychic power did she possess that would lead her to believe she did magic?

  “Oh dear, my mentor never prepared me for this happening, though she did say a good deed never goes unpunished.”

  Grigori couldn't help himself. He laughed, and soon Meadow was laughing with him. However this turned out, he was sure it was going to be entertaining.

  When Grigori turned the car off the main highway onto a gravel road, he noticed Meadow's uneasiness. She kept checking on Brencis as he slept in the back seat. Maybe she was afraid she did poison him.

  “It's not too much farther. I’m sure Brencis will be all right,” Grigori said.

  “You do live rather far out, don't you?” she asked.

  “My wife, Melisande, inherited the hunting cabin from her grandfather. We moved in about a year ago. It is fairly rural, but we like it. I've never liked city life with its noise and pollution.”

  Meadow looked around in trepidation. Had it really been necessary for her to accompany Brencis home? Then she looked at his sleeping form. She couldn't have stayed away. There was a magnetic pull on her heart. She needed to know he was going to be all right. This was her fault.

  Why had she forced the love potion on him? Was it because she secretly hoped he would notice her? Did she do it for him or for herself? Was his bad reaction her punishment for using magic for her own benefit? Would Brencis suffer because of her stupidity? Meadow squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She would take whatever happened as her punishment, Brencis should not have to pay the price.

  The road wound up a hill and through a forest. After several turns onto smaller and smaller gravel roads, Meadow feared she was truly lost. She hoped her intuition hadn't lied to her and she was indeed safe with the Solovyovs. At this moment, she didn't know if she could find her way home. She fingered her cell phone and noticed, with dismay, there was no service up here.

  As she started to get really worried, the road ended in front of a massive iron gate in a large brick wall. At least eight feet tall, the wall extended several hundred feet on both sides of the road, before turning toward the woods on one side and the mountain slope on the other. Grigori reached into his shirt pocket and hit a remote, and the gate lumbered open. Meadow looked up and saw security cameras on top of the wall as they drove through the opening. Grigori owned a security company, so it made sense he had his own system.

  As the drive curved, Meadow turned and saw the “cabin” for the first time. The building appeared to have three stories and a Tudor style. It had decorative half-timbering, a steeply pitched roof, prominent cross gables, tall narrow doors and windows, small window panes, and large chimneys topped with decorative chimney pots.

  “This is a hunting cabin?” she asked.

  “Melisande's grandfather was a baron, and he took hunting very seriously.”

  Meadow knew her mouth was hanging open as Grigori pulled up to the house. A blond Viking, standing at least six feet tall with long blond braids, stepped out onto the stoop. To complete his costume, all he was missing was a winged helmet and hammer. The man was incredibly good looking. Yet she preferred Brencis with his dark curls and serious eyes. The Viking opened the door for Meadow, then opened the back door and saw Brencis.

  “What happened, Alpha?” he asked.

  “Miss Meadow Seymour happened,” Grigori said “Don't worry, Valerii. I think he will be fine in a while. Take him up to bed while I introduce Meadow to Melisande.”

  “Shouldn't I go with him?” Meadow asked. Her stomach clenched with panic when Valerii carried Brencis out of her sight.

  “I'll take you right upstairs to his room after you meet Meli,” Grigori said.

  Clutching the small bag of tea like a talisman, Meadow let Grigori take her arm and lead her down the hall into a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Meadow looked around in confusion. Old Tudor homes normally didn't have this kind of light.

  “It's the sun room,” Grigori said. “It probably was put in after the main structure was built. My wife likes to work in here. Melisande, lyubov moya, my love, I have someone you must meet. This is Meadow Seymour. She is mate to Brencis.”

  Meadow caught the strange turn of phrase Grigori used, “mate to Brencis.” What exactly did he mean? She watched as a young woman with blond hair and blue eyes unfolded from a window seat across the room and came forward. She didn’t look much older than Meadow, as Grigori didn’t look much older than Brencis. The woman was wearing an elegant blue-silk lounge suit.

  Meadow looked down at her combat boots and gulped, then glanced back up at Melisande, prepared to see a look of disgust and distaste come into her eyes. Instead, the other woman’s eyes warmed and sparkled with pleasure.

  “Congratulations. Come sit down and tell me all about it,” she said, reaching for Meadow’s hand and leading her to a group of chairs. “When did the mating bond appear?”

  “Uhm, today, right before Brencis fainted. Here is your tea,” Meadow said, quickly handing the bag to Melisande and perching lightly on the fragile-looking antique chair. “Oh, my fairy wings. I left them in the car. I guess I’ll get them later.”

  Melisande glanced at Grigori and smiled as she placed the paper bag on one of the side tables. His face reflected the joy and love he felt for his wife. He drew Melisande into his arms and kissed her soundly, before lowering them both into a carved loveseat.

