The Witching Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls 2) (9 page)

"Not a chance." But a moment of concern hit her. "Wait."

He stilled. "What is it?"

"It's Zora. I'm going to adopt her. I'm raising her, Zander. She doesn't have anyone."

He cupped her cheeks. "Can we raise her together? And perhaps a few others of our own?"

One of her hands covered his. "You mean that? You wouldn't mind?"

"Mind?" He laughed. "I'd love it. I want a family with you. With Zora, we'll just get to experience the teenage years before the toddler years. So, will you? Will you marry me?"

She laughed, throwing her arms around him. "Yes. Oh, yes."

The pieces of her heart mended together. She'd loved Zander her whole life. She'd lost him, but he'd come back to her, and now they had their whole lives ahead of them. “There’s something else you should know.”

He eased her away with a smile. “Another surprise?”

She flushed. “Zora’s the True One.”

His mouth hung open as he glanced between the girl and Seph. “So, that’s how you were able to stand after the fight? You channeled the True One’s power?”

“Yes. It’s the only reason we made it out of Voltaire’s fortress.”

“He won’t stop coming after the talisman, after Zora. You know that, right?”

Persephone glanced to the young girl as she whispered something to Celeste. Persephone’s heart ached, knowing exactly what Zora would endure because of her destiny. “I know. But we’ll be ready. We can protect her.”

He nodded firmly, pulling her back into his arms. “We’ll always protect her.”

She sighed into his hold. The peace she’d gone without so long filled her. She’d once cursed fate for tying her life to his, but now she thanked her.

She was truly mated.

P
ersephone snorted
when Zora's magic pulsed, gathering power from the talisman before hitting Zander square in the chest.

He bent over, huffing from the force.

"Are you all right?" Zora raced to him. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I pushed that hard."

He snapped up, wrapping his arms around the girl. "Now what are you doing to do?"

Zora bit her lip, and Persephone relished the focus on their daughter's face.

They’d officially adopted Zora a year ago, and the transformation she'd undergone in that time warmed Persephone. Gone was the hesitant, wary girl, underfed, and suspicious. Zora had filled out to an appropriate weight, and she'd flourished under their care and love.

She was kind, affectionate, and adapting to her power and responsibilities as the True One with more grace and maturity than Persephone could've hoped for.

Zora slipped out of Zander’s hold, and he grinned. "Good one, squirt."

Zora lifted her brow, perfectly mimicking him. "It isn't hard when I'm sparring against an old man," she teased.

Persephone choked on a laugh, rubbing her swollen belly. "Don't worry, love," she whispered to the child growing within her, "your daddy still has enough life in him to be able to do this with you. Don't listen to your big sister."

Zander grabbed Zora, tickling her mercilessly. "What was that again?"

"Old man!" she choked on her laughter.

Persephone's heart melted. Zander had proven time and again his love for her. He'd been shocked that Zora was the True One, but was grateful and humbled that she would be his daughter.

When Zora had heard about the upcoming wedding, she'd been thrilled, excited about being a bridesmaid, and had bonded with Zander in an instant. After his rescue from Voltaire’s fortress, she admired him. Love wasn’t long in coming.

Persephone couldn't blame her daughter.

She’d been blessed with so much love in her life, she barely recognized the woman she'd been two years before. Constructing the talisman had been a dark time, but after glimpsing what her future would be like, she'd happily go through it again if it meant she'd have Zander and Zora.

"Are you two ready to come in yet?"

They both grinned at her. Zander tickled her once more, producing a squeal from Zora before releasing her. Zora raced up the porch steps, quickly pecking her cheek before running inside.

Winded, Zander walked up the steps slower. "My turn," he said, taking her in his arms and placed a lingering kiss on her lips before settling in for a deeper, passionate kiss.

Persephone's head spun. No matter how many times they kissed, each seemed more powerful, more explosive than the last.

"How are you?" he whispered, rubbing small circles across her belly. "How's little one?"

Her lips curved. She would've never guessed Zander would thrive as a father. "We're both doing well. She's a bit active today."

"She?"

"Just a feeling."

He grinned. "Perfect. Another beautiful woman to love me." She pinched him. "All my girls love me."

She scowled playfully. "Just make sure those girls consist of me, Zora, or any others we make together."

"Of course. No others could compete."

He nuzzled her lips. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?"

She snorted. "About every morning, but I don't know how you can still say that when I'm as large as a cow."

He wrapped his arms around her. "You still fit here. And I've never seen a woman so beautiful as you. That's my child. Nothing could be more breathtaking than the life we've created."

She cupped his cheek, her heart overflowing. "I love you so much."

He took her hand, kissing her fingers. "I love you too. Always."

Wrapping their arms around one another, they headed into their home, into their sanctuary, where love ruled and family meant everything.

Persephone glanced outside before shutting the door. The sun parted behind the clouds casting a single bright beam on her face like a caress, and she knew she was blessed.

Fate had never let her down.

T
he Witching Moon
(The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1)

Scandal of Love
(Scandals & Secrets - Book 1)

Masquerade Secrets
(Scandals & Secrets - Book 2)

Secrets in Mourning
(Scandals & Secrets - Book 3)

A Kiss with Scandal
(Scandals & Secrets - Book 4)

Sunkissed

My Only Wish