Until now, Ula had kept her word. Sighing, she dug deeper into the tapestry bag and pulled out a red candle. Then she noticed a pin among the clutter on the table. Not long ago, she remembered Meara casting a love spell for her friend who often came to visit. Meara's friend was the one who had given Ula so many fine catalogs like the JC Penney one she enjoyed most of all.
Ula recalled the simple steps for the love spell. It seemed harmless enough--a simple, straightforward charm. Turning a rabbit into a puppy involved a complicated incantation. One slip of a syllable could be downright catastrophic and she knew she would inevitably say the wrong thing, winding up with a disaster. How much could go wrong with a love spell? If it worked, maybe Shay would love her--and always remember her with fondness even if he could never be her husband.
If it softened his attitude toward her just the slightest bit maybe he wouldn't shout at her or use vile language in her presence. If he wouldn't turn away from her--if he would let her touch him--if only it gave her a small amount of influence for certainly her own power had no effect on him--maybe he would loan the dog to her without a fuss.
Feeling slightly sinful, Ula picked up the pin and wrote her name along with Shay's name on the candle. Frowning, she searched through the assortment of bottles on the table until she found rose oil. She opened the bottle and sniffed. The aroma of summer's wild roses set her pulse racing.
She spilled a few drops on the candle and rubbed the oil into the wax. Shay kept matches next to the fireplace and she had seen a candleholder there as well. She hurriedly fetched those items and placing the candle in the holder, she lit the wick. A peculiar tingling danced through her, and then a warmth spread throughout her body. Her breasts grew heavy while a languorous debility settled into her limbs, making her long to lie down--on Shay's bed. A touch of alarm wound through her as the overpowering yearning gnawed at her, craving for satisfaction. She took a deep breath and pressed her hands upon her midriff, as if she could hold the feelings at bay. She had not realized the charm would have such a disconcerting effect on her. Uneasy, she tried to reassure herself that anything was worth a try under the circumstances.
As she started to place some of Meara's paraphernalia back into the tapestry bag, Shay entered the kitchen with Bran trotting obediently behind him. When she glanced up to see the wide grin on Shay's face, she felt the blood drain from her own. His smile bore all the triumph of a conqueror.
Ula could barely breathe. The charm shouldn't work that fast! She tried to stare into his eyes and command him.
You will have no lustful thoughts! Naturally, his grin did not fade. She could only assume her order did not work. She wondered if it could be because she had difficulty trying to rein in her own immodest ideas.
She watched his gaze roam slowly downward, one seductive millimeter at a time from her face to her breasts. She knew she should be annoyed with his supreme arrogance even if she had initiated the love charm, but his bold assessment only served to turn her insides into a sweet mound of warm pudding.
"I've something to say to you." His husky voice vibrated through her, setting off small earthquakes near her thighs.
