chapter Eighteen
Colm gritted his teeth as he felt her warm fingers on his calf. It shouldn’t have had much of an effect. After all, those soft fingers were far away from his cock. He should have known, though. Sometimes, her smile could send a strong surge of lust slamming through him.
The simple feel of her hands on him seemed to send an amazing wave of heat through him. Even though he knew she was doing this to get revenge, his body reacted. Maybe it was because she was initiating the contact. It was one of the few times she’d chosen to touch him, even if it wasn’t in passion.
He tried his best to ignore the effect she was having on his body. He didn’t have much success. His cock pushed against his suddenly too-tight pants and his mind focused on her touch. Paying attention during judgment had never been a problem before, but now she made it near impossible.
A little help here. Losing the thread of the excuses. Colm sent the thought to Linc, but kept his eyes on the men in front of them.
What was it you said when I needed a little distraction from her touch? Oh, yes, “It’s not as if she’s stroking your cock. Just ignore it.” Does that help? Linc sounded too amused, even through the mind link.
Okay, I was wrong, but what could I do? We can’t pick her up and put her over a knee without disrupting the proceedings. There is a ceremony to these things. Much as I’d like to haul her into my lap and wrap her up so she can’t play anymore, we have to do this as it normally is. Colm shot a frustrated glare at the head of the woman currently leaning into his leg. Letting her out of this would only make her think she can wriggle out of completing the mating with us.
Catch her hand if she strays too high. That’s what I was going to do, Linc offered. I’ll pay attention to the explanations now. If she turns back to me, you’ll be back on duty.
She’s definitely going to hear about this one when we get finished with this. And then I’m going to do some touching of my own. Colm stifled the low growl that was building.
I’ll be right there helping and participating, my friend. Want to wrestle to see who goes first? Linc’s suggestion was delivered with a hint of humor.
Colm smiled a little in spite of the fact that he couldn’t do anything to stop her at the moment. He knew that they wouldn’t be doing anything but focusing on their stubborn Lady when this ceremony finished. If she strayed above his knee, that hand was his. He wasn’t letting go until the judgment was over and everyone had left. It was good that they already knew most of what would be said.
She kept her touches confined to his lower leg mostly. Her fingers would tease as she scraped her nails across his skin and then she would retreat and almost pet him through the cloth of his pants. It was driving him insane.
He wanted more than those innocent touches. What really sent desire spiking through him was when she rested her head against his thigh. She’d nuzzle against him as if she’d found a really comfortable place to rest. He knew it wasn’t because she was tired. She’d occasionally glance at him from the corner of her eyes. He saw sheer determination and wicked intent in those beautiful gold eyes. Her plan was to provoke.
She’d definitely drawn a reaction and his teasing wasn’t going to be as subtle as hers. He took heart in the fact that she was pushing them when they were in such close quarters. She knew they could order everyone out at a moment’s notice even if she thought they probably wouldn’t. Her trust in them had grown. She wouldn’t have done this before. She’d have fumed and waited until they were in public again before chancing angering them.
At one point, her palm slipped up to his knee. Her fingers traced the seam of his pants. He didn’t take the time to wonder if she’d decide to get bolder. He took the opportunity to snag her wrist. He pulled her arm, forcing her to straighten.
Once she did sit up against the chairs again, he didn’t take the chance of even loosening his hold. She leaned over and nipped at him, obviously trying to startle him into releasing her hand, but the thick cloth of his pants blunted the sting. He gave a soft growl just to let her know he’d felt it and that he didn’t want it happening again.
She turned her head and met his eyes. Her lips pulled back in a snarl. He bit back a smile. She showed her anger openly. She was definitely moving past the fear that had ruled her at first. That thrilled and aroused him. She’d never be able to accept them if she feared them.
As the last man stepped up to tell his side of the story, Colm stroked his finger over the back of her hand. He kept his eyes on the man in front of them, but also kept his attention on the woman sitting in front of them. She hadn’t given up her mission to torment them. She simply couldn’t do it effectively while he had her hand. It was the major reason he wasn’t releasing her until this was over and they could talk without interruption.
