Arcane Magic: Daughters of the Warlock, #7

By Amelia Shaw and Maggie Shaw

A forbidden love. A league of Witches who want equal rights. And a Council hellbent on stopping them.

Bella, still the black sheep of the family, has fallen in love with a wolf shifter. Though their love is forbidden, she won't give him up. Now she'll have to fight the Council to change the law….or risk death. Her last hope is joining the 'League of Witches,' a group of women determined to change the rules to give equal rights to all species.

But with equal rights to love come equal rights to live, and the Council won't allow the shifters or the Fae to step out of place. With the witches on their side, the shifters want to fight, but will this battle to end all wars end Bella and her lover's lives in the process?

If you enjoy the action and speed of a CN Crawford novel and the romance and heat of Jeaniene Frost, then you'll love Amelia Shaw's new Urban Fantasy series, Daughters of the Warlock.

Scroll up and one click to start reading 'Arcane Magic' today to see why readers are drawn to this fast-paced magical adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Oct 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201574055

Book preview

Chapter 1.

BELLA.

Waking up in bed next to a shifter could be interesting.

One morning I’d opened my eyes to find Christian sleeping right next to me, where he was meant to be. In wolf form.

That had given me one hell of a fright. I admit that I screamed a little at the time, but I was getting more comfortable with the animal elements of my lover as time wore on.

There were nuances I wasn’t even familiar with. Not only could he shift forms while sleeping, but he whined in his sleep and didn’t use the covers because his body ran at a higher temperature than humans. Which was perfect for me, considering when the nights got cold, I could share some of his heat. That, and I didn’t have to worry about him hogging the blankets.

Good morning, Christian said from his side of our bed, and I rolled over to smile at him.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to this. Hey. How’d you sleep?

He stretched out, reaching his arms above his head and groaning loudly. Too well. I feel so pampered in this bed, living in this house with you.

He rolled over to face me and I leaned forward, kissing his lips and sighing with contentment. It should be illegal to feel this happy, I murmured more to myself than to him.

Christian laughed and rolled out of bed to use the bathroom. It is! They call it living in sin for a reason.

I giggled as I pulled up the blankets to cover my naked body. Christian preferred I didn’t wear pajamas, especially if we’d had sex the night before. Which was pretty much every night. He was a voracious lover, something I wasn’t used to, but was enthusiastic about, nonetheless. Part of me wondered if it had to do with him being a wolf, but part of me believed Christian would always have a healthy sexual appetite, no matter what sort of creature he was. I happened to be the lucky recipient of his attention, and I had no plans to deny him any time soon. Especially since my own appetite for it – for him – was just as enthusiastic.

Yeah... I smiled to myself. If this luxury was a sin, then make me a sloth. I wanted to enjoy loving Christian for as long as I breathed. For as long as we could make this work.

I wasn’t a silly girl who thought we’d be together forever. I also saw no reason for us to stop any time soon. I wanted to believe, but...

It wouldn’t do to think about my mother’s sordid history and her own hang-ups with men – especially my father. Just because she behaved a certain way didn’t mean it was my destiny.

What time do you finish work today? he asked, walking back into the room. His hands were still damp, having just washed them. Do you want me to pick you up?

It had been almost six months since the attack on Courtney and me in the library, and yet Christian and my father still worried about our safety. I couldn’t blame them. I still worried about Courtney as well.

And since we had yet to discover who was behind that attack, I didn’t fight them on what could be construed as over-protectiveness. I’d do the same thing.

I finish around three, but you don’t need to pick me up. Ava’s meeting me, and we’re going shopping for baby things. I mean, unless you want to help us pick out the perfect crib...

My sister was ready to pop. Ava was one of those perfect pregnant women who had flawless skin and an iridescent glow. Her hair shined. I could only hope if I ever decided to have a child, I would have inherited a fraction of those qualities too.

Christian grinned at me as he got dressed, readying himself for his day as a farmer, builder, and general maintenance man for the wolf shifter town.

My father had built the whole place in one night, but it required on-going support, and we’d had hundreds of refugees coming in from other cities and realms.

It certainly kept Christian busy while I spent my days at the library in town. And Christian was passionate about his job. People loved him.

How long’s she got now? he asked casually, pulling on a black t-shirt and blue overalls.

We hadn’t talked much about pregnancy in general, but his curiosity made me grin.

About six weeks, I think. I groaned as I joined him, rolling out of bed to start my day. I had to get moving or I was in danger of becoming the sloth I joked about.

For a moment, he did nothing but stare as I stretched. The old me would have felt self-conscious of his heady gaze, would have questioned why his eyes darkened as they sculpted the length of my body. Even now, despite our intimate experiences, a warmth tickled my cheek, and I knew I was blushing. Instead of moving to cover myself or rushing to pull on clothes, I allowed myself to enjoy his perusal. And maybe if we didn’t have to leave so soon, we might have been rolling back in bed for one more romp before we started the day.

It woke me up better than coffee.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this, he murmured, shaking his head before running his fingers through his hair. I loved that he seemed to echo my sentiments exactly.

Breakfast? he asked, walking over to our small kitchen. Scrambled eggs and toast. My specialty. He gave me a wink.

I moved across the room, shivering in the cool morning air and dashing to the bathroom. Oh, yes, please.

Okay. You take a shower, and it will be ready when you’re out.

Christian went about preparing the meal, when I could have snapped my fingers and done it for us.

The fact that he enjoyed looking after me, and took pride in things like cooking, made me love him so much more.

