Rise of the Witch Queen

Into the Fire

"It looks like the vamps are finally ready to make a move on the witches, but the fae are still on the fence," the nasally girl sighed.

"My mate said that Jace and the others have a plan to fix that," the second girl said slyly "He wouldn't say exactly what it was, but he did say that it would be like throwing a match into a tank of gasoline. Apparently, he has an inside man on the witches' side whose going to help."

I had to bite my tongue to keep from gasping. Was Jace going to war against the witches? And there was a traitor amongst our ranks. Could the traitor be the same person who killed my parents? I stayed in the bathroom for another 10 minutes after the girls had left before hearing a knock on the main bathroom door. "Charlotte, are you in there?" Jace called in, opening the door a crack. I nodded before realizing that Jace couldn't see me.

"Yeah," I croaked out, hating how week my voice sounded.

Jace walked in, shutting the door behind him "Is everything alright?"

No, I thought everything is most certainly not okay. "Sure. I just needed a minute" I forced my voice not to waver.

"Do you want me to get Lena?" He asked, sounding, unsure of himself.

"No, it's fine. I'm fine" I wasn't sure I was trying to convince Jace or myself more of that. Squaring my shoulders and plastering a smile onto my face.

Jace sighed, "You don't have to do that with me."

"Do what?" I asked with the falsely, bright smile on my face. I'd been a ballerina goddamnit! If I could keep a serene smile during a performance with blistered feet and every muscle in my body burning, I could keep a convincing smile on for this performance.

Jace ran a hand through his hair "I know you're not happy yet. And yes, it would be beneficial if you pretended to be happy in front of the others, but you don't have to do that with me. You are my mate, and even if you don't feel the bond yet, I do. So when it's just us, you don't have to pretend."

My smile faltered at the earnestness in his face. "Okay," was all I could manage to say in response.

"People are starting to get together for the football game, and you're supposed to be there to give a favor to the player of your choosing." he said pulling out a hand with a silver pendant attached to it "It's a bit corny I know, but the tradition of the highest-ranking female giving a favor to one of the pack before a battle and know football has been passed down for centuries."

"And I'm the highest-ranking female?" I asked, "I'm not even a werewolf."

"Maybe not but your mate. The alphas mate" As he said to words, his eyes darkened. His gaze turned predatory, raking up and down my body. I realized that the wolf inside Jace must not be as willing to wait for me as the human part of Jace was. He took a step forward; I was forced to back up against the wall. 

"Jace..." I said softly. He stepped closer to me. Now our chests were almost touching, "Jace..." I said again this time more forcefully. He leaned down, pressing his mouth to mine in a way that was at first gentle but quickly escalated. It was a moment before I was kissing him back. It was as if my body had reacted instinctively to him. 

"Stop," I said, pushing Jace away. For a moment, he looked like he wasn't going to stop, and my blood ran cold. Then the hungry look disappeared from Jace's features.

Taking several steps back, Jace looked horrified. "Charlotte, I am so sorry. I've never lost control like that. Please forgive me." Muttering apologies all the way out the door, Jace left me alone. Clearly, his mind was no longer on football. 

Sagging against the cold wall, I let myself sink to the floor. What was wrong with me?! How could I kiss him back like that? This man had kidnapped me and was going to wage war against my people, my family. Tracing the outline of my lips, I could still taste him on my lips. His woody scent clung to me like the most divine cologne.