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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Stella Brie
Read between
September 27 - September 28, 2021
“Do you mind if we join you?” Theron asks quietly, considerate as usual. Standing tall with his arms relaxed at his side, I almost believe the picture in front of me, until I see the tightness around his eyes. “I might require a toll,” I tease. Interest sparks in his eyes. “I see. Before I pay, can I get a hint?”
Knowing he expects me to ask for a kiss, I decide to have some fun. Staring into his violet eyes, I slowly walk my fingers down his suit and answer, “Would jeans for a week be too much to pay?” I almost laugh at the pained consternation on his face. Rolling my eyes, I decide to let him off the hook. “Fine, I won’t torture you. How about a kiss?” His cool, firm lips capture mine, and I slide right into his icy depths, instantly wanting more from this enigmatic male.
Last night, Agnes pulled each one of us aside and gave us the coordinates to our destination and instructions for what to do when we get there.
She called in Lara first, who came out smiling about ten minutes later.
Then Aileen went in and returned shortly after, and she...
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She called for Sima, but their conversation lasted much longer than ten minutes. When Sima came out, she was clutching a piece of paper, a me...
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Next, Agnes requested Fiona. After their discussion, Fiona exited with a piece of paper in her hand and a medallion, but instead of a smile, tears were flowing like a river down her cheeks. Deep sadness was etched into her face,
When she started speaking, she didn’t stop until it was all laid bare. She told me about Gemma Perrone and her visions. The fall of the MacAllister witches and the subsequent eradication of us from everyone’s memory. The reason she had been training the five of us, witches and orphans, for the last year. The purpose of the medallions. Shock rendered me speechless, and I remember staring at her in horror. Only the five of us will survive the first wave of the massacre, and of us five, only one will ultimately survive to carry the MacAllister lineage forward. She continued to explain about the
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Before I left, I gave her a fierce hug. I’m in awe of her, our matriarch, standing tall against the incoming tide, knowing what comes on the other side. I feel a fierce, unending gratitude for the chance I’ve been given to survive. I don’t smile or cry when I leave. I take my cue from Agnes. I stand tall and face the world with determination and resolve. Regardless of my destiny, I will not let her down.
I met the most insufferable male today who thinks he’s a gift from the goddess to all of us poor females. Given the number of women flocking around him, I can see why he might think we’d all be willing to wait on him hand and foot. I’ve better things to do.
The following entries are a hilarious account of her antagonizing the king’s son, Conall Balinor. Over time, her tone changes from exasperation to love, and they find their mates in each other.
My husband took him behind the house, where they spoke for a long time. When they shook hands, I assumed a deal was struck, but instead of coming back into the house, they entered the blacksmith shop, and for the next three days, worked together in the forge.
The puck’s fine linen sleeves were casually rolled up and sweat dripped down his face in rivers, but his expression was fierce and focused as he swung the hammer and pounded the metal. He created and forged each initial piece, and when finished, he would pass it to my husband, who would start bending and layering intricate details into the metal until the puck was satisfied. While they worked, I could see their magic coalescing in the air, green from my husband and a sparkly golden aura I assume came from the puck. When they finished, they presented the three beautiful daggers they had crafted
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I am the MacAllister survivor. My daughter will live, and through her, so will the MacAllister line.
It’s stunning how a few hundred words can impact you. Six words were all Catriona needed to hear to find peace. For me, the words on this page confirm the Killian blades and my destiny are intrinsically tied together. We have a purpose.
The journal and blades were hidden in the forge, so we took them, left everything else, and started over in a new location. We never felt safe again. Over the years, we maintained absolute secrecy until my son, your father, met and fell in love with a witch named Gia.
Faced with a monumental task, Catriona not only survived, but thrived. She knew love, laughter, and the joy of being a mother. Through it all, she faced her destiny with the same grace and determination she exuded the day she walked out of the Kingdom of Dragons. I’m proud to be her legacy.