I jumped in the shower, enjoying the quiet and the warmth before dressing with a magical wave of my hand.

Black leggings, a long, burgundy tunic and a grey cardigan because it was cold. I matched the outfit with some flat, leather, knee-high boots, and I was ready to go.

Breakfast was on the round wooden table that served as the dining table in the kitchen.

You’re the best. You know that? I said, sitting down to my plate and reaching for the orange juice he’d poured for me.

I grabbed my fork to eat, and Christian pushed a small box across the table towards me.

I frowned at it, then picked it up. It was black and square, and weighed very little.

What’s this... oh, my... Christian was kneeling beside the table, staring up at me.

I wanted to do this in a romantic moment, but what better time than right now?

My throat tightened and I stared down at him. Are you... I’d seen marriage proposals on the human television shows we’d been allowed to watch on occasion.

But he couldn’t possibly be doing that.

Christian took the box from my hand and opened it. Bella Melfi, would you marry me? Make me the happiest of men by agreeing to be my wife.

I launched myself at him, knocking him to the ground and kissing him as hard as I could.

He laughed against my lips, rolling so I was beneath him, and lifted his head. Is that a yes?

I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion. Yes, please. I’d love to be your wife.

As a woman who’d never believed that I’d ever find someone who suited me, I couldn’t believe how perfect Christian was.

He slid back, got to his feet and pulled me up as well. Then you should wear your ring.

He bent down and scooped up the box that had been lost in my flurry of kissing activity.

He opened the box and showed me the ring he’d chosen.

I’d expected a plain diamond or a gold band. But instead, inside the box was a silver ring with a large purple stone. It was engraved and ornate, and so much more beautiful than any ring I’d ever seen.

Christian... I whispered. It’s... perfect.

He plucked the ring from its bed and reached for my left hand. I was hoping you’d like it. I designed the style and one of my friends made it for me.

You have a jewelry making friend I don’t know about?

Christian laughed. I do have some secrets still. He slid the ring onto my finger, and it fit snugly at the base near my knuckle.

Christian leaned forward and cupped my chin, lifting my face for another sweet kiss. Now, I have to go to work, and so do you.

I grabbed his arm, dragging him back to me. You don’t want to celebrate now? I could never get enough of his gorgeous body, or the way he touched me.

Christian raised an eyebrow. You wanna blow off the library?

I pressed my lips together. No, I didn’t. Our lovemaking sessions were long. I wouldn’t be dressed and ready for work again for hours.

I glanced at the clock on the wall, then looked back to Christian, who was smirking. I didn’t think so. We can celebrate tonight.

Sounds great.

He gave me one more kiss before we walked out the front door of our house together.

Morning, Bella! Monique said as she walked by.

Morning! I waved as the wolf shifter walked by. I’d done my best to fit into the wolf shifter community.

Some of the older men were still a little guarded but overall, I loved living in the pack lands, and they seemed to like having me there.

Okay, gotta go, I said, kissing my official fiancé one more time, then dancing off down the path towards the exit to the realm.

My father had created a special type of barrier that only allowed approved people into the pack lands. Since we’d discovered Council members whipping Christian in a public arena, Dad had stepped up and protected the wolf shifters.

He’d created this community and put barriers up for them.

I slipped through the invisible shield and stepped into the warlock town. The library was a ten-minute walk, but I hurried as I was late.

My new ring felt cool and heavy on my hand. Foreign and new, in the best way.

He asked me to marry him!

I still couldn’t believe it. Even as I stared down on the ring on my finger, it still seemed surreal!

What sort of wedding would we have? Some type of pack ritual? Or a fancy ceremony like Ava had?

Speaking of Ava, what was she going to say tonight when I told her? What would Courtney think?

Hopefully, both would be happy for me.

I reached the college for witches and warlocks and raced into the front entrance.  It was weird to think that my sisters and I would have gone to school here if our mother hadn’t hidden us in another realm for twenty years.

Or would we? Would we even be alive today if someone had discovered that the High Warlock had fathered three daughters to a woman who wasn’t his wife.

And with that strange thought in my head, I pushed open the door to the library and raced over to the reception desk.

Morning, Hillary.

Good morning, Bella. Sleep in again?

Heat flushed up my cheeks. Tardiness had never been a problem before I started living with Christian.

Now I slept in more mornings than I could count. Um, yeah. Sorry, Hillary.

She grinned at me, and I ducked my head and ran off to the back of the library, where I could start my sorting and hide my flaming cheeks.

I loved Christian, but I didn’t love the idea of everyone else knowing how smitten we were with each other. Mostly because they put two and two together, and realized I spent a lot more time in bed than I should.

The day, like most, passed quickly. The library was exactly my sort of place, filled with my sort of people. Bookworms. Hardworking, quiet types.

When 3 pm rolled around, I was just logging out of the computer when Ava waddled into the room.

I couldn’t stop the smile that lifted my lips and lit my heart. You look so beautiful pregnant.

Her blonde hair shined like the sun and her huge, round belly was wrapped up in a grey knit dress. I thought she looked amazing.

My sister, however, did not agree with me. She pushed her hand into her lower back and groaned. I cannot wait for this to be over.

I chuckled, grabbed my purple and gold satchel and headed for the front door. Bye, Hillary. See you tomorrow.

How’s Courtney? I asked as I opened the door for my sister, and we made our way out of the college.

Ava sighed again. She’s okay, I guess. She still has strange black-outs, and her temper isn’t great.

It never was, I countered, memories of Courtney’s temperament throughout childhood coming across my mind.

Ava held the railing as she