Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
No one is out yet, so we hurry to the trees and walk just inside them to the path leading to the bridge.
Once on the other side, Lucy’s gaze travels up and down me, and she smiles. “It’s crazy how your clothes change.”
“That’s how it’s always been,” I reply with a shrug. “One more thing I can’t explain.”
Knowing that we’re free of any prying eyes here, I step to her and cup her face in my hands. Her fingers grip my wrists, and she licks her lips in anticipation.
“I don’t want you to think I’m being too forward.”
“We’re in present-day Massachusetts again,” she says with a half smile. “It’s okay to kiss me.”
I don’t know that I’ve ever wanted anything more.
I lean in and gently rest my lips on hers, and for a moment, we simply stay there, soaking in each other’s energy.
And then I have to deepen the kiss, to taste her and fill my senses with her. She presses herself against me, surrendering to me so completely and effortlessly it’s humbling.
When I pull back, I brush my fingers through her thick, red hair and smile down at her.
“I can’t believe you’ve been right here all this time, and I never found you before this.”
“You weren’t meant to,” she says, echoing her words from last night. “I don’t know what the universe has up its sleeve, but it’s all happening when it’s supposed to. If you’d have found your soul mate a hundred years ago, I would have been really disappointed.”
I chuckle and don’t bother to mention that she would never have known the difference.
Or, maybe she would have.
“Jonas, I know the people here in Salem can help you. I’m asking your permission to tell them what you told me last night.”
I frown and rest my forehead against hers. “Can we trust these witches, Lucy?”
“I’d trust them with my life.”
“You may be doing just that if you bring them into this.”
She licks her lips and nods. “I know. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or your community. I trust that not only will they do everything they can to help you, but they’ll also keep your secret. I know you don’t know me that well, but—”
I kiss her again, cutting off her words. I know her to the marrow of my bones. I feel centuries—lifetimes—of connection to her.
“I know you,” I whisper against her lips. “And I trust you.”
“How do I contact you?” she asks with a trembling breath. “Obviously, there wasn’t cell service three hundred years ago.”
“No.” I lick my lips, still tasting her there. “There’s a way, but we should be in the safety of your garden.”
“Let’s go.”
Chapter Five
Lucy
We step inside my garden and close the gate behind us. Nera climbs the steps to the porch and sits, waiting patiently as if he understands that he’s not part of this conversation.
“First of all, this spell isn’t for everyone,” Jonas warns me as he takes my hand, and I turn toward him. “Some consider it quite invasive.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’ll be able to hear each other’s thoughts,” he says, raising his eyebrows. “Not only can we speak to each other telepathically, but you’ll be able to hear what I’m thinking, dreaming, etcetera.”
“And you’ll hear mine,” I add thoughtfully. Jonas nods slowly, watching me closely. “What if I want to surprise you with something? Or don’t want you to know how handsome I think you are because you’ll get a big head? Can I block a thought?”
He chuckles at that and squeezes my hand. “No, I think I want in on those thoughts of yours.” He sobers. “You can ask me to temporarily close the connection if you need some privacy, and I’ll respect your wishes, Luciana. This link is intensely personal.”
“Have you done it before?” I ask before I can stop the words from coming out of my mouth.
“No.” He reaches up and brushes at something under my eye with his thumb, and his touch sends a shiver through me. “My parents had the link open from the day they took their vows. I learned the spell from them but have never had a need to use it with anyone.”
“You know, I’m not usually a jealous woman. I don’t know why—”
“It’s different,” he says, interrupting the apology. “This is different. And there’s no need to be sorry for that. I won’t ask about your romantic past, Lucy.”
“It’s kind of boring, to be honest.” I grin at him, relieved when he answers with a smile of his own. “Okay, so it’ll be a little intense. But it’s the only way for me to reach you. I can’t text you.”
“If you want to close the tether permanently at any time, all you have to do is say so. It will immediately break the spell. Nothing extra needed.”
“Good to know.” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m ready when you are.”