- •Independence, intelligence, and unique beauty of modern women. My heroes all have one thing in common:
- •375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, usa
- •I would like to thank Mark Stelljes, the rosarian I consulted as I researched this book. Mark, your information
- •Incredibly erotic dream of my life. I really didn’t give a damn what his face looked like.”
- •Instead of answering her, Mikki twirled an errant strand of thick, copper-colored hair and bought time by
- •It was a solid friendship, founded in trust and mutual respect. And Mikki had no idea why she was so hesitant
- •Intended to turn his face to hers—to open her eyes and to finally, finally see him. Then she had touched them.
- •I was crossing the street, and I heard something weird behind me.”
- •Incredibly articulate like ‘Whoo-hoo! You are one hot mamma, Red.’ That effectively killed the fantasy.”
- •I’m more horny than horrified.” She bit her bottom lip. “Is that awful?”
- •Vibrant, deep blue. If hope had a color, it would be the blue of the old woman’s eyes, and Mikki was struck
- •Very hardy. It makes a great hedge, and it blooms for almost four straight months.”
- •Is your name, my dear?”
- •Its light. Slate blended with mauve and coral in the fading day. Mikki knew the colors would wane quickly,
- •I aothing cd hide within it for long. Mikki opened the knife. The little blade was honed to a razorlike edge,
- •Volunteers at the Rose Gardens noticed it, Mikki would simply smile her way through their admonishments
- •In the psychic? I don’t remember Nelly saying anything about that.”
- •Insightful and well educated. They create worlds filled with strong, passionate women and honorable, heroic
- •It was exhilarating!
- •Intrigued, she searched her memory for details of Medea’s story. She vaguely remembered that the play was
- •I will love my sons and daughters, and adore the gods.”
- •Into her throat, so that when she continued the invocation, her voice strengthened and magnified. Had she
- •It took several minutes for Mikki’s cheeks to cool down. She could easily imagine the blazing red of her
- •Imposingly between the archway she had just walked beneath and the second stone archway, which framed
- •It only took a second for her to work the Band-Aid free from her left palm. The cut was already scabbing
- •It was so silent that Mikki imagined a soundless bubble had been formed around her made of roses and cool
- •It’s just a delusion, she reminded herself firmly. Nothing more than a symptom of my overactive imagination.
- •Inviting suddenly beat against them in a frenzy of scent and sound. They were caught in a vortex of
- •Impossible. Home was a nice little apartment in a great location, not a room fit for a princess. Mikki’s
- •Intermingled with ornate trees, hedges, fountains and statuary. In the heart of the gardens she thought she saw
- •If that were true, then it didn’t matter whether she chose to stay or return. Either way she was screwed
- •It smelled like home.
- •If you understood who we were when Nera and I welcomed you, but surely you know who we are now that
- •I had no idea I was a Priestess of Hecate until the goddess told me so herself. So it’s not just that I don’t
- •Voluptuous. Her body was lush; the blue silk lapped around her like translucent waves. Petite Aeras wore
- •In the center of the circle near the heart of the goddess’s flame.”
- •I think of movement and invisible power. It is a contradiction—a paradox. It cannot be contained, but it can
- •Inspired by the element’s personification, Mikki continued, “Fire is passion and heat. It consumes, but it also
- •In warmth and security, as if her mother’s arms were once again around her. With a catch in her voice, Mikki
- •Impulse or hesitate until she could second guess herself. Mikki danced. Within the circle she twirled and
- •In the midst of the sacred circle.
- •In his arms as the power of the goddess transported them to Hecate’s realm. He closed his eyes and leaned
- •In response to the flexing of his muscles, pain shot through his arms and chest. He welcomed it. The pain
- •Vigilant. He had been tireless in his devotion. And he had been alone, even during the brief moments when he
- •In the casting of a circle. She would not know that she must ground herself and use food and drink to
- •It was only when she stopped dancing that Mikki felt the return of her sick dizziness. So many women . . .
- •Illuminate. Its light danced off a crystal goblet filled with dark red wine. She lifted it, admiring the elaborate
- •In the darkest shadows, washing around her and causing the hair on her body to prickle. “It is a belief to
- •It was totally fucking Loony Tunes.
- •Is not appropriate. What I did for you is out of duty. It is why Hecate called me into her service. Do you
- •Instantly, he halted. “Have care where you step. The glass can cut through the soles of your slippers.” The
- •Impossible that I was aware again. At first I sensed you, but I could not see you. I only knew your presence.”
