At the extraordinary scene of Cornelia standing up for James in front of Evanora, James' chest swelled with pride.
The air sizzled with hostility as Evanora disapproved of Cornelia's insubordination while Cornelia defended James fiercely, and James could swear that his chocolate-colored Goddess became more enchanting.
James really wanted to scoop Cornelia into his arms, take her to a room, mark her, and make love to her until the end of time. But they didn't have a room, and the mood was not right, and they never did it, so James knew that the most he could do and stay within boundaries of what was acceptable, was to admire her silently.
It's not that Cornelia was only protecting him, but she was also claiming him as hers! The only thing that could make this better would be if he was the one doing the protecting, but Evanora was scary, and Cornelia was still talking.
"I'm sure that Yasmin feels the same about Axel. If you can't accept the reality without carnage, take as much time as you need to sort out your thoughts. But if you keep on threatening our soulmates, we will resist and you will force us to leave. Is that what you want?"
Evanora sneered. "Do you think you can leave just because you want to?"
Intense silence filled the room as everyone wondered if they heard Evanora right. Even witches observing the scene from outside didn't move a muscle.
'CLAP!'
Yasmin clapped loudly, getting everyone's attention.
"OK. OK. Let's not escalate this into something we will all regret.", Yasmin said, this time, she was serious. "Mother, I agree with Cornelia. Things are the way they are, we all know that you don't want to antagonize me or your next ranked witch, and if you need time to accept the reality, take it. In the meantime, we will plan for a feast. How about tomorrow evening?"
"What ceremony!?", Evanora hissed. "You are pregnant and you should rest."
Yasmin was having none of it. "I'm just fine. Actually, I believe that my babies are increasing my energy as I feel like I could move mountains and run for hours without breaking a sweat. What's a little party organizing compared to that?"
"Don't be reckless. We should check your body.", Evanora grumbled.
"Didn't you hear me? I. AM. FINE.", Yasmin said with finality of a Luna. "I just came here and you first bombard me with questions, and then you want me to stay put? This is not why I returned home, mother." Yasmin's tone softened. "Besides, my mate arranged for regular checkups with healers, and the pregnancy is progressing well. I'm not opposed to you confirming my condition, but we will do it later."
Talia listened to this banter, visibly relaxed at the thought that they won't end up imprisoned here. The last thing she wanted was a war with witches.
She admired Yasmin who managed to divert an upcoming calamity and go back to talking about a feast.
Talia remembered the feast when she visited the last time. She was helping in the kitchen, and the celebration was focused on Axel and Yasmin. At that time, Talia was on her own, but now Damon was here as well, and she wanted him to see the magic of silvery flames dancing, and who knows… maybe Evanora would conduct a ceremony for them as well.
Considering the messy situation that waited for them in the human realm, Talia had a feeling that she will need all blessings and magical powerups she can get.
In one of the rooms on the second floor…
Liam and Amelia stood in the middle of the room, facing each other, with only a few inches of space between them.
Neither of them spoke a word since they came here. There was no need to say anything.
They could clearly feel each other's emotions through the mate bond that was getting stronger by the second.
Passion. Curiosity. Love.
Liam found it fascinating that he felt so much love and craving for the woman who was standing in front of him, and he knew only her scent and her name, Amelia. He wondered if she had a nickname, but then… it didn't matter. Nothing mattered other than the fact that she was his mate, his other half. He was the one who will make him complete, settle down, and start a family. Family.
Damn! His crotch area was painfully tight as he was ready to pump his pups into the little woman who made his heart race in the beat of her name. Amelia.
Liam observed Amelia's delicate facial features, and no matter how much he stared into her adorable nose or sparkly brown eyes, he couldn't find a single flaw. She was perfect.
Liam's Adam's apple bobbed as his eyes traveled over her full breasts that were round and perky, and he knew that she held her breath as she could feel his gaze caressing her flesh. She had only a small fabric hanging from a string at her waist level, to cover her crotch area, and Liam thought how that fabric was too much, but at the same time, he wished that she wore more clothes because her almost-naked form was driving him to the point of madness, and he struggled not to jump on her like a sexually deprived savage.
What if she was not willing? No, no… he dispelled that thought. She was definitely willing, he could sense her emotions and he knew that she wanted him.
However, Talia told them how witches lived in this realm for centuries without any males, so Liam guessed that he should take this slow. How slow? He was not sure.
Amelia stared at the handsome specimen in front of her while anticipation bubbled inside her and making her a nervous wreck. She hoped that he didn't notice her emotional state because she wanted to appear confident.
Her gaze moved over his chiseled facial features several times, and she knew them by heart already.
Liam had broad shoulders, and even though his long-sleeved shirt covered his torso, Amelia knew that there was plenty of muscle under that fabric. But her attention gravitated toward the bulge in his crotch area. She knew what it was, but she wanted to see it without jeans covering it. Why did he wear so much clothes?
Amelia lifted her hand to her chest level, and then rotated her index finger.
Liam's eyebrows shoot up when he noticed streaks of silvery light forming there. The light moved around him, and he felt a slight breeze.
'POF!'
It was a soft sound, and Liam gaped at what used to be his clothes. Threads and tatters flew in every direction like a clothes-destroying bomb exploded with him at the center.
Liam definitely didn't expect anything like this. His little witch undressed him completely! Did this mean that he could forget about going slow? Or did she just want to remove his clothes and make them equal because she was technically naked?
Amelia observed his confusion as he looked around and at himself, and she panicked. Did she overdo it? Was that not allowed?
"Sorry if it was…"
"It's fine.", he interrupted her. He had spare clothes in his backpack and if they were about to do what mates normally do, he won't need clothes as long as he stays here.