To the man’s credit, he didn’t make excuses. He simply told the story, nodded to them and then stepped back among the other men to wait for their decision. If they hadn’t found out that this was almost a regular practice, it might have given them some cause to mitigate the punishment. Unfortunately, the man had been using his nightly duty on the wall as a time to have sex with a woman for weeks.
“It’s obvious that the failure of our defenses that night was not only from the absence of one man on the wall. If any of the other men present had stepped forward and said something or even told him that they would, it would have stopped.” Linc stood from his chair.
Colm rose as well, but he kept his hold on Cami’s hand. He expected her to do something, but surprisingly, she stayed still between them. Her hand was relaxed in his now, when before she’d constantly tried to pull it free.
Colm turned his eyes to the man who had been in charge of the night guard duty on the wall. “Two humans got into the Thent. There are two Santir out there who would love such an opportunity. You had a responsibility to lead these men and you didn’t do it. Before you are given such a position again, you’re going to have to prove you can handle it.”
“The entire group of you will be broken up and will not be working together,” Linc said with a hard look at all of the men. “As for you, Densel, you will work your way up again through the ranks. You have to prove that we can rely on you. It’s not going to be easy to earn back the trust that’s been lost.”
“You may go.” Colm dismissed them all and waited until the last of the men left the room. Finally, they were alone with Cami.
Releasing her arm, Colm stepped forward and then turned to face her. She rose to her feet. Her hands landed on her hips and her chin lifted to a proud, stubborn angle. The way she’d thinned her lips only made him want to kiss her. Now that was his woman.
“What part of ‘behave’ did you not understand?” Colm leaned forward, deliberately getting into her space to see how she’d react. He suspected that the shell of fear around her had cracked and might even be falling away.
She smiled and put her finger against his chest. “What part of ‘I don’t want to be here’ did you not get? I didn’t choose to be in here. If you didn’t like the way I sat there, maybe you should have sent me out of the room.”
“We don’t give in to bad behavior. It just encourages more.” Linc moved up beside Colm and shook his head.
“Next time, we’ll temporarily clear the room and put you over a knee. Since you’re ready to challenge us and push, we’re going to start treating you as a woman who can handle what we have to offer.” Colm smiled. He was more than ready to start doing that, but knew that even now, they’d need to move with a little more caution and gauge her reaction. As much as he’d like to throw off all restraint, he didn’t want to see the fear in her eyes again.
Her mouth worked and he knew she was trying to come up with some kind of response to his statement, something that would hold him back. She clearly hadn’t thought they would push right back.
“I won’t play nice if you try this again.” She bared her teeth at him.
The fact that she answered with a threat made him smile and sent a surge of lust through him. This was his mate. The sight of her eyes bright with emotion and the scent of both anger and desire lured him closer to her. He took a slow step forward. She stood her ground.
“Don’t even think about it.” She poked a finger against his chest.
“Nari, how can I resist when you’re daring me with every word and with the delicious scent of your arousal.” He let his hands slide over her arms.
He kept his touch light. She could pull away if she tried, but she didn’t so much as shrug. His fingers glided down her arms and circled her wrists. He lifted them and looped her hands over his shoulders. Her nails sank into his neck. He knew it was supposed to be a warning, but it excited him.
“Come on, Cami. You don’t want me? Step back and walk away.” He drew his palms down her sides, giving her every opportunity to do as he suggested. “Show me what you want.”
He saw Linc circle around to the side. Linc was close, but seemed to be careful about leaving her space if she wanted to step back from them. Cami’s eyes cut to the side. Emotions flickered across her face and through the gold of her eyes. He couldn’t catch all of them, but he definitely saw speculation and desire among the caution.
“Are you ready to show us what kind of woman we’ve got on our hands? Is that what today was about?” Linc drew his fingers across her cheek in a soft caress.
Her eyes flickered closed briefly, but then she seemed to gather herself. She glared at both of them. “That’s not what today was about. Are you blind? I wanted to show you that you can’t simply push me into this position and not expect me to push back.”
