Divination (Spells and Sins)

Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

"The past holds power, but the future bends to those who dare."

Lunara

I t had been quite some time since I slept in the human world. I was so accustomed to sleeping beneath the stars that something felt quite suffocating in this big, fluffy bed. Or maybe it was the intense infatuation I had with Elysia. Knowing that her body was close enough to touch was far more enticing than it should have been. If it weren’t for the fact that I felt she was a bit withdrawn from my advances, I’d probably reach out and touch her right now.

As I tossed and turned for about the thousandth time, Elysia turned on her side to face me. “Is everything okay?”

Lying on my back, I dropped my hands onto the mattress and sighed. “This bed is too soft.” I kicked at the quilt, tossing it off of my legs. “And I’m hot.” In more ways than I cared to admit right now.

“We can remove the quilt.” I didn’t miss the hint of apprehension that hung beneath the surface.

“If you don’t mind.” I’d welcome the removal of the quilt if it meant there was less between Elysia and me.

“Not at all.” As soon as the words left Elysia’s lips, she ripped the quilt from her legs, rolling it into a bundle before shoving it between us.

With her intentions known, I turned away from her to stare at the moonlight drifting through the window. The bit of dappled light that crept between the leaves of the large Maple tree just outside made me feel a little more at home, if only marginally.

“Lunara?” Elysia’s soft voice seemed to echo in the quiet space.

“Yeah?” I kept my back turned, needing that soothing luminescence to get me through this night.

“We’ll find the Starfire Orb.” Elysia’s hand rested on my waist, halting my next breath. “Morgana will make sure of it.”

Folding my arm across my body, I reached for Elysia’s hand and twined her fingers with mine. “Thanks.”

If this was all Elysia could offer tonight, I’d gladly take it, letting it satiate me until morning.

When I woke, the bed was empty and there was a hubbub of commotion downstairs. I wasn’t sure how I slept so hard, but I was grateful for the rest I obtained with Elysia at my side.

As I rolled onto my back, the door creaked open and Elysia tiptoed in.

“Good morning.” Steam rolled off the two cups of coffee balanced in her hands.

“Ah. The nectar of the gods.” I sat up in bed, spreading out the quilt that was bunched beside me to lay across my bare legs.

While I wasn’t cold by any stretch of the imagination, I suddenly felt exposed laying out in the open; a sensation I’d never felt before.

“Morgana made Belgian waffles if you’re hungry.” Elysia eased onto her side of the bed, handing over a cup of coffee.

I pulled the mug close, breathing in the bitter scent mixed with something sweet. “What’s in this?”

“Cream, sugar, a splash of vanilla and a dash of pumpkin spice.” The smile on her face said she was much better rested than I felt. “It’s my favorite.”

I breathed in the aroma once more then blew at the steam before taking my first taste. As the warm liquid hit my tongue, a world of flavors exploded in my mouth. My eyes fell closed as I savored the taste. “This is delicious.”

“I’ll make sure to remember that for —” Her mouth snapped shut before she finished her sentence, but I was delighted at the thought of enjoying many more morning coffees with her.

After Elysia settled against the headboard, sipping from her own mug, I asked, “Is everyone else awake?”

“Rowan and Cassia just came down and Nova arrived about twenty minutes ago.” With her legs crossed, Elysia twitched her feet in the cutest fashion as she continued to sip her coffee.

“What about Thalia?” The woman seemed completely deplorable, but I didn’t wish harm on anyone. Well, maybe that creepy shadow figure I saw outside of Elysia’s, but beyond that, my heart was too pure and kind to wish anyone ill will.

Elysia merely shrugged her shoulders, seemingly uninterested in Thalia as a topic of conversation.

When my stomach growled, I looked to Elysia and said, “I guess I should go grab some of those waffles.”

“Try the blueberry maple syrup. Morgana makes it herself with sap from the Maple trees out back. It’s…” With her fingers pressed against her lips, she gave the standard Chef’s kiss gesture and smiled.

I breathed deep, searching for the scent of Maple syrup in the air, but Elysia’s lavender and sandalwood fragrance wafted through the space, blocking the sweet fragrance from my nose.