- •It was so beautiful that it weakened the disbelief and cynicism she had learned from a very young age to carry
- •Intelligent gray eyes looked unnaturally mature and out of place in the goddess’s smooth young face. “I rarely
- •I may be older, but that also means I’ve lived through more experiences, so I suggest they watch their silly
- •Important in either her mother’s or her grandmother’s life. Not that either of them hadn’t been wonderful,
- •Interior? Now she was saying that beauty was everything.
- •Vast forest, a kind of netherworld, which is the crossroads between reality and magick. On one side of the
- •Instincts, Mikado. Allow your spirit and the knowledge held in your blood to guide you, and you will do well .
- •Various other types of mantles.” Taking a wide, soft brush from the vanity dresser, Gii fussed with Mikki’s
- •Voice rumbled intimately between them. If‘Ђfro
- •Inexperienced young girl, had called him back to her without knowing for sure what she wanted to say.
- •It’s your turn to listen and answer.”
- •I can’t do it on my own, so the women are going to have to help me.”
- •Ignored the lingering soreness in her body and the vague nausea she seemed unable to get rid of and looked
- •Ignoring Gii’s sudden surprised intake of breath, Mikki tilted her head in what she liked to think was a
- •I have to finish up here and then take a bath or something because I am definitely a mess and—”
- •It seemed that these roses were greener and healthier than those in the rest of the realm. Beyond the beds of
- •It was true, but she squelched the thought, pulling her mind from the beast to the mystery that surrounded the
- •I’ll definitely need you in the morning. I’m going to have breakfast with the four Elementals. Could you be
- •Instead of being included in one of their groups at lunch . . .
- •In handy in your line of work.”
- •If he was afraid of crushing it.
- •It’s a great resource for me. Now I don’t have to worry about not knowing my way around.” She couldn’t
- •In entering her bed, the very thought of which was abhorrent to her. The sight of me was a constant reminder
- •I should not be here with you.”
- •It was impossible between them because he was making it that way. It was as if there was some kind of
- •If she asked the goddess outright and Hecate commanded her to stay away from him, then what would she
- •In return; she had shivered beneath his lips.
- •If he would be the only one to pay the price, he would gladly do so. He knew it for truth, even though the
- •Imagined that she was preparing to summon the Elementals and begin her day. He, too, must begin his. She
- •Ink, and she’d drawn her own considerably less-attractive lines to quarter the blueprint. “As I said before,
- •In the dirt as she demonstrated exactly how the earth needed to be worked around the roots of the bushes.
- •It had taken Mikado longer to inspect the southern section of the gardens. The roses were more ill there,
- •Its shadows to him and attempt to cloak himself from prying eyes. There he would rest and perhaps drink
- •Intoxicating than wine could ever be. Then he realized what she had said and commanded himself to stop
- •It was the exact green of her eyes. She knew it flattered her, just as she knew Daphne had brought it to her at
- •It was okay for her to touch him. But his only movement was the pounding of his heart and the drawing of his
- •View of the torch-lit gardens. The north side of the hall held door after door, each ornately carved with mystic
- •If they like the wish, they turn it into a dream.”
- •Is a dream you will grant.”
- •In Tulsa when you started coming to me in my dreams—and I didn’t even know the man within you then.
- •It was not enough! The beast within him roared.
- •Into stone. She pulled away, but only by a hand’s width, so she could meet his eyes.
- •Into the marble troughs that stretched from its base outward and all the way to the four corners of the
- •Invoked the spells?” Gii said.
- •Imagine what was going to go on in the women’s wing tonight. I wish the same thing was going on in my
- •Is that Crete?”
- •Into the realm.”
- •In the middle of which sat a huge pallet covered with more pelts. This is where he sleeps. The thought sent a
- •Voluptuous swell of her ass.
- •Imagined knowing the joy of.”
- •It is your love that sustains us.” He closed his eyes and buried his head in her hair, willing himself not to
- •In the mundane world. He would still be without her, but Asterius could live with that. He would miss her for
- •Inhumanly feral grace that the comparison was jarring. She didn’t desire the golden man, but she did feel a
- •In some harmless flirtation. And why not? She felt amazingly pretty and completely loved. But that didn’t
- •It is not. Perhaps he will choose to keep you to himself while we visit the women in the rest of your pathetic
- •Instantly, Asterius checked his attack.
- •It is the goddess you must beseech in the future.” Without another word, the Titan disappeared from the
- •Very much alive. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet her lover’s.
- •Victory for them. If they can taint your life, even after they’ve been banished, then they haven’t truly been
- •Idiot! Do you have bandages? Ugh—some of these look like they need stitches. There has to be a doctor in
- •In the barely controlled strength of his thrusts. Mikki didn’t close her eyes. She wanted to see him, to watch
- •Violently. Mikki pulled back to see that his eyes were closed and tears were slowly tracking their way down
- •Violence was left to disturb you.” Gii’s voice shook, and her face was deathly pale. “They’re dying, Empousa.
