Crystal Cove (Friday Harbor #4)(88)

A cursory glance at their surroundings revealed that they were in the Cauldron Island lighthouse tower bedroom. She was na**d beneath the sheets, her body relaxed and more than a little fatigued. “I feel like I’ve run a marathon,” she said dazedly.

“Not surprising, after last night.”

She sat up, keeping the sheets pulled up over her br**sts. Efficiently Jason propped up pillows behind her. Just as she realized that her mouth was incredibly dry, he gave her a glass of water.

“Thanks,” she said, drinking thirstily. “What exactly happened last night?”

He looked at her closely. “You don’t remember?”

“I do, but I’m not sure what was real and what I might have imagined.”

“Do you want the long version or the short?”

“Short.” She gave him back the glass, and he set it on the bedside table.

“For me the evening kicked off with a midnight spell-lifting ritual, followed by a near-death experience and a bare-handed cardiac resuscitation performed by you, after which you apparently lit up the schoolhouse like a Las Vegas casino. The coveners said they’d never seen anything like it—I’m sorry I missed the show.”

“I think you were the show,” Justine said. “Where is everyone now?”

“Rosemary and Sage are taking a nap. Some of the coveners left late last night. A few of the others stayed and talked until breakfast, and left a little while ago. I never knew witches kept such insanely late hours.”

“Something they have in common with insomniacs.”

Jason smiled, reaching out to smooth the wild mass of her hair. He was so handsome that it almost hurt to look at him. Everything that had been appealing and dynamic about him before seemed to have amplified, if that were even possible.

“What did the coven say?” she asked.

“About which part?”

“About any of it.”

“The one thing they all agreed on was that somehow I’ve been given an impossible gift. By you.” He looked into her eyes, making no effort to conceal a mixture of adoration and awe. “Sage thinks that somehow you infused part of your soul into me, in the same way that one flame can start a new one. But no one’s ever heard of it being done before. And no one can figure out how you did it.”

“I don’t know,” she said, abashed. “I just … wanted you. I had to keep you with me.”

“You’ve got me,” he said. “In fact, you’ll have me even when you want to get rid of me.”

She smiled and shook her head. “Never.” The word was crushed between their lips as he leaned over to give her a hard kiss.

Drawing back, he stared at her tenderly, his expression more difficult to interpret. “The coven also discussed something else,” he said. “They think that the witch’s bane may no longer apply in our situation … because a sacrifice was made.” At her questioning glance, he said, “Can you try to do your snapping thing? Set something on fire?”

Bemused, she focused her energy and snapped her fingers. The expected spark wasn’t there. She blinked in surprise and tried again.

Nothing.

Twin notches of concern appeared between Jason’s brows. “I can’t remember the supernatural words they used,” he said. “But basically you may have exceeded your capacity. Blown a circuit.” He paused, his gaze searching hers. “Would you be unhappy if you had no more power?”

“No, I … I just never imagined … no. Especially not if it saved you.” She tried to make herself comprehend it fully. If she no longer had the powers of a hereditary witch, she could probably still work a few simple spells, mix a potion now and then. For all the good it’s done me in the past, she thought wryly. A giddy feeling swept through her as she said aloud, “I don’t need magic to be happy.” It was the truth.

Jason cupped her flushed cheek in his hand, his gaze caressing. “What do you need to be happy?” he asked. “Give me the longest list you can come up with. I won’t rest until you have everything on it.”

“It’s a short list,” she said.

“God, I hope I’m on it.”

She shook her head as if the comment were absurd. “You’re all of it.”

Jason pulled her close for a long moment, kissing her lips, cheeks, throat, pressing endearments against her skin. “Justine,” he asked eventually, pulling back just enough to look at her. “How did you find out what was going on last night? I’m glad you did, but … I didn’t want to put you through any of that. I was trying to protect you.”

She made herself frown, which wasn’t easy when happiness was dancing in every nerve. “We’re going to talk about that later,” she said. “You promised not to do anything behind my back again—”

“I’m sorry. There were extenuating circumstances.”

“You’re still in trouble.”

“I know. Tell me how you found out.”

Justine described Marigold’s abrupt and confrontational visit as pragmatically as she could, while Jason listened with quiet sympathy. “She doesn’t love me,” Justine finished, trying to sound matter-of-fact.

Jason gathered her into the warm strength of his body, giving her all the comfort she could have wished for. His hand swept gently along her na**d back. “If she can’t,” he said, “it has nothing to do with you. The first time we met, I loved you without even trying.”