“That’s your way of putting it. Me, I see a strong woman finally ready to show us the real person she’s been hiding. You didn’t want to be here and you made us more than aware of it. You wouldn’t have done it before.” Colm smiled and let his hands smooth inward over her stomach.
She stared at him wide-eyed.
“I liked it. Under any other circumstances, I would have let you explore as much as you liked, but your effect on my body was intense, even if your touch was rather tame. You want to try it again?” Linc’s head cocked to the side and arched a brow at her. “Do you want to touch and be touched with both of us here this time?”
It was the first time they’d been together with her and pressed her sexually. Colm thought it was past time that they did. She needed to know with everything in her that she belonged with both of them. It wasn’t just one of them.
She licked her lips. His eyes followed the slick path of her tongue. He didn’t know if she was nervous, but the move was flat-out riveting and sexy. Sweeping his glance down her body, he noticed her hands clenching and flexing at her side.
His eyebrow raised, but he wouldn’t even begin to guess what was on her mind. Did she want to touch them or was she panicked? Even with that, he wasn’t going to back off before he had a chance to find out what she was thinking.
“I thought you were going to teach me to use focused magic.” Her eyes drifted lower to his chest.
Colm smiled as he realized she was interested in touching them. “We will, but we can do it after.”
“We won’t press you further than you’re prepared to go this time, Cami.” Linc combed his fingers through the hair along the side of her face. “Are you brave enough to take the chance?”
She took a deep breath as if she actually was gathering her courage. Colm flicked his eyes to the pulse point at her neck and saw it fluttering. Whatever she used to mask her scent messed up his ability to identify her emotions through scent, but he’d guess that it was nervousness. She slowly nodded.
“I want to touch too, not just be touched.” She swallowed heavily after making that admission.
“Feel free, nari. Touch anywhere you want. I’d love to have your hands on me.” Colm smiled. He’d love to have her touching him any way she wanted. Hands, mouth, body.
She lifted her head. “Both of you?”
“Yes, both of us.” Linc nodded and lifted his arms wide. “Feel free. I want you to feel free to come up and curl an arm around us or kiss us any time you want. You’re our mate.”
She opened her mouth, probably to deny it, but closed it again without saying anything. Colm let out a slow breath. He didn’t know how he would have reacted if she’d again denied their connection. Every time she did, the urge to prove just how strong the tie between them was grew more intense.
She looked back at the door. “No one will need you?”
“No one will come through that door without knocking. There’s nothing going on today that won’t wait.” Linc held out his hand. “We’re waiting. Are you going to take the chance?”
That chin lifted and her shoulders straightened. She narrowed her eyes and slowly took a step toward them. Apparently challenging her got a response almost every time. It was a good thing to know.
She hesitated and seemed to be trying to decide which one to touch. Her hands brushed up the front of Linc’s shirt. Colm simply watched, although he’d have loved to move in behind her and fill his hands with her breasts. He didn’t want to panic her when she was taking the first steps of being with both of them.
She needs to get accustomed to both of us touching her. Linc’s eyes met his.
Colm acknowledged that Linc was right about that, but still he wasn’t going to press her between them. I don’t want to panic her. She needs time to get accustomed to both of us.
What happened to maybe we were going too easy on her? Linc’s hand cupped the back of her head as he pulled her up for a kiss.
Different situation. If we panic her here, she’ll back away. It’ll take even longer to help her relax and accept us. Colm sidestepped and then approached from the side so that she’d have plenty of room to move if she needed. She needed to relax and accept them. He didn’t know why it was suddenly so important, but it had become one of his top priorities
Well, I wasn’t thinking about pushing too much. Not even f*cking her. But you may be right about pressing her between us being too much. I can’t wait until we can hold her that way. Linc brushed kisses over her cheeks and down her neck.
Cami wasn’t making it easy for his bond brother to maintain a conversation, Colm realized. She’d unfastened the buttons on his shirt and had pushed it wide. He saw her nails scrape over both of Linc’s nipples before sweeping around and flicking at the tips.
“I think giving her entirely free rein might be a mistake.” Linc gritted through clenched teeth.