“I better get dressed so I don’t miss out.” I slid to the edge of the bed and set my feet on the wood floor.

Before I could get up, I felt Elysia’s weight abandon the mattress. “I’m gonna head back down.”

I glanced over my shoulder to find she’d already made it to the door.

“See you down there?” Her hand held the yellowed glass doorknob as she waited for my answer.

“Yup,” I responded then watched her walk out.

I snatched up my clothes from the dresser and quickly dressed then made my way downstairs, listening to the idle chatter as it coalesced, floating up the stairs.

“I’ve tried calling her several times this morning, but she’s not picking up.” Morgana’s worried announcement had me sending out my senses in search of trouble lurking nearby, but all seemed well in the vicinity.

The moment I entered the kitchen, everyone got quiet. Feeling out-of-place, per usual, I gave an awkward, “Good morning,” while standing in the open doorway.

“Morning,” Morgana replied, doling out a couple waffles onto a plate before asking, “Hungry?”

“Starving.” I took the plate from her and perused the sampling of syrups on the counter. “Did you make all of these?” I asked, searching for the blueberry maple label.

“All but the sugar-free.” She nodded her head toward Aeron. “That one’s always watching her figure.” Morgana shook her head with a smirk while I tried to hide my own smile.

“Aeron doesn’t know a good thing ‘til it smacks her in the face,” Cassia teased. “Probably explains her miserable love-life.”

“Hey, my love-life is just fine.” Aeron angrily stabbed a bite of waffle while she stared daggers at Cassia. Sticking her nose in the air, she said, “I’ll have you know, I have a date tonight.”

While Aeron bragged about her upcoming rendezvous, Isla buried her nose in her coffee, slowly making her way across the kitchen.

“I don’t know if that’s the best idea right now.” Morgana pulled another waffle from the iron and placed it on the stack.

“I’m telling you. Thalia is fine.” Nova rolled her eyes then took another bite of her red slathered waffles.

I kept to myself, leaning against the counter across from Elysia while I poured a good helping of the blueberry maple syrup onto my waffles.

“Well, I’d feel much better if we stopped by her place after breakfast.” It was obvious why Morgana was High Priestess. She was the most motherly of the bunch.

“Would you mind if Lunara and I head off on our own?” While Elysia asked for permission, I could tell there was no fear of Morgana, merely reverence between them. Her comfort was evident as she stuffed her mouth with another bite of waffles.

“Heading to the library?” Morgana poured the last of the batter onto the iron as she spoke.

“And the historical society.” Elysia mumbled around her mouthful of waffles.

“Good idea.” Morgana pulled the last waffle from the iron, dropping it on the stack before she offered it to each of us. “Take what you want before I dig in,” she warned. A few of the women grabbed another waffle before Morgana slathered raspberry jam on her pile.

“All those delicious syrups and you chose jam?” I was baffled by this development.

“I like to keep things interesting.” Morgana winked at me before propping herself up beside Elysia. “When you stop by the historical society, make sure you tell Serena that I have the poultice she’s been asking about.”

“Will do.” Elysia held her fork in front of her mouth, licking the last of her syrup from the tines before she headed to the sink to wash her plate.

My mind was bombarded with thoughts of her tongue running along every inch of my body, distracting me from the conversation that continued around me.

“You ready?” Elysia bumped her shoulder against mine while I stared at nothing in particular.

“Yeah. Let me…” I held up my plate before carrying it to the sink to wash it.

“I’m gonna run upstairs and grab my shoes.” She gave a little finger wave then disappeared, leaving me with a roomful of near perfect strangers.

As the conversation grew to whispers, I dismissed myself from the room, running upstairs to grab my shoes as well.

I barely made it through the door when Elysia crashed into me, her body pressing so firmly against mine that I could feel her racing heart beating against my chest.

“Oh goddess. I’m so sorry.” The wistful smile on her face and the rosy, red blush of her cheeks was a brilliant invitation that I couldn’t refuse.

“Elysia,” was all I managed before I gripped her waist and pressed my lips to hers.