- •Varieties, with their double blooms and abundant midseason and fall repeat blossoming. But why had these
- •Irrigation for the realm. Is that true?”
- •In the spring they would grow back and be healthier and hardier than before. Roses were survivors—not the
- •Imagine it, and so she refused to think about it. She would do what she had to do when the time came. Until
- •Into the walls of the cave and lighting more torches until the bedroom was alive with warmth and light. He
- •Into the heart of the gardens. Mikki didn’t allow her mind to wander. She hurried up the stairs, barely glancing
- •Into Asterius’s bed . . .
- •I began to hope that perhaps Hecate had allowed me to live for so longt o±ђ† for another reason.” Sevillana’s
- •Is only part of my name. I rarely use my family name—it is too difficult for me to hear it and to know that I
- •Very least, forced me back to face Hecate’s wrath. Instead, he said one small thing and then stepped aside and
- •It all made horrible sense. Asterius’s behavior when they first met and were attracted to each other . . . How
- •Into the meadow, followed by a group of young, beautiful women. Their flowing chitons were draped
- •In the shadows, Hecate smiled and patted one of her great beasts on his dark head.
- •Into eyes that were so big and blue and beautifully dark lashed that she suddenly and moronically forgot her
- •I’m not sure whether to get her another dog, get her some Prozac or take her for a visit to the pet psychic.”
- •Interested in women like me.”
Into stone. She pulled away, but only by a hand’s width, so she could meet his eyes.
“Your lips are warm,” she said, still whispering.
“Yours—yours are unimaginably soft.” He somehow got the words free from where they had lodged in his
throat.
“May I kiss you again?”
He knew she could feel his body trembling under the uncommon and bittersweet pleasure caused by the
weight of her small hands. Not trusting himself to maintain control of his voice, he nodded.
This time her lips lingered. With a supreme effort of will, he pushed aside the white-hot jolt of pain and drank
her in. Her scent filled his senses. Mikado was sweet rose spice and warm mortal woman, and she was
touching him—kissing him—almost in his arms. It was more intoxicating than any of the magick he had at his
command.
“It’s better if you kiss me back,” she murmured against his lips.
As he had watched so often in other men’s dreams, he opened his mouth slightly and tilted his head. When
her tongue flicked briefly against his, Asterius’s body responded automatically. With a growl that changed to
a moan, he dropped the palla so the luminous threads spilled all around them on the stairs. His hands came up
and circled the gentle curve of her waist. She leaned farther forward so her full breasts pressed against the
leather of his cuirasse. He could feel the heavy heat of them, just as he could taste her. He wanted her with a
lust that was as white hot as the agony that was coupled with his desire. His pulse pounded in his temples as
his blood surged in streams of liquid fire through his body. There was nothing in the world except
Mikado—her touch, her taste, her heat. He had to have her. Even if the pain destroyed him, he had to have
her! He had to bury himself in her and pump an eternity of need into her seductive warmth. Her arms went
around his shoulders, and the kiss deepened. He slid one hand up the smooth line of her back as the other
dropped down to cup her eme±Ђ†irresistibly round ass and bring her closer, holding her tightly against his
throbbing length.
Ah, Goddess! He’d never felt anything like the delicious pain of having her body pressed against his.
His pain-filled and lust-fogged mind didn’t register her first cry. He only heard the second because she had
begun to struggle to get away from him. Breathing hard, he forced himself to lift his mouth from hers. Then he
smelled blood. Her blood. He stared at her lips. They looked swollen, bruised. One was cut and bleeding. Her
eyes were wide and she, too, was panting for breath.
“No!” he growled. Releasing her, he staggered back a step.
She took a shaky step back, too, so her body pressed against the banister. When her back touched the marble,
she winced.
“What have I done?” he rasped.
“Your claws . . .” she began, her voice sounding unnaturally shrill. “You must have scratched me.”
He looked down at his hands. His claws were fully extended. His eyes shot to her. Oh, Goddess! Please no!
Please don’t let me have harmed her!
“Let me see your back,” he said, but when he started to move toward her, she jerked back another step away
from him. He stopped, as if she had driven a stake through him, impaling him into place.
“It’s fine. I’m sure I’m fine.”
Mikado’s eyes were filled with fear—and something else. Something he was sure he recognized—loathing.
He knew the look too well. He’d seen it the night the other Empousa had rejected him. Her eyes, too, had told
him she feared and loathed the beast. Slowly, making no further move to touch her, he collected the spilled
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threads, gathering them into the palla. Then he straightened and walked down the staircase before allowing
himself to look at her again. She was still standing with her back pressed to the banister, watching him with
wide, stunned eyes.
