The Child

Chapter 6

Marie

“Is everything alright?” Joey looks at me with a concerned face.

“Yeah, everything is great. This is just a little overwhelming for me. I am not used to feeling this comfortable with someone so soon after we meet. I feel like I have always known you, I can sit here with you in silence and be completely happy. I know, it sounds silly,” I laugh at myself for the confession.

He looks at me and smiles. He gets up and grabs the bottle of wine off the table. He refills our cups, putting the bottle on the side table next to me. As he puts the bottle down, leaning into me, close enough to feel his warm breath on my face. He leans his head a little closer, getting next to my ear.

“It doesn’t sound silly at all. You see, Marie, you are my mate.” I look back at him dumbfounded. I have heard of mates between other supernatural beings, but witches don’t work the same way. He stands up and smirks.

“How am I your mate? You’re not human?” I look at him, and for the first time I feel the power within him. So strong. “What are you?” I ask, in awe.

He leans down to my ear again, and kisses my earlobe gently. Tingles fly through me. I let out a light moan from my lips. He smiles then whispers in my ear. “Come outside, I want to show you something.” He planted another kiss on my ear and stands up straight.

“Should I bring Ollie?” He shrugs his shoulders. “If you want to. It might scare him, but I think he will be ok.”

He rushes out the door, leaving it open. I pick up Ollie and whistle for Brutus to follow.

I walk outside, allowing my eyes to adjust to the setting sun. I look around for Joey, but don’t see him anywhere. I look to the left of the cabin and see smoke rising to the sky. I round the corner, practically dropping Ollie at the sight. There, right in front of me was a dragon! A freaking dragon! My mouth drops open. I heard dragons died out thousands of years ago, but here is one, right before my eyes.

I walk up slowly to the massive beast, not wanting to set it off. It’s dark green, with scales that sparkle as the setting sun reflects off of them. It’s humongous wings lay beautifully at its sides. Spikes run from the back of the head, down to the end of it’s tail. The dragon looks at Ollie and I with his neon green eyes. He snorts, causing me to jump. He opens his mouth and makes a throaty sound, almost like a laugh. He is laughing at me! Ollie looks at the dragon and holds his hands out, like he wants to touch it. The dragon lays his head on the ground, patiently lets Ollie inspect him. I put Oliver on the ground and he slowly makes his way to the dragon. Once he gets close enough, he dives on the dragon’s snout, giving it a hug. His little body is dwarf by the dragon’s nose. The dragon laughs, again. Without a doubt, it’s Joey. Bru trots up to his side, and licks him under his eye. Brutus sits down, looking proud. That’s weird. He only looks at Ollie that way.

I go up to them, and I lay my hand on his big nose, then tingles explode, ripping through my body. I have never felt anything like it. I lean down and hug his snout, as well. I suddenly feel arms around my body. I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist not wanting to let go. I felt his muscles tense at our closeness. He smells like cedar wood and moss. How did I not notice it before. He lays his head on top of mine, taking a deep breath.

“Up!” We both look down and see Ollie wrapped tightly around Joey’s leg, refusing to let go. I bend down, picking up Ollie, we all hug. The best feeling in the world. I pull back and hand Ollie to Joey.

“I have to show you something too.” I say sheepishly. I step back to make some room. I let the tips of my fingers spark, creating a fire ball. Ollie claps, Joey looks at the fireball, mesmerized. However, he doesn’t look surprised. Maybe he felt my magic because he is a dragon?

“So a witch, huh? What else can you do?”

I turn the fire into ice right before his eyes. It’s incredibly hard to do, but with practice, it becomes easier. I throw the ice ball in the air and use the air element to push the ice ball far away.

“Impressive. You are pretty powerful little witch. We need to go on a date and play with our magic, sometime,” Joey suggests.

“I would love that! I don’t get to practice much anymore because of this one,” I gesture to Ollie.

“Well if you ever need a partner, I got you,” he chuckles.

Ollie yawns and rubs his eyes. The sun just set so it was time for him to go to sleep.

“Why don’t you grab some firewood, and I’ll put this one to bed. After that we can talk some more if you want.”

“That is a deal.” He smiles at me, handing Ollie back to me. I walk up the steps and put Ollie in the pack and play. I wrap his security blanket around him. I lean down, kissing him on the top of the head.

“Momma loves you so much. Sweet dreams, my love.”

I turn on his night light that projects stars onto the ceiling. I quietly tip toe out of the room and gently shut the door.

Joey is sitting on the couch, watching the fire dance across the logs. Brutus is in the armchair next to him. It looks funny because Brutus smashed himself into the chair and doesn’t look comfortable.

I sit down next to Joey, folding my legs underneath me. He hands me the cup with wine, then leans into me, brushing a few stray hairs behind my ear.

“You are so beautiful,” he says softly. He takes my face in his hands, and looks deeply into my eyes.

“I’m sorry, but I have to do this. I have been wanting to do this since we met.” I look at him with curiosity. He moves his right hand, entwining his fingers in my hair. Before I know it he gently kisses me on the lips. Between the butterflies and the tingles I get lightheaded. I pull back and look at him. His lustful gaze makes me bite my lip. Without thinking, I lean forward and kiss him back. He deepens the kiss, wrapping his large hand around my waist. I moan slightly at the contact. He slowly lays me down on the couch, gently kissing my cheeks and my neck. I pull his head back up, placing his lips on mine. He gently pokes my lips with his tongue, I give in and let him invade my mouth. Our tongues dance wildly with each other. It felt heavenly. His taste was intoxicating. I have no clue how long we kissed, nor do I care. Joey breaks the kiss and sits up. I follow, disappointed.

“I should probably get going, we have a long day tomorrow. I can pick you and Ollie up with my truck so it’s easier to move the big stuff.”

“That would be incredible. Thank you!”

“It’s no problem, anything for you. You are my mate, anything that makes you happy, makes me happy,” he says grinning. He gets up and walks to the door. I follow him. Joey bends down giving me one more sweet kiss before he shuts the door. I sigh, leaning on the door for support. I shake my head, walking to the bedroom, getting ready for bed. I finish my night time routine and climb into bed, letting sleep consume me.

Joseph

While driving home I think about her lips on mine. We seemed to be in perfect sync, knowing exactly what the other wanted. I can’t believe how smitten I am with Marie. She is everything I ever wanted in a mate. I quietly thank the Gods for such a wonderful gift.

I pull up to the house and walk through the front door. I head to the kitchen to grab another glass of wine to calm me down. I flip on the lights and jump back.

“So where have you been?” My brother, David, gives me a smirk.

“None of your business, brother.”

“Don’t worry, Andrew told me everything. So you found your mate. Congratulations, Joey. I am happy for you. So tell me about her.”

I sigh and sit down.

“She is perfect. She is beautiful, brave, and strong. She actually doesn’t have any idea how strong she is. She has a German Shepherd name Brutus, and…” I get quiet, trying to think of how to explain this to my brother.

“And?” He lifts an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.

“And she has a child,” I say quietly.

“A child?!”

“Yes,” I say, shrinking into myself. My brother rubs his hand across his face and sighs.

“How do you feel about that?” He seems on edge waiting for my answer.

“Well, at first I was angry. I felt like the Gods were playing a cruel trick on me. But after spending time with both of them, it felt right. Like I am exactly where I need to be. There is something special about that child, I just can’t put my finger on it.”

“If you are ok with it, than I am ok with it.” He stands and pats me on my shoulder.

“Get some sleep, you had an exciting day,” my brother disappears. I get up as well, realizing how tired I am. I make it to my room and crawl into bed. The last thing I see before I fall asleep is her smiling face.