~ The Warlock ~

by

Tamia Dawn Osburn

Devon refused to leave her side. He still held on tightly to Belinda’s hand, smoothing her brown hair away from her soft face. Emotion swirled deep within him when he remembered how very close he’d come to losing her before he’d even had a chance to claim her love. Two days had passed since the healer had worked her power on his mate. Patience was a virtue he’d learned early, but applying it now tested him completely. Why hadn’t she awoken yet? It’d been too long, or so it seemed.

The healer specifically told him not to awaken her before she was ready. Devon sighed as he glanced away from Belinda’s pale face. Would she hate him for wanting her to stay here, on another world? Could she come to love him for who and what he is? He began to worry about where his thoughts would lead him when Belinda’s head slowly moved, her lips opening to a soft moan.

Gripping her hand tightly, he whispered softly, "Belinda." The feel of her hand in his brought warmth into his groin. Her beauty and sexuality continued to astound him. Would these feelings ever end?

He whispered her name again, placing his warm hand against her forehead. Beneath her lids, her eyes moved frantically and he couldn’t help wondering what lay in her dreams. Her head rolled again, away from him this time.

Devon lifted his hand from her forehead and held his breath, waiting for a sign that she would soon join him. When she remained silent, he released a weary sigh and relaxed his hold on her hand. Lowering his face down to her bed, he closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift.

Minutes or hours later Belinda’s hand moved within his. Devon came awake instantly and lifted his head; he looked down at his beloved mate. Color darkened her cheeks in a healthy glow. Thank the gods her skin had lost its pale hue.

"Belinda," he whispered, his voice raw from more than the remains of sleep. Within seconds, her eyelids began to flutter, then open.

She must have heard his thoughts, he realized suddenly. For during his time of rest, he’d called to her, begged her to join him. And she responded.

Looking up into his intense gray eyes, she swore she was having another of those sexy dreams.

"You." Her voice emerged in the softest of whispers. He smiled and her eyes were instantly drawn to his soft, sensuous lips.

Tearing her eyes away from his masculine beauty, she searched the room for something familiar and received a shock. Her stomach lurched forward in rebellion at the sight of red and gold furnishings. Everything in the room was blindingly, red and gold. The walls, the rugs, everything. It was hideous!

"I think I’m going to be sick," she mumbled as she struggled to sit up in the biggest bed that she’d ever seen. Sweat began to bead on her forehead and her stomach began lurching.

Devon made a quick sweep of the room, searching for something that she could use while Belinda covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes found his and he read her desperation. Green was not a color she wore well on that lovely face.

Finally his eyes landed on a golden bowl with an arrangement of flowers. He dumped the flowers onto the red and golden-weaved carpet. Thrusting the bowel into Belinda’s lap, she drew away her hand and vomited.

~ * ~

May sat up quickly in her bed. It took her a minute to gain her bearings. Oh, how she hoped this was only a dream. But by the looks of this room, she knew it was wrong. Who would be crazy enough to decorate everything in blue? Different tones of blue? Her eyes traveled around the room in disgust. No one could be this blue-crazy. Everywhere she looked, blue.

Tossing the dark blue comforter aside, she slid her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. The first priority was to find Belinda.

Making a mad dash for the door, she paused to note the golden symbol on the wall facing her, alongside the door. It was little relief for the bombardment of color. What did that symbol mean? She’d never seen it before.

Throwing open the blue door, she nearly ran into the black leather-clad man standing guard outside her door. Her eyes walked up an impressive chest to find the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. When she recognized him, she gasped, quickly covering the sound with her hand. Finding her courage, she placed her hands on her hips and demanded, "Where is my sister?" At least her voice sounded stern to her ears. The huge man pointed a very long finger at the door across the hall.

May stepped around the man and walked across the hall. Before she could place her hand on the doorknob, he informed her that she could not go in. Big mistake.

"Watch me." When her hand touched the doorknob, he placed a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder, which was his second mistake.

Seven

Before Jaquay could blink, May moved swiftly, grasping his arm and twisting it upward behind his back, and he had no choice but to bend over. Instantly, she kicked him in the stomach... for the second time. Without a second’s pause, she placed a swift kick into the center of his back and let go of his arm. The man landed flat on his face, one arm cradling his injured stomach. He took in great gulps of air and pushed himself to his knees with his other arm, glaring in her direction.

Stepping around him and easily avoiding the hand he threw out to stop her, May threw open the red door. Belinda sat in a huge bed, bigger than a king size, throwing up into a gold bowl. With a small cry of dismay, May ran over to the bed and pushed the man who’d taken her away from Belinda’s side.

"Are you okay?" May asked once Belinda finished emptying her stomach. Belinda nodded her head slowly and placed a hand on her throat. It must be sore. Gently, she took the bowl from her and placed it on the night stand next to the bed. May looked at Belinda from head to foot and saw her shaking. Reaching out with her hand, she placed it on Belinda’s forehead. She was cool to the touch. May’s face scrunched up in confusion. That couldn’t be right if Belinda was sick. Grabbing a pitcher and glass from the nightstand, May poured her sister a glass of cold water. Belinda took the offering and drank the water in sips, hoping it would stay down. To her surprise, it did.

May smiled her encouragement as Belinda continued to sip from the glass. She straightened and glanced around the room, everything done in red and gold. May knew just how Belinda felt. Whoever decorated this place must have been sick in the head, she decided after seeing only two rooms in the house.

Devon turned to see his Chief of Warriors entering the room. Jaquay turned his head to glance at May briefly before returning his eyes to his friend. "She made it clear she wouldn’t be kept away from your mate." His stomach hurt, but no more so than his ego. Never was he bested... by anyone. Especially a female.

Devon turned away while his mate’s friend fussed over her. He hid a knowing smile from Jaquay. His friend’s expression revealed everything. Life on Wiccan would become interesting very soon.

The tussle beyond the closed door was still clear in his mind. He knew exactly what happened on the other side of that door. The gift of his sight told him much about this female and Jaquay. For now, though, he planned to keep this information to himself. Something would happen soon, he knew. Something good and something bad would come between them. His mate’s friend’s voice drew his attention. "Damn, this room needs a good decorator," May mumbled and looked accusingly at the men.

Devon and Jaquay grunted their answer. She couldn’t tell if it was an agreement or a denial. Those infernal men simply stood there staring at her with their hands behind their backs. Damn them. As if they could hide their grins from her.

"May..." Belinda said weakly from the bed.

"What, hon?" May’s brow dropped when she noticed how pale Belinda had become. "Get me out of this room, now." Belinda began to turn green again.

Devon’s smile disappeared in a second. Pushing away from the door, he made his way toward Belinda as the woman, May, pushed the red and gold comforter off Belinda’s legs. His mate’s forehead beaded with sweat. He concentrated and mentally called Ramidine. Gently pushing May out of his way, he lifted Belinda into his arms. She closed her eyes and bit her lip as her stomach lurched once again. Her pitiful moan made set him instantly in motion.

Devon’s large stride ate up the distance to the door. He nodded to Jaquay who stepped aside so Dev could get out the door.

After he walked across the hall into the blue bedroom, Belinda opened her eyes and closed them tightly, shaking her head. "Not this one," she whispered.

"Can’t blame you there, hon." May shivered in distaste. Devon grunted as he turned away from the room.