“I did not mean to hurt you. I do not ask you to forgive me, because I know that is not possible, but I do ask
you to try to believe that I did not want to hurt you. I would never want to hurt you.” With a choked growl,
he turned and fled into the night.
When he was gone, Mikki wiped a trembling hand across her mouth and winced. She felt the cut on her lip
with her tongue. She hadn’t even known his teeth had done that. Her knees were wobbly, and she climbed the
winding staircase slowly, but she didn’t go to her room. She kept walking along the length of the balcony and
down the stairs that hugged the eastern side of it. Thankfully, she didn’t have to call for Daphne. As she’d
ordered earlier that evening, the servants had begun leaving thick towels and extra chitons and nightdresses,
along with soaps and oils and jugs of wine in large baskets near the baths. They had, of course, protested that
it was their duty to attend to the Empousa’s needs at all hours. But Mikki had insisted. She’d known she
would want the privacy to bathe without being attended to and watched—she just hadn’t known she’d want it
this soon.
She unwound herself from the chiton, filled a goblet from a jug of red wine aown±Ђ†nd gingerly lowered
herself into one of the steaming pools, sucking in a breath as the mineral water covered her back.
It had scared the shit out of her. She’d been kissing him and liking it. He’d tasted like man with something
musky mixed in—something as alien as it was exciting. And he’d felt . . . she shivered. He’d felt like stone,
only his body was warm and unbelievably powerful. And he’d wanted her. Desperately. She could feel his
muscles bunch and quiver under her touch. She reveled in the hard length of his erection as it pressed
insistently against her, and her own body responded with an answering heat and wetness that felt so damn
good it made the back of her teeth ache. She’d rubbed against him, teasingly erotic, loving how easily she
could feel his body through the thin silk of her chiton. The low, rumbling growl he’d breathed into her mouth
had thrilled her. She was doing that to him! It was she who had held that incredibly powerful beast in her arms
and made him tremble for her. She’d molded herself against him, fitting her softness to him. It had been like
her dream, only better. She didn’t have to wake up alone and limp from an unsatisfying solo orgasm. He was
right there. She could have him—all of him.
Then the pain had mixed with the pleasure. She’d known he hadn’t meant to extend his claws. He had simply
been lost in her and passion had triggered an automatic response. She’d tried to tell him—tried to push him
away. He hadn’t seemed to hear her at first, and then . . .
She sighed and closed her eyes. Then he’d been horrified. He’d seen the fear in her eyes and he’d run,
especially after she wouldn’t let him get close to her. He’d misunderstood. Of course he would. How many
women had looked at him with fear in their eyes? That’s probably what that other damn Empousa had done.
When he’d said that Hecate had no reason to make a rule stating that the Guardian and the Empousa could
not desire one another, he’d been intimating that there had been nothing between the two of them, but she
knew he was hiding something. They were all hiding something they didn’t want her to know. The other
Empousa had broken his heart. Maybe that’s why Hecate had sent him away, so he could get over her. And
maybe she’d fired the other priestess because she’d rejected him. Who knew why? Who knew the why of
anything in this strange realm of dreams and magick and desire?
Mikki thought about the hopeless look on his face as he’d left her. She’d broken his heart, too. She hadn’t
meant to. It was just that she’d been so shocked—shocked and afraid—when his claws had scratched the
length of her back and she’d felt the raw rush of lust that had been her response. She’d wanted to sink her
teeth into his lip and demand that he fuck her right there, rough and fast, over and over. To feel his strength
fill her and to know that his lust, his passion, his barely controlled violence was hers . . . Mikki shuddered with
the pleasure of remembering how it had felt to imagine that she could claim him whenever she wished and
that he would respond with that same flame until she was finally sated as none of the inadequate men in her
life had ever been able to do. It had overwhelmed and intrigued and shocked her to get a glimpse of what
would finally satisfy her—and know that “what” was not a man, but a beast.
The simple truth was that she hadn’t been afraid of him; she’d been afraid of herself.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“I THINK we got a lot accomplished, esp aw had pagecially for only working half a day.” Mikki wiped her
hands together and surveyed the neat beds of newly fertilized roses that framed Hecate’s Temple. If she
didn’t look too hard or think about the weird sick feeling she carried around in her gut whenever she was near
the unhealthy roses, the gardens appeared almost normal, especially in this area of the realm closest to
Hecate’s Temple. Here the roses were all in shades of lavender and purple, and even in their sad condition,
their sweet fragrance filled the space. Water flowed from the huge multi-basined fountain to trickle steadily