Finally, I spot a door with two guards in front of it which must be his. I walk up and request to see Vargas. “Run along, witch,” the burly demon demands with a sneer. “Vargas has no use for your kind.” He glances at the soldier standing guard on the other side of the door, and they both chuckle. “Although, if you want to come back in about three hours, I’d be happy to take care of you.” His hand drifts down to his crotch to convey his meaning. Why would Vargas assign these morons to guard his door? And why does he need guards in Lucifer’s house anyway?
“You’re sure this is what you want to do? It’s serious between you and Arden? What about Astor?” Lucifer questions someone in the room. “Absolutely. Astor too,” Daire confirms. “I don’t want any more incidents like this morning, but it’s more than a protective action. I want to claim her in front of everyone, and an announcement would make it official. I’m sure Astor will agree.” “I see. Will you give her the Mate’s Kiss?” Lucifer probes quietly. “No,” Daire replies, his voice raw with emotion. “I can’t.”
Shock fills my face. I’m astonished to see how easily she neutralized a succubus’ power. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone able to neutralize a succubus. Resist, maybe, but it’s as if her seductive magic has no power. Letti steps back in fear. “You’re not allowed to touch him. In fact, if you try to touch or talk to him again, I’ll permanently take away your power and put up a billboard to inform the entire Underworld. I’m sure your past victims would love to hear you’re defenseless,”
“For the record, I don’t care about his past, only his future, which belongs to me. He’s mine.”
“They’re both mine. I claim them. Now, get the hell out of our way.” The crowd laughs when Letti stumbles to the side. My incubus quietly chants in the background. Hers. Mine. Ours. Screw the exit. Against market rules, I open a portal directly back to my room, leaving Letti and the past behind.
I expect you to own your feelings and be upfront with me in all matters. And whether it’s Witchwood or the Underworld Market, stop letting me drag you to places full of triggers.” She leans over and cups my head in her hands. “You’re mine. Both of you. And. I. Am. Yours.” Darkness explodes out of me. I drag her off the bench and into my arms, raining kisses all over her. Thank you, goddess, I repeat over and over to the one who answered my prayers.
sliding in and out, while his thumb moves in circles on my nub. “That’s it, gorgeous. Beautiful. I’m going to give you everything you need. Are you ready?” My hips piston rapidly, meeting every thrust of his fingers, and I nod. “Look at me,” he commands. “Fuck, I want to be inside you so badly, but seeing you like this enthralls me. The flush across your body, the low moans falling uninhibited from your sweet lips, and the small quivers I feel with each stroke keeps me on my knees, desperate to give you everything you
He glares at Daire. “Remember a declaration without action lacks substance.” Turning back to me, he takes my hand and drags me away.
“Arden Karth, witch and dark elf, daughter of Vargas and Solandis, sister to Callyx, mate to Valerian, King of Dragons, heart of the Imperium Cadre, and member of Lucifer’s royal court,”
Member of Lucifer’s royal court? I glance at the two beside me. I guess this is the statement Daire was referencing earlier. Feels rather formal and impersonal. A muscle ticks in Astor’s jaw, but his face is impassive. Daire flashes me a smile, but I’m not sure why the title pleases him so much. It would have been nice if Daire had consulted with me before the announcement, but it’s too late now.
“Let’s shake things up, shall we?” I quip, twirling around to face Astor. My dress flares out, and in a flash, changes from black to red. Throwing my head back, I laugh and circle Astor, then fold myself into his arms. We sway for a minute, but when the music picks up, we start dancing in a circle around Daire. “Do you like my final surprise?” Astor asks, a wicked smile gracing his lips. He motions to the dress. “I love you in red.”
Daire inhales deeply, then stills. “Your desire is driving me to the edge,” he whispers into my ear, his hands gripping mine. “Why do you feel the need to push my limits?” He yanks me closer with a snarl, and we stand there, staring into each other’s eyes.
This moment is pivotal for him and us. I don’t expect him to put me first all the time, but he asked his father to make Astor and me members of his royal court. He didn’t declare his love. A public gesture, the kind only a lover would make, would cement my status in his life and his in mine.
“I claim both Arden and Astor. Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks to touch or take what is mine.”
