As we walked through the trees, large, luminescent moths fluttered around us. They were beautiful, fluttering in the air around the gnarled tree branches. The trees themselves seemed to breathe, emanating a wisdom I’d only ever seen in sentient beings.
“This place is special,” Rafe said. “Even I can feel it.”
I smiled. “It really is.”
We reached the middle of the grove, which was marked by a circle of thick green moss. I had to guess that the space had been cultivated long ago by the witches who’d lived here because it was so round and devoid of trees.
“It’s perfect,” I murmured as I walked into the middle of the clearing.
Rafe followed, and I turned to him.
All around, wind rustled through the leaves. They seemed to sing a wordless song that filtered through my soul, making me feel connected to the island and the power within it. I’d thought I might call Poa to me once I arrived—she’d refused to ride in the boat—but there was so much power in the air that it was unnecessary. In fact, I didn’t think I could handle any more power.
Rafe stopped in front of me, and I looked up at him. There was an intensity to his eyes that had nothing to do with the magic. When his gaze lingered on my lips, I couldn’t help but think of the kiss we’d shared that night after the bar. Everything in me ached to stand on tiptoe and press my lips to his. From the heat in his eyes, he was thinking something very similar.
As if to remind me of my purpose, a sparkling shimmer of silver magic darted between our faces. I gasped, laughing slightly.
“You’re the most joyful person I’ve ever met,” he said, and there was the faintest tone of wonder to his voice. It was entirely unexpected.
“It’s easy to be so when I’m here.” I smiled up at him.
“Not just here.” He shook his head, as if reprimanding himself for what he’d said. “What do I need to do for this spell to work?”
“Right.” I cleared away any thoughts of romance and raised my hand to press it to his chest. “May I?”
He nodded.
I laid the flat of my palm against him, then frowned. “I think…”
I trailed off, but he finished the sentence for me. “I need to take off my shirt, don’t I?”
I nodded, blushing slightly. I really shouldn’t be blushing—it was downright ridiculous. But I just couldn’t help it. Being close to him made me think all kinds of thoughts I didn’t want to share. Unfortunately, my face had other ideas, because it just loved broadcasting my embarrassment to the world. I could feel the heat flushing my cheeks.
He reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, revealing the smooth planes of muscle that my fingertips itched to touch. I’d never objectified anyone so much in my whole life as I did with Rafe, but I’d also never been around someone so insanely beautiful. He was a work of living art.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That I need to do my laundry.”
“Mm-hmm.” His murmur of agreement was clearly disbelieving, and when I looked up to meet his gaze, the heat in his eyes had only flamed hotter.
This was so not the place. Dark was falling, and I could smell rain on the air. I needed to do my thing before the weather turned and we were forced to leave.
“Here goes nothing,” I said, raising my hand to press my palm to his skin.
Just like last night, my hand tingled, and heat raced up my arm. His breathing stilled as if he were holding it. I realized that I was holding my breath, too, and forced myself to inhale. Sweet, rain-damp air entered my lungs, and I called upon my magic.
It filled me with such a rush of power that I gasped and had to press my hand harder to Rafe’s chest to keep from being blown away from him. A vision flashed in my mind, bright and clear. Rafe and a woman stood within a circle of massive standing stones, each rock tall and straight, their sides decorated with sacred carvings.
I know this place.
Then darkness took me.
Chapter
Twenty-One
Rafe
Thunder cracked as Isobel collapsed to the mossy ground. My fear spiked, and I dropped to my knees. “Isobel!”
I cradled her head, searching her pale face for any sign of consciousness. Her skin had turned white right after surprise had flashed in her eyes, and she’d passed out. Now, dark shadows colored the hollows beneath her eyes.
“Isobel, wake up.” I lifted her to me, cradling her against my chest. Fear like I’d never known surged through my veins as lightning struck far in the distance.
I was a curse.
I’d hurt her just like I’d hurt the Jade Sorceress, and I hadn’t even realized it would happen.
In my arms, Isobel jerked and gasped, pulling back slightly to look up at me. Her voice shook as she said, “I saw where she performed the spell.”
“I don’t care about that. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She gave a shaky little laugh. “More than okay. I feel great, actually.”
“Great? You just collapsed.”
“It was the magic. I couldn’t handle it.” She patted the moss next to her. “Anyway, the ground is soft.”
“If you say so.” I looked her up and down, searching for any sign of injury. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m sure.” She pushed herself to her feet, and I joined her.
Lightning struck again, and I counted the seconds until I heard the thunder. It still wasn’t raining, but the storm was coming. The houses I’d seen on our hike up here weren’t nearly sound enough for us to weather a storm at this time of year. “I didn’t see this storm on the forecast, but we should leave before it arrives. It could be a big one.”
“Agreed. I don’t think I can handle more magic tonight, anyway, and I’ve got a good lead for us to follow.”
As long as there was a storm threatening, I couldn’t think about my curse. I was more concerned with getting her to safety. I grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Let’s go.”
We hurried from the clearing, and she released my hand to more easily navigate down the narrow path that led to the dock. The wind whipped up as we ran, and I kept my eye on the storm, which rolled closer with every minute. We were nearly to the dock when Isobel tripped on a loose rock. She stumbled and fell, crying out.
“Isobel!” Fear lanced me once again, and I knelt by her side. “What hurts?”
“My ankle.” She pointed to her right ankle, her face scrunched in pain.
“I’m going to pick you up.” Before she could protest, I swept her into my arms and raced for the boat. The scent of rain grew heavier in the air, and I knew the storm was only a few miles away.
“Will we make it back in time?” she asked as I stepped onto the deck and lowered her to the bench on the starboard side of the cockpit.
I looked at the lightning that cracked in the distance, counting the seconds before I heard the thunder. “We should, just barely.”
“Good. Those houses didn’t look sound,” she said, glancing up the steep hill to where they sat.
I untied the lines and tossed them aboard, then turned on the engine and piloted us away from the dock. I’d memorized the route around the rocks and was able to go much faster as we left the island.