“We haven’t really touched her yet though.” Colm smiled as Cami glanced over at him. He could see the sultry heat in her eyes. He wanted to watch that gaze turn molten with desire. She didn’t seem to be nervous or uncomfortable. She looked as if she was enjoying what she was doing.
“Why don’t you see how she likes your touch?” Linc grinned over him.
Colm knew the only reason he said it out loud was so that Cami would know that he was going to touch her. She turned her head a little and watched him, but she didn’t let up on running her hands over Linc’s chest and stomach. Each time her hand seemed to go lower. Linc’s hips rocked forward as if trying to urge her hands down to where he needed them. She seemed determined to tease.
That was probably a good thing for the moment. They needed to touch her and let her be at ease with both of them before she managed to strip away the last of his control. Colm wasn’t sure how she’d react. She’d only become accustomed to being with the two of them if they moved slowly and showed her the pleasure they could give her.
Colm let his hand lightly rest against her back to see how she reacted to having them both touch her. She didn’t even tense. His hand swept up her back and down again. He wasn’t going to take the time to work out why she seemed so at ease with him. Now that he had his hands on her, he wanted to feel the heat of her skin and hear how much she enjoyed his touch.
He stepped a little farther to the side so that he’d have more access to her shirt. He wanted to push it aside at the least, but he planned to try to get it totally out of the way. He brushed his fingers across her face. Her eyes widened a little, but she turned her head into his touch. A soft moan fell from her lips. He was good, but he knew a simple touch on the cheek couldn’t inspire that response. Glancing down, he saw Linc’s fingers tugging at her nipples through the fabric of her shirt. He smiled.
“Want to see those gorgeous mounds, Linc?” Colm asked on a growl, but didn’t wait for his bond brother to answer him. His fingers went to the top fastenings of her shirt.
“Oh, yeah, I think it’s only fair. She has my shirt open. Those little nails are killers.” Linc grinned and gave another tweak of her nipples.
She shivered, but apparently she decided on a little payback. The fingers of one hand found Linc’s nipple and plucked as the other dived down to cup the ridge of his cock. Linc groaned. His hips rocked forward in a silent demand. Colm was more than a little envious. He wanted her hands on him, but he also wanted to make her crazy and see the passion take away any thought of teasing. He intended to wrap her up in the feeling. The only thoughts in her head should be of the next moment and the feel of their hands and mouths on her.
When he pushed her shirt wide, he stared for a moment at the firm mounds. They were gorgeous. The dark tips were already tight and stiff. His mouth watered at the thought of sucking on them.
“Beautiful.” Linc’s voice rumbled with a growl.
Colm looked over and saw Linc’s eyes locked onto those lush curves. Colm could easily imagine the thoughts running through his bond brother’s head. He could spend hours enjoying those luscious mounds. Sucking and licking were just the beginning. He wanted to press them together and slide his cock between them as Linc drove deep into her p-ssy. The ache in his cock brought his attention back to reality. He had to focus on the present, because he knew they couldn’t go that far this time. Getting her at ease with the two of them was too important.
He looked to Linc and his bond brother nodded and stepped a little closer to the chair. Linc sent him a focused image of Cami sprawled across his lap as Colm knelt beside her. The idea sizzled through him, but he didn’t know if they’d be able to get her to go along with it. She might feel too trapped by the position. Still, he thought it would be better to ask than to simply do it when she became too wrapped up in her passion. If she panicked and bolted then, it would set them back even more than if the idea stopped her now.
Colm cupped the side of her cheek. “Do you think you could sit across Linc’s lap while we touch you without feeling trapped?”
She looked at Linc and then bit her lip. Colm was almost kicking himself for breaking the mood while she silently debated the request. Her eyes were big and he could see the desire slowly fading. Her hand smoothed over Linc’s chest and then she reached out to touch Colm’s jaw. Colm closed his eyes at the featherlight touch.
“I’ll try.” The two words came out slowly and in a voice so quiet that he wondered if he’d imagined them.
When she looked at him expectantly, he finally realized that it wasn’t wishful thinking. Linc eased back into the chair and held out his arms. She eased onto his lap and her gaze was locked on Linc’s face as if looking for something there. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight for a moment before loosening his hold and resting one hand behind her back, to brace her and letting the other drape over her skirt-covered leg.