Gripping the lapels of his jacket, I bring his attention back to me. “This goes both ways, you know. You’re mine too.”
“When I was growing up, your father would entertain me with stories from your childhood, but I didn’t know you were already grown. In my imagination, we were friends. In my teens, I even had a crush on you.” I smile at my younger dreams, with Daire playing the starring role of knight in shining armor. “It was a shock to meet you in person. You were devastatingly handsome but an arrogant jerk and nothing like I’d imagined. Every inch the First Vampire and Prince of the Underworld, you were a stranger instead of the boy from Lucifer’s stories.”
“So I watched and learned. It helped to see you with the cadre because you’re yourself around them, and your worst traits were walls you put up to hold the world at a distance. My attraction to you started changing from purely physical to something more, but the battle is where I started to fall for you. You were magnificent. It allowed me to see everything you’d been hiding.”
“The tremendous love and loyalty you have for the cadre, your father, and his people is inspiring. The strategy and leadership you displayed on the battlefield, your willingness to fight at the side of your men, and saving me, of course,” I admit with a chuckle. “And the…breathtaking way you fight.” I lick my lips in memory. “I knew I wanted more of you. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me, though.”
“You tugged at a side of me I thought banished long ago and I didn’t want to feel again, especially for a witch. It was so human. I tried to stay away from you, but I was drawn to you, and the more I watched you, the more I wanted. When you joined the battle, I was furious…and terrified. I knew I’d been fighting a lost cause.”
“I must admit, I find the vampire part of you very sexy, especially the biting part, but the prince thing…I couldn’t care less. After all, I’m mate to the King of Dragons.”
“True, I’m a lowly prince and one of several royals in your life.” He cocks his head. “You find the vampire sexy?” “Mmm… It’s a toss-up between the wings and fangs, but getting to see and feel your emotions? Game changer,” I tease him.
“Your fierce feelings for them floor me, even if they don’t all know it.”
“We need to sit down and develop a plan, but I wanted to bring you up to speed first. It will take every favor owed to us and all our resources to go up against a queen. One shot is all we’ll get.”
“I’ve never met the dark Fae queen, but with the only other option being Nyssa, a stranger would be better.”
“I didn’t think about creating a new stone,” she admits. “According to the journals, it would take a tremendous amount of power to fuel the current stone because of the number of witches the magic supports. When it was created, it only had to support the MacAllister witch and her daughters. We may not have enough power to do it, but you’re right—we should try.
I could give them the old stone and explain the repercussions to them. If they don’t change, I don’t want to be a part of their coven anyway.”
“I’ll add the task to our list. It will require all three of you—Arden, Astor, and Valerian, I assume?” When Astor dips his head, I move on.
Essentially, pucks have a myriad of powers mostly involving the mind—manipulating thoughts, foresight, telekinesis, the ability to influence emotions, and read minds.”
“Based on the way it’s worded, it doesn’t seem like they can read your thoughts, but through images and emotions, they can figure out what you’re thinking.” “That’s fucking scary,” Valerian remarks, his voice hard with worry.
“Sorry, I’m a bit…peeved. Fallon can’t text me back, but he can send you improvements for my training?” I wave a hand when Theron opens his mouth. “Please, don’t.
I want to scream in frustration. My magic sparks in reply. Not only am I fighting each of them, but I’m also fighting to keep my magic from spilling out and joining the battle.
“I begged Astor to take me to Underworld Market.” Violet eyes narrow sharply. “I sincerely hope he said no,” he says coolly. “You’re as bad as Vargas,” I tell him with a roll of my eyes. “It was fabulous and chaotic. A riot of sounds, colors, and smells designed to sweep you away to an exotic world. Astor even told me about the hidden black market, but we didn’t go,” I add, rushing to reassure him. “The ice cream was particularly exceptional.”
Tilting my head, I assess the large manor in front of me, its cream walls mellowed with age and gleaming golden in the afternoon sunlight. A beacon for witches? For the right witch, maybe. For others, like Astor, it’s a place of cruelty and nightmares. Acceptance or rejection. Two words. One lifts you up, and the other destroys you.
