Amelia and Orion

By Kate Hill

Demon. Vampire. Human. Orion is all three. From the moment he met Amelia Wild, his heart has belonged to her, but a hybrid like him doesn’t have the luxury of falling in love.

Amelia Wild sometimes regrets not sharing her family’s magical gifts, but she has one of her own -- a genius level IQ that she uses to uncover scientific ways to fight supernatural creatures. For years she has loved her business partner, Orion, but he has made it clear they will never be romantically involved.

When Orion’s emotional restraint becomes too much, Amelia heads to her family’s ancestral land to get in touch with her magical roots. Lost without her, Orion follows Amelia to the Wild family cabin. Will this irritable half-demon and a brilliant witch finally surrender to the powerful attraction between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Mar 13, 2020

Kate Hill

Kate Hill is a vegetarian New Englander who started writing many years ago for pleasure. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, watching horror and action movies, working out, and spending time with her family and pets. She also writes under the name Saloni Quinby.

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Prologue

Early Autumn, 1876

I’m sorry, sir. I tried to stop her, but --

It’s not your fault, Miles. Striding into the foyer of his spacious home on the outskirts of Boston, Jude Wild glanced at his longtime servant and friend. The elderly man averted his gaze and Jude wondered exactly how hard Miles had tried to keep the woman out. Miles had never disguised his appreciation for Ruth and his admiration for her powers. He even had the audacity to imply that she and Jude would be a good match -- a suggestion that had nearly cost his job and their friendship.

His heart drumming from annoyance and excitement, Jude turned his gaze to Ruth Archer. The chestnut-haired witch stared at him with blue eyes that pierced his soul and stirred his rage. How could such a stubborn woman be so appealing?

Miles, I’d like to speak to Mr. Wild alone, please, Ruth said in a soft but unyielding voice.

The servant looked at Jude, who nodded curtly. Miles might have fought alongside Jude against minions of Satan, but he was no match for Ruth’s iron will. Better that he leave than take this woman’s side against him. The last thing he wanted was to fight his old friend and this beautiful witch at the same time.

I believe I’ll have a walk around the property, sir.

Miles left Jude and Ruth staring at each other.

I told you never to come here, not to follow me anywhere, and to stay out of my affairs, in particular the dangerous ones. Jude spoke in his most sinister voice -- the one he used when dealing with the wiliest of Hell’s creatures.

And I told you that my duty is to protect the unsuspecting against supernatural evils. I also told you that our destinies are --

Linked? Ruth, I’m a warrior, and I don’t simply fight other men.

She smiled, and he gazed in fascination at her rose-colored lips. Would they taste as sweet as they looked? Yes, Mr. Wild. We’ve been through this before. It’s how we met -- in combat while fighting on the same side against the evils I spoke of. How many times have we fought together before? Back to back?

And every time I’m afraid your pretty throat will be ripped open by a hellhound or a vampire or --

And you think I’m not concerned about you? I’ve never imagined feeling this way about another person. The fact that we both have these magical gifts --

Gifts? He narrowed his eyes. To you they’re gifts, but to me they’re a curse. It’s something I have to constantly control. Something that keeps me apart from others because if for an instant I let my power overwhelm me… His voice drifted off and he briefly closed his eyes. Why was he talking to her and not throwing her out of his house, like he’d intended?

All of us can be overwhelmed by the darkness within us, and I’m not just speaking of witches, but all people. You’re no different than the rest of us, Jude Wild, and by saying you are, you’re hiding. Do you fear me?

He glared at her. Ruth, I fear what I might do to you. Unintentionally, of course. My power feeds off my anger. What happens if I can’t turn it off? I won’t harm innocent people, and certainly not someone I -- He drew a sharp breath and shook his head. Admitting how he felt about her would seal their doom.

Another faint smile tugged at her lips. He thought she might approach, but she stood still, as if sensing that he was on the verge of ending their contact forever.

Someone you what? The gentleness in her voice touched him. He ached to take her in his arms and spend the rest of his life with her -- not in combat, but in marriage.

You have to leave. Not all witches are good, and there are times when I don’t trust myself.

I know you, Jude. Yes, you have power. So do I, but we’ve forged a bond that can never be broken. Don’t you see that? I trust you, and I know that you would never hurt me.

Their gazes locked. He saw the truth in her eyes and his chest tightened. Emotion nearly overwhelmed him.

Before I met you, I thought I would die an old maid, not because I couldn’t find a husband, but because I didn’t think that kind of love could fit into my absurd life. Fighting the supernatural. It’s not exactly proper behavior for a lady.