Kiss her. I don’t want her to get too nervous about what’s going to happen. Linc let his hand slowly trail down to the bottom of the dark-blue skirt.
Colm knelt beside the chair. He gently cupped her chin and turned her face to his. He kept his touch light for a few moments giving her time to react to the touch. Her lips opened under his immediately and her tongue thrust against his lips in demand. He met the eager response without questioning her motives. He kissed her hard, letting her feel the possessiveness and urgency pumping through his veins.
Her fingers clenched in his hair, tugging him closer. She moaned under his lips and the sound shot through him. He let his fingers move up to her breast and cupped the full mound. Her back arched, pressing the lush flesh into his palm. He didn’t need any more encouragement. He swept his thumb over the stiff peak.
“Can I have a kiss now?” Linc’s voice jolted Colm.
He’d almost forgotten his bond brother was there. Colm lifted his head reluctantly and let her turn her head to Linc. He focused on the delicious curves of her breasts. He watched as his thumb flicked across her nipple. Her skin wasn’t quite as dark as his and he liked the contrast. Her darkened nipple tightened. He wanted to put his mouth over that crest. His mouth watered.
Lowering his head, he took the taut bud between his lips. His hand smoothed over her stomach. The muscles beneath his hand quivered and jerked as she lifted into his touch. He loved that responsiveness and looked forward to a time when she wasn’t held back by fear. He knew there would probably always be a moment or two when she was taken by surprise. There were moments for him and he hadn’t gone through anything similar to what she had.
Not wanting her to get too accustomed to one touch, he let his hand fall away from her breast and smoothed it over her belly. He felt her breath hitch. Scraping his teeth over her flesh, he drew his mouth up until the tip of her nipple barely touched his lips. He blew warm air across it and watched it tighten again. She shivered and then moaned long and low.
Colm lifted his head. He knew he hadn’t gotten her that revved up so quickly. Her teeth nibbled on her lip and her head arched back over Linc’s arm as she moaned again. He swept his eyes down her body and found that Linc had pushed her skirt up to her waist and slipped his hand between her thighs. Because of the cloth, Colm couldn’t see exactly what his bond brother was doing, but knew he was probably flicking at her * or working his fingers into her tight p-ssy.
Her legs widened a little in blatant invitation. He wanted to watch and savor the sight of Linc making her crazy with desire, but he also wanted to push her hunger higher himself. Her fingers smoothed over his arm and swept up to his shoulder. The sound of her panting breaths and the feel of her hand as she clenched his shirt in her fist thrilled him. She was touching and responding to both of them. It almost didn’t seem real.
He lowered his head and licked around the bud before lapping at that nipple. He played with it. His tongue licked around the sensitive tip before grazing it with his teeth. He savored the heat and softeness of her skin. His hand swept in teasing forays back to the other taut globe and then retreated just as she pressed up into his touch. Her taste was intoxicating. He knew that stepping back from her when she came was going to cost him. His cock already throbbed with the need to drive into her. He wanted to feel those inner muscles squeezing his cock again.
“Don’t you love those sounds?” Linc asked.
Colm looked up and didn’t try to hide his smile when another of those low, sexy moans rolled from her throat. The sound reminded him of a purr. He promised himself he’d hear that sound one day. They’d satisfy her so much that she wouldn’t be able to stop that contented rumble as she snuggled in their arms.
“Oh, yeah, but I want to hear her come.” He leaned over and took her lips in a swift, hungry kiss that only spiked his own need.
She whimpered when he pulled away and returned his lips to her breast. He drew the nipple into his mouth and sucked. His other hand squeezed the neglected breast. He flicked the hardened nipple with his thumb as his tongue swiped at her other taut peak. He’d liked to have given that one equal time with his lips, but knew the risk was too great. It would mean leaning over her. He didn’t want to make her feel trapped now.
