been top drawer.”
“Should I slice the cake?” Jenny asked.
Lord Variel glanced around. “Well, first, I wondered if you two could do me the honor of lighting the fire in the hearth. I know you are very skilled with hearth magic, Jenny, and that Bevan has been teaching you additional spells, so go ahead and show off! We’ll get the chairs and bring the cake in the new house.”
“Oh, of course!” Jenny said. “Come on, Bevan!”
The wine was swirling inside of me, feeling very potent, and making her look twice as beautiful.
I was clear headed enough to think it was strange that the wine would have this much of an effect. I thought I could hold my liquor, although to be fair, I rarely drank. No one else seemed to be getting this much of a buzz.
I followed her inside the cabin. “Jenny,” I whispered. “I think Variel drugged me.”
“You’re feeling strange? Why would he do that? He seems so happy about the cabin!”
“Yeah, but—“
The door of the cabin slammed shut behind us, plunging us into darkness.
I fumbled my way back to the door and tried to open it, but the door was sealed.
“What the hell is going on?”
Jenny cast a spell on the primitive fireplace, bringing light into the sealed single room. “What’s the meaning of this?” she called. “Variel!”
He gave the door a pound with his fist. “You two are love birds,” he said. “And tonight is your wedding night. I have no patience for dilly dallying with my servants. Just mate and get it over with.”
“A—a what? What are you saying?” Jenny banged on the door. “Variel, this isn’t funny! We are certainly not going to have a wedding night!”
I leaned against the wall, a sweat breaking out all over my body as the heat from the wine was starting to tune to a very specific lust. “He did drug me,” I said. “He gave me a love spell or something…”
Jenny arms lowered to her sides, her beautiful brown eyes wide and apprehensive. “A love spell?”
I looked over her body and it was almost unbearable. Those eyes were so cute, and those bare legs were so…fucking…sexy. I turned away as my cock stiffened. “A lust spell.”
She was silent. “He’s serious.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I don’t want to hurt you.” My fingernails dragged in the wood. Just yesterday I had taken a second hit of Variel’s magic and so I felt a little stronger still, and not just stronger…
Drawing magic from a high demon was heady. It made me feel like I could have so much more.
“But maybe you should tie me down just in case it’s a really strong spell…,” I grunted.
“Variel!” Jenny screamed. “Let us out! This is a really cruel joke! I do like Bevan, but we’re not ready for this, and I don’t know why you would want us to do this!” She swallowed. “Is it because of Lady Knucklebones and the prophecy?” she said, in a smaller voice.
“Prophecy?” I asked.
“Jameson said that a witch told Variel he was fated to marry a toad,” Jenny whispered. “But I’m sure he doesn’t want to marry any toad, and certainly not me.”
“I can’t imagine he doesn’t want to marry you,” I said. “I do, and I never thought I’d feel that way about anyone…”
She pressed her fingers to her lips, half-hiding a smile. “But Variel isn’t you.”
“I guess you might be right about part of it. He is probably afraid of what it would do to his life. I’ve seen him looking at you. But he’s pushing you away…toward me…” And gods, did I want to take him up on it. With every moment that passed, my body was screaming for Jenny’s. I wanted to seize her wrists and take her right against the door. But that wasn’t me talking; it was the spell.
“He really is a demon,” I growled. “This is the nastiest kind of spell there is, make no mistake. He knows I have feelings for you, so he throws a spell at me that puts them in such complete overdrive that I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. He’s putting us together but he’s also trying to stain our relationship forever. To rob us of our courtship, and even our choice to decide we aren’t right for each other. I would never do that. I want to give you…time. Affection. The trip to New York…and every first slow touch and kiss…”
“Bevan, you look like you’re in pain!” Jenny said, and considering how much I was sweating