This time he smiled as well. Or a gentleman, though it’s closer to what I did in the army than you in a sewing circle.

She laughed. I’m a disaster in a sewing circle. Or knitting. My food is edible, but I’m working on it, so you needn’t worry about that.

I’m not. That’s why I hire servants. I wouldn’t expect a woman of your skills to be concerned about housework when there are demons to fight. He drew a sharp breath and his brow furrowed. What was he saying?

"All right, then. Our thoughts have been headed in the same direction, after all."

Ruth, how can you want a life with me?

She stepped toward him and placed her hands on his chest. Surely she felt his heart pounding. Her gaze lifted to his. How can I not?

Oh, Ruth. He couldn’t resist a moment longer, but pulled her into a firm embrace and covered her mouth in a penetrating kiss.

He swept her into his arms and she smiled, clinging to his neck. Still kissing her, he ascended the stairs and carried her to his room. He placed her on his bed and for a moment gazed at her in disbelief. He’d dreamed about bedding her, giving her children, and spending the rest of his life with her, but until now, it had seemed impossible.

He should have known that with Ruth, anything was possible.

Are you going to sit there or kiss me again? she asked in a husky voice.

Jude covered her mouth with his. Their tongues met, and they learned each other’s taste and texture. Ruth wove her fingers through his hair and trailed them down his throat. She unbuttoned his shirt and Jude rose to quickly shed his clothes. While he undressed, her gaze never left him, but roamed appreciatively over his athletic form.

You’re a handsome man. Ruth rose to her knees to run her hands over his chest and stomach. His muscles clenched with pleasure when she palmed the bulging front of his trousers. Such a fine build.

Thank the army. He cupped the back of her head and kissed her again, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. She pressed even closer to him, closing her eyes and not merely surrendering, but matching his fervor.

Undressing her wasn’t quite as simple. Women’s clothes were more complex, but he savored every moment of baring her beautiful, satin-skinned body to his view and touch.

You’re so beautiful, Ruth. He caressed her shoulders and lightly palmed her bare breasts. Like him, she had trained as a witch warrior and her body was lithe and strong. He grinned when he thought about how other man admired her seemingly delicate beauty, but had no idea the power of this woman.

Jude gently pressed her onto her back and joined her in bed. He nuzzled her neck and trailed his lips along her collarbone. Pressing kisses to her soft, round breasts, he relished every touch. The faint scent of her floral perfume teased his nose, but as he kissed her stomach to the thatch of dark, springy hair between her legs, a more arousing scent drew him even lower. Cupping her bottom, he covered her clitoris with his mouth.

Oh, Jude, she said breathlessly, her fingers tight in his hair.

Groaning, he took his time licking and sucking her plump little nub. He shifted position slightly so that he could thrust his tongue inside her. All the while she caressed his hair and kneaded his shoulders, murmuring encouragement and endearments.

Pleasuring her aroused Jude. Already his cock was hard and throbbing. He wanted to thrust into her soaked pussy, but first things first. He lapped her clitoris with rhythmic upward strokes that within moments had her writhing and throbbing in a fierce climax.

He slid up her body, and while she was still pulsating, entered her slowly. Soft, wet, and tight, her pussy swallowed his cock, and he groaned.

Oh, Jude, yes! I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.

Ruth, my love. You feel so good. He closed his eyes and thrust over and over.

Locking her legs around his waist, she clung to him and met his frantic thrusts with equal passion. He wasn’t sure he’d last long enough for her to climax again. Then she cried out and came quickly enough to take him by surprise. His thrusts fast and erratic, he tensed and climaxed so hard that his brain couldn’t process anything else. A demon could have crashed through the window and he wouldn’t have even realized.

When he regained his composure, he shifted aside so that she could breathe again.

Ruth turned to him with a lazy smile.

He smiled back and stroked strands of silky hair from her face. Prepare yourself for a fast wedding, woman.

Ruth pushed herself onto her elbow. Excuse me, but was that an order or a proposal?

He raised an eyebrow. I thought you wanted to get married? Our children will have the Wild name.

A gentleman asks a lady. He doesn’t tell her.

She was right. Jude had always been direct, and even uncouth, as Ruth had often pointed out. Assuming that she would marry him might even make such a stubborn woman refuse, and he couldn’t have that. Not after this. How could he possibly face a lifetime without her?

Gazing into her eyes, he cupped her face and stroked her soft cheek with his thumb. I’m asking, Ruth. Pleading. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, mad as my life is?

She smiled. Have you forgotten my life is just as mad? Yes, I’ll marry you.

Jude kissed her, pressing her