  “I missed you mate,” he murmured to her.

  “And I, you, my love. Why don't you ring for tea and let me hear what Meadow has to say.”

  Meadow watched Melisande pat Grigori on the knee. The love so apparent in their eyes made her feel lonely and envious. How she longed for a love like theirs! The golden mat
ing bond glowed brightly between them. Could she have a love like that with Brencis? Her own mating bond glowed faintly, and she turned to see it going out the door and off down the hall. It wasn’t as large or as bright as Melisande and Grigori’s. Would it lead her to Brencis if she followed it? Could it possibly lead her to happiness and a life she only dreamed of, a husband, family and maybe children one day?

  “Why don't you have some tea and sandwiches before you go to him?” Melisande said. “I really would like to hear what happened today.”

  Meadow knew it would be impolite to refuse, but she wanted to be with Brencis. She hesitated when she felt Melisande's hand on her arm. The hair on her skin lifted and her arm tingled, as if a current of electricity was flowing through her.

  “You are worried about Brencis. I should have realized. Please forgive me. How about we have the tea brought up to his room? We can talk while you watch over him.”

  “Thank you. I hope you don't think I'm horrid, but I would feel better if I could see him.” Why did she need to see him so badly? Why was she feeling like this?

  “Not at all. It certainly isn't like Brencis to faint. We are all worried. Let us go see how he is,” Melisande suggested, rising and motioning to the door.

  Meadow followed Melisande and Grigori down the hall, then up the wide staircase and down another hallway to a door. Meadow saw that the mating bond went through the door, and she realized she wanted very much to follow it. Grigori paused at the door and knocked quietly. The same blond Viking as before opened it. He looked puzzled as he pulled the door open wide and stepped back.

  “I don't understand it, Alpha. He won't wake up. Was he drugged?” Valerii asked.

  “Not exactly. It was a love potion. He had a bad reaction,” Meadow said, shrugging her shoulders.

  Meadow felt Valerii bristle as she walked past him and noticed how Grigori placed his hand on Valerii’s arm and shook his head “no” slightly. She felt bad, she really did, but she hadn’t drugged Brencis. She would never hurt anyone, especially not Brencis. He mattered to her.

  The room was paneled in dark wood and large pieces of furniture dominated the space. The bed was an old four-poster covered with a comforter and draped with dark-green velvet drapes. The room would have been dark without the three tall narrow windows on one wall.

  “Here, Meadow, sit down in this chair by the bed,” Melisande suggested, moving a carved wooden chair from the desk to the side of the bed.

  Meadow moved up to the bed, drawn to the pale form of Brencis lying so still it made her stomach clench again. Wringing her hands, she noticed he had been undressed. Please let him be all right. She couldn’t accept anything else. Worried about a draft, she pulled the covers up closer to his shoulders. Then, she reached over and brushed his hair back from his forehead. He always seemed to have a brown curly lock slipping down to his eye. Her heart fluttered and electric tingles raced up her arm when she stroked him.

  She wanted him. She had dreamed about him since the first day they met over six months ago. Meadow had fantasized about how he would hold her close and kiss her tenderly. Unable to stop herself, she leaned down and slowly kissed his lips. Brencis’ lips were so soft, she wanted to lick and sip at them. His taste flooded her senses, and she wished she could kiss him forever. Then, she felt him sigh.

  Meadow leaned back in surprise, while Melisande and Grigori crowded closer to the bed. Bren's eyes fluttered open. He sat up and grabbed Meadow by the upper arms. The sheet fell to his waist, and she couldn’t help but admire his naked chest lightly sprinkled with dark curly hair.

  Suddenly realizing she shouldn’t be staring, she looked up. Brencis’ eyes were flashing in anger and seemed to be brighter, almost glowing from within. She squeaked and tried to move back, suddenly afraid of the rage showing on his face. But he held her tight.

  Meadow could feel his nails piercing her skin. He started to shake her, and her head snapped on her neck. Lights appeared to be coalescing around Brencis. What was happening? Was she seeing the lights because he was shaking her or because she was going to faint?

  “What the hell did you do to me?” Brencis yelled.

  Grigori jumped forward and grabbed Brencis by the shoulders, pushing him back. The air charged with electricity. Brencis started to turn wolf. Fury radiated from him in waves of heat. The lights coalescing around his form were the first indication of him shifting. If Brencis didn't stop, he would end up hurting his little mate.

  “Enough, Brencis. Release her,” Grigori yelled, trying to get through the haze of anger that filled Brencis’ mind.

  When that didn't work, Grigori put his telepathy and Alpha power behind the command.

  ENOUGH!

  Brencis blinked his eyes, and the normal green color slowly came back into them. The lights whirling around his form blinked out. He released Meadow immediately. She sank down into the chair next to her, holding her head in her hands. Her closed eyes leaked tears as she shuddered.