Her back arched, pressing the peak deeper into his mouth. He scraped his teeth over it and plucked at the other nipple simultaneously. He felt her muscles tense as her climax rippled through her body. She tensed and a broken cry flowed from her lips. Shivers racked her body. He kept licking and sucking even as the pleasure washed over her, wanting to extend the bliss for as long as he could. His hands stroked over her belly in a slow, soothing motion.
When her breathing finally slowed and her heartbeat calmed, he lifted his lips and looked up at her. She blinked. Her gold eyes still held the slumberous heaviness of desire. Gods, she was beautiful.
He wanted to stroke his hand over her face. That would have to wait until she was a little more relaxed around them. He didn’t want to press her too much after the progress they’d made. She’d been very conscious of that scar on her cheek, he didn’t want to make her think about it now when she was so relaxed.
Linc helped her to sit and she swung her legs off the arm of the chair. Colm moved a little to the side so that she had a way out of their embrace if she wanted. Now that her desire had faded, her fear might return. Linc’s hand ran over her shoulder and he pulled her against him in a quick hug.
Colm wished she could be at ease with them all the time. The cautious distance she put between them at most times frustrated him. He wanted his mate at his side. Part of him wanted to drag her into their bed every night, but she had to realize that it was where she belonged. She had to claim them as much as they claimed her.
She looked up at him and a blush flared over her cheeks. He liked the rush of color and the shy smile she gave him. Rising to his full height, he backed away to give her room. She stood and smoothed her skirt down. Her eyes skittered away from his and she fidgeted a little. The nervousness was cute, but he didn’t want her embarrassed with them. He planned to have her flushed and aroused as often as possible.
“Now, are you ready to learn what to do with that focused energy you had earlier?” Colm asked with a smile. He was trying to keep her relaxed and at ease with them. He suspected that if he waited for her to say something, she’d try to put some distance between them.
She looked a little surprised and her eyes drifted down his body. He knew she was looking at the ridge of his cock. That look caused the throbbing ache to build. The temptation to stroke his palm over the bulge as she watched pushed at him. He knew doing that would cause more pain, but he wanted her to be comfortable with them as well as know the effect she had on them.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait?” Her eyes rose to meet his before skittering away as her cheeks darkened again.
“This is normal. Do you think we can pleasure you without becoming aroused ourselves? Impossible. I simply look at you and I want to take your clothes off and feast.” Colm shook his head. Even before he’d thought of her as his mate, he’d wanted her fiercely, but the intensity of the feelings had kept him from pursuing it. She was right. He hadn’t wanted to chance a true mating with a female. Somehow, he must have realized that the strength of his attraction to her was beyond normal lust.
“And it will become more intense once we finally manage to talk you out of the tools you’re using to hide your scent. We always want you and know you feel the same. The magic lesson is necessary. You’re focusing your power now without meaning to do it. We don’t want an accident to cause any setbacks to the confidence you’ve gained.” Linc rose easily from the chair, but stayed where he was.
“You mean that I might hurt someone if I get angry.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“That’s a possibility, but it’s not going to happen. We’re going to work with you and you’ll control it just as you do the rising power now.” Linc’s tone was firm and assured.
She looked between them for a moment and didn’t seem certain of what they’d said, but nodded. “What do I do?”
“It’s not too different from what you’ve been doing up to this point.” Colm stepped back, giving her room. As much as he’d like to be close to her, she’d need the space when she worked on this. He didn’t want anything to go wrong simply because he was too concentrated on her. She needed to learn this, not only to control her magic, but it would increase her ability to protect herself from Laed and Kynar.
“Focus is the first element. What were you thinking of when your hands became hot out there on the stairs?” Linc joined Colm, but his eyes never left Cami.
She tilted her head and Colm saw her straighten as a little of her earlier anger returned. He hadn’t wanted to remind her of that. It had been necessary to make her realize how she had done it. Aside from that, he knew that making her come wasn’t going to take away her anger.
“I wanted to blast you down the staircase.” She bit her lip as she made the admission.
“Doesn’t surprise me. We were being demanding and you didn’t want to follow orders. We knew you’d be furious.” Linc shrugged.
“So I’m supposed to become angry again?” She frowned and her hands flexed at her side. “I still am, but I don’t think I can get it up to that level again.”
