Harvest Moon (Beaux Rêve Coven 4)

Miren pursed her lips. “Last night, we heard no echo.”

“Although I’ve given up my abstinence,” Radha said, “I have yet to give myself completely to the jinn.”

“But he gave you relief…?” Bryn said, a small smile tilti

ng her lips.

Radha couldn’t hold back a wide smile. “I haven’t slept like that in…forever.”

“So, what’s his magic?” Darcy asked, her green eyes sparkling. “His fingers or his tongue?”

Radha shook her head. “Have you no shame?”

Her friend and sister wrinkled her nose. “Not a bit. I’m just so happy for you.”

“Did the mare come to you last night?” Miren asked.

“No. Thanks to Khan, I fell straight to sleep, without traveling first. So fast, I think he can’t have latched onto me to follow.” She sighed. “But I’m not fooled into thinking this is a solution.”

“Well, while we wait for the vanir to arrive, we have some gifts we hope will help,” Bryn said. She reached into the pocket of her long skirt and pulled out three small polished stones. “The red stone is coral for protection from evil. This shiny black one is obsidian, also for protection and deflecting negativity. And the emerald will protect you psychically, while you travel—”

“As well as open your heart to lo-oove,” Darcy said, again, waggling her eyebrows.

Bryn dropped the stones into a small pouch. “Touch them several times throughout the day. And wear them in an amulet bag against your skin at night.”

Miren handed her a flask. “It’s water I charged with a spell during the last full moon. Drink it before you sleep.”

“Thank you, sister.” Radha nodded at Aoife. “And thank you for the marigold.”

When she looked at Darcy, the redhead pulled a necklace over her head. “I made this pendant from clay mixed with bayou sludge.” When Radha made a face, she laughed. “The sludge grounds the pendant here, to Bonne Nuit. So, no matter where you travel, you’ll be tethered.”

Radha gazed at the pendant lying across her palm. It was a tiny statue of a very pregnant Goddess. The glazing was white to represent the Akasha, or Spirit, which was Radha’s guiding element. On the back of the Goddess was the impression of a dove, her animal totem, which was a spiritual messenger. Radha stood and leaned across the table to give Darcy a hug. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” Then she pulled the leather cord over her head and let the Goddess charm settle between her breasts.

“We were thinking…” Bryn began with a glance around the table, “that we should be here at night. To hold vigil.”

Radha shook her head. “I don’t think you have to do that. You have your own lives…”

“We could do the same thing we did in the early days here,” Aoife said. “Do a series of interlocking warding spells to keep the mare away.”

“No,” Radha said. “I won’t let you. Besides, I have my guardians…and Khan…well, he helped last night.”

Bryn cleared her throat. “The Harvest Moon is coming in three days. We could set our warding spell as we dance.”

“Are you sure Ethan’s going to let you?” Darcy teased. “The last time you did, he kept trying to make you wear a sheet around you, like a toga.”

Bryn laughed and waved a hand. “Ethan will be fine. And the second we finish our ritual, I’ll be dangling over his shoulder while he runs to the nearest clearing to have his wicked way with me.”

Radha couldn’t help feeling envious of how jealously protective Ethan was of Bryn. He’d hovered over her all the months of her pregnancy. Even now, if he sensed she was tired, he carried her to the nearest chair or bed to ensure she didn’t overdo.

Bryn pulled away the cover from the cake, and they all drew in the scent of apple cake, allspice…and cinnamon.

Darcy giggled. “Have you worked your cinnamon lust spell?”

“If I have, it’s only to make sure your jinn will continue to perform as your sleep aid.” She arched a black eyebrow. “Make sure he eats a slice after dinner.”

When Bryn began serving the women, Radha held up her hand. “I’ll wait until later. I still have work to do.”

The other women tucked in. Soon, their cheeks grew flushed. Their pupils dilated.