  Melisande went to Meadow and tried to soothe her, but instead her shuddering turned to sobs. When Valerii moved toward the women, Brencis growled low and mean, his eyes starting to flash again. No single male was going to touch his female. Grigori held Brencis back, knowing he would allow it because Grigori was Alpha and his cherished cousin.

  “Get out, Valerii. He's in the mating heat,” Grigori ordered.

  “But . . .”

  “Don't worry. It'll be fine. Go.”

  Brencis watched and waited until Valerii backed out the door and closed it behind him, before sinking down onto the mattress and lying flat. He covered his face with his hands and moaned. What was wrong with him? Why was he so angry?

  “I'm sorry, Grika. I'm so sorry.”

  Brencis turned his head to see Melisande still holding a sobbing Meadow.

  “Is she all right? Did I hurt her?” Brencis asked. “Idi K Chyortu, Dammit. Give her to me.”

  Brencis pushed Grigori off and sat up. He reached over and lifted Meadow up onto the bed as if she was a fragile porcelain doll. Then, he cradled her against his chest, resting her legs across his lap. What had he done? She was human. He could have severely injured her in his frenzy.

  Meadow didn’t fight him. Instead, she seemed to melt against him. He buried his face in her hair, taking her scent deep into his lungs. He rocked her, holding her gently as she cried and trying to comfort her, as well as himself. Brencis realized that in his fury he could have broken her neck, killing her instantly.

  “I'm sorry, Meadow. God, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Are you all right? Do you need a doctor? Grigori call for a doctor. She should be checked.” What had he done? He would never forgive himself, if he had hurt her. Thank God, Grigori was here to bring him out of it.

  “I think she'll be okay, but I'll call Dr. Brady and see if he can come out,” Melisande said. “I'll find out about the tea as well. None of us has eaten, and we'll need our strength. Grigori, come with me, love. They'll be okay now.”

  Bren nodded his head as Grigori looked deeply into his eyes. Brencis felt back in control. He normally never lost his temper. The only time had been when Melisande rejected Grigori after learning he possessed a wolf spirit. It was all a misunderstanding that was quickly fixed between the mated couple. Brencis hoped this misunderstanding could be fixed as quickly.

  He was glad Grigori had found his true love. Someday, he hoped to find that kind of love with his mate. Glancing down at the small woman in his arms, he realized the time was now. Had he ruined his chance at happiness? Would his mate reject him, now that she had seen him in a rage?

  The crisis seemed to be over. Grigori let Meli take his hand and lead him out the door, closing it quietly behind them. Melisande turned to him and slipped beneath his shoulder, her arm around his waist.

  “What happened in there?” Melisande asked. “Did I see Meadow wake Brencis with a kiss? What was in the love potion she gave him?”

  “I'm not sure what is going on. Love potions, kisses. Mayb
e it is magic.”

  Chapter Two

  Meadow couldn’t help herself. She melted into Brencis’ embrace and cried her heart out while questioning her actions. What had she done? Her mentor used to accuse her of being too impetuous. This was all her fault. She should never have given Brencis a love potion. All she had wanted to do was help him—bring a little love into his life.

  He had always been so controlled, coming into the store every week with the same white shirt and black trousers and tie. Brencis needed someone to make him smile, to bring joy into his life. Okay, she might have hoped the love potion would point to her being his true love, but she never really expected it. Now what should she do?

  Brencis had been so angry at her. His shaking her had been frightening. Now he was holding her so tenderly. Could the love potion have exaggerated his anger? Passion could often be mistaken for anger, couldn’t it? Oh, what a mess.

  Brencis held Meadow gently. What had he done? Whispering Russian endearments into her hair, he rocked her gently. She seemed so fragile and small in his arms. He never should have shaken her. Finally, she stopped sobbing and shuddering. Would she forgive him? What an idiot! He wasn’t even sure why he’d been so angry. Was the mating heat causing his reaction?

  His emotions were in chaos. He wanted to lay Meadow down and claim her as his mate, bite her and mark her, so everyone would know she was his. He felt totally out of control. Never in his life had he experienced such an extreme reaction. It was alarming.

  As Grigori’s Beta, he was called to enforce the Alpha’s decisions. Brencis prided himself on his self-control. He commanded the respect of his pack members. He was known for his restraint. This small woman turned his world upside down.

  He rubbed her back and arms as he held her pressed to his chest. Finally, she sighed and was quiet.

  “There, that's better, malyshka, little one,” Brencis said. “I'm so sorry, Meadow. I didn't mean to hurt you. I’m not sure what came over me. Will you forgive me?”

  Meadow nodded her head but kept it lowered, afraid to look up and see hatred in his eyes. She had almost fainted from his rage alone. Surely, he must hate her, yet he held her so lovingly. Was she going out of her mind?