“No, you don’t need to be angry. You won’t need any emotion fueling this and we’ll go with something that doesn’t involve bodily harm to either of us. We have plans for you. Injuries would interfere.” Colm raised an eyebrow wanting to see if she’d respond to his words.
“Can’t have anything interfere with your plans.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Now, how do I do this and what’s my target?”
Colm looked around and his eyes locked on the pillows on the floor. He went and picked a few. Taking them over to the wall near the doors, he lined them up. Looking back, he saw her smiling. It didn’t take much thought to know why she liked the idea of destroying those cushions.
“There are more pillows in the castle, you know.” He didn’t fight the grin curving his lips. “If we want you here again, you will sit in front of us.”
“We’ll see. Tell me what to do. I focus. I know there’s more than that. I want to be able to do this and more. I want to do everything.” She tilted her head and stared at him.
“Well, we need to teach you some basics before you can do everything, because what we’re going to do is relatively simple. Now focus on the pillows. I want you to visualize a circle of power in your palm. Concentrate, because the magic isn’t going to naturally form a ball,” Linc instructed quietly. “Focus, visualize and mold it to your will.”
It took her a little while. Colm watched as the energy formed in her palm, golden and glowing. It pooled and wavered in her hand. The details were important in building shields and more complex constructs.
“Cami, you’re not concentrating. Push it into a ball. It’s your magic. Make it do what you want it to do.” Linc’s voice was firm but encouraging.
She shot a glare at Linc before looking down at her palm. Colm pressed his lips tightly together to keep from chuckling at her expression. She was so damn cute with that determined frown and the narrowed eyes. The magic pulsed in her hand and tightened into a pulsating oval. She growled as it collapsed into a blob again in her palm.
“You’re trying too hard. It’s not what you see with your eyes. Picture a ball in your mind and then fill the ball with the magic,” Colm suggested.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment then straightened her shoulders. When her eyes flickered open again, she looked down at her palm. This time the power pulsed and jumped only once before flowing upward into a tight ball. A smile curved her lips. He thought she was going to lose her focus with the success, but she managed to keep control. The glowing ball of magic remained in her palm.
“Now what do I do with this? Throw it?” She looked over at him and then Linc.
“Throwing it isn’t necessary. Visualize and then will it to do what you want. It’s much easier and more accurate than physically hurling the ball. Concentrate.” Linc nodded toward the pillows. “Now, show us what you can do.”
“The reason I’m here is because I don’t know what to do,” she muttered. “Will it to do what I want, I know…”
She continued muttering beneath her breath. Colm didn’t catch the rest of what she said, but knew it was probably something a little violent. Her temper was definitely showing lately. He didn’t mind it. That emotion heralded healing and deeper feelings. Both very good things.
The ball hovered over her hand for a moment and then slammed into the pillow. Colm nodded. She’d picked it up fairly fast. It didn’t surprise him. She was serious and determined to master something once they introduced it to her. With practice, he knew she’d be able to strengthen it and make it into a formidable weapon. Without waiting for them to tell her, she formed another orb and slung it at another pillow.
“I think you have the idea now. We’ll practice and teach you more, later.” Colm walked over and brushed his fingers across her cheek. “Ready to go out and get back to hiding from us?”
“I wasn’t hiding from you.” She frowned and put a hand on his chest. “Just trying to get a little time away from something I felt was going to cause a change that I might not want.”
“Same thing.” Colm smiled, simply to see the flush of temper rise on her cheeks.
“It’s not. If I wanted to hide from you, I could have.” Her finger poked right above his nipple as if emphasizing her words. “Now open the door and remove whatever you did to keep me in here. I think I’ve had enough alone time with you two.”
“You know, I think I might have to make you eat those words one day.” Linc brushed his hand over her hair. “The shielding spell is gone. You’ll be able to get out the door now.”
“We’ll talk and more again after we eat tonight.” Colm reluctantly stepped away from her.
“Maybe.” She grinned and began to walk toward the doors.
Colm watched the sway of her hips. They’d definitely spend some time with her, maybe even convince her to spend the night with them.