Chapter 13: Purity of Magic

The dark haired pirate was not even remotely aware of when the Celtic woman had left. He was far too focused on the most enchanting woman he had ever laid eyes upon. She was so beautiful...such a heavenly creature whose entire focus was on him and he could scarcely breathe.

She reached up with her right hand, glowing with a soft electric blue light. He pulled back slightly, having been preconditioned by Kora to instinctively fear any magic being directed towards him. She froze, hurt flashing through her eyes briefly and he hated himself...again. Why did he keep hurting her?

She started to pull her hand away, her sapphires dulling with sadness, but he caught it with his hand, her eyes shifting from sorrow to surprise. He pulled her hand back towards him, his eyes apologetic. A small smile formed on her face as she placed her glowing hand on the cheek that she had slapped mere moments ago.

His eyes slid close of their own accord, the gentle warmth, which he now knew to be the standard setting for her magic, making him lean into her touch. He didn't know why he liked the feel of her magic and it was causing all sorts of chaos in his mind, body, and most definitely in his sword.

In fact, he kind of felt like an addict at this point….her magic acting like his own personal drug...or the best damn vintage in existence, either way...he was starting to crave it and when she pulled her hand away again...his own snapped up to grab her wrist a second time. His eyes opened and he realized what he had done.

He immediately relinquished his grip on her and looked away. This...this felt so surreal. So many emotions that he had thought were forever lost to him were surging to the surface...so much was happening and so quickly. He didn't know where to go from here or what to say to her.

He was pulled from his thoughts when her left hand touched his right, threading her fingers with his. Her other hand guided his face so that he was looking at her once more. She was smirking again, a knowing look in those gorgeous sapphires. Uh oh… she knew. She knew who he was… what was she going to do? Still… there was a silver lining… she didn't hate him or fear him.

He was surprised, however, when she rose to her feet, pulling him up as well. She gently pulled him and he went along willingly. They walked through the encampment hand in hand and he was vaguely aware of the people staring at them, but he was focusing on the sensation coming from their joined hands. It was so warm and yet another chord of familiarity pinging in the recesses of his mind.

He looked around and realized that they were leaving the encampment. They walked for quite a while. They were far enough out that no one would hear her if she screamed and with the bird song in the air, it meant the scouters had successfully lured the ogres away...mainly in part to the ginger's assistance and that special powder she had whipped up.

She stopped and released his hand, he immediately missed the warmth, but he was curious about why she had brought them here...so far away that no one could eavesdrop or spy on them.

She turned to face him and his mouth ran dry...her eyes very much like a predator.

"Hello." She said with mischief in her eyes and a small smirk on her lips.

"Hello." He replied automatically, internally cringing at how breathless he sounded.

Her smirk deepened and there was a sharp twang of pain down below, informing him that he was rock solid and standing at attention. He really needed to do something about that because when he got this hard...well it was rather uncomfortable and almost impossible to ignore.

"Hello." She repeated amusement now flickering alongside mischief.

"That's hello twice." He commented loving how her face brightened.

"Dull but thorough." She replied and he was pretty certain that there was an inside joke there.

"As conversations go...absolutely riveting." He sassed inwardly berating himself for reverting back to usual persona.

The red head started giggling, her eyes becoming even brighter with mirth and humor...beautiful...simply stunning. Yep...he was doomed. There would never be another woman like her in his life, all paled in comparison and fell very short of this mischievous goddess.

"Oh yes...the suspense is positively thrilling." She countered showing her own sass and sarcasm.

He really, really liked her. Finally...a woman with an actual personality and not just a pretty face. He was pretty damn close to throwing caution to the wind.

He inched closer, leaving only a few inches between them. He could feel the warmth radiating from her body...her scent was pure and seemed to be a mixture of things.

"There's no need to be apprehensive, love. I only bite when asked to." He responded dropping the blacksmith persona entirely and turning up the charm.

Might as well go for it...no telling when another opportunity might arise again… probably never. He would prefer to be damned for being himself than to continue on with this ridiculous farce. Her cheeks tinted pink… blushing, she was blushing… and it somehow enhanced her appearance and her appeal!

"Biting is all well and good, sweetie, but I prefer a more hands on approach." She stated flirting right back.

Her hands trailed underneath his rather dingy cloak and he had to stop himself from closing his eyes just to enjoy the sensation. She ghosted along his body, her fingers touching him so softly...it was making him lose his mind.

He noticed when her smile slipped back into a smirk and then she suddenly pulled away completely. He almost stepped towards her but then noticed what was in her hand...the second counterspell bracelet. Seriously?

"I do apologize for pickpocketing but I prefer loading the deck as much as possible." She stated slipping the bracelet onto her right wrist.

She was good but why continue conversing with him now that she had what she wanted...they haven't even been properly introduced yet either. Wow...they didn't even know each other's name. He swore the woman read his mind because she answered his unspoken questions.

"My name is Artz Lanaria and you...are Killian Jones. As for the rather obvious question on your face, I'm still talking to you because i happen to quite like you." She answered smiling softly at him.

"I suggest caution, love. I have a tendency to go after what i want." He informed inching closer again.

She took him off guard again and closed the distance between them, her arms reaching up to wrap around his neck. He could feel every curve, every conture, and by the stars, he wanted to bed this woman. She fit perfectly against him and it was taking every ounce of his self control to just stand still.

He could feel the small tremors coming from all over his body, his senses hyperaware of the woman in his arms. She was soft and gentle, her slim yet curvy figure seemed to be designed just for him because she really did fit perfectly.

Every time she brushed against his body ever so slightly, it was like receiving an electric shock followed by a surge of heat and his erection was so hard that he could scarcely breathe without audibly revealing his… distress.

"I am well aware of your reputation, Captain, but I certainly do hope that I am one of the things you want." She stated cheeks becoming rosy and fear flickering briefly through her eyes.

Why was she afraid...and then it hit him. She was a virgin...this incredibly gorgeous goddess has never known the intimate touch of a man...was this for real? How could someone so devastatingly attractive be a virgin?! Was she choosing him? Did she want him to be her first, to grant her gift of purity to a man like him?

The ginger goddess had played him masterfully, not once but twice, and she was now offering the most precious gift she could give him or was it another ruse, to keep him off his guard?