Wicked Paradise (37 page)

Maybe my gut feeling is a sign another person may arrive soon.
She clung to that idea as she stopped inside a ring of boulders edging the cliff top. As much as she loved her time alone with Ryan, she was curious if the beckoning magic actually worked. Mostly, she wanted others to experience the love and joy she had found with Ryan. And to escape their drab black and white habitation for a colorful land of plenty.

Seawater eddied and frothed over the rocks lining the left side of the cove. A strange aquamarine swirling beneath the water’s surface mesmerized her, despite the foreboding knotting her stomach. The wind blew locks of her hair in her face. She hooked it behind her ears, wishing she’d tied it back before she left the cave.

Lightning flashed and crackled between the moons. She propped a foot on one boulder and untied the drawstring on the leather bag. Electricity snapped and popped harmlessly around her. The moons shimmered bright in the darkening sky. The sun faded, and a wintry chill swept over Morgan. Shivering, she looped the ties of the pouch around her wrist for safekeeping. She stuck a hand inside, hooked a twisted pair of amulets on her fingers, and plucked them out.

Three identical amulets twined together. The blood drained from her face as she stared at the jumbled pendants. There should only be two ruby amulets tied together. “Why three?”

She knelt on the grassy mound and opened the bag wider to search for a fourth ruby amulet. Only one lone pendant not attached to another held a pink stone. Stunned, she checked the rune marks on the four amulets. They all matched.

The island’s sole pair of ravens flew toward Morgan, cawing in unison. Flapping their wings, they sped by her head, the wind from their wings caressing her face. They circled over the cove like vigilant vultures.

“Bloody birds,” Morgan muttered. A sick feeling washed over her. Signifying death and life, the ravens never appeared during an amulet ritual. What did that portend?

She rose carefully, braced against the blustery wind, dangling the four amulets from her fist. She’d throw them all out to sea and let Fate chart their course.

Misery tinged her decision. With little choice, she began untying the three silver and leather thongs. Wind gusted from behind, blowing her against the rocks along the cliff’s edge. She cried out, caught herself on a patch of sea grass sprouting between two boulders. The island’s magic kicked in and she landed gently. The jolt knocked the amulets out of her hands, and they sailed into the swirling, chaotic waters below. “No!” She glared at the turbulent sea. Usually separated when she tossed them in, this time the pendants remained knotted together.

“Morgan!” Ryan’s shout flew away on the wind, lost by a snap of lightning.

She held up her hand, keeping him from approaching, but signifying her wellbeing. He wouldn’t stay away for long. He hated her standing so near the precipice, even knowing the island protected her.

Morgan recited the lovers’ Beckoning Spell, hoping she wasn’t too late. She usually voiced the words before tossing the amulets into the sea, adding an extra dash of magic for their journey.

Pushing away from the boulders, she drew her right hand to her side, and to her dismay, discovered the fourth amulet wrapped around her iced fingers. Not knowing what else to do, she quickly cast the spell again and threw the pendant toward the roiling ocean.

One of the ravens zoomed over her head, swooped down, and snagged the pendant in its beak.

“Hey!” Morgan shouted, stamping her foot.

The raven rose up and circled, its beady eyes scanning the ocean’s surface. A glint of light sparkled off the dark waters and the raven dropped the pendant over the spot.

Swirling waters claimed the pink amulet. Waves battered the boulders along the reef in a final surge. Then the waters calmed, sheeting like glass. The sky brightened, the moons reverted to their normal violet-tinged gray, the air stilled.

Arms gathered around her waist from behind, and Ryan held her close. He made a noise low in his throat, letting her know he wasn’t pleased with the ferocity of the storm and her presence in it. She leaned against the solid strength of his body.

The ravens wheeled overhead, diving and swooping like seagulls. One let out a screech, the other answered. They fluttered to the ground at Morgan’s feet, strutting, staring out to sea.

“You’re shaking,” Ryan chided.

She turned and buried her face in his chest. “Something didn’t go right.”

“Hey.” He lifted her chin and gazed lovingly into her face. “Whatever happens, happens. Let it go.”

“I know.” She breathed him in, tasting him on her tongue. “I could scry to contact Father, ask if he knows what may happen.”

His chest rumbled with his laughter. “No. Please. I don’t think I can stand to hear another tirade about our binding before we were handfast.”

Morgan giggled. Nothing dented Gwilym’s pride and happiness in her. He loved and respected Ryan and knew she could not be better protected, more loved, or happier. “Poor Father. He has his hands full lording it over the people and magic returning to Avalon.”

Ryan’s eyes twinkled. “And the lusty, mischievous initiates chasing after him.”

“There’s something about those with ancient Druid blood who love powerful Druid sorcerers.” She feathered her fingers over his rune mark, causing their crystals to flare.

Ryan kissed her, clasping her hand in his. “I’ve cut some Celestial fruit for you. It’ll make you feel better.”

A slow smile spread her mouth, and warmth curled from her stomach, trailing southward. “With the peel on it?”

Ryan laughed. “Definitely.” He claimed her mouth in a searing kiss.

About the Author

After lamenting the lack of young adult books to read, Erin Richards wrote her first novel at the age of eighteen hoping to shift the tide. But the only tide she shifted was moving from high school to college. Then everyday life took its toll on her writerly dreams until 2003 when she couldn’t ignore the writing bug any longer. By then, she had immersed herself in reading adult fantasy and romance novels. Writing paranormal & fantasy romance was a no brainer and she went on to publish two adult romance novels. But her muse wanted to give that YA writing gig another chance, and Erin finally realized her lifelong dream of publishing a YA novel with the debut of VIGILANTE NIGHTS in July 2013.

Erin lives in Northern California. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and re-landscaping her backyard, even though she hates digging holes for plants. She also confesses to a fascination with American muscle cars.

Visit Erin online at:
www.erinrichards.com

To hear about Erin’s latest books and news first, sign up for her exclusive
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(http://www.erinrichards.com/connect.htm). As a new subscriber, you will automatically be entered in her current subscriber giveaway!

Note From the Author
: Reviews are gold to authors! If you’ve enjoyed this book, would you consider rating and reviewing it on
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Copyright © 2012 by Erin Richards

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.

ISBN-10:
0-9911264-1-6

ISBN-13:
978-0-9911264-1-5

eISBN-10:
0-9911264-0-8

eISBN-13:
978-0-9911264-0-8

First Edition: August 2012

Second Edition: December 2013

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