Fire & Ice

Chapter Fourteen

"Climb in. You look exhausted. I promise I'll tuck you in all nice and comfy."

She smiled and I couldn't help returning it as she did what I asked, giggling when I lifted the covers to her chin and tucked them around her shoulders. Those few blankets were the only source of protection she had against me right now. I needed them to be between us.

Joining her, I lay on the top of the covers, draping an arm across her well-bundled body. She gave a moan of contentment and snuggled in closer to me, her eyes drooping heavily. I could feel my body relaxing too. We were both exhausted.

"Goodnight, Vance," she whispered.

"Goodnight Portia," I replied, allowing myself to drift. "I love you."

---

Entering the store, we didn't see Milly, so we headed into the back room and found her working at her mixing table. She glanced at us, her gaze traveling over us both quizzically before she stood.

"Ah! A binding spell, I see!"

This was why she was such a good witch and Priestess of the coven. She recognized magic quickly. I was banking on her expertise to help us out now.

"Is it that obvious?" Portia asked, continuing to grip my arm as if her life depended on it. Not that I minded at all, I loved feeling her next to me.

"So obvious I wonder why I didn't feel it when you walked through the front door," Milly replied, gesturing toward the table as she continued to observe us. "Here. Come sit with me. It's a very strong spell. Did you work it, Vance?"

I nodded. "I don't recall ever hearing of anyone experiencing a binding this strong. Did I do something wrong?" I really hoped she'd be able to help us. The strain was becoming so difficult, not to mention my own personal guilt for putting Portia through this. Yes, I wanted to be bound to her. No, I didn't want that binding to feel like it was going to eat her from the inside out.

"No, I doubt that," she replied, shaking her head as she continued to study us carefully, as if she were trying to read the magical auras around us. "For some reason, the two of you have an extremely strong connection. The power of your magic is intensifying the spell exponentially, I'd imagine."

"It isn't always a bad thing," Portia said, glancing at me apologetically, before she continued. "It's just when we're apart, I feel like I'm going to die or something."

Milly laughed. "Well, dear. What's done is done. That's the trouble with spells. Sometimes you don't really know what the end result will be. The two of you are going to have to find a way to make things work for yourselves. I imagine you'll eventually become used to the intensity of the feelings you're having, probably to the point they'll almost seem second nature to you. Your bodies should physically adjust to it, a new normal so to speak." She gave a slight shrug. "I wish I could help you more until then, but I have a feeling you two are something special. Vance's magic manifesting at such a young age, and you having an instant comprehension of your powers is unusual. Together you make a very powerful couple. This is uncharted water for me, I'm afraid."

My heart fell at her words and I squeezed Portia's hand in an attempt to reassure her. "We'll be fine. I know it." I felt terrible.

"I know we will. I just wish you could always be with me. The longing is driving me crazy!"

Her exasperation was obvious, but I leaned over and kissed her, anyway. It proved the wrong thing to do, though, as I instantly needed more and so did she. Our arms tangled together as we pulled at each other, desperate to get as close as possible. Heat streaked through me, causing my pulse to race even faster.